Political Extremism in Focus: Luigi-ism, Riots, and Extreme Leftist Violence
This interview was recorded before the news of Charlie Kirk’s murder, but its insights into political violence and radicalisation remain highly relevant.Max Horder discusses the phenomenon of 'Luigi-ism', a term he coined to describe a troubling trend of left-wing violence and its cultural implications. He explains how Luigi Mangione became a cultural icon to the far left, reflecting a growing acceptance of violence in political discourse. The discussion also contrasts left-wing and right-wing violence, exploring the psychological and sociological factors driving these behaviours. Horder emphasizes the role of social media in shaping perceptions and justifications for violence, and warns of increasing polarisation in American society, leading to greater conflict.#PoliticalViolence#RadicalActivism#LuigiIsm#VigilanteJustice#PoliticalExtremismTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and Setup00:52 – The Rise of Luigi-ism08:50 –Understanding the Phenomenon of Luigiism15:09 – Comparing Left-Wing and Right-Wing Violence19:26 – The Nature of Left-Wing Violence23:20 – Analysing the Numbers of Max's Survey33:00 – The Role of Social Media in Political Violence39:05 – "CEO down", "Luigi'd" and Other Concerning Memes46:24 – Future Implications of Political Polarization52:06 – More About Max Horder and The NCRI
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The Cartoonist Who Changed American Politics Forever
Political cartoons, satire, and US presidents collide in the new documentary A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant. We interview Bill Banowsky on how one of the world’s most fearless cartoonists shaped politics and public opinion across five decades and ten presidencies. In this episode of Factual America, we look at the power of satire in American democracy, Oliphant’s lasting influence, and why his art remains so relevant today. If you’re interested in political art, journalism, or the role of satire in democracy, this conversation is not to be missed.#PoliticalCartoons #Satire #ASavageArt #PoliticalDocumentary #FactualAmericaTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction04:33 – The Film: A Savage Art12:32 – Pat Oliphant: The Influential Cartoonist21:39 – The Evolution of Political Cartooning34:20 – The Impact of Media Disruption37:54 – The Journey of Documentary Filmmaking44:19 – The Future of Theatres and Audience Experience
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A Catfish Story That Went Too Far
Netflix’s latest true crime documentary, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, dives into one of the most disturbing high school “catfish” scandals ever exposed. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with director Skye Borgman to uncover how a teenager was lured into a devastating web of lies and manipulation by an online predator.If you’re obsessed with Netflix true crime, catfishing scandals, or the dark side of social media, this is an unmissable conversation.#TrueCrime #NetflixTrueCrime #CatfishStory #HighSchoolCatfish #ShockingTruthTimestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:12 - Synopsis 03:40 - Much more than just teasing among friends05:53 - A small-town-witch-trial evolves08:58 - The directors thoughts while filming14:33 - The police step in17:00 - The unknown number is revealed19:13 - Understanding the perpetrator's perspective26:55 - The art of great storytelling31:35 - The culture of socialising through devices34:37 - Long-term effects of cyber-bullying37:03 - The victims looking back38:45 - Future plans for Skye
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America’s Team: The Story That Built, and Broke, the Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys, Netflix, America’s Team, the NFL, Jerry Jones, and the (un)making of a modern football dynasty – we dive into all these topics in this episode featuring Chapman and Maclain Way, the Emmy-winning filmmakers behind Netflix’s new sports docuseries America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.Known for Wild Wild Country, Kings of Tupelo and Untold, the Way brothers break down how the Cowboys became America’s most iconic, and controversial, team. From behind-the-scenes drama to media manipulation, this series isn’t just about football; it’s about power, ego, and the team that changed American pro sports and culture.00:00 – Intro and Setup01:16 – Documentary synopsis 03:53 – The new guy in town10:09 – A new era for the NFL16:33 – How the project came together19:00 – Never-before-seen footage of the Cowboys21:47 – Jerry Jones – narrator of his own story26:15 – Maclain, Chapman and the cast of their dreams31:45 – Challenges of making the documentary33:45 – A Spaghetti Western sports doc38:40 – Striving for the next Super Bowl40:50 – Wrapping up
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The Biggest Loser: Weight Loss Scandals & Controversies
The Biggest Loser, Netflix, reality TV, weight loss, fitness culture, diet industry, TV scandal.Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, a Netflix docuseries directed by Skye Borgman, exposes the dark side of one of television’s most controversial shows. We dive into the harsh truths behind the cameras, the toll on contestants’ lives, and how the series reshaped America’s ideas about weight and wellness.If you want the real story behind the headlines, this episode is a must-watch. Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser recently premiered on Netflix. Subscribe for more deep dives into the stories behind your favourite shows.Timecodes:00:00 – Introduction and Setup01:22 – Synopsis of "Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser"05:47 – One of the most successful reality TV shows06:57 – The controversy of massive weight loss11:35 – Challenges and a fake reality 15:44 – What motivates the participants?19:32 – The growth of the show22:41 – Bizarre weight loss methods26:37 – How healthily do Americans live today?29:01 – Directing the documentary35:06 – Future Projects35:51 – Wrapping up
Factual America examines America through the lens of documentary filmmaking. Guests include Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning documentary filmmakers and producers, their subjects, as well as experts on the American experience. Find out more about the current and upcoming documentaries on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Sky Documentaries and other platforms directly from the creators. Whether we discuss true crime, music, burning social and political topics, history, or arts, Factual America is your #1 documentary film podcast.
Factual America is produced by Alamo Pictures, a London- and Austin-based production company that makes documentaries about the US from a European perspective for international audiences.
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