The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Mudbound with Dee Rees and Mira Nair (Ep. 116)

Director Dee Rees discusses her new film, Mudbound, with fellow Director Mira Nair. The film tells an epic story of two families -- one black and one white -- who are forced to confront the realities of life in the American South. Though pitted against one another by a ruthless social hierarchy and bound together by the shared farmland of the Mississippi Delta, the families' lives are changed when sons from both families forge an uneasy friendship over their shared experience during World War II.

No Stone Unturned with Alex Gibney and Marc Levin (Ep. 115)

Director Alex Gibney discusses his new film, No Stone Unturned, with fellow Director Marc Levin. The film reviews the events of the evening of June 18, 1994 when six men were gunned down and five others wounded in a pub in Northern Ireland that was frequented mainly by Catholics. The families of the victims were promised justice, but 20 years later they still don't know who killed their loved ones. The documentary reopens the mysterious unsolved case with its allegations of massive collusion between British security forces and Loyalist killers.

Darkest Hour with Joe Wright and Matt Reeves (Ep. 114)

Director Joe Wright discusses his new film, Darkest Hour, with fellow Director Matt Reeves. Set during the early days of World War II, the film tells the story of how Winston Churchill wrestled with the decision of whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler or continue to fight against incredible odds, with full knowledge that the fate of Western Europe would hang in the balance.

Wonder with Stephen Chbosky and Jason Reitman (Ep. 113)

Director Stephen Chbosky discusses his new film, Wonder, with fellow Director Jason Reitman. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel, the film tells the inspiring story of August Pullman, a young boy born with facial differences who becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade in his brave journey to just be treated as an ordinary kid.

Molly’s Game with Aaron Sorkin and John Gatins (Ep. 112)

Director Aaron Sorkin discusses his new film, Molly's Game, with fellow Director John Gatins. The film tells the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier, who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade for such players as Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans, and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob.

Lady Bird with Greta Gerwig and Spike Jonze (Ep. 111)

Director Greta Gerwig discusses her new film, Lady Bird, with fellow Director Spike Jonze. The film follows Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson and her relationship with her wildly loving, strong-willed mother, who works tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird's father loses his job. The film looks at both the humor and pathos in the turbulent bond between mother and daughter.

Last Flag Flying with Richard Linklater and Andrew Davis (Ep. 110)

Director Richard Linklater discusses his new film, Last Flag Flying, with fellow Director Andrew Davis. The film tells the story of former Navy Corps medic Richard "Doc" Shepherd, who enlists his war buddies from three decades ago to go on a road trip to bury his son. As they travel up the East Coast to Shepherd's home in New Hampshire, they try to come to terms with the shared memories of the war that continues to shape their lives.

Thank You for Your Service with Jason Hall and Bradley Cooper (Ep. 109)

Director Jason Hall discusses his new film, Thank You for Your Service, with fellow Director Bradley Cooper. The film tells the story of four U.S. soldiers who try to cope with their return stateside after a tour in Iraq. As they struggle to readjust to civilian life, lingering memories and wounds sustained in the war threaten to destroy them long after they've left the battlefield.

The Man From Earth: Holocene with Richard Schenkman and Larry Brand (Ep. 108)

Director The Man From Earth: Holocene discusses his new film, The Man From Earth: Holocene, with fellow Director Larry Brand. The sequel to his 2007 feature The Man From Earth, the film continues the story of John Oldman, a 14,000 year-old being comfortably hiding in plain sight as a college professor in northern California. When four students discover his secret, his existence comes crashing down, putting his life in grave danger and potentially shaking the foundations of humankind.

The Foreigner with Martin Campbell and Michael Apted (Ep. 106)

Director Martin Campbell discusses his new film, The Foreigner, with fellow Director Michael Apted. The film stars Jackie Chan as a London businessman who embarks on a revenge-fueled vendetta after his teenage daughter is killed in a terrorist attack.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri with Martin McDonagh and Niki Caro (Ep. 107)

Director Martin McDonagh discusses his new film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, with fellow Director Niki Caro. The film stars Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes, a woman frustrated by the fact that months after her daughter's violent murder, no progress has been made in the case. Infuriated by the lackluster effort by the local police, she commissions three billboards leading into her town with messages aimed at Ebbing's revered chief of police thereby setting off a battle of wills with the police force and the local community.

So B. It with Stephen Gyllenhaal and Michael Apted (Ep. 105)

Director Stephen Gyllenhaal discusses his new film, So B. It, with fellow Director Michael Apted. The film tells the story of Heidi, a precocious 12 year-old whose mother has only 22 words in her entire vocabulary. But when a new word pops out of her mother's mouth, Heidi is propelled on a solo journey to discover who she is and where she and her childlike mother came from.

Goodbye Christopher Robin with Simon Curtis and Bob Balaban (Ep. 104)

Director Simon Curtis discusses his new film, Goodbye Christopher Robin, with fellow Director Bob Balaban. The film offers a glimpse into the relationship between children's author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories. As the books became an international success in England after the First World War, Milne's family grapples with the cost of fame.

Marshall with Reginald Hudlin and Jeff Byrd (Ep. 103)

Director Reginald Hudlin discusses his new film, Marshall, with fellow Director Jeff Byrd. The film tells the story of a young Thurgood Marshall as he faces one of his greatest challenges as a lawyer for the NAACP: defending a black chauffer accused of assault and attempted murder by a white socialite.

Wonderstruck with Todd Haynes and Dan Gilroy (Ep. 102)

Director Todd Haynes discusses his new film, Wonderstruck, with fellow Director Dan Gilroy. The film tells the dual stories of Ben and Rose, two children living 50 years apart who both feel something missing from their lives. As each sets out on their separate quests, their stories unfold with mesmerizing symmetry.

The Meyerowitz Stories with Noah Baumbach and Brian De Palma (Ep. 101)

Director Noah Baumbach discusses his new film, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), with fellow Director Brian de Palma. Starring Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Elizabeth Marvel, the film tells the emotional tale of three adult siblings who converge in New York to attend an event dedicated to their strong-willed artist father. While there, they must deal with both his fading legacy and the long shadow he has cast over their lives.

Breathe with Andy Serkis and Matt Reeves (Ep. 100)

Director Andy Serkis discusses his new film, Breathe, with fellow Director Matt Reeves. The film tells the inspiring true story of Robin and Diana Cavendish, who are determined to live their lives to the fullest after Robin is confined to a hospital bed by polio at the age of 28 and given only a few months to live.

Episode 99: Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 with John Ridley and Sam Pollard

Director John Ridley discusses his new film, Let it Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992, with fellow Director Sam Pollard. In a reexamination of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, the film traces the roots of the uprising back to a decade before the first match was lit. Weaving in first-hand accounts from Los Angeles residents of all ethnic backgrounds and classes, the film covers the explosion of anger and the fear in the streets during the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict from the perspectives of the witnesses.

Episode 98: The Florida Project with Sean Baker and Paul Schrader

Director Sean Baker discusses his new film, The Florida Project, with fellow Director Paul Schrader. Set in a downtrodden hotel complex on the outskirts of Disney World, the film tracks one summer in the life of the precocious six-year-old Moonee, who finds mischief and adventure with her playmates as they spend their days nearly unfettered by adult supervision.

Episode 97: Battle of the Sexes with Valerie Faris & Jonathan Dayton and Nicole Holofcener

Director Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton discusses his new film, Battle of the Sexes, with fellow Director Nicole Holofcener. Set against the backdrop of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women's movement, the film tells the story of the historic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.