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.
All content for Center Stage is the property of Mark Gordon and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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.
From Cornfields to the Gridiron: The Untold Story of A.E. Staley
Center Stage
39 minutes 45 seconds
2 years ago
From Cornfields to the Gridiron: The Untold Story of A.E. Staley
On this episode of Center Stage, Mark Gordon sits down with film producer Michael Pollack to discuss Fields of Gold, a fascinating documentary that unearths the extraordinary life and legacy of agribusiness pioneer A.E. Staley. At the turn of the 20th century, Staley revolutionized the corn and soybean industries, turning his namesake company into a powerhouse that helped shape modern agriculture. But his vision didn’t stop at the fields—his passion for sports led him to found the football team that would eventually become the iconic Chicago Bears. In our conversation, Pollack shares the inspiration behind the film, the challenges of bringing this little-known yet influential figure to light, and why Staley’s story remains relevant in today’s discussions about food, industry, and American identity.
Center Stage
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.
