#1592 - Bryan Fogel
NaN minutesEpisode #1592
Filmmaker Bryan Fogel's "Icarus" won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2018. His newest documentary, "The Dissident", is an investigation of the death of Saudi Arabian "Washington Post" journalist Jamal Khashoggi, murdered at the hands of his own government. "The Dissident" is now available On Demand and in theaters.
Episodes with Bryan Fogel
Episode Timestamps
The Impact of Icarus on Olympic Athletes and Russia's Reaction
- Discussion about the impact of the documentary Icarus on Olympic athletes like Jordan Burroughs
- Details on how the documentary exposed Russian doping practices and their consequences
- Explanation of the ongoing repercussions for athletes and Russia as a result of the revelations
The Struggles and Consequences Faced by Whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov
- Narrative of Grigory Rodchenkov's asylum journey and the threats against his life
- Insight into the isolation and protective measures Rodchenkov faces after exposing doping scandals
- Description of the impacts on Rodchenkov's family and the challenges they encounter in supporting him
Russian Doping Scandal and Impact on Key Figures
- Discussion about a Ukrainian man living a quiet life being targeted after past involvement in weapons deals
- Case studies of Skirpal poisoning in England and Luthanenko poisoning in London revealing long-term surveillance and consequences
- In-depth look at Bill Browder's fight for justice for Magnitsky and creation of the Magnitsky Act
Collaboration with Gregory Ruchankov and Exposure of Russian Doping Operation
- Explanation of the doping documentary project involving Gregory Ruchankov and the Moscow laboratory
- Revelation of WADA investigation implicating Ruchankov as the mastermind of a state-sponsored doping scheme
- Description of the dramatic escape of Ruchankov and his collaboration with the narrator on the documentary
The Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal
- Discussion on the general acceptance of doping among cyclists during Lance Armstrong's era
- Impact of Floyd Landis' doping scandal on Lance Armstrong's career
- Insight into the widespread doping culture in sports beyond cycling
Russian Doping Scandal and Ongoing Manipulations
- Unveiling of the extensive Russian doping scandal in various Olympic Games
- Details on the elaborate doping operations conducted by Russia during the Olympics
- Updates on the continuous challenges and manipulations in anti-doping testing despite public disclosures
Genetic Engineering in Sports and Human Evolution
- Discussion on the potential future of genetic engineering in athletes
- Exploration of genetic manipulation in creating 'perfect' athletes
- Anecdotes about individuals investing in genetic mutation for longevity and physical enhancement
Gene Manipulation and Future Possibilities
- Conversation on manipulating genes in embryos to select desired traits
- Insights into current and upcoming technologies in genetic manipulation
- Speculation on the future possibilities and ethical concerns related to gene editing
Distribution Challenges of the Documentary 'The Dissident'
- Difficulty in distributing the documentary 'The Dissident' despite its quality and relevance
- Availability of the documentary for rental or purchase on various platforms like iTunes, Comcast, Charter, and Voodoo
- Explanation of the absence of the film on major subscription-based streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime
The Story of Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi Arabia's Control
- Details on the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the involvement of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- Discussion on the authoritarian regime in Saudi Arabia and the crackdown on dissent and freedom of speech
- Insights into Saudi Arabia's efforts to control public perception through social media manipulation and suppression of critical voices
Crackdown and Exile of Jamal Khashoggi
- Mohammed bin Salman's consolidation of power through a crackdown at the Ritz Carlton
- Khashoggi's self-exile and critical writings against the Saudi government
- Collaboration between Khashoggi and Omar Abdul-Aziz to fight government trolls on social media
Global Authoritarian Playbook and U.S.-Saudi Relationship
- Comparison of MBS's actions to authoritarian tactics employed by Putin
- Discussion on Trump administration's support for Saudi Arabia despite Khashoggi's murder
- Concerns over the lack of accountability for Mohammed bin Salman at a global scale
Khashoggi's Murder and International Political Intrigue
- Details surrounding the intercepted communications indicating Mohammed bin Salman ordering Khashoggi's murder
- Description of the 37-page transcript revealing the chilling events leading up to Khashoggi's death
- Discussion on the disposal and burning of Khashoggi's body parts and the involvement of multiple countries
Geopolitical Relationships and Financial Deals
- Overview of the Saudi Arabia-Qatar conflict and the role of various nations in the situation
- Revealing backroom deals involving Kushner building bailout by Qatar, Saudi arms deal, and U.S. political immunity considerations
- Insights into personal struggles and transformative journey of the filmmaker following a failed movie project and subsequent success with 'Icarus'
Choosing to Pursue the Story of Jamal Khashoggi's Murder
- Explanation of the factors that led the speaker to consider making a film about Jamal Khashoggi's murder
- Details on the importance of emotional connections in telling the story, focusing on Hatija Jango and Omar Abdul-Aziz
- Struggles faced in gaining access to exclusive information and collaborations for crafting a deep narrative
Challenges of Broadcasting the Documentary
- Discussion on the difficulties faced in distributing the film despite its critical acclaim
- Revealing the reluctance of major streaming platforms to acquire the documentary due to business interests
- Highlighting the conflict between human rights issues and commercial considerations in the film industry
Netflix's Influence on Filmmaking and Content Distribution
- Discussion on Netflix's impact on the film industry and dominance during award seasons
- Recount of an incident involving the removal of an episode from Netflix in response to political pressures
- Reflection on the challenges faced by filmmakers in the current media conglomerate landscape
Power of Filmmaking and Impact of Documentaries
- Personal anecdote on the transformative power of film and its ability to create societal change
- Musings on the disappointment regarding limitations on global distribution of important films
- Critique on the reluctance of major platforms to prioritize human rights over business interests
Contemplating Life's Finite Nature and Legacy
- Discussion on the brevity of life and the realization of being insignificant in the grand scheme of things
- Reflecting on the transient nature of fame and the impact individuals have after they pass on
- Embracing the limited time on Earth as a gift and the motivation to make the most of it
Promoting The Dissident Documentary and Human Rights Advocacy
- Encouragement to watch 'The Dissident' documentary available on various platforms like iTunes and Amazon
- Promotion of getting involved with human rights organizations like the Human Rights Foundation
- Highlighting the film's impact in raising awareness and inspiring action towards justice and accountability