Face 2 Face With David Peck

Today on Face2Face, David Peck speaks with his friend, bestselling author and storyteller Wm. Paul Young, about his provocative new novel, Return to the Shack. Nearly 20 years after The Shack became an international phenomenon, Paul returns with a deeply personal story inspired by his friendships with men on death row in Tennessee. Together they explore justice, forgiveness, the death penalty, capital punishment and whether redemption is possible in the aftermath of unimaginable harm. They also discuss religious assumptions, the nature of God, the importance of being present, and why meaningful storytelling creates space for mystery and transformation. Ultimately, the conversation returns to a radical possibility and that no one is defined solely by their worst moments, and that love, rather than fear or punishment, might offer a different way forward.Paul Young was born in Canada and raised among a Stone Age tribe by his missionary parents in the highlands of former New Guinea. He suffered great loss as a ch

Today on Face2Face, David Peck speaks with neurologist, researcher and author Dr. E. Ray Dorsey to talk about his provocative and hopeful new book, The Parkinson’s Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment. A chance encounter at Toronto Pearson Airport led David to this deeply personal conversation about a disease his father lived with for more than 30 years. Together they explore the growing evidence linking Parkinson’s to environmental toxins, the importance of questioning medical assumptions, and why prevention deserves far more attention. They also talk about patient-centred care, scientific curiosity, corporate and political responsibility, and the power of communities to create meaningful change. Ultimately, the conversation returns to a remarkable possibility: that Parkinson’s may not be inevitable, and that by asking better questions and acting together, we might help create a world where far fewer people must experience it.Dr. E. Ray Dorsey is a neurologist, researcher, author and professor of neu

Today on Face2Face, David Peck is joined by acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher to talk about his deeply moving new film, Our Loves. Against the backdrop of October 7, Nesher tells an intensely humanstory about people confronting fractured relationships, past mistakes and the possibility of second chances. We talk about trauma and redemption, fatherhood, choice, the transformative possibilities of cinema,and why catastrophe can suddenly clarify what matters most. Ultimately, our conversation keeps returning to love and not as sentimentality, but as something essential to survival and Avi’s belief that storytellingcan help us understand ourselves, one another and perhaps even change a small part of the world.Avi Nesher is one of Israel’s most acclaimed and influential filmmakers, with a career spanning nearly five decades as a writer, director and producer. His films have helped shape contemporary Israeli cinemawhile bringing its stories to international audiences, earning dozens of Israeli Academy Award no

Today on Face2Face, David Peck is joined by Ian Goggins, Executive Vice President and Partner at Blue Fox Entertainment, to talk about Cinema Cellar, Criterion and the resurgence of physical media. We explore why a new generation is discovering the pleasure of owning films, the extraordinary response to Criterion’s Toronto presence and the community that forms around our collections. Ian and David also talk about the care Criterion brings to cinema and the idea that the movies we choose to keep on our shelves reveal something about who we are. Because sometimes a film collection isn’t just a collection it’s a little piece of autobiography.Ian Goggins is Executive Vice President and Partner at Blue Fox Entertainment, where he works across film distribution, acquisitions and the company’s growing physical media business. A lifelong film and music enthusiast, Goggins has spent his career helping connect audiences with distinctive films while building relationships with filmmakers, distributors and industry partn

Today on Face2Face, David Peck is joined by playwright, screenwriter and former human-rights lawyer Suzie Miller to talk about Prima Facie, her powerful exploration of law, sexual violence, truth and the limits of the legal system. We talk about her journey from science to law to theatre and film, and the unsettling divide between legal truth and lived experience. At the heart of our conversation is empathy and what happens when institutions fail to understand the people inside them, and what responsibility follows once we see an injustice clearly enough that we can no longer look away.Suzie Miller is an international playwright, screenwriter and novelist with degrees in law and science drawn to complex human stories and contemporary themes. Suzie's plays have been produced in over a hundred productions around the world and won multiple prestigious awards. Her novel Prima Facie has been published in 6 languages. Miller’s play of Prima Facie, starring Sheridan Harbridge and directed by Lee Lewis won a number o

Today on Face2Face, David Peck revisits a conversation with Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs and director Marianne Elliott about The Salt Path, a beautiful and moving story of love, loss and what remains when almost everything familiar falls away. The film follows Ray and Moth as homelessness and a devastating diagnosis send them onto a 630-mile walk along the English coast. They talk about grief, marriage, memory, nature, resilience and the unexpected freedom that can emerge when life strips away our certainties and perhaps, ultimately, about learning to be present for the people walking beside us.Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs and Marianne Elliott bring remarkable careers in film, television and theatre to The Salt Path. Anderson is an acclaimed actor whose extensive work across stage and screen has earned international recognition for complex and deeply human performances. Isaacs is an award-winning British actor with a wide-ranging career that includes Harry Potter, The Patriot, The Death of Stalin and nume

In this episode, David Peck chats with magician James Alan and director James Biss about their upcoming show Mysteries and Lies at the Toronto Fringe Festival. They talk about creativity, philosophical issues surrounding truth, illusion and lived experience and explore the intersection of magic, AI, and technology and how their performance challenges perceptions of reality.For more info about James and the show: www.jamesalan.caJames Alan proves that magic really is for grownups. Performing for over fifteen years, he has earned a reputation for producing experiences which are “thought provoking, astonishing funny and thoroughly entertaining.” For seven years he was the star of his own shows, Magic & Martini and James Alan’s Magic Tonight, which ran weekly in Toronto with over four hundred sold out performances. His one-person show Lies, Damn Lies & Magic Tricks was featured at the Summerworks Performance Festival. During the pandemic he crated Bring Magic Home, a live interactive online magic experien

David Peck sits down with acclaimed actors Radha Mitchell, Ioan Gruffudd, and Bianca Wallace to discuss the tense new action-thriller Seven Snipers on Face2Face. Together they explore the film’s emotional core, the psychology of survival, the lingering effects of trauma, and the complicated relationships that exist beneath the bullets and battlefield tactics. What begins as a gripping sniper thriller quickly reveals itself as a story about family, love, sacrifice, and redemption. The conversation touches on strong female characters, the realities of violence, PTSD, independent filmmaking, and why some films linger long after the credits roll. A compelling look behind the scope of one of this year’s most intense action films.Seven Snipers brings together an impressive ensemble led by three accomplished performers whose careers span film, television, and independent cinema.Academy Award-nominated actor Radha Mitchell leads the film as Kris Hendricks, a retired elite sniper whose carefully constructed life is sh

At the Toronto International Film Festival, I sat down with acclaimed filmmaker Darlene Naponse to discuss her stunning new film Aki. More than a documentary, Aki is a poetic meditation on land, memory, community, and our relationship to the natural world. Together they explore narrative sovereignty, Indigenous storytelling, mining and environmental responsibility, truth and reconciliation, and the power of listening more closely—to the land, to one another, and to ourselves. Naponse reflects on how making the film transformed her as an artist and why hope, connection, and responsibility remain at the heart of her work. A thoughtful conversation about belonging, beauty, and finding our way home.Darlene Naponse is an award-winning Anishinaabe filmmaker, writer, and community advocate from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek in Northern Ontario. Widely recognized as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Indigenous cinema, her work explores themes of land, identity, language, sovereignty, community, and the e

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with filmmaker Andy Hines and songwriter Adam Baldwin to explore the powerful Canadian film Little Lorraine. What begins as a conversation about a song becomes a deeper reflection on storytelling, community and the human condition. Together, they unpack how a simple narrative rooted in Cape Breton evolves into a compelling film about desperation, resilience, and belonging. With stunning cinematography and emotionally rich performances, Little Lorraine is ultimately a story about family, survival and the quiet search for healing in hard times.Andy Hines was born into a creative family, Andy’s passion for the arts has been a lifelong endeavor. As the son of a landscape and portrait photographer, Andy grew up with a camera in his hands and the opportunity to travel and grow a world view from an early age.As a Grammy nominated director, Andy has spent over a decade working alongside musicians ranging from Beyonce, Kanye West, and Missy Elliott to Luke Combs and K

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with acclaimed Canadian actor Colm Feore for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on the power of storytelling and the importance of National Canadian Film Day. Together, they explore what makes Canadian cinema unique. They talk about its authenticity, its sense of community, and its ability to reflect who we are. Feore shares insights from his own career, highlighting the value of participation, curiosity, and simply “trying” as a way of connecting across cultures. This is a rich conversation about film, identity, and why our stories matter, now more than ever.For more info on National Film Day head here: www.canfilmday.caPhoto: Ann Baggley.Colm Feore is one of Canada’s most acclaimed and versatile actors, with an extraordinary career spanning film, television, and stage. Born in Boston and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Feore has become a defining presence in Canadian arts and culture.A longtime leading figure at the renowned Stratford Festival, he is celebr

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with magician, historian, and thinker David Ben for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, illusion, and the deeper intellectual life behind magic. At the heart of the discussion is Ben’s extraordinary collection, now housed at The Lilly Library at Indiana University, a vast archive spanning more than a century of magical history. Together, they explore magic as a “prism” for understanding the world, touching on ethics, problem-solving, and the power of wonder. This is more than a conversation about magic, it’s about how we see, ask questions and make meaning.David Ben was the sole protégé of Ross Bertram (1912-1992), one of the great sleight-of-hand artists of the twentieth century. While studying magic with Bertram, David also graduated from the University of Toronto (BA), the University of Western Ontario (LLB), and the London School of Economics (LLM). He flirted briefly with a career in tax law but abandoned it in 1990 to pursue his passion fo

In this conversation, David Peck interviews Tanya Talaga and Shane Belcourt about their film Red Power Rising, which explores Indigenous storytelling, narrative sovereignty, and the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities in Canada. The discussion delves into the importance of reclaiming narratives, the layers of history and human rights within the film, and the distinction between being a warrior and a terrorist. They also address the systemic issues within Canadian society, the need for education reform, and the hope for future generations to thrive through cultural reclamation.Tanya Talaga is an award-winning Anishinaabe and Polish Canadian journalist, author, and filmmaker whose work powerfully centers Indigenous voices in Canadian public life. Raised in Toronto with deep roots in Fort William First Nation, Talaga spent more than two decades at The Toronto Star, becoming a leading voice on Indigenous affairs. Her acclaimed first book, Seven Fallen Feathers (2017), examined the deaths of seven Fi

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck speaks with magician, actor and creator Steve Valentine about creativity, the subconscious mind and rediscovering the art of magic. Steve reflects on how the brain is always working beneath the surface, often producing creative breakthroughs when we least expect them. He shares how revisiting the history of magic and returning to routines he once performed has reignited his passion and opened new perspectives on his craft. Their conversation explores how reflection, curiosity and our past experiences shape the way we create and perform. Thoughtful and engaging, this episode is a reminder that creativity is rarely linear and that sometimes the best way forward is to look back.Steve Valentine is a Scottish-born actor, magician, and creator whose career spans television, film, voice acting, and live performance. Born in Scotland and raised near London, he began performing at the age of five, training in theatre and dance before discovering a lifelong passion for magic.Val

What happens when we slow down long enough to really listen, to our stories and to one another? In this episode of Face2Face, I sit down with George Strombolopoulos for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about the power of storytelling in shaping who we are, personally, culturally and as Canadians. We talk about authenticity, the responsibility and possibility of art and why shared narratives matter more than ever in a fractured world. From truth and reconciliation to community building, this is a conversation about paying attention, staying curious, and making space for voices that need to be heard. If you believe stories can still bring us together and maybe even point us toward something better you’ll want to lean in for this one.George Stroumboulopoulos is a multi-faceted storyteller, broadcaster, producer and filmmaker. His range of experience is unparalleled in Canadian media. Including hosting iconic prime-time news and late-night talk shows, CBC’s The Hour and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight,

Recorded live at the Toronto International Film Festival, David Peck sits down with filmmaker Bryan Fuller to discuss Dust Bunny, Fuller’s darkly playful and deeply personal feature debut. What begins as a conversation about genre influences, Frankenstein, Blade Runner and Gremlins, turns inward, as Fuller reflects on childhood fear, imagination, and fairy tales. Together they explore how the film reframes monsters as emotional realities rather than fantasy creatures, and how humour, wonder, and visual style create both distance and healing. Dust Bunny emerges as a story for adults that is frightening, funny, and so tender. Bryan Fuller is an acclaimed writer, producer, and filmmaker celebrated for his visually striking, emotionally complex storytelling. He is best known as the creator of genre-defining television series including Hannibal, Pushing Daisies, Wonderfalls, and Dead Like Me, as well as his work on Star Trek: Discovery and American Gods. Across television, Fuller has built a reputation for blendin

Today on Face2Face, David Peck is joined by three remarkable storytellers: writer-director Alejandro Amenábar, Alessandro Borghi, and Julio Peña Fernández, to talk about The Captive. Set in Algiers in 1575, the film reimagines a little-known chapter in the life of Miguel de Cervantes, years before Don Quixote, when he was held for ransom and discovering the power of storytelling itself. Our conversation moves through history and fiction, freedom, sexuality, tolerance, identity and the people who shape us along the way and ultimately to the extraordinary idea at the heart of the film: that stories don’t simply entertain us; they can change how we see ourselves and each other.The Captive (El Cautivo) is Alejandro Amenábar’s bold and beautifully realized reimagining of a little-known chapter in the life of Miguel de Cervantes. Set in Algiers in 1575, the film follows the young soldier and future author of Don Quixote after he is captured and held for ransom, years before he would become one of history’s most inf

In this engaging conversation, David Peck interviews Matt Whitaker and Rupert Evans about their film Truth and Treason. They explore the complexities of good and evil and the emotional weight of loyalty and doubt in the context of Nazi Germany. We dig into the nature of violence, the importance of subtext in relationships, and the challenges of bravery and conformity. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the need for compassion and the call to action against oppression in today's world.Rupert Evans is an actor and director best known for his leading roles in Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle, CBS’s Charmed & Netflix’s Bridgerton Season 2. His recent work includes the BBC adaptation of the Moonflower Murders alongside Lesley Manville, & the Nordic crime drama Wisting. Evans’ feature breakthrough came as FBI agent John Meyers in Guillermo Del Toro’s Hellboy. He has since starred in American Pastoral with Ewan McGregor & Jennifer Connelly, the thriller The Boy with Lauren Cohan, and Alejandro

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, David Peck speaks with filmmaker Eisha Marjara about her new film Calorie, a story rooted in the emotional aftershocks of the 1985 Air India bombing. Drawing from her own family history and loss, Marjara unpacks the complex layers of grief, identity, and resilience embodied in Monica—a single mother living in the long shadow of tragedy. Together, they explore how personal trauma intersects with political and cultural histories, and how storytelling can reveal universal truths that bridge cultures and foster empathy. Calorie opens in theaters on November 28 and will be available elsewhere soon.Eisha Marjara gained recognition with her NFB docudrama Desperately Seeking Helen, winning the Critic’s Choice Award at Locarno and the Jury Prize at München. She later wrote and directed. The Tourist, House for Sale, and the award-winning feature Venus. Her NFB short documentary Am I the Skinniest Person You’ve Ever Seen? won the Betty Youson Award for Best Canadian Sho

In this engaging conversation, David Peck interviews Guillaume Marbeck, the star of Richard Linklater's film Nouvelle Vague. They discuss Guillaume's journey from being an extra to a lead actor, the importance of trust and authenticity in filmmaking, and the unique directing style of Linklater. The conversation delves into the challenges of acting without the use of eyes, the dynamics on set, and the personal growth that comes from taking risks in the creative process.“You don’t make a film, the film makes you.” Jean- Luc GodardGuillaume MarbeckGuillaume Marbeck, is a professional photographer in the capital. His training at ESRA, supplemented by acting training at the Actors Factory and short film experience in the United States with Rock and a Hard Place, laid the foundations for a career in which he brilliantly combines art and technique. In Paris, Marbeck stands out for his ability to create portraits that are both refined and authentic. Whether outdoors, where he exploits natural light to reveal the true