Ep. 36 Subverting Power with Alexandra Stergiou
In this episode filmmaker Alexandra Stergiou discusses their experience as a casting director, the themes of performance and coming of age present in her works, and the commodification of queerness. Finally in today's concluding thought, Edward talks about sleeping.
Guest Bio:
Alexandra Stergiou (she/they) is a filmmaker whose work explores aesthetics that bridge fiction and nonfiction, queerness, coming-of-age, and pop culture. Her films have been recommended by The New York Times, The New Yorker, Independent Lens, and Filmmaker Magazine. This body of work has also screened in festivals and cultural institutions nationwide, including DOC NYC, Big Sky, IFFBoston, SXSW Edu, SF DocFest, the Athens International Film and Video Festival, the Columbus International Film & Video Festival, SF Shorts, the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of the American Indian, and The Jewish Museum of New York City. Alexandra has received support from ITVS, If/Then Shorts, World of Wonder, and the Tribeca Film Institute and has streamed across S/VOD platforms and acquired by Independent Lens, Fuse TV, and The New Yorker.
Alexandra has balanced these award-winning independent films with work-for-hire as a producer, shooter, and editor for big brands, bold stories, and major talent. Right before the world shut down, she was a segment director and producer on the award-wnning British series Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King, which chronicles the comeback of the heavyweight champion of the world.
Time Codes:
1:18 - Alexandra's Film Upbringings
6:19 - Edward and Alexandra sharing their hometowns and connecting with their work
11:56 - The Making of Citizen Zero
17:50 - Showing the Present in Citizen Zero
24:13 - Differentiating Alexandra's "Normal High School" vs. Society's Normal High Schools" in The Candidates
31:43 - Showing Performance in The Candidates
38:50 - Marketing The Candidates to Multiple Audiences
46:36 - Behind the Scenes of Jewel's Hunt
50:45 - Maintaining Good Vibes with a Filmmaking Team and Its Relationship with the Film's Quality
57:50 - Alexandra Tackling "Coming Out" in The Act of Coming Out
1:04:33 - Bringing Expectations and Inserting Surprise Elements in The Act of Coming Out and Avoiding Posed Questions in the Film
1:13:40 - Making the Film as a Huge Relief for Alexandra and Alexandra Being a Stage Partner
1:21:58 - Alexandra recommendations: Kitty Green and Robert Greene Films
1:25:10 - Concluding Thought: Sleep
Show Notes:
This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, and Stitcher.