This week on Classic SOUNDS OF FILM, Tom Needham welcomes Governor Jesse Ventura, one of America’s most unconventional political figures and cultural voices. Ventura served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, making history as the only member of the Reform Party ever elected to a major government office in the United States. Beyond politics, he has built a reputation as a provocative truth-seeker and bestselling author, with books.Join Tom Needham for a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Governor Jesse Ventura on politics, media, history, and the stories behind his groundbreaking career. THE SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube Podcasts.THE SOUNDS OF FILM is also the nation’s longest running film, music and ideas themed radio show. For over 30 years, the program has delivered a popular mix of interviews and music to listeners all over Long Island, parts of Connecticut and streaming live on the internet. Past guests include Billy Joel, Alexander Payne, Nile Rodgers, Chuck D, Laurie Anderson, Howard Shore, Hal Hartley, DMC, Elliott Murphy and Jordan Peterson. THE SOUNDS OF FILM airs on WUSB on Thursday at 6 PM.
This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with director Andreas Zerr about his new documentary, Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror. The film arrives just in time for the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the cult classic that transformed midnight screenings into a worldwide cultural ritual.Zerr’s documentary goes far beyond nostalgia, tracing Rocky Horror’s unlikely journey from a scrappy stage production in London to the longest-running theatrical release in cinema history. Featuring candid interviews with Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Barry Bostwick, Jim Sharman, Richard Hartley, Sue Blane, and many others, the film uncovers never-before-heard stories from the cast, crew, and the fans who kept the phenomenon alive for five decades.On The Sounds of Film, Zerr discusses the decade-long process of making the film, the challenges of capturing such a sprawling cultural story, and his surprising personal journey from casual observer to passionate chronicler of Rocky Horror’s impact. Sane Inside Insanity opens in North America on September 25, 2025.The SOUNDS OF FILM is America’s longest running film and music show. Past guests include William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Billy Joel, Chuck D, Dionne Warwick, Barbara Kopple, Rory Kennedy, Hal Hartley, Kenneth Cole and Whit Stillman. The Sounds of Film Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. The Sounds of Film Radio Shows airs weekly on Thursdays on WUSB.For more information, visit soundsoffilm.com
This week on The Sounds of Film, Tom Needham welcomes Alan Dershowitz—New York Times bestselling author and one of the most influential legal minds in America. Politico has described him as “one of the most prominent and consistent defenders of civil liberties in America,” while Newsweek has hailed him as “the nation’s most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer and one of its most distinguished defenders of individual rights.”Dershowitz joins the show to discuss his latest book, Cancel Culture. In it, he explores the urgent debates surrounding free speech, due process, and fairness in public life. The book argues for careful judgment in deciding when, how, and whether to cancel, boycott, deplatform, or exclude—emphasizing the need for objective and principled standards.While Dershowitz critiques the dangers of cancel culture—such as snap judgments, social media-driven punishment without due process, and applying today’s values to history—he also recognizes the intentions of those who see it as a tool for social change. He even acknowledges that cancellation itself can be viewed as a form of constitutionally protected expression.For more information about The Sounds of Film, please visit soundsoffilm.com
Academy Award®–nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Connie Field joins The Sounds of Film to discuss her urgent new documentary Democracy Noir. The film examines how Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán systematically dismantled democratic institutions while maintaining power through popular support, nationalist rhetoric, and constitutional manipulation. Field highlights the stories of three women—a politician, a journalist, and a nurse—who risk everything to expose corruption and resist authoritarian rule. Democracy Noir has already made a global impact, earning nominations and awards at leading festivals.With unflinching detail, the film shows how Orbán’s playbook of consolidating power, controlling the media, and stoking nationalist sentiment has become a model for rising movements worldwide. The documentary not only sheds light on Hungary’s struggles but also reflects urgent parallels with political developments in the United States and beyond.In this conversation, Connie Field shares the challenges of documenting resistance, the importance of amplifying women’s voices in the fight for democracy, and the lessons global audiences can learn from Hungary’s political transformation. More than a cautionary tale, Democracy Noir is a rallying call to defend democratic values wherever they are under threat.For more information about the Sounds of Film, please visit soundsoffilm.com
This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with award-winning filmmaker Thomas Piper about his acclaimed documentary Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf. The film immerses viewers in the work of Piet Oudolf, the world’s most celebrated garden designer, whose visionary projects include New York’s High Line and Chicago’s Millennium Park. Through stunning cinematography and rare access to Oudolf’s process, Piper captures the designer’s philosophy of beauty, ecology, and the poetry of plants.The conversation highlights the artistry behind Five Seasons, which follows Oudolf across four seasons in his own gardens at Hummelo, on visits to far-flung landscapes that inspire his work, and during the creation of what he considers his greatest achievement—the garden at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in England. Piper shares insights into documenting a living, ever-changing art form, while reflecting on the challenges and rewards of filming someone whose genius lies in shaping the natural world.Listeners will also learn about an exciting upcoming event: On September 4th at 7:00 pm, the Port Jefferson Arts Council and the Long Island Museum present a free screening of Five Seasons, followed by a panel discussion with Andrew Thomas, Kayal Serina, and Kayla Cheshire. For more information about The Sounds of Film, visit soundsoffilm.com.
The latest episode of The Sounds of Film spotlights director Yeo Siew Hua, whose new film Stranger Eyes is a gripping meditation on voyeurism, surveillance, and the fragility of family. Known internationally for his Locarno Golden Leopard–winning A Land Imagined, Yeo returns with a story that begins as a mystery about a missing child but evolves into a profound reflection on intimacy and identity in a world where someone is always watching.Set in modern Singapore, Stranger Eyes follows a young couple who, after the disappearance of their baby daughter, discover unsettling video recordings of their most private moments. As the police place them under surveillance to catch the voyeur, the family begins to fracture under the weight of exposure. The film raises urgent questions about what it means to exist as an image, how constant observation reshapes our sense of self, and whether true privacy still exists in the age of digital connectedness.On The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham delves into Yeo’s creative process, the philosophical roots of his work, and the emotional layers that ground the story in lived human experience. The conversation explores Yeo’s cinematic blending of realism and surrealism, his collaboration with acclaimed actor Lee Kang-Sheng, and the ways in which Stranger Eyes resonates in today’s surveillance-saturated culture.For more information about The Sounds of Film, please visit soundsoffilm.com
Acclaimed actor, writer, and director John Turturro will be a featured guest on The Sounds of Film this week to discuss the 20th anniversary screening of his musical dramedy “Romance & Cigarettes.” The special event takes place on Thursday, August 21 at 6:30pm at the Southampton Playhouse, marking the theater’s first-ever 35mm screening. Turturro has long been recognized as one of the most versatile artists in American film. He has delivered unforgettable performances in films such as “Do the Right Thing,” “Barton Fink,” and “The Big Lebowski,” while also making his mark behind the camera with projects like “Mac,” “Fading Gigolo,” and “The Jesus Rolls.” On television, he earned an Emmy Award for “Monk” and is currently celebrated for his role as Irving on Apple TV+’s “Severance.”“Romance & Cigarettes” tells the story of a New York ironworker, played by James Gandolfini, whose affair with a fiery redhead (Kate Winslet) threatens his marriage to Susan Sarandon. With a cast that also includes Christopher Walken, Steve Buscemi, and Bobby Cannavale, the film is a bold, music-filled love story that showcases Turturro’s distinctive vision as a filmmaker.The screening at the Southampton Playhouse offers audiences a rare chance to experience the film in 35mm, followed by a candid discussion with one of cinema’s most innovative storytellers.
The Sounds of Film welcomes best-selling author and literary icon Lee Child, the creator of the Jack Reacher series, for a captivating conversation with host Tom Needham. Often hailed by The New York Times as “the best thriller writer of the moment,” Lee Child joins the show to discuss the intriguing new short film, “If Jack Reacher Could Sing,” which will be featured at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame’s Music Documentary Film Series on Saturday, August 9th at 1:15 PM. The screening will be followed by a Q&A and performance by Naked Blue.In this special episode, Child dives into his unexpected collaboration with the indie Americana band Naked Blue, and how their partnership led to a unique musical interpretation of his legendary character. “If Jack Reacher Could Sing” provides fans with a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the fusion of literature and music, showcasing Child’s creative evolution and the enduring impact of Jack Reacher on popular culture. The film culminates in the original song and music video, “Clothes On My Back,” written and performed by Naked Blue.This episode is a must-listen for fans of thrillers, music documentaries, and anyone interested in how characters leap from the page to influence other art forms. For more information about The Sounds of Film, please visit soundsoffilm.com
This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with director Gala Gracia about her powerful debut feature, The Remnants of You. Set against the backdrop of a rural Aragonese Pyrenees life, the film tells the story of a young jazz musician who returns home following the sudden death of her father. What unfolds is a poignant exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the quiet strength of women rooted in agricultural communities. Drawing from her own life, Gracia crafts a visually stunning and deeply personal meditation on loss, legacy, and resilience in the most unexpected of places.The Remnants of You is the Closing Night Film at the Stony Brook Film Festival, screening on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM (ET).For more information about The Sounds of Film, visit soundsoffilm.com
This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with director Vlad Bolgarin about his award-winning short film Place Under the Sun, a poignant story of a father and son trying to survive in Moldova’s largest market during the 2000s. The film, which blends stark realism with emotional depth, screens at the Stony Brook Film Festival on Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m.For more information about the Sounds of Film with Tom Needham, please visit soundsoffilm.com
This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with director Billy Shebar about his powerful new documentary, Monk in Pieces. The film explores the groundbreaking life and work of composer and performance artist Meredith Monk, a singular force in the world of contemporary music and interdisciplinary art. Premiering at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, Monk in Pieces makes its U.S. theatrical debut on Friday, July 25 at New York’s IFC Center, with a broader national release to follow.Through a dynamic blend of archival footage, live performance, and intimate interviews—including appearances by cultural icons Björk and David Byrne—the documentary paints a vivid portrait of Monk’s artistry and enduring legacy. Known for her unique fusion of movement, voice, and visual storytelling, Monk’s influence has reached across disciplines, even as she has often been underrecognized by mainstream audiences. The film captures the essence of her work by embracing a structure as fluid and expressive as Monk’s own creative language.For more information about The SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham’s interview, visit soundsoffilm.com
This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with screenwriter Brigit Grant about Midas Man, the highly anticipated biopic of Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Known as the “Fifth Beatle,” Epstein was the visionary who discovered The Beatles and helped launch them into global superstardom. The film, directed by Joe Stephenson and featuring a standout performance by Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (The Queen’s Gambit), also stars Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan, Eddie Izzard, and Jay Leno. Brigit Grant shares insights into the creative process behind the script and how the film captures Epstein’s ambition, brilliance, and personal struggles.Midas Man will be featured at the 2025 Stony Brook Film Festival, with a special screening at the Staller Center on Tuesday, July 22 at 9:30 PM ET. As part of this year’s curated lineup, the film brings a fresh and emotionally resonant portrayal of one of music’s most influential yet often overlooked figures. In this episode, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how Grant and the creative team brought the swinging ‘60s and the origin story of a cultural revolution to the screen.The Stony Brook Film Festival runs from July 17-26th.For more information about the SOUNDS OF FILM, please visit soundsoffilm.com
On this episode of The Sounds of Film, director Justin Schein joins host Tom Needham to discuss his powerful new documentary, DEATH & TAXES: My Father, Our Family and the Cost of the American Dream. The feature-length film, co-directed by Schein and Robert Edwards, will open in U.S. theaters on July 18 at New York’s IFC Center, presented by 8 Above. With deeply personal roots, the film explores the impact of inherited wealth on democracy, inequality, and the very concept of the American Dream. At the heart of the story is the complex relationship between Schein and his father, Harvey Schein—a Depression-era Brooklyn native who rose to prominence as the head of Sony’s American operations but spent his later years consumed with shielding his fortune from estate taxes.Filmed across two decades, DEATH & TAXES offers an intimate portrait of a family grappling with legacy, privilege, and moral responsibility. Through a rich tapestry of home videos and candid interviews, Schein examines not only his father’s personal crusade against the estate tax, but also the broader systemic implications of inherited wealth in America. The film, which premiered at DOC NYC in 2024, raises urgent questions about fairness in a system that too often favors the few at the expense of the many, revealing how policies surrounding taxation and inheritance reinforce racial and economic disparities.Justin Schein is no stranger to telling complex, human-centered stories. With a filmmaking career spanning more than 25 years, he has brought audiences critically acclaimed works like No Impact Man (Sundance, 2009) and Left on Purpose (DOC NYC Audience Award winner, 2016). As a sought-after cinematographer, he has worked on more than 60 films, capturing footage everywhere from the White House to post-9/11 Ground Zero. His recent work as Director of Photography on Netflix’s Crip Camp—produced by Higher Ground, the Obamas’ production company—earned an Oscar nomination and won the Audience Award at Sundance. In DEATH & TAXES, Schein brings his deep documentary experience home, literally, to unpack how personal legacy and national policy intersect.For more information about the SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham, visit soundsoffilm.com
On this episode of The Sounds of Film, Swiss filmmaker Ramon Zürcher joins Tom Needham to discuss his haunting new feature, The Sparrow in the Chimney. As the final installment in his acclaimed “animal trilogy” — following The Strange Little Cat and The Girl and the Spider — this powerful psychodrama delves into the emotional undercurrents of a family reunion that unearths long-buried trauma and tensions. With its blend of surrealism, poetic intimacy, and flashes of dark humor, the film paints a searing portrait of repressed desires and unraveling relationships over the course of a single transformative weekend.Ramon Zürcher, born in 1982, studied visual arts at the Bern Academy of the Arts before earning his film directing degree at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin. His debut feature, The Strange Little Cat (2013), premiered at the Berlinale and screened at more than 80 international festivals, winning numerous awards. He followed this with The Girl and the Spider (2021), which received the Berlinale Best Director award and FIPRESCI prize, and ranked on Cahiers du Cinéma’s Best of the Year list. With The Sparrow in the Chimney, Zürcher continues his signature exploration of confined spaces, familial dynamics, and the inner lives of women in crisis.In our conversation, Zürcher discusses his unique approach to visual storytelling, his fascination with domestic space and psychological tension, and the personal themes — including his queer identity — that shaped the film’s emotional core. He also shares insights into casting, working with his twin brother Silvan, and the cinematic influences that shaped his vision, from Bergman to Lynch.For more information about The Sounds of Film with Tom Needham Podcast, visit soundsoffilm.com
This classic SOUNDS OF FILM podcast presents an intimate and thought-provoking conversation between host Tom Needham and acclaimed author Robert Greene, best known for his bestselling book The 48 Laws of Power. In this wide-ranging discussion, Greene shares insights into genetics, Buddhism, and the dynamics of power that shape human behavior.Robert Greene is the New York Times bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, and Mastery. His most recent book, The Laws of Human Nature, explores what motivates people and how to interpret their behavior. Drawing inspiration from historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Pericles, and Queen Elizabeth I, Greene encourages readers to cultivate empathy, resist societal pressures, and discover a deeper sense of purpose.With a devoted following across the business and political landscape, Greene’s influence also extends to the world of hip hop—artists such as Jay-Z, Drake, and 50 Cent cite his books as major inspirations. His work has also been featured in several television projects and documentaries, including 50 Cent: The Money and the Power, Good Luck, and Leadership.This episode offers a rare and rewarding opportunity to hear one of the most original and influential thinkers of our time reflect on the hidden forces that govern human nature. Greene’s clarity, depth, and hard-won wisdom make this a must-listen for anyone seeking insight into themselves—and the world around them.For more information about the SOUNDS OF FILM Podcast with Tom Needham, visit soundsoffilm.com
This episode of The Sounds of Film features an in-depth conversation with filmmaker Thomas Halaczinsky, director of the three-part documentary series Archipelago New York. Loosely based on his book of the same name, the series follows a poetic and urgent journey by sailboat through the often-overlooked island world that surrounds New York City.The discussion focuses on Episode 2: Wildlife in the City, which explores the surprising return of seals, whales, and endangered birds to New York’s urban waters. Halaczinsky highlights places like Jamaica Bay—just miles from Times Square—as thriving ecosystems where wildlife is reclaiming space in one of the world’s busiest metropolitan areas.A free community screening of Archipelago New York will be held at the Long Island Museum on July 10th at 7 pm.
This classic SOUNDS OF FILM interview with Krishna Das offers an in-depth conversation with the artist known as the “chant master of American yoga.” Blending the ancient tradition of kirtan with modern musical elements and universally appealing melodies, Krishna Das has brought devotional chanting from yoga studios into mainstream concert halls. As the best-selling Western chant artist of all time, his groundbreaking influence has earned him worldwide recognition, including a Grammy nomination for Live Ananda in the Best New Age Album category. In the interview, Krishna Das reflects on his musical evolution, his deep spiritual journey, and the making of the award-winning documentary One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das, which has screened in over 100 cities across the U.S. and in more than 10 countries.The conversation also touches on his early roots on Long Island, including a little-known chapter in which he was briefly the lead singer of the rock band that would become Blue Öyster Cult. Long before adopting the name Krishna Das, Jeffrey Kagel studied at SUNY Stony Brook and was drawn to music from a young age. His decision to leave behind a potential rock career for spiritual exploration in India ultimately shaped his life and music. With seventeen albums to his name, including Breath of the Heart, produced by Rick Rubin, Krishna Das has built a legacy of devotional music that bridges cultures and inspires listeners worldwide. You can listen to this powerful episode of SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. For more information, visit soundsoffilm.com
This classic episode of The Sounds of Film features an in-depth conversation with Tom Needham and acclaimed director Judy Irving about her powerful and deeply personal documentary, Dark Circle. The film examines the far-reaching consequences of the nuclear industry by tracing the often-hidden journey of plutonium—from weapons manufacturing to energy production. Through the eyes of everyday Americans living in the shadows of these technologies, Dark Circle confronts the dangerous intersection of nuclear power and nuclear weapons.Filmed at the notorious Rocky Flats plutonium plant near Denver, a site known for contaminating surrounding communities, and the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in California—built on active fault lines—the documentary captures the real-life impact of the atomic age. It also features some of the first American-shot documentary footage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, offering rarely-seen testimony that continues to resonate decades later.Initially censored by officials and avoided by major broadcasters, Dark Circle was ahead of its time. Though controversial upon release, it went on to earn a National Emmy and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Judy Irving discusses the challenges of making the film, its legacy, and why its themes remain disturbingly relevant in today’s nuclear conversation.
On this episode of The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham welcomes punk rock legend Harley Flanagan, founder of the iconic hardcore band Cro-Mags. As a pivotal figure in the New York City Hardcore scene, Harley shares his remarkable story of music, mayhem, and personal redemption.Harley is the subject of the new documentary Wired for Chaos, which traces his turbulent journey from the gritty streets of 1970s New York to his evolution as a musician, martial artist, and survivor. His life embodies the raw energy and resilience that define punk and hardcore culture.Director Rex Miller’s powerful film frames Harley’s transformation through trauma, addiction, and rage—toward healing and purpose. Harley’s unfiltered conversation on The Sounds of Film brings this intense personal story vividly to life.For more information about The Sounds of Film, visit soundsoffilm.com
On today’s episode of The Sounds of Film with Tom Needham, we turn our focus to Slumlord Millionaire, a gripping new documentary that recently captured the Audience Award at DOC NYC. Directed by Steph Ching and Ellen Martinez, the film profiles the fearless tenants, community activists, and legal advocates standing up against predatory landlords and relentless gentrification in New York City. Through intimate and emotional storytelling, Slumlord Millionaire lays bare the devastating effects of a housing system where the right to live safely and with dignity is increasingly under threat.After also winning the Documentary Award at CAAMFest, the film begins its Oscar-qualifying run at New York’s DCTV Firehouse Cinema—an especially resonant location amid the city’s skyrocketing rent crisis. Across the U.S., rents have surged by 30% over the past five years, with the average rent in Manhattan hitting nearly $5,000 a month as of April 2024. This economic pressure is displacing countless longtime residents—particularly immigrant families—from neighborhoods like Chinatown through aggressive and often unethical eviction practices. The film offers a powerful lens on this injustice, with poignant stories from resilient tenants and the tireless nonprofit lawyers fighting to protect them.Opening June 6 at DCTV, Slumlord Millionaire is a searing exposé on housing inequality and a timely call to action. With its recent festival acclaim and urgent subject matter, the film stands as a vital piece of documentary cinema that captures a struggle not only playing out in New York but mirrored in cities nationwide, from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. It’s a must-watch for anyone concerned with justice, equity, and the future of America’s urban communities.For more information about The Sounds of Film with Tom Needham, visit soundsoffilm.com