Director's Commentary is creating a safe space for movies. Interviews and insights from film mavericks, upstarts and luminaries hosted by Eugene Kotlyarenko. Plus tips, tricks, trivia and more about great cinema from the past til today. Wow!
As the show gets back into gear, I reconnect with one of my fave extremely online directors, Mia Kerin, to discuss her style, her influences, what she's been up to and my observations on how her body of work has been the progenitor for an emergent language of online filmmaking. Enjoy!
20 Apr 2023
CAST 27: Only the Strong w/ Al Warren
Our lovely program is finally BACK with a vengeance as Al Warren joins me for a BIG DISCURSIVE TALK! His first feature DOGLEG is out now and we talk about his Mississippi roots, his Doc-y Dad, how he got into movies, his ambitious short series SEQUENCES and the 5-year process of making this debut. If I remember correctly, this one's pretty funny so please ENJOY!
27 Jan 2023
CAST 25: What About Drew w/ Drew Tobia
In this new ep, I reconnect with old friend Drew Tobia and we discuss the state of cinema, the state of tiktok, the state of Madonna, the 10-year anniversary of his debut feature and his on-going journey to make a follow-up film. So many important things here, it's gotta be free to the public! Enjoy :)
9 Oct 2022
CAST 20 - Comforting the Disturbed w/ Ada Soby
A very special convo with Danish filmmaker Ada Soby, getting deep into her documentary and commercial work, remembering the Super8 NYC 90s, exploring the nature of collaboration, feedback, growing up in a castle and MORE!
25 Sept 2022
CAST 19 - Major Developments: Lawrence Michael Levine
In this very special episode I connect with kindred spirit Lawrence Levine to discuss making our first movies in the era of mUmBlEcOrE, collaborating with your soulmate, surviving in the arts, development limbo and B-side personal films. A chill and casual talk, spanning the 21st century, not to be missed.
7 Aug 2022
CAST 16 - The Josh Ovalle Story: Josh Ovalle
In this very special episode I go deeper than ever into the dark and glorious history of the one and only Josh Ovalle (neé Kennedy). I analyze his particular brand of innovative verité comedy and we discuss everything from Vine to YouTube to Spree; the backstory on all his most iconic ideas and what the future holds for this iconic young innovator. VERY INSPIRATIONAL EP IMHO!
26 Jul 2022
CAST 15 - @FreeMovieIdeas: Emerson Rosenthal
In this special episode, I speak with Emerson Rosenthal, mastermind behind the @FreeMovieIdeas instagram account, about the nature of creativity and screenwriting. Mostly we just go through a bunch of his brilliant Free Movie Ideas!
28 Jun 2022
CAST 13 - Devilish Tricks: Kristoffer Borgli
In this in-depth convo Kris Borgli and I craft him a wikibio-- from video store to music videos to commercials to his fake debut DRIB to his short LA Masterpieces and onto his recent official debut at Cannes SICK OF MYSELF-- we get all the Borgli thats fit to print and touch on David Lynch and the lawn outside McDonald's in between.
9 Jun 2022
CAST 11 - Cannes Rehab: Jeremy O. Harris & A Rogues' Gallery
Live from Cannes 2022, I interview all the filmerinos fit to print, including Jon Deringer, Daniel Goldhaber, Laura Jacobs, Emilija, Owen Kline, fresh off his Director's Fortnight premiere, and many more. The show culminates in a 2-Part fest recap with Jeremy O. Harris pre- and post- Elvis premiere! Among the films discussed are Triangle of Sadness, Decision to Leave, Crimes of the Future, War Pony, Aftersun, Joyland and of course, ELVIS.
28 May 2022
CAST 10 - Oral Masters: Peter Vack
In this lively and highly intimate discussion, Peter Vack (né Brown) and I get into memes, schemes, and dreams — how to cast your crew, acting in your own movies, Peter's book, cringe-watching, performativity, "Assholes" and "Actors," our stalled movie project, my abandoned HBO series and which book on Peter's shelf would be good IP.
20 Apr 2022
CAST 8 - Industry Darling: Alex Ross Perry
An illuminating chat with auteur-warrior Alex Ross Perry (director of Her Smell, Listen Up Philip, The Color Wheel and many more). We discuss a legendary Q&A, the challenges of the contemporary film biz, life as a screenwriter and the joy of making music videos.
5 Apr 2022
CAST 6 - Flip The Script w/ Ian Mantgani
In our first Patron-Guest Episode I speak with Director's Commentary Subscriber and prolific, under the radar filmmaker/programmer, Ian Mantgani. We discuss Ian's shorts, working on a deadline, the etymology of 'scouse', John Gregory Dunne's The Studio, Lillian Ross's Picture, rare Varda and more!
17 Mar 2022
CAST 4 - Lightning Strikes w/ Crystal Moselle
A great talk with Crystal Moselle (director of The Wolfpack, Skate Kitchen/Betty) from a hotel room in Canada where she's on a shoot. We discuss her filmmaking style, the 3 Rs, avant-garde legend Taylor Mead, cloning, turning shorts into features and more. I also offer my take on Jeanne Dielman and Structural Films, plus a Power of the Dog review.
9 Mar 2022
CAST 2: The Badman w/ Betsey Brown ft. Andy Faulkner
On EP 2 we talk to Betsey Brown, from a set in Ohio, to discuss her directorial debut, ACTORS, the art of acting, selling out as an act, anti-actressing and the meme account @actorscellectuals. Then Andy Faulkner joins me to sound off on the new "The Batman"
4 Mar 2022
CAST 1: Eugene's Pimple w/ Mike Bilandic
Introducing the show to the world! I discuss the word "podcast" then analyze the propaganda war associated with the Invasion of Ukraine. The centerpiece is an Interview with Mike Bilandic from a dorm room in North Carolina, during a mini-retrospective of his work.
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