Past Present Feature

Past Present Feature Filmmaker appreciation podcast showcasing new festival releases & the past films that inspired them.

07/22/2025

E56 • The More Specific, The More Universal • Madeline Gavin, dir. of ‘Beyond Utopia’ now on Hulu following the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award

In this first episode of Season 2, documentarian Madeline Gavin joins Past Present Feature to discuss the making of "Beyond Utopia", her gripping BAFTA and Emmy-nominated film about North Korean defectors. She reflects on the emotional intensity of telling stories under high-stakes conditions and the delicate trust required between filmmaker and subject. From the invisible hand of editing to the indivisibility of sound and image, Madeline shares insights into her creative process, drawing inspiration from powerful works like "Collectiv" and exploring how specificity in storytelling can lead to universal resonance.

This marks the first episode of Season 2, where we’re mixing things up - continuing to speak with filmmakers about their latest work and past inspirations, while also expanding the conversation to include deep dives into older films and voices behind the scenes, like curators and festival programmers who play a crucial role in a film’s success.

07/10/2025

E55 • How to Build a Nightmare, and the Art of Letting Go • Julia Max, dir. of ‘The Surrender’ Now on AMC+ following SXSW

Julia Max, director of “The Surrender”, which premiered at SXSW and is now streaming on AMC+, discusses her journey as a filmmaker, with past inspiration coming from Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”.

Julia shares insights into the horror genre, the importance of character development, and the challenges of navigating the filmmaking process. She emphasizes the significance of a supportive team, the role of women in film, and the impact of audience reception on future projects.

Julia touches on her editing and casting process, and the importance of rehearsals, providing many valuable lessons for aspiring filmmakers.

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06/11/2025

E54 • Genre Blending: Creating a Hilarious Horror • David Joseph Craig & Brian Crano , dirs. of ‘I Don’t Understand You’ starring Now in Theaters following

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Co-Directors David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano share their take on the unique blend of horror and comedy in their latest film, “I Don’t Understand You”, now in theaters following SXSW. Past films discussed include Eugene Levy’s 1992 crime-comedy “Once Upon a Crime”.

They share their personal experiences working with producing partners Joel and Nash Edgerton, what it’s like to film in Rome, Italy, and the importance of collaboration with an Italian crew. The conversation also touches on nostalgia for 90s films and the evolving landscape of cinema, emphasizing the need for originality and risk-taking in storytelling.

David and Brian also discuss the dynamics of co-directing, the importance of collaboration in editing, and the need for authenticity and joy when creating films.

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05/23/2025

E53 • Making Films Without Fear • NATESH HEGDE , dir. of ‘Tiger’s Pond’ at

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Indian filmmaker Natesh Hegde discusses his journey in filmmaking, from his early inspirations to the challenges and triumphs of creating his latest film, “Tiger’s Pond,” which just world-premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. Past inspo includes Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami’s 1990 film “Close Up”.

Natesh shares insights on collaborating with family, including casting his father in the lead, the importance of sound design, and the unique experience of shooting on 16mm film.

He emphasizes the courage to create without fear of failure and offers advice to aspiring filmmakers to simply keep making films.

05/16/2025

E52 • Making a Feature Film Over 52 Years • Vibeke Løkkeberg , dir. of ‘The Long Road to the Director’s Chair’ at Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)

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This episode explores the journey of filmmaker Vibeke Løkkeberg, who spent 52 years creating her film, “The Long Road to the Director’s Chair,” which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. Past cinema discussed includes Italian Neorealism and Andrei Tarkovsky.

Vibeke’s film highlights the struggles and achievements of women in the film industry, delving into the ongoing fight for equality in filmmaking, the challenges faced by female directors, and the impact of commercialism on artistic expression.

The discussion also explores personal resilience, the significance of authenticity in storytelling, and the lessons learned throughout a lifetime of filmmaking.

05/08/2025

E51 • Making An AI Feature in 6 Days (On No Sleep) • Yiwen Cao dir. of ‘What’s Next?’at Berlinale - Berlin International Film Festival

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Yiwen Cao discusses her groundbreaking AI-generated film ‘What’s Next?’, which premiered at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival. Although past films about AI are discussed, including “Her”, “A.I.”, “Ex Machina”, and “The Matrix”, Yiwen’s favorite movie is Billy Wilder’s 1959 comedy/musical “Some Like It Hot”.

She shares insights into the creative process, including making the film over six and a half days on no sleep, the themes of the film, and the role of AI in filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of social commentary in her work.

Yiwen reflects on the audience’s reception of AI films, addresses the future of AI in the film industry, and offers advice for aspiring filmmakers.

04/25/2025

E49 • The Power of Real-Time Documentary • NAYIBE TAVARES-ABEL, dir. of ‘Colossal’ at Berlinale

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Nayibe Tavares-Abel shares her journey from a political science background to becoming a documentary filmmaker. She discusses her film “Colossal”, which just premiered at Berlinale. Past films discussed include “Beyond Utopia” by Madeleine Gavin.

Nayibe’s film intertwines her family history with the political landscape of the Dominican Republic, exploring themes of political violence, activism, and the importance of storytelling. She emphasizes the challenges of documentary filmmaking, the significance of family archives, and the universal themes that can emerge from specific stories.

Nayibe also reflects on the evolution of her film, the importance of building relationships in the filmmaking process, and how her filmmaking journey began with her Grandmother’s camcorder.

04/16/2025

E48 • Adapting Literature, and Grief, to Film • DYLAN SOUTHERN, dir. of ‘The Thing With Feathers’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch at Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) + Sundance Institute Berlinale - Berlin International Film FestivalSundance Film Festival

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Dylan Southern talks about his film “The Thing with Feathers,” based on Max Porter's book and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which delves into themes of loss and family relationships after a mother’s passing. The film made its debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, followed by Berlinale. He also references previous films that inspired him, including Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”

Dylan shares his experience of transforming the book into a film, highlighting the need to grasp the emotional heart of the narrative. He discusses the complexities of portraying grief, noting that it is often non-linear and can be both cyclical and unpredictable.

He elaborates on the fusion of horror and dark humor to illustrate grief and reflects on how personal experiences shape storytelling, stressing the importance of emotional authenticity in film.

Benedict Cumberbatch

04/09/2025

E47 • Preparation, Meet Adaptability • SARAH MIRO FISCHER, dir. of ‘The Good Sister’ at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)

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Sarah Miro Fischer is the director of “The Good Sister”, which just enjoyed its World premiere in the Panorama section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival. Past films discussed include .vinterberg Thomas Vinterburg’s “The Hunt” starring

Sarah discusses her emotional journey of premiering at Berlin, sharing insights into her filmmaking process which includes a fruitful collaboration with co-writer Agnes Maagaard Petersen, and the challenges of addressing sensitive themes, which require trust and open communication.

She emphasizes the importance of preparation and adaptability when making a film, how audience engagement is crucial to spark discussion and reflection, and that Filmmaking is a journey that often requires a leap of faith.

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04/03/2025

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Ben Hethcoat opens up about his decade-long journey creating the documentary “Coroner To The Stars,” which focuses on Dr. Thomas Noguchi, a well-known coroner famous for his work on high-profile celebrity deaths, including those of Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood. Ben draws inspiration from documentary legend Errol Morris.

He tackles the difficulties of addressing sensitive subjects like death, the personal ties that shaped his filmmaking, and the need to handle public perception and media hype carefully. He also discusses how celebrity death investigations have changed over time and the crucial role of archival research in crafting compelling narratives.

The film just took home the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Slamdance, and Ben reflects on the emotional significance of unveiling such a deeply personal project to the audience.

04/01/2025

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03/26/2025

E45 • The Humanitarian Crisis Through a Filmmaker’s Lens • NATHANIEL LEZRA, dir. of ‘Roads of Fire’ - BEST DOC WINNER at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

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Nathaniel Lezra discusses his journey as a documentary filmmaker, focusing on his latest project, “Roads of Fire”, which just won Best Documentary at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Nathaneil’s past inspirations include Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing” and “The Look of Silence”.

He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of cinematically capturing the humanitarian crisis and the political climate’s impact on filmmaking. He also shares insights into the smuggling industry and the importance of capturing authentic experiences in documentary storytelling.

Nathaniel discusses the complex, harrowing realities faced by migrants, the need for empathy when addressing these issues, and how filmmakers can play a crucial role in pushing for change.

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