Send us a textIn today's episode, I interview Paul Kowalski, the director of the short film "Sardinia," a dark look at what a world without humor could be like. The film screened at IndieShorts and won the Best Director Grand Prize at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2024.Listen to hear about the real world inspiration for the film, casting a group of strong actors that could each bring their own interpretation to the characters, and a set of book recommendations that should be required reading for any aspiring filmmaker.Books mentioned in this episode include:The 120 Days of Sodom by Marquis de SadeNotes on the Cinematograph by Robert BressonKieślowski on Kieślowski by Krzysztof KieślowskiMaking Movies by Sidney LumetOn Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director by Alexander MackendrickThe Magic Lantern: An Autobiography by Ingmar BergmanFilm Technique And Film Acting by V.I. PudovkinConclave by Robert HarrisFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:"Sardinia" directed by Paul KowalskiThe Tenant directed by Roman PolanskiThe Lobster directed by Yorgos Lanthimos"Nimic" directed by Yorgos LanthimosFirst Reformed directed by Paul SchraderBurn After Reading directed by Ethan Coen and Joel CoenMiller's Crossing directed by Ethan Coen and Joel CoenThe Goonies directed by Richard DonnerMass directed by Fran KranzSilence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan DemmeLawrence of Arabia directed by David LeanVertigo directed by Alfred HitchcockAmadeus directed by Miloš FormanRosemary's Baby directed by Roman PolanskiThe Shining directed by Stanley KubrickStalker directed by Andrei TarkovskyCure directed by Kiyoshi KurosawaPossession directed by Andrzej ŻuławskiDekalog: One directed by Krzysztof KieślowskiDon't Look Now directed by Nicolas RoegCome and See directed by Elem KlimovSalò, or the 120 Days of Sodom directed by Pier Paolo PasoliniAccattone directed by Pier Paolo PasoliniThe Godfather directed by Francis For CoppolaThe Man Who Fell to Earth directed by Nicolas RoegQuest for Fire directed by Jean-Jacques AnnaudA Clockwork Orange directed by Stanley KubrickAnora directed by Sean BakerConclave directed by Edward BergerThe Housemaster directed by Paul KowalskiCarrie directed by Brian De PalmaIf... directed by Lindsay AndersonYou can follow Paul on Instagram @pauljkowalski and the film @sardiniafilm and check out Support the show

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