Georgia prosecutors have charged the filmmakers involved with Midnight Rider with involuntary manslaughter following the February 20 death of camera assistant Sarah Jones. Also, could a class action lawsuit change the culture of Wall Street? Then, it's Filmweek on AirTalk! Our critics will be discussing this week's movie premieres, the 50th anniversary of A Hard Day's Night and paying tribute to the late Paul Mazursky.
‘Midnight Rider’ filmmakers charged with involuntary manslaughter
Randall Miller, Jody Savin and Jay Sedrish are indicted on manslaughter and trespassing charges that could carry a potential 10-year or one-year prison sentence, respectively. Jones’ death shook Hollywood and the filmmaking industry, prompting criticism about set safety and risky behavior.
Jones was killed in a train accident that injured six other members of the film crew. Miller and Savin are owners of the production company producing the film, Unclaimed Freight Productions Inc., and Sedrish was the executive producer. The three filmmakers are also facing a wrongful death suit filed by Jones’ family in May.
Who bears the weight of responsibility in this tragic case? How can the Hollywood community adapt and increase awareness about safety issues to prevent future incidents?
Guests:
Jen Yamato, reporter for the entertainment news site Deadline; she and fellow reporter Anita Busch have been following the story
Harland Braun, a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. He successfully defended filmmakers John Landis and George Folsey in the Twilight Zone manslaughter trial in the 1980s
After 5 deaths, access to second waterfall at Eaton Canyon set for closure
Soft, crumbly earth, an unmarked trail, and a 75-foot sheer mountain are the risks hikers take on to get to the second waterfall at Eaton Canyon Natural Area. In the past four years, five people have died attempting the climb, and many others have been injured. Now, the US Forest Service is moving forward with a plan to shut-down access to that second waterfall by August 1. Those that are caught attempting the climb despite the closure could face six months in prison and a fine of $5,000. But questions remain about how such a closure would be enforced and carried out.
Have you hiked up to the second fall? Do you think it should be closed?
Guests:
John McKinney, “The Trailmaster” and author of multiple hiking books covering all of California
Dan Paige, Deputy Sheriff of the Altadena Mountain Search and Rescue Team, where he leads the all-volunteer search and rescue teams
Could a class action lawsuit change the culture of Wall Street?
In 2010 a group of former Goldman Sachs employees filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against their former employer.
Now, they want to turn it into a class action case that would include employees of the company dating back to 2002 and potentially involve thousands of women. The suit alleges that female associates and vice presidents at Goldman Sachs experienced pay disparities, gender discrimination regarding promotions, and a hostile work environment.
How might the case affect corporate culture in the investment banking industry and beyond? Could a major class action suit change the way businesses approach gender in the workplace in a wide-ranging way?
Guests:
Alexandra Lahav, Joel Barlow Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, expert on civil procedure and complex litigation
Michael Selmi, Samuel Tyler Research Professor of Law at George Washington University, expert in employment law, employment discrimination, contracts, and civil rights
Filmweek: Tammy, Earth To Echo, Deliver Us From Evil, and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Henry Sheehan review this week’s releases, including Tammy, Earth To Echo, Deliver Us From Evil, the 50th anniversary release of A Hard Day's Night and more. TGI-Filmweek!
Then, documentarian Steve James talks with Larry about the new film and Roger Ebert's outsize influence on contemporary film criticism. His life and career is now the subject of the documentary, "Life Itself."
Whether you are an avid cinephile or a casual moviegoer, Roger Ebert is a name that needs no introduction. The former Chicago Sun-Times critic and television host passed away last April from cancer at the age of 70.
Tammy
Earth To Echo
Deliver Us From Evil
Guests:
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA today
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Steve James, director, "Life Itself"