Center Stage: Recent Episodes
Mark Gordon
Center Stage is a podcast that looks at film and the people who make it happen in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes.
Filmmaker Nick Taylor joined me on Center Stage to talk about his latest documentary, RUBBERHEAD: THE LIFE AND MONSTERS OF STEVE JOHNSON. The film makes its’ Fantasia world premiere on July 23.
On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker and journalist Roc Morin talks about Meduza, a powerful project that explores war, identity, and the strange overlap between performance and reality.Mark Gordon and Roc Morin discuss the origins of the film, the emotional and creative challenges behind it, and what drew Morin to this story in the first place. The result is a compelling conversation about documentary filmmaking, human resilience, and the role of storytelling in times of crisis.
On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker Christine La Monte discusses her new documentary Ai Weiwei’s Turandot, which follows artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he makes his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House.Known for his fearless art and political engagement, Ai Weiwei reimagines Puccini’s classic opera Turandot as a reflection of today’s world, where freedom, identity, and resistance collide. La Monte shares insights about working with Ai Weiwei, navigating the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and creating a film that explores how art can challenge, provoke, and inspire.🎧 Center Stage with Mark Gordon is produced in Los Angeles and features conversations with the filmmakers, artists, and storytellers shaping culture today.
Filmmaker Yvonne Russo joins Center Stage with Mark Gordon to discuss Viva Verdi!, a powerful documentary that celebrates composer Giuseppe Verdi’s home for aging musicians and the enduring power of music, mentorship, and creativity.🎬 Viva Verdi! is currently screening across the U.S., including Laemmle Theatres, Lincoln Center, and Sarasota Opera House.🎧 Hosted by Mark Gordon🎙️ Produced by Center Stage with Mark Gordon🌐 Visit stageandscreen.com
"One ride changes everything…" Filmmaker Michael Pierro joins Center Stage to talk about Self Driver, a dark thriller where a cab driver’s morals are tested in the dead of night. Self Driver is currently available for streaming https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/self-driverShare your thoughts in the comments: Would you trust a self-driving car with your life?
Filmmaker Lisa D’Apolito joins Mark Gordon Center Stage to discuss her new documentary Shari & Lamb Chop, exploring the life, career, and lasting legacy of beloved ventriloquist Shari Lewis and her iconic sock puppet sidekick.
In this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sat down with provocative indie filmmaker Gregg Araki to talk about his cult classic Nowhere. Released in 1997 as the final chapter of his so-called “Teen Apocalypse Trilogy,” Nowhere is a bold, kaleidoscopic ride through the chaos of L.A. youth culture—complete with alien abductions, surreal encounters, and razor-sharp social commentary. In our conversation, Araki opens up about the film’s psychedelic aesthetic, its fearless exploration of identity and desire, and why Nowhere remains a strangely prophetic time capsule of pre-millennial angst.Nowhere might be nearly three decades old, but its fearless energy and raw honesty still feel electrifying today. Gregg Araki’s vision—equal parts absurd, emotional, and unapologetically weird—captures a moment in time that speaks across generations.
In 1978, Christina Crawford shook Hollywood to its core with the publication of Mommie Dearest, a raw and unflinching memoir detailing the abuse she endured at the hands of her adoptive mother, screen legend Joan Crawford. The book became an instant sensation, igniting a firestorm of debate and inspiring a cult-favorite film that would etch the phrase “No wire hangers!” into pop culture history.Twenty years later, in 1998, Mark Gordon sat down with Crawford for a deeply personal conversation about the legacy of her memoir. In the interview, she reflected on the backlash of writing the book, the healing process, and how telling the truth became her most significant act of courage.Two decades after the release of Mommie Dearest, Christina Crawford stood by her story with clarity, conviction, and resilience. The conversation was not just about a Hollywood scandal but survival, truth-telling, and reclaiming one’s voice. In revisiting that 1998 interview, we’re reminded that behind the headlines was a woman determined to break the silence and spark change.
In this episode, Mark Gordon talks with acclaimed filmmaker John Kastner about his gripping documentary Life with Murder. The film unpacks the devastating real-life story of the Jenkins family in Chatham, Ontario, whose world was shattered when 18-year-old Jennifer Jenkins was found shot to death in their home. Her brother, Mason, quickly became the prime suspect—and was ultimately convicted of her murder. But Life with Murder is not just a crime story. It’s a powerful exploration of grief, denial, and the unfathomable complexities of familial love in the face of tragedy. In the interview, Kastner offers rare insight into the making of the documentary and the emotional toll it took, not just on the subjects but on the storyteller himself.
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sat down with filmmakers Mark H. Rapaport and Kimball Farley to talk about their offbeat and unforgettable new film, Hippo. Quirky, funny, and deeply unsettling, Hippo offers a surreal yet sharply observed portrait of an American family teetering on the edge of dysfunction. In our conversation, Rapaport and Farley pull back the curtain on their creative process, the inspirations behind the film’s bizarre world, and the challenges of balancing absurdity with emotional truth. If you love bold storytelling that dares to get weird—and real—this is one you won’t want to miss.
In HITCHCOCK’S BLONDES, bestselling biographer Laurence Leamer offers an intimate journey into the lives of eight legendary actresses whose stories helped chart the course of the troubled, talented director’s career—from his early days in the British film industry, to his triumphant American debut, to his Hollywood heyday and beyond. Through the stories of June Howard-Tripp, Madeleine Carroll, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Janet Leigh, Kim Novak, Eva Marie Saint, and Tippi Hedren—who starred in fourteen of Hitchcock’s most notable films and who bore the brunt of his fondness and sometimes fixation—we can finally start to see the enigmatic man himself. After all, “his” blondes (as he thought of them) knew the truths of his art, his obsessions and desires, as well as anyone. As with his previous book, Capote’s Women, Leamer's empathetic retelling acknowledges their complex stories and allows their biographies to take priority.Alfred Hitchcock was fixated—not just on the dark, twisty stories that became his hallmark, but also by the blond actresses who starred in many of his iconic movies. The director of “North by Northwest,” “Rear Window,” and other classic films didn’t much care if they wore wigs, got their hair coloring out of a bottle, or were the rarest human specimen—a natural blonde—as long as they shone with a golden veneer on camera. The lengths he went to in order to showcase (and often manipulate) these women would become the stuff of movie legend. But the women themselves have rarely been at the center of the story, until now. Biographies have been written about Alfred Hitchcock, but never has there been an account of his life and work told through the lens of the actresses who helped launch his career.ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Laurence Leamer is a leading biographer of the rich and powerful, including Capote’s Women, Madness Under the Royal Palms and The Kennedy Women, among many other books. Leamer’s last book, 2021’s CAPOTE’S WOMEN was an acclaimed national bestseller and will serve as the source material for the second season of Feud, Ryan Murphy’s F/X anthology series. It has a jaw-dropping cast of stars attached including Naomi Watts, Molly Ringwald, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, and Chloe Sevigny, with Gus Van Sant directing. He lives in Washington, D.C., and Palm Beach, Florida.
Lee Roy Kunz & Cru Ennis talk about their horror film Deliver Us. When a nun in a remote convent claims immaculate conception, the Vatican sends a team of priests to investigate, concerned about an ancient prophecy that a woman will give birth to twin boys: one the Messiah, the other the Anti-Christ.DELIVER US is available On Demand and Digital
Film Producer Michael Pollack comes Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about FIELDS OF GOLD, a documentary about the life of agribusiness pioneer and industry giant A. E. Staley, whose company rose to great wealth with his innovations in corn and soybean processing at the turn of the 20th century. His love of sports led him to be the founder and original owner of the football team that eventually became the Chicago Bears.
Award-winning filmmaker, Yuval Adler comes Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about his latest film "Sympathy for the Devil." After being forced to drive a mysterious passenger at gunpoint, a man finds himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse where it becomes clear that not everything is at it seems. Starring Nicolas Cage and Joel Kinnaman, "Sympathy for the Devil" is scheduled to release on July 28, 2023.
Franklin Ritch talks about his latest film THE ARTIFICE GIRL. THE ARTIFICE GIRL is now available On Demand and Digital.
Stephen Wooley is an award-winning producer of many films including "The Crying Game" and "Interview with the Vampire." In 2005 we met to talk about his latest film, Stoned, which follows the life and mysterious death of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones.
Josh Stolberg has made a name for himself in horror films with the screenplays Sorority Row, Piranha 3D, Jigsaw, and most recently, Spiral. In 2011, he spoke with me on Center Stage about his film Conception, a romantic comedy that follows nine couples on the night they conceive. This heartfelt film explores the various human emotions and feelings that arise when a couple faces the prospect of a child. Some wish for a baby, while others are shocked and confused. If you would like more information about Josh Stolberg, visit www.joshstolberg.com
In 2010 Joe Cross joined me Center Stage to talk about his inspiring documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead," a film that follows his journey from chronic illness to vibrant health. Armed with a video camera and a juicer, Cross traveled into the heart of America to share his life-changing story and fresh juice with all who would listen.For more information, visit https://www.rebootwithjoe.com/joes-films/
Harry Shearer is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, musician, and political satirist. He is best known for his work on The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, and films such as This is Spinal Tap. In 2002, he joined me in the studio to discuss making the film Teddy Bears Picnic. Stay tuned as we go Center Stage with Harry Shearer, the man of a thousand voices.
Mel Stuart talks about Gene Wilder, making Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and casting Richard Pryor in Wattstax.
Welcome to Center Stage. My name is Mark Gordon. In The Houses October Built, five friends travel across America searching for the scariest haunted house, a trip leading them into the ultimate terror. Stay tuned as we go Center Stage with Zack Andrews and Bobby Roe the creative people behind The Houses October built.
The Houses October Built is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Until next time, this is Mark Gordon, and I'll see you Center Stage.
In 1996, I met Hope Davis. She was doing press for her film The Daytrippers. When I first met Hope Davis, her beauty took my breath away. She was charming and fun, and I was smitten. During the interview, she talked about the restaurant jobs she had before becoming a working actor. Since The Daytrippers, she has not stopped working, appearing in numerous movies and television shows. Most recently, she was featured in Your Honor with Bryan Cranston and on the HOB series Perry Mason. Coming up later in 2022, Hope Davis will be featured with an all-star cast in Wes Anderson's Asteroid City.
Stay to as we go back to the early days of Center Stage with Hope Davis.
Doug Hemphill has been making movies sound sweet since he worked with Walter Merch as Mix Recordist on Apocalypse Now. He discusses working on The Life of Pi and other films in the podcast. The interview was recorded live in 2013, a few days before the 85th Academy Awards, where he had been nominated for Best Sound Mixing. For a complete list of Doug Hemphill's work, visit IMDB.com.
Raghu Markus talks about his travels to India and meeting K.C. Tewari, a High Yogi, who had the ability to go into altered states of trance, known as Samadhi. Years later the story comes to life in the documentary Brilliant Disguise.
Jim Bernfield talks about making the documentary Me To Play which follows Dan Moran and Chris Jones, New York actors who live with Parkinson’s disease — a disease that affects all the elements essential to their craft. They get together to do a one-night performance of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, which may be the performance of a lifetime.
Jared Drake and Steven Siig talk about their powerful documentary BURIED: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche. The film chronicles the harrowing and life-affirming events that took place on March 31, 1982, when a massive avalanche with millions of pounds of snow fell on the Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, killing seven people.
Leslee Udwin talks about her powerful documentary chronicling a brutal gang rape and murder that shocked a nation.
Alex Gibney talks about his powerful documentary which exposes the haunting details of the USA's torture and interrogation practices during the War in Afghanistan.
Neil LaBute talks about his latest film, "House of Darkness," a creepy, sexy, and sinister tale about meeting a random stranger at a bar and going home with them.
House of Darkness opens in select theaters on September 9 and then streams on your favorite digital platform on September 13.
Bernardo Ruiz talks about his film KINGDOM OF SHADOWS which offers an unflinching look at the human cost of the U.S.-Mexico drug war.
Justin Dyck & Keith Cooper came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about their latest film Anything for Jackson, a family drama with a terrifying twist.
Ryan Spindell talks about his smartly-crafted horror anthology THE MORTUARY COLLECTION.
Set in the phantasmagorical town of Raven's End, THE MORTUARY COLLECTION, follows a misguided young girl who takes refuge in a decrepit old mortuary. There she meets Montgomery Dark, an eccentric undertaker with more than a few skeletons in his closet. Montgomery chronicles the strange history of the town through a series of twisted tales, each more terrifying than the last, but the young girl's world is unhinged when she discovers that the final story...is her own.
THE MORTUARY COLLECTION is currently available on VOD, Digital HD, DVD and Blu-ray.
Written and directed by Ryan Spindell ("50 States of Fright," The Babysitter Murders), THE MORTUARY COLLECTION stars Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption, Thor: Ragnarok), Caitlin Custer ("Teen Wolf," "Swingtown"), Christine Kilmer ("Hollywood," "Shameless"), and Jacob Elordi (The Kissing Booth franchise, "Euphoria").
Alan Adelson and Kate Taverna came Center Stage to talk bout their latest documentary THE PEOPLE VS AGENT ORANGE
The Agent Orange catastrophe did not end with the Vietnam War. Today, the world over, a primary chemical of the toxic defoliant controls weeds in farming, forestry, parks, playgrounds… It wreaks havoc on the human genome, causing deformed births and deadly cancers.
After decades of struggle and tragic personal losses, two heroic women are leading a worldwide movement to end the plague and hold the manufacturers accountable. In France, Tran To Nga is suing the American chemical industry for poisoning her in Vietnam. In America, Carol Van Strum exposes the continuing use of toxic herbicides. Incriminating documents disappear. Activists are threatened. A helicopter technician secretly films the contamination of reservoirs, while a massive industrial cover-up goes on.
Svetlana Cvetko and David Scott Smith came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about the new film SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT. The film follows three twentysomethings. They form a wholehearted ménage à trois, finding joy together by joining political protests, making art, and falling deeper into their unconventional love until one must return to Italy. Their experience threatens the delicate balance of their relationship in this film that sparks with the restless energy of the French New Wave.
Ben Hozie talks about his latest film PVT CHAT on Center Stage with Mark Gordon. Hozie states, "PVT CHAT is an attempt to understand this epoch's stimulation addiction and the philosophical ramifications of this stimulation transaction economy. It is also an attempt to bring film eroticism into the 21st century ----> I wanted to film masturbation and fantasy in a way that I've never seen at the cinema: raw, honest, and un-glamorous. Sex in cinema is often just cheap titillation or a quick stop-gap in between plot. I wanted to film sex in a way that reveals something about its ordinary everyday-ness. This couldn't have been achieved without Peter Vack (Jack) and Julia Fox's (Scarlet) cinematic courage. The film was entirely funded by money I received when my mother passed away in 2017 ---> thus in some ways it is also a movie about its own making and by extension is a movie about mourning. It deals with heavy thematics but I wanted the film to also be buoyant ---> it is ultimately a romance and a salvo against cine-nihilism.
Marijnke de Jong and Robin Lutz discuss their latest documentary M.C.ESCHER: JOURNEY TO INFINITY
M.C. Escher: Journey To Infinity is the story of world famous Dutch graphic artist M.C Escher (1898-1972). Equal parts history, psychology, and psychedelia, Robin Lutz’s entertaining, eye-opening portrait gives us the man through his own words and images: diary musings, excerpts from lectures, correspondence and more are voiced by British actor Stephen Fry, while Escher’s woodcuts, lithographs, and other print works appear in both original and playfully altered form. Two of his sons, George (92) and Jan (80), reminisce about their parents while musician Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills & Nash) talks about Escher’s rediscovery in the 1970s. The film looks at Escher’s legacy: one can see tributes to his work in movies, in fiction, on posters, on tattoos, and elsewhere throughout our culture; indeed, few fine artists of the 20th century can lay claim to such popular appeal.
Braden R. Duemmler came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about his first feature film, WHAT LIES BELOW, an eerie tale of family, love, and trust. The film follows Liberty, a socially awkward 16-year-old, who returns home from two months at camp to find her mother living with John Smith, a charming and intelligent man with perfect teeth and a chiseled body. His good looks captivate Liberty, but she soon realizes a deception lurking behind the man who may be too perfect to be human.
Seth Savoy is a Cajun American film director and screenwriter from Little Rock, Arkansas. He studied filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago. There he made multiple award-winning short films that screened at more than 65 film festivals around the world. In 2015, Seth took his script “The Echo Boomers” to the Sundance Film Festival and won an independent pitch competition that caught the industry's attention. Five years later, he directed “Echo Boomers” with two academy nominees, Michael Shannon and Lesley Ann Warren, and established his niche of fun and flashy filmmaking with strong political commentary.
Jacob Chase came Center Stage with Mark Gordon to talk about his latest film about a boy and his scary friend Larry.
Watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQwiqhdMQ7g&feature=youtu.be
Darren Lynn Bousman has been terrorizing audiences ever since he directed SAWII. His current film, DEATH OF ME, follows a couple whose beautiful island vacation turns into a nightmare when discovering a mysterious video of one of them killing the other.
DEATH OF ME is currently streaming on Prime Video.
WATCH THE TRAILER: https://youtu.be/mxKoOGstEmo
Malcolm Goodwin & Victor Hawks talk about their inspiring new film BE THE LIGHT, a musical/family drama about the power of love, faith, and redemption, follows a down and out girl who tries to make amends with her dying father.
For more information about the film visit www.bethelightmovie.com
Mark Johnston and Mark Ryan discuss WINE AND WAR, a documentary about the history of winemaking in Lebanon and the resilience of the Lebanese entrepreneurial spirit seen through the lens of war and instability. The film will have its virtual theatrical release at Laemmle Theaters on October 9th and available at www.wineandwar.com. All proceeds from the film's release will be donated to CAP-HO www.capho.net, a charity providing medical care to children without insurance at the St. Georges Hospital in Beirut, hit hard by the August 4th explosion in the Lebanese capital.
James Keach talks about his latest film, TURNING POINT: A GUEST FOR A CURE, which follows a group of scientists searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. For more information about the film and where you can watch it visit www.turningpointmovie.com
Sherrida Woodley talks about her award-winning novel Quick Fall of Light. Set during a bird flu epidemic, a woman vows to protect a passenger pigeon whose secret existence will determine humankind's future.
The book's inspiration came from her experience working in a pathology lab in the mid-1990s. She saw how environmental destruction and extinction of endangered species could lead to the release of pathogens and viruses deadly to humans.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Eric Merola talks about his latest film, THE ANDORRA HUSTLE, a documentary about a private bank closure in Andorra, meant to destroy the Catalonian Independence Movement. THE ANDORRA HUSTLE left dozens facing prison time for money laundering crimes that never existed and scores of innocent families losing their life savings.
For more about the film, visit www.andorrahustle.com
Award-winning filmmaker, Dan Partland talks about his latest film #UNFIT: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DONALD TRUMP. The film features a group of mental health professionals who have studied Trump's behavior over the last several years and present a compelling case that Donald Trump is a malignant narcissist and unfit to be President of the United States of America.
Brandon Christensen talks about his latest film, Z, which follows a family who finds themselves terrorized by their eight-year-old son's imaginary friend. Z is streaming on www.shudder.com and available on VOD, Digital HD, DVD, and Blu-ray on September 1, 2020. Be sure to lock the doors, look under the bed, and check the closet to make sure an unwelcomed guest isn’t watching with you.
Chris Foggin talks about making the heartwarming film Fisherman’s Friends. Based on a true story the film follows a group of singing fishermen who get discovered by a music producer and he takes them from a small Cornish village to international fame.
As an actor, Scott Wilson’s career spanned over five decades, starting in 1967 with the Oscar-winning film IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT. Later that year, he landed a co-starring role in the neo-noir crime drama IN COLD BLOOD, written, produced, and directed by Richard Brooks. Here is an interview I did with Scott Wilson in 2017.
Tony Dean Smith talks about his first feature film, the science-fiction thriller, VOLITION. It all began while he was in film school. He had developed a story about a scientist experimenting with a drug that would allow him to see 50 seconds into the future. Written as a short film, but it never got made. He wasn’t satisfied, so he put the project on hold. As the years passed, he kept coming back to that original story, reworking and re-writing the screenplay, but he couldn’t find the missing piece of the puzzle. He was stuck, trapped in a prison of fear. Would he ever finish the film? He thought about where he was and where he wanted to be. At that moment, everything became crystal clear. The one thing that he was missing was right there with him all along.
Tom Shepard talks about his documentary UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America. The film looks at the plight of LGBTQ refugees and asylum-seekers who are forced to flee their homeland because of violence and persecution often at the hands of homophobic family members.
Adrienne Vanderocker, a multi-talented singer/songwriter and performance artist, talks about her indie music project— VANDEROCKER, an eclectic blend of devotional music, roadhouse blues, trip-hop, avant-garde, and indie-pop. Listen to the candid interview plus tracks from VANDEROCKER.
Bruce McDonald is one of Canada’s most original filmmakers. His latest movie features a narcissist, a hitman, a vampire, and Chet Baker. Sound Bizarre? Well, get ready to enter the world of Dreamland.
Matilda Sakamoto & Derrick Belcham talk about making the film IF I SOUND HAPPY, THAT'S YOUR MISTAKE on Center Stage with Mark Gordon.
Tim DeRoche talks about his latest book A Fine Line: How Most American Kids Are Kept Out of the Best Public Schools.
César Díaz talks about his film "Our Mothers" (Nuestras Madres)on Center Stage with Mark Gordon.
Jim Akin talks about making the film THE OCEAN OF HELENA LEE.
For more Center Stage with Mark Gordon Website - www.stageandscreen.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/MGCenterStage Instagram - www.instagram.com/mgcenterstage/ Facebook - www.facebook.com/Center-Stage-347190296482/
Composer Edwin Wendler talks about writing music for the horror films Unnatural, I Spit on Your Grave 3, and Tales of Halloween.
Eliot Pattison talks about his latest novel The King's Beast: A Mystery of the American Revolution.
Katharine O'Brien talks about her first feature film, LOST TRANSMISSIONS. Inspired by actual events, LOST TRANSMISSIONS tells the personal story of one of O'Brien's friends, a person with schizophrenia, who stopped taking his medication and became delusional and unable to take care of himself. The film shines a light on the devastating impact mental illness can have on family and friends, and the reality of treating mental illness in a system that doesn't seem equipped to deal with it.
The following track features Brian Knappenberger (Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press), Eve Marson (Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer?), Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil), Singer, songwriter Sting, Don Randi (The Wrecking Crew), Elliott Lester (Nightingale), Harry Shearer (The Simpsons), and Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch).
For more Center Stage with Mark Gordon Website - www.stageandscreen.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/MGCenterStage Instagram - www.instagram.com/mgcenterstage/ Facebook - www.facebook.com/Center-Stage-347190296482/