Welcome to the DMF!
I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Sara Alessandrini opens up about the chaotic and often brutal world of documentary filmmaking.

Sara walks us through the challenges she faced while creating her documentary — challenges that went far beyond the expected hurdles of production. She dealt with legal threats, bullying, and intense pushback from some of the very people she interviewed. What was meant to be a creative pursuit quickly revealed the darker, more hostile side of the industry.

Throughout the episode, Sara explains how she navigated these obstacles: managing aggressive interviewees, protecting herself legally, and fighting tirelessly to get her film accepted into festivals. She shares the emotional toll the project took on her and the determination she needed to keep her vision alive despite the odds stacked against her.

For Sara, this journey wasn’t just about making a film — it became a test of strength, resilience, and integrity. She discusses the importance of due process, the complexities of handling real stories responsibly, and what it means to stand your ground in a competitive and often unforgiving industry.

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes realities of documentary production, this episode offers raw insight, hard-earned lessons, and inspiration to keep pushing forward no matter the challenges.

Join us as Sara pulls back the curtain on the truth, the chaos, and the courage it takes to tell a story that matters.

00:00:01 - Introduction

00:00:06 - The Role of Politicians

00:00:42 - The Making of the Documentary

00:01:30 - Challenges in the Film Industry

00:01:49 - The Process of Making a Documentary

00:01:59 - The Impact of Bullying in the Film Industry

00:02:02 - The Fight for Ownership of the Documentary

00:02:14 - The Transition from a Documentary to a Mini Series

00:02:25 - The Release and Reception of the Documentary

00:02:36 - The Politics Behind the Documentary

00:04:09 - Legal Challenges and Threats

00:04:32 - The Screening of the Documentary

00:08:01 - The Confrontation at the Film Festival

00:09:08 - The Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Issues

00:10:39 - The Attempt to Sabotage the Documentary

00:11:18 - The Aftermath of the Screening

00:11:43 - The New Documentary Project

00:12:16 - The Motives Behind the New Documentary

00:12:45 - The Scam Behind the New Documentary

00:13:16 - The Desire for Fame and Recognition

00:14:00 - The Misunderstanding of the Role of a Producer

00:15:06 - The Reality of the Movie Industry

00:15:11 - The Problem of Unfinished Movies

00:15:25 - The Misuse of Funds in Film Production

00:15:40 - The Need for Legal Protection in the Film Industry

00:16:04 - The Issue with Personal Motives in Film Production

00:16:29 - The Miscommunication of Risk in Film Funding

00:16:50 - The Misrepresentation of Film Producers

00:18:00 - The Influence of Current Events on Documentary Editing

00:19:38 - The Challenges of Editing a Documentary

00:21:09 - The Process of Distributing a Documentary

00:22:03 - The Role of Aggregators in Film Distribution

00:22:57 - The Decision to Self-Distribute

00:23:51 - The Process of Getting a Documentary Approved for Distribution

00:24:42 - The Role of AI in Film Editing

00:28:32 - The Future Plans of the Filmmaker

00:30:34 - Daily Routine and Meditation

00:31:37 - Physical Fitness and Sports

00:32:26 - Reading and Family History

00:33:25 - Music Preference

00:33:40 - Watching Habits and Recent Movies

00:35:22 - Contact Information

Check out Sara's website, where you can learn more about the documentary miniseries and find links to watch it!

https://www.thisiswhatnewyorkerssay.com 

https://www.instagram.com/lasava.alessandrini/