Episode 802: The Edge of Democracy / Citizen K

Democracy is under worldwide threat, from dictators, would-be dictators and those followers who seek power at the expense of liberty. In this week’s episode, we discuss two recent documentaries about this very trend. First, with guest host Mirella Martinelli – a Brazilian filmmaker living in Florida – we review Petra Costa’s Oscar-nominated The Edge of Democracy, which tells the disturbing tale of Brazil’s takeover by right-wing forces. After that, Bart and Chris interview prolific documentarian Alex Gibney on his latest movie, Citizen K, about formerly imprisoned, and now exiled, Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. These are scary times. Be afraid, be very afraid!* Group Review Documentary: THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY (Petra Costa, 2019) Now playing on Netflix Film Featured in Interview Portion: CITIZEN K(Alex Gibney, 2019) Now playing in theaters Other Films Mentioned: American Look (Jam Handy Organization, 1958) The Armstrong Lie (Alex Gibney, 2013) Catching Hell (Alex Gibney, 2011) Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (Alex Gibney, 2005) The Fly (David Cronenberg, 1986) Frenemies (Mirella Martinelli, 2020) George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Martin Scorsese, 2011) The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (Alex Gibney, 2019) The Kingmaker (Lauren Greenfield, 2019) Mea Maxima Culpa:Silence in the House of God (Alex Gibney, 2012) No Stone Unturned (Alex Gibney, 2017) Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (Alex Gibney, 2015) Taxi to the Dark Side (Alex Gibney, 2007) Three Colors: Blue (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1993) Links to reviews by Christopher Llewellyn Reed: Hammer to Nail review of The Edge of Democracy Film Festival Todayreview of Citizen K Timestamps: 00:38 – Intro 03:37 – Group Discussion of THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY 16:11 – Bart and Chris interview Alex Gibney of CITIZEN K 40:43­­ – Doc Talk Website/Email: www.fogoftruth.com [email protected] Credits: Artwork by Hilary Campbell Intro music by Jeremiah Moore Transitional music by BELLS (thanks to Christopher Ernst) Editing and shownotes by Christopher Llewellyn Reed   *A quote from the ad campaign for David Cronenberg’s 1986 The Fly, which we reference within the episode.