The two latecomers to directing discuss punk rock, cults, burning Bibles, childhood movies, Hollywood, their work and much more.

Mary Harron (American Psycho) Talks with Rose McGowan (Dawn) for The Talkhouse Film Podcast

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Janay Boulos and Abd Alkader Habak are the directors and producers of the documentary<a href="https://birdsofwar.film/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Birds of War</a>, about how they fell in love as war reporters while navigating revolution and exile, which won the Special Jury Award for Journalistic Impact at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film is now playing at IFC Center in New York City and opens in Los Angeles on November 19 at Laemmle Santa Monica and Glendale. Boulos is a highly experienced Lebanese journalist and documentary producer based between Lebanon and London who has produced several documentaries for international outlets, including Al Jazeera and The New York Times, as well as her second feature documentary, Until the Buzzing Stops. A Syrian cinematographer, activist and documentary filmmaker, Habak documented six years of the Syrian revolution. Now based between London and Syria, he blends journalism and human rights storytelling in his work, exploring identity, exile and return. Currently, he is working on two short documentaries and his second feature, Until the Buzzing Stops.

Janay Boulos and Abd Alkader Habak

Film

“You are More Than a Story”

One of Hollywood’s most versatile and accomplished character actors, Josh Pais can now be seen in the new dark comedy <a href="https://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/checkout/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Checkout</a>, which is now on VOD. His other recent credits include The Friend, opposite Naomi Watts, and Netflix’s A Man In Full, opposite Jeff Daniels. His extensive television work includes Hulu’s critically acclaimed The Dropout, Showtime’s Ray Donovan, HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher and High Maintenance, and TV Land’s Younger. On the film side, Pais has appeared in a wide range of notable productions, including Joker, Funny Pages, produced by the Safdie brothers, and Nicole Holofcener’s You Hurt My Feelings. Drawing on decades of experience both on screen and on stage, Pais founded Committed Impulse, an innovative performance methodology emphasizing spontaneity, physical awareness, and authentic creative expression. He is also the author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790583/lose-your-mind-by-josh-pais/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lose Your Mind: The Path to Creative Invincibility</a>, published by Penguin Random House/Hay House, which is now out in paperback.

Josh Pais

Three Great Things: Josh Pais

Nick Dawson talks with filmmakers, musicians and comedians whose work he loves, avoiding the mundane, predictable questions they&#8217;ve heard numerous times and instead asking substantive, thoughtful questions that get to the heart of who they are.

Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That

Podcast

Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That: Juliette Binoche

Alexander Payne grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He studied History and Spanish Literature at Stanford before earning an MFA in Film Directing at UCLA. His nine feature films include Election, Sideways, The Descendants, About Schmidt, Nebraska, and The Holdovers. His movies have been nominated for a total of 24 Oscars, including four times for Best Picture and three for Best Director. He has won two Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay, and two of his movies have won the Golden Globe for Best Picture. Five of his movies were filmed at least partially in Nebraska, where he continues to live, dividing his time among Omaha, Los Angeles and Athens. His newest movie, Et Sted Derude (Somewhere Out There), shot in Denmark and in Danish language, will be released in fall of 2027.

Alexander Payne

Three Great Things: Alexander Payne

Sophia Dunn-Walker is a French-American director and co-founder of Emmy-winning ENKIDU International Productions. Her feature documentary on the autism spectrum is currently in post-production, following a 2026 screening of its short version at the American Pavilion at Cannes. She has collaborated with Pussy Riot on several projects, and her visual approach is rooted in fine art and fashion photography, including early work assisting Annie Leibovitz and legally blind photographer Kurt Weston. Dunn-Walker has cone dystrophy, which affects color perception and visual acuity and has become an integral part of how she approaches image-making. She is also an advocate for disability representation in the arts. (Photo by BK Studios.)

Sophia Dunn-Walker

Is It Protest or Is It Entertainment?

Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) is a filmmaker and artist whose work explores Indigenous homeland, language, and cultural continuity through experimental and nonfiction media. His latest film, <a href="https://www.skyhopinka.com/powwow-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Powwow People</a>, is out now. His films have screened at Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, among others. Hopinka’s work has been featured in the Whitney Biennial and the Centre Pompidou. He is a 2022 MacArthur Fellow and a past recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Radcliffe Institute and Sundance Institute.

Sky Hopinka

A Love Letter to Powwows

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Talkhouse

Michael Cormier O&#8217;Leary is a composer, musician, and songwriter based in Philly, who leads the East Coast-spanning ensemble Hour. The latest Hour record Ghost Bridge is out now on Dear Life.

Michael Cormier-O’Leary

Music

Mood Board: Hour’s Ghost Bridge

Corin Tucker of heavens to betsy

864: Nixta Taquería Loves Tahdig and Tacos in Equal Measure

1018. – Medium Build

Mary Harron was a punk rock journalist who went on to become a director. Her films include I Shot Andy Warhol, American Psycho, The Notorious Bettie Page and The Moth Diaries.

Mary Harron

Rose McGowan is an activist, author and artist.

Rose McGowan

post

Devin Smock is an independent filmmaker, writer, and small business owner based in Jacksonville, Illinois. He is the writer-director of the feature film <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hollerfilm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Holler</a>, co-founder of Subterranean Sound &amp; Vision, and co-owner of both Street Trash and Pizza Records. He also contributes film writing and reviews to MoreHorror.com and Critical Screening. His work is rooted in independent film, regional filmmaking, and creating art and businesses outside the traditional industry system.