Hand Me the Mike #07: The End with Ross W. Berman IV
Hey, you.
Host Daniella Mazzio has finally emerged from the bunker (aka a month of depression) to bring you the latest Hand Me the Mike! Writer and musician Ross W. Berman IV joins to talk about Joshua Oppenheimer's first narrative feature (and a musical, too!) The End. We discuss how Oppenheimer's film is in conversation with his seminal documentary The Act of Killing, varied perspective on the filmmaker's humanistic lens, and Michael Shannon's work playing a character that challenges what we expect from his performances.
Listen directly through Pinecast, or subscribe below via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and more:
Ross W. Berman IV is a Chicago-based folksinger and comedian, as well as a writer/editor at Wrestling Inc. His music is available at rossberman.bandcamp.com.
Follow Ross on Twitter, Bluesky, Letterboxd, Instagram, and Substack.
This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated.
Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬.
The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming."
This episode also includes an introductory song based on "Big Blue Sky," originally sung by Michael Shannon for The End; alternative lyrics sung (unfortunately) by Daniella; music composed by Joshua Schmidt with lyrics by director Joshua Oppenheimer.
This episode's closing song is Ross W. Berman IV's "In the Way" from the 2021 album Where the Light Don't Reach.
Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods.
Additional audio snippets are from The End and (unfortunately) Hamilton.
This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio.
Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode:
Michael Shannon interview for Vanity Fair: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/michael-shannon-interview-the-end
For further reading:
Daniella's coverage on NEA/NEH funding cuts: https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/neh-nea-imls-arts-grant-clawback-funding-nonprofit/