In this episode of Film Festival Friends, Brandon Nick sits down with writer-director Iris Dukatt to talk about her short film Long Pork — a $90K reproductive rights revenge thriller starring Lena Headey, aka Cersei Lannister. Iris breaks down every channel they used to raise that budget, the popular story about the necklace that led to Lena saying yes, creating an intentionally disruptive film where the audience roots for a murderous woman and the very real political urgency that shaped the story from the jump.
Then, Iris steps up to the 60-second pitch — spinning Teyana Taylor (again) as the last human on Earth fighting against Hugh Jackman as an AI overlord who falls in love with her. It is exactly as unhinged as it sounds.
Film Festival Friends is a podcast about queer cinema, craft, and culture. Hosted by Brandon Nick. Full show notes and transcript available on our website: www.brandonnick.com/filmfestivalfriends
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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro and about Long Pork
2:45 - 90K Budget Transparency
9:42 - How Do You Get Cersei Lannister in Your Film?
13:05 - Writing Long Pork: Roe v. Wade, Revenge & The Janes
17:23 - Who Is Bubby? The Grandmother Who Sparked a Filmmaker
20:08 - First Big Swing: Leading a $90K Production
22:33 - One Take Only: The Climactic Shot
27:23 - Who Did You Have to Become to Make This Film?
30:27 - The Last Supper: Her Favorite Scene to Shoot
33:00 - Eating the Patriarchy & The Boar Taint Research Rabbit Hole
37:01 - NewFest: From Audience Member to Programmed Filmmaker
41:27 - Festival Circuit Strategy, Rejections & Going Where You're Wanted
51:21 - 60-Second Pitch: Teyana Taylor vs. Evil AI Hugh Jackman
54:46 - Final Words & Just Go Make the Film
