I Wish I Made That: Eric Appel, director of 'The Breadwinner'
Summary
Writer-director Eric Apell joins Jesse Thorn to discuss his new film, The Breadwinner, and his feature debut, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. In the "I Wish I Made That" segment, Apell selects Pee-wee's Big Adventure, analyzing its whimsical tone and genre-bending style. He also shares a story about directing a short video with Paul Reubert for Funny or Die, reflecting on how the classic film's joyful spirit influences his own creative work.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Con Edison
Introduction to the 'I Wish I Made That' segment
Introduction of guest Eric Appel and his film 'Weird'
Discussion of 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story'
Overview of Eric Appel's new film 'The Breadwinner'
Clips from 'The Breadwinner' and transition to guest choice
Eric Appel reveals his choice: 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure'
Childhood perspective: Emotional freedom and whimsical world
Adult perspective: Dual audience appeal and rewatching
Appreciating the filmmaking fun and simple story structure
Genre-bending style and the influence of the script
Tim Burton's tonal influence and character archetypes
Personal impact: 'Weird' as a homage to 'Pee-wee'
Comparing stylistic choices and genre shifts in both films
Unconscious influence of 'Pee-wee' on Eric's work
Anecdote: Directing Paul Reubens for a Funny or Die video
Reflections on artistic legacy and joy in filmmaking
Promotion of 'The Breadwinner' and Criterion essay
Jesse Thorne's move to Berkeley and show credits
Sponsors: Total Wine and Boll & Branch
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