Leslye Davis

BIO

Leslye Pritz Davis is a New York-based filmmaker and writer.

Davis started her career in 2012 as a visual journalist at The New York Times, where she reported on domestic and international issues including America’s opioid crisis, sexual assault on college campuses, and the impact of the Afghanistan war on U.S. troops and their families. In 2020, she and her co-director Catrin Einhorn released a feature-length film called Father Soldier Son on Netflix. The documentary follows one military family over ten years, becoming an intergenerational exploration of values and American manhood in the aftermath of war. The Wall Street Journal called it “novelistic in its sweep and complexity,” and it was praised by The Times of the U.K. as "one of the great war documentaries."

Father Soldier Son was selected for competition at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, AFI DOCS, and HotDocs. It won the award for best editing at Tribeca, a national Emmy for Best Documentary Editing, and an Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in sound.

Davis was on the team of New York Times journalists who were awarded the Overseas Press Club’s David Kaplan Award for their coverage of the ISIS-led terrorist attacks in Paris. Her work has been recognized by World Press Photo and Pictures of the Year International, and she was part of a team of Times journalists who were finalists for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.

CONTACT

Film & TV:

AlberstoneK@unitedtalent.com

Manager:

NShumaker@anonymouscontent.com

Direct:

LeslyeAdavis@gmail.com

father Soldier son

Father Soldier Son — Directed alongside Catrin Einhorn for The New York Times and Netflix, in partnership with The Documentary Group. Father Soldier Son follows one military family over the course of ten years, becoming an intergenerational exploration of values and American manhood in the aftermath of war. It was selected for documentary competition at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, where it won the award for best editing. Edited by Amy Foote; produced alongside Catrin Einhorn, Nancy Donaldson Gauss, and Kathleen Lingo.

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Father Soldier Son was also published in a 72-page photo essay in The New York Times. Wayne Kamidoi designed the layout. Meaghan Looram edited the images and Lanie Shapiro edited the text. Rumsey Taylor produced the online version of the photo essay.

*This episode contains strong language and scenes of war that some may find distressing.* Produced alongside Daniel Guillemette, Michael Simon Johnson; hosted by James Dao; edited by Lisa Chow, Larissa Anderson and Mike Benoist, with help from Liz O. Baylen and M.J. Davis Lin; music by Marion Lozano and Dan Powell; and engineered by Chris Wood. This episode contains audio produced in 2010 by Damon Winter, Catrin Einhorn and Nancy Donald Gauss.

The Daily: Two Soldiers, Ten Years Later

How the war in Afghanistan —America’s longest conflict —shaped the lives of two members of the military.

By 2010, the war in Afghanistan had become unwieldy. The initial mission had been to defeat Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks, but after nine years, that mission had morphed — and many wanted out.

That year, James Dao, then a military affairs reporter for The New York Times, began following a battalion of U.S. soldiers headed for Afghanistan.

Two soldiers caught his attention: Adrian Bonenberger, a single, 32-year-old captain preparing to command a unit for the first time; and Tamara Sullivan, a 30-year-old sergeant with two young children. As President Biden prepares to withdraw troops from Afghanistan this fall, we revisit those interviews and follow up with the two soldiers.

SHORT DOCUMENTARIES

The Power of Gold: In 2012, the Brazilian judoka Rafaela Silva was a medal favorite, but she was disqualified. At the Rio Games, she sought to show that her humble background could not squelch her dreams. Co-Produced with Alexandra Garcia and Sergio… — ***The Power of Gold:*** In 2012, the Brazilian judoka Rafaela Silva was a medal favorite, but she was disqualified. At the Rio Games, she sought to show that her humble background could not squelch her dreams. Co-Produced with Alexandra Garcia and Sergio Pecana.

Why This Doctor Is Choosing to Stay in Syria: Since the beginning of Syria’s civil war, the Assad government has targeted and killed hundreds of medical workers. Many have fled. This is the story of one doctor, Mohammed al-Bardan, who chose to stay.… — ***Why This Doctor Is Choosing to Stay in Syria:*** Since the beginning of Syria’s civil war, the Assad government has targeted and killed hundreds of medical workers. Many have fled. This is the story of one doctor, Mohammed al-Bardan, who chose to stay. Produced with Mona El-Naggar and Cora Engelbrecht.

51/49: Caring for a Son With Cancer, and for Herself Andrew gave his mother, Regina Hensley, a reason to live. We follow the pair as she fights a history of addiction and he fights an aggressive form of cancer. Co-produced with Margaret Cheatham Wil… — ***51/49:*** Caring for a Son With Cancer, and for Herself Andrew gave his mother, Regina Hensley, a reason to live. We follow the pair as she fights a history of addiction and he fights an aggressive form of cancer. Co-produced with Margaret Cheatham Williams.

Orlando Shooting: Finding Acceptance: The Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., has pushed some victims' families to address the complexities of religion and homosexuality. Co-produced with Kassie Bracken. — ***Orlando Shooting: Finding Acceptance:*** The Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., has pushed some victims' families to address the complexities of religion and homosexuality. Co-produced with Kassie Bracken.

How a Community Was Sacrificed to Save Houston: After Hurricane Harvey hit, these communities, built in what is called a flood pool, were sacrificed to save the city of Houston. We followed homeowners as they decided whether to cut their losses or r… — ***How a Community Was Sacrificed to Save Houston:*** After Hurricane Harvey hit, these communities, built in what is called a flood pool, were sacrificed to save the city of Houston. We followed homeowners as they decided whether to cut their losses or rebuild, knowing it could happen again. Co-produced with Ray Whitehouse.

A Liquid Fear: Two childhood experiences with water left Attis Clopton with a phobia that lasted for decades, until another major life event inspired him to face his fears. — ***A Liquid Fear:*** Two childhood experiences with water left Attis Clopton with a phobia that lasted for decades, until another major life event inspired him to face his fears.

A New Path: Amanda Rogers, 32, became addicted to painkillers after both her mother and stepfather died from overdoses. Now, she is stable in her recovery and taking buprenorphine daily. — ***A New Path:*** Amanda Rogers, 32, became addicted to painkillers after both her mother and stepfather died from overdoses. Now, she is stable in her recovery and taking buprenorphine daily.

‘Bye, Mommy, I Love You’: Medics and Coronavirus Patients Make Hard Decisions: Our ride with New York City medics during the coronavirus peak revealed a new side to their job: guiding patients on whether to go to the hospital. Produced with Yousur A… — **‘Bye, Mommy, I Love You’: Medics and Coronavirus Patients Make Hard Decisions:** Our ride with New York City medics during the coronavirus peak revealed a new side to their job: guiding patients on whether to go to the hospital. Produced with Yousur Al-Hlou and Will Miller.

Simone Biles is the World’s Best Gymnast: "At this point in time, nobody can beat Simone Biles," Nastia Liukin, 2008 Olympic gold medalist said. We look at why. Produced with Joe Ward, Bedel Saget, Larry Buchanan, and Alexandra Garcia. — ***Simone Biles is the World’s Best Gymnast:*** "At this point in time, nobody can beat Simone Biles," Nastia Liukin, 2008 Olympic gold medalist said. We look at why. Produced with Joe Ward, Bedel Saget, Larry Buchanan, and Alexandra Garcia.

Hudson Rowan For Instagram @Design

When Hudson Rowan created a design for a local ‘I Voted’ sticker contest, he didn’t expect much. He submitted his proposal — a chaotic creature with “mangled hair, bulging eyes on a spider-like tentacle; legs jutting out from all sides” — and forgot about it. And then it went viral. Now, Hudson’s sticker is being distributed to voters IRL during the U.S. Midterm elections in Ulster County, New York, where the high school freshman lives. But you can use it on Instagram, too, to encourage your own community to vote. Open your Instagram Stories tray and swipe left to find Hudson’s sticker — which he calls a “spider robot.”

“When you’re drawing, there’s no limits, really,” Hudson says. “If you’re feeling discouraged, just try your best and see what happens. I didn’t think it was going to come this far, and it’s all because I just put myself out there.” Commissioning Editors: Kerri MacDonald and Laura Roumanos.

MULTIMEDIA & INTERACTIVE COLLABORATIONS

At His Own Wake, Celebrating Life and the Gift of Death: Tormented by an incurable disease, John Shields knew that dying openly and without fear could be his legacy, if his doctor, friends and family helped him. Written by Catherine Porter. — ***At His Own Wake, Celebrating Life and the Gift of Death:*** Tormented by an incurable disease, John Shields knew that dying openly and without fear could be his legacy, if his doctor, friends and family helped him. Written by Catherine Porter.

For These 2 Children, Inequality in Every Breath They Take: We measured how much air pollution two children in New Delhi breathed for a day to see how much inequality makes a difference. Produced with Josh Williams, Josh Keller, Derek Watkins, Jin W… — ***For These 2 Children, Inequality in Every Breath They Take:*** We measured how much air pollution two children in New Delhi breathed for a day to see how much inequality makes a difference. Produced with Josh Williams, Josh Keller, Derek Watkins, Jin Wu and a team of journalists from The New York Times.

The Ballad of Geeshie and Elvie: On the trail of the phantom women who changed American music and then vanished without a trace. Written by John Jeremiah Sullivan. Page design by Tom Giratikanon. — ***The Ballad of Geeshie and Elvie:*** On the trail of the phantom women who changed American music and then vanished without a trace. Written by John Jeremiah Sullivan. Page design by Tom Giratikanon.

A New Story Told at Ground Zero: A guided tour of the National September 11 Memorial Museum. Produced with Alicia Desantis, Graham Roberts, and Matt Ruby. — ***A New Story Told at Ground Zero:*** A guided tour of the National September 11 Memorial Museum. Produced with Alicia Desantis, Graham Roberts, and Matt Ruby.

A Visual Journey Through Addiction: Why do people start taking opioids and why can’t they stop? The New York Times created a visual representation of how these drugs can hijack the brain. Written by Shreeya Singh. Illustrated with Zach Lieberman. — ***A Visual Journey Through Addiction:*** Why do people start taking opioids and why can’t they stop? The New York Times created a visual representation of how these drugs can hijack the brain. Written by Shreeya Singh. Illustrated with Zach Lieberman.

The Tipping Equation: At restaurants across America, servers calculate how far is too far, weighing harassing behavior against the tips they need to make a living wage. Written by Rachel Abrams and Catrin Einhorn. — **The Tipping Equation:** At restaurants across America, servers calculate how far is too far, weighing harassing behavior against the tips they need to make a living wage. Written by Rachel Abrams and Catrin Einhorn.

The Russia Left Behind: A journey through a heartland on the slow road to ruin. Written By Ellen Barry. Photographs by Dmitry Kostukoy; Videos recorded by Ben C. Solomon. Produced with Mike Bostock and Shan Carter. — ***The Russia Left Behind***: A journey through a heartland on the slow road to ruin. Written By Ellen Barry. Photographs by Dmitry Kostukoy; Videos recorded by Ben C. Solomon. Produced with Mike Bostock and Shan Carter.

The Fine Line: How exactly is Simone Biles able to clear twice her height in a tumbling pass? Why does swimmer Ryan Lochte turn differently than other swimmers? Using data gathered through motion-capture technology, interviews with athletes and thei… — ***The Fine Line:*** How exactly is Simone Biles able to clear twice her height in a tumbling pass? Why does swimmer Ryan Lochte turn differently than other swimmers? Using data gathered through motion-capture technology, interviews with athletes and their coaches, and by annotating slow-motion and underwater footage, The Fine Line allows those techniques to become clear and engaging to viewers. Produced with the 2016 NYTimes Rio Olympics team.

The American Thanksgiving - Americans all come from somewhere. Their families may have roamed the continent for thousands of years before the Mayflower dropped anchor. They may have been on the ship. They may have come on later ones, freely or in chains. They may have come by truck, train or airplane. They came. And their journeys are reflected in the food they or their descendants eat. The Times asked 15 families from across the country to show us the holiday dishes they make that speak most eloquently about their heritage and traditions. The stories of these home cooks help tell the story of the nation, the story of who we are. Produced by Alicia Desantis, Alexandra Eaton, Emily Weinstein, Josh Williams and Eugene Yi; Editor: Sam Sifton.

Web shorts

The New York Times Magazine - Is an Open Marriage a Happier Marriage? - What the experiences of non-monogamous couples can tell us about jealousy, love, desire and trust. Produced Alongside Alexandra Garcia and Taige Jensen; DP: Kevin Hayden, Anchor Light; Reporting by Sue Dominus.

‘Everything Is Uncharted’: New Yorkers Confront Life Amid a Coronavirus Shutdown: At the beginning of the first wave of Covid-19 in New York City, residents grapple with uncertainty about resources, health care and their paychecks. Produced alongside Yousur Al-Hlou.

The Sopranos, 20 Years Later - Edie Falco and David Chase Reflect on ‘The Sopranos,’ 20 Years Later. Produced Alongside Margaret Cheatham Williams and Jeremy Egner; Cinematography: Emily Rhyne.