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Listen "BTL Radio Show - 08/11/2025 with guests KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS and HOWARD J. FORD"
Episode Synopsis
I’m very excited about today’s show and for you to hear from these two fabulous directors - KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS talking about the delightful, charming, and funny MY MOTHER’S WEDDING and HOWARD J. FORD talking up RIVER OF BLOOD and a leisurely kayak ride through the jungles of Thailand, complete with indigenous tribes who don’t like outsiders. What could possibly go wrong!
Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking. Kristin Scott Thomas? Director? Yes, you heard me correctly. It is THAT renowned actor Kristin Scott Thomas who has now added director and writer to her credits with MY MOTHER’S WEDDING. And what a directorial debut it is!! You already know actor KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS. Now, meet writer and director KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS in this exclusive interview as she discusses her directorial feature debut, the delightfully charming and heartwarming MY MOTHER'S WEDDING.
Directed by KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS and co-written by Kristin and John Micklethwaite (her real-life husband), MY MOTHER'S WEDDING stars Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham, Freida Pinto, and Kristin Scott Thomas and is the tale of three sisters who return to their childhood home for a momentous occasion: the third wedding of their twice-widowed mother. Over the weekend, the family gathers to celebrate the new marriage, but mother and daughters alike are forced to revisit the past and confront the future, all with help from a colorful group of unexpected wedding guests..
It's long been said to write about what you know, and that's exactly what KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS has done with MY MOTHER'S WEDDING. But she didn't stop with writing about something she is intimately familiar with, as this story is based on parts of her own life; she directs the story as well.
An absolute joy speaking with Kristin about her writing and directorial process, from the first moment, it is clear that she not only was and is passionate about this very personal story, but understands the intricate details of the production and storytelling process and its collaborative nature.
There are great interpersonal dynamics, especially among the three sisters. So authentic and believable. This film resonates from beginning to end with authenticity, truth, and heart. And it looks beautiful!
As you’re about to hear, Kristin has nothing but praise for her team, starting with casting director Lucy Bevan and moving on with her department heads, including the brilliant Yves Belanger who does wonders with natural light, production designer Andrew McAlpine and costume designer Sinead Kideo whose costuming truly captures and defines the personality of each of the three daughters and their mother who is played by Kristin.
One of Kristin’s goals was to balance comedy and tragedy, leveraging English humor, something which she nailed completely
Of course, there are also challenges to directing, and here she was dealing with the Royal Navy, shooting those sequences on an aircraft carrier on Day One. And children, a number of children, something she welcomed for the authenticity kids bring to the table.
And we both have a lot of love for composer Rolphe Kent and his delightful score as well as Kristin’s choice for needledrops, which include Elton John, Cher, Carly Simon, Tom Jones, the Bee Gees, all of which were, as she describes it, “carefully curated.”
MY MOTHER’S WEDDING belies this being a first directorial effort or a first screenplay. No stone is left unturned. This is storytelling that encompasses all of the cinematic elements and weaves them together into this beautiful, heartwarming, and funny tapestry. So take a listen as writer/DIRECTOR KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS talks MY MOTHER’S WEDDING!
Now we go from the beautiful, joyful, and fun to the terror and horror of a Thai jungle with director HOWARD J FORD and RIVER OF BLOOD. Another film that I love. I have been an admirer of Howard’s for quite some time and always appreciate the diversity of his projects in terms of locations. Is there nowhere on this Earth that HOWARD J. FORD cannot shoot a film? A true adventurer with his films, most of which, I might add, focus on female protagonists, Howard has lensed his films high up on sheer rockface, in the bistering desert, in the heart of Africa, and now with RIVER OF BLOOD, in the jungles of Thailand. He is a believer in authenticity, practical effects, and actors who can work and deliver under some arduous conditions. And it shows in every frame we see on screen.
RIVER OF BLOOD is the tale of a jungle kayak adventure that descends into terror when a group of four friends becomes the target of a merciless, bloodthirsty tribe.
Directed by HOWARD J. FORD and written by Tom Boyle, RIVER OF BLOOD stars Joseph Millson, Louis James, Ella Starbuck, Sarah Alexandra Marks, and David Wayman, many of whom you may recognize from Howard’s prior films. When you can find actors who are more than adventurous and willing to subject themselves to unfamiliar and demanding environments, you hang onto them for subsequent work, if you can.
As you’ll hear Howard break it all down, he goes deep into his processes, starting with the challenges of filming in Thailand, including the search for jungle locations and the use of a local crew. With nothing but praise for his Thai cinematographer Park, we discuss the creation and use of smoke, along with the choice of Sony FX3 and FX6 cameras. And laying dolly track in the jungle? Amazing. But always at the forefront is Howard’s desire and demand for authenticity. Speaking of authenticity, how about the use of real indigenous tribes as well as practical effects? One of the truly outstanding elements of RIVER OF BLOOD is the sound design and sound mix. WOW! We really get into Joe Vince’s sound design and the mixing work of Graham and Adam Daniel, particularly when you layer in the very cool score by Anthony and Jack Wade.
Filled with lots of anecdotes and more than a few hints about his upcoming projects, Howard’s enthusiasm, exuberance, and passion come through loud and clear. Take a listen.
Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking. Kristin Scott Thomas? Director? Yes, you heard me correctly. It is THAT renowned actor Kristin Scott Thomas who has now added director and writer to her credits with MY MOTHER’S WEDDING. And what a directorial debut it is!! You already know actor KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS. Now, meet writer and director KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS in this exclusive interview as she discusses her directorial feature debut, the delightfully charming and heartwarming MY MOTHER'S WEDDING.
Directed by KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS and co-written by Kristin and John Micklethwaite (her real-life husband), MY MOTHER'S WEDDING stars Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham, Freida Pinto, and Kristin Scott Thomas and is the tale of three sisters who return to their childhood home for a momentous occasion: the third wedding of their twice-widowed mother. Over the weekend, the family gathers to celebrate the new marriage, but mother and daughters alike are forced to revisit the past and confront the future, all with help from a colorful group of unexpected wedding guests..
It's long been said to write about what you know, and that's exactly what KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS has done with MY MOTHER'S WEDDING. But she didn't stop with writing about something she is intimately familiar with, as this story is based on parts of her own life; she directs the story as well.
An absolute joy speaking with Kristin about her writing and directorial process, from the first moment, it is clear that she not only was and is passionate about this very personal story, but understands the intricate details of the production and storytelling process and its collaborative nature.
There are great interpersonal dynamics, especially among the three sisters. So authentic and believable. This film resonates from beginning to end with authenticity, truth, and heart. And it looks beautiful!
As you’re about to hear, Kristin has nothing but praise for her team, starting with casting director Lucy Bevan and moving on with her department heads, including the brilliant Yves Belanger who does wonders with natural light, production designer Andrew McAlpine and costume designer Sinead Kideo whose costuming truly captures and defines the personality of each of the three daughters and their mother who is played by Kristin.
One of Kristin’s goals was to balance comedy and tragedy, leveraging English humor, something which she nailed completely
Of course, there are also challenges to directing, and here she was dealing with the Royal Navy, shooting those sequences on an aircraft carrier on Day One. And children, a number of children, something she welcomed for the authenticity kids bring to the table.
And we both have a lot of love for composer Rolphe Kent and his delightful score as well as Kristin’s choice for needledrops, which include Elton John, Cher, Carly Simon, Tom Jones, the Bee Gees, all of which were, as she describes it, “carefully curated.”
MY MOTHER’S WEDDING belies this being a first directorial effort or a first screenplay. No stone is left unturned. This is storytelling that encompasses all of the cinematic elements and weaves them together into this beautiful, heartwarming, and funny tapestry. So take a listen as writer/DIRECTOR KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS talks MY MOTHER’S WEDDING!
Now we go from the beautiful, joyful, and fun to the terror and horror of a Thai jungle with director HOWARD J FORD and RIVER OF BLOOD. Another film that I love. I have been an admirer of Howard’s for quite some time and always appreciate the diversity of his projects in terms of locations. Is there nowhere on this Earth that HOWARD J. FORD cannot shoot a film? A true adventurer with his films, most of which, I might add, focus on female protagonists, Howard has lensed his films high up on sheer rockface, in the bistering desert, in the heart of Africa, and now with RIVER OF BLOOD, in the jungles of Thailand. He is a believer in authenticity, practical effects, and actors who can work and deliver under some arduous conditions. And it shows in every frame we see on screen.
RIVER OF BLOOD is the tale of a jungle kayak adventure that descends into terror when a group of four friends becomes the target of a merciless, bloodthirsty tribe.
Directed by HOWARD J. FORD and written by Tom Boyle, RIVER OF BLOOD stars Joseph Millson, Louis James, Ella Starbuck, Sarah Alexandra Marks, and David Wayman, many of whom you may recognize from Howard’s prior films. When you can find actors who are more than adventurous and willing to subject themselves to unfamiliar and demanding environments, you hang onto them for subsequent work, if you can.
As you’ll hear Howard break it all down, he goes deep into his processes, starting with the challenges of filming in Thailand, including the search for jungle locations and the use of a local crew. With nothing but praise for his Thai cinematographer Park, we discuss the creation and use of smoke, along with the choice of Sony FX3 and FX6 cameras. And laying dolly track in the jungle? Amazing. But always at the forefront is Howard’s desire and demand for authenticity. Speaking of authenticity, how about the use of real indigenous tribes as well as practical effects? One of the truly outstanding elements of RIVER OF BLOOD is the sound design and sound mix. WOW! We really get into Joe Vince’s sound design and the mixing work of Graham and Adam Daniel, particularly when you layer in the very cool score by Anthony and Jack Wade.
Filled with lots of anecdotes and more than a few hints about his upcoming projects, Howard’s enthusiasm, exuberance, and passion come through loud and clear. Take a listen.
In God we trust