As 2021 and year seven of BEHIND THE LENS draws to a close, we treat you to a mix and match of films and filmmaking with our special guests DAVID BEINSTEIN and ALAN McINTYRE SMITH talking ARE YOU HAPPY NOW, plus our exclusive interviews with writer/director MICKEY REECE talking the fascinating AGNES while director MIKE ROHL makes merry with THE PRINCESS SWITCH 3: ROMANCING THE STAR.

First up, we get a little bit of Christmas magic thanks to director MIKE ROHL in this prerecorded exclusive interview as he talks about THE PRINCESS SWITCH 3: ROMANCING THE STAR. Director of the first two installments of the franchise as well, Mike and I join up again to discuss his dazzling, ever-increasing amount of Christmas lights and the movie magic that gives us Vanessa Hudgens taking on three concurrent roles. Take a listen as Mike talks about not only the expanded visual palette (and more twinkle lights), but added color themes, upping the ante with Vanessa Hudgens times three, the design and manufacture of the Christmas Star (made for the film by a jeweler!), working with Will Kemp and shooting not only a 360 waltz, but action scenes more often found in spy thrillers! It makes my holiday every year to speak with Mike about this Netflix franchise.

Then we welcome writer/director DAVID BEINSTEIN and cinematographer/producer ALAN McINTYRE SMITH live to talk about their new film ARE YOU HAPPY NOW. Described as an anti-romcom, with some questionable "rom" but plenty of "com", AYHN is a fun-filled and funny BFF bromance. And did I mention plenty of chickens? Chicken wrangling obviously came into play with this film. An interesting and fun conversation with Alan and David on the "making of" ARE YOU HAPPY NOW that should make you pretty happy.

Wrapping up the show and the year, we switch gears and go a bit darker in tone with writer/director MICKEY REECE talking about AGNES. Demonic possession, exorcism, some shady priests, and a crisis of faith are just the tip of the iceberg in this film. With an interesting story structure complemented by a classic lensing style that showcases the talents of Molly Quinn and Sean Gunn, among others, Mickey goes into it all.

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