Director DAVID MACKENZIE: From Starred Up to Hell or High Water to his latest movie Relay starring Riz Ahmed & Lily James

What does it take to sustain a film career across vastly different genres? Director David Mackenzie sits down to discuss his evolution, from his early independent Scottish films ( Young Adam , Red Road, Perfect Sense ) to major studio productions. We focus on his signature style: building intense, character-driven narratives under extreme pressure. David shares insights into the filmmaking behind his new thriller, Relay , including how he captured the paranoia of corporate espionage, the creative freedom of his production company Sigma Films , casting and working with Riz Ahmed and Lily James and the challenges of directing a character who relies entirely on anonymity . David Mackenzie’s Relay is a tense, modern thriller starring Riz Ahmed as Ash , an elite, off-the-grid 'fixer' who brokers secret payoffs between corrupt corporations and whistleblowers. Ash maintains absolute anonymity by communicating exclusively through a telephone relay service for the deaf, never meeting his clients. The system is threatened when his latest client, scientist Sarah Grant (Lily James), forces him to break his strict rules, pulling him into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game against corporate assassins and risking the exposure of his entire operation. Relay is OUT this FRIDAY. David Mackenzie, Relay, filmmaking craft, director interview, genre-bending, Starred Up, character-driven storytelling, Independent film, Sigma Films. Links FILM MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION Filmmaking Book - Jonathan Sadler https://www.amazon.co.uk/Film-Marketing-Distribution-Independent-Filmmakers/dp/085730612X FOOD FOR THOUGHT documentary out NOW | Watch it FREE HERE. A documentary exploring the rapid growth and uptake of the vegan lifestyle around the world. – And if you enjoyed the film, please take a moment to share & rate it on your favourite platforms. Every review & every comment helps us share the film’s important message with more people. Your support makes a difference! Help us out and Subscribe, listen and review us on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts but more importantly, tell your pals about this podcast. Thank you! PODCAST MERCH Get your very own Tees, Hoodies, on-set water bottles, mugs and more MERCH . https://my-store-11604768.creator-spring.com/ COURSES Want to learn how to finish your film? Take our POST PRODUCTION COURSE https://cuttingroom.info/post-production-demystified/ PATREON Big thank you to: Serena Gardner Mark Hammett Lee Hutchings Marli J Monroe Karen Newman Want your name in the show notes or some great bonus material on filmmaking? Join our Patreon for bonus episodes, industry survival guides, and feedback on your film projects! SUPPORT THE PODCAST Check out our full episode archive on how to make films at TheFilmmakersPodcast.com CREDITS The Filmmakers Podcast is written and produced by Giles Alderson @gilesalderson Edited by @tobiasvees Logo and Banner Art by Lois Creative Theme Music by John J. Harvey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices