DMF Episode 309 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Happened to Cuomo: The Shocking Truth Revealed!"

Welcome to the DMF. I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m speaking with filmmaker Sara Alessandrini about her powerful and controversial documentary, This Is What New Yorkers Say. Sara created the film out of frustration with how the media portrayed Andrew Cuomo and what she saw as a lack of due process in the public discourse surrounding him.00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:07 - Guest Introduction00:00:32 - Guest Background00:01:19 - Guest's Early Life and Influence of Cinema00:03:04 - Guest's Views on Movies and Society00:03:24 - Discussion on Political Correctness in Movies00:08:31 - Guest's Journey into Filmmaking00:09:51 - Guest's Experience with Acting and Theatre00:14:37 - Guest's Film School Experience00:15:32 - Guest's Experience in Film School00:18:15 - Guest's Post-School Experiences and Projects00:20:29 - Guest's Previous Education in Telecommunications and Engineering00:26:51 - Guest's View on Education Systems00:27:41 - Guest's Approach to Problem Solving in Filmmaking00:31:12 - Guest's Practical Approach to Filmmaking00:33:25 - Guest's Views on Director's Role in Filmmaking00:36:00 - Guest's Learning Experience in Film School00:37:25 - Guest's Approach to Learning Multiple Roles in Filmmaking00:39:22 - Guest's Frustration with the Movie Industry00:39:33 - Guest's Experience in Music Videos00:41:25 - Origin of 'This is What New Yorkers Say' Project00:46:39 - Guest's Experience with Netflix and Theaters00:52:15 - Guest's Interaction with Dario Gento00:56:10 - Guest's Frustration with COVID and Politics00:59:06 - Guest's Aspiration to Improve Society01:02:09 - Guest's Frustration with Theatre Management01:02:16 - Guest's Experience with Business and Theatre Reopening01:02:30 - Guest's Experience with Workplace Politics01:03:05 - Guest's Views on Safety in Theatres01:06:49 - Guest's Decision to Move to Albany01:08:55 - Guest's Views on Cancel Culture and Offense01:10:40 - Guest's Experience with Workplace Complaints01:14:20 - Guest's Views on Due Process and Weaponization of Offense01:15:25 - Guest's Experience with Filming Documentary01:16:28 - Guest's Views on Society's Fickle Affection01:17:35 - Guest's Experience with Social Media and Its Influence01:18:40 - Guest's Views on Social Media Algorithms and Content01:19:16 - Origin of the Cuomo Documentary Project01:22:01 - Guest's Views on Political Movements and Questioning01:24:50 - Guest's Experience with Content Promotion and Platform Bias01:26:21 - Guest's Experience with Documentary Production and Challenges01:27:36 - Guest's Views on the Importance of Policy in Politics01:30:37 - Guest's Experience with Workplace Politics in Filmmaking01:32:43 - Challenges and Threats During Documentary Production01:34:20 - Dealing with Legal Threats and Bullying01:36:00 - Last Minute Changes and Meeting Deadlines01:36:48 - Dealing with Financial Constraints and Legal Issues01:37:17 - Experiences with Bullies and Legal System01:39:27 - Documentary Screening and Unexpected Challenges01:40:06 - Facing Accusations and Defending Ownership01:43:36 - Aftermath of the Documentary and Dealing with Fame Seekers01:43:46 - Facing False Claims and Media Manipulation01:44:18 - Reflections on the Movie Industry and Unfinished Projects01:44:27 - Experiences with Donation Scams and Misrepresentation01:48:02 - Challenges in Editing and Legal Review01:49:56 - Experience with Distributors and Aggregators01:52:47 - Experience with Subtitles and Closed Captioning01:57:19 - Future Aspirations and Current Focus01:59:11 - Personal Routines and Interests02:03:46 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information