The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Red Notice with Rawson Marshall Thurber and Jaume Collet-Serra (Ep. 336)

Director Rawson Marshall Thurber discusses his new film, Red Notice, with fellow director Jaume Collet-Serra in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, the film follows FBI profiler John Hartley, who is forced to partner with the world's greatest and most notorious art thieves on a daring heist.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/January2022/RedNotice_QnA_1121.aspx

A Hero with Asghar Farhadi and Ritesh Batra (Ep. 335)

Director Asghar Farhadi discusses his new film, A Hero, with fellow director Ritesh Batra in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film tells the story of Rahim, a man imprisoned because of a debt he was unable to repay. When he receives a two-day leave, he is confronted with a crisis he would never have imagined.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/January2022/GCS_AHero_1120.aspx

Swan Song with Benjamin Cleary and Kari Skogland (Ep. 334)

Director Benjamin Cleary discusses his new film, Swan Song, with fellow director Kari Skogland in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles.
The film follows a man who is diagnosed with a terminal illness as he considers whether to engage in an experimental trial that would allow him to shield his loved ones from grief.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/January2022/SwanSong_QnA_1121.aspx

Don’t Look Up with Adam McKay and Barry Jenkins (Ep. 333)

Director Adam McKay discusses his new film, Don't Look Up, with fellow director Barry Jenkins in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles.
The film tells the story of two Michigan State astronomers who discover a planet-killing comet the size of Mount Everest is hurtling toward the Earth. With only six months until the comet makes impact, they embark on a media tour to try to get the world to take the situation seriously before it's too late.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/January2022/DontLookUp_QnA_1121.aspx

Violet with Justine Bateman and Aaron Schneider (Ep. 332)

Director Justine Bateman discusses her new film, Violet, with fellow director Aaron Schneider in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film tells the story of a film executive named Violet who realizes that she has spent years letting fear drive her every decision and must learn to silence her relentlessly negative inner thoughts to live life show she wants.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/January2022/Violet_QnA_1121.aspx

Spencer with Pablo Larraín and Rebecca Miller (Ep. 331)

Director Pablo Larraín discusses his new film, Spencer, with fellow director Rebecca Miller in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. Set years after the fairy-tale wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, when the bliss has grown cold and rumors of affairs abound, the film picks up the true story on one Christmas holiday, as Diana wrestles with the pivotal decision of whether or not to leave.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2022/January2022/Spencer_QnA_1121.aspx

Hive with Blerta Basholli and Nicole Kassell (Ep. 330)

Director Blerta Basholli discusses her new film, Hive, with fellow director Nicole Kassell in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film recounts the true story of Fahrije, a woman who pulls together the other widows in her patriarchal village to launch a business selling a local food product. Their newfound independence draws the hostility of the men in the village who condemn their efforts, sparking a feud that threatens their sovereignty and the financial future of their families.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/December2021/GCS_HIVE_1121.aspx

The First Wave with Matthew Heineman and Marc Levin (Ep. 329)

Director Matthew Heinman discusses his new film, The First Wave, with fellow director Marc Levin in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film spotlights the everyday heroes inside one of New York's hardest hit hospital systems as they come together to fight one of the greatest threats the world has ever encountered.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/December2021/DocSeries_TheFirstWave_1121.aspx

Last Night in Soho with Edgar Wright and Phil Lord (Ep. 328)

Director Edgar Wright discusses his new film, Last Night in Soho, with fellow director Phil Lord in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film follows an aspiring fashion designer who encounters an ambitious singer when she mysteriously travels to the 1960s, but their façade of glamour soon cracks into something much darker.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/December2021/LastNightSoho_QnA_1023.aspx

The Harder They Fall with Jeymes Samuel and Baz Luhrmann (Ep. 327)

Director Jeymes Samuel discusses his new film, The Harder They Fall, with fellow director Baz Luhrmann in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film tells the story of an outlaw who reunites his old gang to track down and exact revenge on an enemy who is being released from prison.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/December2021/HarderTheyFall_QnA_1021.aspx

The Many Saints of Newark with Alan Taylor and Greg Mottola (Ep. 326)

Director Alan Taylor discusses his new film, The Many Saints of Newark, with fellow director Greg Mottola in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. A prequel to the award-winning television series The Sopranos, the film follows a young Tony Soprano as he grows up in one of the most tumultuous eras in New Jersey history. As he idolizes his uncle Dickie Moltisanti, we see how the relationship influences his adolescence and contributes to his transformation into the all-powerful mob boss he will someday become.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/December2021/ManySaintsOfNewark_QnA_1021.aspx

Summer of Soul with Ahmir ”Questlove” Thompson and Amir Bar-Lev (Ep. 325)

Director Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson discusses his new film, Summer of Soul (...Or When the Revolutioun Could Not Be Televised), with fellow director Amir Bar-Lev in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film shines a light on archival footage of The Harlem Cultural Festival, an epic event celebrating Black history, culture and fashion that took place in the summer of 1969. Standing as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, the film includes concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, B.B. King and more.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/December2021/1021_DocSeries_SummerOfSoul.aspx

The Tender Bar with George Clooney and Jason Reitman (Ep. 324)

Director George Clooney discusses his new film, The Tender Bar, with fellow director Jason Reitman in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. Adapted from a memoir of the same name, the film tells the story of J.R., a fatherless boy who hangs out with his bartender Uncle in a bar that caters to an assortment of quirky characters. As his mother struggles to provide her son with opportunities and move out of her begrudgingly supportive father’s home, J.R. begins to pursue his romantic and professional dreams.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
www.dga.org/Events/2021/Novembe…Bar_QnA_102101.aspx

Dune with Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan (Ep. 323)

Director Denis Villeneuve discusses his new film, Dune, with fellow director Christopher Nolan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. An adaptation of Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking science fiction novel, the film follows the son of a noble family, who is entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and vital element in the universe.
Please note: spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/November2021/Dune_QnA_1021.aspx

7 Prisoners with Alexandre Moratto and Victoria Hochberg (Ep. 322)

Director Alexandre Moratto discusses his new film, 7 Prisoners, with fellow director Victoria Hochberg in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film tells the story of 18-year-old Mateus, who accepts a job in far-away São Paulo to provide a better life for his family. Once there, Mateus rebels after discovering that he and the other young men are held as prisoners to “work off” their “travel expenses.” He is ultimately forced to choose between helping the very man who imprisoned him or risk his and his family’s future.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/November2021/GCS_7-Prisoners_0921.aspx

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street with Marilyn Agrelo and Annetta Marion (Ep. 321)

Director Marilyn Agrelo discusses her new film, Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street, with fellow director Annetta Marion in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. Inspired by the book by Michael Davis, Street Gang takes us inside the minds and hearts of the artists, writers, producers, and educators who created Sesame Street, revealing not only how these visionary creators changed our world, but also what it was like to be at the center of a cultural and social phenomenon.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/November2021/0921DocSeries_StreetGang_NY.aspx

Coda with Siân Heder and Suzi Yoonessi (Ep. 320)

Director Siân Heder discusses her new film, Coda, with fellow director Suzi Yoonessi in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. The film follows Ruby, a Child of Deaf Adults who is the only hearing person in her deaf family. After the family fishing business is threatened, Ruby must choose between staying with her parents and leaving to pursue her love of music.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/November2021/CODA_QnA_092126.aspx

The Starling with Theodore Melfi and David E. Talbert (Ep. 319)

Director Theodore Melfi discusses his new film, The Starling, with fellow director David E. Talbert in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the film, a feisty starling sets up a nest at the home of Lilly, who is grieving a recent loss. As she battles with and attempts to rid her home of the combative bird, Lilly rediscovers her capacity for growth and love.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/November2021/TheStarling_QnA_092125.aspx

The Card Counter with Paul Schrader and John Patrick Shanley (Ep. 318)

Director Paul Schrader discusses his new film, The Card Counter, with fellow director John Patrick Shanley in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film weaves the story of an ex-military interrogator turned gambler, who is haunted by the ghosts of his past decisions. When he is approached by a vulnerable and angry young man seeking revenge against a mutual enemy from their past, he sees a chance for salvation, but risks a fall back into dark territory.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/October2021/CardCounter_QnA_092112.aspx

Dear Evan Hansen with Stephen Chbosky and Peter Hedges (Ep. 317)

Director Stephen Chbosky discusses his new film, Dear Evan Hansen, with fellow director Paul Hedges in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. An adaptation of the award-winning Broadway musical, the film presents the story of a high school senior with a social anxiety disorder, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance after the suicide of a fellow classmate.
Please note spoilers are included.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/Events/2021/November2021/DearEvanHansen_QnA_092112.aspx