Spieling The Beans

My guests this episode are the Gaudí Award winning star (Victoria Luengo) & Oscar nominated director (Rodrigo Sorogoyen) of the Palme d'Or nominated THE BELOVED, on working with Javier Bardem, theatre vs film, long takes, shared cinematic languages, and why we need stories. Recorded at the headquarters of Curzon, as part of the London Film Festival. Special thanks to Curzon for enabling this interview.

A COMMON STORY's director, Anna Foglietta, and its producer, Paolo Sopranzetti, join me to discuss the transition from celebrated actor to first-time director, being inspired by Bergman and Loach, and why we need stories. Recorded at the London Film Festival. Special thanks to BFI for enabling this interview.

My guest this episode is Gabe Klinger - the director of ISABEL, co-written with its star Marina Person. We discuss filming on 16mm, turning their active film set into a local film school, the history of São Paulo, and why we need stories. Recorded at the London Film Festival. Special thanks to BFI for enabling this interview.

My guest this episode is Harvey Zielinski - the writer, director, producer, and star of SWEET MILK LAKE. We discuss multi-roling in your own directorial debut, why we need stories, and to what extent authenticity is relational. Recorded at the London Film Festival. Special thanks to BFI for enabling this interview.

My guest this episode is Sean Mathias, director of FRANK AND PERCY. We discuss transforming the original 2023 play (which he also directed) into a film, his unique relationship with Sir Ian McKellen, and why we need stories. Recorded at the London Film Festival. Special Thanks to BFI for enabling this interview.

Fresh from winning Best Actress at Cannes for her work on ALL OF A SUDDEN, my guest this episode is Virginie Efira. We discuss working with Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Justine Triet, her awe of the UK's National Theatre, and her incredible career which has taken her from TV presenter to César Award winning actor. Recorded at the London Film Festival. Special thanks to Curzon for enabling this interview.

STB's first red carpet episode: the cast and director of ZERO INTENTION OF LIVING QUIETLY discuss the film, filmmaking and storytelling at its Leicester Square Premiere at the 70th Annual BFI London Film Festival.

My guest today is Simon Evans, director and co-adaptor of Cyrano de Bergerac for the Royal Shakespeare Company, starring Adrian Lester and Susannah Fielding, currently playing its West End transfer at the Noël Coward Theatre. He became a very familiar face during the pandemic with the BBC TV series Staged, which he wrote, directed and co-starred in, with Michael Sheen and David Tennant, all playing exaggerated versions of themselves.

A prolific theatre director, his productions also include The Dazzle (starring Andrew Scott), Bug (James Norton), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Lenny Henry), Killer Joe (Orlando Bloom) and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Toby Stephens and Claire Skinner), and Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright, written by and starring Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, at the Wyndham's Theatre and the Hammersmith Apollo.

Our interview was recorded at Fiction Studios on the 7th anniversary of Spieling The Beans, 21st August 2026. Produced by Dom Stephens & Emma Judge.

My guest for this episode of Spieling The Beans is Dame Judi Dench. You know who she is.

Recorded 9th April 2026.

My guest this episode is the globally-renowned, multi-award-winning playwright, poet, and performer, Inua Ellams MBE FRSL, whose work has been produced by the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and BBC / Disney+'s Doctor Who, to name just three. Research Producer: Eileen Gbagbo