Factual America

Nov 12

00:00:00 – Intro to the Poster War 00:01:08 – Synopsis 00:03:40 – Posters for the Forgotten Hostages 00:09:34 – The Inevitable Backlash 00:18:02 – Roots in Social Media and the Education System 00:29:58 – The BDS Movement 00:34:29 – Is Anger Rooted in Antisemitism 00:38:46 – America's Culture of Violence on the Rise 00:51:00 – The Line Between Anitsemitism and Fair Criticism 00:55:19 – Were the Posters Successful? 01:01:42 – Where to See the Film **** FACTUAL AMERICA PODCAST **** What happens when the Israel-Palestine conflict spills onto the streets of New York City? Posters, propaganda, and outrage turned the city into an unexpected battleground — and the story behind it will shock you. We sit down with Nim Shapira, the director of TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War to uncover the hidden conflict tearing NYC apart. From torn posters and viral street battles to debates over antisemitism and free speech, this is a raw look at how global tensions can play out in everyday life on the streets of America.

Oct 30

In this episode, we dive into the making of Nightmares of Nature , the hit Netflix nature documentary that turns the lens toward the eerie, emotional, and often terrifying side of the natural world. We speak with Charlotte Lathane to explore how the filmmaking team blended horror aesthetics with real wildlife stories, creating a show that challenges how we see the planet. Timecodes: 00:00 – Introduction to Nightmares of Nature 03:18 – Exploring the Concept of The Series 05:41 – The Art of Dramatised Nature Documentaries 09:08 – Behind the Scenes: Filming Challenges 14:06 – Creating a New Genre: Nature Meets Horror 20:36 – Audience Reception and Future Prospects

Oct 18

The Perfect Neighbor documentary tells the shocking true story of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Black mother of four who was fatally shot by her neighbour Susan Lorincz in Florida. In this exclusive interview, director Geeta Gandbhir and Pamela Dias, Ajike’s mother, discuss how the film reconstructs the tragedy through police body-cam footage, 911 calls, and interrogation tapes. They unpack how a neighbourhood dispute spiraled into violence, exposing the failings of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. Director Geeta Gandbhir reveals why she took a “show-don’t-tell” approach, letting raw institutional footage speak for itself, while Pamela Dias shares her grief, courage, and fight for justice. Together they reflect on how The Perfect Neighbour turns personal loss into a broader story about gun violence, race, and accountability in America. 00:00 – Introduction to “The Perfect Neighbour” 05:22 – The Story Behind Adjika Owens 07:17 – Pamela's Reflection on Adjika 11:15 – The Incident: A Tragic Night 13:32 – Uncovering the History of Conflict 16:09 – The Role of Media and Community 17:35 – Motivations Behind the Tragedy 18:48 – Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws 26:43 – The Role of Police in Community Conflicts 30:34 – Impact on the Community After Tragedy 34:21 – Adjika's Legacy and Call to Action

Oct 15

This documentary with the Dalai Lama, Wisdom of Happiness, takes us inside His Holiness’s powerful message for a world in crisis. In this exclusive interview with director Barbara Miller , we explore how compassion, peace, and emotional resilience can guide us through climate change, conflict, and chaos — and why happiness might be humanity’s most radical act.

Sep 24

Explore the shocking truth behind the Afghanistan War in our deep dive into Bodyguard of Lies. We uncover decades of government deception and falsehoods, featuring never-before-seen insider testimonies that reveal how the public was misled. We speak with director Dan Krauss about making the documentary and exposing the cover-up behind one of the longest wars in U.S. history. If you’re interested in uncovering hidden truths, understanding U.S. foreign policy failures, or learning what really happened in Afghanistan, this episode is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 03:58 – The Story Behind the Documentary 06:39 – Misleading the Public 09:47 – Revealing Audio Tapes 11:28 – Early Doubts About the War 19:26 – Financial Stakes in the War 23:35 – Corruption and Cash Flow 29:25 – Missed Opportunities for Peace 32:21 – Voices of the Afghan People 36:16 – Remote Filming Challenges 40:08 –Final Lies of the War 45:18 –Hope for the Future 50:30 – What’s next and signing off

Sep 22

In this Letter From Britain episode of Factual America, our host Matthew reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for free speech, political extremism, and the state of democracy in America and beyond. We examine the rise of political extremism, the media’s role in shaping the narrative, and how leaders from Bernie Sanders to Robert Redford have spoken out about the urgent need for civil discourse. Timecodes: 00:00 – Intro 00:20 – The assassination of Charlie Kirk 01:30 – Political extremism & censorship 07:00 – Media narratives & public trust 14:00 – The passing of Robert Redford 16:00 – Reflections on hope & democracy

Sep 12

This interview was recorded before the news of Charlie Kirk’s murder, but its insights into political violence and radicalisation remain highly relevant. Max Horder discusses the phenomenon of 'Luigi-ism', a term he coined to describe a troubling trend of left-wing violence and its cultural implications. He explains how Luigi Mangione became a cultural icon to the far left, reflecting a growing acceptance of violence in political discourse. The discussion also contrasts left-wing and right-wing violence, exploring the psychological and sociological factors driving these behaviours. Horder emphasizes the role of social media in shaping perceptions and justifications for violence, and warns of increasing polarisation in American society, leading to greater conflict. #PoliticalViolence #RadicalActivism #LuigiIsm #VigilanteJustice #PoliticalExtremism Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro and Setup 00:52 – The Rise of Luigi-ism 08:50 –Understanding the Phenomenon of Luigiism 15:09 – Comparing Left-Wing and Right-Wing Violence 19:26 – The Nature of Left-Wing Violence 23:20 – Analysing the Numbers of Max's Survey 33:00 – The Role of Social Media in Political Violence 39:05 – "CEO down", "Luigi'd" and Other Concerning Memes 46:24 – Future Implications of Political Polarization 52:06 – More About Max Horder and The NCRI

Sep 9

Political cartoons, satire, and US presidents collide in the new documentary A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant. We interview Bill Banowsky on how one of the world’s most fearless cartoonists shaped politics and public opinion across five decades and ten presidencies. In this episode of Factual America, we look at the power of satire in American democracy, Oliphant’s lasting influence, and why his art remains so relevant today. If you’re interested in political art, journalism, or the role of satire in democracy, this conversation is not to be missed. #PoliticalCartoons #Satire #ASavageArt #PoliticalDocumentary #FactualAmerica Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 04:33 – The Film: A Savage Art 12:32 – Pat Oliphant: The Influential Cartoonist 21:39 – The Evolution of Political Cartooning 34:20 – The Impact of Media Disruption 37:54 – The Journey of Documentary Filmmaking 44:19 – The Future of Theatres and Audience Experience