FERNTV interview with Dr. Jatali Bellanton @SXSW 2025

Dr. Jatali Bellanton recently spoke with FERNTV about her role as an executive producer on Take No Prisoners, Vanity Fair’s first-ever documentary. Directed by both Adam Ciralsky and Subrata De, she explains that taking on this project was part of her effort to diversify her portfolio, expanding into impactful storytelling that sheds light on pressing global issues. More than just a career move, her involvement stemmed from a deep commitment to raising awareness about the increasing number of people being taken hostage worldwide. Through this film, she hopes to spark critical conversations and bring attention to the human lives caught in these dangerous and politically complex situations.

Take No Prisoners provides unprecedented access to America’s top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens, as he fights for the release of LA public defender Eyvin Hernandez, who has been imprisoned in Venezuela. Dr. Bellanton spoke about how the film captures the intense emotional journey of Eyvin’s family as they appeal to both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for help. The documentary offers rare, behind-the-scenes insights, from high-stakes White House negotiations to the unpredictable streets of Caracas, exposing the challenges, setbacks, and victories in securing hostage releases. She emphasized that the film’s gripping narrative and raw storytelling serve as a wake-up call for audiences to understand the high-stakes world of international hostage recoveries.

In her conversation with FERNTV, Dr. Bellanton highlighted the importance of partnering with Vanity Fair to ensure the documentary reaches a broad and influential audience. She believes that Take No Prisoners is more than just a film—it’s a tool for advocacy, one that can inspire policy changes and mobilize support for those still unjustly detained. By lending her expertise and influence to this project, she hopes to amplify the voices of hostages and their families, shedding light on the relentless work being done to bring them home. Ultimately, she sees this documentary as a powerful call to action, reinforcing the idea that awareness and pressure from the public can make a difference in the fight for justice.

Click below to watch the whole interview