E49 • The Power of Real-Time Documentary • NAYIBE TAVARES-ABEL, dir. of ‘Colossal’ at Berlinale
Nayibe Tavares-Abel shares her journey from a political science background to becoming a documentary filmmaker. She discusses her film “Colossal”, which just premiered at Berlinale. Past films discussed include “Beyond Utopia” by Madeleine Gavin.Nayibe’s film intertwines her family history with the political landscape of the Dominican Republic, exploring themes of political violence, activism, and the importance of storytelling. She emphasizes the challenges of documentary filmmaking, the significance of family archives, and the universal themes that can emerge from specific stories. Nayibe also reflects on the evolution of her film, the importance of building relationships in the filmmaking process, and how her filmmaking journey began with her Grandmother’s camcorder.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature
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E48 • Adapting Literature, and Grief, to Film • DYLAN SOUTHERN, dir. of ‘The Thing With Feathers’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch at Berlinale + Sundance
Dylan Southern talks about his film “The Thing with Feathers,” based on Max Porter's book and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which delves into themes of loss and family relationships after a mother’s passing. The film made its debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, followed by Berlinale. He also references previous films that inspired him, including Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”Dylan shares his experience of transforming the book into a film, highlighting the need to grasp the emotional heart of the narrative. He discusses the complexities of portraying grief, noting that it is often non-linear and can be both cyclical and unpredictable.He elaborates on the fusion of horror and dark humor to illustrate grief and reflects on how personal experiences shape storytelling, stressing the importance of emotional authenticity in film.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature
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E47 • Preparation, Meet Adaptability • SARAH MIRO FISCHER, dir. of ‘The Good Sister’ at Berlinale
Sarah Miro Fischer is the director of “The Good Sister”, which just enjoyed its World premiere in the Panorama section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival. Past films discussed include Thomas Vinterburg’s “The Hunt”.Sarah discusses her emotional journey of premiering at Berlin, sharing insights into her filmmaking process which includes a fruitful collaboration with co-writer Agnes Maagaard Petersen, and the challenges of addressing sensitive themes, which require trust and open communication. She emphasizes the importance of preparation and adaptability when making a film, how audience engagement is crucial to spark discussion and reflection, and that Filmmaking is a journey that often requires a leap of faith.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature
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E46 • Navigating Death and Legacy as Themes • BEN HETHCOAT, dir. of ‘Coroner To The Stars’ - AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER at Slamdance
Ben Hethcoat opens up about his decade-long journey creating the documentary "Coroner To The Stars," which focuses on Dr. Thomas Noguchi, a well-known coroner famous for his work on high-profile celebrity deaths, including those of Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood. Ben draws inspiration from documentary legend Errol Morris.He tackles the difficulties of addressing sensitive subjects like death, the personal ties that shaped his filmmaking, and the need to handle public perception and media hype carefully. He also discusses how celebrity death investigations have changed over time and the crucial role of archival research in crafting compelling narratives.The film just took home the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Slamdance, and Ben reflects on the emotional significance of unveiling such a deeply personal project to the audience.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature
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E45 • The Humanitarian Crisis Through a Filmmaker's Lens • NATHANIEL LEZRA, dir. of ‘Roads of Fire’ - BEST DOC WINNER at the Santa Barbara Int. Film Festival
In this conversation, Nathaniel Lezra discusses his journey as a documentary filmmaker, focusing on his latest project, “Roads of Fire”, which just won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Nathaneil’s past inspirations include Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing” and “The Look of Silence”.He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of cinematically capturing the humanitarian crisis and the political climate’s impact on filmmaking. He also shares insights into the smuggling industry and the importance of capturing authentic experiences in documentary storytelling. Nathaniel discusses the complex, harrowing realities faced by migrants, the need for empathy when addressing these issues, and how filmmakers can play a crucial role in pushing for change.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature
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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