Making the Athlete A Documentary

Episode 21- Making the Athlete A Documentary

Interview with Jon Shenk, Co-director of Athlete A documentary

We are so excited to share our second episode in the Athlete A documentary discussion with you. In this episode Shaunestte interviews Jon Shenk, the director of Athlete A. Jon and Shaunestte discuss the culture of abuse within USA Gymnastics and how team doctor Larry Nassar was able to groom not only the athletes he treated but also many of the adults around him as he committed countless acts of sexual abuse.

Jon Shenk co-directed ATHLETE A with his film partner, Bonni Cohen. ATHLETE A (Netflix) was selected for the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Jon co-directed and photographed AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER (Participant Media/Paramount) which premiered on opening night of the Sundance Film Festival in 2017, was short-listed for the 2018 Oscars, and was nominated for a 2018 BAFTA for Best Documentary. In 2016, Jon co-directed and photographed the Peabody Award-winning film AUDRIE & DAISY (Netflix), which premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. In 2011, Jon directed THE ISLAND PRESIDENT (Goldwyn Films), winner of the 2011 TIFF’s People’s Choice Award and IDA’s Pare Lorentz Award. Jon was awarded the 2004 Independent Spirit Award for directing LOST BOYS OF SUDAN (Shadow Distribution/PBS), served as the DP for the 2008 Academy Award-winning SMILE PINKI, and won an Emmy for BLAME SOMEBODY ELSE (PBS), 2007.

Educator resources and discussion guides for the movies Athlete A and  Audrie & Daisy are available online. Click the titles to visit those websites.

John mentions the Suicide Prevention Hotline in the discussion. There are resources available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who is considering harming themselves. Connect with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to chat online with a crisis center counselor.

Host– Shaunestte Terrell

Guest- Jon Shenk