Director Emily Mkrtichian joins us to discuss 'There Was, There Was Not,' her documentary that began filming in 2016 and evolved in devastating ways no one could have anticipated. Emily opens up about the mythology embedded in the film's title, a traditional Armenian storytelling phrase, and how the story she set out to tell transformed from hopeful beginnings into a chronicle of war and survival as conflict erupted.

Our conversation explores how Emily reckoned with this unpredictable evolution, documenting real trauma as it unfolded rather than the narrative she originally envisioned. She discusses her decision to center the film around four women, keeping them in focus as war began engulfing their lives.

Emily reveals how maintaining this intimate perspective amid chaos became both a creative anchor and an ethical responsibility in bearing witness to these women's experiences.

(Photo credit: Chris Natalie)

Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey joins us to discuss 'Die My Love,' his latest collaboration with director Lynne Ramsay. Seamus reflects on their decades-spanning friendship and creative partnership, revealing how Ramsay's unique filmmaking style continually reinvents cinema.

Our conversation delves into the technical choices that define the film's aesthetic, particularly the decision to shoot on Ektachrome and employ day for night techniques. Seamus explains how these choices serve the narrative's psychological intensity and create the film's otherworldly atmosphere.

Seamus also shares his philosophy on cinematic adaptation, emphasizing that the difference between projects isn't measured in scale but in transformation. He elaborates on how he becomes a different cinematographer with each director he works with, and indeed with each film, reshaping his approach to serve the unique demands of every story.

(Photo credit: Kimberley French)

This time around we are joined by Mike Makowsky, creator of the limited series ‘Death by Lightning,’ about bringing the story of one of America’s lesser known presidents to the screen.

Mike shares how he connected with Candice Millard’s book and what it took to get a 4-episode historical series made in the current TV landscape, where IP recognition often drives decisions.

We also dig into comedy’s role in serious and tragic moments, and how humor shapes the way we process historical drama.

(Photo credit: Jana Williamson)

Writer-director-actress Cherien Dabis joins us to discuss 'All That's Left of You,' a film following a Palestinian family across three generations of conflict. Cherien opens up about evacuating the production from Palestine to Cyprus, Greece, and Jordan just two weeks before filming began due to escalating violence.

Our conversation explores how Cherien balanced writing, directing, and acting while managing this unprecedented crisis. She reveals how these interconnected roles informed one another and shaped her deeply embedded perspective on the storytelling.

Cherien also reflects on the ongoing Gaza genocide and its impact on both the film and its narrative spanning the Nakba, the occupation, and the first Intifada. Selected as Jordan's Oscar entry for Best International Feature, the film stands as a testament to perseverance amid overwhelming adversity.

Writer-director John-Michael Powell joins us to discuss 'Violent Ends,' his southern crime thriller hitting theaters on Halloween. Powell opens up about the leap from his micro-budget debut 'The Send-Off' to this significantly larger production, sharing insights into navigating that scale shift.

Our conversation explores John-Michael's extensive editing background and how it shaped his approach to directing. He discusses how his editorial experience allows him to move efficiently on set and make confident decisions about coverage. Powell also reveals the unique dynamic of now working with an editor after years behind the cutting room himself, and how that relationship informs his vision behind the camera.

We delve into the film's intentional approach to violence and gore within action sequences, with him emphasizing their deliberate portrayal of violence as a rumination on its destructive nature.

(Photo: Courtesy of Kai Caddy)

Co-directors Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore join us to discuss Largo, their short film about a young Syrian refugee in the U.K. that took nearly five years to develop. The filmmakers open up about the dynamics of their creative partnership, exploring how two voices shaped one vision, and what can be achieved within the constraints and creative possibilities of short film format.

We dig into the film’s exploration of displacement and their choice to depict a reversal of migration, examining what it means to be caught between worlds. We also talk about the film’s festival journey, from HollyShorts to Oscar-qualifying platforms.

This time around, we talk with Cooper Raiff, the creator, director and star of the limited series ‘Hal & Harper,’ about navigating the indie scene on the TV side.

Cooper breaks down one of the show’s central conceits: he and Lili Reinhart playing their characters as kids in certain scenes. We explore what it took to get into that childhood headspace and how those scenes shape the series.

We also dig into what it’s like juggling multiple roles on a project, from directing and acting to editing, and how that creative control shapes his storytelling approach.

(Photo credit: MUBI)

Filmmaker M.G. Evangelista joins us to discuss their horror short 'Anino,’ premiering at this year's NewFest. Our conversation explores the integral role of language in shaping their film's narrative and the ongoing search for identity that drives their work. M.G. opens up about their venture into genre filmmaking with this monster story, revealing how horror became a vehicle for exploring deeper personal themes.

We also delve into the extensive development journey of their debut feature 'Burning Well,' which has been in progress for over five years. M.G. shares insights into the challenges and evolution of bringing this project to life, demonstrating the patience and persistence required in independent filmmaking.

Cinematographer Mattias Nyberg joins us to discuss his work on episodes 1-3 of 'The Girlfriend,' directed by Robin Wright. Mattias reveals what drew him to the project - the opportunity to collaborate with Wright, whose directorial vision he'd long admired - and how they developed a visual language that serves the story's emotional core.

Our conversation explores Mattias's tailored approach to capturing the dual perspectives of Laura and Cherry, deliberately avoiding neutral shots to position viewers within each character's distinct emotional landscape. He discusses the technical challenges of shooting in constrictive yet stunning locations, from London's Sanderson house to a Spanish villa, where spatial limitations sparked creative innovation in camera movement and staging.

Mattias delves into specific visual choices, particularly the hospital sequences where he introduced warm colors into typically sterile environments to enhance emotional complexity. His reflections on using extended shot lengths to build tension and deepen feeling demonstrate the delicate balance between technical precision and emotional storytelling.

Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan and cinematographer Nick Matthews join us to discuss 'Bone Lake,' a film that shifts the typical thriller focus from "whodunit" to exploring why chaos unfolds in the first place.

Our conversation explores how Mercedes and Nick crafted a visual experience that subverts audience expectations, blending genres and pushing boundaries. Mercedes discusses the creative evolution that brought this twisted world to life, while Nick reveals his approach to creating imagery that serves the film's unpredictable narrative.

(Photo: Courtesy of FLASCH)