DIRECTOR'S CLUB

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A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.

  1. Itonje Søimer Guttormsen

    HACE 16 H

    Itonje Søimer Guttormsen

    Director, teacher, all around rebel Itonje Søimer Guttormsen premiered her latest film, the buddy comedy-drama BUTTERFLY (2026) at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and came here to talk about the film, her career, and all the bad advice she got at film school for the podcast. When you watch BUTTERFLY, you get the sense of an assured filmmaker at work: a close to two hour runtime that goes quickly and a work of art that doesn't feel like it was made by a committee. It was made by a truly unique voice. In this episode, Itonje and I talk about: the world premiere of BUTTERFLY at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in February, 2026;what she wants them to feel when watching the film;how she decided to get into filmmaking;the best way to encourage rebelliousness in film students;why we can't see her directorial debut, GRITT (2021);her focus on depicting artists in her films;the strong female protagonists in BUTTERFLY and why we don't see more of that on-screen;the balance of following the script versus giving actors room to maneuver;finding female role models as a director and whether things are getting better for female stories;how she didn't make compromises in her films;incorporating spirituality into her films without turning it into a punchline;what's next for her and what she has learned about the process. Itonje's Indie Filmmaker Highlights: Guy Maddin; Denis Côté; MAGIC FARM (2025) dir. by Amalia Ulman; Camilla Figenschou Memorable Quotes: "The audience [at International Film Festival Rotterdam] was, they're so attentive, they have a lot of questions and everything is arranged beautifully. So we had a blast." "There's no hierarchy. Everyone goes to the same party. You speak with short filmmakers, you speak with distributors or festival assistants." "I felt so many of the things I learned was wrong, kill your darlings. Less is more. All of this b******t that I don't believe in." "It was my first feature feature film idea. It came in 2008. So I've been working with this for 18 years." "I think the sibling relationship...it must be the most defining relationship we can have."  "I always felt that there's my way or no way for me." Links: Hollywood Reporter Interview With Itonje Follow Mer Film On Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    38 min
  2. Indie Film Highlight: OKIE (2024)

    HACE 2 DÍAS

    Indie Film Highlight: OKIE (2024)

    Watch This Episode On YouTube Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: OKIE (2024) Director: Kate Cobb Writers: Boris Lojkine; Delphine Agut Cast: Kevin Bigley; Kate Cobb; Scott Michael Foster; Dan Johnson SYNOPSIS Louie, a lauded writer, returns to his dilapidated hometown after his father's death. Confronted with a deluge of people from his past, Louie is forced to reconcile with the stories he's stolen, twisted, or downright exploited for profit. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us on Letterboxd Follow us on Instagram Follow us on X Follow us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Follow us on LinkedIn Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    2 min
  3. Alejandro Vilpa

    HACE 4 DÍAS

    Alejandro Vilpa

    I don't know if it's fair or not, but if you're going to launch a service made up of Oscar nominated films, you have to have a background in making great films yourself to make it work. My guest today, director Alejandro Vilpa, is pushing forward with both: a streaming service called Vilpa Max that is now available in the Middle East/North Africa region and the UK for award-winning short films, and also going on a festival run with THE UNDERTONE OF DAVID JENSEN (2026), a sumptuous film about the struggles of a violin soloist. He put it together with the help of the Czech and Mexican governments, not an easy task, and now goes on to launch a streaming platform! It takes guts. Let's celebrate that today with Alejandro. In this episode, Alejandro and I talk about: how he launched Vilpa Max, a new platform available in the Middle East and the UK for award-winning short films;his start in filmmaking and what led him to starting his own streaming service;why the distinction of award-winning films as part of Vilpa Max;what's the pitch for an Oscar nominated short to wind up on Vilpa Max?;his advice for nominated filmmakers right now;the need to create high-quality films of your own if you want to attract those kind of filmmakers;the story behind THE UNDERTONE OF DAVID JENSEN (2026);how he handled the music playing in the film from actors who didn't know how to play the violin;putting together a film assisted by both the Czech and Mexican governments;"short films don't matter" -- his thoughts?;what's next for him and when Vilpa Max will launch in the United States. Alejandro's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Malachi Marlan Memorable Quotes: "It's all about the team that I got. I got all the best team that I could have with what I had." "Most of us artists, we struggle to find out what's next, right?" "I found there was...these films from the Oscars and Cannes Film Festival. They won and nobody knew about them. Why?"  What's the pitch for Vilpa Max to filmmakers? "We make them make money with their films" "I like to say we are all David Jensen." "We're constantly scouting for new films." "I don't think there's a single film in Vilpa Max that you would say, okay, that looks amateur." Links: Vilpa Max Follow Alejandro on Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    26 min
  4. Miguel Angel Ferrer

    3 FEB

    Miguel Angel Ferrer

    Director and filmmaker Miguel Angel Ferrer did something truly remarkable and breathtaking in his film, THE SHADOW OF THE SUN (2023). Not simply that it's Venezuela's entry into the Oscars or he shot the film in his home country of Venezuela, although that's fantastic in its own right. When you hear the story of how the film came to be, through the radiant cinematography or the work of a 65 year old cameraman, you get an understanding of what a passion project this was for him. You understand why he imbued every single character in this film with their own backstory and meaty roles. I felt like I could understand every person in this film because of the care he gave them, and that's rare indeed. Venezuela is in the news for things other than filmmaking, but that doesn't have to be the case. Let's appreciate the true artistry of filmmakers like Miguel. In this episode, Miguel and I discuss: the radiance of the film and how it shows people what life is like in Venezuela;how the global news stories about Venezuela turned a spotlight on the country and its filmmakers;film school in Miami and how the city should be viewed in indie film;how his 11+ shorts led into this remarkable feature film;taking jobs you might not expect as a hidden strength;how he manages two companies -- Magic Films and Multi Movie Studios;what he's looking for in a director;how somebody should feel watching THE SHADOW OF THE SUN;why he imbued so much life into each of his characters in his film and why that's so rare;his commitment to shooting the film in Venezuela and what advice he'd give others on the process;his powerful answer about inspiring future Venezuelan filmmakers;how he got the nomination for Venezuela's entry to the Oscars;what's next for him, including a remake! Miguel's Indie Film Highlights: Jeff Nichols; THE SEA INSIDE (2004) dir. by Alejandro Amenábar; J.A. Bayona Memorable Quotes: "What's been happening lately obviously puts a spotlight on Venezuela, a gigantic spotlight on Venezuela, and people start doing the research and start asking the right questions, they find a lot of truth that they didn't know about." "As a filmmaker, you have to grab...the cards that life gives you and play them as best as you can." "Everybody wants like instant gratification and everybody wants the David Fincher career, the Nolan career. Whereas Nolan never had to do a commercial or a music video." "I want them to see themselves in these characters." "Having done verticals and having done a movie for a studio very rare nowadays does a movie get made that is not by committee meaning you have to adhere to something that the studio needs to be done or that the producer, the production company, needs to get done." "This one was one that when I got the kernel of the idea, it pulled me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. It pulled me and it pulled me, and I couldn't let it go until it was done on the page." "That's what we wanted to capture in the film, the Venezuelan spirit." "The moral of the story there is, listen to your girlfriend and to your mom." Links: Follow Miguel On Instagram Miguel Ferrer's Website Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    50 min
  5. Indie Film Highlight: MADELEINE COLLINS (2021)

    1 FEB

    Indie Film Highlight: MADELEINE COLLINS (2021)

    Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: MADELEINE COLLINS (2021) Director: Antoine Barraud Writers: Boris Lojkine; Delphine Agut Cast: Abou Sangare; Alpha Oumar Sow; Nina Meurisse SYNOPSIS Judith leads a double life: two lovers, two sons in France and one daughter in Switzerland. Entangled in secrets and lies, her lives begin to shatter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us on Letterboxd Follow us on Instagram Follow us on X Follow us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Follow us on LinkedIn Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    1 min
  6. Sara Barger

    30 ENE

    Sara Barger

    Most of the time, I'm hoping my guest will be a great one to have on the podcast, but with director + editor Sara Barger, I knew. She was an instructor as part of my documentary certificate program -- COVID killed the program -- but I got so much out of her thought process on how to make films. So when I saw her name listed prominently on the poster as the editor for her new film, DAD GENES, I knew I'd love to have her on the pod. I'm glad she agreed. As you hear in the intro, we talk about women in film and the lack of representation, as Sara served as president of Women in Film & Video, and through our conversation, I say she's forceful...because she is. But as I came up with that intro, I reflected on that: is that an attribute I'd give some guy? No. Because he'd be just being a guy. So a better way of putting it is Sara is how all people should be in film, regardless of gender: fierce advocates for their art. In this conversation, Sara and I discuss: her name being next to the director and producer on the poster;the story of DAD GENES and what the premiere was like in NYC;how she got her start in filmmaking;should directors know how to edit?;do you need to have a forceful personality to be a great editor?;looking back on her film, LITTLE BUT FIERCE (2020), and what she learned from it;finding issue areas to pursue as a documentary filmmaker;the quick 60 minute+ run time and her support for short feature docs;whether she loves the producing job -- on ads, yes; on films, no;progress on women in film;what's next for her and innovation in political advertising. Sara's Indie Film Highlights: THE SOCIAL DILEMMA (2020) dir. by Jeff Orlowski; THE GREAT HACK (2019) dir. by Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim; THE LAUNDROMAT (2019) dir. by Steven Soderbergh Memorable Quotes: "I don't think most people realize this, but when it comes to documentary filmmaker, the editor does a lot more than just piecing it together." "It was my first time seeing it with an audience. It was my first time seeing it on a screen larger than my laptop. And so I kept being like, oh my God, it looks so good. It sounds good. Okay, this is like a real movie." "I was the kid who was making all the neighborhood kids perform in backyard plays for our parents growing up." "The best people on set are the ones who know how to do everyone's jobs." "Yeah, I can edit this film, but you have to let me do my job." "When I'm in pain, when my back goes out, there's not enough weed on this planet." "The second you stop recording is when they say something amazing." "I have a ADHD, I'm like, come on man. We gotta keep this moving." Links: Sara Barger's Website Watch LITTLE BUT FIERCE (2020) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    50 min
  7. Craig Downing

    27 ENE

    Craig Downing

    It shouldn't surprise you that somebody who is out looking for "weird stories that connect and resonate" would direct DAD GENES (2026), the film about a sperm donor meeting his biological children. Craig Downing has been around the world looking for great stories and when he finds one, he sticks to it, no matter the time it takes to tell. DAD GENES took almost 7 years from idea to festival fruition, and that's a big credit to his team. Matt Isaac did a fantastic job producing as well as developing a festival schedule -- the film had its world premiere at Dances With Films NYC -- and Sara Barger put all this together with phenomenal editing skills. I know Sara -- she was one of the excellent instructors at my George Washington documentary film certificate program -- and the kind of teamwork that puts the three of their names together on the poster for DAD GENES is the kind of team I want to have on the show. I'll talk with Sara for the next episode. DAD GENES is a film that's worth a close look, for what it says about American society and the tremendous team that put it together. In this episode, Craig and I discuss: the crazy over half-a-decade path to making the film;how he got started in filmmaking -- as a kindergarten teacher! -- and then off to Latin America and Iceland filming messaging videos for non-profits;if people have to go the influencer router versus what he did to get started;what brought him to documentary?the story of DAD GENES and what people should expect when they watch;how they took seven years of footage and made it understandable;the improvement of his skillset as filming went on;the state of documentary and the quick ruintime;what he's working on next. Craig's Indie Film Highlight: POW WOW (2016) dir. by Robinson Devor Memorable Quotes: "And Matt [the producer of DAD GENES] called me and he was like, hey Greg, do you know any directors that might be interested in working on this? And I was like, yeah, Matt, me." "If I took a video of someone walking out of Trader Joe's with avocados, they'd be like that's a pretty good shot, Craig, whatever. But if I took the exact same context of someone walking out of a Guatemalan market with a bag of avocados, you're like, whoa, that's amazing."  "It is not necessarily just documentary, it's for me...where is the story?" "My producer and publicist is we gotta tell 'em something about the movie or that they're not gonna know what's going on. Yeah, okay, that's fair, but don't play all the cards." "I felt like if you watch this movie, you see the development and the maturity of my ability to make interviews happen." "I think the runtime will be dictated by the story." Links: DAD GENES Website Follow Craig Downing On Instagram Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    35 min
  8. Indie Film Highlight: SOULEYMANE'S STORY (2024)

    26 ENE

    Indie Film Highlight: SOULEYMANE'S STORY (2024)

    Watch This Episode On YouTube Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: SOULEYMANE'S STORY (2024) Director: Boris Lojkine Writer: Boris Lojkine; Delphine Agut Cast: Abou Sangare; Alpha Oumar Sow; Nina Meurisse SYNOPSIS Souleymane, an asylum-seeking cyclist who delivers meals in Paris, has only two days to prepare for a crucial interview. This interview will determine his residence permit status. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow us on Letterboxd Follow us on Instagram Follow us on X Follow us on Facebook Follow us on TikTok Follow us on LinkedIn Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

    2 min
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A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.

Información

  • Creador
    Benjamin Duchek
  • Años de actividad
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodios
    103
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Benjamin Duchek 2023
  • Mostrar sitio web
    First Time Go
  • Proveedor
    Benjamin Duchek