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

  1. NYC Mayor's Office Of Media And Entertainment Commissioner Rafael Espinal

    HACE 2 DÍAS

    NYC Mayor's Office Of Media And Entertainment Commissioner Rafael Espinal

    Elected at 26 to the New York State Assembly, my guest today, filmmaker Rafael Espinal says it was easier to become a politician than chase his dreams into indie film. Think about that for a moment! Now he's helping you achieve your dreams by serving as commissioner of New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, or MOME. And what I mean by that is I didn't expect him to be so in tune with the plights of independent filmmaking, in New York City and elsewhere. We talk about the challenges of indie filmmaking in NYC, including improving permitting; how it can be competitive globally; childcare in the city and how that affects filmmakers; the hopeful rise of more diverse voices, and more. All that said, the main takeaway if you're out there wanting to make a film career in NYC, he's on your side. And if you want to move your production studio or career to the best city in the world, he's the man for that as well. I don't think you can listen to this episode and not be bullish on the prospects of making a film in New York City over the next few years. In this episode, Rafael and I talk about: why he is the best person to lead the NYC MOME right now -- he's an indie filmmaker as well (he made his first film recently);what he's going to do with his film -- festival route? YouTube? -- and how that affects how he runs MOME;what does the commission do for me?;his sympathies (but honest advice) for the filmmakers not applying for permits in the city;his comments when taking the job that " the systems are extremely archaic in a way that creates a burden on production companies" -- have things improved?;production space in NYC and the role of AI in the built environment;how the Mayor's goal of free childcare throughout the city will influence filmmakers in the city and what MOME can do to help;diversifying the industry in New York City and how making it "look like our subway cars" actually happens;whatever happened to the Alliance for Downtown New York's Filmmaker in Chief initiative and how we get MOME's name out there in terms of outreach?how does NYC plan to stay competitive in attracting global productions?his goals for the next few years. Memorable Quotes: " Just recently, I made my first professional short film that I've been working on." " Like every filmmaker, we sit at home thinking about, how do we get exposure, who's gonna help us produce and make our first film?" " What I'm most proud of about the team here at the film office is that the folks running the permit system are actually independent filmmakers themselves." " If you want to ensure that you don't have the NYPD or any other agency come down and shut down your production, the best thing you can do is come to us." "[I] remember what it is to be someone who's just trying to make their film, who is looking for their way into the industry. And that's what I bring to the table." " Our dream here is to see a film industry and a film landscape where the workers and the directors and the folks on sets look like our subway cars, right?" " Going to the DMV is not the most pleasant experience, and I don't want filmmakers to feel like going to MOME feels like going to the DMV, right?" " There are folks out there, investors doubling down on building stages in the city of New York." " It was easier for me to become a politician than it was to be a film director." " We haven't fully baked it yet, but I'm thinking about how do we replicate that idea and create filmmakers in each borough." " At the end of the day, top line, I would love to say that New York has become the easiest and most affordable place to make a movie." Links: Follow Rafael On Instagram Follow MOME On Instagram

    26 min
  2. Indie Film Highlight: HAPPYEND (2024)

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    Indie Film Highlight: HAPPYEND (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: HAPPYEND (2024) Director: Neo Sora Writer: Neo Sora Stars: Kurihara Hayato; Hidaka Yukito; Ayumu Nakajima SYNOPSIS Friends Yuta and Kou, about to graduate, sneak into school. They pull off a terrible prank and face unforeseen consequences as graduation approaches. 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
  3. Natalia Koniarz

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    Natalia Koniarz

    Watch This Episode On YouTube One time, it might be a coincidence. But time after time, if you're going to areas that make other people afraid, like underground fight clubs in Asia or the Chilean Andes or like in her latest film, SILVER (2026), a mine in Bolivia, that's your hallmark as a filmmaker. You can say that about my guest, brilliant director Natalia Koniarz, whose film SILVER won the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize at this year's Slamdance film festival. No explanations, no interviews, just gorgeous cinema about a Bolivia mine that needs to be seen on a big screen. Will it? How can we do that? We discuss that on this episode, as well as being absolute brave as hell. When I'm sleeping in my warm bed, I thank God for filmmakers like Natalia. In this episode, Natalia and I discuss: what do all the awards tell her about SILVER? And what does it feel like?what should people know about the film before watching;how she got such immersive footage of the mines that few films have achieved;did anyone tell her she needs to offer more explanations in the film?;how she knew she wanted to get involved in filmmaking;her next film will be about underground fighting in Asia -- what draws her to otherworldly topics?the distribution process and the challenges of seeing a doc like hers in a theater;indie filmmaking in Paris and Poland;what's next for her. Memorable Quotes: " It's a very immersive film where you have to immerse into the world. There is no explanation of history or there's no interviews." " I was asking the miners and people around how they would make the film." " I've met people who have been completely crushed by the film and I met those who haven't felt anything. And I think it's the way that things exist in the art." On her film's topics: " I have this feeling that they are choosing me more than I'm choosing this." " I don't treat fear as something bad." " That's actually a game changer also...how easy it is in Europe, easier to have co-productions between countries." Links: Follow Natalia On Instagram

    27 min
  4. Victoria Trow

    14 ABR

    Victoria Trow

    Watch This Episode On YouTube Let's all wish happy birthday to filmmaker Victoria Trow, whose film ERUCTATION (2026) won big at SXSW this year -- not at all surprising once you watch it. That said, when you first read about it, at least for me, it was...a film about what? Burping? Then you watch it and realize you're in the hands of an ultra-talented admaker and filmmaker for six quick minutes that makes you know right away that she's going far. Her attention to detail, use of color and sound, all make ERUCTATION and Victoria one of my favorite films -- and guests -- of the year. Happy birthday, Victoria! Hope today is a great one. In this episode, Victoria and I discuss: how excited she was to attend SXSW this year, even before knowing her film would win!;her start in filmmaking and all of the things that led up to the incredible cinematic experience of her film;the evolution in her thinking from considering herself just a writer to directing films;what part of advertising work she dislikes;the crazy reactions to watching ERUCTATION or even just hearing about the topic;how hard it is to get comedy right in advertising;why the incredible 6 minute run time for ERUCTATION;does she read reviews for her films?the essential palette to the film and the amazing sense of place;her approach to going to SXSW;what's next for her and jumping between narrative and documentary.her advice for indie filmmakers and work with Charli XCX;artists compartmentalizing their talents -- they shouldn't! Victoria's Indie Filmmaker Highlights: Mike Egan; Victor Gabriel Memorable Quotes: "15 years in advertising and 15 years plotting my escape." " And then this project literally burped in my face, so I thought maybe this is the one to try it." "Do you wanna make a documentary about burping? They would laugh like you are now. And then I think. yeah, I just wanna make something fun and dumb and make something that can be beautiful." " Let's make a burp joke, but treat it seriously with reverence."  "This should feel like Portland in the rain." "Don't be afraid to talk about your ideas." Links: Follow Victoria On Instagram Victoria's Website

    35 min
  5. Indie Film Highlight: ADOPT A HIGHWAY (2019)

    12 ABR

    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
  6. Julia Coulter

    7 ABR

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

    5 ABR

    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
  8. Renée Marie Petropoulos

    3 ABR

    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
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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
    128
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © Benjamin Duchek 2023
  • Mostrar sitio web
    First Time Go
  • Proveedor
    Benjamin Duchek

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