On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, filmmaker Elan Golod joins the show to discuss his latest documentary, “Nathan-ism.” The film, releasing on November 15, 2024, at New York City’s Quad Cinema and later in Los Angeles and nationwide, captures the poignant journey of Nathan Hilu, an outsider artist whose life was profoundly shaped by his role as a guard to Nazi war criminals during the Nuremberg Trials. At just 18, Hilu—a young man from a Syrian-Jewish immigrant family—was entrusted by the U.S. Army to guard notorious figures such as Hermann Goering, a duty that gave him an intimate view of both unimaginable evil and historic reckoning. For decades, Hilu processed these haunting memories by creating raw, vibrant artwork, leaving a legacy of sketches and notes that bear witness to his experiences.

In “Nathan-ism,” Golod examines the intersection of art, memory, and history, exploring how Hilu’s compulsive need to document his memories offers a unique lens on one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. Acclaimed for its emotional depth and historical significance, “Nathan-ism” has garnered prestigious awards, including the Yad Vashem Award for Cinematic Excellence in Holocaust Documentary Filmmaking and a spot on the International Documentary Association’s shortlist for Documentary of the Year. Golod, known for his work on projects like “Sleepwalk with Me” and “Don’t Think Twice,” brings a sensitive touch to this powerful story, reflecting on how Hilu’s artwork not only preserves personal memory but also speaks to the collective need for historical understanding in today’s world.

In light of the recent election day results, The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham reposts a remarkable 2023 conversation with Scott Adams, who was facing his own controversy at the time and predicted a surprising 3rd Act movie ending to the 2024 Presidential Election that many thought was unimaginable.

In this episode of the SOUNDS Podcast, Tom Needham welcomes filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer, the director of the critically acclaimed documentary “Where’s My Roy Cohn?” Known for his award-winning work on films like “Valentino: The Last Emperor” and “Studio 54,” Tyrnauer brings his investigative storytelling to the complex, controversial life of Roy Cohn.

Julie Cohen, the next guest on the SOUNDS podcast with Tom Needham, is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker known for her powerful documentaries. Her acclaimed film “RBG” (2018), co-directed with Betsy West, captures the extraordinary life of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The documentary highlights Ginsburg’s unparalleled legal legacy and unexpected status as a pop culture icon, celebrating the quiet strength and determination that propelled her to the nation’s highest court.

On the next episode of the SOUNDS Podcast, Tom Needham welcomes the legendary Dionne Warwick, whose career as a soulful pop icon has enchanted audiences for decades. Known for timeless hits like “Walk On By” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” Warwick’s collaboration with Burt Bacharach in the 1960s produced some of the most beloved songs in pop history.

Beyond her unmistakable voice, Dionne Warwick is celebrated for her dedication to humanitarian causes, advocating for AIDS research, world hunger relief, and LGBTQ rights. In 1985, she teamed up with Bacharach again for the iconic song “That’s What Friends Are For,” alongside Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder, with proceeds supporting AIDS research and underscoring her commitment to philanthropy.

With five Grammy Awards and numerous Lifetime Achievement honors, including from ASCAP and the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Warwick’s influence on music and society is profound. She experienced a major comeback in the 1970s with the chart-topping “Then Came You” with the Spinners and later reached platinum success with “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” produced by Barry Manilow.

In recent years, Warwick revisited her R&B roots with “She’s Back,” an album produced by her son, showing her enduring passion for music. This legendary artist was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing her lasting impact on the music world.

Acclaimed filmmakers Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó join Tom Needham on the SOUNDS Podcast to discuss "Agent of Happiness."

Their latest film, "Agent of Happiness," follows Happiness Agent Amber Gurung across Bhutan’s Himalayas as he measures the contentment of citizens for Bhutan’s renowned Gross National Happiness index.

Join Tom Needham on SOUNDS for an eye-opening and compelling conversation with Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director Todd Bieber, whose latest documentary “American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly” delves into the controversial practice of cat declawing. In this exclusive interview, Bieber sheds light on the medical, ethical, and emotional ramifications of a procedure that remains shockingly common in the United States, despite being banned in most industrialized countries.

Director John Pilger Discusses “The Coming War on China” on The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham

Tom Needham presents an exclusive interview with renowned documentary filmmaker John Pilger, who will discuss his films “Utopia” and “The Coming War on China.". Pilger is also widely known for his work on films about Julian Assange, including “The War You Don’t See” and his 2007 film, “The War on Democracy,” which examines U.S. interventions in Latin America.

He will also discuss "Utopia” a documentary that sheds light on the struggles of Aboriginal Australians. The title refers to Utopia, Northern Territory, one of the most impoverished areas in Australia. As producer, writer, and director, Pilger visited Utopia and found Aboriginal families still living in dire conditions without access to electricity or running water. The film highlights the alarming fact that Aboriginal Australians are imprisoned at ten times the rate Black South Africans were under apartheid. Pilger also critiques the exploitation of Aboriginal lands for mining, noting that tax revenue from this mining has done little to alleviate their poverty. “Utopia” is available on Icarus Films DVD and video-on-demand.

Pilger’s latest work, “The Coming War on China,” offers a stark warning about the growing threat of nuclear conflict with China. The film highlights the significant buildup of military bases around China, the largest since World War II, and recounts the history of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. Beginning in 1946, the U.S. conducted a 12-year series of nuclear bomb tests, in part to study the effects of radiation on the local population, whom Pilger describes as being treated like “guinea pigs.”