June 11, 2021
Filmmakers Show How Agent Orange Catastrophe Did Not End with the Vietnam War
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
The well-oiled, three-person machine behind The People vs. Agent Orange each brought their manifold backgrounds to the table in order to put together a film that involved equal parts investigative…...
June 07, 2021
Muslim Casket Maker’s Story Becomes Cinematic Portrait of Resilience and Redemption
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
The filmmaker brothers Zeshawn and Aman Ali are now based in New York City but originally hail from Columbus, Ohio. "Growing up right outside of Columbus, we were just two…...
May 24, 2021
UPDATE: LaTonya Myers Inspires Others to Reform the Justice System
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Renée Gasch LaTonya Myers spent nine months in jail because she couldn’t afford bail. Assessed as a “high-risk” to society by a computer algorithm, she faced the toughest of…...
May 21, 2021
From Cambodia to Southern California: Telling the Story of a King of Donut Shops
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
A Los Angeles native, Alice Gu began her career as a Director of Photography, working with renowned directors Werner Herzog (on his fascinating Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected…...
May 19, 2021
How Much of a Donut Nut Are You?
Craig Phillips in Test Your Knowledge
Do or donut, there is no try! Do you know your donut from a spudnut? While you watch The Donut King on PBS, test yourself on all things donut-related with…...
May 06, 2021
We Want to Hear Your Feedback on Philly D.A.
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
Share your thoughts on the criminal justice system and how it's portrayed in Philly D.A. by answering a few questions. You can binge-watch all episodes with Passport, a benefit for…...
April 29, 2021
Which of These 8 Fictional District Attorney Characters Do You Remember?
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Ade D. Adeniji Philly D.A.,the eight-episode docu-series on PBS, explores the unlikely emergence of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who runs on a progressive platform, and wins with nearly…...
April 27, 2021
Who’s Who in Philly D.A.
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
As you watch the epic eight-part docuseries Philly D.A. unfold, you may want help keeping track of key figures in this sprawling story of the battle over criminal justice reform in America’s…...
April 20, 2021
Before Krasner: The Wild and Wooly Saga of Philadelphia District Attorneys
Independent Lens in Behind the Films
By Sharon Pruitt-Young It was a world-changing moment for the city of Philadelphia: Larry Krasner, a former criminal defense attorney and a highly polarizing figure in local politics, was elected…...
April 19, 2021
How the Team Behind “Philly D.A.” Captured History for Epic Docuseries
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Philadelphia-based filmmakers Ted Passon and Yoni Brook, and producer Nicole Salazar, had to work as a well-oiled machine team to make an epic docuseries like Philly D.A. happen. Each one…...
April 09, 2021
Philadelphia Has a Long History of Fights Over Criminal Justice Reform
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Kristal Sotomayor In order to understand the rich history of criminal reform work, up through the vivid stories of crime and punishment presented in the docuseries Philly D.A., it…...
April 07, 2021
“Nobody Was Listening”: Finding Light in a Dark Stairwell
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Filmmaker Ursula Liang's previous documentary 9-Man was about the fascinating titular sport that originated among Chinese immigrant communities in the United States and Canada, and was set in mostly Boston,…...