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PODCAST

First Time Go

Benjamin Duchek

A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

1:24

Indie Film Highlight: OVERNIGHT (2003)

First Time Go ·

2026/08/09

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: OVERNIGHT (2003)Directors: Tony Montana; Mark Brian SmithCast: Troy Duffy; Harvey Weinstein; Chris BrinkerSYNOPSISThis documentary follows Troy Duffy, a brash, foul-mouthed bartender whose screenplay for an action film called "Boondock Saints" scores him a generous contract to write and direct the film for Harvey Weinstein at Miramax

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21:13

Yiru Deng, dir. of TUNNEL VISION (2026)

First Time Go ·

2026/08/07

I'm always on the lookout for original filmmaking to highlight, so if you just look at the objective facts of my guest Yiru Deng's film, TUNNEL VISION (2026), which premiered at LA Shorts International Film Festival on August 4th, 2026, you'll be impressed:4 minute run time.Animation with just killer transitions that we find out were painful to draw.An excitingly original topic that is made to be shown on a screen.By itself, those are amazing. But then when you hear Yiru speak about what

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29:32

The Funniest (NSFW) Film Of The Year: Elliot Connors...

First Time Go ·

2026/08/04

I couldn't stop laughing during the funniest film of the year, directed by my guest, Elliot Connors. It's called FULL FRONTAL, or if you want to use the full title (and you should), it's I’M GOING FULL FRONTAL FOR MY NYU STUDENT SHORT FILM (2026), streaming today, August 4th, 2026 on NoBudge.I'd argue getting laughs is the hardest thing to do in independent film so that's why comedies are so relatively rare. And to do it in a short film -- that's a tough sell.But Elliot has

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25:16

Writer/Producer Kate Radcliffe Of STILL LIFE (2026)

First Time Go ·

2026/07/28

I imagine there's not a lot of debate out there but here's what I believe: there's nothing worse in the human experience than losing a son or daughter. It violates our understanding of the cycle of life and it forces a unyielding loss amongst the living that can never be taken away.Any experience so intense can, in the right hands, be channeled to create great art, so I am drawn to stories like STILL LIFE (2026), which is an official selection this year of the HollyShorts Film

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1:45

Indie Film Highlight: STRAIGHT TO HELL (1987)

First Time Go ·

2026/06/21

Watch This Episode On YouTubeWatch STRAIGHT TO HELL On Criterion ChannelEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: STRAIGHT TO HELL (1987)Director: Alex CoxWriters: Dick Rude; Alex CoxStars: Joe Strummer; Dick Rude; Courtney LoveSYNOPSISThree bank robbers (Sy Richardson, Joe Strummer, Dick Rude) and a pregnant woman tear up a desert town.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow

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16:11

Special Tribeca Episode: Elisee Junior St. Preux,...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/19

What a last month or so for Haiti and director Elisee Junior St. Preux's debut feature. Upon its release at the Tribeca Film Festival, THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES (2026) received the Special Jury Mention for Best New Narrative Director alongside rave reviews. It is truly stunning filmmaking, offering both a realistic glimpse of Haiti and an expansive view of fatherhood.Let's count the ways in which his month just aligns perfectly for this film: Haiti playing Brazil in its second World Cup

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16:28

Special Tribeca Episode: Hannah Peterson, dir. of VIA...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/18

Watch This Episode On YouTubeVIA NEGATIVA resonated with me on so many different levels -- as a Catholic; as someone who uses firearms; as a veteran (there's a moment in there, if you've seen it); and most importantly, a lover of truly astonishing filmmaking. Director Hannah Peterson achieved something extraordinary with this film by bringing a novel to life in the best possible way and making you think of life's grand questions without pandering.The film's log line: "It follows

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20:56

Special Tribeca Episode: Shan Jiang 姜姗, dir. of...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/16

It's one thing to say you're going to create the "Chinese lesbian version of BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)"; it's another thing to actually pull it off.In EPHEMERA (2026), the debut feature for filmmaker Shan Jiang which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, it appears she has done just that. It took global producers, a fantastic team, and a truly extraordinary story in how she found the actors, but the film will stand as wide shoulders for so many people and so many future

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13:57

Special Tribeca Episode: Meriem Sakrouhi, dir. of MON...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/15

MON TAXI (2026), which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, is a "love letter to the filmmaker's dad." Architect + filmmaker Meriem Sakrouhi created a film that is part New York, part Moroccan, and altogether touching cinema, and we talk about how she did it for the podcast.Along with directing, she edited and produced the first Moroccan entry at Tribeca in 20 years. Given that she pitched a project at Cannes Docs this year and beautifully describes what Moroccan influence looks

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1:27

Indie Film Highlight: LURKER (2005)

First Time Go ·

2026/06/14

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: LURKER (2025)Director: Alex RussellWriter: Alex RussellStars: Théodore Pellerin; Archie Madekwe; Havana Rose Liu;SYNOPSISA retail employee infiltrates the inner circle of an artist on the verge of stardom. As he gets closer to the budding music star, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on

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17:41

Special Tribeca Episode: Rob Rice, dir. of PONDEROSA...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/12

The career path -- M.S. in Neuroscience to filmmaking -- is a wholly original one and so is his filmmaking. His second feature, PONDEROSA (2026), is a comedy-horror film that looks at American masculinity in a way I've never seen before. It is a gift to watch -- beginning to end -- not because I understood everything going on, but because I didn't.The best type of filmmaking should challenge you and make you think differently about the world around you. Mission accomplished here by Rob, with

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27:08

Special Tribeca Podcast: Lyle Lindgren, dir. of MOUTH...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/10

Very rarely, you'll watch a documentary, and think...how did he get that all on film? That was the case for me and the film MOUTH FULL OF GOLDS (2026) premiering this week at the Tribeca Film Festival. It's about "grillz" -- the teeth attachments/implants and their cultural connection in New York City, Miami, Atlanta, and Paris.If that description sounds incredible, that's because the film is incredible. Director Lyle Lindgren joins for me the pod and traces his history from car

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13:57

Special Tribeca Podcast: Branislav Jankic dir. of...

First Time Go ·

2026/06/09

The journey from Yugoslavia to New York City is a wild one, and filmmaker Branislav Jankic has been a keen observer along the way. Coming off a debut feature that was released at the height of COVID, Branislav is now at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival with a story about his wife called WHITE BELT (2026). The film traces the journey of supermodel Monika "Jac" Jagaciak from the runway to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It's a tight, accomplished film that shows what he's learned about the

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1:37

Indie Film Highlight: OUT OF LOVE (2025)

First Time Go ·

2026/06/07

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: OUT OF LOVE (2025)Director: Nathan AmbrosioniWriter: Nathan AmbrosioniStars: Camille Cottin; Monia Chokri; Juliette ArmanetSYNOPSISA woman is forced to take care of her niece and nephew after their mother voluntarily disappears.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on

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20:15

Special Cannes Podcast: Anna Berthollet of Lightdox

First Time Go ·

2026/06/04

The podcast concludes this unreal Cannes Film Festival series with Lightdox founder and CEO, Anne Berthollet. Lightdox has consistently championed stunning documentaries, like GABIN (2026); FLOPHOUSE (2025) and so much more. How is the company able to find such amazing documentaries? What happens when Lightdox grows -- will they be able to maintain their quality offerings? And what is her advice for aspiring documentarians?See you next year, Cannes!In this episode, Anna and I discuss:why she founded

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14:48

Special Cannes Podcast: Nguyễn Phan Linh Đan

First Time Go ·

2026/06/03

I'd argue the Pierre Angénieux Tribute is the best thing going at the Cannes Film Festival. Why? Two reasons:they elevate one filmmaker -- this year, it was Japanese cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa -- by way of tribute. If you haven't seen her work, now is your opportunity. But they don't stop there.they utilize the platform of that tribute to give a "special encouragement" to a young cinematographer. This year, it was my guest, Nguyễn Phan Linh Đan, who combines Vietnamese and

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21:29

Special Cannes Podcast: Akiko Ashizawa 芦澤明子

First Time Go ·

2026/06/02

What an incredible honor to be joined by famed cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa, who was honored at the Cannes Film Festival with the 2026 Pierre Angénieux Tribute. We talk about her career, how she thought the tribute was spam!, females in cinematography, and more.The episode is recorded thanks to a translator.In this episode, Akiko and I discuss:how she found out about the Pierre Angénieux Tribute and thought it was spam!;how she got her start;what defines Japanese cinema and its visual style;her

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15:07

Special Cannes Episode: Michael Hampden of Sandbox VR

First Time Go ·

2026/06/01

We've seen the future of indie filmmaking the last few weeks with the theatrical runs of OBSESSION (2025) and BACKROOMS (2026).Let me argue that sometime in the future, we'll see a Sandbox VR or immersive experience film have that kind of launch. In this Cannes episode, I talk with senior vice president of content for Sandbox VR about what the future looks like for VR + immersive experience films.Given how many locations they already have, I'm confident Sandbox -- and Michael Hampden --

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1:36

Indie Film Highlight: FIRST GROWTH (2015)

First Time Go ·

2026/05/31

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: FIRST GROWTH (2015)Director: Jérôme Le GrisWriters: Vanessa Portal; Rémi Bezançon; Jérôme Le GrisStars: Gérard Lanvin; Jalil Lespert; Alice TaglioniSYNOPSISCharlie must take over operation of his family's vineyard when it nears bankruptcy. He gambles on the farm's future by using traditional methods that went away with the introduction of new technology.Subscribe to our

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8:43

Special Cannes Podcast: Why Peru? An Interview With...

First Time Go ·

2026/05/29

Why film in Peru? I stopped by a booth at Le Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival to talk about what they have to offer filmmakers. At the Cannes Film Festival, they have a market where most countries around the world are represented.I talked with Carlos Manuel Arca Hoyle, director of Promperú France, about why people should film in western South America.In this episode, Carlos and I discuss:why film in Peru?;what films people know that were filmed in Peru;the kind of clients in Peru;the most

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282 results

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