Honestly, I feel like when you pick amazing actors, then it really is about protecting them.

Like I feel when you have the people and the teams that I've been lucky enough to work with,

I'm just sort of like in awe of what they're capable.

And it's a question of like me being as a director and you as a director, like we know that like you,

you know when you have it.

You sort of see it and you know when you have it. You sort of see it and you know

when you have it. That's more directing than it is shaping exactly everything that they do.

Hello and welcome back to the director's cut, brought to you by the Directors Guild of America.

Today's episode takes us behind the scenes of director Gabrieriela Cal Perthwaite's new drama,

Our Friend. The film tells the inspiring true story of Matt and Nicole T, whose lives are upended

after Nicole is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As Matt's duties become increasingly overwhelming,

the couple's best friend makes a huge sacrifice to stay with his friends and lend a hand.

In addition to Our Friend, Ms. Cowperthwaite's other directorial credits include the feature film

Megan Levy and the documentaries City Lacks and Urban La Crosse story and Blackfish.

Ms. Cowperthwaite spoke with fellow director Mariam Keshevars about filming our friend in front of a virtual

audience. Listen on for their spoiler-filled conversation. So nice to speak with you, Gabriela. My name is

Miriam Keshevars. I'm a writer-director. I'm here speaking with Gabriela, the incredible director of our friend.

And I had the pleasure of seeing this film last night,

and I think my eyes are still swollen.

It's such a beautiful tapestry of friendship grief.

And I don't know, there's so many layers to this film.

I'm still unpacking it.

...