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DEATH & TAXES with director Justin Schein on THE SOUNDS OF FILM On this episode of The Sounds of Film, director Justin Schein joins host Tom Needham to discuss his powerful new documentary, DEATH & TAXES: My Father, Our Family and the Cost of the American Dream. The feature-length film, co-directed by Schein and Robert Edwards, will open in U.S. theaters on July 18 at New York’s IFC Center, presented by 8 Above. With deeply personal roots, the film explores the impact of inherited wealth on democracy, inequality, and the very concept of the American Dream. At the heart of the story is the complex relationship between Schein and his father, Harvey Schein—a Depression-era Brooklyn native who rose to prominence as the head of Sony’s American operations but spent his later years consumed with shielding his fortune from estate taxes. Filmed across two decades, DEATH & TAXES offers an intimate

Director Ramon Zürcher Talks THE SPARROW AND THE PIGEON on THE SOUNDS OF FILM Podcast On this episode of The Sounds of Film, Swiss filmmaker Ramon Zürcher joins Tom Needham to discuss his haunting new feature, The Sparrow in the Chimney. As the final installment in his acclaimed “animal trilogy” — following The Strange Little Cat and The Girl and the Spider — this powerful psychodrama delves into the emotional undercurrents of a family reunion that unearths long-buried trauma and tensions. With its blend of surrealism, poetic intimacy, and flashes of dark humor, the film paints a searing portrait of repressed desires and unraveling relationships over the course of a single transformative weekend. Ramon Zürcher, born in 1982, studied visual arts at the Bern Academy of the Arts before earning his film directing degree at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin. His debut feature, The Strange Little Cat (2013),

The SOUNDS OF FILM Wishes You a Happy 4th of July!

ARCHIPELAGO NEW YORK: A Conversation with Filmmaker Thomas Halaczinsky on The SOUNDS OF FILM This episode of The Sounds of Film features an in-depth conversation with filmmaker Thomas Halaczinsky, director of the three-part documentary series Archipelago New York. Loosely based on his book of the same name, the series follows a poetic and urgent journey by sailboat through the often-overlooked island world that surrounds New York City. The discussion focuses on Episode 2: Wildlife in the City, which explores the surprising return of seals, whales, and endangered birds to New York’s urban waters. Halaczinsky highlights places like Jamaica Bay—just miles from Times Square—as thriving ecosystems where wildlife is reclaiming space in one of the world’s busiest metropolitan areas. A free community screening of Archipelago New York will be held at the Long Island Museum on July 10th at 7 pm. Listen to the SOUNDS OF FILM Podcast on Spotify, Apple

Krishna Das on a “Classic” SOUNDS OF FILM This classic SOUNDS OF FILM interview with Krishna Das offers an in-depth conversation with the artist known as the “chant master of American yoga.” Blending the ancient tradition of kirtan with modern musical elements and universally appealing melodies, Krishna Das has brought devotional chanting from yoga studios into mainstream concert halls. As the best-selling Western chant artist of all time, his groundbreaking influence has earned him worldwide recognition, including a Grammy nomination for Live Ananda in the Best New Age Album category. In the interview, Krishna Das reflects on his musical evolution, his deep spiritual journey, and the making of the award-winning documentary One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das, which has screened in over 100 cities across the U.S. and in more than 10 countries. The conversation also touches on his early roots on Long Island, including a little-known chapter

Judy Irving’s DARK CIRCLE: The Dangerous Intersection of Nuclear Power & Nuclear Energy This classic episode of The Sounds of Film features an in-depth conversation with Tom Needham and acclaimed director Judy Irving about her powerful and deeply personal documentary, Dark Circle. Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5Flu7h0Jh5o0IIazAdBbpO?si=Rag-FGTFQsS_59g5f8RzAw The film examines the far-reaching consequences of the nuclear industry by tracing the often-hidden journey of plutonium—from weapons manufacturing to energy production. Through the eyes of everyday Americans living in the shadows of these technologies, Dark Circle confronts the dangerous intersection of nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Filmed at the notorious Rocky Flats plutonium plant near Denver, a site known for contaminating surrounding communities, and the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in California—built on active fault lines—the documentary captures the real-life impact of the atomic age. It also features some of the first American-shot documentary footage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, offering rarely-seen testimony

Harley Flanagan & The CRO-MAGS: WIRED FOR CHAOS on THE SOUNDS OF FILM On this episode of The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham welcomes punk rock legend Harley Flanagan, founder of the iconic hardcore band Cro-Mags. As a pivotal figure in the New York City Hardcore scene, Harley shares his remarkable story of music, mayhem, and personal redemption. Harley is the subject of the new documentary Wired for Chaos, which traces his turbulent journey from the gritty streets of 1970s New York to his evolution as a musician, martial artist, and survivor. His life embodies the raw energy and resilience that define punk and hardcore culture. Director Rex Miller’s powerful film, which was featured at DOC NYC, frames Harley’s transformation through trauma, addiction, and rage—toward healing and purpose. Harley’s unfiltered conversation on The Sounds of Film brings this intense personal story vividly to life. Follow the SOUNDS OF FILM

PRE-SALE tickets for the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Music Documentary Film Festival (Aug. 8-10) are available for a very limited time.

1 Day and 3 Day Passes Available

Tickets for the Opening Night Party and Closing Night Awards/Party are also available.

Get your tickets before they are gone: www.limusichalloffame.org/limehof-music-doc-festival-update/

Explore the soul of music through the lens of independent filmmaking. The LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival will feature inspiring films about legendary artists, unforgettable concerts, vibrant music scenes, and the cultural impact of music across the globe.

Each day will include 4–5 feature-length documentaries, often paired with short films, and exclusive Q&As with filmmakers following select screenings.

Slumlord Millionaire: Steph Ching, Ellen Martinez & the Battle for Housing Justice on THE SOUNDS OF FILM Listen at soundsoffilm.com On the next episode of The Sounds of Film with Tom Needham, we turn our focus to Slumlord Millionaire, a gripping new documentary that recently captured the Audience Award at DOC NYC. Directed by Steph Ching and Ellen Martinez, the film profiles the fearless tenants, community activists, and legal advocates standing up against predatory landlords and relentless gentrification in New York City. Through intimate and emotional storytelling, Slumlord Millionaire lays bare the devastating effects of a housing system where the right to live safely and with dignity is increasingly under threat. After also winning the Documentary Award at CAAMFest, the film begins its Oscar-qualifying run at New York’s DCTV Firehouse Cinema—an especially resonant location amid the city’s skyrocketing rent crisis. Across the U.S., rents have surged by 30% over the