Tagged: Through the Lens

Friday, Doug is live with filmmakers Sarah Burns and David McMahon for a conversation about their new PBS documentary "The Central Park Five." In 1989, a white woman was brutally raped and beaten in New York's Central Park. Five black and Latino teens from Harlem were pilloried by the press and convicted by the criminal justice system. But then in 2002, the real rapist confessed and DNA evidence helped exonerate the five men. Next week, we're screening the film as part of our Through the Lens documentary series.

Friday, we continue our Through the Lens documentary series with Academy Award nominee Lucy Walker's latest film. It's the story of champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce and his near-fatal halfpipe crash in 2009. Pearce's parents and brothers rushed to help with the recovery from his traumatic brain injury, but they were shocked at Kevin's determination to return to the sport. Walker's film follows the family as they struggle with this question: how much risk is too much? "The Crash Reel" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival and we spoke with Lucy Walker and Kevin Pearce. We're presenting free screenings next week.

Wednesday, we continue our Through the Lens documentary series with Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney. His film MEA MAXIMA CULPA explores the very charged issue of pedophilia in the Catholic Church. It tells the story of four men who set out to expose the priest who abused more than 200 Deaf children in a Milwaukee Catholic school. Gibney says it's not about religion, but about the abuse of power and the cover-up that wound its way to the highest offices of the church. 

Wednesday, we begin the 2013 Through the Lens documentary film series with THE REVISIONARIES. It's the story of one battle in the American culture war fought on the powerful Texas State Board of Education. The film follows the efforts of creationist, Sunday school teacher and board chair Don McLeroy as he tries to change science books to reflect his views on evolution and as he fights to retain his seat. Director Scott Thurman joins us to talk about the politicization of education and the ideological divisions in our country.