We Need To Talk About Oscar podcast

19:50

Our conversation with 'Audrey's Children' director Ami Canaan Mann takes us on a journey that explores not just the film itself, but the essence of storytelling, particularly the responsibility inherent in portraying real lives. The film, rooted in the historical context of 1969, serves as a mirror reflecting contemporary societal issues, especially the subtle sexism that women like Audrey faced in male-dominated fields. Ami walks us through the nuances of her directorial approach while showcasing the tenacity required to bring such a meaningful story to life. (Photo: Courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Magic in the Mundane: How 'Some Nights I Feel Like Walking' Captures Queer Intimacy 26:08

6 days ago26:08

26:08

Diving straight into the heart of indie filmmaking, this episode features a captivating conversation with Petersen Vargas, the visionary writer-director of 'Some Nights I Feel Like Walking', and Miguel Odron, the film's breakout star in his debut role. The film, which has taken festivals by storm from Tallinn to Glasgow, explores the intricacies of queer identities within the vibrant yet tumultuous Filipino landscape. Together, they discuss how the film's structure—set in a single night—heightens the emotional stakes, turning mundane moments into powerful reflections on life, love, and loss amidst societal chaos. As they recount their experiences at various film festivals, it becomes clear that the film resonates deeply with audiences, bridging cultural gaps and inspiring conversations about vulnerability and connection in a world that often feels disconnected. (Photos: Courtesy of Daluyong Studios)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

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Framing fear, with 'Control Freak' cinematographer Scott Siracusano 26:06

8 days ago26:06

26:06

This week on the show, Scott Siracusano, cinematographer of 'Control Freak,' takes us behind the scenes of the nuanced process of bringing a feature film to life, especially one that builds on the eerie undercurrents of its short film predecessor. Scott shares his approach to lighting and camera movement, revealing how he crafted scenes to create an atmosphere of tension and suspense. We also discuss the technical challenges of shooting with mirrors—an innovative choice that not only enhances the film's aesthetic but also serves to deepen the audience's understanding of the characters' internal struggles. From the chaotic joy of filming and the exhilarating moments of creativity to the nerve-wracking pressures of a first-time feature, we cover it all!…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
From Paintbrush to Camera: Bebe Dierken's cinematic focus through the ranks 25:36

14 days ago25:36

25:36

Bebe Dierken's journey through the cinematic landscape is a tapestry woven with passion, perseverance, and a dash of serendipity. From her early days as a painter, where the still life of pumpkins nearly sent her to a creative grave, to the bustling film sets where she became a revered cinematographer, Bebe's tale is as vibrant as the frames she captures. In our chat, she shares how she stumbled upon cinematography almost by accident, discovering her love for the craft in a dark room rather than a gallery filled with canvas. With years of experience as a focus puller, she navigated the ranks of the film industry, steadily climbing from assistant to director of photography, a journey marked by both challenges and triumphs. We dive deep into her philosophy of storytelling through the lens, where lighting, composition, and emotional resonance come together to create a visual narrative that speaks universally, transcending language barriers. Her insight into the collaborative nature of filmmaking reveals how vital it is to build trust within a crew, and how her unique experiences have shaped her understanding of the industry. We also discuss her recent work on 'Midas Man', a film that embodies the quiet complexities of Brian Epstein's life, where the visuals had to serve the narrative without overshadowing it.…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
We Need to Talk About Emmy #17: Peter Craig adapts ‘Dope Thief’ 13:48

18 days ago13:48

13:48

As we dive into the creative universe of Peter Craig, the mastermind behind the gripping series 'Dope Thief', we explore the intricacies of storytelling and character development that make this show a must-watch. Peter shares his passion for writing, revealing that the thrill of crafting a narrative comes from fully immersing himself in his characters' lives. He likens the process to an egoless trance, where the line between himself and his characters blurs, leading to deeply authentic portrayals of their struggles and triumphs. We also discuss the alchemy of transforming a book into a visual masterpiece—how he stumbled upon Dennis Tafoya's source material and immediately recognized its potential for a rich, dramatic narrative. By embracing both the chaos and humor of life, 'Dope Thief' captures the complexities of human nature in a way that is both compelling and deeply resonant. (Photo: Courtesy of Apple)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

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Julia Max summons Colby Minifie for ‘The Surrender’ 23:40

22 days ago23:40

23:40

Family dynamics can be tricky to manoeuvre, but they’re absolutely worth the struggle! Julia Max's debut feature, 'The Surrender' really highlights this. The horror drama features the amazing Colby Minifie alongside the legendary Kate Burton as a mother-daughter duo, delivering a tough but captivating story for those who can handle it. As we sit down with the incredibly talented pair, Julia and Colby share their experiences in bringing this ambitious project to fruition, the expected yet still challenging production hurdles, and the covenant of care and gore involved. (Photo credits: Cailin Yatsko and Jacqueline Harriet)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

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Nothing Short of SXSW #1: Cam Banfield’s directorial debut makes you question ‘How Was Your Weekend?’ 18:49

25 days ago18:49

18:49

As we kick off our coverage of this year's edition of SXSW, we welcome first-time director Cam Banfield on the show, whose short film 'How Was Your Weekend' premieres in the fest's Narrative Competition. The 9-minute film stars James Morosini stuck in the loop of dreadful Monday mornings, alongside the amazing Rachael Harris. Cam walks us through the early days of the project, the fun and challenges of shooting a Monday over the weekend, and the symphony formed by his two leads and the rest of the cast reenacting everyday horrors.…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Exploring family and chaos, with 'Riff Raff' director Dito Montiel 19:35

5 weeks ago19:35

19:35

Dito Montiel, the director of memorable films like 'Boulevard' and 'A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints', joins us for a riveting chat about his newest project, 'Riff Raff'. The film features a star-studded line-up, including Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Bill Murray, and many more, which only adds to the intrigue of this film that delves into the chaotic yet beautiful world of family dynamics. Montiel’s storytelling is rooted in his personal experiences, particularly the familial bonds he formed in the punk rock scene of his youth. Throughout our conversation, Dito shares his process of bringing the characters to life, often drawing from his own life experiences and the emotional truths they evoke. He reflects on casting decisions, especially how he managed to snag Jennifer Coolidge for the role of Ruth. From the chaotic energy on set to the nuanced performances delivered by his actors, Dito paints a vivid picture of the creative process that is as unpredictable as it is rewarding. (Photos: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

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Brace yourselves for 'Lockjaw' 27:25

6 weeks ago27:25

27:25

Slamdance is one of those festivals where the voices of the future become the voices of the present! One of the buzziest titles in this year’s lineup is Sabrina Greco’s directorial debut, ‘Lockjaw,’ starring Blu Hunt as Rayna, the main character wearing braces that are the physical manifestation of the titular situation one and a half months after a DUI. But the physical damage is only what’s on the surface. We embark on dissecting the entire affair with the director and star of the refreshingly 77-minute-long film. From the spark that ignited the idea of the story, to the unexpected challenges the bodily restriction posed, we cover it all with Sabrina and Blu! (Photos: Courtesy of Lockjaw, LLC)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Lured into injustice, with the co-director and cinematographer of ‘A Lien’ 19:15

7 weeks ago19:15

19:15

With the final voting for this year's Academy Awards underway, we bring you a short film that's thematically as timely as it gets. 'A Lien' chronicles a far too common and unjust tearing apart of a family in the midst of the father's immigration process. The 15-minute short is directed by brothers David and Sam Cutler-Kreutz, and today we are joined by Sam and cinematographer Andrea Gavazzi to discuss the baffling situation, the personal stories behind it, and the multi-faceted nature of the family's separation. (Photo credit: Andrea Gavazzi)…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Jarin Blaschke brings color to the world of 'Nosferatu' 16:45

7 weeks ago16:45

16:45

The unsurprising surprise hit of late 2024 - early 2025 was undoubtedly Robert Eggers’ gothic horror retelling of Nosferatu . The familiar story of Count Orlok, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård, is captured from a fresh perspective, through the eyes and nightmarish life of Ellen, played by Lily-Rose Depp. The two are accompanied in their gory ventures by other talented actors, including Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The not only thematically but visually striking piece is lensed by none other than the director’s go-to collaborator, cinematographer Jarin Blaschke. Thanks to Jarin joining us on this episode, we got to take a peek behind the curtains of the rocky but well worth it road to finally making the film, the price of success, and the way the light hits the fearsome Count.…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Maria Bakalova reconciles with grief in ‘O Horizon’ 19:09

7 weeks ago19:09

19:09

Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova took Hollywood and the world by storm as Tutar in 2020's Borat Subsequent Moviefilm , and her choices ever since have lived up to that. Whether playing a vital role in Halina Reijn and A24's first venture, Bodies Bodies Bodies , voicing Cosmo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 , or just last year playing Ivana Trump alongside Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice , she also finds time for passion projects like Triumph , her home country's Oscar submission this year, and today's topic of discussion, O Horizon . During our conversation, Maria tells us about the intersection of different projects and how this one found her, the fine lines they had to walk while bringing the story—written and directed by Madeleine Rotzler—to life, and the universal portrayal of the ever-changing landscape of technology through grief.…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
‘Magic Hour’ captures actors Miriam Shor and Josh Stamberg in a different light 16:08

8 weeks ago16:08

16:08

Festival season is in full swing, and this time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Miriam Shor and Josh Stamberg, the stars of Magic Hour , Jacqueline Christy's directorial debut, which premieres at this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Miriam, who you might know from Younger , and Josh, who starred in Fleishman Is in Trouble and WandaVision , discuss the evolution of their acting careers, the relationships they have built with the characters they've portrayed over the years and decades, as well as the benefits of working with a first-time director.…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Drew Hancock realizes AI in 'Companion' 15:50

9 weeks ago15:50

15:50

We're not used to seeing refreshing, high-quality movies (other than intended Oscar palyers) hit theatres in January, or as some like to call it, Dumpuary. Of course, there are always exceptions, like Paddington 1 and 2, Split , or Cloverfield. This January, on the brink of February, writer-director Drew Hancock’s feature debut, Companion , joins that list. The romcom-esque sci-fi thriller, starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, undeniably brings a fresh perspective to one of the most pressing topics of our time. Drew is more than just a promising new voice in the industry. In our conversation, he shares how he got his start, his unique approach to exploring new technology through an unexpected lens, and the surprisingly quick process of landing the perfect producers for his project, the team behind Barbarian .…

We Need to Talk About Oscar

1
Vera Drew revisits the early days of 'The People's Joker' 22:12

9 weeks ago22:12