From Courage to Orwell: Live with Oscar-Nominated Director Raoul Peck

Thank you for your overwhelming response. Join me on Monday as we dig into Orwell, truth, and authoritarianism in 2025.

Yesterday I shared one of my most personal reflections: 5 Years Later, Courage Is Still Rare.

The response has been overwhelming. Thank you—for reading, for sharing, and for reminding me that courage grows stronger when we refuse to stay silent. Five years ago, speaking out came at a cost. This week, your support reminded me why it matters now more than ever.

And I’m thrilled to share what comes next.

On Monday, September 29th, I’ll be joined live on Substack by acclaimed filmmaker Raoul Peck, the director of the Oscar-nominated I Am Not Your Negro and the new documentary Orwell: 2+2=5. (FYI, Damian Lewis narrates the film!)

Working in collaboration with the Orwell Estate, Peck has crafted a searing and timely film that weaves Orwell’s diaries, historical footage, and today’s headlines into a powerful reminder of just how prophetic Orwell’s work remains. From 1984 to Animal Farm, George Orwell warned us of a future where “Big Brother” and “Newspeak” could become all too real. Peck, who himself fled Haiti’s Duvalier dictatorship as a child, brings those warnings into sharp focus for our moment.

As we confront authoritarianism and doublespeak in 2025, this conversation could not come at a more urgent time.

I hope you’ll join me live Monday, September 29, at 11am ET, on my Substack for what will be one of the most important conversations I’ve hosted yet. I will also send a direct link in the coming days.

More soon,

-Olivia