ScreenFish

Producer Matthew Teague brings his story to life onscreen with OUR FRIEND. Starring Casey Affleck as Teague himself, OUR FRIEND is the unbelievable true story about a family torn apart by tragedy and a friend who sacrifices everything to hold them together. In this 1on1, we speak to Teague about the cathartic nature of telling your story, the impact of his faith during those turbulent years, and what he believes the term 'friend' truly means.

In our series, ‘Films in Full Colour’, we examine films that explore issues specifically within the black community. For each episode, my co-host is Jordan Thoms, pastor of Warden Underground Church in Toronto and our hope is that, through the lens of film, we might be able to shine light on the issues faced every day by African Americans. This week, Jordan and I welcome Enrico back to the show to talk about lost souls and the spiritual power of music in Pixar’s SOUL.

Directed by Hollywood icon Ron Howard, HILLBILLY ELEGY tells the story of a Yale Law student who is drawn back to his Appalachian hometown and reflects on his family’s history and his own future. In a special 1on1 roundtable, SF’er Darrel Manson speaks to Howard about the appeal of true stories and the challenges of bringing the story to life onscreen.

Starring in the updated adaptation of Jane Austen’s MODERN PERSUASION, Alicia Witt plays Wren, a driven career woman who deals with the aftermath of a failed relationship when an ex-boyfriend hire her company. In this 1on1, Heather Johnston speaks to Witt about her personal connection with her character, what she hopes modern audiences take away from the film and her time in NASHVILLE.

With the creation of SOUL, director Pete Doctor and producer Dana Murray have truly stretched Pixar’s creative… well… soul. Exploring the relationship between the afterlife and living for today, SOUL follows Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher who yearns to find success onstage. Inconveniently killed after his ‘big break’, Gardner teams with a pre-born soul to get back to Earth so he doesn’t miss his shot at success. In this 1on1, we get to speak to Docter and Murray about creating the afterlife onscreen and what it really means to follow your dreams.

Oscar-winning director John Patrick Shanley has always yearned to explore his Irish heritage. With the release of his sweeping romantic comedy, WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, Shanley highlights a world of rich tradition, family and beauty. Set in the Irish countryside, WILD MOUNTAIN THYME tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who struggle to overcome the silence (and the land) that lies between them. In this 1on1, we get to speak with Shanley about the mythology of Irish storytelling, what it means to be ‘something that you’re not’ and the differences between Irish and American cultures.

When the Star Wars universe made the transition to the small screen, no one could have predicted the cultural impact that THE MANDALORIAN would have. Featuring a sympathetic hero in Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), a wild-west atmosphere and, of course, Baby Yod… er… the Child, Mando has become a pop culture phenomenon, reviving a flagging franchise and rebuilding trust with its fans. This week, we welcome back pastor Jedi Greg Banik and ScreenFish padawan Gary Blaze to talk about the magic of the series and identifying with the man behind the mask.

(NOTE: This episode features spoilers up to episode 5 of Season 2.)

Written, directed (and starring) Julian De Zotti, FOR THE RECORD is an anthology series that follows the journeys of several couples as they navigate the highs and lows of modern romance. With each episode featuring (mostly) different characters, FOR THE RECORD plays out like an album which each story leaning into the next but not necessarily restricted by them either. In this 1on1, we speak to DeZotti about the universal nature of music, whether or not he believes true love exists and what would be on his soundtrack to 2020.

Set in 1930s Hollywood, MANK tells the story of Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), a screenwriter with a scathing wit and a passion for alcohol, as he channels his experiences with the cultural elite into what will become his greatest achievement… the script for Citizen Kane. This week, we welcome PopLife’s Richard Crouse and In The Seats’ Dave Voigt to chat about reading the present in our past and the relationship between integrity and power.

With her latest film NOMADLAND, director Chloe Zhao tells the story of Fern (Francis McDormand), a woman in her 60s who loses everything in the Great Recession and embarks on a journey through the American West as a modern-day nomad. This week, we welcome back TO Film Files’ Jolie Featherstone and ScreenFish’r Julie Levac to talk about the nature of freedom of a Nomadic culture and the difference between being homeless and 'houseless'.