In this episode, I talk to filmmakers Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan about the challenges of production of their excellent new film "Made in Ethiopia", that just received its premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. "Made in Ethiopia" examines the growing industrialization taking place in present-day Ethiopia and China’s often misunderstood, growing impact in Africa. Filmed over four years with unprecedented access, the story takes viewers to a dusty farming town in Ethiopia as a Chinese industrial park begins to take shape. The film follows three women, perhaps most affected: the Chinese factory director who must muster up strength to fulfill the promise of expansion and 30,000 jobs, a factory worker, and a local farmer, all who look to the success of the development for their future prosperity.

"Made in Ethiopia" website: www.madeinethiopiafilm.com

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“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to accomplished composer Ryan Marth, who has created music for a variety of films. Ryan covers the nuts and bolts of his craft and offers advice for both new composers and for filmmakers on how to go about creating music for film.

Ryan's website: www.ryanmarth.com
Ryan's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ryanmarthmusic

Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.

“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmakers Arata Mori and Andreas Hartmann about their new documentary “Johatsu” that is currently on the festival circuit. Every year, thousands of people vanish without a trace in Japan. The film explorers the phenomena known as Johatsu, or “the evaporated,” about people who abandon their lives for various reasons, a troublesome relationship, mounting debts or threats from the mafia. Some get support from so-called “night moving” companies, which help people to disappear and start a new life somewhere else. The film “Johatsu” depicts the inner conflicts and attempts at reconciliation of those who have disappeared and those who have been left behind.

Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.

“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentary
Adam James Smith’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilm
Contact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu