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by Following Films
Interviews with some of the most unique voices in independent film and popular culture. Think of it as a weekly film recommendation for something a bit off the beaten path. Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/followingfilms/subscribe
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- 3 days ago28 min
Robyn Symon on Queen of Shock.
Welcome to the show! Today, we’re stepping into the high-stakes world of underground competition with a look at the upcoming Spanish-language thriller, Queen of Shock.Written and directed by Emmy-winning documentarian and former PBS producer Robyn Symon, this feature is set to make its world premiere next month at Dances With Films in Los Angeles. Shot entirely in Mexico with a local cast and crew, the film takes a fascinating piece of Mexican culture and pushes it to a cinematic extreme.The story centers on the real-world game that is a test of endurance where people voluntarily shock themselves with electricity. In Queen of Shock, this tradition is reimagined as a brutal, viral underground circuit. We follow a struggling single mother who is forced into these escalating electrical matches in a desperate bid to save her kidnapped daughter.Joining us on the podcast is Robyn Symon to discuss:The process of adapting a real cultural tradition into genre cinema.The technical challenges of creating intense underground competition sequences.Her experience directing a Spanish-language feature in Mexico.The creative leap from documentary filmmaking into the world of narrative thrillers.It’s a gripping conversation about a film that explores the intersection of survival and viral sensation.Support the Show: If you enjoy these conversations, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. It’s the best way to help more film lovers find the show!
- 5 days ago34 min
Jean-Philippe Bernier on Carolina Caroline
Welcome to The Following Films Podcast. I’m your host, Chris Maynard. Before we get into today’s conversation, I have a quick three-second favor to ask. If you love discovering the stories behind your favorite movies, please subscribe right now. While you're there, leave us a quick review, it helps other cinephiles find the show, and if you hear something you love today, tell a friend about us! Word of mouth is how we grow, and we appreciate every single one of you.Today, we are exploring a gorgeous new indie road movie that just hit theaters on June 5th. It’s called Carolina Caroline, and joining us is the man responsible for its stunning, emotionally raw look—cinematographer Jean-Philippe Bernier.This film is a beautiful contradiction. It draws heavy inspiration from classic 1970s Americana and grit-and-grain crime cinema, yet it maintains this deeply intimate, contemporary emotional perspective. Jean-Philippe teamed up with director Adam Rehmeier for the third time to craft a visual language that feels like an "endless summer"—that reckless, fleeting feeling where you think the sun will never go down... until reality hits you hard.In this episode, Jean-Philippe is taking us behind the scenes of how they built that grounded road-movie aesthetic. We talk about why embracing raw imperfections actually made the story feel more authentic, and how they visually balanced the tenderness of a romance with the high stakes of a crime thriller.It is a fantastic conversation for film lovers and filmmakers alike. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let’s welcome Jean-Philippe Bernier to The Following Films Podcast!
- 2 weeks ago34 min
Jennifer E. Montgomery on This Tempting Madness, Scoring a Film with Simone Ashley’s Voice, and The Resposibility of Adapting Trauma Into Art
Welcome back to the podcast, everyone. Today, we are examining the architecture of memory, trauma, and the blurred lines of reality. Hitting theaters and VOD on June 12, 2026, is a film that I promise is going to get under your skin. It’s called This Tempting Madness, a breathtakingly tense psychological thriller that marks the feature directorial debut of Jennifer E. Montgomery. Now, if you think you’ve seen all sides of Bridgerton superstar Simone Ashley, think again. She delivers a raw, bold, and genuinely transformative performance as Mia, a woman who awakens from a coma with a fractured memory, a grievously injured body, and the devastating realization that the man she loves is completely missing. Alongside an incredible supporting cast, the film takes us directly inside Mia's disoriented mind as she tries to piece together a past she can no longer trust. But what makes This Tempting Madness truly unforgettable is where the story came from. This isn't just a Hollywood script; it is deeply inspired by a harrowing true story. Director Jennifer E. Montgomery wrote the film with her longtime collaborator and spouse, Andrew M. Davis, after living through her own firsthand tragedy. Years ago, Montgomery watched her own best friend's life quietly collapse over a period of six months—culminating in an act of severe violence. When her friend finally woke from a coma, those entire six months of memory were completely gone. Instead of making a straightforward documentary, Jennifer and Andrew built an immersive cinematic landscape that mirrors how trauma actually works—in loops, contradictions, and shifting colors. From a custom score built literally out of Simone Ashley’s own vocal tones to vintage Panavision lenses that make the frames feel like unpredictable memories, every single detail of this film was crafted to make us question what is real right along with Mia. We are incredibly lucky to have the mastermind behind this phenomenal film with us today. Joining me to talk about the immense responsibility of turning personal trauma into art, pushing cinematic boundaries, and running towards the fire of complex storytelling... please welcome the director and co-writer of This Tempting Madness, Jennifer E. Montgomery!
- 3 weeks ago41 min
Darin Toonder on OBSESSION, Christmas Music, and Paul McCartney
Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast, I’m your host Chris Maynard. Today, we are taking a look at one of the most talked-about, bone-chilling releases of the year. It’s sitting at a massive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics are calling it an absolute standout horror masterpiece. I am talking, of course, about Curry Barker’s hit horror-thriller, Obsession.Joining us today is a veteran of the screen who has over two decades of experience and more than 70 television episodes under his belt—from intense dramas like Ozark and Will Trent to beloved comedies like Modern Family. But in a movie defined by pure psychological tension, he manages to steal the show with a brilliant comedic performance that has quickly become an audience favorite.I’m thrilled to be speaking with the incredibly versatile, risk-taking, and man behind Harry in Obsession—the fantastic Darin Toonder! Thank you for listening!
- 3 weeks ago16 min
Kevin Dunn on MERMAID
Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. I’m Chris Maynard.Every once in a while, a movie comes along that refuses to fit into a neat little box. It doesn’t care about genres, and it certainly doesn't care about playing it safe. That’s exactly what writer-director Tyler Cornack has delivered with Mermaid. Released by Utopia, this film is a sun-drenched, deeply surreal piece of indie cinema centered on a desperate Florida man who discovers a wounded, reptilian mermaid and decides to shield her from a ruthless world.It’s bizarre, it’s beautiful, and it features a brilliant ensemble cast—including today's guest.You know him from massive blockbusters, definitive political satires, and decades of unforgettable character work in projects like Veep, Dave, and Transformers. In Mermaid, he steps into the frame to play Keith, a calculating, menacing figure who serves as a massive threat to our main characters. The phenomenal Kevin Dunn is on the show today.It’s a loose, insightful, and entirely candid conversation with an absolute veteran of the craft.Here is my interview with Kevin Dunn.
- May 14, 202632 min
Paul Bunnell on A Blind Bargain
Welcome to the Following Films Podcast. I’m your host, and today we are diving into a project that is a must-see for anyone interested in lost cinematic history.One notable entry of the silent era is the loss of Lon Chaney’s 1922… classic? A Blind Bargain. For decades, it has lived only in production stills and the imaginations of horror historians. But our guest today has done something much more ambitious than a simple remake. Paul Bunnell has reimagined this macabre tale, transporting the gothic dread of the original into a stylized, 1970s landscape.The film follows a desperate young man who, driven by the need to save his mother, strikes a devastating deal with an unhinged physician. It’s a story of twisted experiments, moral decay, and the high price of hope.We’re going to talk about the challenges of reviving a "lost" story, the influence of the man of a thousand faces, working with Crispin Glover, and the process of bringing this dark vision to life. Please welcome to the show, the director of A Blind Bargain, Paul Bunnell.
- May 13, 202617 min
Bobby Farrelly on Driver's Ed, There's Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber, and The Secret to Never Feeling Old
Welcome back to another episode of the Following Films podcast. I’m your host, Chris Maynard.Today on the show, we’re diving into a genre that feels like it’s been missing from the multiplex for far too long: the warm-hearted, 80s-style coming-of-age comedy. My guest is the legendary Bobby Farrelly, who is here to talk about his latest film, Drivers Ed.In the film, a group of teens hit the road in a stolen driver’s ed car, racing against time to help a lovesick high school senior (Sam Nivola) track down his college-freshman girlfriend and win her back. In 24 chaotic hours, they’re chased by school security and the cops, shot at by small-time crooks, and somehow adopt a three-legged cat. Also starring Kumail Nanjiani and Molly Shannon. Drivers Ed hits VOD this Friday, and honestly, it’s a breath of fresh air. It has that genuine heart and nostalgic energy that reminds you why we fell in love with these kinds of stories in the first place. Bobby and I get into the nuts and bolts of the new film, but we also take a deeper look at his career—specifically how he approaches the representation of characters with special needs. From the groundbreaking moments in There’s Something About Mary to the intentionality behind Drivers Ed, we discuss why having characters the audience truly cares about is the secret sauce to making his comedies work.We also touch on how laughter could be the fountain of youth. It’s a great conversation with a filmmaker who knows exactly how to balance a punchline with a bit of soul.Let’s get into my interview with Bobby Farrelly.
- May 8, 202642 min
"Punk Rock Girl Dad" Sid Broderius on Making Music in the Age of Social Media
Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast. Today’s guest has captured the internet's heart by proving that being a parent doesn't mean you have to look like a suburban dad. Known to millions as the "Punk Rock Girl Dad," Sid Broderius has gone viral for his videos introducing his young daughter, Lorelai, to the high-energy world of The Riverboat Gamblers, Ramones, Against Me!, and The Clash.Based in Spokane, Washington, Sid has been a staple of the local music scene for two decades and currently plays in the band The Emergency Exit. Whether he is letting Lorelai explore his guitar collection or spinning classic punk vinyl, his philosophy is rooted in sharing his deepest passions to foster genuine family bonding through music and subculture.With a following of over 32,000 on Instagram and shout-outs from bands like Bowling for Soup, Sid is showing the world that the next generation of music fans starts at home. We’re going to talk about his viral journey, his life in the Spokane scene, and the art of passing down a punk rock legacy. Please welcome to the show, Sid Broderius.
About Following Films Podcast
Interviews with some of the most unique voices in independent film and popular culture. Think of it as a weekly film recommendation for something a bit off the beaten path. Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/followingfilms/subscribe
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