The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast Marty Supreme with Josh Safdie and Ben Affleck (Ep. 593)
Dec 24, 2025
Josh Safdie, known for his gripping films, joins Ben Affleck to delve into his latest work, Marty Supreme. They explore the film's genesis, sparked by an intriguing book and Safdie’s experiences with 1950s table tennis culture. Safdie shares his meticulous casting process, treating every actor as essential to the narrative. He emphasizes the importance of immersive production design and authentic period details. The conversation also touches on editing for emotional impact and the film's themes of ambition and self-discovery.
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Ben's Two-View Revelation
- Ben Affleck admitted he watched Marty Supreme twice and was unexpectedly floored by it.
- He initially claimed to dislike it as a setup but then declared it a great film and praised Safdie's work.
Origins In A Table Tennis Book
- Josh Safdie read a book called Confessions of a Table Tennis Champion that sparked Marty Supreme's concept.
- He called his uncle who recalled real 1950s players and smoky ping-pong parlors that shaped the film's world.
Dreams As Purposeful Heists
- Dreams give people purpose and harden them when others don't believe.
- Josh frames ambition as a 'heist on fate' that drives his characters' urgency.