The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

American Skin with Director Nate Parker and Jeff Byrd (Ep. 296)

Director Nate Parker discusses his new film, American Skin, with fellow director Jeff Byrd in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. Mr. Parker also stars in the film as a Marine veteran and school janitor, who is trying to mend his relationship with his son after a divorce. When his son is killed during a routine traffic stop and the police officer is acquitted, he takes matters into his own hands.

Antebellum with Director Gerard Bush & Christopher Renz and Tiller Russell (Ep. 295)

Directors Gerard Bush & Christopher Renz discuss their new film, Antebellum, with fellow director Tiller Russell in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Veronica, a renowned sociologist who must escape a terrifying reality that threatens her life and freedom.

Wander Darkly with Director Tara Miele and Rachel Lee Goldenberg (Ep. 294)

Director Tara Miele discusses her new film, Wander Darkly, with fellow director Rachel Lee Goldenberg in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film follows a couple who, shortly after becoming parents, experience a disaster that takes them on a surreal and disorienting journey through both their past and an uncertain future.

The Forty-Year-Old Version with Director Radha Blank and Liesl Tommy (Ep. 293)

Director Radha Blank discusses her new film, The Forty-Year-Old Version, with fellow director Liesl Tommy in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. Ms. Blank also stars in the film as Radha, a down-on-her-luck New York City playwright who is desperate for a breakthrough before 40.

Judas and the Black Messiah with Director Shaka King and Taylor Hackford (Ep. 292)

Director Shaka King discusses his new film, Judas and the Black Messiah, with fellow director Taylor Hackford in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the true story of William O’Neal, a career thief who is conscripted by the FBI to infiltrate the Illinois Black Panther Party and surveil their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton.

Charm City Kings with Director Ángel Manuel Soto and Derek Cianfrance (Ep. 291)

Director Ángel Manuel Soto discusses his new film, Charm City Kings, with fellow director Derek Cianfrance in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of fourteen-year-old Mouse, who desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique. When the Midnight Clique’s leader takes Mouse under his wing, the lure of revving his own dirt bike skids him toward a road past the straight and narrow.

I’m Your Woman with Director Julia Hart and Tayarisha Poe (Ep. 290)

Director Julia Hart discusses her new film, I'm Your Woman, with fellow director Tayarisha Poe in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. Set in the 1970s, Hart’s film tells the story of Jean, a woman who is forced to go on the run after her professional thief husband betrays his partners, sending her and her baby on a dangerous journey.

Cherry with Directors Anthony and Joe Russo and Paris Barclay (Ep. 289)

Director Anthony and Joe Russo discuss their new film, Cherry, with fellow director Paris Barclay in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Cherry, a college dropout with only one solid thing in his life -- his true love, Emily -- who drifted into becoming an army medic in Iraq. After he returns from the war with post-traumatic stress disorder and his drug addiction puts him into debt, Cherry resorts to becoming a serial bank robber.

Falling with Director Viggo Mortensen and Matt Ross (Ep. 288)

Director Viggo Mortensen discusses his new film, Falling, with fellow director Matt Ross in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film follows John, a gay man who lives with his partner and their adopted daughter in Southern California. When he is visited by his aging conservative father, who is searching for a place to retire, their two very different worlds collide.

Land with Director Robin Wright and Amy Redford (Ep. 287)

Director Robin Wright discusses her new film, Land, with fellow director Amy Redford in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film also stars Ms. Wright as Edee, a woman who finds herself unable to stay connected to the world she once knew after suffering immense personal tragedy. She soon decides to retreat to the magnificent but unforgiving wilds of the Rockies and teach herself how to survive.

Mank with Director David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin (Ep. 286)

Director David Fincher discusses his new film, Mank, with fellow director Aaron Sorkin in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. In the film, 24-year-old prodigy Orson Welles hires Herman J. Mankiewicz, a scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter, to write the screenplay for his masterpiece, Citizen Kane.

The United States vs. Billie Holiday with Director Lee Daniels and Michael Schultz (Ep. 285)

Director Lee Daniels discusses his new film, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, with fellow director Michael Schultz in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film follows the career of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by Black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair.

Kajillionaire with Director Miranda July and Greta Gerwig (Ep. 284)

Director Miranda July discusses her new film, Kajillionaire, with fellow director Greta Gerwg in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film follows two con artists who have spent 26 years training their only daughter to swindle, scam, and steal at every opportunity. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a stranger into joining their next scam, only to have their entire world turned upside down.

Malcolm & Marie with Director Sam Levinson and Derek Cianfrance (Ep. 283)

Director Sam Levinson discusses his new film, Malcolm & Marie, with fellow director Derek Cianfrance in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film takes place as Malcolm returns home with his girlfriend Marie following a celebratory movie premiere. Their evening soon takes a turn as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, testing the strength of their love.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always with Director Eliza Hittman and Greta Gerwig (Ep. 282)

Director Eliza Hittman discusses her new film, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, with fellow director Greta Gerwig in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Autumn and Skylar, cousins and inseparable best friends who are navigating adolescence in rural Pennsylvania. When Autumn finds herself pregnant and hemmed in by conservative legislation, the duo board a bus bound for New York to find the help she needs.

The White Tiger with Director Ramin Bahrani and Scott Cooper (Ep. 281)

Director Ramin Bahrani discusses his new film, The White Tiger, with fellow director Scott Cooper in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. Based on a bestselling novel, the film follows the rise of a poor Indian villager who wrangles his way into a job as a driver for a wealthy couple who have just returned from America. After a cruel betrayal, he rebels against a rigged and unequal system to rise up and become a new kind of master

Burden with Director Andrew Heckler and Reinaldo Marcus Green (Ep. 280)

Director Andrew Heckler discusses his new film, Burden, with fellow director Reinaldo Marcus Green in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A.The film tells the true story an orphan raised within the Ku Klux Klan, who eventually becomes a local Grand Dragon. After his girlfriend persuades him to leave, the Klan seeks him out for vengeance, and a black congregation led by a benevolent reverend take him and his family in.

News of the World with Director Paul Greengrass and John Madden (Ep. 279)

Director Paul Greengrass discusses his new film, News of the World, with fellow director John Madden in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. Set five years after the end of the Civil War, the film follows a veteran who sets out to return a 10-year-old girl to her family after she is taken by the Kiowa people. Their journey across the harsh plains of Texas soon turns into a fight for survival as the traveling companions encounter danger at every turn.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom with Director George C. Wolfe and Bill Condon (Ep. 278)

Director George C. Wolfe discusses his new film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, with fellow director George C. Wolfe in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. Based on August Wilson’s Tony Award-winning play, the film captures the tensions and temperatures that rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago with the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey.

Palmer with Director Fisher Stevens and Kenneth Lonergan (Ep. 277)

Director Fisher Stevens discusses his new film, Palmer, with fellow director Kenneth Lonergan in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of former high-school football star Eddie Palmer, who has returned to his Louisiana hometown to rebuild his life after 12 years in prison.