‘Lyrics From Lockdown’ Creator on Using Art as a Wake-Up Call

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Feb 13, 2017 Playwright Bryonn Bain, who turned his own harrowing experiences into a one-man dramatic production, joins director Gina Belafonte for a Truthdig interview. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

‘Hooligan Sparrow’ Takes an Unflinching Look at China’s Crackdown on Human Rights Activists

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Jan 28, 2017 The documentary chronicles gender rights advocate Ye Haiyan's struggle with Chinese authorities, and it also makes filmmaker Nanfu Wang a target of officialdom in her native country. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

‘The Salesman’: An Iranian Domestic Drama With a Dash of Arthur Miller

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Jan 27, 2017 Oscar-winning filmmaker Asghar Farhadi is back in the awards mix. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘Neruda’ Makes Poetry of a Cat-and-Mouse Tale

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Dec 17, 2016 The film, nominated for a Golden Globe, follows Chile’s world-renowned Communist poet as he lives a colorful life on the run from an ambitious and mysterious cop. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

‘Notes of a Native Song’: Writer James Baldwin’s Work Resonates in the Time of Trump

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Dec 16, 2016 Musical artist Stew’s ode to the literary icon is particularly welcome now, when Baldwin's words have taken on fresh significance. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

In ‘Accidental Courtesy,’ a Black Musician Strikes Up Conversations to Confront White Supremacy

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Dec 15, 2016 A new documentary follows pianist Daryl Davis as the simple act of engaging in conversation with an adversary takes on transformative potential. Though he claims more than two dozen converts, Davis’ methods have stirred up their share of controversy. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Journalism Icon I.F. Stone’s Words Ring Truer Than Ever in ‘All Governments Lie’

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Nov 11, 2016 The documentary makes a strong case, with input from a starring lineup of left-leaning investigative reporters, in support of a theme that keeps repeating. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Walt Whitman’s America Through Edward Weston’s Eyes

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Nov 2, 2016 Weston may not have studied Whitman’s poetry before embarking on a photographic road trip for a special edition of “Leaves of Grass.” Yet while having the time of his life, he also got the spirit right. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

‘The Source’ Delves Deeply Into the Tale of Chelsea Manning

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Oct 21, 2016 Now playing in Los Angeles, the oratorio by Ted Hearne patches the whistleblower’s story together using songs, video, Twitter feeds, cable news reports, testimony and transcripts. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

‘Do Not Resist’ Confronts the Frightening Militarization of American Police

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Oct 14, 2016 Filmmaker Craig Atkinson rides along with SWAT teams and uncovers a "for-profit" law-enforcement system. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Portraying the Mexican-American Experience in Six Hours

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Sep 23, 2016 "A Mexican Trilogy: An American Story" is an epic production for the Latino Theater Company’s epic anniversary: telling the stories of its often-ignored community for 30 years. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

‘Black Box’ Opera Reboots a Classic Form for a New Era

Jordan Riefe / Truthdig Sep 1, 2016 A hipper, grittier, more casual version of opera is attracting the interest of young audiences It could save the venerable art form, plagued by certain stereotypes, from a dusty fate A hipper, grittier, more casual version of opera is attracting the interest of young audiences. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )