Bradley Whitford

Actor and producer Bradley Whitford, from hit shows such as The West Wing and The Handmaid’s Tale, joins the program to chat about his long career in film and television and political activism.

Richard Linklater (2014)

Richard Linklater is an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker. Linklater talks with Evan about his Oscar-nominated, highly acclaimed film “Boyhood,” which was filmed over 12 years with the same cast.

Richard Linklater is best known for his films “Dazed and Confused,” “Boyhood,” “Slacker” and “Everybody Wants Some.” Linklater is the Artistic Director and founder of the Austin Film Society. He has won a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and BAFTAs for Best Director and Best Picture.

John Cameron Mitchell

Tony Award-winning actor John Cameron Mitchell discusses his groundbreaking career.

John Cameron Mitchell is a screenwriter, director and actor whose cult rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” won Mitchell Best Director at the Sundance Festival. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actor for that same film. His recent Broadway production of Hedwig garnered him Tony Awards for his performance and for Best Revival.

Mitchell has directed other films, including “How to Talk to Girls at Parties,” “Shortbus” and “Rabbit Hole.”

Isabella Rossellini

Renowned actress and model Isabella Rossellini discusses her legendary career.

Isabella Rossellini grew up in Paris and Rome. At 19, she moved to New York City to work as a translator and journalist for RAI-Italian Television. She began her modeling career at age 28, and in 1982 began a 14-year run as the exclusive spokesperson for the cosmetic brand Lancome. 

Ms. Rossellini, who is the daughter of film legends Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, made her cinematic debut in 1979. She appeared in films such as “Blue Velvet” and “Death Becomes Her” and has worked with legendary directors like Robert Zemeckis, David O. Russell, David Lynch and Taylor Hackford. At age 66, Ms. Rossellini earned her master’s degree in animal behavior and conservation. Her theatrical show, “Link Link Circus,” centers around animal behavior and cognition. 

John Grisham

International best-selling author John Grisham discusses his novel “The Guardians.” 

John Grisham is the author of more than thirty novels, one work of non-fiction, a collection of stories and seven novels for young readers. A master of the legal thriller, nine of his novels have been turned into films – “The Firm,” “The Pelican Brief,” “The Client,” “A Time to Kill,” “The Rainmaker,” “The Chamber,” “A Painted House,” “The Runaway Jury” and “Skipping Christmas.” There are currently more than 300 million John Grisham books in print worldwide, which have been translated into 40 languages. His 2019 novel, “The Guardians,” has a strong social-justice component that shows how wrongful convictions happen. 

When he’s not writing, Grisham devotes time to charitable causes including serving as the local Little League commissioner. The six ballfields he built on his property have played host to more than 350 kids on 26 Little League teams. 

Ed Zwick

Filmmaker Ed Zwick discusses his celebrated Hollywood career and his film, “Trial by Fire,” starring Laura Dern.

Ed Zwick is an award-winning film and television director and producer. He co-created the television series “thirtysomething” and together with Marshall Herskovitz produced “My So-Called Life” and “Once and Again.” He also executive produced the series “Nashville.” Zwick began his feature film career directing “About Last Night.” He went on to direct the Academy Award-winning films “Glory” and “Legends of the Fall.” Zwick also directed the films “Courage Under Fire,” “The Siege,” “The Last Samurai,” “Blood Diamond,” “Defiance,” “Love & Other Drugs” and “Pawn Sacrifice.” Zwick and Herskovitz also produced the Academy Award-nominated film “I Am Sam,” as well as “Traffic” – winner of two Golden Globe Awards and four Academy Awards. Zwick also directed “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” starring Tom Cruise. Zwick has been honored with three Emmy Awards, the Humanitas Prize, the Writer’s Guild of America Award, two Peabody Awards, a Director’s Guild of America Award and the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Award from the American Film Institute. He received an Academy Award as a producer of 1999’s Best Picture “Shakespeare in Love.”

 

Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez is a maverick filmmaker whose first film, “El Mariachi,” launched his legendary career with a budget of just $7,000. Rodriguez joins Evan to talk about some of his past work and his 2019 film, “Alita: Battle Angel.”

Robert Rodriguez has been a celebrated and innovative filmmaker for more than 25 years. The San Antonio native has directed films such as “El Mariachi,” “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn,” the “Spy Kids” and “Sin City” franchises and “Alita: Battle Angel,” a partnership with producer James Cameron. In 2013, Rodriguez ventured into television and launched his own cable TV channel, El Rey. He co-founded Troublemaker Studios, an Austin-based film production company, and leads the band Chingon with members of Del Castillo.

Andrew Bujalski

Director and screenwriter Andrew Bujalski talks indie filmmaking, screenwriting and his film, “Support the Girls.”

Andrew Bujalski’s first feature film, “Funny Ha Ha,” was called one of the most influential films of the ’00s by New York Times critic A.O. Scott. He has also written and directed the films “Mutual Appreciation,” “Beeswax,” “Computer Chess” and “Results,” which have played festivals worldwide including Sundance, Berlin and the 2014 Whitney Biennial. His 2018 film, “Support the Girls,” premiered at SXSW Film Festival.

John Doe

Actor and musician John Doe talks about his latest book, the origin of punk rock and the thrill of performing.

John Doe is an actor and musician who co-founded the Los Angeles punk band X. He has appeared in over 50 films and television productions including “Great Balls of Fire!,” “Roadside Prophets,” “Roswell” and more. His book “Under the Big Black Sun” explores the LA punk rock movement and its evolution.

Jeff Nichols

Jeff Nichols talks about his film “Loving,” race relations and his future projects.

Jeff Nichols is a writer and director whose past works include internationally acclaimed “Shotgun Stories,” “Take Shelter,” “Mud” and “Midnight Special.” His film, “Loving,” was released in 2016. It tells the story of the landmark U.S. civil rights case Loving v. Virginia.

Overheard with Evan Smith made possible with generous support from these underwriters.