Great Movies
RogerEbert.com publisher Chaz Ebert recently sat down with acclaimed critic and filmmaker Sam Fragoso to record the latest episode of his popular podcast, Talk Easy. The recording took place recently in Los Angeles. Earlier this month Fragoso screened his short film, "Sebastian" at the Ebertfest Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois. Fragoso is a Los Angeles-based writer, editor, and programmer who operated the film-focused website, Movie Mezzanine, from 2013 to 2017. His writings have appeared in Vanity Fair, NPR, WIRED, The New Republic, Playboy, and The Atlantic. He also previously held the title of Creative Director of the Roxie Theater in San Francisco.
Below is Fragoso's own introduction for the podcast, followed by the embedded episode. While he was at this year's Ebertfest, Fragoso also recorded a special Talk Easy episode from the Ebertfest stage, where he interviewed "Maya Angelou And Still I Rise" director Rita Coburn, critic Richard Roeper and more. Make sure to visit his wonderful site, featuring interviews with fascinating people from all walks of life. He has recorded over 130 interviews here.
“Chaz is a strong woman, sure of herself. I’d never met anyone like her,” wrote her late husband, Roger Ebert. Truth be told: neither have I. Chaz Ebert is a singular soul. Wise, kind, and extremely busy. She’s the CEO of Ebert companies, including RogerEbert.com. She’s a publisher of books, a philanthropist, and a TV and film producer. I’ve known Chaz for seven years, and this week we finally sat down to talk– about her upbringing on the West Side of Chicago, her marriage with Roger, the time spent grieving in his absence, and how she plans to continue creating her legacy.
Photo credit: Krishna Shenoi, our Far Flung Correspondent and gifted artist
