Bond on Cinema

Filmmaker Thibaud Goarin Discusses his Masterpiece THE THINGS WE CARRY starring Michael Madsen

Ladies and gentlemen, THE THINGS WE CARRY examines the themes of mental health, grief and loss, and the cycle of gun violence in America.
This is one of those rare short films that will linger inside you long after you see it. Thibaud Goarin brings a man, a vigilante played by Michael Madsen who is dealing a deep sense of pain and loss. He grapples with a mixed bag of emotions, all the while exercising his 2nd Amendment right to open carry his firearm. 
This is a very polarizing subject, where do we create the line between mental health and guns? Grief has been defined as love looking for a place to go, but grief can also go looking for closure that leads to trouble for the one carrying it. 
Grief is such a strong emotion that no one should carry it alone. But we live in a world where people don’t know how to ask for help. If someone is dealing with grief and loss and you know they are, you must reach out to them. 
THE THINGS WE CARRY brings forth a subtle reminder that mental health and guns don’t mix. When a person, such as Michael Madsen’s character has experienced loss caused by gun violence, closure is very hard to come by. 
And revenge is never the answer and trying to avenge one’s death has a cost no one wants to pay. 
Thibaud’s short film feels like a feature film. It is tense, emotional and relatable. The cinematography is spot on and adds to the story in its own subtle way. 
As for the acting of the late Michael Madsen. What can we say, I feel it could be his finest performance as he delivered a character who is flawed and hurting. And we all feel that when we see this film. 
#michaelmadsen #actor #shortfilm #shortfilms #hollyshorts #film #movie #grief #loss #love #gunviolence #vigilante #cinema #bondoncinema #cinematography #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproduction #cinephile #filmfestival

Acclaimed Director Adam Finberg Reveals How to Craft Compelling Characters in STAR PEOPLE

Filmmaker Adam Finberg is here with us today to talk about his new feature film, STAR PEOPLE, his first feature length narrative film.
Ladies and gentlemen, on March 13, 1997, thousands of people in Arizona witnessed the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history—now famously known as The Phoenix Lights. In the new feature film, STAR PEOPLE, a 10-year-old Claire, who felt as if the lights called to her.
Years later, Claire played by Kat Cunning, now a photographer, is still chasing that moment, hoping to capture the lights on camera and finally make sense of what she saw.  When a mysterious tip leads her deep into the Arizona desert during a deadly heatwave with her UFO streamer boyfriend played by Connor Paolo and troubled brother Taylor played by McCabe Slye in tow, they encounter a vulnerable immigrant family whose plight complicates her mission. As tensions rise, Claire searches for the answers among the stars.
I loved STAR PEOPLE and because I love strong character-driven films, you are watching more than the stars. You’ve got to keep your eyes on the cast, because even your eyes may deceive you. STAR PEOPLE is an independent film by Adam Finberg and debuts in selected theaters on July 25th, August 8th and will be available on streaming on August 12th.
STAR PEOPLE has a very strong cast, a great storyline that gives nothing away and it keeps the audience engaged and guessing throughout the film, but never confusing. Something I don’t always see with independent feature films.
#scifi #sciencefiction #ufo #aliens #phoenixlights #arizona #film #featurefilm #cinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmproduction #screenwriter #screenplay #theatricalrelease #movies #newmovie 

Writer/Director Natalia Garcia Agraz gives us the incredible backstory of her short film PASSARINHO

My guest today is filmmaker Natalia Agraz, who trained photographer as well as a director and screenwriter. She directed the short film El último Romántico in 2019, which was nominated for the 2019 Student Academy Awards and Ariel Awards. The film screened at over 60 international festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, the Los Angeles Film Festival, and the Morelia International Film Festival. 
As a screenwriter, she has worked on feature films and series for Netflix, Amazon, and HBO, including Mentidas: La serie, which broke records in 2025 as the most-watched Amazon Prime series in Mexico.   She recently directed the short film PASSARINHO, which has been part of the official selections at Tribeca, Guadalajara, and others, and has won awards at the Chicago International Film Festival, FSF Munich, and Palm Springs ShortFest.
And now is an official selection at the HollyShorts Film Festival.  Passarinho was also nominated for the 2025 Student BAFTA Awards and the Ariel Awards.  Let’s welcome filmmaker Natalia Agraz and her newest short film PASSARINHO to the show.
Ladies and gentlemen, Olivia and Laura, two 13-year-old girls, have a plan to get the autograph of Passarinho, a Brazilian soccer legend. However, before they can put the plan into action, Olivia gets her first period. The acting is authentic as you feel and see every emotion in every shot.
The cinematography is wonderful as it has the look and feel of real film. The colorization of the short film is impressive and I can’t wait to see how far PASSARINHO will go this film festival season.
#shortfilm #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #menstrualcycle #menstruation #soccer #futbol #mexico #cinephile #cinema #cinematography #filmproduction #studientfilm 

Arthur Von Wiesenberger's Delightful ANIMALZONE Series: Highlighting Animals and Pets from Around the World

Arthur von Wiesenberger, an award-winning Executive Producer and Host of AnimalZone, the nationally syndicated television series that celebrates the powerful bond between humans and animals.
Since its debut in 2018, AnimalZone has spotlighted hundreds of rescue stories, nonprofit sanctuaries, and wildlife initiatives across the globe, earning honors from the Ponza Film Awards, Accolade Global Film Competition, and The Telly Awards.
Animal Zone is to provide a platform for animal shelters, welfare experts, and volunteers to share their stories, struggles and successes. Through our show, we hope to inspire more people to take action and make a difference in the lives of animals in need.
#pets #animals #dogs #cats #birds #tvseries #tvshow #filmmaker #film #filmmaking #filmdirector #animalrescue

Filmmaker Ruairi Bradley Discusses his short film WE BEG TO DIFFER: The Community of Diffing

In the underground world of diffing, a community finds solace in their passion, as they navigate personal struggles and challenges both on and off the road.
Ladies and gentlemen, in the underground world of diffing, a community finds solace in their passion, as they navigate personal struggles and challenges both on and off the road.
This film isn’t about cars doing donuts in the streets or in a closed off area. This film is really about mental health. 
There are areas like Ireland for example where the suicide rate is higher than other parts of the world. Young people today are looking for constructive outlets to unleash their passion for the things they like, to blow off steam and to focus on something besides the problems they may or may not be facing. 
The short film WE BEG TO DIFFER opens the conversation even more about mental health and what can be done to lower suicide rates in young people.
#drifting #diffing #automotive #carculture #ireland #irish #film #shortfilm #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirecting #passion #mentalhealth #community #youngpeople

Actress Meredith Thomas Talks New Role in ALIWOOD & the State of Hollywood Today

Meredith Thomas, who’s acting career began with a role “Pleasantville” as a teenager. She hasn't stopped working in film and television since.
Meredith is known as the quirky blonde beauty with girl-next-door charm and wit, it's no wonder she has become a television movie favorite. She is second only to Vivica A. Fox in the number of Lifetime Television Movie appearances.
Ladies and gentlemen, "Aliwood," is a groundbreaking short-form series featuring Iranian-American actor and writer Ali Zahiri. 
The series, which aims to break the mold of Middle Eastern storytelling, has been a remarkable journey for all involved. 
"Aliwood" brings together a talented cast, Meredith Thomas, who shares her delightful experience working alongside Ali Zahiri.
Despite the challenges indie short-form series face in competing against network giants, Meredith is proud of the bold choice to champion an independently produced project.
#hollywood #actress #filmmaker #filmproducer #aliwood #miniseries #shortfilm #shortfilms #acting #actor #cinema #filmmaking #filmdirector

Hamid Castro's Independent Film LAKE GEORGE Shows Brilliant Elements of Tarantino and Scorsese - The Interview

My guest today is a self-taught, first-generation Colombian-Iranian filmmaker Hamid Castro. He was an NYU business graduate and former celebrity trainer in Manhattan.
Hamid made a bold transition into filmmaking driven by raw determination and a love for storytelling. He wrote, directed, produced, and starred in his debut feature film, LAKE GEORGE, a raw and gritty, psychological thriller inspired by true events.
Hamid Castro fully self-financed the film with over $2 million of his own money and launched it independently, including a sold-out red carpet premiere at AMC Lincoln Square. His work reflects a deep connection to New York culture, real-life intensity, and a fearless independent filmmaking spirit.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hamid Castro’s feature film LAKE GEORGE is fast-moving, raw, gritty, tension-filled crime drama. Four years after a heist gone wrong, two childhood friends, Rio and Psych, are thrust into a high-stakes journey.
When Psych discovers his imprisoned father is being held for ransom with only 24 hours to pay $100,000, the pair embarks on a desperate mission to secure the funds. With the clock ticking and tensions rising, the two friends must navigate a series of wild and harrowing events, testing their loyalty, resilience, and the limits of their morality. As the story crescendos to a shocking finale, Lake George explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in a world driven by desperation. Hamid gives no secrets away in this film.
Each scene is a surprise and the audience has no clue where and how it will end. This is one of the very few films I have ever seen where you never figure out the why and how until it is revealed at the very end. In today’s world of moviemaking, even the most famous directors in the world don’t make us wait, so much praise to Hamid Casto for his instincts and raw determination to tell the story his way.
The cinematography is raw, dark, gritty, and the use of shadows and the colorization of the film plays a huge role in guiding the audience’s emotion from beginning to end. 
#featurefilm #filmreview #filminterview #interview #film #filmmaking #filmmaking #filmdirector #actor #screenplay #newyorkcity #friendship #betrayal #cinema #bondoncinema #cinematography 

Producer Steve Taylor Talks SKETCH: The NEW Live-Action 3d Animated Feature Film

My guest today is both a Grammy nominated recording artist and a Billboard Music Video Award winning filmmaker.
He began a career as a recording artist that has spanned decades and garnered him two Grammy nominations for "Meltdown" and "Squint." 
In the process, he made history as the only artist to twice win Billboard Music Video Awards for self-directed music videos. 
Steve also fronted the MCA-signed alternative rock band Chagall Guevara, who were first introduced on the soundtrack to the movie "Pump Up The Volume." 
Among his many credits as a music video director, his best-known for Sixpence None The Richer's "Kiss Me." 
His filmmaker resume as a writer/director includes "The Second Chance" for Sony, and "Blue Like Jazz," based on Donald Miller's New York Times bestselling memoir, which premiered at the South By Southwest Film Festival and won the 2013 Wilbur Award for Best Feature Film, joining past winners "Schindler's List," "Dead Man Walking," and "The Help." He's the producer of two upcoming feature films: "Sun Moon" for Sony Affirm; and SKETCH starring two-time Emmy winner Tony Hale of "Arrested Development" and "Veep" fame. SKETCH, the live-action 3D animated feature film is our topic of discussion today. 
Ladies and gentlemen, when a 10-year-old girl’s sketchbook takes a dip in a mysterious forest pond, her comically imaginative drawings spring to life, and they’re not exactly friendly. As these scribbled monsters wreak havoc, it’s up to her family to come together, face the madness, and somehow save the day. 
Everyone who sees SKETCH is going to be like me and beg for a sequel. Wreaking havoc with humor is the type of films we need in our lives. 
For many of us, SKETCH brings back the days of The Goonies and Stand By Me. You’ll pick up a bit of Stranger Things, but SKETCH not only puts a smile on your face, it paints it on your face. 
The mixture of live action and 3D animation is of the highest quality. The cast with Tony Hale, D’Arcy Carden and the band of Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence and Kalon Cox are the perfect trio to help us relive our imaginations when we were children. 
Come on, how many of you dreamed of your drawings and doodles would come to life. And if they did what would you do? 
SKETCH also covers single widowed fatherhood in a way that is authentic, moving and heartfelt. It’ll help all of us dads to be better fathers and being their for our kids, regardless how old they are. 
SKETCH gets a 5 star Reel of Approval from Bond on Cinema and thank you Steve for sharing this film with me today. 
Ladies and gentlemen, you can catch all of the Bond on Cinema interviews at BondonCinema dot com. Check out our Prime Show, our YouTube Channel and you can listen to us on your way to work on Spotify, iTunes, Audible and more. 
Thank you for watching and you’ll either see me at the movies or on the red carpet.
#animation #3danimation #animated #liveaction #film #featurefilm #angelstudios #familyadventure #monsters #doodles #filmmaking #filmmaking #filmproducer #billboardmusic #filmdirector 

Actress Ashton Solecki's Lead Role in ROSWELL DELIRIUM to Season Regular on ELKHORN

My guest today is actress Ashton Solecki is a rising force in film and television, known for her grounded intensity and magnetic screen presence. 
Originally from Montana, Ashton took an unconventional path to the screen—trading a background in neuroscience and product management to pursue a creative life both in front of and behind the camera. 
Her roles showcase both emotional depth and fearless range, and is quickly emerging as a talent to watch.
Her breakout performance in the feature film ROSWELL DELIRIUM—now streaming on Apple TV—earned her multiple acting awards and contributed to the film’s sweeping success, with over 100 awards at festivals worldwide. 
Ashton currently stars as the mysterious villainess and a series regular at the heart of ELKHORN, a cable western drama now renewed for its second season on the Inspiration Channel, premiering in October 2025. 
Her recent film THE DARKNESS RETURNS set buzz to Cannes Film Festival this year, and is set for the film festival circuit this fall. 
#film #cinema #tvseries #elkhorn #roswell #roswelldelirum #actress #actor #actorlife #audition #auditioning #bondoncinema #cannes #cannesfilmfestival #area51 

Virginia Root's short DEAD WEIGHT: Surviving the End of the World Comes with an Unexpected Guest

My guest today is writer/director Virginia Root. 
In 2024, she won the George R.R. Martin Screenwriting Competition with her sci-fi pilot Deserters, received a grant from the non-profit New Mexico Writers, and became a Stowe Story Lab fellow in the New Mexico New Voices program. 
Virginia’s original pilot scripts, The Sisters Morrigan and Deserters, were second-round finalists at the Austin Film Festival in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
Virginia is a Telly Award-winning commercial director; the spot she wrote and directed for the New Mexico Summer Food Program was awarded a Silver Telly in 2025.
Her short film, DEAD WEIGHT, premieres at Dances with Films: this month in LA. And DEAD WEIGHT is our topic for discussion today and what a topic it is. 
Ladies and gentlemen, Grace (ALEXANDRA RENZO), a solo female backpacker, unwittingly survives an apocalyptic event while in the wilderness. She resolves to live out the rest of her days in peace until she encounters Aaron (GRIFFIN NEWMAN), a fellow survivor with a very different take on the end of the world.
DEAD WEIGHT is one of those few films in which it places the audience in the shoes of the characters. Yes, you will be thinking from the start, “What Would I Do?” - And that’s a great question to ask yourself. 
I hope the world doesn’t end with a nuclear blast or a plaque without a cure, but you should view DEAD WEIGHT with a positive mindset and even a bit of inspiration to toughen up. Learn how to stand on your own two feet. 
I know I view film much differently than my fellow critics, but films bring different outlooks and messages for the audience to ponder and DEAD WEIGHT does that. 
Virginia Root has brought us a bit of learning experience, but it also opens up more conversations about life and death, and what would you do to survive. 
Be on the lookout for DEAD WEIGHT on the film festival circuit and make sure you are seated in the theater to watch this film. Believe me, it’ll leave a lasting impression on you, just as it did me. 
#shortfilm #shortfilms #film #cinema #endoftheworld #apocalypse #survival #thriller #suspensethriller #cinematography #storytelling #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector