Interview: Filmmaker Nicholas Bruckman Discusses Ady Barkan and ‘Not Going Quietly’

Nicholas Bruckman could have seen his documentary Not Going Quietly go in any number of directions. Considering it’s a look at activist Ady Barkan, who is one of the more strong-willed human beings on the planet, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see many of his plans go up in smoke. That the film is so good is a testament not just to how compelling Barkan is, but to the directorial prowess of Bruckman as well. When I first saw the doc, I was eager to talk to Bruckman, and was actually able to right around its release. Now, with the movie coming home to its permanent spot among digital titles tomorrow, I present our conversation to you. Of course, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, it’s a must see.

In my review of Not Going Quietly (found here), I had this to say:

Not Going Quietly avoids being a tearjerker, but the movie does tug at your heartstrings. Watching what Ady goes through, as well as why he’s going through it all, reminds you of what’s important in life. Without ever preaching, this is an issues doc, but the issue is human decency. Who can’t get behind that?

Ady Barkan is a better man than I am, as well as a pleasure to watch for 90 minutes. His sense of humor, as well as his determination to make a difference, is not just compelling, but downright inspiring. You get why people follow him, but more importantly, you understand why he’s putting himself through it all. The same goes for those around him, who provide some much needed support. Produced by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass, showing amazing taste in documentary material, and directed by Nicholas Bruckman, Not Going Quietly is impeccably made. They obviously know that Ady is a star, so the focus is on him. That being said, his son steals every moment he’s on screen, hamming it up and just being adorable. This actually showcases the stakes for Ady, so it’s not just cute, but a sound choice by Bruckman and company.

Below, you can see my chat with Bruckman. We talk a lot about Barkan and Not Going Quietly, as you might imagine. The documentary is among the year’s best, so I was thrilled to talk shop with the filmmaker. He’s a very nice and very smart guy, so this is a pretty all-encompassing conversation. Give it a look next and be sure to watch Not Going Quietly, if you somehow have not yet. It’s truly a gem…

Here now is my interview with Not Going Quietly filmmaker Nicholas Bruckman. Enjoy:

Not Going Quietly is available to own tomorrow!