These films, to me, are important because we're in a dearth, especially, you know, these last two years.

We have been in a, we're in a collective grief.

And I think cinema has the opportunity to show, brought to you by the Director's Guild of America.

Today's episode takes us behind the scenes of director Theodore Melfi's new

comedic drama, The Starling. In the film, a feisty starling sets up a nest at the home of Lily,

who is grieving a recent loss. As she battles with and attempts to rid her home of the combative

bird, Lily red discovers her capacity for growth and love. In addition to The Starling,

Mr. Melfy's other directorial credits include the feature films Hidden Figures, St. Vincent,

and Winding Roads. Following a recent screening of the film at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles,

Mr. Melfy spoke with fellow director David Talbert about filming The Starling.

Listen on for their spoiler-filled conversation.

How's everybody doing? You enjoy the movie?

All right. Good, good, good. So, let me see feeling heart second chances humanity pain triumph over pain what the hell are you doing

i mean you're supposed to be blowing shit up you're supposed to saving the world, movies that save the world, and they blow shit up

and all that stuff.

But you want to go against a grain and do a movie that clearly Hollywood isn't making

anymore.

And clearly the critics, my God, they just have torched this.

But they're really not saying they don't love your movie.

Really what they're saying, Ted. It's like the Prince movie, the Prince album, 1999, at the end of

Purple Rain. When you play it backwards, it's giving you a message. You all know that? Have any of you

done that? They're not saying they don't like a movie. They're saying, blow shit up, Ted. They're not going to give you any love

...