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Filmmaker Jeffrey Roth has never shied away from intriguing topics, looking to find the humanity behind some of the world's most influential stories: the Apollo astronauts, vice presidents of the United States, or a famed Egyptologist like he does in THE MAN WITH THE HAT (2026). He brings an eye for the story, not the politics, and that's what makes him an amazing filmmaker .
In this episode, Jeffrey and I discuss:
- what's the best way to describe his newest film;
- how he got started in filmmaking;
- why he's interested in the human element of history;
- film in documentaries and his view on hybrid docs and re-enactments;
- the political environment and reaction if he announced he was doing a documentary on any sort of figure today versus when he did 41 (2012);
- the wild and bold story of how he secured the ability to make THE MAN WITH THE HAT;
- what he owes a subject as a documentarian;
- how he structured THE MAN WITH THE HAT;
- the name of the film and how he chooses topics;
- what's next for him.
Jeffrey's Indie Film Highlight: FOR ALL MANKIND (1989) dir. by Al Reinert
Memorable Quotes:
"It's always one step ahead of you then where you really think that you should be."
"I was with a buddy at a an event with these Apollo astronauts and we were just sitting around listening to them. And somebody had just mentioned it would be very interesting to see and watch a story about who they are as opposed to the science or the technology."
"41 is not how to love or hate a Republican. It's about a story and a man...who happened to become president."
"I would rather go to Egypt and shoot the antiquities there and shoot it either artistically, stylistically, whatever you wanna call it rather than get on a set."
"I don't think the [political atmosphere] has changed. I would say it's probably heightened."
"They made a big event with George and Barbara, with eight Apollo astronauts, six of the guys that walked on the moon in this one event. We showed the room and I walked out of there that night thinking I'll never see this guy again. But that was fun."
"I owe them respect. I owe them honesty and to try to let them know really what the goal is. I don't want to tell them too much about what I'm trying to do. Because I don't want them to think about it. I want to...try to get the real person if I can. So when I'm sitting in an interview situation, I do not like to give the questions in advance."
"I don't like to put somebody's name or really hit home to make the title too specific to what you're doing."
Links:
Watch THE MAN WITH THE HAT (2026)
Follow THE MAN WITH THE HAT
