SXSW

EP 478: Vera Farmiga • Tommy Avallone • Amir Motlagh

[3 mins. 22 secs.] More coverage from SxSW 2018 on this episode. First up, a conversation with the team behind a new dramedy called Boundaries including director Shana Feste and actors Vera Farmiga and Lewis MacDougall. Laura (Farmiga) is a well-meaning single mother who is forced to drive her estranged pot-dealing father, Jack (Christopher Plummer), from Texas to California, with her troubled son Henry (MacDougall) along for the ride. While Jack uses Henry and the road trip to help him distribute his copious supply of marijuana, Laura finally confronts Leonard (Bobby Canavale) – her dead-beat ex-husband. The film will open theatrically in the near future thanks to distributor Sony Pictures Classics.

[32 mins. 38 secs.] Then, the team behind a new documentary about one of the world’s most beloved comic actors, Bill Murray. The film is called The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons From a Mythical Man. Filmmaker Tommy Avallone joins me to discuss his journey in finding meaning in Bill Murray’s many unexpected adventures with everyday people, rare and never-before seen footage of the comedic icon partipating in stories previously presumed to be urban legend. Whether it be singing karaoke late at night with strangers or crashing a kickball game in the middle of the afternoon, Bill Murray lives in the moment and by doing so, creates magic with real people. Avallone is joined by two of his producers: Derrick Kunzer & Max Paolucci.

[49 mins. 17 secs.] Last up, Los Angeles based filmmaker Amir Motlagh, a DIY filmmaker if ever there was any. Mr. Motlagh will be showing two of his recent feature films, MAN and Three Worlds. He’ll be screening a double feature of those two films for an audience hosted by the the Chicago Filmmakers organization this Saturday, April 21st. Check the website for further details.

Music on this episode is by Peter Gabriel.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

Ep 477: Dick Cavett & Robert Bader • Jeremy Workman & Matt Green

Documentary filmmaker and their subjects occupy this SxSW 2018 Edition of the podcast. First up, is filmmaker Robert Bader and one of the subjects of his new documentary, Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes, which premiered at SxSW. We sit with Bader and, returning to the podcast, none other than Dick Cavett (he was last on Episode 252). In this conversation, as shown in great detail in the documentary, Cavett and Bader recall the story of the great friendship between the Nebraska-born talk show host and world champion boxer.

Then returning to the podcast for his 4th visit, filmmaker Jeremy Workman is back (Workman as appeared on Episodes 250, 379 & 467) with a new film and the film’s main subject, Matt Green. The World Before Your Feet had its world premiere at SxSW and we talked in Austin. For over six years, and for reasons he can’t explain, Matt Green, 37, has been walking every block of every street in New York City – a journey of more than 8,000 miles. From filmmaker Jeremy Workman and Executive Producer Jesse Eisenberg, The World Before Your Feet is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of one man’s unusual personal quest and the unexpected journey of discovery, humanity, and wonder that ensues. Check Matt Green’s remarkable blog which not only captures his journey but also gives much sociological perspective to this great city.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

Ep 476: Chloé Zhao & Brady Jandreau • Trish Adlesic • John Hyams, Isiah Whitlock Jr. & Harris Yulin

[6 mins. 12 secs.] First up, Chloé Zhao (Songs My Brother Taught Me) discusses her second feature film, The Rider, along with her lead actor Brady Jandreau who plays a variation of himself in this dramatic hybrid film. After a riding accident leaves him unable to compete on the rodeo circuit, a young cowboy (Jandreau) searches for a new purpose. The film, which had its world premiere at Cannes 2018 and went on to screen at the TIFF, the New York Film Festival, Telluride, Sundance, and SxSW,  is being distributed Sony Pictures Classics. It opens Friday, April 13th at the Angelika Film Center & Landmark at 57 West in NYC and at The Landmark in Los Angeles, before going national in the coming weeks.

[30 mins. 55 secs.] Next up, half the filmmaking team behind the new documentary, I Am Evidence, Trish Adlesic is in this segment. The film, which premieres on HBO on Monday, April 16th 8PM, tells the story of four survivors whose rape kits went untested for years, following them as they navigate their way through the criminal justice system and learn that so often, the system is broken.

Last up, a conversation from SxSW 2018 in Austin, Texas, I’m joined by some of the director and two cast members from a new dramatic film called All Square. Joining me is filmmaker John Hyams along with two stellar actors: Isiah Whitlock, Jr., (Pete’s Dragon, Cedar Rapids) and the legendary Harris Yulin (“Doc”, Scarface). Hyams’ film is about a down-on-his-luck bookie (Michael Kelly) who befriends an ex-girlfriend’s son and begins taking bets on his little league games, creating chaos in the community. The film also includes Pamela Adlon & Josh Lucas among its outstanding cast. We’ll be keeping up with  All Square as it continues its trajectory.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

Ep 473: Andrew Dosunmu Returns • Andrew Haigh & Charlie Plummer

[3 mins. 41 secs.] Andrew Dosunmu returns to the podcast. He was last on Episode 161 with his previous feature Mother of George. He’s back with a new feature called Where is Kyra? which premiered at Sundance last year and which stars Michelle Pfeiffer & Kiefer Sutherland in very different roles. Pfieffer plays Kyra, a fragile woman who is already stressed from a fast-paced world when her mother dies and she must find a means for survival while hiding her struggles from her new boyfriend (Sutherland). The film will have a theatrical engagement at the Quad Cinema in NYC beginning Friday, April 6th as well as other cities. Check your local listing for further details.

[38 mins. 21 secs.] I saw Andrew Haigh’s Lean on Pete at SxSW last month. We were lucky to talk to Andrew (Weekend, 45 Years) while in Austin as well as his lead actor, Charlie Plummer (King Jack, All The Money In The World) and my colleague Zefrey Throwell. Charley (Plummer), a teen living with his single father, finds work caring for an aging racehorse named Lean On Pete. When he learns Pete is bound for slaughter, the two embark on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a place to call home. The film, which is being distributed by A24 and which opens on Friday, April 6th, also stars Steve Buscemi, Chloë Sevigny & Steve Zahn in supporting roles.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

Ep 342: Holly Herrick • Tim League

Ep 342: Holly Herrick • Tim League

In this episode recorded from SxSW 206, my guests include the Associate Artistic Director of the Austin Film Society, Holly Herrick, and the founder of Drafthouse Films, Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest, Tim League. This episode is sponsored by the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Film program.

Ep 339: Dennis Lim • Caveh Zahedi • Jesse Wakeman & Kris Avedisian

Ep 339: Dennis Lim • Caveh Zahedi • Jesse Wakeman & Kris Avedisian

Dennis Lim of the Film Society of Lincoln Center returns to discuss his new book on David Lynch; Caveh Zahedi returns for his 4th visit to the podcast to discuss his series The Show About The Show and that the 4th episode just became available; and the creators of a new festival hit, Donald Cried, director/actor Kris Avedisian & actor Jesse Wakeman recorded from SxSW 2016.

Ep 335: Janet Pierson • Eszter Balint

Ep 335: Janet Pierson • Eszter Balint

The head of the SxSW Film Festival, Janet Pierson, returns to the podcast to talk about the festival which runs March 11th through the 19th. After that I welcome the singer and actress, Eszter Balint (Louie season 4), whose appeared in the seminal Jim Jarmusch movie Stranger Than Paradise in 1984. Eszter discusses her life and career. Music throughout the podcast comes courtesy of Eszter’s new album Airless Midnight, available now wherever music is sold. This episode is sponsored in part by the Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers podcast where lovers of cinema can gather and embrace that ever-so-powerful feeling of nostalgia. The episode is also sponsored in part by the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Film Program. Visit vcfa.edu/film for more information about this exceptional program.

Ep 304: Joshua Oppenheimer • Marc Lafia • Heather Kafka & Jonny Mars

Ep 304: Joshua Oppenheimer • Marc Lafia • Heather Kafka & Jonny Mars

Guests on this episode of the podcast include Joshua Oppenheimer who discusses his latest film, The Look of Silence, his follow up to 2012’s The Act of Killing; multi media artist, the Brooklyn-based Marc Lafia; and Austin-based actors Heather Kafka and Jonny Mars.

Ep 291: Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck • Kent Osborne & Todd Rohal • Yen Tan

Ep 291: Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck • Kent Osborne & Todd Rohal • Yen Tan

Another episode from SxSW 2015 including God Bless The Child filmmakers Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck; Uncle Kent 2 creative team Kent Osborne & director Todd Rohal; and Austin-based filmmaker & designer Yen Tan.

Ep 286: Ondi Timoner • Luke Meyer & Tom Davis • Ross Partridge & Jennifer Lafleur

Ep 286: Ondi Timoner • Luke Meyer & Tom Davis • Ross Partridge & Jennifer Lafleur

The second episode in a series recorded from SxSW 2015. Guests include Ondi Timoner with Brand: A Second Coming; Ross Partridge & Jennifer Lafleur with Lamb; and Luke Meyer & Tom Davis with Breaking a Monster.

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