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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. Suki Chan

    قبل ٣ أيام

    Suki Chan

    Watch This Episode On YouTube The words "artist, writer, and director" that my guest, filmmaker Suki Chan, uses to describe herself, do not come close to encompassing the artistic brilliance of her feature directorial debut, CONSCIOUS (2026), which she premiered at CPH:DOX this year in Denmark. The film delves into the stories of three people who "navigate dementia in transformative ways", and even that gives short shrift to what we see on screen. I don't think I've seen a documentary get closer to explaining the frailty of the human mind in visual form. It's no surprise to people who've seen Suki's art, though -- they say this gorgeously shot film is in line with her signature style. I cannot wait for you to see this film and for what's next for Suki. In this episode, Suki and I talk about: how she decided to approach making CONSCIOUS and what that tells us about documentary filmmaking;how she went from a fine art degree to expanding into moving image;her signature style, whether it's sculpture or a film;the medium of documentary and where she thinks it's going in the future;incorporating dramatizations into the film and what she learned about that process -- and people who wanted to play themself!;how she assembled a team that does not normally work on documentaries;what's next for her and when can viewers get an opportunity to see this brilliant film. Memorable Quotes: " I didn't set out to make a film that was at such a high level for documentary. I made the film in the way that feels the most natural to me as an artist." " It then made me realize that dementia wasn't just gonna be one chapter. It was actually quite integral to understanding consciousness." " I decided to create moving image, because for me, it's something that can unfold over time. And I think people always describe my sculptures, my installations as being cinematic and working with lights and shadows." " How come we don't see the brain? How come you're talking about consciousness? And we don't see the brain?" Links: Follow Suki On Instagram

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  2. Indie Film Highlight: YEAST (2008)

    قبل ٥ أيام

    Indie Film Highlight: YEAST (2008)

    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: YEAST (2008) Director: Mary Bronstein Screenplay: Mary Bronstein; Greta Gerwig Stars: Mary Bronstein; Greta Gerwig; Benny Safdie SYNOPSIS A maddeningly oblivious, tyrannical and emotionally stunted young woman tries her best to negotiate two toxic friendships 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

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  3. Eric Leja

    ٢٤ أبريل

    Eric Leja

    Watch This Episode On YouTube Only a Marine could get away with writing a novella entitled -- let me make I'm sure I got this right -- "Let's Murder the F**k out of Baby Hitler." And even then, maybe only a Marine who is a filmmaker and screenwriter. Fellow redleg Eric Leja (servicemember assigned to the artillery branch) returns to the podcast to talk about his new novella which is he is hoping to turn into a feature or a series; the reaction to such a provocative title in an industry that claims to support free speech; the lumping of veterans immediately into the red hat crowd, and more. He asked me, are you sure you're okay with the title? F**k yeah, I'm okay. I'm supporting fellow veterans till I die. We do touch on politics in this episode, which I'm usually loathe to do because you hear enough of this stuff on everything other than a film podcast. But if you do hear something you disagree with, certainly as it relates to the film industry, I'd love to hear why. And that brings us right back to where we started: Eric's novella. Spoiler alert, no babies are actually harmed. The whole point of it is to think about our current situation in a new and hopefully funny way. And to let Eric turn this into a feature film. Fire for effect, I'm cheering him on. In this episode, Eric and I discuss: how the catchy name came about;what he's been up to since the strike;why he decided to self-publish on Amazon and the amount of money he makes per sale;the chilling of speech and how that's different than Hollywood at any point in Eric's lifetime;how far he decided to go politically in the novella;the assumptions made about veterans in film and politics;what the future of the novella is;the challenges facing the business right now and the power of dentists in filmmaking! Eric's Indie Film Highlight: GODMOTHER dir. by John Veron Memorable Quotes: " I don't think it's ethical to Hitler-ize my children." " if things keep going like this unchecked, this is what it's gonna look like and it's gonna be, dystopic far right version of America. That was what the screenplay was about. And it came from a place of anti extremism." " Everyone's horrified to do anything right now." " I've never seen in my lifetime out here, like these corporations also having to fight for attention from the government and a constant approval as well." On the expectations of being red-pilled as a veteran: " I've noticed a lot of sighs of relief when I like reveal that I'm not like that." " People have literally said to me like, I think it's so cool that you're a veteran, but you're not like one of those veterans." " Nobody at like Warner wants to be the guy holding the TV show with three showrunners that's struggling to get off the ground when Paramount buys 'em." Links: Buy LET'S MURDER THE F**K OUT OF BABY HITLER Now Follow Eric On Instagram

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

    ٢١ أبريل

    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

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  5. Indie Film Highlight: HAPPYEND (2024)

    ١٩ أبريل

    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

    **ASE.Web.Podcasts.Duration.Minute.two**
  6. Natalia Koniarz

    ١٧ أبريل

    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

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  7. Victoria Trow

    ١٤ أبريل

    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

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

    ١٢ أبريل

    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

    **ASE.Web.Podcasts.Duration.Minute.two**
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A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.

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  • صناع العمل
    Benjamin Duchek
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٣ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
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    فاضح
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    © Benjamin Duchek 2023
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    Benjamin Duchek

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