The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Ava DuVernay discusses her new film, Origin, with fellow Director Ed Zwick in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses constructing the metalayers of the narrative, her intentional choice of the film format and look, and working with her composer to reflect music from multiple eras. The film follows author Isabel Wilkerson as she sets out on a path of global investigation following a tremendous personal tragedy. In what would become her novel, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, she chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Origin_QnA_1223.aspx

Director Maryam Keshavarz discusses her new film, The Persian Version, with fellow Director Crystal Moselle in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses finding inspiration in her family and world events, achieving authenticity in her locations and production design, and aiming for representation in a grounded and personal story. The film tells the story of Leila, an Iranian-American woman who strives to find balance in her opposing cultures. But when her large family gathers in New York for her father’s heart transplant, a family secret is uncovered that catapults Leila and her mother into an exploration of the past. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/PersianVersion_QnA_1123.aspx

Director Kristoffer Borgli discusses his film Dream Scenario with fellow Director Tim Heidecker. Topics include working with Nicolas Cage, writing process, blending genres, and transcending categorization.

Director Alexander Payne discusses his new film, The Holdovers, with Jason Reitman. They talk about the inspiration for the story, the lead actors' performances, and filmic inspirations. The film follows a history teacher forming bonds with students over Christmas. They also explore casting, directing actors, working with a new cinematographer, using snow in filmmaking, and self-reflection in filmmaking.

Director Sam Esmail discusses his new film, Leave the World Behind, with fellow Director Luke Greenfield in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the changes he considered when adapting the book to screen, working with the Obama family as producers, and the amount of preparation he underwent before going into production. The film tells the story of Amanda and Clay, who rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids. Their getaway is upended when two strangers arrive bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and the possibility of the collapse of life as we know it. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/LeaveTheWorldBehind_QnA_1123.aspx

Directors Todd Haynes and Gregg Araki discuss the film May December, covering topics such as scouting for the right location, casting Julianne Moore, and playing with framing and reflections. The film delves into the scandalous past of a married couple and the resurfacing of long-dormant emotions when visited by an actress researching their story.

Director Michelle Danner discusses her new film, Miranda’s Victim, with fellow Director Sarah Pirozek in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses the intention behind her casting choices, how she aimed to capture a classic era through cinematography and editing, and how she sought to explore her lead character’s mindset in tandem to the events of the story. The film tells the story of Patricia Weir, who in 1963, was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. Committed to seeing him pay for the crime, her life is destroyed by America’s legal system as she triggers a law that transforms the nation. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/December2023/MirandasVictim_QnA_1123.aspx

Director Bradley Cooper discusses his new film, Maestro, with fellow Director Todd Phillips in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with Bernstein’s children and how he was given the project, the practice that went into major performance scenes, and capturing the thought process of Leonard Bernstein while in the dual roles of lead Actor and Director of the film. The film tells the story of world renowned American composer Leonard Bernstein and his decade-spanning journey with Felicia Montealegre. A love letter to life and art, their relationship is an emotionally epic portrayal of endurance, passion and family. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2024/January2024/Maestro_QnA_1123.aspx

Director Christopher Zalla discusses his new film, Radical, with fellow Director Braden King in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses how the children’s POV informed his cinematography choices, his personal journey in finding a story that resonated with him, and how he worked with Actors of various backgrounds to achieve the types of characters he envisioned. The film tells the story of Sergio Juarez, a sixth grade teacher in a Mexican border town full of neglect, corruption and violence. Saddled with the worst performing students, he tries a radical new method to unlock his students' curiosity, potential, and maybe even their genius. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/December2023/Radical_QnA_1123.aspx

Director Kevin Greutert discusses his new film, Saw X, with fellow Director Marcus Dunstan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses refocusing the series around its trademark antagonist, finding inspiration in a new setting when the initial location fell through, and having his cinematography capture uncharacteristic beauty in contrast to the iconic Saw imagery. The film tells the story of John - the serial killer known as Jigsaw - who goes out of country to undergo an experimental procedure in hopes of finding the miracle cure for his cancer. Once he discovers the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable, he is armed with newfound purpose and uses deranged and ingenious traps to turn the tables on the con artists. See photos and a summary of this event below: https://dga.org/Events/2023/December2023/SawX_QnA_1023.aspx