IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit 'Marty Supreme' Director Josh Safdie
Dec 26, 2025
In this engaging chat, filmmaker Josh Safdie, known for his work on Uncut Gems, delves into the making of his new film, Marty Supreme. He shares insights on his childhood ping pong rivalry and how it influenced his relationship with winning. Safdie explains the meticulous research behind recreating the 1980s table tennis scene and the sonic choices that shape the film's atmosphere. Notably, he recounts serendipitously meeting Timothée Chalamet before his fame, a pivotal moment that impacted casting and character development.
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Lifelong Ping-Pong Rivalry
- Josh Safdie describes playing ping pong with his dad and cinematographer in his youth and how it shaped a lifelong competitive streak.
- He admits winning often triggers guilt and a complicated relationship to victory that informs his storytelling.
History Gives Underdog Sports Dignity
- Josh found the sport's history gave dignity to an otherwise disrespected pastime and used oral histories to make the past feel immediate.
- He focused on rugged, monomaniacal dreamers to tie 1940s-80s cultural cycles to contemporary urgency.
Lock In Sonic And Visual References Early
- Use specific music and archival footage early to set a film's mythic tone and guide production choices.
- Josh built early needle-drops and visual references into the project before finalizing period choices.