Director Evgeny Afineevsky discusses his new film, Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom, with fellow director Raymond De Felitta in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, Afineevsky shares insights about working with nine editors on the project, engaging a crew in Russia to shoot footage, and counteracting the propaganda war of the current conflict.

The film depicts Ukraine's battle for freedom following Russian President Vladimir Putin's unprovoked invasion in early 2022, as told through the personal stories of civilians, children, soldiers, and doctors.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/December2022/FreedomOnFire_DocSeries_1022.aspx

Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom with Evgeny Afineevsky and Raymond De Felitta (Ep. 384)

Brought to you by the Directors Guild of America, "The Director's Cut" will bring you the behind-the-scenes stories of today's most talked about films.  Each episode features a different director interviewed by one of their peers, leading to revealing conversations about the grueling, but rewarding process of bringing their films to life.

TV & Film

Director Robert Lorenz discusses his new film, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, with fellow Director Brian Helgeland in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses retaining the film’s authenticity in its Irish cast and texture of its 1970s setting, balancing the tone with moments of humor and severity, and using landscape shots of the remote Irish location to accentuate the mood of the film.

The film tells the story of Finbar Murphy, a man living a quiet life in a remote Irish fishing village, eager to leave his dark past behind. But when a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, he is forced to choose between keeping his secret identity hidden, or defending his community from the encroaching violence.


See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/LandofSaintsNSinners_QnA_0424

In the Land of Saints and Sinners with Robert Lorenz and Brian Helgeland (Ep. 474)

Director Michael Mohan discusses his new film, Immaculate, with fellow Director Adam Robitel in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how his personal background played into his making of the film, his creative partnership with actress Sydney Sweeney on and off the camera, and using Italian locations to try and keep the setting in a timeless state.

The film tells the story of Cecelia, an American nun who is offered a new role at a picturesque convent in the Italian countryside. But once there, her dream assignment quickly turns into a living nightmare when she discovers her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/Immaculate_QnA_0324

Immaculate with Michael Mohan and Adam Robitel (Ep. 473)

Director Maureen Bharoocha discusses her new film, The Prank, with fellow Director Lena Khan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the influence of Hitchcock and Heathers on her tone, utilizing the score to control tension throughout the film, and working with Rita Moreno to portray the Actor in her first villain role.

The film follows Ben and Tanner, two seemingly ordinary high school seniors. But when they both fail a physics test, they decide to exact revenge on their teacher by framing her for the murder of a missing student.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/ThePrank_QnA_0324

The Prank with Maureen Bharoocha and Lena Khan (Ep. 472)

Director Denis Villeneuve discusses his new film, Dune: Part Two, with fellow Director Steven Spielberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses the throes of filming in the desert in comparison with Lawrence of Arabia, the comic and painterly inspirations for his imagery, and adjusting his adaptation to closer fit Frank Herbert’s original intentions.

In this sequel to 2021’s Dune, Paul unites with Chani and the Fremen people while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Torn between love and the fate of the universe, he attempts to prevent a terrible future, in this continued adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking novel.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/DunePartTwo_QnA_0324

Dune: Part Two with Denis Villeneuve and Steven Spielberg (Ep. 471)

Director Jeff Wadlow discusses his new film, Imaginary, with fellow Director Ari Sandel in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses working with a child actor, creating his creatures with a renowned creature effect house, and collaborating with the film’s lead, DeWanda Wise, as a producing partner.

The film follows Jessica, whose daughter develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear they find in the basement of her childhood home. What begins as innocent games quickly becomes sinister, as they realize that the bear is much more than just a stuffed toy.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://dga.org/Events/2024/May2024/Imaginary_QnA_0324

Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom with Evgeny Afineevsky and Raymond De Felitta (Ep. 384)

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