It’s an exciting mix of entertaining films and filmmakers on today’s BEHIND THE LENS as we turn our attention to two very different films, both of which I wholeheartedly enjoyed and recommend – OPERATION NAPOLEON and RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE. While both films are adapted from best-selling novels, one filmmaker is a much-lauded veteran Icelandic director while the other makes the leap from the stage as a Tony-winning playwright to the screen with his feature directorial debut.
First up, take a listen to my exclusive interview with director OSKAR THOR AXELSSON as he talks about his new film, the slow-burn thriller OPERATION NAPOLEON. Adapted by Marteim Thorisson and Arnaldur Indridason from Indridason’s novel of the same name, Oskar and I dive into the specifics of this adaptation as well as the filmmaking challenges inherent to shooting on a glacier, international casting, cinematography, and more. And you’ll find out what “snow whisperers” are!
OPERATION NAPOLEON is in select theatres and on VOD on August 11th.
Then listen to director and co-writer MATTHEW LOPEZ who makes his directorial feature debut with RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE. Based on Casey McQuiston’s critically acclaimed New York Times best-seller, RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE is a light, bright, breezy, fun film that takes us back and forth across The Pond in this refreshing and charming flirtatious tale of a Prince of England and the United States First Son played by Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez, respectively. Matthew’s exuberance and passion in talking about this film are joyously infectious as we cover everything from visual grammar and tonal energy to casting ( Uma Thurman as President of the United States and Stephen Fry as the King of England!), editing, cinematography of Stephen Goldblatt, and yes, even eyelashes! Trust me when I tell you the joy and fun you hear in this interview is exactly what Matthew brings to the film onscreen.
RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE is on Prime Video on August 11th.
