Amir Motlagh

[4 mins. 50 secs.] In this first segment, filmmaker Silas Howard appears to discuss his new feature, A Kid Like Jake, which premiered at Sundance 2018 to great acclaim. The film, edited by Filmwax friend Michael Taylor, is about the Wheelers, a couple who are trying to find the right primary school for their 4-year-old son, Jake. Described as gender-expansive by his adviser (Octavia Spencer), Jake’s increasingly erratic behavior starts to cause a rift between the couple. Alex (Claire Danes) worries that the adults in her son’s life are labeling him prematurely, while Greg (Jim Parsons) wonders if Jake’s fondness for dressing up might be more than just a phase. The film which was adapted by the playwright Dan Pearle from his own play, also stars Ann Dowd, Priyanka Chopra,and Asif Mandvi, and opens at the IFC Center on Friday, June 1st.

[29 mins. 23 secs.] Film producer and entrepreneur Lorenzo Fiuzzi returns to the podcast for a second visit. Lorenzo was on the podcast almost a year  ago to the day on Episode 408. Lorenzo is back to discuss the latest news with his streaming platform, Filmatique, which is more robust with great international arthouse fare than ever. Listeners of Filmwax Radio will get an additional 20% off the already low subscription price of $4.95 a month when they use the coupon code ‘FILMWAX’ (in caps) at checkout. The first month is also gratis, by the way. Lorenzo also fills us in on the news of a new feature film he produced, Noble Earth, which will have its US festival premiere next week at the Seattle International Film Festival. If you are planning on attending, there are two screenings of the film. Details are available on the website’s schedule.

Music on this episode is by the musical artist MIRS (led by recent Filmwax guest Amir Motlagh) from their new EP, Meat on Your Lonely Bonez, available on iTunes.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

[3 mins. 22 secs.] More coverage from SxSW 2018 on this episode. First up, a conversation with the team behind a new dramedy called Boundaries including director Shana Feste and actors Vera Farmiga and Lewis MacDougall. Laura (Farmiga) is a well-meaning single mother who is forced to drive her estranged pot-dealing father, Jack (Christopher Plummer), from Texas to California, with her troubled son Henry (MacDougall) along for the ride. While Jack uses Henry and the road trip to help him distribute his copious supply of marijuana, Laura finally confronts Leonard (Bobby Canavale) – her dead-beat ex-husband. The film will open theatrically in the near future thanks to distributor Sony Pictures Classics.

[32 mins. 38 secs.] Then, the team behind a new documentary about one of the world’s most beloved comic actors, Bill Murray. The film is called The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons From a Mythical Man. Filmmaker Tommy Avallone joins me to discuss his journey in finding meaning in Bill Murray’s many unexpected adventures with everyday people, rare and never-before seen footage of the comedic icon partipating in stories previously presumed to be urban legend. Whether it be singing karaoke late at night with strangers or crashing a kickball game in the middle of the afternoon, Bill Murray lives in the moment and by doing so, creates magic with real people. Avallone is joined by two of his producers: Derrick Kunzer & Max Paolucci.

[49 mins. 17 secs.] Last up, Los Angeles based filmmaker Amir Motlagh, a DIY filmmaker if ever there was any. Mr. Motlagh will be showing two of his recent feature films, MAN and Three Worlds. He’ll be screening a double feature of those two films for an audience hosted by the the Chicago Filmmakers organization this Saturday, April 21st. Check the website for further details.

Music on this episode is by Peter Gabriel.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.