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PODCAST

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.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

33:39

E29 • Shoot First, Ask Questions Later • AFOLABI...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/11/05

In this episode, Afolabi Olalekan discusses the vibrant Nigerian film industry, dubbed Nollywood, and his latest film, Freedom Way, which premiered at the Toronto Int. Film Festival. His past inspirations include Cary Fukunaga’s ‘Beasts of No Nation’ and ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.Afolabi shares the challenges he and his crew faced during production, such as police corruption and the need to swap out his lead actors halfway through filming. He also stresses the

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52:29

E28 • The Healing Power of Film • Subhadra Mahajan,...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/10/29

Mumbai-based director Subhadra Mahajan discusses her debut feature film ‘Second Chance’ which just had its Hollywood premiere at AFI, following a World premiere at Karlovy Vary earlier this year. Past inspirations include her love for the Iranian New Wave and Andrea Arnold’s ‘Fish Tank’.She speaks on her filmmaking journey, influenced by classic Hollywood films, and reflects on her storytelling process, character development, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. The discussion also delves

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29:12

E27 • Navigating Cultural Sensitivity Through Magical...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/10/22

Today’s episode features Devon Delmar, Jason Jacobs, and their feature film, “Carissa”, which just enjoyed its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and was nominated for the Venice Horizon’s Award for Best Film. They are also joined by Producer Deidré Jantjies. Past inspirations include Benh Zeitlin’s ’Beasts of the Southern Wild’. The conversation delves into themes of community, cultural representation, and the challenges of storytelling on a tight budget. The filmmakers discuss

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37:33

E26 • Leveraging Life’s Limitations • VOJTĚCH...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/10/15

Vojtĕch Strakatý, director of ‘After Party’, which just premiered at the Venice Film Festival, speaks on how real-life experiences can inspire unique storytelling. His past cinema inspirations include the Brazilian films ‘Neighboring Sounds’ and ‘Aquarius’, by Kleber Mendonça Filho. He discusses the emotional core of his film, inspired by real-life events, shares his excitement for blending genre and art house films, and how balancing technology and creativity is key to effective filmmaking. Vojtĕch

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28:28

E25 • The Right Way Is Usually The Hard Way • VALERIO...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/10/08

In this conversation, Valerio Mastandrea discusses his film 'Feeling Better', which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The film thematically explores love, emotional awakening, and authenticity within the creative process. Past cinema inspirations include Sofia Coppola’s ‘Lost in Translation’.Valerio reflects on his transition from acting to directing, the need for bravery in choosing film roles, the significance of audience connection, and the communal experience of watching films

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33:33

E24 • Transforming Adversity into Powerful...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/10/01

In this conversation, Oscar-nominated Scandar Copti discusses his latest film 'Happy Holidays', which just won the Orizontti Award for Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival. His past inspiration includes Alexander Nanau’s 2014 Docu-drama ‘Toto and His Sisters’ and Brazilian doc ‘Bus 174’.Scandar shares the creative process behind his film and the unique approach he takes in filmmaking, such as casting non-professional actors, and filming chronologically, which allows actors to

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40:19

E23 • Documentary as Profound Poetry • PETER KEREKES,...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/09/24

In this conversation, Peter Kerekes, Slovakian director of the Venice-bound documentary ‘Wishing On a Star’, shares valuable insights and inspirations, including Ulrich Seidl’s ‘Losses to Be Expected’ and Italian comedies from the 1970s.Peter shares his journey into poetic documentary filmmaking, the influence of his filmmaker father's experiences, the importance of humor in his films, and the process of developing and editing documentaries. He emphasizes the significance of character

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41:55

E22 • Crafting Complex, Culturally Authentic...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/09/17

In this conversation, Deepak Rauniyar - director of ‘Pooja, Sir’, which just premiered at the Venice Film Festival - shares how he found inspiration in Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Stray Dog’, and the 2019 French film ‘Les Misérables’ by Ladj Ly.Deepak discusses his journey from journalism to filmmaking, inspired by personal experiences and the socio-political landscape of Nepal. He emphasizes the importance of cultural representation in cinema, the struggles that shape creativity, and the role of community

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69:22

E21 • Taking The Off Ramp: From Gaffer to Director •...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/09/12

In this conversation, Nathan Tape shares his experiences making ‘Off Ramp’, now in cinemas after its World premiere at the prestigious Polish genre festival Splat!FilmFest, followed by the New Orleans Film Festival. Nate’s biggest inspiration: David Lynch’s 1990 film ‘Wild at Heart’ starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. Nathan dives into the making of his film ‘Off-Ramp’, a film about Juggalos, the super fans of the Insane Clown Posse, and their sense of community and chosen family, sharing that he

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35:53

E20 • Casting & Collaborating with A-List Talent •...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/09/09

On today’s episode, Elliott Lester talks about his latest film ‘The Thicket’, starring Peter Dinklage and Juliette Lewis, and shares his inspirations from movies like 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Midnight Cowboy', and the works of Martin Scorsese. He also discusses his experience working with global stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jason Statham.Elliott speaks on Tubi as a production partner and distribution platform, the challenges of making and distributing films in

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47:39

E19 • Directing Your Destiny • VINCENT GRASHAW, dir....

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/09/03

Today’s episode features Vincent Grashaw and his new film 'Bang Bang', screening this week at the Deauville Film Festival following Locarno and Tribeca. Past inspiration includes ‘The Wrestler’, and we share an appreciation for Spike Lee’s ‘He Got Game’.Vincent talks about his connection to boxing, his casting techniques, shooting on ultra-wide lenses, and the unsung process of color grading. He also discusses his previous films and the challenges of making low-budget indie movies,

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40:12

E18 • Exploring Inner Emotions Through Body Horror •...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/08/27

In this conversation, filmmaker Dương Dược Linh discusses her journey into filmmaking and her fascination with the body horror genre, ahead of her feature debut, ‘Don't Cry Butterfly’, which is premiering at Venice Critics Week followed by the Toronto International Film Festival. Being inspired by such past body horrors ‘Possession’, directed by Andrzej Żuławski and ‘Species’ by Roger Donaldson, Dương explores the generational trauma and internalized misogyny experienced by middle-aged women in

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41:32

E17 • Sharing Work, Seizing Opportunities • FREDDY...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/08/20

Marcus speaks with Freddy Macdonald about his debut feature film 'Sew Torn', just screened at Locarno, following a World premiere at South by Southwest. Drawing inspiration from the 1998 German film ‘Run Lola Run’ as well as ‘No Country For Old Men’ (2007), Freddy speaks on the great fortune of sitting down with one of the directors of the latter film - Joel Cohen - who encouraged him to keep going, and to turn his short into a feature.The conversation also touches on Freddy’s experience

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49:33

E16 • Challenging The System • BÁLINT SZIMLER, dir....

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/08/13

Marcus speaks with Bálint Szimler about his feature film ‘Lesson Learned’, which just premiered at the Locarno Fim Festival. The discussion also touches on the films that most inspired him - 'Play' by Ruben Östlund and 'Family Nest' by Béla Tarr.Bálint dives in to the inspiration behind his film, and the challenges of the Hungarian educational system. He also talks about his approach to storytelling and the importance of realistic and character-driven films. He shares insights

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40:34

E15 • Writing Your Own Narrative • ELLIE FOUMBI ,...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/08/06

Today I speak with my friend and exceptional filmmaker Ellie Foumbi, about her Independent Spirt Award-nominated 'Our Father The Devil,' which is now on the Criterion Channel following a premiere at last year’s Venice International Film Festival. We also discuss the influence of Andrea Arnold’s film 'Red Road' (2006) on her work.We reminisce about our initial meeting and collaboration in 2012, mutual connections in the industry, and Ellie's process of making an effective

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36:15

E14 • The Power of the Underdog • NIKHIL NAGESH BHAT...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/07/30

Today I speak with Mumbai-based director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat about his kick-ass action film ‘Kill’, which premiered at TIFF last year and is now globally distributed by Lionsgate. We discuss Nikhil’s journey into the film industry, from watching Indian action films on television as a child, and his love for James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’.He shares his experiences with rejection and the importance of patience and persistence in filmmaking. The conversation also touches on the financing and production of his

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38:29

E13 • Taking the Long Shots • ZHENGFAN YANG , dir. of...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/07/23

In this episode, I speak with Zhengfan Yang about his film 'Stranger’, which just won the Grand Prix prize in the Proxima Competition at Karlovy Vary. We also discuss his past cinema inspiration, ‘A One and a Two’, the 2000 film by Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang.Zhengfan talks about the challenges of shooting his film in 7 total shots, each in a different hotel room, and the importance of the setting and space as a character. He emphasizes the importance of sticking to his original concept of

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44:28

E12 • The Importance of Not Knowing • PAOLO TIZÓN ,...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/07/18

This episode features Paolo Tizón and his documentary “Night Has Come”, which just won the Special Jury Award and the FIPRESCI (Critic) Award at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. His main inspiration for the film: ‘Beau Travail’ (1999) by Claire Denis.We discuss cinematic techniques used in documentaries, the importance of not knowing and being open to surprises while filming - how to listen to the material, editing and structuring a documentary, and the personal motivations behind

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39:28

E11 • The Beauty of Change • IVANA GLORIA, dir. of...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/07/15

Ivana Gloria, the director of ‘Chlorophyll’, which World Premiered at the Rome International Film Festival, followed by a warm reception at Karlovy Vary, shares her journey and challenges as a filmmaker, having been heavily inspired by the 2018 Swedish film ‘Border’ from director Ali Abbasi.The conversation also revolves around Ivana’s film ‘Chlorophyll’ and its theme of change - specifically the fear and beauty of change. She speaks on the importance of rehearsals, and being open to new ideas

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74:37

E10 • Sharpening a Film Into Success • NELICIA LOW,...

Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle ·

2024/07/11

In this episode, filmmaker Nelicia Low discusses her film 'Pierce', which she just won the Best Director award for at Karlovy Vary. She talks about her past cinema inspirations which include Ang Lee’s ‘Lust, Caution’, and her experiences studying at Columbia University.The conversation highlights the value of editing and music in her film, her directing choices including casting and working with her actors, and the creative solutions used to overcome production challenges. She also speaks

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70 results

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