In January and February this year, despite glimmers of the coronavirus that would completely derail the industry and the world, the Sundance and Berlin film festivals managed to go on mostly unscathed. Featuring at both of those events was Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always, a quiet, understated drama about Autumn, a young woman who travels to New York with her cousin Skyler to get … Continue reading ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’ Star Sidney Flanigan: “I Won’t Live in a World Where You Can’t Get an Abortion”

It is always fascinating to witness the emergence of a newly celebrated filmmaker. That is my experience watching Cathy Brady, the winner of this year’s London Film Festival’s IWC Filmmaker Award for her piece Wildfire, who alongside the title was rewarded with a grant of £50,000 for her next feature project.  Brady’s heartfelt directorial debut had its world premiere at TIFF and follows the relationship between two … Continue reading Filmmaking, Irish History and Identity: Interview with ‘Wildfire’ Director Cathy Brady

I was given the chance to interview the director behind one of the greatest films at FrightFest 2020, ‘Woman of the Photographs.’ Takeshi is an incredibly insightful director and a joy to interview, and he gave some very thought-provoking answers on his work and his greater views on life in the social media age. How would you describe your film taste – what’re some films or directors … Continue reading FrightFest 2020 – Interviewing ‘Woman of the Photographs’ Director Takeshi Kushida

The film industry can feel daunting at the best of times. With much of it currently on hold, the importance of independent filmmakers has never been so prevalent. This is one of the reasons I wanted to talk to Caris Rianne, the founder of Rianne Pictures – a company that celebrates the works of women and non-binary filmmakers, and offers volunteer positions to those who … Continue reading Celebrating Indie Film: Interview With Caris Rianne

Earlier in August, I got the chance to watch Spree, an incredibly dark and inventive satire on the infectious desire for social fame, and I expressed how amazing I thought it was here. I reached out to Eugene over Twitter, and he was very graceful to let me interview him in the midst of handling Spree’s marketing and promotion. Sab Astley: Firstly, how’re you? Eugene … Continue reading Discussing The Attention Economy and ‘Logan Paul Moments’ with ‘Spree’ Director and Co-Writer Eugene Kotlyarenko

A Conversation With #WeNeedDiverseBooks Founder and YA Author Ellen Oh 2020’s film announcements have just gotten weirder and weirder.  Last month, Plan B Entertainment announced the greenlight for Rainbow Rowell’s 2012 young adult romance novel Eleanor & Park. The book quickly shot to fame, marketed as a tender love story between two teenagers, one white and one mixed Korean-American, in 1980s Nebraska. Despite the racism … Continue reading Yes, Eleanor And Park is Becoming a Movie. No, It’s Still Not Good Asian Representation.