Billy Corben Discusses Favorites Among His Documentaries

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Billy Corben Talks Favorite Documentaries and Filmmaking Experiences

During our conversation with Billy Corben, a renowned documentary director, he shared some insights into his thoughts on his films and the unique experiences of crafting them. Corben likened his documentaries to children, mentioning that while it's common to have favorites, they're usually kept a secret. He did, however, admit to having a soft spot for certain projects, revealing his partiality towards "Cocaine Cowboy" and "Screwball." Particularly, "Screwball" stood out to him due to the challenging yet fun process of working with young actors who played various roles including cops and con men.

Billy Corben also spoke fondly of "Dogfight," a documentary that delves into the underground bare-knuckle brawls in Southwest Miami-Dade, inspired by Kimbo Slice. He described the years spent developing the story and its impact. Additionally, he highlighted "Magic City Hustle," a lesser-known work likened to "Bad News Bears" involving former Miami Hurricanes football players-turned-jalai athletes at Magic City Casino. This project was both humorous and inspiring, providing retired or unrecognized athletes a chance at professional sports, sparked by high-stakes casino operations and the desire to keep jalai alive.

Through our discussion, it was evident that Corben is deeply connected to his work, valuing both his audience's reception and his personal journey through the creative process.