Laura Poitras has been a fearless documentarian for over 25 years. Her work blurs the lines between journalism, activism, and art, as she explores the impact of government policies by looking at their effect on the lives of individuals. In this episode from 2010, Tania and Laura discuss the making of The Oath, a film about a Yemeni taxi driver named Abu Jandal, who was also Bin Laden’s former bodyguard; her brave defiance of the politically correct; and what it’s like to be a western woman working in a Muslim country.

SPEAKING OF______

SPEAKING OF______Laura Poitras

At 99 years old, Lawrence Ferlinghetti is somewhat of a living legend. Not only is he the founder of landmark institution City Lights Books and Publishing, but he has also published countless books of his own, written thousands of poems, had his paintings exhibited around the world, became San Francisco’s first poet Laureate, and won numerous awards that celebrate his indelible mark on American culture. In these conversations from 2008 and 2009,  Tania and Lawrence explore the definition of poetry, Ferlinghetti’s collection of curiosities, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal book, A Coney Island of the Mind.   This interview originally aired on Tania’s radio show, Sight Unseen, on KALX in Berkeley, California, and on Resonance FM in London.

SPEAKING OF______ Lawrence Ferlinghetti

When you think of Lena Dunham, you probably think of her HBO-hit, Girls- and for good reason. She wrote, directed and starred in the series throughout its six seasons, garnering a huge fan base and carving out a definitive space for herself in the world of creative professionals. Since the end of Girls, she’s been directing her energy towards her podcast, Women of the Hour, and her online feminist newsletter, Lenny Letter, which she co-founded with Girls producer Jenni Konner. In this conversation from 2010, Tania and Lena talk feminism, youth, and Lena's semi-autobiographical breakout film, Tiny Furniture. At 23, Lena wrote, directed, and starred in the story of a recent post-grad who moves back to her mom’s Manhattan apartment as she struggles to find her path in life.  This interview originally aired on Tania’s radio show, Sight Unseen, on KALX in Berkeley, California, and on Resonance FM in London. For this episode, we used music from Blue Dot Sessions, a clip from HBO’s “Behind the Scenes” of Girls, a clip from the Tiny Furniture trailer, and a clip from Girls. 

SPEAKING OF______ Lena Dunham

Vivienne Westwood has accumulated many different titles throughout her long and storied life: co-founder of the British Punk movement, mastermind designer behind a fashion empire, savvy business woman, impassioned activist, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, mother, and wife. In this conversation from 2007, Tania and Dame Vivienne delve into the difference between fashion and art, the origin of ideas, and what Dame Vivienne appreciates the most about herself.  

SPEAKING OF______ Vivienne Westwood

Filmmaker and director Barry Jenkins makes movies that make statements. While you may know him best for his film Moonlight, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017, Barry's been honing his craft for years. In this episode from 2009, Tania and Barry reflect upon Barry's complex relationship with a contradictory San Francisco, the city that he once called home, and how this is reflected in his 2008 film Medicine for Melancholy. The movie features two African Americans who begin their one-day love story with a drunken one night stand.    

SPEAKING OF______ Barry Jenkins

SPEAKING OF______ with Tania Ketenjian takes you inside the minds of creative and cultural greats, to where the spark of inspiration lives. Based on archival interviews with artists on the brink of success, SPEAKING OF______ reveals the humanity and honesty behind the ideas and art that shape our culture, and steers us toward the genius in our own lives. Hosted by journalist Tania Ketenjian, produced by Katie McCutcheon, and created by SOUND MADE PUBLIC.

hubhopper

SPEAKING OF______

hubhopper