Hello and welcome to another episode of the Directors Cut, brought to you by the Directors Guild of America,

featuring today's top directors sharing behind-the-scenes stories of their latest films and insights into the craft of directing.

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This episode takes us behind the scenes of director Ethan Hawke's new biographical drama, Blaze.

Adapted from Sybil Rosen's memoir, Living in the Woods in a Tree, remembering Blaze,

the film tells the story of Blaze Foley, a songwriting legend of the Texas Outlaw Music movement

that spawns superstars like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Weaving together three different time periods as reimagined versions of Foley's past, present, and future,

Blaze explores his love affair with Rosen, his last dark night on Earth, and the impact his songs and his death had on his fans, friends, and foes.

In addition to Blaze, Mr. Hawks' credits include the feature films The Hottest State

and Chelsea Walls, the documentary Seymour in introduction, and the short film straight

to one.

Following a recent screening of the film at the DGA Theatre in New York, Mr. Hawke spoke

with director John Patrick Shanley about filming Blaze.

During their conversation, Mr. Hawke discusses his intention to structure the film like a blues

song, how he didn't want to deify the artist, and the lyric that inspired him to make

the film.

It really moved me and made me think about the ephemerality, the shortness of life, and that it's an improvisation and you get as far as you get until they turn the lights off

and then that's what your life was.

And in this case, you know, it was so clear that this guy was just revolving around this beautiful time in his life

...