In this episode, I talk with filmmakers Arata Mori and Andreas Hartmann about their new documentary “Johatsu” that is currently on the festival circuit. Every year, thousands of people vanish without a trace in Japan. The film explorers the phenomena known as Johatsu, or “the evaporated,” about people who abandon their lives for various reasons, a troublesome relationship, mounting debts or threats from the mafia. Some get support from so-called “night moving” companies, which help people to disappear and start a new life somewhere else. The film “Johatsu” depicts the inner conflicts and attempts at reconciliation of those who have disappeared and those who have been left behind.

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“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Nellie Kluz on directing, producing, and editing her new documentary film "The Dells". The film explores Wisconsin Dells - the world capital of water parks - through the eyes of foreign students employed on summer work visas. This program, presented as an immersion into American culture, is also a way of profiting from cheap labour. "The Dells" is an inspired portrait of contemporary America through the eyes of this young generation.

Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.

“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this first episode of season 3, I talk with renowned cinematographer Michael Marius Pessah, who has worked on a wide array of documentary and scripted projects, as well as music videos and commercials. For this episode, we focus on the art of documentary cinematography. Michael has worked on documentaries such as 'Scandalous' which was nominated for a 2021 Emmy, and 'Viva La Causa' which was shortlisted for a 2009 Academy Award. Michael was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers in 2020 and is member of the National Film Preservation Board. As well as extensive work in the film industry, Michael also teaches cinematography at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, California.

Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.

“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu