Interview

Interview: Director Susanna Fogel on casting Cat Person and toying with audience expectation

When Margot, a college sophomore, goes on a date with the older Robert, she finds that IRL Robert doesn’t live up to the Robert she has been flirting with over texts.  Directed by Susanna Fogel (TV’s The Flight Attendant, The Spy Who Dumped Me), adapted by Michelle Ashford from the acclaimed New Yorker short story…

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Translating a 100 year-old Japanese Master – an interview with Ryan Choi

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa inspired Murakami and Kurosawa, but what’s it like reading his work today? The Akutagawa Prize is one of Japan’s most prestigious literary prizes. Kurosawa’s beloved 1950 film Rashomon, was inspired by Akutagawa stories, and Haruki Murakami counts him as a favourite. But what would today’s readers think? And what about translating it? Ryan…

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Interview: Director Walt Dohrn on Trolls Band Together, the NSYNC reunion, and cast improvisation

This holiday season, get ready for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored family reunion like no other as Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return for the new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise: Trolls Band Together. And orchestrating this slew of superstar voices – and perhaps a few boyband members for good measure – is director…

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lara villani stop 2

Aussie Indie Artists: Lara Villani on singing cover songs and songwriting

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes.  Lara Villani’s music journey began at age 6, when her big sister started singing lessons. Like all little…

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Interview: Scarygirl‘s Remy Hii on his love of animation and finding the right voice for his unique character

From the glamour of Crazy Rich Asians to the Christmas cheer of The Princess Switch 3, by way of being Tom Holland’s romantic rival in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Malaysian-Australian actor Remy Hii certainly forged a formidable path in his career thus far. But I don’t think any of that prepared him for the “Giant,…

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Interview: Jillian Nguyen on voicing Scarygirl; “It felt very sacred.”

In another case of someone making the most of their lockdown potential during COVID, Australian actress Jillian Nguyen auditioned for a voice role as she was confined to hotel quarantine.  That role ended up being for the lead in a bold, ambitious new locally made animated feature – Scarygirl. As the family film continues to…

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Brisbane International Film Festival’s uproarious reception as the sunshine state centres on cinema

The BIFF is back! As the Brisbane International Film Festival continues to go from strength to strength as an industry must-do, newly appointed CEO Luke Wheatley and Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney made sure the festival’s 29th year was worthy of an Uproar-ious reception. A celebration of films for audiences seeking new perspectives and memorable…

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Interview: Lily Sullivan on filming the isolated horror of Monolith; “It was just a very bizarre, anxiety-induced form of meditation.”

It’s been a horrific year for Australian actress Lily Sullivan – and she wouldn’t want it any other way! After surviving the bloody carnage of Evil Dead Rise earlier in 2023, the Queensland-born starlet is capping off the year with another horror entrant, Monolith, but to say it’s far removed from the “groovy” gore of…

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Interview: AnnaLynne McCord on having no fear and blind faith in accepting her role in Condition of Return; “Why am I afraid to say yes?”

You have to take your hat off for director Tommy Stovall and writer John Spare for navigating Condition of Return in a manner that I don’t think even the savviest of viewers would predict.  As a whole it may not always adhere to a certain cohesion as it flits between a dramatic thriller detailing the…

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Woody Samson

Aussie Indie Artists: Woody Samson’s debut single, process, and trumpet

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser-known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes.  Woody Samson has been a musician ever since the first tan-ta-ra-tan of his trumpet at age 7, but he…

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Interview: Cobweb director Kim Jee-woon and star Song Kang-ho on exploring their love of cinema through their film

In 1970s Korea, when both art and dreams are censored, a film director dreams of a masterpiece. After delighting audiences at both this year’s Cannes Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival, Cobweb is spinning its way into Australian cinemas from October 5th (you can read our review here). To coincide with the release, Peter Gray…

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Interview: The Exorcist: Believer director David Gordon Green; “I’m always going to be there to push buttons and challenge an audience.”

50 years ago this December, the most terrifying horror film in history landed on screens, shocking audiences around the world. Now, a new chapter begins. From Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green, who shattered the status quo with their resurrection of the Halloween franchise, comes The Exorcist: Believer. Ahead of the film’s much discussed release…

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Interview: Suka director Heidi Lee Douglas on what inspired her action-romance hybrid debut feature

The story of two generations of warring families in Sydney’s West, Suka is a violent love story…with a twist.  Brought together by fate, but pulled apart by family, this genre-bending romantic action film marks the feature debut of Australian filmmaker Heidi Lee Douglas. Ahead of the film’s release this week on DVD and Digital, Peter…

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Interview: Saw X director Kevin Greutert and production designer Anthony Stabley; “We know we need to outdo the previous films”

You just can’t keep a good serial killer down, can you?!? The puppet master better known as Jigsaw has terrorised audiences – and on-screen body parts – for almost two decades now as part of the lucrative Saw film series, the little Aussie horror movie that could that birthed a billion dollar franchise. Despite the…

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Aussie Indie Artists: Leon Holmes on the life of a travelling oil painter

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes. You’ll never see dull, grey gravel in a Leon Holmes painting, it’ll be flecked with mint, royal blue,…

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Interview: Retribution director Nimród Antal on contained action, working with Liam Neeson, and the films that inspired him

As a filmmaker Nimród Antal has effortlessly aligned himself within the action-thriller genre space.  Whether he’s terrorising Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale in the snuff-film horror Vacancy, or  exercising the limits of predator and prey in the science-fiction sequel Predators, the Hungarian director knows his way around a thrilling set-piece; something that came in handy…

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Interview: Annie Murphy on her villainous voice role in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken; “I now have a thirst for evil.”

*This interview took place prior to the current SAG-AFTRA strike* Every hero needs a villain.  And when you’re Ruby Gillman, a sweet, awkward 16-year-old whose just found out she’s a direct descendant of the warrior Kraken queen of the seas, there’s nothing scarier than Chelsea: Beautiful. Popular. Mermaid! From DreamWorks Animation, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken…

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Interview: Lana Condor on being the first female title character in DreamWorks’ Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

*This interview took place prior to the current SAG-AFTRA strike* She may have loved all the boys with her hit Netflix trilogy of films, but the only thing we love right now is Lana Condor. Making history as the first female title character in a DreamWorks Animation film, Condor is breaking ground as Ruby Gillman,…

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Interview: Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto on seeing his vision come to life on the big screen; “It’s very nice just to see a different flavour of superhero.”

An origin story 5 years in the making, Puerto Rican filmmaker Ángel Manuel Soto is finally seeing his vision of the Mexican-American superhero Blue Beetle brought to life in DC Studios’ Blue Beetle. Starring Xolo Maridueña in the lead role, the film tells of recent college graduate Jaime Reyes and his return home full of…

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Interview: Joe Lo Truglio on writing and directing Outpost; “I think a lot of people are not going to like this movie.  And that’s okay.”

Joe Lo Truglio has long made a name for himself within the comedy scene.  Whether it’s as Andy Samberg’s over-sharing right-hand in the acclaimed sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, his various roles in the absurdist Reno 911!, or as one of the many sex-starved “teens” in the cult hit Wet Hot American Summer, Lo Truglio has proven…

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Interview: Director Michael Chaves on conjuring The Nun II; “Watching a movie you want to feel like you’re in the hands of a madman”

Having directed both The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Michael Chaves is no stranger to helming horror in the supernatural space. For The Nun II, the anticipated sequel to 2018’s hit The Nun, Chaves is navigating his boldest narrative yet, with the director noting he’s proud if…

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Interview: Writer/director Mel Eslyn on her unique debut feature Biosphere; “I didn’t want it to become a headline before people saw it and understood the nuances.”

“It’s Mark Duplass, Sterling K. Brown, it’s the end of the world and they’re in a biosphere.” That’s how writer/director Mel Eslyn presented her unique dramedy Biosphere ahead of its premiere last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it’s ultimately all you need to know going into it from this week in Australian…

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Aussie Indie Artists: Tania Malkin on her abstract aerials, artistic inspirations, and Fujifilm project

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes. You could easily mistake the brilliant swirling colours, and twisting alien shapes of Tania Malkin’s photos for abstract…

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Interview: Celine Song on writing and directing Past Lives; “There’s going to be other people that feel connected to what you are connected to”

A delicate drama born from her own personal experience, Celine Song is laying emotions bare with the release of Past Lives (you can read our review here). Following its stellar reception at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the South Korean-Canadian director, playwright, and screenwriter is telling her story globally as the film releases in Australian…

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Mo Louie Hold Me Cover Art

Aussie Indie Artists: Mo•Louie on “Hold You”, game soundtracks, and that little dot

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes.  Mo•Louie’s singing vibrates between soulful, jazzy and poppy. She’s sometimes Charli XCX, sometimes Dorian Electra, and sometimes Sia….

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Interview: Dave Lockman talks Moving Out 2’s newest features

We recently got the chance to chat with Dave Lockman, Game Designer at Australian developer SMG Studio on the newest features, modes and cooperative play in Moving Out 2, the sequel to the wildly popular physics-based simulator, Moving Out. Greetings and hope you’re well. Just wanted to say a massive thank you for taking the time…

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Interview: David Kelley talks NBA 2K24’s soundtrack and the 25th anniversary of the NBA 2K franchise

With the release of NBA 2K24 right around the corner, we got the chance to speak with David Kelley, Director of Partnerships and Licensing at 2K about the upcoming NBA 2K24 soundtrack and its various influences and inspirations that also culminate in honouring the 25th anniversary of the NBA 2K franchise itself. Thanks for taking…

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Interview: Director Josh Greenbaum on new comedy Strays; “A little kind of absurdism always goes a long way for me.”

When Peter Gray last spoke with director Josh Greenbaum it was in conjunction with the trailer release for his foul-mouthed, furry-friended comedy Strays, a subversion of the dog movies we know and love, about the complications of love, the importance of great friendships, and the unexpected virtues of couch humping. When Reggie (voiced by Will…

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Eliott

Aussie Indie Artists: Eliott talks her debut album, her mother, and her muses

Aussie Indie Artists is a series of interviews with lesser-known Aussie creators across all forms and fields. The goal is to share exciting new works, find new angles towards the art, and peek behind the scenes.  Singer/songwriter Eliott’s lovely, powerful singing voice has often been likened to Adele, James Blake or Florence Welch, and her…

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Interview: Nikolai Nikolaeff on Dracula: The Last Voyage of the Demeter, being approved by Spielberg, and working with his “villainous” face

*This interview took place prior to the current SAG-AFTRA strike* Melbourne-born actor Nikolai Nikolaeff will be the first to tell you he’s aware he gives off “villain” vibes; “It’s got resting “I’m going to kill you” face,” as he states.  And it’s because of such that he’s carved an international career for himself in a…

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