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

  1. Indie Film Highlight: ADOPT A HIGHWAY (2019)

    22 TIMER SIDEN

    Indie Film Highlight: ADOPT A HIGHWAY (2019)

    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: ADOPT A HIGHWAY (2019) Director: Logan Marshall-Green Story By: Logan Marshall-Green Stars: Ethan Hawke; Elaine Hendrix; Diane Gaeta SYNOPSIS When an ex-convict finds an abandoned baby in a dumpster, he gains a new lease on life, deciding to dedicate himself to making sure the child has a good life. 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

    2 min.
  2. Julia Coulter

    5 DAGE SIDEN

    Julia Coulter

    Watch This Episode On YouTube Here's a challenge: watch the first few minutes of ROAD TO L'ETAPE DU TOUR (2026) and not get the sense you're seeing a documentary. Impossible because the film is that good about its comparison to real life. The logline: facing a turning point in her life, a woman with a congenital heart defect embarks on a journey to train for a famous cycling race. It's all narrative, but the heart of the film, just like all her other art, is from its director, Julia Coulter, who you can tell from this discussion puts her whole being into her art. The opening segment is Julia talking about her lighting decisions in BROTHERS (2021), which you should watch. It is cinema at its highest level. Julia takes a couple of actors, a single location, and makes something that will stay with you for a long time. The film is linked below. I felt so lucky to watch her films and hear about how much love she puts into them, and I think you will feel the same way, too. In this episode, Julia and I talk about: why she made a narrative film that feels like a documentary in parts;how she came up with that brilliantly moving first scene, performing a stress test, and how that sets up the character for the film;her hopes to inspire others through her film;her start in filmmaking -- writing, directing, and acting! -- and how she figured out which to do in her first two short films;did the classical acting education help her craft?her lessons from casting films from an actor's perspective;her deeply personal film, BROTHERS, and what she took away from that experience in making such a moving film with just three characters and a hotel room;why we don't see more shorts like BROTHERS and HABIT (2022), which are so refined in run time, story, and cinematography?her advice for people directing other peoples' writing;whether it would be harder for her to give up directing or acting;the financial hurdles of making her first feature;the ending of ROAD TO L'ETAPE DU TOUR and the feeling she wants to give the audience;whether actors as directors handle complexity better in a story;why Cinequest and what she's looking for at a festival;what's next for her and the film. Julia's Indie Film Highlight: DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD (2020) dir. by Kirsten Johnson; CLOSE (2022) dir. by Lukas Dhont Memorable Quotes: "It's something that we see very intense, like athletes doing, but never in the context of hospitals have I seen that on screen." "I was very inspired by mumblecore." "If I wanted to create something, then I could just go out and do it. I could go out and write it. And so that gave me the freedom that acting alone doesn't where you are waiting on somebody else and their opinion of you or their opinion of your skills." "Do I have such a clear vision in my head when I write things that I really want to be the director? I think the answer to that is yes." "I always try to center myself on what do I want to watch and what would I go and see and what would I be interested in feeling from seeing a film? That's what I think is matters in the end." "Giving yourself constraints is actually helpful sometimes." Links: Follow Julia On Instagram Watch BROTHERS (2020)

    42 min.
  3. Indie Film Highlight: THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH (2011)

    5. APR.

    Indie Film Highlight: THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH (2011)

    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: THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH (2011) Director: Pawel Pawlikowski Story By: Douglas Kennedy Stars: Ethan Hawke; Kristin Scott Thomas; Joanna Kulig SYNOPSIS Tom Ricks, estranged from his wife and daughter, travels to Paris to try and reunite with them, but he's left dejected when his wife slams the door in his face. Then, one evening, he meets Margit, a beautiful and enigmatic widow. They embark on a passionate affair - and she seems to have real faith in his creativity. Before long, a series of disturbing events begin to cast doubt on whether she is all she seems. 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

    1 min.
  4. Renée Marie Petropoulos

    3. APR.

    Renée Marie Petropoulos

    Watch This Episode on YouTube When you watch SOUVENIR (2025), you know you are watching something incredible -- filmmaker Renée Marie Petropoulos brings the power of cinema to the topic of relationship abuse. And what I mean is that she uses the full force of the medium to craft a story of what it really looks like in the modern age. It's like nothing I've ever seen before, and SXSW agrees -- it won the 2026 narrative shorts competition. The jury said, "Led by moving, raw performances, this film meets viewers in an intimate space. Layering the complexities of love, trust, and the vulnerability of being perceived, this short is a beautiful piece of storytelling that sheds light on the most intrinsic and intimidating aspects of relationships and girlhood.” We talked before the festival, but it was obvious that the film is something special. And so is Renée. In this episode, Renée and I talk about: what about SXSW does she love as a festival;how she got started in filmmaking;the success of her thesis film, TANGLES AND KNOTS (2018), and the expectation of a Columbia MFA;the Australian diaspora at festivals like SXSW and what it feels like when taking a film to an international festival;the remarkable and unique story behind SOUVENIR (2026);how she chose to portray abuse "through a realistic take on the cycle of abuse, through an accumulation of small, painful moments" and what does a poor portrayal of abuse look like?her goals at SXSW for the film;advice for filmmakers when delving into really personal topics;how she put together such a tremendous cast and crew and advice for casting;what describes an Australian filmmaker;what's next for her. Renée's Indie Film Highlights: Warwick Thornton; OF AN AGE (2022) dir. by Goran Stolevski Memorable Quotes: "SXSW has always had a tender spot in my heart." "I'm definitely not making films with those festivals in mind." "I really wanted to explore a young toxic relationship that I feel like we don't really see much of on screen." "I'm hoping to people seeing this, if they connect to it in some way, if they've experienced this, like seeing it on screen, like it feels like a more of a validating experience." Links: Follow Renée On Instagram Watch TANGLES AND KNOTS (2018)

    28 min.
  5. Josef Gatti

    31. MAR.

    Josef Gatti

    Watch This Episode On YouTube PHENOMENA (2026) is a type of film that I've never seen before -- an exploration of nature through a visual medium. It's not surprising that it, too, comes from a filmmaker of a type I've never talked with-- an Australian who started doing art exhibitions and immersive experience shows before his debut feature. So it's not surprising it's getting the rave reviews it's getting from places like Variety, and it is a testament to the vision that Josef brings to filmmaking. So get in early on this film and this filmmaker -- the sky is the limit for the Aussie, and who knows, it might be a part of nature he explores in his next project. In this episode, Josef and I discuss: the wildly complimentary Variety review, describing the film as "an iridescent ode to ordinary wonders";how he got started in filmmaking and how artist exhibitions transferred to filmmaking;how much his feature debut needs to be seen in a theater and the future of immersive exhibitions;what he wants people to feel watching PHENOMENA;why he worked with Sandbox Films and some of the logistical challenges inherent to making this film;his feelings narrating his film and a hilarious story about being on camera for a childrens' show;being an Australian filmmaker and his feelings on the level of travel necessarily associated with international festivals;where you can see his latest film, whether we'll get a narrative work, and what's next for him. Josef's Indie Film Highlight: SLACKER (1990) dir. by Richard Linklater Memorable Quotes: "I pointed the camera at the sound waves and recorded it for the first time, and that really was like the seed for the feature film was that moment right there." "Image quality for me is everything. And when I put those goggles on, I'm never blown away." "I hope I was careful enough to allow room for the audience to find their own meaning and to have their own experience." "it's been about 10 years since those, that first short film, so that was in 2016. Yeah...I did other things in between, obviously. I've got a life to live and bills to pay." "I think it's super exciting to be asked overseas to go and take part in the broader community and to share the film with the larger audiences and take things international." "I think it's super exciting to be asked overseas to go and. Take part in the broader community and to share the film with the larger audiences and take things international." Links: Follow Josef On Instagram Josef's Website

    26 min.
  6. Jessica Kivnik & Alexa Coblentz -- The Cinecamp Episode!

    27. MAR.

    Jessica Kivnik & Alexa Coblentz -- The Cinecamp Episode!

    Watch This Episode On YouTube During this episode, you'll hear a part that's normally edited out -- a phone ringing. But given that's one of my guests' school calling, I decided to leave it in. Because that's the life of a parent, right? It doesn't stop for a podcast recording, a film premiere, whatever you have going on in life. And the point of this episode, with Cinecamp founders Jessica Kivnik and Alexa Coblentz, is that's okay. We'll make it work. I love the way they put this description, so I'll use it here -- Cinecamp is a pop-up daycare center during the Los Angeles Festival of Movies April 10-12th. They have an open house on the 10th that I hope you'll check out. And if you don't have kids, I hope you stick around for this conversation as well. This isn't about excluding anyone; just the opposite. Cinecamp is about everyone feeling a part of the story. In this episode, we talk about: why Cinecamp matters in the film sector, even if you don't have kids, and how Jessica and Alexa got started;the genesis of Cinecamp and how it got started;why 4m to 12 years old? why start at the Los Angeles Festival of Movies? the smart decisions that went into Cinecamp's first film festival;why starting at film festivals and "being at that hub" is so important;whether the rise of female filmmakers has led to programs like Cinecamp;what's next for the program? Alexa's Indie Film Highlight: HARVEST (2024) dir. by Athina Rachel Tsangari Memorable Quotes: "I have just always been interested in the way that humans relate to each other, through these kinds of stories or so many possibilities." "Inclusion matters. Equity matters. Choosing to be a parent in this world is political." On starting Cinecamp: "The more we would talk about it, [we saw] how much possibility there was there. As collaborators and like partners in it, we were waiting for a chance to do that again, but also because we both really need this. So it spoke to us really personally." "We are not just providing accessible low cost care. We're providing excellent care at a low rate."  "There's a lot of conversations in the parenting circle about how being a modern mom is like a full-time job." "Everybody that's interacting with the kids is gonna be vetted and background checked and safe." "Across the board, women have lost ground in the past year in terms of equity." "It's basically building like a pop-up daycare center for children of all different ages." Links: Cinecamp's Website Follow Cinecamp On Instagram

    56 min.
  7. Eric Jackowitz

    24. MAR.

    Eric Jackowitz

    A short film has never met its moment like THE SEEING EYE DOG WHO SAW TOO MUCH (2026), which premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival this month. Of course it won the audience award -- how could it not? The film, as filmmaker Eric Jackowitz explains, is a homage to Italian giallo films, a mix of mystery horror and thriller films that peaked in the 1970s. Eric's career, as a filmmaker and musician based in Los Angeles, led him to this moment. He plays drums, attended the Berklee College of Music, and I'll say it: he's a brilliant director. The audience at SXSW agrees. And I think you will, too, after hearing our discussion. In this episode, Eric and I discuss: the first time reaction and sensory overload of seeing his award-winning film;why the film was so perfect for SXSW's Midnight Madness competition;what is giallo films and why he was drawn to making one of his own;how he got started in filmmaking and if he has any preferences in terms of writing, directing, and scoring films;what indie filmmakers don't understand about comedy and music in their films;his thoughts on the podcast space for filmmakers;hidden genres of indie films;what's next for him and his advice for people who didn't make SXSW with their films (with a crazy Judd Apatow story!); Eric's Indie Film Highlights: GRIND (2026) dir. by Brea Grant; Chelsea Stardust; Ed Dougherty; I LOVE BOOSTERS (2026) dir. by Boots Riley Memorable Quotes: "It's very mixed, but it ranges on a scale, right? There's people that really get it, who understand giallo films, who are horror fans, who are comedy fans. And then on the other end of it, there are people who are like, wow, I really like that. I don't really know what you were referencing." On giallo films: "And they're so bad. It's good. So good, it's good and so great, it's good." "And I feel like in a short block you have to, and with the goal of making a feature, you have to make as big of a announcement as possible." "Music is an afterthought." "I'm very happy to announce that I actually just quit my job podcasting." Links: Follow Eric On Instagram Follow THE SEEING EYE DOG WHO SAW TOO MUCH On Instagram

    30 min.
  8. Indie Film Highlight: CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (2016)

    22. MAR.

    Indie Film Highlight: CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (2016)

    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: CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (2016) Director: Matt Ross Screenplay: Matt Ross Stars: Viggo Mortensen; Samantha Isler; George MacKay SYNOPSIS Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen), his wife Leslie and their six children live deep in the wilderness of Washington state. Isolated from society, Ben and Leslie devote their existence to raising their kids -- educating them to think critically, training them to be physically fit and athletic, guiding them in the wild without technology and demonstrating the beauty of co-existing with nature. When Leslie dies suddenly, Ben must take his sheltered offspring into the outside world for the first time. 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

    2 min.
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Om

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

Oplysninger

  • Skaber
    Benjamin Duchek
  • Aktive år
    2023 - 2026
  • Episoder
    124
  • Vurdering
    Ikke anstødeligt
  • Copyright
    © Benjamin Duchek 2023
  • Websted for serie
    First Time Go
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