554: Edward Berger On The Music Of Ballad Of A Small Player

Something a little different for you on our latest episode of Soundtracking, as we approach our latest film from 3 perspectives, all of which are obviously very much focussed on the same objective. Namely, to make the best movie that they can. And boy, have our guests succeeded. Netflix's Train Dreams is co-written and directed by Clint Bentley, who has admirable support from his cinematographer Adolpho Veloso and composer Bryce Dessner. We dive deep into their collaboration.

The bonuses keep on coming here on Soundtracking, as Edward Berger makes a welcome return to discuss his new film, Ballad Of A Small Player, which is streaming right now on Netflix. Starring Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton, it tells the story of a high-stakes gambler lying low(ish) in Macau, who can't quite hide from his past.

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are director Yorgos Lanthimos and screenwriter Will Tracy, who join me to discuss their collaboration on Bugonia. A remake of the 2003 South Korean film, Save The Green Planet, it follows the story of two men who kidnap the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, convinced she is an alien intent on destroying Earth.

Boy, do we have a treat for you on our latest episode of Soundtracking, as four of the key players from the biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere join us to discuss the film. First up is director Scott Cooper, followed by leading man Jeremy Allen White (who stars as Bruce, of course), Jeremy Strong, who plays his manager Jon Landau, and Odessa Young, Bruce's love interest.

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Derek Cianfrance, co-writer and director of the comedy crime thriller, Roofman, who returns to the podcast after a decade's absence. Based loosely on his life, it tells the story of  spree-robber Jeffrey Manchester, who his out undetected in a Toys R Us having escaped prison. 

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Aziz Ansari, who joins Edith live in front of an audience at Whiteley's Everyman for one of our Everyman Soundtracking Film clubs following a screening of his film, Good Fortune, which he wrote, produced, directed AND appears in. Also starring Seth Rogan, Sandra Oh and former guest on Soundtracking, Keanu Reeves, it tells the story of a well-meaning if inept angel who gets involved in the lives of a gig worker and wealthy venture capitalist

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Joachim Rønning and Jared Leto, respectively the director and star in the latest installment of the Tron series, Ares. In it, two rival companies compete to harness AI technology for very different reasons, with Jared's character from the digital realm entering the real world on the instruction of his programmer with, well, consequences! Tron: Ares has been scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross in their Nine Inch Nails guise, and it is an absolutely banging piece of work.

We are really spoiling you on Soundtracking at the moment, with bonus episode after bonus episode. Our latest is a bit of a legend, too, Steven Knight, writer of Peaky Blinders, the next James Bond, and most recently House Of Guinness, which is streaming on Netflix now. With a fabulous ensemble cast, House Of Guinness tells the story of the famed brewing company, as it becomes established in Ireland and New York. 

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Brett Goldstein, who joins me to discuss the film he co-wrote and stars in All Of You. Streaming now on Apple TV, it tells the story of two best friends who struggle to deal with their relationship and respective love lives, after he pays for her to take a test which claims to establish who your soulmate is.

It's the second part of our Steve Special, as composers Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow join me to discuss their score from the film. We've already heard from writer Max Porter and leading man Cillian Murphy, and that's available to listen to now. Big thanks to the team at the legendary Invada Records for providing us with the score before it was released.