Fresh Air Richard Linklater: 'Filmmaking Is Problem Solving'
14 snips
Nov 3, 2025 
Acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater, known for classics like Dazed and Confused and Boyhood, discusses his adventurous foray into French cinema with Nouvelle Vague, emphasizing how he tackled the language barrier. He shares insights on his new film Blue Moon, exploring the complexities of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart's life and creativity. Literature professor Maureen Corrigan reviews Lily King's Heart the Lover, highlighting its intricate character development. The conversation weaves together themes of personal struggle, artistic expression, and the magic of filmmaking.
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One Night At Sardi's
- Richard Linklater imagined Blue Moon as a single-night, one-room Sardi's story centered on Lorenz Hart's perspective.
- He used the bar's different areas to keep visual interest and make the playlike scene feel cinematic.
Old-School Tricks For Height
- To make Ethan Hawke appear like the diminutive Lorenz Hart, Linklater used old-school stagecraft rather than VFX.
- Techniques included shaving his head, wardrobe adjustments, contact lenses, and lowering Hawke on set.
New Wave As Personal Freedom
- Linklater frames the French New Wave as a call for personal filmmaking and renewal against a stale status quo.
- He links technological shifts (lighter cameras) to the movement's freedom and focus on personal expression.
