KFAI's MinneCulture Presents

Episode Four: Frederick Wiseman from The Drunk Projectionist Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman discusses " Titicut Follies ," his controversial 1967 film about a hospital for the criminally insane. In this interview with Todd Melby , he also reveals why he shot most of his movies on 16mm, how his films are structurally similar to plays , and why he hates the term "cinema verite." The film "Titicut Follies" launched Wiseman's trademark style of filmmaking: no interviews, no music, no restaging of events, no crawl of type identifying subjects or places. His documentaries - he’s made more than 35 films in 50 years - are his and his alone Episode Five: Charles Burnett from The Drunk Projectionist Critic Terrence Rafferty of GQ called " Killer of Sheep ," a film by Charles Burnett, "one of the most striking debuts in movie history." Host Todd Melby interviews writer/director Burnett, about this important film. " Kil...

William's Leap For Freedom by SueMedia Productions Hosted by Dion Graham , this one hour radioplay is based on the life of freed slave William Wells Brown . The performance was recorded live and stars Mirron E. Willis as Wells Brown, and features Barbara Rosenblat (of Orange is the New Black  fame ) along with a multi-voice cast. It is a two part drama; a play within a play. Beginning with a fictionalized conversation between William and a historian, and selected portions of " The Escape or Leap for Freedom ," a play written by William Wells Brown in 1858.

The Poetic Voice from Various Artists This Saint Valentine's Day we'll be listening to the romantic musings of the spoken poetic voice. Our focus will be on four performers. Getting off to a bumpy start , we're foolishly choosing to feature several selections from Jayne Mansfield 's 1964 album Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky and Me which is moderately dreadful. Then, if you haven't already turned off the radio,  the torch will be lit  and you rewarded (?) with a quiet blend of soft music, nostalgic lyrics, and tranquil patter from the all-night radio giant Franklyn MacCormack with the Russ Garcia Orchestra recorded in 1958. You'll also be treated to some original "Passions in Prose" from Mary Lee Fair, host of the radio program "Lovingly Yours, Laura" with harp and trumpet accompaniment. Finally my darling, we'll be paid a visit from Renzo Cesana , The Continental himself , who begs the question , "Would you like another glass of cha...

Pornonono Live from Minnesota In this live recording from the Icehouse in Minneapolis, Pornonono blends beats, synths, and guitars -- never failing to deliver smooth pop and R'n'B sounds with a sexy edge. Produced for KFAI's Minneculture by Daniel Zamzow , with special thanks to engineer Jay Perlman. Les Exodus Live from Minnesota Performing locally and nationally for over 30 years, Les Exodus remains one of the Twin Cities' finest reggae bands. Les Exodus features Charles "Chilly" Petrus on keyboards, Lance Colmer on drums, Andy "Shoffman" Mark on bass with the charismatic vocals of Prince Jabba and Lynval Jackson perfectly complementing the trio's high-energy performance. Recorded in 2013 at the now dearly missed Blue Nile Restaurant in Minneapolis' Seward neighborhood by Daniel Zamzow for  Minneculture .