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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

22:55

Jonny Durgan

First Time Go ·

2026/01/09

Making a film called G.S.W (2025) (gun shot wound in medical jargon) in a country with very little gun shot wounds is a choice by British director Jonny Durgan, and I'd argue it's an excellent one. The film works for all sorts of reasons -- Jonny's advertising background; a great script; a fantastic acting performance by Genevieve O'Reilly -- or ten other ones. We explore all the reasons in the pod.In this episode, Jonny and I discuss:whether his sense of humor is a reason for his

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50:16

Robert Kolodny

First Time Go ·

2026/01/02

Considering most of the episodes now from the previous three seasons are under paywall, the first episode of the New Year simply has to be excellent. It's what listeners throughout the year probably will listen to first, and thankfully, I found a guest that absolutely exceeds any expectation a listener might have when they click play: director Robert Kolodny of THE FEATHERWEIGHT (2023).If you google Criterion Collection, Robert's name, and Reddit, you'll get the comment I reference here

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50:07

John-Michael Powell

First Time Go ·

2025/12/31

Happy New Year! The perfect way to end the year is with director John-Michael, or JM, Powell, and his genre thriller, VIOLENT ENDS (2025). In this episode, JM and I discuss the astonishingly moody cinematography -- the deer scene and a shootout will stay with you way after the film; his journey through film school and a grant that made this film possible, and his steady and sure approach to indie filmmaking.And let me add: VIOLENT ENDS is a perfect New Year's Eve film. Let the shootouts remain

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40:57

Jaydon Martin

First Time Go ·

2025/12/19

Watch the film FLATHEAD, currently streaming on IndiePix Unlimited, and let me know what you think. It took home awards from the International Film Festival Rotterdam, among others, because it's like nothing you've seen before. It tells the intimate tale of Cass and Andrew making their way in working class Australia.In my discussion with director Jaydon Martin, we delve into what is truly fiction in a documentary; his work at moving furniture to support his vision; and his advice for indie

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3:13

Indie Film Highlight: THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN (1995)

First Time Go ·

2025/12/14

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN (1995)Director: Edward BurnsWriter: Edward BurnsCast: Jack Mulcahy; Michael McGlone; Edward BurnsSYNOPSISThree Irish Catholic brothers from Long Island struggle to deal with love, marriage, and infidelity.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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27:58

David Borenstein

First Time Go ·

2025/12/12

Surely he didn't know it then, but his work in media in China made my guest, filmmaker David Borenstein, the perfect person to direct MR NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN (2025). It's a fantastic film following a Russian teacher "secretly documenting his school becoming a war recruitment center during the Ukraine invasion."What David and especially his co-director, Pasha TAH-LOHN-KIN, did was make a film at great personal risk because it's so cutting towards the Russian authoritarian regime

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1:16

Indie Film Highlight: CHRISTMAS, AGAIN (2014)

First Time Go ·

2025/12/07

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: CHRISTMAS, AGAIN (2014)Director: Charles PoekelWriters: Charles PoekelCast: Kentucker AudleySYNOPSISA heartbroken Christmas tree salesman returns to New York hoping to put his past behind him. He spends the season living in a trailer and working the night shift until a mysterious woman and some colourful customers rescue him from

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29:33

Tom Koch

First Time Go ·

2025/12/05

When I went back and edited this episode with my guest, filmmaker Tom Koch, I realized: he's doing a color series of films! To put that much thought into his work as well as have the creative control to name his films is the perfect way to describe Tom: extraordinarily thoughtful, humble, and a guy capable of doing anything in his films: acting, writing, directing, accents, ballet even!His latest film, OLIVE (2025) is an absolute treat -- the logline "while caring for grandma, Sam, the

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1:28

Indie Film Highlight: HAM ON RYE (2019)

First Time Go ·

2025/11/23

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: HAM ON RYE (2019)Director: Tyler TaorminaWriters: Tyler Taormina; Eric BergerCast: Haley Bodell; Audrey Boos; Gabriella HerreraSYNOPSISA bizarre rite of passage at the local deli determines the fate of a generation of teenagers, leading some to escape their suburban town and dooming others to remain.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on

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44:35

Jonathan Millet

First Time Go ·

2025/11/21

If I told you just five words, it is a spy film, your mind would go to either action packed or maybe campy. Would you really think about a psychological thriller? And if I told you the film won a prestigious French award for best first film, how does it sound when the director says he made a foreign film? Contradictions abound with my guest Jonathan Millet's film, GHOST TRAIL (2024). One thing it is in any description is a cinematic gem. Currently streaming on Mubi, it expands the genre in ways

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1:44

Indie Film Highlight: GHOST TRAIL (2024)

First Time Go ·

2025/11/16

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: GHOST TRAILDirector: Jonathan MilletWriters: Jonathan Millet; Florence Rochat; Sara WiklerCast: Adam Bessa; Tawfeek Barhom; Julia Franz RichterSYNOPSISHamid is a member of a secret organisation pursuing Syrian regime's fugitive leaders in Europe. He ends up in Strasbourg while searching for his former torturer. What happens when they finally

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1:46

Indie Film Highlight: JIMMY AND CAROLYN (2022)

First Time Go ·

2025/11/02

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: JIMMY AND CAROLYN (2022)Director: James Andrew WalshWriter: James Andrew WalshCast: Alberto Bonilla; Mark H Dold; Gregory HarrisonSYNOPSISAn emotional crisis threatens to destroy James and William's 20-year relationship.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on

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29:23

Daniel Foster

First Time Go ·

2025/10/31

Is there a better titled film in the history of the medium than DID YOU REMEMBER THE CAT (2025)? I'd argue no. It gives you an idea of what it's about -- remembering a cat. The title suggests comedy (it's a mix of comedy, drama, and horror). And it's something you'll never forget as a film title. Perfection.That's the kind of thought process my guest, filmmaker Daniel Foster, has put into all of his films, and he has such fantastic advice on filmmaking, festivals,

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3:03

Indie Film Highlight: FRAY (2012)

First Time Go ·

2025/10/19

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: FRAY (2012)Director: Geoff RyanWriter: Geoff RyanCast: Bryan Kaplan; Marisa Costa; Catherine JohnsonSYNOPSISJust back from combat, a young Marine veteran faces a new battle to find purpose in the mundane existence of civilian life while struggling through a shattered economy while burdened by the physical and emotional scars of war.Subscribe to our

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53:20

Tristan Holmes

First Time Go ·

2025/10/17

It takes a brilliant insight to get a question added to the podcast, but my guest, South African filmmaker Tristan Holmes, achieved that. Do you actually like your movie? It stunned me when he said he wonders if his debut feature was better off as an idea and we got to the real truth of it in the podcast.What exists on screen of THE FRAGILE KING (2023) is award-winning — it tells the story of a 15 year old sent to live with his grandfather who he doesn’t know after his mom dies — but what Tristan

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1:36

Indie Film Highlight: INHERITANCE (2024)

First Time Go ·

2025/10/12

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: INHERITANCE (2024).Director: Emily Moss WilsonWriter: Rachel Noll James; Austin Highsmith GarcesCast: Austin Highsmith Garces; Rachel Noll James; Wes BrownSYNOPSISEstranged sisters Lucy and Paige reunite to bury their father, becoming entangled in the complicated web of their past as they realize that they have inherited more from their father than

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1:19

Indie Film Highlight: BLACKBIRD (2020)

First Time Go ·

2025/10/05

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: BLACKBIRD (2020).Director: Roger MichellWriter: Christian TorpeCast: Sam Neill; Susan Sarandon; Anson BoonSYNOPSISA terminally ill mother arranges to bring her family together one last time before she dies. A remake of the 2014 Danish film 'Silent Heart'.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us

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1:41

Indie Film Highlight: THE FRAGILE KING (2022)

First Time Go ·

2025/09/28

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: THE FRAGILE KING (2022).Director: Cédric KlapischWriters: Cédric Klapisch; Santiago Amigorena; Jean-Marc RoulotCast: Pio Marmaï; Ana Girardot; François CivilSYNOPSISAfter a ten year absence, Jean returns to his hometown when his father falls ill. Reuniting with his sister Juliette and his brother Jérémie, they have to rebuild their relationship and

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40:45

Jake Ringsell

First Time Go ·

2025/09/19

They say "write what you know" to start your filmmaking career. In this episode, my guest, Jake Ringsell, makes the case to create films about subjects you don't know. If it works, that's great, but if it doesn't, he concludes, then you've learned something.This is advanced, gutsy filmmaking, and I'm here for it with director-editor-musician Jake Ringsell. His new film, now streaming on YouTube, is called THE RALLY (2024). The tagline for the film is, "mortality is

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1:42

Indie Film Highlight: ADAM THE FIRST (2024)

First Time Go ·

2025/09/14

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: ADAM THE FIRST (2024). Director: Irving FrancoWriter: Irving FrancoCast: Oakes Fegley; David Duchovny; T.R. KnightSYNOPSISAfter finding a list of names and addresses, 14-year-old Adam sets out across the country to meet a series of men who could be his father.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow

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72 results

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