The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

In the Heights with Jon M. Chu and Nisha Ganatra (Ep. 306)

Director Jon M. Chu discusses his new film, In the Heights, with fellow director Nisha Ganatra in a spoiler-filled Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. The film tells the story of a likeable bodega owner named Usnavi in the tight-knit community of Washington Heights, NY, who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes for a better life. But when he inherits a fortune, Usnavi discovers he has mixed feelings about closing his store and retiring.

Golden Arm with Maureen Bharoocha and Lucia Aniello (Ep. 305)

Director Maureen Bharoocha discusses her new film, Golden Arm, with fellow director Lucia Aniello in a spoiler-filled Q&A at the DGA theater. The film tells the story of Melanie, a nice girl baker who must trade whisks for barbells after her best friend Danny ropes her into taking her spot at the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2021 - Part 3 of 3 (Ep. 304)

Listen to Chloé Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin continue their conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 30th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part three wraps up the discussion as the nominees talk about working with assistant directors, the last images of their film, and how they handle pressure.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2021 - Part 2 of 3 (Ep. 303)

Listen to Chloé Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin continue their conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 30th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium on their nominated films. Part two finds the nominees discussing actors: tailoring the right approach to an actor’s working style, the importance of establishing confidence in their key collaborators, and readjusting performance to fit the film.

Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film Symposium 2021 - Part 1 of 3 (Ep. 302)

Chloé Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung, Emerald Fennell, David Fincher, and Aaron Sorkin engage in a conversation with moderator Jeremy Kagan for the 30th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film Symposium.
Part one finds the nominees discussing advice they've gotten from other directors, how they prepare for the first day on a shoot, and where they like to position themselves on set.

I Carry You With Me with Director Heidi Ewing and Rodrigo Garcia (Ep. 301)

Director Heidi Ewing discusses her new film, I Carry You with Me, with fellow director Rodrigo García in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Iván, a young aspiring chef in Mexico who is working to support the mother of his child. Iván begins an affair with a handsome teacher, who unlike Iván is out as a gay man. After their relationship comes to light, Iván makes the painful decision to cross the border to advance his culinary career, promising his son and newfound love he will return.

The High Note with Director Nisha Ganatra and Laura Terruso (Ep. 300)

Director Nisha Gantra discusses her new film, The High Note, with fellow director Laura Terruso in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of Maggie, the overworked personal assistant to superstar singer Grace Davis. When Grace's manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change both of their lives forever.

Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar with Director Josh Greenbaum and Guillermo Del Toro (Ep. 299)

Director Josh Greenbaum discusses his new film, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, with fellow director Guillermo del Toro in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the story of best friends Barb and Star, who leave their small Midwestern town for the first time to vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida and soon find themselves tangled up in adventure, love, and a villain’s evil plot to murder the entire town.

Our Friend with Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Maryam Keshavarz (Ep. 298)

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite discusses her new film, Our Friend, with fellow director Maryam Keshavarz in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film tells the inspiring true story of Matt and Nicole Teague, whose lives are upended after Nicole is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As Matt's duties become increasingly overwhelming, the couple's best friend makes a huge sacrifice to stay with his friends and lend a hand.

Greyhound with Director Aaron Schneider and Justine Bateman (Ep. 297)

Director Aaron Schneider discusses his new film, Greyhound, with fellow director Justine Bateman in a spoiler-filled virtual Q&A. The film follows a WWII Navy officer on his first war-time command assignment: defending an Allied merchant ship convoy through the Atlantic. When the convoy comes under attack by a German submarine wolfpack, the officer must battle the enemy, the elements and his own doubts to see the mission through.

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.