

A Cup of Coffee with Director Benny Safdie (‘The Smashing Machine’)
Oct 8, 2025
Benny Safdie, acclaimed director and writer known for 'Good Time' and 'Uncut Gems,' shares insights about his new film 'The Smashing Machine,' portraying MMA icon Mark Kerr. He delves into the film's themes of vulnerability and empathy, reflecting on personal parallels with addiction and recovery. Benny discusses his creative process, the impact of collaborators like Nathan Fielder, and the importance of street casting. He also shares memorable experiences working with Dwayne Johnson and his evolution from directing to acting in major films like 'Oppenheimer.'
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Lenny Cook Connection
- Benny connected Lenny Cook's story to The Smashing Machine through themes of talent without love and late-90s setting.
- That documentary similarity helped rekindle Benny's interest in making a fight-focused film.
Seeing Himself In Mark Kerr
- Benny saw Mark Kerr as a soft-spoken but physically invincible fighter who hid enormous pain.
- That identification sparked Benny's desire to make a fight movie exploring inner wounds.
Radical Empathy As Filmmaking Goal
- Benny wanted the audience to inhabit Mark Kerr's mind and physically feel his emotions.
- He aimed for