Past Present Feature with Marcus Mizelle

In this conversation, Erik Poppe - the director of “Quisling - The Final Days”, which just premiered at TIFF following the Norwegian Film Festival, discusses his journey from photojournalism to filmmaking, emphasizing the role of art in raising questions and engaging audiences. He reflects on his influences, including Francois Truffaut’s 1970 film ‘The Wild Child”, the importance of personal narratives, and the challenges of portraying controversial characters - how creating empathy for these characters can be challenging yet rewarding.Erik also shares his insights on his filmmaking process, the significance of preparation for film festivals, and how art's primary role is to provoke thought and discussion - through simplicity and truthfulness.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature

In this episode, Afolabi Olalekan discusses the vibrant Nigerian film industry, dubbed Nollywood, and his latest film, Freedom Way, which premiered at the Toronto Int. Film Festival. His past inspirations include Cary Fukunaga’s ‘Beasts of No Nation’ and ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.Afolabi shares the challenges he and his crew faced during production, such as police corruption and the need to swap out his lead actors halfway through filming. He also stresses the importance of using storytelling to create social change, highlighting the power of cinema to address societal issues.Afolabi reflects on his journey as a filmmaker, and the personal growth experienced through his creative process. He also talks about his future projects and the significance of film festivals like TIFF.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature

Mumbai-based director Subhadra Mahajan discusses her debut feature film ‘Second Chance’ which just had its Hollywood premiere at AFI, following a World premiere at Karlovy Vary earlier this year. Past inspirations include her love for the Iranian New Wave and Andrea Arnold’s ‘Fish Tank’.She speaks on her filmmaking journey, influenced by classic Hollywood films, and reflects on her storytelling process, character development, and the collaborative nature of filmmaking. The discussion also delves into the themes of healing, nature, and the unlikely friendships made while making films. Subhadra emphasizes the importance of breaking traditional filmmaking rules to foster creativity, the challenges of working with a low budget, and the significance of community in film festivals. What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature

Today’s episode features Devon Delmar, Jason Jacobs, and their feature film, “Carissa”, which just enjoyed its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and was nominated for the Venice Horizon’s Award for Best Film. They are also joined by Producer Deidré Jantjies. Past inspirations include Benh Zeitlin’s ’Beasts of the Southern Wild’. The conversation delves into themes of community, cultural representation, and the challenges of storytelling on a tight budget. The filmmakers discuss their collaboration and process of crafting character arcs that reflect relatable struggles, all while navigating the complexities of cultural sensitivity. They reflect on the impact of their choices and the significance of casting non-actors to enhance realism. The discussion also touches on their unique editing process, the emotional connections that drive their storytelling, and how magical realism allows for deeper exploration of themes.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature