We Strangers with Anu Valia and Janicza Bravo (Ep. 561)
Director Anu Valia discusses her new film, We Strangers, with fellow Director Janicza Bravo in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses using the story to explore themes of power, class and loving oneself, working with Actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste to flesh out the protagonist, and collaborating with her Cinematographer to discover opportunities for shots while on-set.
The film tells the story of Rayelle, a rural housekeeper who takes on a new and enigmatic job for a therapist client. But after she impulsively claims she can speak to the dead, Rayelle finds herself in an odd position of power and an ever-deepening web of deceit.
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Americana with Tony Tost and Mimi Cave (Ep. 560)
Director Tony Tost discusses his new film, Americana, with fellow Director Mimi Cave in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how the story structure was influenced by Westerns and nonlinear narratives like Pulp Fiction, how he worked with his cinematographer to achieve an analog 1970s aesthetic, and what he learned making this film as a first-time Director.
The film follows a waitress with dreams of bigger and better things, who teams up with a military veteran to gain possession of a mysterious and valuable artifact. They soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal, an unrelenting Western antiquities dealer and an ever increasing list of pursuers as blood is shed to secure the relic.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/americana_qna_0825
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Freakier Friday with Nisha Ganatra and Adele Lim (Ep. 559)
Director Nisha Ganatra discusses her new film, Freakier Friday, with fellow Director Adele Lim in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, she discusses the uniquely complex rehearsal process involved in a body swap comedy, giving background characters prominent scenes so that every character is memorable, and filming in LA to utilize locations across the city while keeping production local.
The follow-up to 2003’s Freaky Friday finds Tess and her daughter Anna navigating a shift in family dynamics with Anna’s daughter and stepdaughter. However, they soon discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/freakierfriday_qna_0825
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Highest 2 Lowest with Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch (Ep. 558)
Director Spike Lee discusses his new film, Highest 2 Lowest, with fellow Director Jim Jarmusch in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses working with his longtime collaborator Denzel Washington and trusting him with his process, packing the film’s mis-en-scene with references to African American artists, and the utilization of his trademark double dolly shot in this film in comparison to his other films.
This reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low follows music titan David King as he works to save his flagging business. But when he's targeted by a ransom plot which might jeopardize everything, he must make a high stakes decision that could have dire consequences.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/highest2lowest_qna_0825
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She Rides Shotgun with Nick Rowland and Michael Mohan (Ep. 557)
Director Nick Rowland discusses his new film, She Rides Shotgun, with fellow Director Michael Mohan in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses deliberately casting a younger Actor in the role of the father to shape the narrative around coming into parenthood, his process for Directing the lead child Actor in the film to get the right performances, and aiming for an aesthetic style reminiscent of 70s cinema.
The film tells the story of Nathan McClusky, a former convict who makes enemies with a powerful criminal gang after getting out of prison. When the gang retaliates by putting out a hit on his family, Nate must transform his shy eleven-year-old daughter into a force to be reckoned with.
See photos and a summary of this event below:
https://www.dga.org/events/2025/october2025/sheridesshotgun_qna_0825
Brought to you by the Directors Guild of America, ”The Director’s Cut” will bring you the behind-the-scenes stories of today’s most talked about films. Each episode features a different director interviewed by one of their peers, leading to revealing conversations about the grueling, but rewarding process of bringing their films to life.
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