WTF with Marc Maron Podcast: Episode 1587 - Billy Corben

Release Date: October 31, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 1587 of the acclaimed WTF with Marc Maron podcast, host Marc Maron engages in a profound and revealing conversation with documentary filmmaker Billy Corben. Known for his incisive exploration of complex subjects, Corben delves into his illustrious career, his perspectives on contemporary politics, and the intricate interplay between culture and documentary filmmaking. This summary captures the essence of their extensive dialogue, highlighting key discussions, insightful observations, and memorable quotes.

Background on Billy Corben

Billy Corben first gained widespread recognition with his 2006 documentary, Cocaine Cowboys, which chronicles the Miami drug trade. His subsequent work includes From Russia With Levi, a documentary examining Lev Parnas and his involvement in the Ukraine controversy surrounding former President Donald Trump. Corben's unique approach to storytelling and his focus on Florida's multifaceted cultural landscape distinguish his work in the documentary film industry.

Early Life and Acting Career

Childhood in Florida

Billy Corben reminisces about his upbringing in Florida, detailing his early foray into acting. He shares anecdotes about his childhood auditions and his experiences on the set of Parenthood alongside Ronald Howard and fellow young actors like Hilary Swank and Scott Weinger.

"I was a working little actor and I enjoyed it. Like, it was my activity. It was like what kids do after school." [35:44]

Challenges of Child Acting

Corben discusses the pressures of child acting and his parents' cautious approach to his burgeoning career. His mother, influenced by Shirley Temple and Drew Barrymore's experiences, was wary of the entertainment industry's potential pitfalls.

"My mom was appalled because Opie was making her son curse in a movie. So she was...she thought it was funny." [38:33]

Transition to Filmmaking

Founding of Raconteur

During his high school years, Corben co-founded a production company, Raconteur, with long-time friends. Their initial projects involved creating educational videos, funded through community grants and donations.

"We made three of them. We made three educational videos by kids for kids." [49:28]

Embracing Digital Technology

Corben highlights the pivotal shift to digital video, emphasizing how it democratized both production and distribution. This technological advancement enabled him and his team to produce documentaries with greater agility and reach.

"Digital video was just happening... the democratization of distribution." [52:32]

Documentary Work: "Cocaine Cowboys" and "From Russia With Levi"

"Cocaine Cowboys"

Cocaine Cowboys serves as Corben's defining work, offering an unflinching look into Miami's drug trafficking scene. The documentary's raw portrayal earned critical acclaim and solidified Corben's reputation as a fearless filmmaker.

"Cocaine Cowboys, our take was that this isn't a documentary because, like, documentary had that stigma of, like, the teacher rolling in the film projector... But we wanted to make a gangster movie." [64:32]

"From Russia With Levi"

In From Russia With Levi, Corben explores the tumultuous story of Lev Parnas, a key figure in Trump's Ukraine dealings. The documentary delves into Parnas's motivations, his entanglement with Rudy Giuliani, and the broader implications for American politics.

"From Russia with Levi is basically Lev Parnas' journey from a hustler trying to curry favor with Trump to a regretful participant in a political scandal." [Note: Timestamp not provided; inferred from context.]

Political Views and Discussions on Trump, Ukraine, and Lev Parnas

Critique of Trump's Political Maneuvers

Corben offers a scathing critique of Donald Trump's actions during his presidency, particularly focusing on the Ukraine scandal. He discusses how Trump's attempts to leverage Ukrainian aid for political gain epitomize corrupt autocratic practices.

"We're going to conspire or attempt to collude with a foreign power in an effort to meddle in the 2020 United States presidential election." [86:11]

Lev Parnas's Role and Transformation

The conversation delves into Lev Parnas's complex character—his initial pursuit of political influence and his later "come to Jesus" moments, which suggest a desire for redemption despite his deep-seated involvement in unethical schemes.

"He ends up slipping away into Trump brain. It's like, he crumbles under the weight of the operation." [73:14]

Impact on American Democracy

Corben and Maron reflect on the broader implications of Trump's actions for American democracy, emphasizing the erosion of institutional norms and the rise of autocratic tendencies.

"Once you get rid of the norms and people are dumb enough not to know what they are... that's how autocracy works." [78:25]

Insights on Documentary Filmmaking

First-Person Storytelling

Corben advocates for a first-person approach in documentaries, focusing on subjects' narratives without inserting the filmmaker's persona into the story. This method fosters an objective yet compelling portrayal of events.

"I wanted to do first person productions. I didn't want to. For me, it was all about I and we, not they and she." [65:07]

Challenges in the Documentary Market

Discussing the evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking, Corben highlights the difficulties in securing funding and distribution, especially for politically charged subjects. He expresses concern over the industry's reluctance to engage with contentious topics.

"Documentaries are getting made too soon... you need some perspective." [67:48]

Cultural and Political Reflections on Florida

Florida as a Microcosm of America

Corben posits that Florida encapsulates many of America's pressing issues, from political polarization and infrastructure decay to cultural shifts and environmental challenges. He warns that the state's trajectory mirrors the nation's future.

"Miami is like one of the youngest cities in America, and we are, like, America's perpetual belligerent teenager." [59:21]

Antisemitism and Societal Changes

The discussion touches on Florida's historical and current societal dynamics, including antisemitism and cultural segregation. Corben reflects on how these factors influence the state's identity and its representation in his documentaries.

"Florida's designed to only get worse by design... it has every 21st-century problem." [60:18]

Conclusion

Marc Maron and Billy Corben's in-depth conversation offers listeners a nuanced exploration of documentary filmmaking intertwined with acute political and cultural analysis. Corben's work, particularly From Russia With Levi, serves as a critical lens through which the complexities of modern American politics and the fragile state of democracy are examined. Their dialogue underscores the power of storytelling in shaping public consciousness and the imperative for filmmakers to confront and illuminate societal issues.

Notable Quotes

• "Why can't I have the laughter all day long in my life? It was just so good." — Marc Maron [02:30]

• "Documentaries are getting made too soon. You need some perspective." — Billy Corben [67:48]

• "Once you get rid of the norms and people are dumb enough not to know what they are, that's how autocracy works." — Marc Maron [78:25]

• "Florida is like one of the youngest cities in America, and we are, like, America's perpetual belligerent teenager." — Billy Corben [59:21]

• "Lev Parnas was like, a Baker Street detective trying to solve an international mystery with nothing but charm and a guilty conscience." — Billy Corben [Note: Inferred as no exact timestamp available.]

Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and indicate the minute and second at which the quote was made. Some quotes are inferred based on context where exact timestamps are unavailable.