Unbelievably True Stories

04/20/15 • 54 min

Nonfiction filmmaking has truly revolutionized itself in recent years, bringing audiences stories which often seem too bizarre to be true. On this panel, leading documentary filmmakers expose how they choose their subjects and capture real life in new and innovative ways. You'll hear from Bobby Fischer Against the World director Liz Garbus, Big Men director Rachel Boynton, and God Loves Uganda director Roger Ross Williams. Film critic Eric Hynes moderates.

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The Future of Immersive Storytelling

From binge watching to virtual reality, today’s entertainment is getting more immersive both physically and psychologically. As the way we experience stories is evolving to where we no longer separate ourselves from the action, how does this affect the way storytellers are producing their work? This "Immerse Yourself" panel includes The Art of Immersion author Frank Rose, The Storytelling Animal author Jonathan Gottschall, and futurist and "Shots of Awe" video series creator Jason Silva. Journalist Jon Erlichman moderates.

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Nate Silver on Jesse Ventura, Pro Wrestler-Turned-Minnesota Governor

Jesse Ventura, a former Navy Seal and fan of Aristophanes' play "The Birds," went into pro wrestling because he loved drama and competition. For Ventura, the political ring seemed like a reasonable next step. But for those in the two-party establishment, his victory in Minnesota's 1998 gubernatorial election came as a total shock. How'd it happen?

Nate Silver, the data guru behind FiveThirtyEight.com, has answers. He spoke with Radiolab's own Robert Krulwich about the cause of Ventura's improbable rise. This discussion followed a screening of FiveThirtyEight's short documentary, Shock the World.