Interviews Archives - Jim Schembri

‘The Moth Effect’ interview: A fun, rambling conversation with creators Jazz Twemlow & Nick Boshier about the fine art of making intelligent, topical sketch comedy that won’t date (includes poo jokes)

October 20, 2021Jim Schembri

“This is a question, not a statement: Would we classify Wokeness as wisdom? And my answer would be: I don’t necessarily think so,” [...]

Babi Yar: marking the 80th anniversary of the Nazi atrocity in Kiev, Ukraine – interview with historian & educator Dr Simon Holloway

September 26, 2021Jim Schembri

“Babi Yar was, at that time, the largest massacre to have taken place.” Eighty years ago on 29 and 30 September, 1941, Jewish [...]

How making the sex education doco ‘A Sexplanation’ with an open mind challenged its maker’s biases: interview with director Alex Liu

September 20, 2021September 20, 2021Jim Schembri

“The more you can be that person where you’re open and warm and understanding and non-judgmental, the more you’ll find that coming back [...]

Taking a deep dive into the dynamics of a troubled marriage without intruding on the drama: interview with Robert Machoian, writer/director/editor of ‘The Killing of Two Lovers’

September 16, 2021September 24, 2021Jim Schembri

“For me in cinema the micro-actions are as critical as the larger actions.” Director Robert Machoian discusses the making and meaning of his [...]

Strong script, dedicated cast and test screenings helped fast-track the making of Australian family drama ‘Streamline’ : interview with producer Blake Northfield

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021Jim Schembri

“Producing is just full-time problem solving. It’s being given something that most people are saying ‘it really can’t be done’ and figuring out [...]

Not all of the great stories uncovered for ‘Under the Volcano’ made the cut: interview with director Gracie Otto & producer Cody Greenwood

September 3, 2021Jim Schembri

‘Under the Volcano’ director Gracie Otto (left) and producer Cody Greenwood: “The whole thing was just totally mental. I don’t think I felt [...]

For the Outback family film ‘Buckley’s Chance’ Canadian director Tim J Brown drew upon his deep love of Australia, its inspirational landscape and the aid of an analytical computer program

June 25, 2021Jim Schembri

Canadian director Tim J Brown: “If you come across a dingo I don’t recommend you go and pet it like a dog.” The [...]

Making the low-budget drama ‘Cousins’ involved, spirit, community, culture and saying “F.U.” to the establishment: interview with co-directors Ainsley Gardiner & Briar Grace-Smith

June 15, 2021Jim Schembri

High Spirits: co-directors Ainsley Gardiner (left) and Briar Grace-Smith. Says Gardiner: “There is a hierarchical structure that relies on a single person holding [...]

Making a kick-ass action film for First Nations people, complete with Tarantino references and messaging about Australia’s dark history – review & interview with Victoria Wharfe McIntyre

May 12, 2021May 12, 2021Jim Schembri

“You can’t tell someone to ‘get over it’ without experiencing their story.” The Flood **1/2 (117 minutes) MA In the historical action-drama The [...]

The making of his first feature film ‘June Again’ presented a steeper learning curve than writer/director JJ Winlove expected: interview

May 5, 2021Jim Schembri

“To be able to just switch off that part of my brain and just focus on the directing was such a great opportunity; [...]