Advertise on podcast: Center Stage

Kevin McDonald Talks about The Runner by Mark Gordon

Louis Paxton joined Mark Gordon Center Stage to talk about his latest film, The Incomer. The Sundance Award-winning comedy is a modern folk fairy tale set on a remote Scottish island, where two siblings survive by hunting seabirds, retelling their ancestors' stories, and defending the isle from dreaded Incomers. Their world is upended when an awkward council worker arrives to uproot them from their homeland on the government's orders.

Filmmaker Nick Taylor joined me on Center Stage to talk about his latest documentary, RUBBERHEAD: THE LIFE AND MONSTERS OF STEVE JOHNSON. The film makes its’ Fantasia world premiere on July 23.

On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker and journalist Roc Morin talks about Meduza, a powerful project that explores war, identity, and the strange overlap between performance and reality. Mark Gordon and Roc Morin discuss the origins of the film, the emotional and creative challenges behind it, and what drew Morin to this story in the first place. The result is a compelling conversation about documentary filmmaking, human resilience, and the role of storytelling in times of crisis.

On this episode of Center Stage with Mark Gordon, filmmaker Christine La Monte discusses her new documentary Ai Weiwei’s Turandot, which follows artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he makes his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House. Known for his fearless art and political engagement, Ai Weiwei reimagines Puccini’s classic opera Turandot as a reflection of today’s world, where freedom, identity, and resistance collide. La Monte shares insights about working with Ai Weiwei, navigating the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and creating a film that explores how art can challenge, provoke, and inspire. 🎧 Center Stage with Mark Gordon is produced in Los Angeles and features conversations with the filmmakers, artists, and storytellers shaping culture today.

Filmmaker Yvonne Russo joins Center Stage with Mark Gordon to discuss Viva Verdi!, a powerful documentary that celebrates composer Giuseppe Verdi’s home for aging musicians and the enduring power of music, mentorship, and creativity. 🎬 Viva Verdi! is currently screening across the U.S., including Laemmle Theatres, Lincoln Center, and Sarasota Opera House. 🎧 Hosted by Mark Gordon 🎙️ Produced by Center Stage with Mark Gordon 🌐 Visit stageandscreen.com

"One ride changes everything…" Filmmaker Michael Pierro joins Center Stage to talk about Self Driver, a dark thriller where a cab driver’s morals are tested in the dead of night. Self Driver is currently available for streaming https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/self-driver Share your thoughts in the comments: Would you trust a self-driving car with your life?

Filmmaker Lisa D’Apolito joins Mark Gordon Center Stage to discuss her new documentary Shari & Lamb Chop, exploring the life, career, and lasting legacy of beloved ventriloquist Shari Lewis and her iconic sock puppet sidekick.

In this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sat down with provocative indie filmmaker Gregg Araki to talk about his cult classic Nowhere. Released in 1997 as the final chapter of his so-called “Teen Apocalypse Trilogy,” Nowhere is a bold, kaleidoscopic ride through the chaos of L.A. youth culture—complete with alien abductions, surreal encounters, and razor-sharp social commentary. In our conversation, Araki opens up about the film’s psychedelic aesthetic, its fearless exploration of identity and desire, and why Nowhere remains a strangely prophetic time capsule of pre-millennial angst. Nowhere might be nearly three decades old, but its fearless energy and raw honesty still feel electrifying today. Gregg Araki’s vision—equal parts absurd, emotional, and unapologetically weird—captures a moment in time that speaks across generations.

In 1978, Christina Crawford shook Hollywood to its core with the publication of Mommie Dearest, a raw and unflinching memoir detailing the abuse she endured at the hands of her adoptive mother, screen legend Joan Crawford. The book became an instant sensation, igniting a firestorm of debate and inspiring a cult-favorite film that would etch the phrase “No wire hangers!” into pop culture history. Twenty years later, in 1998, Mark Gordon sat down with Crawford for a deeply personal conversation about the legacy of her memoir. In the interview, she reflected on the backlash of writing the book, the healing process, and how telling the truth became her most significant act of courage. Two decades after the release of Mommie Dearest, Christina Crawford stood by her story with clarity, conviction, and resilience. The conversation was not just about a Hollywood scandal but survival, truth-telling, and reclaiming one’s voice. In revisiting that 1998 interview, we’re reminded that behind the headlines was a woman determined to break the silence and spark change.

In this episode, Mark Gordon talks with acclaimed filmmaker John Kastner about his gripping documentary Life with Murder. The film unpacks the devastating real-life story of the Jenkins family in Chatham, Ontario, whose world was shattered when 18-year-old Jennifer Jenkins was found shot to death in their home. Her brother, Mason, quickly became the prime suspect—and was ultimately convicted of her murder. But Life with Murder is not just a crime story. It’s a powerful exploration of grief, denial, and the unfathomable complexities of familial love in the face of tragedy. In the interview, Kastner offers rare insight into the making of the documentary and the emotional toll it took, not just on the subjects but on the storyteller himself.

On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sat down with filmmakers Mark H. Rapaport and Kimball Farley to talk about their offbeat and unforgettable new film, Hippo. Quirky, funny, and deeply unsettling, Hippo offers a surreal yet sharply observed portrait of an American family teetering on the edge of dysfunction. In our conversation, Rapaport and Farley pull back the curtain on their creative process, the inspirations behind the film’s bizarre world, and the challenges of balancing absurdity with emotional truth. If you love bold storytelling that dares to get weird—and real—this is one you won’t want to miss.

When it comes to Alfred Hitchcock, most biographies center on the master of suspense himself—his genius, his control, his darkness. But in his latest book, Hitchcock’s Blondes, bestselling author Laurence Leamer flips the lens, focusing instead on the women who helped shape the director’s legacy from the other side of the camera. In this captivating interview for Mark Gordon Center Stage, Leamer takes us deep into the lives of eight iconic actresses—from Grace Kelly to Tippi Hedren—who weren’t just Hitchcock’s muses, but complex women navigating the pressures of fame, image, and a director whose obsession with their every move extended far beyond the film set. With his signature blend of deep research and compelling storytelling, Leamer discusses what drew him to this subject, how Hitchcock’s early years in British cinema shaped his relationships with women, and why these actresses' stories are essential to understanding both the man and the myth. Whether you’re a film buff, a Hitchcock fan, or simply fascinated by the stories history forgot to highlight, this conversation promises revelations and resonance in equal measure.

On this episode of Center Stage, I sit down with filmmakers Lee Roy Kunz and Cru Ennis to explore their provocative and spine-chilling horror film, Deliver Us. Set in a secluded convent, the story begins when a nun claims she is experiencing an immaculate conception, triggering alarm bells at the Vatican. As a team of priests is dispatched to investigate, they uncover more than just mystery—they stumble into an ancient prophecy foretelling the birth of twin boys: one destined to be the Messiah, the other the Anti-Christ. In our conversation, Kunz and Ennis share the inspirations behind the film, how they wove theological dread with psychological horror, and why Deliver Us is more than just a scary movie—it’s a meditation on faith, fear, and the fine line between good and evil.

On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon dives into the depths with filmmaker Max Erlenwein to discuss his pulse-pounding thriller The Dive. Set against the eerie, isolated backdrop of the open sea, the film tells the gripping story of two sisters on a freediving trip that turns into a desperate fight for survival after a catastrophic underwater accident. In our conversation, Erlenwein shares how he crafted the film’s intense atmosphere, the challenges of shooting underwater, and the emotional core that makes The Dive more than just a survival story—it’s a meditation on fear, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between siblings. Get ready to hold your breath.