Winner of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year (as well as the Cinematography Award), Manda Bala "has a lot more to do with fiction filmmaking than with journalism or with much that we expect from documentaries," notes David D'Arcy in his introduction to his long and fascinating talk with director Jason Kohn. This stylized approach may have put off a few critics, but not Kohn's mentor, Errol Morris, who has told him, "This is not a movie about Brazil. This is a movie about the United States in five years."

By Hannah Eaves

Originally published: February 2, 2006

Having completed Gaza Strip, James Longley then spent two years making Iraq in Fragments, which has just picked up prizes for best Documentary Directing, Excellence in Cinematography and Documentary Film Editing at Sundance. Previously, Hannah Eaves spoke with co-producer John Sinno; here, days before the premiere of Fragments, Hannah spoke with the film's director.

And now, Iraq in Fragments is available on DVD.

Interviewed by Michael Guillen

Rory Kennedy's probing HBO documentary Ghosts of Abu Ghraib now debuts on DVD today. As David Courier wrote, introducing the film when it premiered at Sundance in January, Kennedy "explores how, given the right circumstances, typical boys and girls next door can commit atrocious acts of violence...."

Michael Guillen spoke with Rory Kennedy about the unique and unsettling experience of shooting at the Abu Ghraib prison facility in Iraq.

Interview By Hannah Eaves

"If you think of debt collectors and sellers as sleazy hucksters with the morals of a used car salesman, James D. Scurlock's Maxed-out will do nothing but rev on your hatred. If you don't even know what a debt seller is, it's about time you saw this film. Lending is one part of the financial industry that touches nearly everyone, probably more so even than health insurance (especially if recent coverage studies are to be trusted). In fact, scary as it is, many people even buy their health coverage with credit."

If you liked this interview check out In Debt We Trust, another fine doc on the state of consumer debt in America.

Maxed-Out arrives on DVD today.