What was your original artistic challenge when you were approached with this project? A profile of one person is quite different than your previous work.
Ted Braun: The previous films I’ve done, feature documentaries I’ve done (Betting on Zero, which looked at allegations of global economic criminality, and Darfur Now, which looked at allegations of massive, systemic violent crimes in Sudan) were, in different ways, ensemble stories about people trying to expose wrongdoing.
What were your first thoughts, after reading the script?
Simon Rex: I was just like… whoa. Whoa. WHOA!
What were your first thoughts, after reading the script?
Simon Rex: I was just like… whoa. Whoa. WHOA!
How did that expansion work? How do you open up that short story?
Kogonada: I had the best experience a filmmaker can have with an author.
This story is incredibly dramatic on its face. What were the underlying themes that most resonated with you?
E. Chai Vasarhelyi: I think it’s important to remember how divided the world was in 2018.