Jeymes Samuel joins the show to talk about his feature directorial debut, The Harder They Fall. The film follows Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), a young outlaw dead set on seeking revenge against his lifelong enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba). When Nat discovers Rufus has been released from prison, he rounds up an unlikely team to take down Rufus and his infamous gang once and for all. In this interview, Samuel talks about his lifelong fascination with the Western genre, the importance of deconstructing and revitalizing it through a modern lens, and how he used his own original music to carefully shape the characters and story we see on screen.Samuel also shares his singing talents, touches on working with producer Jay-Z, and talks candidly about his fear of the dark.

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Jeymes Samuel

Welcome back to another episode of Present Company On The Road! In this interview, Krista sits down with Dakota Johnson at the Telluride Film Festival to talk about her performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal's feature directorial debut, The Lost Daughter.Adapted from Elena Ferrante's novel by the same name, The Lost Daughter follows Leda (Olivia Colman), a college professor vacationing in Greece who becomes obsessed with a young mother named Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her daughter. Over the course of Leda's trip, her proximity to the duo prompts memories from her own early days of motherhood, forcing Leda to confront her past. In this interview, Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Our Friend) discusses why she was drawn to the role, her experience working with first-time director Maggie Gyllenhaal,  and the isolating effects of shooting during COVID-19. Johnson also shares the motivation behind her production company TeaTime Pictures and hints at her own future directorial ambitions. 

Dakota Johnson

Welcome to the first episode of Present Company On The Road -- a brand new segment bringing you to some of the biggest film events in the country. In this episode, Krista sits down with Kirsten Dunst at the Telluride Film Festival. It's been nearly three decades since Kirsten Dunst first made a name for herself in Hollywood. She started modeling and appearing in commercials at just three years old -- a full eight years before her breakout role alongside Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire. Since then, she's brought us unforgettable performances in projects such as The Virgin Suicides, Melancholia, and Fargo. Now, Dunst has delivered yet another phenomenal performance as Rose in Jane Campion's new feature adaptation, The Power of the Dog. In this interview, she discusses what it was like to once again share the screen with her partner Jesse Plemons, how she prepares for a role, and how her long history of working with female directors impacted her as an artist. Dunst also touches on the fears she grapples with as a parent and imparts some wisdom onto the next generation of actors.

Kirsten Dunst

Jake Gyllenhaal joins the show to talk about his latest film, The Guilty, in which he plays Joe Baylor, a 911 operator struggling to save one of his distressed callers. Gyllenhaal, who is also a producer on the film, discusses why he wanted to transpose the original Danish film into an American context, the importance of centering the film around systemic issues, and the challenges of shooting during COVID-19.Gyllenhaal also discusses the delicious culinary creations he's been whipping up during quarantine and touches on how he navigates his own fears in an artistic space.  

Jake Gyllenhaal

In this special mini episode of Present Company, Krista reflects on her recent trip to the Telluride Film Festival and gives listeners a sneak peak into this season's fantastic guest lineup.

Welcome to Season 3!

Omar Sy joins Present Company to discuss his hit series “Lupin.” The worldwide success of the show is the the second time in Sy’s career that he has starred in an entertainment phenomenon, the first being the French film “The Intouchables.” That film remains Frances’ biggest global hit, and Sy won the French equivalent of an Oscar, the César Award, for his performance.In this interview, Sy discusses why Lupin is such a captivating figure for his character to emulate, how the series illuminates issues of race and class, and what it feels like to fly the French flag with the success of the series. He also discusses his childhood in France, what it was like growing up as the middle child of eight, and why he decided to move to Los Angeles. Plus, he shares the surprising role the Kardashians played in helping him learn English.

Omar Sy

Ewan McGregor joins the show to discuss his tour de force performance in “Halston,” the limited series in which he plays the take-no-prisoners designer who took New York by storm. He shares what first drew him to the role, how he prepared to capture the man and his craft, why he wanted to meet Liza Minnelli before playing Halston, and the scenes he found most challenging to play. McGregor also reflects on the arc of his career to date, the dynamic and distinct career choices he’s made along the way, and the fears he still faces when he tackles a new role.

Ewan McGregor

Joey King joins the show to discuss the third and final instalment of her global franchise hit “The Kissing Booth.” She reflects back on how the journey began, what it was like when the first film became a phenomenon, and how the trilogy has changed her life.King also talks about her trajectory from being a child actor to being nominated for an Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe for her extraordinary performance opposite Patricia Arquette in “The Act,” and her work as a producer. She also shares the pressures of social media, how she handles fear and self-doubt, and her advice for young creatives who might be struggling.

Joey King

Across the years, Michael Douglas’ films have captured the spirit of the times and audiences’ imaginations, from “Wall Street” and “Fatal Attraction,” to “Falling Down” and “The Game.” He is an Academy Award-winning actor and producer, an Emmy winner, and the recipient of multiple Golden Globes. In this episode, he discusses the third and final season of “The Kominsky Method;" his onscreen chemistry with Kathleen Turner, his co-star across the decades; and why he had no trepidation in taking on a show that has been fearless, heartfelt, and hilarious in tackling the realities of aging.

Michael Douglas

Across two seasons of “The Crown,” Josh O’Connor has delivered a critically acclaimed and award-winning performance as Prince Charles. In this interview, the young Brit discusses his nuanced and complex portrayal of the future King, and he shares his initial reservations about taking on the role. He talks about the care he took to avoid mimicry; his rapport with co-star Emma Corrin, who plays Princess Diana; and how he thought about the distinct shift in the way the audience relates to Charles between the two seasons.O’Connor also reflects on the course of his career to date, including his drama school years, his breakout role in “God’s Own Country,” and his latest projects, which include “Romeo and Juliet.” And he shares why supporting the mental health charity Mind is so important to him. 

Josh O'Connor

British breakout Jessie Mei Li joins Present Company to discuss “Shadow and Bone,” the phenomenon based on Leigh Bardugo’s best-selling fantasy series, in which the 25 year-old stars as Alina Starkov, an orphan mapmaker with an extraordinary power. Jessie discusses how the show first came to her, how her personal experiences helped her relate to the character, and her onscreen chemistry with co-star Archie Renaux. She also talks about how her acting instincts have helped her navigate challenging moments in her life, and how her parents are handling the show’s success.

Jessie Mei Li

At 26 years-old, Kelvin Harrison Jr. has already delivered a series of critically lauded, commanding performances, in films like “Luce,” for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, “Waves, and “The Trial of the Chicago Seven.”In this episode, he discusses “Monster,” a film based on the acclaimed book by Walter Dean Myers, and directed by Anthony Mandler, the celebrated music video director who has worked with stars like Rihanna and Beyonce. Harrison Jr. plays Steve Harmon, a seventeen-year-old honor student whose world comes crashing down when he is charged with felony murder.Harrison Jr. talks about how the film first came to him, how he connected to his character, and he shares his experiences working with the cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, John David Washington, A$AP Rocky, and Nas. He also shares his advice for young actors trying to make their own way.

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

In this episode, Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer sit down to discuss their new action comedy “Thunder Force,” in which the duo suit up as superheroes. Written and directed by Ben Falcone, who also happens to be McCarthy’s husband as well as her fellow producer on the project, the cast includes Jason Bateman, Bobby Cannavale, Pom Klementieff, and the brilliant newcomer Taylor Mosby.At the center of the film, is a heartfelt story about two women and the kind of friendship that lasts a lifetime, a theme with special resonance for McCarthy and Spencer who have been friends for more than two decades. They talk about the history of that friendship, the joys of working together, how it felt to put on those suits for the first time, the best part of being a superhero (and the more disgusting challenges), and they share their advice for the next generation of Hollywood hopefuls.

Melissa McCarthy & Octavia Spencer

Jennifer Garner joins the show to discuss “Yes Day,” the hit family comedy based on the book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, directed by Miguel Arteta, and co-starring Edgar Ramirez. Garner, who is also a producer on the movie, talks about the Yes Days she does with her own children, why she wanted to beckon loveliness into her life, and her terror at shooting the rollercoaster scene.She also reflects on the remarkable arc of her career, which has seen her find success across almost every genre, from “Alias” and “Daredevil” to “13 Going on 30” and “Dallas Buyers Club.” And she talks about her passion for causes and projects far beyond Hollywood, including Save the Children and her organic food company Once Upon a Farm.

Jennifer Garner

Eve Hewson joins host Krista Smith to discuss “Behind Her Eyes,” the mind-bending limited series created by Steve Lightfoot and based on the novel by Sarah Pinborough, which has transfixed and shocked its legion of fans. Hewson discusses how she came to the role, what she found most challenging, and she shares her own experience with astral projection.The actress, whose star has steadily risen thanks to performances in such shows as “The Knick” and “The Luminaries,” also discusses her career path to date, why formal acting training was so important to her, and she shares what she’s learned from working with Hollywood greats like Steven Soderbergh and Steven Spielberg.

Eve Hewson

Present Company with Krista Smith is a weekly show bringing you dynamic conversations with the exceptional people behind your favorite shows, films, specials, and documentaries.

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