Directors UK Podcast Kathryn Bigelow in conversation with Peter Straughan on A House of Dynamite
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Oct 24, 2025 
In a riveting discussion, Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow, known for her intense explorations of conflict, chats with director Peter Straughan. They dive into the genesis of her new film, A House of Dynamite, inspired by a hypothetical ICBM launch. Kathryn shares insights on her rapid drafting process during the pandemic and Netflix's swift support for the project. She emphasizes her collaborative writing approach and the importance of authenticity through military advisors, while also highlighting how her past work paved the way for real-life access.
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A Film Born From One What-If
- Kathryn Bigelow's film began with a single 'what-if' question about an ICBM headed to North America.
- She used that hypothetical to probe how halls of power and the military-industrial complex would actually respond.
Research Led By A Journalist-Writer
- Bigelow recounts meeting Noah, a former journalist turned writer, who already had deep contacts in the nuclear world.
- He researched intensely and revealed disturbing, chaotic realities like infrequent rehearsal of nuclear protocols.
Tell Real Time From Multiple Angles
- Structure the story to show parallel perspectives to make a short real-time event feel expansive.
- Break the 18-minute window into thirds to reveal ground-level, command, and battle-deck viewpoints.
