Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle

Marcus Mizelle
  • 4.7 (9)
  • FILM INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle

Past Present Feature is a film appreciation podcast hosted by Emmy-winning director Marcus Mizelle, showcasing today’s filmmakers, their latest release, and the past cinema that inspired them. 

  1. 19 HR. AGO

    E37 • Finding Humanity in Diverse Perspectives • GIANLUCA MATARESSE, dir. of ‘GEN_’ at the Sundance Film Festival

    Italian filmmaker Gianluca Matarrese discusses his documentary project “GEN_”, which is premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Past inspo includes the films of Frederick Wiseman.Gianluca delves into the complexities of his filmmaking philosophy, exploring the therapeutic nature of his creative process, and the importance of community and validation in the industry. He reflects on his journey as a filmmaker, the influences that shaped his work, and the significance of finding hum...

    56 min

  2. 12/31/2024

    E36 • Story First, Jokes Second • DELANEY BUFFETT, dir. of ‘Adult Best Friends’ - Golden Key Winner at KWFF following Tribeca

    Delaney Buffett, recipient of the Golden Key Award at the Key West Film Festival and director of “Adult Best Friends” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, stresses that when creating comedy, the story comes first. Past films discussed include Mike Nichols’ “The Birdcage” and Paul Feig’s “Bridesmaids.She shares insights on developing her film with friends, the significance of real-life experiences in crafting relatable narratives, and the importance of emotional depth in storytelling,...

    1h 7m

  3. 12/17/2024

    E35 • Expand Your Horizon, Stand With the Misfits • WANNES DESTOOP, dir. of ‘Holy Rosita’ - BEST FILM Award at the Torino Film Festival

    Wannes Destoop, director of “Holy Rosita”, which just won the Best Film award at the Torino Film Festival, shares his affinity for misfits and the unique stories they embody. Past films discussed include Sean Baker’s “The Florida Project” and Martin McDonagh’s “In Bruges”.He reflects on his documentary roots, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the challenges of modern filmmaking. Wannes shares insights into his casting process, production choices, and the emotional rollercoas...

    42 min

  4. 12/10/2024

    E34 • Directing Live-Action VFX: Story Comes First • JEFF FOWLER, dir. of ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ from Paramount Pictures

    “Sonic The Hedgehog 3” director Jeff Fowler shares his filmmaking journey, focusing on his experiences with visual effects, animation, and storytelling, having been influenced at an early age by “Star Wars”, “T2”, and “Jurassic Park”.Jeff emphasizes the importance of hard work and passion in achieving success, recounting his time at Ringling College of Art and Design and then being hired by Tim Miller at Blur Studios. He discusses the evolution of visual effects and the path that led him to d...

    44 min

  5. 12/03/2024

    E33 • You Must Fight to Make Your Film • PIA MARAIS, dir. of ‘Transamazonia’ at the New York Film Festival, Chicago International, TIFF

    Pia Marais shares insights from her filmmaking journey, including the making of her atmospheric new film “Transamazonia,” which just screened at the New York Film Festival following a Locarno world premiere. Past inspirations include Werner Herzog’s “Wings of Hope” and Asif Kapadia’s “Amy”.Pia’s latest film explores themes of faith and family dynamics, and she discusses the complexities of casting, production, the importance of film festivals, and the ongoing challenges of securing distributi...

    44 min

  6. 11/26/2024

    E32 • Inspiring Action Through Activist Filmmaking • BEN RUSSELL, co-dir. of ‘Direct Action’ at the New York Film Festival + Berlinale

    Ben Russell delves into the concept of observational cinema, sharing insights on his latest co-directing effort “Direct Action” (with Guillaume Cailleau), which portrays a radical activist community in France. It debuted at Berinale and just screened at the New York Film Festival. Past films discussed include Kirsten Johnson’s “Cameraperson” and the observational films of Frederick Wiseman and The Maysles Brothers.Ben shares his experience transitioning as a filmmaker from America to France, ...

    44 min

  7. 11/19/2024

    E31 • The Serious Business of Effective Comedy • EGIL PEDERSEN, dir. of ‘My Father’s Daughter’ at TIFF + Reykjavik Int. Film Festival

    In this conversation, Egil Pedersen reflects on his experiences growing up in a small Norwegian village and how he transitioned from short films to his first feature film, “My Father's Daughter,” the first-ever Sámi-language premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. His cinema inspirations include David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” and “Show Me Love” (orig title: F*****g Amal) directed by Lukas Moodysson. Egil touches on the challenges and opportunities in the Norwegian film industry,...

    45 min

  8. 11/12/2024

    E30 • Creating Controversial Characters • ERIK POPPE, dir. of ‘Quisling - The Final Days’ at TIFF following the Norwegian Film Festival

    In this conversation, Erik Poppe - the director of “Quisling - The Final Days”, which just premiered at TIFF following the Norwegian Film Festival, discusses his journey from photojournalism to filmmaking, emphasizing the role of art in raising questions and engaging audiences. He reflects on his influences, including Francois Truffaut’s 1970 film ‘The Wild Child”, the importance of personal narratives, and the challenges of portraying controversial characters - how creating empathy for ...

    47 min
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4.7
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Past Present Feature is a film appreciation podcast hosted by Emmy-winning director Marcus Mizelle, showcasing today’s filmmakers, their latest release, and the past cinema that inspired them. 

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