”We Need to Talk About Cosby” with W. Kamau Bell

We need to talk about W. Kamau Bell. The talented stand-up comic and popular CNN series host/Executive Producer (“United Shades of America”) has just made his initial foray into directing with the provocative and definitive 4-part Showtime docuseries, “We Need to Talk About Cosby”. When a cultural icon like Bill Cosby, who was once so beloved as to be referred to as “America’s Dad”, is later convicted of using his power and prestige to rape women, the need to reassess his role in society, and the space he occupies in our collective psyche, becomes imperative. But it isn’t until now, thanks to Kamau’s skillfully crafted, sensitive and brutally honest series, that this important conversation is finally beginning to take place.

 

In our own frank and personal Top Docs conversation with Kamau, he discusses what it meant for him to come to grips with the dark truths that have been a part of Cosby’s life for decades, but, which, until recently, were kept mostly hidden. What was it like for Kamau to approach dozens of people to participate in the documentary only to be met, time-and-again, with silence or rejection? Why was “The Cosby Show” such a powerful moment of identification for Black people in America and how did Kamau depict this in the documentary? How did Kamau and his creative team decide on a narrative approach to including the stories of the many survivors of Cosby’s abuse in such a way that portrays them as more than just victims? And, when making the film began to take a personal toll, who did Kamau turn to for support and encouragement? Join us for this vital conversation about Bill Cosby… and about us. Rest assured, there is plenty to talk about. “We Need to Talk About Cosby” can be seen now on the Showtime Network and Showtime Streaming.

 

Follow on twitter

@wkamaubell

@topdocspod

 

Some Documentaries that Inspired Kamau:

Surviving R. Kelly

O.J.:  Made in America