This episode of BEHIND THE LENS is all about FUN with a capital “F” thanks to a favorite returning filmmaker, JONATHAN SMITH, and his latest film GUY FRIENDS, and the brilliance of director PABLO BERGER with the oh-so-wonderful ROBOT DREAMS.
First up, take a listen to my exclusive interview with writer/director PABLO BERGER as we discuss his exquisitely magical animated film ROBOT DREAMS. (A 2024 Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Feature, I still say Pablo was robbed of the win which went to Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron”.) I have long loved Pablo’s work going back to his brilliant “Blancanieves” in 2012, and as much as I love his work there, I am in love with ROBOT DREAMS. This is a fun and insightful interview that I know you’ll enjoy as Pablo discusses adapting Sara Varon’s picture book of the same name, creating an animated film when he is not an animator and “does not draw”, making New York a character, score and needledrops, pop culture influences, and more. However, my favorite element of this interview is Pablo’s passion and joy, which you hear with every word.
ROBOT DREAMS is now in select theatres and expanding throughout June.
And then the wonderful writer/director/DP/editor JONATHAN SMITH returns with a new film – GUY FRIENDS. As if “Batsh*t Bride” wasn’t funny enough, wait until you see this follow-up film, GUY FRIENDS. Jonathan is so much fun and I’m so happy to have him back on #BTLRadioShow with his latest project! Shot in block and white, Jonathan makes some interesting choices for the telling of GUY FRIENDS. Going in-depth into the production itself, Jonathan tells all, including but not limited to, his production choices for B&W, editing, etc., wearing multiple hats, the genesis of this story and the inherent comedy that is found within that story, casting (which includes a lead actress who has never acted at all before this film), performances, score, and more.
GUY FRIENDS is now in select theatres and available on these streaming services and more:
