BEHIND THE LENS – 06/25/2018 – SHOW #172 (VIDEO)

 

Featuring special guest: MICHAEL GRODNER.

It’s a BEHIND THE LENS that’s out of this world thanks to former astronaut and “Global Space Statesman” BUZZ ALDRIN, writer/director MICHAEL GRODNER, and writers/directors/actors DAVID ZELLNER and NATHAN ZELLNER as we look to the stars, the world of punk rock, and a wild Wild West!

First up we take a peek into the stars and space exploration with our pre-recorded interview with BUZZ ALDRIN. A sit-down exclusive that preceded film critic debbie elias moderating an intimate Q&A with Buzz on June 21 for the premiere of THE MAN WHO UNLOCKED THE UNIVERSE (a fascinating documentary on Ulugh Beg whose interest and work in astronomy pre-dated that of Galileo by 150 years and set the stage for much of what has come since in our journey to the stars), take a listen as Buzz talks about his latest endeavor, The Human SpaceFlight Institute, and his thoughts on our trajectory to Mars.

Then writer/director MICHAEL GRODNER joins BTLRadioShow to talk about his feature directorial debut, THE ICARUS LINE MUST DIE. A renowned director of music videos and creator of DirectyLaundry.TV, Michael continues his longtime love of music and exploration of the visual medium with this narrative feature co-written and starring JOE CARDAMONE, longtime frontman of punk band The Icarus Line. From a true black and white visual palette to non-actors to the affability of Cardamone and the ease and relatability of the story, Michael goes in-depth into the making of ICARUS with a refreshing candor and energy.

And then sit back and take a listen to our exclusive interview with filmmakers DAVID ZELLNER and NATHAN ZELLNER as hilarity ensues talking the wild, wacky, and wonderful revisionist western DAMSEL. Co-directors, co-writers and two of the film’s stars, the brothers extraordinaire cover everything from their love of classic westerns (and Budd Boetticher) to location shooting to story to miniature horses, chickens, colors, rowboats and coastlines (in a western, yes!), to directing and acting at the same time, and more. The follow-up to their award-winning indie darling “Kumiko The Treasure Hunter”, David and Nathan are an effervescent delight!