Making Uncut Gems with Josh & Benny Safdie and Crew | NYFF57

At an NYFF Live talk, directors Josh and Benny Safdie (Heaven Knows What, Good Time) were on hand to detail the process of making this electrifying New York City-set thriller Uncut Gems joined by co-writer and editor Ronald Bronstein, producer Sebastian Bear McClard, composer Daniel Lopatin, and casting director Jen Venditti. Moderated by Eric Kohn, IndieWire’s Executive Editor & Chief Critic.
57th New York Film Festival is presented by Film at Lincoln Center from Friday, September 27 - Sunday, October 13. See schedule and ticket info: www.filmlinc.org/nyff
On the heels of their propulsive Good Time, the Safdie Brothers raise their game with another unhinged New York odyssey coasting on the sweaty highs and lows of a hapless protagonist and the frenetic pace of a city spinning out of control. In a rapid-fire, revelatory performance, Adam Sandler is Howard, a diamond dealer whose life is reaching a crescendo of manic desperation: his relationship with his wife (Idina Menzel) is imploding; he owes a hefty chunk of money to angry racketeers; and he’s getting in over his head in an ever escalating scheme to make a fortune by selling an Ethiopian diamond to Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (playing himself in a terrific dramatic acting debut). Nothing goes as planned, of course, and that’s the fun and the terror of this wild ride that pushes viewers to the breaking point of pleasurable anxiety. A24 will release the film on December 13th in select cities and nationwide on Christmas Day.
A centerpiece of New York culture since 1963, the New York Film Festival will introduce the most essential new cinematic works from around the world to U.S. audiences in its Main Slate. NYFF will also continue to feature a variety of titles in different sections and sidebars, including Spotlight on Documentary, newly rejuvenated classics in Restorations and Revivals, a diverse selection of international and locally made Shorts, the ever-expanding experimental showcase Projections, and the immersive storytelling experiences of the cutting-edge Convergence. Additionally, there will be an exciting lineup of special events, free filmmaker talks and panel discussions, and the latest editions of our annual Industry and Critic Academies.
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[@jimmybrunson2553]

I love their down to earth energy, I can see how they get such raw and real performances from their actors - such an unpretentious and collaborative ethos. Their love for the medium is infectious

[@deiggo3877]

benny sitting on the mic the first second he arrives is the energy that I like about them

[@stifox1]

Benny when he set on the mic 😭😭😭😂😂😂

[@LegendTwentySeven]

I haven't seen a movie that got me as excited as Uncut Gems since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (no joke). I've been listening to the soundtrack on a loop now for days. Thank you for existing (all of you). Cinema needs you all!

[@IIRemy]

daniel, just wanted to say that your answer was an excellent insight into the thought process behind the soundtrack. it makes sense that there's this almost ignorantly blissful major key sound since it reflects what's happening inside howard's head, and it's interesting how keeping it sincere is its own task. also, capturing the indescribable is fascinating to me, in that aesthetics are a powerful tool in aiding the process, especially through music. it's the language of emotion and it seems able to communicate the indescribable in ways that words cannot.

[@tombeattie6489]

Such exciting filmmakers. I cannot wait to see this.

[@seancorrigan7448]

Adam Sandler was incredible in this film.

[@tamie341]

Agreed. He became Howard, I was along for the ride til the end. Masterpiece.

[@kemckelv]

it did not disappoint me. Finall Sandler challenges himself in this one and still entertains with the same ole sandler moves

[@theoschommer3530]

Should have been nominated for an Oscar

[@ajsoprano526]

Wow! Daniel looking SVELTE

[@jumpzelnor5123]

svelte AND deeply esoteric. mama likey

[@popcornman4813]

Love these guys love the movie and love the SAfdie bros!!!!!

[@startreker9]

I would love an interview with Keith William Richards (Phil). Can't believe he is a first time actor, he carried so much realism to the film

[@THEODSTKING117]

Just caught a screening today man, I can’t get this fucking movie out of my head!!!

[@lf4692]

Ronald Bronstein always looks completely PISSED

[@eall5630]

lol

[@BrutalistJr]

wtf Daniel looks so good. boy lost some weight.

[@tcahyulcocr]

benny’s shoes, tho. i c u

[@tannerlacoste8506]

He’s a low key sneaker head

[@victormustin2547]

These guys are the best

[@kingjohnny7215]

they are plagiarists, safdie's stole uncut gems from Abel ferrara 1991 bad lieutenant. Bad Lieutenant + the Hot Rock = Uncut Gems

[@safebans1369]

@@kingjohnny7215 so noone else can write a film about a character suffering with debt from gambling addiction then?

[@Submersed24]

The movie got better and better as it went on.

[@eall5630]

josh in the 801s

[@ajsoprano526]

Style god

[@SANTAMU3RTE]

incredible shoe.. I get so much wear out of mine

[@bobbymercado7113]

Best movie I've see long time..

[@BrutalistJr]

29:37 I havent thought about 2001 like that. he's probably right.

[@seunesther]

The interviewer was really good

[@user-jv4ro9yp7u]

"academic experimental synthesiser records"

[@seanosullivan4935]

Interviewer was really good

[@needahaircut93]

Jorge Masvidal looking ready for November

[@rossfig7313]

amazing

[@BOZOKILLER_]

The BMF of film-making

[@beatboxbandit9842]

shoutout to Nebraska

[@Jays-ug9bd]

THEY DID THE MARCY ME MUSIC VIDEO? oh my goodness..

[@lilbigman777]

5:09 29:19 41:31

[@cesararanda7714]

Loved the interview just wished the interviewer would refrain from giving away certain things in the movie even if they're not major plot points

[@garrettmeadows2273]

If Adam Sandler doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor, then no one should win. Phenomenal film and performance.

[@vishnu2407]

The Oscars are a sham, he's worth more

[@yigitb.8958]

Even interview looks like directed by Safdie Brothers

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

Nah, not enough people talking at the same time

[@JanAndhisfiets]

FOOD

[@MicahSMoore]

34:00

[@simple_mati6043]

IS THIS SPOILER FREE

[@filmlinc]

Yes!

[@KenDanieli]

To the host: Do not ask a question and then babble a paragraph.

[@myaheadhurts2]

what do you mean, he doesn't do that at all

[@vishnu2407]

He's very respectful and doesn't do that tho?

[@bradleyspiteri9808]

I love this movie so much that I digitally painted howard and posted it on my Instagram account @on_art_pilot

[@jessicadesmond-robitaille5972]

First? Nice...

[@benitovercini8406]

the craziest thing about this interview is that the very average looking producer guy next to Daniel Lopatin is married to one of the most beautiful women on the planet

[@LYDLNX]

why did the casting director kiss the interviewer.... he seemed super caught off guard

[@Zeegoner]

It was normal

[@Kaisersozze]

Was Sandler too good to be there?

[@charlienovacastor5652]

Maybe he just couldn't be there, why you gotta be a dick?

[@uricholavarria3011]

He's not there probably because he's an actor. And every one here works behind the camera.

[@A-Dubs398]

He's too good for his home.

[@FirstNameLastName-kt3zn]

This interviewer sure likes to hear herself speak.

[@JuliesCookingShow]

that's not the interviewer, it's the casting director from the film...

[@vishnu2407]

Did you watch the interview before commenting

[@sidmf]

loved Keith as Phil he really brought out the anger of that character

[@kingjohnny7215]

Pastiche vs Plagiarism? Do the Safdie's know the difference between an original story & an uncredited (copy right infringement) remake ?, Safdie's need to pay Abel Ferrara & give him screen credit, Story by- Abel Ferrara, ..really fed up of plagiarist "Sampling" film making, time for new filmmakers to give credit where credit is due, as in sampling music.? Do the film makers know that they are not entitled to other's intellectual property? are they that entitled or stoned? or just thieves? do they think if they watched alot of films growing up, their memories of those movies were not their ideas?? want to make a remake , give screen credit & monetary compensation to the original writer. No such thing as copycat art, that's called a forgery, a fake as the fake rolex's in uncut gems?, or going to a museum full of forgeries. ? I want my money back. Rip off !

[@ac3845]

king johnny dude... relax

[@kingjohnny7215]

​@@ac3845 this not a film comment page? with the safdie's? making of uncut gems? which they stole from bad lieutenant? why don't you relax ? 1st amendment?? wtf?

[@vishnu2407]

you haven't watched either of these movies lol Do lay off whatever drugs make you needlessly agitated based on these hallucinations of yours, you'll feel better bud

[@kingjohnny7215]

@@vishnu2407 WTF?? wut you smokin or shootin up? or maybe you momma just drop you as a baby & you can't help it?

[@tonywords6713]

king johnny how? Movies are nothing alike

[@danielalt7508]

The movie is badly directed as it is impossible to focus on everything. Every character on movie talking the same time. This makes it hard to listen who is saying what, and which has value to the plot.

[@vishnu2407]

Hahahahahah

[@vishnu2407]

My condolences

[@charlie4947]

The talking adds to the distressing and anxiety inducing tone. We feel a lot less comfortable when we dont know where to focus. I have no doubt that this was intentional.

[@statcous]

You can hear everything that is valuable to the plot. If you can't hear it, then it doesn't matter that much and it's just there as a layer of sound to stack up the anxiety.