The Next Best Picture Podcast Interview With "Familiar Touch" Star Kathleen Chalfant & Filmmaker Sarah Friedland
Jan 8, 2026
Sarah Friedland is a filmmaker and choreographer whose acclaimed film *Familiar Touch* delves into the complexities of aging. Kathleen Chalfant, a veteran actress, delivers a powerful performance as Ruth, drawing on personal experiences. The duo explores how Friedland's choreography background influenced the film's movement and emotion. They discuss the importance of empathy, confronting ageism, and the real-life interactions with care facility residents. Their reflections on the Venice premiere reveal the project's profound impact and shared journey.
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Directing As Choreography
- Sarah treats directing as choreography, calibrating bodies, space, and camera to reveal character.
- Embodied perspective resists reducing identity to cognition and centers sensation in storytelling.
Cast For Complexity And Presence
- Cast actors who can portray fierceness and complex age identities rather than clichéd 'cute' elder tropes.
- Prioritize performers who combine linguistic precision with openness to spontaneous discovery.
Role Rooted In Real Friendship
- Kathleen accepted the role partly because the script resonated with her personal experience caring for her friend Sybil Pearson.
- She saw the role as a way to honor her friend's journey through dementia and bring authenticity to the performance.
