CINEMACTIVIST

Bonus Episode! John talks monoculture and shares his favorite narrative and documentary feature films of 2021.

For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions.

Nine Days

The Power of the Dog

Nightmare Alley

See for Me

The Novice

Dune: Part One

Coming Home in the Dark

The Last Duel

Bergman Island

Malcolm & Marie

Don’t Look Up

Boiling Point

Test Pattern

Last Night in Soho

CODA

Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part I - The Final

Candyman

The Dark and the Wicked

Saint Maud

The Night House

NARRATIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS:

The Hunt

In the Heights

Passing

Judas and the Black Messiah

The Suicide Squad

The Beta Test

The Lost Daughter

tick, tick…BOOM!

King Richard

No Time to Die

Identifying Features

Shiva Baby

DOCUMENTARIES:

Val

Woodstock 99: Peace Love and Rage

Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)

Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry

Mayor

Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror

Flee

| Published on February 16, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with actor, PJ Marshall. PJ plays Tom Dolan in Unearth and we got to talk about his memories on set, personal connection to the material, and finding a groove with your directors. Listen wherever you podcast.

[00:00] How PJ Became Part of the Unearth Family and Marc Blucas: Team Player

[06:18] Two worlds: Mindhunter and Unearth

[09:06] Personal connection to the material and being moved by the Underdog

[12:52] Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies, Tom Dolan and Going off the Deep End

[29:57] Unearth challenges and memories

[38:35] Comedy and future projects

| Published on February 9, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with Andrea Londo (Narcos on Netflix) and Adam Stilwell (The Triangle) of THE FREE FALL. After attempting to take her own life, a young woman (Andrea Londo) must wrestle with an overbearing husband (Shawn Ashmore). The Free Fall is now available on all the major VOD platforms and limited theaters across the US. John met Adam a decade ago at the Eerie Horror Fest and it was a treat to bring him and Andrea to the festival in 2021 for the film's Pennsylvania premiere. Check it out before listening as we get into heavy spoiler territory.

[00:00] A conversation on character approach and the collaboration between actor and director

[18:32] How Andrea made sure she became an actor

[23:40] Stories you want to tell

[36:32] Playing in the Genre space

| Published on February 2, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

These days it's rare for independent filmmakers to have the opportunity to release special features for their films. That's why we held onto the Blu-ray distribution rights for Unearth. Today we are happy to share with you some of the details of what to expect on the Ultimate Edition Blu-ray of Unearth, available April 19, 2022! The package will be available through the websites of all major retailers in US & Canada as well as www.unearthmovie.com. 

But that's not all -- we've also got new poster art coming in April as well from artist, Christopher Shy.

If you're a fan of Unearth and our work, this Blu-ray edition will be a great way to support us. Dealing directly with the manufacturer means we receive a higher percentage of each sale. We hope you'll consider ordering one for your library.

We'll be back next week with Part 2 of our conversation with Andrea Londo and Adam Stilwell of The Free Fall.

| Published on January 26, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, we bring you Part 1 of our conversation with Andrea Londo (Narcos on Netflix) and Adam Stilwell (The Triangle) of THE FREE FALL. After attempting to take her own life, a young woman (Andrea Londo) must wrestle with an overbearing husband (Shawn Ashmore). The Free Fall is now available on all the major VOD platforms and limited theaters across the US. John met Adam a decade ago at the Eerie Horror Fest and it was a treat to bring him and Andrea to the festival in 2021 for the film's Pennsylvania premiere. This one's all about control. Check it out before listening as we get into heavy spoiler territory. Part 2 of our talk will be posting in the coming weeks.

Patrons of Lyons Den Productions will receive the complete conversation in the coming weeks. For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions.

[00:00] The Free Fall and Eerie Horror Fest

[7:42] Demonic Possession and Domestic Abuse - The multiple layers of the story

[11:12] Bringing Andrea onboard

[15:48] Benefits of the Horror space and a freeing genre for Writing

[21:34] John recs: Devil’s Backbone, Tigers Are Not Afraid, La Llorona, Identifying Features, Culture Shock

[23:52] The Devil as a Writer and Shawn Ashmore

[27:41] Challenges and progression of Sara character

[34:43] The challenges of an 18 day Production and bonus Horror boost

[39:18] Andrea compares experiences on Narcos on Netflix and other studio projects vs. Indie film

| Published on January 19, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with the legendary Adrienne Barbeau. Adrienne plays Kathryn Dolan in Unearth. We talk politics, the obligation to create socially-conscious cinema, She Kills, Catwoman, Carnivale and much more! Note: Recorded in March 2021.

Patrons of Lyons Den Productions will receive the complete conversation in the coming weeks. For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions.

[0:00] Social Media, Politics and Morality

[7:30] The Arts as a Tool against Corruption and a way to present differing views

[13:43] Adrienne’s story about The Fog script and do filmmaker have an obligation to create more socially-conscious material

[18:13] Alice Jacobs is Dead, Relic and Alzheimers

[23:24] How the She Kills podcast on Shudder came to be and podcasting in general

[24:57] Voicing Catwoman on Batman: The Animated Series

[26:43] Lots of love for Carnivale on HBO

[32:42] How did Unearth land on her radar? a George Romero story and a Devil’s Rejects story

[39:10] The difference between and Agent and a Manager

[44:29] Playing Kathryn in Unearth

[48:16] Collaboration, Unearth’s Production and working in Indie Film

[52:31] Geri Olszewski and Kathryn’s wardrobe

[56:40] Lechefsky Farm, Sweet Corn and Presque Isle

[57:30] The World to Come musical audio series, Cowboy Bebop and the Grease book

[1:00:00] Video describing for the Blind

| Published on January 12, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

Christmas Bonus Episode! 1999 was a big year for cinema. One highlight came from The Wachowski's, who introduced us to the world of The Matrix. A film that unlocked a thirst for stylish, thought-provoking films in LDP's John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies. In this episode, Chris More, who John met in the late 90's while they were both studying Computer Science and Mathematics, takes a trip down the original trilogy rabbit hole. A fresh and original revisit care of the new film: The Matrix Resurrections. Knuckle up!

Patrons of Lyons Den Productions will receive the complete conversation in the coming weeks. For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions.

00:00 - Meet Chris More

11:55 - Revisiting The Matrix Trilogy

20:37 - Preparations for The Matrix Resurrections

25:12 - The Matrix Resurrections, Bugs and Nostalgia

29:40 - What’s a Modal?

32:01 - nu-Morpheus

40:33 - Original and Fresh Meta Commentary and Digital Self Images

47:48 - Truth, Control and the Analyst

51:21 - Neo and Trinity 4ever

56:21 - Weaponizing Everything and Everything is Fiction

1:02:44 - Overall Impressions

1:10:39 - Possible Glitches in The Matrix Resurrections

1:19:48 - Agent Smith

1:22:58 - Closing Thoughts and Animatrix 2.0 Wish

| Published on January 5, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, Part 2 of my conversation with filmmaker, podcaster, journalist, musician, all-around creative radical, Eleanor Goldfield. Eleanor directed "Hard Road of Hope" (www.hardroadofhope.com), a documentary about coal miners and frackers in West Virginia who time and time again find themselves on the frontlines of labor issues and industrial repercussions. We dive into post production, self-releasing your film, how art can be insidious (in a good way) and much more.

Patrons of Lyons Den Productions will receive the complete conversation in the coming weeks. For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions.

[0:00] Spending the extra time on Interviews

[7:52] Getting Feedback and Calling in Favors

[13:03] Release Plan, COVID Pivot and Film as an Organizing Tool

[19:02] Wearing the Business Hat and Finding the Side Door

[25:22] Art Killing Apathy, Mutual Aid and RIghts of Nature

[33:55] The Role of Artists

| Published on December 23, 2021 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

On the Fenceline: A Fight for Clean Air follows Philly Thrive, a South Philadelphia activist organization, as they mobilize to shut down all operations of Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery. The largest on the east coast of the United States. On the Fenceline just screened at the UN Global Climate Summit in November. In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with filmmaker, Tara Eng. Tara is a former Working Films George F. Stoney Fellow and has produced and directed short documentaries about abusive trust in gymnastics ("The Lucky Ones") and urban sustainability in New York City ("Growing Justice").

Picture 2 Picture Productions is a team of journalists, photographers, researchers, and producers committed to illuminating pressing issues through documentary storytelling. Learn more at: www.picture2pictureproductions.com 

Listen wherever you podcast. Patrons of Lyons Den Productions will receive the complete conversation in the coming weeks. For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions.

[0:00] Choosing where to focus a documentary story

[3:58] The demographics of activist groups: Gen X is MIA

[10:09] Moving forward with the site after the explosion

[15:37] A website as a companion piece and a way to contextualize a story, and plans for the film

[20:49] Pandemic film release experience and what’s next

[26:46] Recognizing change back home after a Sunoco pipeline project and childhood memories

[33:45] Inspirations for Unearth and importance of authenticity

| Published on December 15, 2021 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

During Unearth's festival run, one film title kept coming up in reviews: GAIA. This week, we speak with writer/producer, Tertius Kapp, about all things Gaia, indie film challenges and more. In Gaia, an injured forest ranger on a routine mission is saved by two off-the-grid survivalists. What is initially a welcome rescue grows more suspicious as the son and his renegade father reveal a cultish devotion to the forest.

Find Gaia on HULU and rent on Amazon Video here in the USA. Or go to https://gaia.film

Tertius references Pentti Linkola, Finnish deep ecologist in this conversation. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentti_Linkola

[00:00] Background, Partnerships and Kernels of the Idea

[14:21] - Nature, Fungi and Filming in the Wild

[21:57] - Filmmaking in South Africa, Film Initiative Africa, Funding and Distribution

[33:46] - Themes in Gaia (spoilers)

[42:38] - The Cast, filming on the Water and Product Placement

[47:23] - The Script, VFX enhancements (spoilers for Gaia and Unearth), Writing for your Readers & Crew

[59:09] - Production changes due to COVID, Compromises and releasing this story during a Pandemic

[1:06:20] - The State of Horror, Eco-Horror / Eco-Terror and Future projects

CINEMACTIVIST explores the films and filmmakers who use the art form to bring about political or social change, inform their audiences of important issues and perspectives, and whose goal is to ultimately make the world a better, more informed and empathetic place.

| Published on December 8, 2021 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions