386 - Filmmakers John Kirby and Libby Handros: Exploring the JFK, RFK, Malcolm X and MLK Jr. Assassinations, Conspiracy Theories, the Genius of Dick Gregory, Famous Patsies, "Long Legs" Marketing, and their Documentary ‘Four Died Trying’
Description
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In this episode, Chris and Nick talk with documentary filmmakers John Kirby and Libby Handros. They discuss their 25-year partnership and their upcoming documentary film cycle "Four Died Trying," which explores the major assassinations of the 1960s. The conversation covers topics such as state involvement in these assassinations, the lack of transparency around the investigations, and the importance of understanding history and promoting positive social change.
Show Notes:
- John Kirby and Libby Handros discuss their 25-year partnership in documentary filmmaking, including their work on the festival favorite "The American Ruling Class" and their current project, "Four Died Trying."
- The guests share details about their interviews with over 130 people, including Bob Groden and the late Dick Gregory, for their "Four Died Trying" documentary series, which explores the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr.
- The group discusses the lack of transparency and documentation around the JFK and RFK assassinations, in contrast to the civil trials and FBI documents that have emerged for the Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations.
- They explore the international implications of Malcolm X's work and the Kennedys' connections to Africa, as well as the role of the Warren Commission and Operation Gladio in obscuring the truth about these events.
- The conversation touches on the challenges of researching and discussing conspiracy theories, the importance of critical thinking and independent research, and the preference for conflict-driven narratives in documentaries.
- The guests share their insights on the power of nonviolent resistance, the legacy of Dick Gregory, and the need for more positive and uplifting stories in filmmaking.
We also talk about:
- The attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the timing of the release of a documentary about the event
- The importance of the Warren Commission and its handling of the JFK assassination investigation
- The concept of "patsies" in high-profile assassinations, such as Sirhan Sirhan in the RFK case and James Earl Ray in the MLK case
- The lack of a Truth and Reconciliation committee to address the assassinations of the 1960s
- The influence of the military-industrial complex and big oil interests on the presidency, particularly in the case of Lyndon B. Johnson
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