Today on AirTalk, guest host Libby Denkmann sits down with former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe to discuss the factors that led to the attack in Charlottesville, in addition to what could have been done to prevent this and what still needs to be done to prevent the rise of white nationalism and future attacks; and more.
Former Virginia Governor On Charlottesville And The Mainstreaming Of White Nationalism
On August 12, 2017 during a “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia a car was purposefully driven into a crowd of people peacefully protesting the rally, killing one and injuring over 30 other people.
The driver of the car, 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr., was an avid supporter of neo-Nazi and white supremacist beliefs, and was reportedly a supporter of Donald Trump due to his racial views and his border wall proposal.
Shortly after the attack took place, many Americans expected President Trump to denounce the attack and condemn the white supremacists and neo-Nazis who started the “Unite the Right” rally. Instead, President Trump deflected the blame onto both the peaceful protestors and the white supremacists saying there was “hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides”.
Days later at a press conference, when confronted by reporters saying that the white supremacists and neo-Nazis started everything that led to the attack, Trump doubled down on his previous comments stating “you had some very bad people in that group. But you also had people that were very fine people on both sides”
In the nearly two years since the attack in Charlottesville, the U.S. has seen a wave of additional attacks by white supremacists and a rise in reported hate crimes. Whether it was the attacks on synagogues in Pittsburgh and Poway, or the recent mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, some say President Trump’s actions two years ago and his lack of action today have allowed white nationalism racism, extremism and hate to grow and become mainstream within the nation.
In his new book “Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism” former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe examines the factors that led to such a tragedy and takes a behind the scenes look at the actions of everyone involved to see what could have been done to prevent this attack.
Today on AirTalk, guest host Libby Denkmann sits down with McAuliffe to discuss what has been done to prevent future attacks like Charlottesville as well as what still needs to be done.
Do you have any questions for the former governor? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
With guest host Libby Denkmann
Guest:
Terry McAuliffe, former Governor of Virginia (2014 - 2018), former Chair of the DNC (2001 - 2005); author of the new book, “Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism” (Thomas Dunne Books, 2019)
FilmWeek: ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,’ ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold,’ ‘The Kitchen’ and more
Guest host John Horn and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases:
- "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" in wide release
- "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" in wide release
- "The Kitchen" in wide release
- "Brian Banks" in wide release
- "The Art of Racing in the Rain" in wide release
- "This Changes Everything" at Arena Cinelounge Sunset & Laemmle's Monica Film Center
- The Frame's John Horn interviewed the documentary's executive producer Geena Davis earlier this week. You can listen to that interview here
- "The Peanut Butter Falcon" at Arlight Hollywood, The Landmark Theater, Regal Edwards Westpark & Regency Theaters Director's Cut Cinema
- "One Child Nation" at Laemmle's Royal Theater
- Earlier this week, The Frame's John Horn spoke with the films director Nanfu Wang. You can listen to that interview here
- "After the Wedding" at the Landmark Theater & ArcLight Hollywood
- "Ode to Joy" at Laemmle's Monica Film Center
With guest host John Horn
CRITICS HITS':
Christy: 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold,' 'The Peanut Butter Falcon' & 'One Child Nation'
Tim: 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,' 'Brian Banks' & 'Ode to Joy'
MIXED FEELINGS:
Christy: 'This Changes Everything'
Tim: 'The Kitchen'
MISSES:
Christy: 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' & 'After the Wedding'
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
Director, Subject Of New Biopic “Brian Banks” On How Their Individual Tragedies Led Them To Make A Movie Together
Brian Banks seemingly had it all figured out.
It was 2002, his junior year at Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, and at 6’4” and 225 pounds, Brian was among the top linebacker prospects for high school football nationwide. He had verbally committed to play for Pete Carroll at USC after graduating and, by all accounts, seemed destined for a career in the National Football League. But then, after a sexual encounter on campus, a classmate accused Banks of raping her. He was arrested that day and soon found himself staring down the barrel of a 41 years-to-life in prison. He decided to cut a plea deal in the hopes that he’d get probation, but instead was sentenced to six years in prison. Thanks in large part to the efforts of California Innocence Project founder Justin Brooks and his legal team, Brian’s conviction was ultimately overturned in 2012, and Brian went on to land a couple of NFL tryouts. He even played in a couple of preseason games with the Atlanta Falcons, but was ultimately cut from the team and eventually left his pursuit of playing pro football to explore public and motivational speaking opportunities.
Tom Shadyac also seemingly had it all figured out.
It was 2007, and Tom was a successful Hollywood director with credits under his belt including “Bruce Almighty,” “Liar, Liar,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” He had earned millions of dollars, flew private and had bought himself everything a rich movie director could possibly want. But then, after a mountain biking accident that was initially not severe, Shadyac developed severe post-concussion syndrome symptoms that drove him to the point of wanting to end his life. Instead, he sold everything he owned, moved to Memphis, Tennessee, left his Hollywood career and lifestyle behind and devoted his life to charity. He remained hungry for an opportunity to direct again, but despite his agent’s best efforts, Shadyac wasn’t able to get a job in film for 10 years, until 2017 when he was approached about directing Brian Banks’ biopic, and he jumped at the chance.
Today on FilmWeek, we’ll hear from both Brian and Tom about making the film and the common threads from their very different life stories that brought them together to make a film.
With guest host John Horn
Guests:
Brian Banks, former football player whose life story is the subject of the film “Brian Banks;” he was wrongfully convicted of rape in 2002 and sentenced to six years in prison before being released in 2012 after his accuser recanted her statements and acknowledged fabricating the story
Tom Shadyac, director of “Brian Banks”