The Director's Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Erik Poppe discusses his new film, The King's Choice, with fellow Director Victoria Hochberg. The film tells the story of King Haakon VII during three days in 1940 when he faced a moral decision about whether or not to cooperate with the invading German Army. Although outnumbered and facing almost certain defeat, Norwegians, following their King's choice, broke all rules of international diplomacy and warfare. This screening was a part of the DGA's Global Cinema Series. Erik Poppe's previous film Hawaii, Oslo, was the inaugural film of this series when it started in 2004.

Director Robin Swicord discusses her new film Wakefield with fellow Director Lesli Linka Glatter. Wakefield was adapted from an E.L. Doctorow short story about a suburban lawyer with a loving wife and family. Though outwardly successful and happy, his inner feelings of suffocation lead Howard to snap and disappear without a trace. Hiding in his own garage attic, he survives by scavenging at night and spends his time secretly observing the lives of his wife, children and neighbors.

Director Patty Jenkins discusses her new film Wonder Woman with fellow Director Richard Donner. The film tells the story of Diana, princess of the Amazons, who travels on an adventure after an American pilot suddenly crashes on the shore of her island and tells of a war to end all wars raging in Europe. Convinced she can stop the threat, she leaves home to fulfill her destiny.

Director Matthew Heineman discusses his new film City of Ghosts with fellow Director Chuck Workman. The film tells the story of the Syrian citizen journalist collective, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, who banded together to reveal the truth about the ISIS occupation of the city of Raqqa.

Director Bette Gordon discusses her new film The Drowning with fellow Director Maggie Greenwald. The film follows child psychologist Tom Seymour who spots a young man trying to commit suicide by jumping off a pier. After rescuing him from the water, Tom realizes he and the young man have met before and their present situation is no mere coincidence.

Director Elliott Lester discusses his new film, Aftermath, with fellow Director Gregory Plotkin. Inspired by actual events, the film tells a story of guilt and revenge when a devastating plane crash causes two men's lives to be inseparably bound together.

Director Werner Herzog discusses his film, Salt and Fire, and prolific career with fellow director Kevin Smith. The film follows a scientific delegation who, after being tasked by the U.N. with investigating an ecogical disaster in South America, is kidnapped by the CEO of the Corporation responsible for the problem.

Director Terry George discusses his new film The Promise with fellow Director Tony Gilroy. The film tells the story of a love triangle between Mikael, a brilliant medical student, Ana, a dance instructor, and Chris, an American photojournalist during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire and during the Armenian genocide.

Director James Gray discusses his new film, The Lost City of Z, with fellow director Matt Reeves. The film tells the incredible true story of Col. Percival Fawcett, a British explorer who discovers evidence of an advanced civilization deep in the Amazonian jungle in the early 20th century. Though ridiculed by his peers, Fawcett and his followers return to the jungle in an attempt to prove his case.

Director Charlie McDowell discusses his new film, The Discovery, with fellow director Zal Batmanglij. The film examines the near future where a doctor discovers scientific evidence of an afterlife, an announcement that causes people to commit suicide in droves. While people search for meaning in the life they inhabit, the doctor's son falls for a troubled woman.

Director Niki Caro discusses her film The Zookeeper's Wife with fellow director Lesli Linka Glatter. The film stars Jessica Chastain as Antonina Zabinska, who runs the Warsaw Zoo alongside her husband Jan in 1939. When their peaceful lives are threatened after their zoo is razed during the German occupation of Poland, the Zabinskis find themselves creating elaborate plans to save hundreds of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto.

Director Richie Keen discusses his film Fist Fight with fellow director Seth Gordon. The film follows Andy (by Charlie Day), a high school teacher who is challenged to a fight by another high school teacher Ron (played by Ice Cube) after Andy inadvertently gets Ron fired.

Director James Mangold discusses his new film, Logan, with Director Gavin O'Connor. The film tells the story of Logan as he cares for his ailing friend, Professor X. They are approached by a young mutant who is being pursued by a villain connected to Logan's past and must rise again to protect an innocent.

James Moll moderates the Meet the Nominees: Documentary Symposium featuring Otto Bell, Ezra Edelman, Josh Kriegman, and Roger Ross Williams on their nominated films. Nominees Raoul Peck, the director of I Am Not Your Negro and Elyse Steinberg, the co-director of Weiner were not available to participate. The discussion covers a variety of topics including editing and interacting with the subjects of their films.

Jeremy Kagan moderates the 26th Annual DGA Meet the Nominees: Feature Film Symposium featuring Damien Chazelle, Garth Davis, Barry Jenkins, Kenneth Lonergan, and Denis Villeneuve on their nominated films. Topics for part three include the nominees' approach to pivotal scenes within each film and how they deal with the pressures of directing.