Strangers to Fiction
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsThe podcast for people who love documentaries. Strangers to Fiction is a podcast all about documentary storytelling from two documentary filmmakers. Hosted by documentary filmmakers Jacob McEndollar and Bill Streeter, Strangers to Fiction features discussions of documentary films, talks with documentary filmmakers and insights into the artform.
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Episodes
Q: Into the Storm
April 23, 2021 18:35 - 55 minutes - 102 MBBill Streeter is joined by Bowls MacLean on this episode to discuss the six part HBO documentary series Q: Into the Storm by Cullin Hoback. Bowls has his own podcast, the Bowls MacLean hour which you can listen to here.
The Vow (2020)
October 27, 2020 17:17 - 1 hour - 143 MBThe Vow is a new nine part documentary series on HBO about the NXIVM mlm sex cult. we discuss if it's worth watching and look forward to some other documentaries that will be dropping soon.
Our One Year Anniversary Review
October 18, 2020 21:19 - 1 hour - 122 MBWe launched this podcast in October of 2019 so we are one year old this month! We took this opportunity to take a look back at some of the films we talked about in our first year of the Podcast.
In the Realm of Perfection with guest Bobby Herrera
October 07, 2020 15:33 - 1 hour - 134 MBWe were joined this week by Bobby Herrera to discuss a documentary he picked called "In the Realm of Perfection" by Julien Faraut. Bobby (Robert T. Herrera) is an old friend and colleague of both Bill and Jacob. He has made several films and you can learn more about his work here.
The Wolfpack
September 09, 2020 18:38 - 56 minutes - 105 MBThis week we watched the 2015 documentary The Wolfpack about a family who lived isolated in the middle of New York for years and the six brothers who eventually escaped.
Finding Frances with guest filmmaker Oscar Harding
September 01, 2020 15:40 - 1 hour - 129 MBThis week we are joined by Oscar Harding who is finishing his own film "A Life on the Farm" which is a found footage documentary for which he is raising money to finish on Kickstarter here. We discuss this project and if you find the project as compelling as we did you can contribute to the kickstarter which ends very soon. He also chose the television documentary "Finding Frances" which was the season finale of "Nathan for You" a Comedy Central reality show. The film blurs the lines between ...
Capturing the Friedmans
August 27, 2020 21:11 - 1 hour - 119 MBOn this episode we discuss the disturbing yet compelling 2003 documentary Capturing the Friedmans that offers a rare inside look at a family facing a profound crisis when the father and one son is accused of child molestation.
Where's My Roy Cohn?
August 17, 2020 16:33 - 51 minutes - 96.5 MBThis is an episode recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic. Where's My Roy Cohn? is a fascinating portrait of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century that you've probably never heard of.
Side by Side with guest Justin L. Fisher
August 10, 2020 16:11 - 1 hour - 118 MBWe were joined this week by guest filmmaker Justin L. Fisher who picked Side by Side (available to stream on multiple platforms) for our discussion this week. Justin has a new film out himself entitled "Recording in Progress" about the current state of the recorded music business. It's a good discussion, we hope you enjoy!
Baraka
August 06, 2020 02:30 - 58 minutes - 109 MBWhere we take a look at the 1992 experimental documentary Baraka. Mentioned in the podcast is this interview with the filmmakers.
The Battered Bastards of Baseball
July 28, 2020 16:45 - 51 minutes - 95.4 MBThis week in honor of the opening of the 2020 Baseball season (finally) we decided to look back at this 2014 film, The Battered Bastards of Baseball, about the fabled Portland Mavericks, a short lived independent class A team that operated in Portland Oregon from 1973-1977.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
July 21, 2020 01:39 - 57 minutes - 108 MBJiro Dreams of Sushi is a meditative character study about an 85 year old sushi master in Japan. This 2011 film was released in 2011 and shot and directed by David Gelb. We discuss this film and if you like it we suggest a few other films that are similar that you might enjoy.
Tiger King (2020)
March 31, 2020 22:42 - 1 hour - 140 MBAfter a brief hiatus and while sheltered in place, Strangers to Fiction is back to talk about Netflix's much-memed documentary series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. The series goes inside the world of private zoo owners, in particular Joe Exotic and the characters that surround him. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Check It (2016)
February 25, 2020 18:00 - 54 minutes - 74.4 MBThis week we are joined by documentary filmmaker David Wraith to discuss the 2016 film Check It. The film follows a group of gay and transgendered youths in Washington D.C. who started a gang to protect themselves. Directed by Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer, the film was originally released by comedian Louis C.K. on his website, but is now available for rent on Amazon Prime.
Super Size Me (2004)
February 11, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we watch the 2004 Academy Award nominated documentary Super Size Me from director Morgan Spurlock. The film follows Spurlock as he eats McDonald's three times a day for 30 days. It also takes a hard look at the fast food industry and the rising levels of obesity in America.
Hoop Dreams (1994)
February 04, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBThis week we watched the 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams which follows two boys from impoverished Chicago neighborhoods as they chase their dreams of becoming professional basketball players. Shot over five years as the boys were in high school, Hoop Dreams was universally acclaimed with Roger Ebert calling it "one of the best films about American life that I have ever seen".
Brooklyn Bridge [Ken Burns] (1981)
January 28, 2020 22:16 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBThis week we watched the first film from acclaimed historical documentary filmmaker Ken Burns - Brooklyn Bridge. We discuss the career of Ken Burns, his impact on documentary filmmaking and the elements that constitute a Ken Burns film.
American Movie (1999)
January 21, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 126 MBThis week we are watching the 1999 cult-favorite documentary American Movie. The film follows filmmaker Mark Borchardt as he attempt to make a short independent film.
The King of Kong (2007)
January 14, 2020 21:22 - 56 minutes - 78 MBThe King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a 2007 documentary that looks inside the world of competitive arcade gaming. The film follows upstart Steve Wiebe as he challenges "the world's best gamer" Billy Mitchell for the high score in Donkey Kong.
Roger & Me (1989)
January 07, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 97.9 MBIn 1989 Michael Moore released his groundbreaking directorial debut Roger & Me which chronicles Moore's efforts to get a meeting with then General Motors CEO Roger Smith following the closing of several GM facilities in Moore's hometown of Flint, Michigan. On this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss Roger & Me, but more broadly the impact of film and the career of Michael Moore.
Don't F**K With Cats (2019)
December 31, 2019 19:43 - 53 minutes - 47 MBOn this episode BIll and Jacob discuss the new Netflix documentary series Don't F**k With Cats. Make sure you've watched the series before listening, we'll even avoid any spoilers in the description. Have a great New Year folks.
Marjoe (1972)
December 17, 2019 22:29 - 46 minutes - 63.3 MBThis week on Strangers to Fiction we take a look back at the 1972 Academy Award winning documentary Marjoe. A former child preacher, Marjoe Gortner, invites a documentary crew to follow him on a revival tour, while confessing that he is not a believer.
The Devil Next Door (2019)
December 10, 2019 02:58 - 50 minutes - 69.3 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we start with an impromptu discussion on the state of Netflix documentaries before diving into their newest series The Devil Next Door. Check us out on FB!
Errol Morris (Vernon, Florida/Mr. Death)
December 03, 2019 22:05 - 1 hour - 106 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss two films by legendary documentary filmmaker Errol Morris. We take a look at Vernon, Florida - a film pieced together after the originally project Nub City had to be scrapped. As well as Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter Jr.
Grizzly Man / Into the Abyss / Meeting Gorbachev
November 27, 2019 23:08 - 1 hour - 93.5 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we delve into three project by prolific filmmaker Werner Herzog - Grizzly Man, Into the Abyss and Meeting Gorbachev. Since directing his first film at nineteen, Herzog has gone on to direct more than sixty documentary and fictions films.
Dear Zachary (2008)
November 19, 2019 22:28 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss the 2008 documentary Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. When filmmaker Kurt Kuenne's childhood friend Andrew Bagby is murdered by his pregnant girlfriend, Kurt sets out to tell Andrew's story to his unborn son.
Grey Gardens (1975)
November 12, 2019 22:15 - 58 minutes - 91.6 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss the classic 1975 Maysles' Brother documentary Grey Gardens. Known for their Direct Cinema style, the Maysles' brothers laid the groundwork for many documentary filmmakers to come. Grey Gardens depicts the everyday lives of Big Edie and Little Edie, a mother and daughter who reside in a dilapidated mansion in the Hamptons.
Crumb (1995)
November 05, 2019 16:26 - 1 hour - 95.9 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss the groundbreaking 1995 documentary Crumb. Following underground cartoonist Robert Crumb (Keep on Truckin', Fritz the Cat), Crumb paints a picture of the artist's influence through candid conversations with the artist, his family and critics.
Three Identical Strangers (2018)
October 29, 2019 13:31 - 52 minutes - 83.5 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss the 2018 documentary Three Identical Strangers. The film tells the story of Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran, identical triplets who were separated as six-month old infants and placed into homes with differing parenting styles only to be reunited when they entered college. Directed by Tim Wardle, Three Identical Strangers tells how the brothers were reunited, rose to national prominence and the strange psychological experime...
Hail Satan?
October 22, 2019 06:38 - 1 hour - 98.7 MB[et_pb_section admin_label="section"] [et_pb_row admin_label="row"] [et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text"] Discussion of Hail Satan? (2019) On this episode we discuss the 2019 Documentary Hail Satan? [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]
American Factory (2019)
October 15, 2019 13:27 - 1 hour - 96.8 MB[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text] In this episode of Strangers to Fiction we discuss the 2019 documentary American Factory. Premiering at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, American Factory is the first release from Higher Ground Productions headed by Barack and Michelle Obama and distributed through Netflix. American Factory tells the story of a shuttered GM factory that is re-opened by a Chinese glass manufacturer. It follows both the American and Chinese employ...
Top 5 True Crime Documentaries
October 08, 2019 13:27 - 1 hour - 121 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we are joined once again by special guest Bowls McClean to rundown our top 5 true crime documentaries.
Ep. 4 - Brother's Keeper (1992)
October 02, 2019 14:47 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction we are joined by special guest Bowls McClean to discuss the 1992 documentary Brother's Keeper. From directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky (of Paradise Lost fame), Brother's Keeper follows the Ward brothers, rural farmers from upstate New York, after one brother dies and a second is accused of his murder.
Ep. 3 - The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002)
October 02, 2019 14:06 - 20 minutes - 30.6 MBOn this episode of Strangers to Fiction, we look at the 2002 documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture. The film, directed by Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen, chronicles the rise of Robert Evans from New York businessman to B-list actor and ultimately to production chief at Paramount Pictures. Narrated by Evans himself, The Kid Stays in the Pictures details his marriage to Ali McGraw, his successes with films such as Chinatown and the Godfather and finally to his downfall following a cocaine...
Ep. 2 - Spellbound (2002)
October 02, 2019 13:26 - 44 minutes - 63 MBOn this episode we discuss the 2002 Academy Award nominated documentary Spellbound, which follows eight competitors in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The first film from director Jeffrey Blitz, Spellbound is fascinating look inside a world that most of us will never see.
Ep. 1 - Truth or Dare
October 02, 2019 13:17 - 1 hour - 122 MBOn this, the inaugural episode of Strangers to Fiction, we discuss the 1991 Madonna documentary Truth or Dare which follows Madonna on her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. Directed by Alek Keshishian, the film follows Madonna and her dancers backstage as they traverse the ups and downs of life on tour as well as interspersed scene of Madonna performing. The film grossed nearly $30 million dollars and remained the highest-grossing documentary for 12 years before being surpassed by Bowling for C...