Justina Walford talks about the documentary Don't Fall in Love with Yourself with director Jon Nix and the film’s subject Justin Pearson. The film dives deep into the personal and professional life of Justin Pearson—from his punk rock roots in San Diego to his rise in the punk world to cult celebrity after appearing on Jerry Springer. Through gritty, never-before-seen VHS and Mini-DV footage, the documentary offers an unflinching look at a career built on controversy, passion, and a refusal to conform. Pearson opens up about the highs, lows, and the tragic moments that shaped him, while reflecting on a three-decade journey through one of the most influential, underground music scenes. 

Untruth: The Psychology of Trumpism with Dan Partland

In this episode of The Fog of Truth, Bart welcomes Dan Partland, the producer and director of Untruth: The Psychology of Trumpism. They discuss Trumpism's psychological underpinnings, its comparison to Partland's previous film Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump, and the broader implications of authoritarianism, disinformation, and oligarchy in today's society.

Introduction

About the Film 'Untruth: The Psychology of Trumpism'

Comparison with 'Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump'

The Role of Disinformation and Authoritarianism

And aside from that sense of the autocracy, there's that sense of misinformation and disinformation...

Impact of Trump's Disinformation on Supporters

Doc vs Narrative

Dan’s experience with Al Masyles

The Sixties and archival docs

Storytelling in Documentary

Moving the culture

In this episode of The Fog of Truth podcast, host Bart Weiss discusses the documentary 'Water Wars' with its director, Mario Mattei.

The documentary, which recently screened at the Dallas International Film Festival, delves into the complex issue of water rights in West Texas, depicting a struggle over the control and distribution of one of the most vital resources. Mattei shares insights into his dual role in the project, his creative process, and the importance of visual storytelling across various mediums.

The conversation highlights the documentary's exploration of American freedom, property ownership, and the ethical dimensions of resource sharing. The film illustrates the legal battles faced by farmers and ranchers in Hudspeth County and the broader implications for water rights across Texas. Key characters, such as the Guitar family and Laura Lynch, are discussed, offering a glimpse into the deeply personal and community-wide impacts of the water wars.

 Mattei reflects on the challenges of presenting a balanced view of the conflict and the significance of water in human life. The episode sheds light on the engaging narrative and the collaborative effort behind the documentary, from pre-production to securing distribution.

00:26 Welcome to The Fog of Truth Podcast

00:37 Diving Deep with Director Mario Mattei

01:29 The Art of Visual Storytelling

03:10 Behind the Scenes of Water Wars

05:35 The Essence of Water Wars: A Story of Conflict and Resource

09:56 The Battle for Water Rights: Farmers vs. Ranchers

15:22 Navigating Legal Waters: The Fight for Fairness

18:17 The Heart of the Story: Laura Lynch's Emotional Journey

23:04 The Future of Water Wars and What's Next for Mario Mattei

26:09 Signing Off from The Fog of Truth

Bart and John talk about two documentaries that have been playing the festival circuit and are now available at home. Bart Interviews, and Ashwin Chaudhary director of The Blind Eye Artist and Vincent Liota director of Objects.

Justina, John and Bart review and discuss, Stanley Nelsons film The Sound of the Police.