Join Tom Needham on SOUNDS for an eye-opening and compelling conversation with Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director Todd Bieber, whose latest documentary “American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly” delves into the controversial practice of cat declawing. In this exclusive interview, Bieber sheds light on the medical, ethical, and emotional ramifications of a procedure that remains shockingly common in the United States, despite being banned in most industrialized countries.

Director John Pilger Discusses “The Coming War on China” on The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham

Tom Needham presents an exclusive interview with renowned documentary filmmaker John Pilger, who will discuss his films “Utopia” and “The Coming War on China.". Pilger is also widely known for his work on films about Julian Assange, including “The War You Don’t See” and his 2007 film, “The War on Democracy,” which examines U.S. interventions in Latin America.

He will also discuss "Utopia” a documentary that sheds light on the struggles of Aboriginal Australians. The title refers to Utopia, Northern Territory, one of the most impoverished areas in Australia. As producer, writer, and director, Pilger visited Utopia and found Aboriginal families still living in dire conditions without access to electricity or running water. The film highlights the alarming fact that Aboriginal Australians are imprisoned at ten times the rate Black South Africans were under apartheid. Pilger also critiques the exploitation of Aboriginal lands for mining, noting that tax revenue from this mining has done little to alleviate their poverty. “Utopia” is available on Icarus Films DVD and video-on-demand.

Pilger’s latest work, “The Coming War on China,” offers a stark warning about the growing threat of nuclear conflict with China. The film highlights the significant buildup of military bases around China, the largest since World War II, and recounts the history of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. Beginning in 1946, the U.S. conducted a 12-year series of nuclear bomb tests, in part to study the effects of radiation on the local population, whom Pilger describes as being treated like “guinea pigs.”

On the upcoming episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, filmmaker Alan Rudolph joins to discuss the restored 4K release of his satirical film, “Breakfast of Champions.” Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s acclaimed novel, this darkly comedic portrayal of American life returns after 25 years, offering a fresh and timely reflection on the madness and chaos that still resonate today. Starring Bruce Willis as the unraveling car dealership magnate Dwayne Hoover, the film features an impressive ensemble cast including Albert Finney, Nick Nolte, Glenne Headly, and Barbara Hershey. As the story unfolds, Hoover’s search for meaning leads him to Kilgore Trout, a reclusive science fiction writer played by Finney, resulting in an explosive and unpredictable collision of two very different worlds.

Alan Rudolph’s direction brings out both the absurdity and the poignancy of Vonnegut’s narrative, capturing the cracks beneath the veneer of the American Dream. Now, with this pristine 4K restoration, the film offers a new generation the chance to appreciate the wit and performances that may have been overlooked in its original release. Rudolph reflects on the renewed relevance of “Breakfast of Champions,” noting that today’s audience might be even more prepared to grapple with its surreal exploration of identity, success, and the search for truth in an increasingly chaotic world.

A key figure in independent cinema, Rudolph’s work often delves into the complexities of human relationships, blending fluid storytelling with unconventional humor. From his early collaborations with Robert Altman to his celebrated films like “Choose Me” and “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle,” Rudolph has consistently pushed the boundaries of narrative film. With “Breakfast of Champions,” he once again demonstrates his unique ability to bring complex literary works to life, ensuring this cult favorite remains as compelling now as it was 25 years ago.

Josh Fox, a guest on the SOUNDS podcast with Tom Needham and SOUNDS OF FILM Radio show, is a renowned independent filmmaker and the founder and artistic director of International WOW Company, a dynamic film and theater collective. Since its founding in 1996, International WOW has worked with actors, filmmakers, writers, activists, and artists from a wide range of cultural and activist backgrounds, creating projects that address pressing environmental, social, and political crises. With productions spanning over 30 countries across five continents, Fox’s company has brought to life transformative performances and projects focused on sustainability, social justice, and the power of art to inspire change. Over the years, Fox has received multiple awards for his work, including a Drama Desk Nomination, several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a prestigious Asian Cultural Council Fellowship.

Fox is perhaps best known for his Oscar-nominated documentary, “Gasland,” which earned a Special Jury Prize at Sundance and brought global attention to the environmental dangers of fracking. His films have premiered at major festivals, including Sundance and Tribeca, and have been featured on platforms like HBO and Netflix. Known for his blend of captivating narratives and heightened imagery, his work reflects a deep commitment to socially conscious themes, whether through the lens of film or the stage.

In his latest project, “Edge of Nature,” Fox shares a deeply personal journey, set during what scientists refer to as “The Anthropause,”—the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic when global emissions saw an unprecedented drop, marking the only time in history that industrial fossil fuel pollution was reduced enough to impact climate change. After contracting COVID-19 in early 2020 and suffering from long-term neurological effects, Fox retreated to a secluded cabin in Pennsylvania. There, he sought healing in nature, exploring his family’s history of trauma and genocide while connecting with the environment around him, including a cast of beavers, bears, and coyotes. “Edge of Nature” reflects his belief that nature holds profound lessons for healing and survival, and that the “Anthropause” may offer essential insights into how we can restore our planet.

EDGE OF NATURE is screening at the Workers Unite Film Festival at the Cinema Village on Saturday, October, 19th.

In this episode of the SOUNDS podcast, Tom Needham interviews Zack Weiner, actor and co-writer of “Bad Shabbos” and “Citizen Weiner,” alongside director Daniel Robbins. They delve into their creative process and discuss the making of two distinct films, each exploring different facets of modern life.

On this episode of The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham, acclaimed director Joshua Zeman discusses his powerful new documentary, “Checkpoint Zoo.” The film, a featured selection at the Port Jefferson Documentary Series and the Hamptons International Film Festival, tells the harrowing story of the rescue of animals trapped in Kharkiv’s Feldman Ecopark during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zeman takes listeners behind the scenes of this intense project, sharing how he and his crew navigated the dangers of filming in an active war zone while capturing the incredible efforts of zookeepers and volunteers risking their lives to save animals under artillery fire.

“Checkpoint Zoo” was honored at the Hamptons International Film Festival with the prestigious “Zelda Penzel Award,” which recognizes films that raise public awareness and provoke discussion about the moral and ethical treatment of animals. In this interview, Zeman reflects on the emotional and ethical challenges of documenting the intersection of war and wildlife, the deep bond between the animals and their caretakers, and the broader environmental consequences of armed conflict. This episode provides an in-depth look at a film that sheds light on the untold victims of war—the innocent animals caught in the crossfire.

On the latest episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, Emmy Award-winning director Erika Cohn joins the show for an eye-opening discussion about her documentary “Belly of the Beast.” The film delves into the alarming practice of forced sterilizations in California’s prison system, focusing on how women of color were disproportionately targeted. In this powerful conversation, Cohn explains how a young woman, along with a passionate attorney, uncovered a series of illegal sterilizations and other human rights violations within the prison system, sparking a legal battle against the Department of Corrections. The documentary, filmed over seven years, offers intimate access to both current and former prisoners and exposes the systemic reproductive injustices that persist in the U.S. prison system.

On the next SOUNDS Podcast, Tom Needham speaks to acclaimed director Whit Stillman, known for his sharp, witty films that explore the intricacies of social class and relationships. Stillman’s filmography includes “Metropolitan,” “Barcelona,” “The Last Days of Disco,” “Damsels in Distress,” and “Love & Friendship.” In addition to his films, he directed the episode “The Heart of a Saturday Night” from “Homicide: Life on the Street” and the Amazon pilot “The Cosmopolitans.” Fans are eagerly anticipating more from “The Cosmopolitans,” which Stillman has said will have a more adventure-centered focus in future episodes.

Stillman is also a novelist, having penned The Last Days of Disco, With Cocktails at Petrossian Afterwards and Love & Friendship: In Which Jane Austen’s Lady Susan Vernon Is Entirely Vindicated. His screenplays for “Barcelona” and “Metropolitan” were published together by Faber and Faber in Barcelona & Metropolitan: Tales of Two Cities. A frequent writer for publications like The Village Voice, Harper’s, The Guardian, and Vogue, Stillman’s insights and unique storytelling makes for a fascinating conversation with Tom Needham.