3.26-Filmmaker Interview with Paul Kowalski

3.26-Filmmaker Interview with Paul Kowalski

Author: Jonathan Ytreberg March 25, 2025 Duration: 26:30

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In 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:

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

  • "Sardinia" directed by Paul Kowalski
  • The Tenant directed by Roman Polanski
  • The Lobster directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
  • "Nimic" directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
  • First Reformed directed by Paul Schrader
  • Burn After Reading directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
  • Miller's Crossing directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
  • The Goonies directed by Richard Donner
  • Mass directed by Fran Kranz
  • Silence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan Demme
  • Lawrence of Arabia directed by David Lean
  • Vertigo directed by Alfred Hitchcock
  • Amadeus directed by Miloš Forman
  • Rosemary's Baby directed by Roman Polanski
  • The Shining directed by Stanley Kubrick
  • Stalker directed by Andrei Tarkovsky
  • Cure directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa
  • Possession directed by Andrzej Żuławski
  • Dekalog: One directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski
  • Don't Look Now directed by Nicolas Roeg
  • Come and See directed by Elem Klimov
  • Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
  • Accattone directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini
  • The Godfather directed by Francis For Coppola
  • The Man Who Fell to Earth directed by Nicolas Roeg
  • Quest for Fire directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
  • A Clockwork Orange directed by Stanley Kubrick
  • Anora directed by Sean Baker
  • Conclave directed by Edward Berger
  • The Housemaster directed by Paul Kowalski
  • Carrie directed by Brian De Palma
  • If... directed by Lindsay Anderson

You can follow Paul on Instagram @pauljkowalski and the film @sardiniafilm and check out

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There's a whole century of stories waiting in the Academy's archives, and The Oscar Project Podcast is digging through every single one. Instead of just focusing on the current awards season, this show takes the long view, working its way through every film ever nominated for an Oscar starting all the way back in 1929. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific year or a particular film, unpacking not just the cinematic craft on screen but the historical context that shaped it. You'll hear about forgotten gems, surprising snubs, and how the art of filmmaking has evolved over decades. Alongside these detailed reviews and discussions, the podcast regularly features conversations with filmmakers, historians, and authors who provide unique insights into the industry's past and present. It’s for anyone who loves film history as much as the movies themselves, offering a structured but fascinating journey through Hollywood's most celebrated-and sometimes controversial-moments. Tune in to this thoughtfully crafted podcast for a richer understanding of how the Oscars have reflected, and sometimes directed, the entire trajectory of modern cinema.
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