The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
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629 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Christy with David Michôd and John Lee Hancock (Ep. 579)
15 november 2025 · 33 min
Director David Michôd discusses his new film, Christy, with fellow Director John Lee Hancock in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses making a sports movie with the shadowing story of an abusive relationship ever present, the process of helping Actor Sydney Sweeney get into shape for her fighting scenes, and working with Sweeney and Actor Ben Foster to capture the powder keg dynamic of their relationship scenes. Lees meer
The film tells the true story of Christy Martin, who never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia, until she discovered a talent in the boxing ring. But her toughest battles start to unfold outside of the ring as she confronts family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/christy_qna_1125
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My Father’s Shadow with Akinola Davies and Rachel Raimist (Ep. 578)
14 november 2025 · 46 min
Director Akinola Davies discusses his new film, My Father’s Shadow, with fellow Director Rachel Raimist in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses shooting on celluloid film to capture the beauty of Lagos, the exhaustive process behind casting the two young leading Actors, and finding ways to show the people of Nigeria in a dignified manner that he felt represented the place as he knew it. Lees meer
Screened as part of the DGA’s Global Cinema Series, the film tells the story of Aki and Remi, who reconnect with the father who’s been absent for most of their lives. But the reunion quietly unravels into something deeper as they witness both the city’s magnitude and their father’s daily struggles during the political unrest of the 1993 Nigerian election crisis.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/myfathersshadow_1025
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The Perfect Neighbor with Geeta Gandbhir and Yance Ford (Ep. 577)
12 november 2025 · 29 min
Director Geeta Gandbhir discusses her new film, The Perfect Neighbor, with fellow Director Yance Ford in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses the process of discovering how she would tell the story through police body cam footage, editing the body cam footage into a cohesive narrative that develops the players and events leading up to the shooting, and finding a pacing for the footage so as not to overwhelm her audience with distressing content. Lees meer
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film, told mostly through police body cam footage, uses the shooting of a beloved mother of four as a case study to examine Florida's controversial "stand your ground" laws, revealing the consequences that can occur when individuals feel emboldened by the law to act on their fear and prejudice.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/docseries_theperfectneighbor-1025
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A House of Dynamite with Kathryn Bigelow and James Gray (Ep. 576)
6 november 2025 · 34 min
Director Kathryn Bigelow discusses her new film, A House of Dynamite, with fellow Director James Gray in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses working with journalist and Screenwriter Noah Oppenheim to discover the best way to turn this hypothetical into a story, collaborating with her Cinematographer and Actors to capture an unblocked and naturalistic feel to her scenes, and consulting with government experts to portray the transpiring of events with informed data. Lees meer
The film explores a hypothetical situation: When a radar station detects a single, unattributed ICBM headed for Chicago, how do the many levels of the US government use their limited time to identify who is responsible, attempt to disable the warhead, and in the worst case scenario, consider severe retaliatory options.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/houseofdynamite_qna_1025
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere with Scott Cooper and David O. Russell (Ep. 575)
4 november 2025 · 30 min
Director Scott Cooper discusses his new film, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, with fellow Director David O. Russell in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his vision for the film to stray from the typical biopic formula, using Springsteen’s story as a wider conversation to address topics of therapy and self-reflection, and working with Actor Jeremy Allen White to capture the spirit of Springsteen. Lees meer
The film chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album, Nebraska, which emerged as he recorded Born in the USA with the E Street Band. As a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom, the New Jersey rocker struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past as he records the benchmark album.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/springsteendeliverme_qna_1025
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Frankenstein with Guillermo del Toro and Bradley Cooper (Ep. 574)
31 oktober 2025 · 29 min
Director Guillermo del Toro discusses his new film, Frankenstein, with fellow Director Bradley Cooper in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses the consideration he took in the multiple perspective structure of the story, the research and detail behind crafting intricate props and capturing authentic settings, and what he looked for in an Actor when casting the role of The Creature. Lees meer
Based on the classic novel by Mary Shelley, the film tells the tragic story of the brilliant but egotistical Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who brings a monstrous creature to life. When the experiment spirals out of his control, events transpire that lead to the undoing of both the creator and his creation.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/december2025/frankenstein-1025
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Sentimental Value with Joachim Trier and Frank Oz (Ep. 573)
30 oktober 2025 · 29 min
Director Joachim Trier discusses his new film, Sentimental Value, with fellow Director Frank Oz in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Writer to establish just enough of the characters for his Actors to fill in the rest, how he goes about his rehearsal process to get the right performances in the shoot, and taking time in the edit to find the perfect pacing to balance the emotional arcs of the film. Lees meer
Screened as part of the DGA’s Global Cinema Series, the film tells the story of Gustav, a once-renowned film Director looking to make a comeback with his next feature. When his stage actress daughter turns down the lead role in the film, he casts a Hollywood star instead, opening old wounds that force them to face their relationship and the fragile bonds that unite them.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/gcs_sentimentalvalue_0925
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Eleanor the Great with Scarlett Johansson and Frank Oz (Ep. 572)
17 oktober 2025 · 31 min
Director Scarlett Johansson discusses her new film, Eleanor the Great, with fellow Director Frank Oz in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses how she sees table reads as essential to getting her Actors on the same wavelength, characteristics she looks for in a Directorial Team, and some of the lessons she learned from Directors when working with them as an Actor. Lees meer
The film tells the story of 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who moves from her Florida retirement community to Manhattan after losing her best friend of seventy years. Soon after, she meets a group of Holocaust survivors and feels compelled to tell a story about her past that takes on a dangerous life of its own.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/eleanorthegreat_qna_0925
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Burden of Dreams with Werner Herzog and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 571)
15 oktober 2025 · 47 min
Director Werner Herzog discusses Les Blank’s film Burden of Dreams, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the value he saw in Blank documenting the making of Fitzcarraldo, shares further insight into aspects of the shoot the documentary didn’t cover, and reflects on his memories of the late Actor Claudia Cardinale. Lees meer
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows Director Werner Herzog during the filming of Fitzcarraldo, the story of one man’s attempt to build an opera house deep in the Amazonian jungle. As the production unfolds, the crew has to overcome a number of setbacks, including difficult Actors, unpredictable weather and the logistics of getting a boat over a mountain, all with the determination of realizing Herzog’s vision.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/docseries_burdenofdreams-0925
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The Smashing Machine with Benny Safdie and Christopher Nolan (Ep. 570)
11 oktober 2025 · 34 min
Director Benny Safdie discusses his new film, The Smashing Machine, with fellow Director Christopher Nolan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Actors Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt to summon the performances he wanted, collaborating with his composer to craft a jazz score that followed the film’s emotional beats, and how he used his cinematography to capture the interior emotions of his characters. Lees meer
The film tells the true story of, Mark Kerr, a former collegiate wrestler who became a mixed-martial artist and UFC champion during the early, unregulated days of MMA. As he contends with depression, a painkiller addiction, and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend, he continues his meteoric rise in the burgeoning sport.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/smashingmachine_qna_1025
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Roofman with Derek Cianfrance and David Gordon Green (Ep. 569)
9 oktober 2025 · 34 min
Director Derek Cianfrance discusses his new film, Roofman, with fellow Director David Gordon Green in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of researching the story by consulting with the real Jeffrey Manchester in prison, working with production to recreate a period accurate Toys”R”Us from 2004, and how he aimed to capture the nostalgia of the early 2000s by choosing to film on 35mm. Lees meer
The film tells the true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a charismatic criminal who goes into hiding on the roof of a Toys “R” Us. Adopting a new identity, he begins to form a relationship with one of the employees, jeopardizing his double life as his past closes in.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/roofman_qna_0925
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The Roses with Jay Roach and Jason Reitman (Ep. 568)
4 oktober 2025 · 38 min
Director Jay Roach discusses his new film, The Roses, with fellow Director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Actors to find the right balance of dark comedy and drama in the film, collaborating with his spouse and many other musical artists to craft a soundtrack that fit the film’s tone, and how he approached remaking a foreign film for American audiences that may not receive the content in a similar way. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Ivy and Theo, a couple living a seemingly ideal life with a loving marriage, successful careers and great kids. But when Theo’s career nosedives and Ivy’s ambitions take off, a tinderbox of hidden resentment and fierce competition ignites as the reality of their relationship bubbles to the surface.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/theroses_qna_0925
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One Battle After Another with Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Spielberg (Ep. 567)
2 oktober 2025 · 36 min
Director Paul Thomas Anderson discusses his new film, One Battle After Another, with fellow Director Steven Spielberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he worked with his Actors to bring to life the distinct characters they inhabited, why Vistavision was the best format to capture the story, and how he discovered the ending sequence by exploring the location. Lees meer
The film follows Bob Ferguson, a former militant now living a quiet life in hiding with his daughter Willa. When Willa goes missing, Bob must track her down with the help of his fellow revolutionaries and battle the consequences of his past.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/onebattleafteranother_qna_0925a
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Spinal Tap II: The End Continues with Rob Reiner and Paul Feig (Ep. 566)
24 september 2025 · 32 min
Director Rob Reiner discusses his new film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, with fellow Director Paul Feig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses his process of discovering the story in the edit through the Actors’ many improvisational takes, how he aims for a documentary-style feel by forgoing blocking and letting crew appear in the shots, and using real world inspiration of reuniting bands and going viral on the internet as pretext for a sequel. Lees meer
This follow up to the 1984 feature This is Spinal Tap finds documentarian Marty DiBergi once again shadowing the bandmates of Spinal Tap as they reunite after 15 years to put on one final show.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/spinaltap2_qna_0925
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Code 3 with Christopher Leone and Etan Cohen (Ep. 565)
22 september 2025 · 32 min
Director Christopher Leone discusses his new film, Code 3, with fellow Director Etan Cohen in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses collaborating with his co-Writer - who was once a real paramedic - to maintain accuracy, working with his effects team to create realistic wound portrayals, and finding the tone of the film having pulled inspiration from comedy and war films. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Randy, an overworked paramedic who is about to resign. While training his replacement on his the last 24-hour shift, their routine night quickly spirals into a chaotic, citywide odyssey as they race from one emergency to the next.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/code3_qna_0925
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Kiss of the Spider Woman with Bill Condon and Greg Berlanti (Ep. 564)
20 september 2025 · 32 min
Director Bill Condon discusses his new film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, with fellow Director Greg Berlanti in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the interpretations from previous adaptations influenced his vision, how he approached shooting the dream sequences in contrast to the prison scenes, and the complex choreography that went into staging the musical sequences with Actor Jennifer Lopez. Lees meer
This reimagining of the 1976 novel and Tony Award-wining Broadway musical tells the story of Valentín, a political prisoner who shares a cell with Molina, a gay window dresser convicted of public indecency. To escape the grim reality of their incarceration, Molina entertains Valentín by recounting the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/november2025/kissofthespiderwoman_qna_0925
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Him with Justin Tipping and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Ep. 563)
18 september 2025 · 35 min
Director Justin Tipping discusses his new film, Him, with fellow Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his VFX team to create the x-ray scenes and their thematic function, the mixture of rehearsals and sports training he had his Actors go through to prepare for their roles, and putting consideration into the structures and locations of his settings to emphasize feelings of oppression and disorientation. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Cameron “Cam” Cade, a promising young football player who’s invited to train at the isolated compound of legendary quarterback Isaiah White. But things turn unsettling as White takes his protégé on a blood-chilling journey into the pursuit of excellence at all costs.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/him_qna_0925
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The History of Sound with Oliver Hermanus and Mike Mills (Ep. 562)
16 september 2025 · 33 min
Director Oliver Hermanus discusses his new film, The History of Sound, with fellow Director Mike Mills in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Actors to find little character details that speak to bigger aspects of their selves, how he walks his sets early in the days to discover opportunities for shots, and how working on his first American production differed from his past filmmaking experiences. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Lionel and David, who are determined to record the lives, voices and music of American culture in the shadow of World War I. But as they travel the American countryside in search of music, the two find love with one another instead.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/historyofsound_qna_0925
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We Strangers with Anu Valia and Janicza Bravo (Ep. 561)
11 september 2025 · 32 min
Director Anu Valia discusses her new film, We Strangers, with fellow Director Janicza Bravo in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses using the story to explore themes of power, class and loving oneself, working with Actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste to flesh out the protagonist, and collaborating with her Cinematographer to discover opportunities for shots while on-set. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Rayelle, a rural housekeeper who takes on a new and enigmatic job for a therapist client. But after she impulsively claims she can speak to the dead, Rayelle finds herself in an odd position of power and an ever-deepening web of deceit.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/westrangers_qna_0925
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Americana with Tony Tost and Mimi Cave (Ep. 560)
5 september 2025 · 28 min
Director Tony Tost discusses his new film, Americana, with fellow Director Mimi Cave in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the story structure was influenced by Westerns and nonlinear narratives like Pulp Fiction, how he worked with his cinematographer to achieve an analog 1970s aesthetic, and what he learned making this film as a first-time Director. Lees meer
The film follows a waitress with dreams of bigger and better things, who teams up with a military veteran to gain possession of a mysterious and valuable artifact. They soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal, an unrelenting Western antiquities dealer and an ever increasing list of pursuers as blood is shed to secure the relic.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/americana_qna_0825
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Freakier Friday with Nisha Ganatra and Adele Lim (Ep. 559)
3 september 2025 · 33 min
Director Nisha Ganatra discusses her new film, Freakier Friday, with fellow Director Adele Lim in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the uniquely complex rehearsal process involved in a body swap comedy, giving background characters prominent scenes so that every character is memorable, and filming in LA to utilize locations across the city while keeping production local. Lees meer
The follow-up to 2003’s Freaky Friday finds Tess and her daughter Anna navigating a shift in family dynamics with Anna’s daughter and stepdaughter. However, they soon discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/freakierfriday_qna_0825
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Highest 2 Lowest with Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch (Ep. 558)
29 augustus 2025 · 55 min
Director Spike Lee discusses his new film, Highest 2 Lowest, with fellow Director Jim Jarmusch in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses working with his longtime collaborator Denzel Washington and trusting him with his process, packing the film’s mis-en-scene with references to African American artists, and the utilization of his trademark double dolly shot in this film in comparison to his other films. Lees meer
This reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low follows music titan David King as he works to save his flagging business. But when he's targeted by a ransom plot which might jeopardize everything, he must make a high stakes decision that could have dire consequences.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/highest2lowest_qna_0825
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She Rides Shotgun with Nick Rowland and Michael Mohan (Ep. 557)
28 augustus 2025 · 32 min
Director Nick Rowland discusses his new film, She Rides Shotgun, with fellow Director Michael Mohan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses deliberately casting a younger Actor in the role of the father to shape the narrative around coming into parenthood, his process for Directing the lead child Actor in the film to get the right performances, and aiming for an aesthetic style reminiscent of 70s cinema. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Nathan McClusky, a former convict who makes enemies with a powerful criminal gang after getting out of prison. When the gang retaliates by putting out a hit on his family, Nate must transform his shy eleven-year-old daughter into a force to be reckoned with.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/sheridesshotgun_qna_0825
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps with Matt Shakman and Edward Zwick (Ep. 556)
22 augustus 2025 · 27 min
Director Matt Shakman discusses his new film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with fellow Director Edward Zwick in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses favoring practical and 60’s-style effects to align with the retro futuristic style of the film, working with his storyboard artist for inspiration to come up with playful concepts for scenes, and starting with the family element as the core of the story and building a superhero narrative around it. Lees meer
The film follows the team of heroes - Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing - as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their family lives with their roles as heroes, they must defend Earth from the ravenous space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic herald, the Silver Surfer.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/thefantasticfourfirst-steps_0825
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Folktales with Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 555)
15 augustus 2025 · 41 min
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady discusses their new film, Folktales, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss the logistics of filming in the unpredictable daylight and wilderness of Norway, creating scenes by finding inspiration in the nature around them, and forging trust as well as capturing formative moments with their teen subjects. Lees meer
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows a class of teenagers who take a gap year to learn wilderness survival and dog sledding in the frozen Norwegian landscape. Guided by their teachers and a pack of Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships with the land, animals and humans around them.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/docseries_folktales-073125
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Life of Mike with Derick Halliman and Christine Swanson (Ep. 554)
12 augustus 2025 · 29 min
Director Derick Halliman discusses his new film, Life of Mike, with fellow Director Christine Swanson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses finding depth in a complex and disillusioned main character, favoring small casts and sets for tight control of his environment, and serving multiple roles as the Director, Co-Producer, Writer and Cinematographer of the film. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Mike Smith, a thriving real estate tycoon, who lives a life devoid of close friends or family. As his birthday unfolds, his wife makes a heartfelt attempt to show him love, setting off a chain of events that make him confront the reality of who genuinely cares for him and who doesn’t.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/lifeofmike_qna_0725
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Eddington with Ari Aster and Tim Blake Nelson (Ep. 553)
31 juli 2025 · 33 min
Director Ari Aster discusses his new film, Eddington, with fellow Director Tim Blake Nelson in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses finding inspiration for the film in the information spheres of Twitter, interviewing residents of New Mexico on their perspectives of events during the Covid-19 pandemic, and gradually progressing the sense of paranoia in the film until the line between reality and perception is blurred. Lees meer
The film takes us back to May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when a clash over lockdowns and mask mandates polarizes the town of Eddington, New Mexico. When Sheriff Joe Cross gets fed up with the increasing political tensions, he decides to run for Mayor in what ends up being a tense, turbulent and eventually violent mayoral campaign.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/september2025/eddington_qna_0725
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O Último Azul with Gabriel Mascaro and Lily Mariye (Ep. 552)
9 juli 2025 · 34 min
Director Gabriel Mascaro discusses his new film, O Último Azul, with fellow Director Lily Mariye in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses crafting a dystopian future that speculates on change in societal practices over technological advancement, finding real-life inspiration for the film in his grandparents’ life, and the rigorous attention to detail that went into the film’s sound design. Lees meer
The film tells the story of 77-year-old Tereza, who has lived her whole life in a small industrial town in Brazil. When she receives an official government order to relocate to a senior housing colony, Tereza decides to take a journey that will fulfill one last wish before her freedom is taken away.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/gcs_o-ultimo-azul_0625
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How to Train Your Dragon with Dean DeBlois and Phil Lord (Ep. 551)
3 juli 2025 · 33 min
Director Dean DeBlois discusses his new film, How to Train Your Dragon, with fellow Director Phil Lord in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses taking lessons from his background in animation to give his characters defining appearances, utilizing puppeteers to give life to the on-set dragon for stronger performances, and using the remake as an opportunity to flesh out more detail in the characters and setting. Lees meer
This live action remake of the animated hit tells the story of an inventive young Viking named Hiccup, who must face a test and fight his village’s deadly draconic nemesis. But instead of battling the dragon, Hiccup befriends it, and their bond becomes the key to forging a new future as an ancient threat endangers them all.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/how2trainyourdragon_qna_0625
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F1 The Movie with Joseph Kosinski and Dan Gilroy (Ep. 550)
1 juli 2025 · 34 min
Director Joseph Kosinski discusses his new film, F1 The Movie, with fellow Director Dan Gilroy in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses traveling the world for coverage of the real F1 race tracks, consulting with drivers to capture a faithful perspective during the racing sequences, and working with Composer Hans Zimmer for a soundtrack that could work in unison with the volume of an F1 event. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Sonny Hayes, a once promising driver who was sidelined after an accident decades ago. Coaxed out of retirement to mentor the hotshot rookie prodigy of a struggling F1 team, Sonny rides his road to redemption.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/f1-themovie_qna_0625
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Fight or Flight with James Madigan and Rawson Marshall Thurber (Ep. 549)
28 juni 2025 · 29 min
Director James Madigan discusses his new film, Fight or Flight, with fellow Director Rawson Marshall Thurber in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses aiming for the right tonal mixture in action-violence and comedy, working with Actor Josh Hartnett on stunt choreography within a limited rehearsal period, and casting supporting Actors by feeling out their connection to their roles. Lees meer
The film tells the story of disgraced American operative Lucas Reyes offered one last shot at redemption: locate and ID an elusive target known as “The Ghost” on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. But when he finds the plane is filled with elite assassins who have orders to eliminate them both, Reyes and his target must team up to protect themselves.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/fightorflight_qna_0625
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Materialists with Celine Song and Mona Fastvold (Ep. 548)
26 juni 2025 · 32 min
Director Celine Song discusses her new film, Materialists, with fellow Director Mona Fastvold in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses how the film was inspired by her own time as a matchmaker, the differences in dating culture values across countries that contributed to crafting the narrative, and how the process of casting the right Actors for her roles mirrored the matchmaker theme of the film. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Lucy, a successful New York City matchmaker who maintains that she will only marry a wealthy man. But when she becomes entangled in a romantic triangle with Harry, a charming billionaire, and her ex-boyfriend John, she finds her plans are not so clear cut.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/august2025/materialists_qna_0625
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On Swift Horses with Daniel Minahan and Mary Harron (Ep. 547)
29 mei 2025 · 30 min
Director Daniel Minahan discusses his new film, On Swift Horses, with fellow Director Mary Harron in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses establishing the 1950s time period while avoiding tropes from other films set in the 50s, utilizing gambling as a metaphor for queerness within the film’s language, and the choreography and rehearsal that went into creating the intimacy scenes. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Muriel and Lee, who leave their Kansas home to start a family and a new life in San Diego. But their plans are upended by the arrival of Lee’s brother Julius, a wayward gambler with a secret past who draws Muriel down a new and dangerous path.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/onswifthorses_qna_0525
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The Last Rodeo with Jon Avnet and Jason Reitman (Ep. 546)
27 mei 2025 · 36 min
Director Jon Avnet discusses his new film, The Last Rodeo, with fellow Director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses giving his Actors space to find their characters in emotionally-charged scenes, working with his Cinematographer and Editor to create captivating rodeo action scenes, and the logistics and stunt work that went into the bull riding sequences. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Joe, a retired rodeo star who enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition to save his grandson. Along the way, he reconciles with his estranged daughter and proves that true courage is found in the fight for family.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/thelastrodeo_qna_0525
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Lilly with Rachel Feldman and Amber Sealey (Ep. 545)
23 mei 2025 · 33 min
Director Rachel Feldman discusses her new film, Lilly, with fellow Director Amber Sealey in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses consulting the real Lilly Ledbetter in order to find the focuses of the film, utilizing archival footage to ground the story alongside the real events, and how her own filmmaking journey aligned with Lilly’s struggles in the film. Lees meer
Based on the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, the film follows a factory worker who discovers her company has been paying her half of what her male collegues receive. Seeking justice, she begins a long and historic fight for equality spanning all the way to Washington DC.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/july2025/lilly_qna_0525
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Deaf President Now! with Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim and Ondi Timoner (Ep. 544)
21 mei 2025 · 48 min
Directors Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim, accompanied by DiMarco’s interpreter Grey Van Pelt, discusses their new film, Deaf President Now!, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss expressing the sensory content of the film with both a Deaf and hearing audience in mind, interviewing subjects in one-on-one dialogues to pull out individual sentiments surrounding the event, and working with a wealth of archival materials to gain an understanding of how the days of protest unfolded. Lees meer
Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film recounts eight tumultuous days during which students from the world’s only liberal arts school serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing lead an angry protest to change the course of history. When Gallaudet University’s board of trustees appoints a hearing president who doesn’t know American Sign Language over several qualified Deaf candidates, the students take to the streets to speak out.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/docseries_deafpresidentnow-0525
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Sinners with Ryan Coogler and Rachel Morrison (Ep. 543)
16 mei 2025 · 39 min
Director Ryan Coogler discusses his new film, Sinners, with fellow Director Rachel Morrison in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses employing historical consultants to find authenticity in every niche of the film, how he collaborated with Composer and Executive Producer Ludwig Göransson to elevate the film with a distinct musicality, and how he came to the conclusion of using 70mm film to accentuate the sprawling, flat and isolating aspects of the southern setting. Lees meer
In this fusion of gothic horror and 1930s Mississippi history, the film follows twins Smoke and Stack, who plan to open a new juke joint in their hometown. But as the pieces come together and their opening night begins, they find themselves confronted not only by the dangers of Jim Crow-era southern life but also a lurking undead menace.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/sinners_qna_0525
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The Wedding Banquet with Andrew Ahn and Daniel Kwan (Ep. 542)
14 mei 2025 · 38 min
Director Andrew Ahn discusses his new film, The Wedding Banquet, with fellow Director Daniel Kwan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with the Screenwriter of the original film, updating the story to reflect contemporary LGBTQ+ attitudes while staying faithful to the original plot, and how he and his Actors utilized inventive techniques for discovering their characters on set. Lees meer
This remake of the 1993 film tells the story of Min, a gay man hoping to stay in the country and avoid being dragged into his family business. Proposing a green card marriage to his lesbian friend Angela, things soon get complicated when his grandmother surprises them with plans for an extravagant Korean wedding banquet.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/theweddingbanquet_qna_0425
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Freaky Tales with Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden and Shaz Bennett (Ep. 541)
12 mei 2025 · 31 min
Directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden discusses their new film, Freaky Tales, with fellow Director Shaz Bennett in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss the real-life events that influenced the stories, using distinct visual styles and camera aspect ratios to differentiate each story chapter, and utilizing real locations and cameos from Oakland-born figures to cement the authenticity of the work. Lees meer
The film weaves together the seemingly disparate sagas of an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teenage punks, neo-Nazis and a debt collector as they embark on a collision course in 1987 Oakland, California.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/freakytales_qna_0425
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The Accountant 2 with Gavin O’Connor and Dan Gilroy (Ep. 540)
11 mei 2025 · 30 min
Director Gavin O’Connor discusses his new film, The Accountant 2, with fellow Director Dan Gilroy in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with his Actors to find more opportunities for humor, building out the scope of the film to expand on the world within the story, and aiming for an entirely different look and tone to create a fresh experience separate from the first installment. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Christian Wolff, hired again to use his brilliant mind and highly lethal skillset to solve the puzzling murder of a Treasury Chief. Though a danger in his own right, this time he enlists the help of his equally lethal estranged brother as they uncover a deadly conspiracy full of ruthless killers and buried secrets.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/accountant2_qna_0425
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The Friend with Scott McGehee, David Siegel and Gail Mancuso (Ep. 539)
9 mei 2025 · 32 min
Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel discusses their new film, The Friend, with fellow Director Gail Mancuso in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss working with Actors Naomi Watts and Bill Murray, the consideration that went into changes from the source material to the film, and working with a dog trainer to achieve emotional performances from their mastiff actor. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Iris, a solitary writer who inherits a great dane once belonging to a late friend. At first creating problems for Iris, she finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the mastiff, gradually coming to terms with her lost friend and own creative inner life.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/thefriend_qna_0425
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Audrey’s Children with Ami Canaan Mann and Brad Silberling (Ep. 538)
8 mei 2025 · 33 min
Director Ami Canaan Mann discusses her new film, Audrey’s Children, with fellow Director Brad Silberling in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses using specific lenses and mis-en-scene to capture the interior thought process of the main character, working with child Actors in order to capture serious performances, and incorporating soft hints of the romance genre in the relationship between two of her leads to foreshadow their real-life relationship. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Dr. Audrey Evans, who in 1969 was the first woman to assume the Chief of Oncology title at the world-renowned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Battling sexism, the subterfuge of her peers and medical conventions of the time, she develops revolutionary treatments and co-founds the first Ronald McDonald House, impacting millions of lives worldwide.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/june2025/audreyschildren_qna_0425
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The Amateur with James Hawes and Sarah Pirozek (Ep. 537)
22 april 2025 · 26 min
Director James Hawes discusses his new film, The Amateur, with fellow Director Sarah Pirozek in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses insisting on the protagonist being geeky, clumsy, charming and smart to reflect his novice, utilizing his camera to capture the main character’s degrading perspective as the story unfolds, and how previously working on the show Black Mirror informed aspects of this film. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Charlie Heller, a brilliant CIA decoder whose world comes crashing down after his wife dies in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to act due to conflicting internal priorities, he utilizes his intelligence as the ultimate weapon and travels across the globe to hunt down those responsible.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2025/May2025/The-Amateur_QnA_0425
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Novocaine with Dan Berk, Robert Olsen and Drew Hancock (Ep. 536)
4 april 2025 · 36 min
Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen discusses their new film, Novocaine, with fellow Director Drew Hancock in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss taking notes from 80s and 90s action movies to straddle the tonal line between comedy and action, their inspirations for casting Actors Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder in the lead roles, and finding a fighting style for a character not of your typical action hero makeup. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Nathan Caine, a man born with the rare condition where he is physically incapable of feeling pain. When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped by gun-wielding bank robbers, he turns his rare condition into an unexpected advantage in the fight to rescue her.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2025/May2025/Novocaine_QnA_0325
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Mickey 17 with Bong Joon Ho and Ava DuVernay (Ep. 535)
28 maart 2025 · 33 min
Director Bong Joon Ho, accompanied by his translator Sharon Choi, discusses his new film, Mickey 17, with fellow Director Ava DuVernay in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how his storyboarding process covered every shot, how he approached having a love story for the first time, and the resonance of the film’s social themes with worldwide audiences. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Mickey Barnes, an everyman hired by a tyrannical government to work as an “expendable” - a human clone willing to die for one dangerous mission after another. Repeatedly meeting his end for the advancement of space exploration, the 17th Mickey survives a seemingly fatal expedition and comes face to face with a new problem: Mickey 18.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2025/May2025/Mickey17_QnA_0325
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Heart Eyes with Josh Ruben and Zelda Williams (Ep. 534)
27 maart 2025 · 33 min
Director Josh Ruben discusses his new film, Heart Eyes, with fellow Director Zelda Williams in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses balancing the tone of romantic comedy and horror while not trying to betray them, the behind the scenes of special effects work that went into the kills, and the creation and influences of the killer’s look. Lees meer
The film follows Ally, a cynical ad executive, and her hopelessly romantic colleague, Jay. After a meeting-turned-date, they accidentally become the next target of “Heart Eyes,” a masked maniac with glowing, red eyes who returns every Valentine's Day to slaughter unsuspecting couples, and must fight for their survival.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2025/April2025/HeartEyes_QnA_0325
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After Hours with Martin Scorsese, Griffin Dunne and Raymond De Felitta (Ep. 533)
24 maart 2025 · 40 min
In a special Anniversary Series discussion, Director Martin Scorsese discusses his film, After Hours, with Actor Griffin Dunne and fellow Director Raymond De Felitta in a screening at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Scorsese discusses original concepts for the film’s end, how he aimed to find humor in the film by playing it seriously, and the change in reception as time went on. Lees meer
The film tells the story of Paul Hackett, an office drone who has a romantic encounter with a girl in a Manhattan café and agrees to visit her Soho apartment. The seemingly simple trip descends into a series of awkward, surreal and life-threatening situations with a colorful cast of characters as Paul spends the rest of the night trying to return uptown.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2025/April2025/ERSP_AnniversarySeries_AfterHours_0325
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Meet the 2025 Nominees for Theatrical Feature Film - Part 2 of 2 (Ep. 532)
1 maart 2025 · 1 uur 10 min
Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 34th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium. Lees meer
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/en/Events/2025/March2025/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2025
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Meet the 2025 Nominees for Theatrical Feature Film - Part 1 of 2 (Ep. 531)
28 februari 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 34th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium. Lees meer
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/en/Events/2025/March2025/MTN_TheatricalFeatureFilm2025
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Companion with Drew Hancock and Rob Savage (Ep. 530)
26 februari 2025 · 32 min
Director Drew Hancock discusses his new film, Companion, with fellow Director Rob Savage in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses taking inspiration from grounded dramas instead of modern science fiction, working with Actor Sophie Thatcher to establish the feel of the robot character, and his process of discovering shots with his Actors instead of storyboarding parts of the film. Lees meer
The film follows Iris and her boyfriend Josh as they go on a weekend getaway to a remote cabin with a group of friends. When it comes to light that Iris is a companion robot, the vacation unravels into chaos as she goes haywire and exacts revenge.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://dga.org/Events/2025/March2025/Companion_QnA_0225