Join Us on the Doc Talk Podcast: Exploring ‘Newport & The Great Folk Dream’ and ‘All Of The Above’ with Your Acoustic Guitar
Oscar-winning filmmaker John Ridley is making headlines with his latest project, which highlights a unique approach to education.
Ridley’s documentary, All of the Above, explores a World Religions class at a public high school in Illinois where students from various faith backgrounds come together. The film presents how a dedicated teacher encourages the community to challenge their preconceived notions about faith and belonging, a concept Ridley refers to as “religious literacy.”
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In a recent discussion, Ridley elaborated on how he secured permission to film at Mount Prospect High School, drawing inspiration from the documentary series America to Me, created by Steve James at a nearby Oak Park River Forest High School.
Accompanying Ridley was producer Joe Lauro, who discussed his own project, Newport & The Great Folk Dream. Directed by Robert Gordon, known for Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal, this film delves into the legacy of the historic Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.
“Before Coachella and Woodstock, there was Newport,” notes the Milwaukee Film Festival program, highlighting the festival’s significance from 1963 to 1966. This documentary features rare archival footage showcasing a pivotal moment in music history, where freedom songs met work songs, traditional melodies intersected with innovation, and the spirit of protest was palpable.
Listeners can engage with the episode through various podcast platforms, including Spotify, iHeart, and Apple.
