reporting from PARK CITY, Utah — Kelly Reichardt and James Schamus are stalwarts of the independent world, and both debuted excellent films Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival. And though Schamus is, in his own words, “at the tender age of 57 a first-time director” and Reichardt is a veteran who has been behind the camera for more than 20 years, they have both succeeded at the same daunting task: making first-rate cinema out of outstanding literary work.
Reichardt’s “Certain Women” stars the powerhouse trio of Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart and Michelle Williams, a virtuosic Rene Auberjonois and a radiant Lily Gladstone. It’s turned a trio of astute and emotionally powerful short stories by Maile Meloy into what the director has called “a drama about small life stories,” finely modulated and taking place in Montana.
Schamus, for his part, has taken on “Indignation,” a disturbing novel by Philip Roth set during the Korean War, casting Logan Lerman as college freshman Marcus Messner, the bright son of a Newark, N.J., kosher butcher, who falls in love with the beautiful, WASPy but troubled Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gadon).
“The film itself is about desire, about how in placing it you misplace yourself, you lose your footing,” said Schamus, whose screenplays include “The Ice Storm,” “Lust, Caution” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” “Everything I adapt has that aspect.”
In talking to both Schamus and Reichardt about the challenges, difficulties and satisfactions of adaptation, it was striking that their experiences were both similar and disparate, that the way they approached material reflected, as might be expected, their personal attitudes and philosophies about the filmmaking process.
Advertisement
Both writer-directors, for example, to a certain extent encountered the work they adapted by chance. “To say I’ve been blessed to come across Philip Roth’s novel as a mass-market paperback in an airport would be an understatement,” Schamus said, whereas Reichardt discovered Meloy’s excellent short-story collections “Half in Love” and “Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It” at a point “when I was feeling pretty lost and sort of searching.”
Reichardt had made several films with the writer Jonathan Raymond, but when he became unavailable for a new project the quest that led to Meloy began. “Coming across her was lucky happenstance, but I liked her writing so much, I just knew as soon as I read it. She is such a vivid writer, I immediately felt the landscape and people who were really tied into it, a lot happening that is not in the dialogue.”
Advertisement
Meloy chose not to be involved with the screenplay but, Reichardt said, “She told me, ‘You go ahead,’ she gave me the space to do that, which is a brave thing for someone to do.”
Working by herself was for the director “a much lonelier experience. Because the film is a lot about loneliness and alienation, it was a very weird ride, you end up living what you made.” So it was a key moment when, waiting for her luggage at the Salt Lake City airport on Friday night, Reichardt got a text from Meloy, who had just seen the film. “She said, ‘It’s beautiful.’ I was so happy to get that text.”
Schamus, interestingly enough, had a similar relationship with his novelist. “Philip Roth gave me the greatest gift,” he explains. “I sent him the screenplay and he declined to read it, the nicest gift anybody gave me in my life. I asked him to visit the set, I didn’t want to ice him out, he was the prime mover, but he said, ‘When can I see the final product?’ He’s seen it, and he provided a very generous statement.”
For both Schamus and Reichardt, the process of adaptation is, in Reichardt’s words, “breaking free of those stories to write your script, and then when you’re filming undoing the whole script as it becomes a visual experience. Every part is a letting go.”
Reichardt ended up creating a narrative link among the three stories, and in the third section, which features Stewart, changing the sex of one of the key characters from a young man who’d had polio to a young Native American woman played by Gladstone. “It’s really a process of a lot of trial and error,” she explained. “It evolves into something that is totally its own thing.”
Advertisement
A key decision Schamus, a former chief executive of Focus Features who teaches at Columbia in addition to being a screenwriter, had to make was whether to direct at all. “The desire to direct is a disease that tends to strike late-middle-aged producers, and I’m not immune to that disease,” he said, smiling.
If Schamus was to direct, however, “I honestly felt, when I sucked it up and said, ‘Let’s do it,’ that it wouldn’t be worth doing unless the fear of abject failure was real. And the highest-risk proposition these days is emotion. We’re way too smart for our own good, and tackling a project that says to an audience, ‘It’s time to have an emotion,’ that’s scary.”
As someone who’s done numerous adaptations (“Clearly I don’t have an original thought in my head,” he joked), Schamus has thought a lot about the process, starting with the nature of fiction itself.
“The reason you fall in love with a novel are the pheromonal qualities, the deep satisfactions it produces when you turn the last page,” he said. “It’s a very, very particular emotion, not pure joy, not pure sadness.
1/196
Imogen Poots, from the film “Frank and Lola,” poses for a portrait in the L.A. Times photo & video studio at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
2/196
Imogen Poots poses for a portrait at the Sundance Film Festival.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
3/196
Imogen Poots and director Matthew Ross from the film “Frank and Lola” pose for an L.A. Times photo at the Sundance Film Festival.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
4/196
Louis Black and Karen Bernstein, filmmakers from the film “Richard Linklater: Dream Is Destiny,” in a portrait taken at the L.A. Times studio at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
5/196
Chris Hegedus, left, Steven Wise and D.A. Pennebaker of the film “Unlocking the Cage” pose for a portrait in the L.A. Times studio at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
6/196
Chris Hegedus, director of “Unlocking the Cage,” in a portrait at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
7/196
Jon Shenk, left, subject Daisy Coleman and Bonni Cohen, director from the film “Audrie & Daisy,” poses for a portrait in the L.A. Times photo & video studio at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
8/196
Vincent Piazza from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
9/196
Daisy Coleman, subject from the film “Audrie & Daisy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
10/196
Director Clea DuVall from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
11/196
Michael Shannon from the films “Complete Unknown” and “Frank and Lola.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
12/196
Melanie Lynskey from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
13/196
Michael Shannon from the film “Complete Unknown.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
14/196
Ben Schwartz from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
15/196
Michael Shannon from the films “Complete Unknown” and “Frank and Lola.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
16/196
Jason Ritter, left, Ben Schwartz, Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Clea DuVall, director, Melanie Lynskey from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
17/196
Ben Schwartz, left, and Jason Ritter from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
18/196
Jason Ritter from the film “Intervention.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
19/196
Aaron Brookner, director from the film “Uncle Howard.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
20/196
Executive producer/narrator Katie Couric, right, and filmmaker Stephanie Soechtig from the film “Under The Gun.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
21/196
Executive producer/narrator Katie Couric from the film “Under The Gun.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
22/196
Michael Shannon from the films “Complete Unknown” and “Frank and Lola.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
23/196
Amandla Stenberg from the film “As You Are.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
24/196
Michael Chernus, left, Michael Shannon and director Joshua Marston from the film “Complete Unknown.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
25/196
Michael Chernus, left, Michael Shannon and director Joshua Marston from the film “Complete Unknown.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
26/196
Danfung Dennis, filmmaker, and Casey Brown, producer from the virtual reality experience “Condition One.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
27/196
Ciro Guerra, writer-director from the film “Embrace of the Serpent.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
28/196
Josh Fox, director from the film “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
29/196
Christopher Waldorf, left, Chi Chi Mizrahi,, MikeQ, Twiggy Pucci Garçon, co-writer/subject, Sara Jordeno, writer-director, Gia Marie Love, Kenneth “Symba McQueen” Soler-Rios from the film “Kiki.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
30/196
Kahane Cooperman, showrunner/executive producer from the film “The New Yorker Presents.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
31/196
Frankie Shaw, director-writer stars in “Too Legit.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
32/196
Dawn Porter, director from the film “Trapped.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
33/196
Keith Fulton, director, Lou Pepe, director, Jennifer Coffield and A.J. Wright from the film “Bad Kids.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
34/196
Lou Pepe, left, and Keith Fulton, directors from the film “Bad Kids.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
35/196
Jennifer Coffield and A.J. Wright from the film “Bad Kids.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
36/196
Michael Villar from the film “Carnage Park.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
37/196
Mickey Keating, director from the film “Carnage Park.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
38/196
Rebecca Hall from the film “Christine.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
39/196
Tahir Jetter, director from the film “How to Tell You’re a Douchebag.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
40/196
Alex Ross Perry from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
41/196
Jenny Slate from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
42/196
Thomas Middleditch from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
43/196
Nick Kroll, left, Brett Gelman, Thomas Middleditch, Adam Pally, Alex Ross Perry, Jenny Slate, Jeff Baena, director, and Lauren Weedman from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
44/196
Jeff Baena, director, from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
45/196
Paulina Garcia from the film “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
46/196
Diego Luna, director of “Mr. Pig.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
47/196
Maya Rudolph, star of “Mr. Pig”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
48/196
Actors Danny Glover, from left, Maya Rudolph and “Mr. Pig” director Diego Luna.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
49/196
Writer-director Richard Tanne, from left, Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers, from “Southside With You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
50/196
Tika Sumpter from “Southside With You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
51/196
Actor Waleed Zuaiter from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
52/196
Writer-director Jason Lew, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
53/196
Boyd Holbrook, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
54/196
Elisabeth Moss, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
55/196
Elisabeth Moss, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
56/196
Boyd Holbrook, from left, Octavia Spencer, writer-director Jason Lew, Elisabeth Moss and Waleed Zuaiter, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
57/196
Octavia Spencer, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
58/196
Octavia Spencer, from “The Free World.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
59/196
Bobby Naderi, from “Under the Shadow.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
60/196
Bobby Nader, from “Under The Shadow.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
61/196
Jeff Daniels Phillips, right, and Richard Brake from the film “31.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
62/196
Ashley Bell, left, Pat Healy, Mickey Keating, Michael Villar and James Landry Hébert from the film “Carnage Park.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
63/196
Ashley Bell from the film “Carnage Park.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
64/196
Rebecca Hall from the film “Christine.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
65/196
Rebecca Hall and director Antonio Campos from the film “Christine.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
66/196
Dylan Gelula from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
67/196
Writer-director Kerem Sanga from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
68/196
Brianna Hildebrand, left, Kerem Sanga, writer-director, Brianna Hildebrand, Dylan Gelula and Mateo Arias from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
69/196
Brianna Hildebrand, left, Kerem Sanga, writer-director, Brianna Hildebrand, Dylan Gelula and Mateo Arias from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
70/196
Brianna Hildebrand from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
71/196
Mateo Arias from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
72/196
Mateo Arias from the film “First Girl I Loved.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
73/196
Thomas Middleditch from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
74/196
Lauren Weedman from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
75/196
Brett Gelman from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
76/196
Adam Pally from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
77/196
Nick Kroll from the movie “Joshy.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
78/196
Maya Rudolph from the film “Mr. Pig.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
79/196
Maya Rudolph from the film “Mr. Pig.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
80/196
Danny Glover from the film “Mr. Pig.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
81/196
Haerry Kim from the film “Spa Night.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
82/196
Haerry Kim, left, director Andrew Ahn and Joe Seo from the film “Spa Night.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
83/196
Director Andrew Ahn from the film “Spa Night.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
84/196
Joe Seo from the film “Spa Night.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
85/196
Asif Kapadia, filmmaker from “Ali & Nino,” poses for a portrait in the L.A. Times photo & video studio at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
86/196
Alysia Reiner, left, and Sarah Megan Thomas from the film “Equity.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
87/196
Alysia Reiner from the film “Equity.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
88/196
Sarah Megan Thomas from the film “Equity.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
89/196
Steven Caple Jr., writer and director for the film “The Land.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
90/196
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. from the film “The Land.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
91/196
Moises Arias from the film “The Land.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
92/196
Rafi Gavron, left, Ezri Walker, Steven Caple Jr., Moises Arias and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. from the film “The Land.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
93/196
Ezri Walker from the film “The Land.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
94/196
Moises Arias from the film “The Land.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
95/196
Yoshiki from the film “We are X.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
96/196
Stephen Kijak, left, and Yoshiki from the film “We are X.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
97/196
Co-directors Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg from the film “Weiner.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
98/196
Penelope Ann Miller from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
99/196
Armie Hammer from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
100/196
Gabrielle Union from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
101/196
Gabrielle Union, left, Aja Naomi King, Armie Hammer, Nate Parker, director, Penelope Ann Miller and Jackie Earle Haley from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
102/196
Nate Parker, director from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
103/196
Jackie Earle Haley from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
104/196
Aja Naomi King from the film “The Birth of A Nation.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
105/196
Jessie Kahnweiler, star-director-producer, from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
106/196
Illeana Douglas, star-producer, left, Jill Soloway, executive producer, Rebecca Odes, executive producer, Jessie Kahnweiler, star-director-producer, and Andrea Sperling, producer, from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
107/196
Jill Soloway, executive producer from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
108/196
Jessie Kahnweiler from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
109/196
Rebecca Odes, executive producer from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
110/196
Illeana Douglas from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
111/196
Illeana Douglas from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
112/196
Andrea Sperling, producer from the film “The Skinny.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
113/196
DeWanda Wise from the film “How to Tell You’re a Douchebag.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
114/196
Jenna Williams, from the film “How to Tell You’re a Douchebag.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
115/196
Alano Miller, left, DeWanda Wise, Tahir Jetter, Charles Brice and producers Julius Pryor IV and Marttise Hill from the film “How to Tell You’re a Douchebag.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
116/196
Jennifer Ehle, from the film “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
117/196
Jennifer Ehle, left, Michael Barbieri, Mauricio Zacharias, Paulina Garcia, Ira Sachs, director, Theo Taplitz and Greg Kinnear, from the film “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
118/196
Greg Kinnear from the film “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
119/196
Michael Barbieri, left, and Theo Taplitz from the film “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
120/196
Director and co-writer Ira Sachs, left, and co-writer Mauricio Zacharias from the film “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
121/196
Ira Sachs, director/co-writer from the film, “Little Men.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
122/196
Mary Stuart Masterson from the film “As You Are.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
123/196
Miles Joris-Peyrafitte from the film “As You Are.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
124/196
Amandla Stenberg from the film “As You Are.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
125/196
Scott Cohen from the film “As You Are.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
126/196
Owen Campbell from the film “As You Are.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
127/196
Parker Sawyers from the film “Southside With You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
128/196
Tika Sumpter from the film “Southside With You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
129/196
Richard Tanne, writer-director from the film “Southside With You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
130/196
Jeff Feuerzig, director from the film “The JT Leroy Story.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
131/196
Robert Jumper, left, director Tim Sutton, Anna Rose and Maica Armata from the film “Dark Night” in the L.A. Times photo & video studio at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
132/196
Director Pieter-Jan De Pue from the film “The Land of the Enlightened.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
133/196
Michal Huszcza, left, Michal Marczak, director, and Kris Baganski from the film “All These Sleepless Nights” get cozy.
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
134/196
Abigail Spencer from the series “Rectify.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
135/196
Director Robert Greene and actress Kate Lyn Sheil from the film “Kate Plays Christine.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
136/196
Actress Kate Lyn Sheil from the film “Kate Plays Christine.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
137/196
Executive Producer Jim McNiel from the film “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World.”
( L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
138/196
Werner Herzog, director of the film “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World.”
( L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
139/196
Laura Albert from the film “The JT Leroy Story.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
140/196
Jeff Feuerzig and subject Laura Albert from the film “The JT Leroy Story.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
141/196
Jason Benjamin, director from the film “Suited.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
142/196
Jenni Konner, producer, left, Jason Benjamin, director, and Lena Dunham, producer, from the film “Suited.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
143/196
Jared Harris from the film “Certain Women.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
144/196
Jared Harris from the film “Certain Women.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
145/196
Q., director of the film “Brahman Naman.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
146/196
Q., director of the film “Brahman Naman.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
147/196
Naman Ramachandran, left, Q., and Shashank Arora with Werner Herzog.
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
148/196
Tanmay Dhanania, left, Shashank Arora, Naman Ramachandran, Steve Barron, producer, Q., director, Sid Mallya, screenwriter, from the film “Brahman Naman.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
149/196
Ralph Rodriguez, left, Brian “Sene” Marc, Morgan Saylor, Adrian Martinez, India Menuez, Justin Bartha, Elizabeth Wood, filmmaker, and Anthony Ramos from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
150/196
Brian “Sene” Marc from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
151/196
Morgan Saylor from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
152/196
Anthony Ramos from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
153/196
Adrian Martinez from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
154/196
India Menuez from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
155/196
Justin Bartha from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
156/196
Elizabeth Wood from the film “White Girl.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
157/196
Gavin Free for Lazer Team levitates.
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
158/196
Anne Fontaine, director from the film “Agnus Dei.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
159/196
Chloe Sevigny, left, Danny Perez and Natasha Lyonne from the film “Antibirth.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
160/196
Chloe Sevigny from the film “Antibirth.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
161/196
Chloe Sevigny from the film “Antibirth.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
162/196
Natasha Lyonne from the film “Antibirth.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
163/196
Rachel Grady, co-director from the film “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
164/196
Heidi Ewing, co-director, Norman Lear, Rachel Grady, co-director, from the film “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
165/196
Norman Lear from the film “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
166/196
Heidi Ewing, co-director from the film “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
167/196
Heidi Ewing, co-director from the film “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
168/196
Kenneth Lonergan, director from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
169/196
Lucas Hedges, left, Kenneth Lonergan, director, and Casey Affleck from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
170/196
Lucas Hedges, left, and Casey Affleck from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
171/196
Lucas Hedges, left, and Casey Affleck from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
172/196
Lucas Hedges from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
173/196
Casey Affleck from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
174/196
Casey Affleck from the film “Manchester by the Sea.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
175/196
Writer-director Sian Heder from the film “Talullah.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
176/196
John Benjamin Hickey, left, Allison Janney, Ellen Page, Sian Heder, writer-director, and Tammy Blanchard from the film “Talullah.”
( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
177/196
Ellen Page from the film “Talullah.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
178/196
Director Roger Ross Williams from the film “Life Animated.”