Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Director, writer and producer, he won a 2007 Oscar for his film, Taxi to the Dark Side
PROFILE
Alex Gibney
Guest
FROM Alex Gibney
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine Apple CEO Steve Jobs died of cancer in 2011. He was just 56. There was an outpouring of love and grief for the man in the black turtleneck that’s pretty unusual for a corporate executive. Jobs was revered for the universe of beautifully designed, game-changing technology he helped create. But a new documentary takes a slightly more jaundiced look at Jobs and his legacy in Silicon Valley.
The Business
‘Sundance Postcard’ Kim Masters has been to Sundance several times before, but this time, her visit to Park City had a unique element—she actually appeared in a film that was premiering at the festival. She shares her experience of watching herself as a talking head in the Alex Gibney documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, and going on stage of a Q&A following the screening. While there were security concerns about angry Scientologists showing up to protest the film, the event went off without a hitch. The only people upset were those ticket holders left standing outside the theater, unable to find a seat at the popular premiere.
The Business
Alex Gibney and Frank Marshall on 'The Armstrong Lie' Alex Gibney and Frank Marshall talk with Kim Masters about how they set out to make an uplifting film about Lance Armstrong's comeback ride in the 2009 Tour de France only to find that film too 'naive' to release. While in post production during 2010, Armstrong's former teammates went public with information about his doping. The filmmakers shelved the movie and waited. Then in October, 2012, the US Anti-Doping Association (USADA) released a detailed account of Armstrong's actions. The filmmakers then spent the better part of the last year recutting the first film called The Road Back and conducting new interviews -- including some with Lance Armstrong -- to make their new film, The Armstrong Lie .
To the Point
Behind the Scenes of 'the Greatest Fraud' in Sports Alex Gibney is an Academy-Award winning director who was given unparalleled access to Lance Armstrong. His original project was a documentary film about the world-champion cyclist's training for an eighth Tour de France title after a four-year hiatus. Now a very different film is being released. As Gibney was preparing The Road Back, Armstrong's fellow cyclist, Floyd Landis, told ABC that Armstrong's career was based on illegal doping. After denying it for years, Armstrong finally confessed it all to Oprah Winfrey. The film now being released is The Armstrong Lie .
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How do Trump supporters feel about the Paris Accord? Globally and around the U.S., there are strong opinions whether or not the Paris Climate Accord is a good idea. The American exit is either a horrifying abdication of American leadership or a forceful and long overdue statement about U.S. sovereignty.
The Treatment
Lucia Micarelli: An Evening with Lucia Micarelli Violinist and actress Lucia Micarelli visits The Treatment to discuss her emotive performances as she prepares for PBS' An Evening with Lucia Micarelli.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why is Trump so behind on filling staff jobs, establishing concrete policies? Yesterday Donald Trump signed a “decision memo” to revamp the air traffic control system. But there was little legislative detail in the plan. There’s not much to other splashy announcements from the White House, including tax cuts and the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. And hundreds of positions are unfilled in federal agencies.
Good Food
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.