Author: Raphael Sbarge

Inside the Arthouse: The Usual Suspects

Posted on by Raphael Sbarge

You’ve probably never heard of PUBLIC ACCESS — the 1993 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize (Dramatic) winner — but you’ve almost certainly heard of Keyser Soze, the enigmatic villain at the heart of the 1995 Oscar-winning THE USUAL SUSPECTS. So what connects these two films?

On this episode of INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE, we sit down with Ken Kokin, the producer of both of these films, and discuss how the same creative team – director Bryan Singer, screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie, editor/composer John Ottman, and producer Kokin – went from making an obscure festival prize winner to creating one of the great mystery crime thrillers of all time.

Marking the 30th anniversary of THE USUAL SUSPECTS, this conversation is fun, candid, and illuminating: the origin of Keyser Soze, building the creative collaboration, the leap from festival buzz to Academy Award glory, and the producing lessons behind a legendary twist ending. If you love behind-the-scenes stories, neo-noir thrillers, or the making of cult classics, you’re in the right place.

Join us as we discuss one of our favorite arthouse favorites, THE USUAL SUSPECTS, with producer Ken Kokin, on INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE, starting now.  

Inside the Arthouse: Chain Reactions

Posted on by Raphael Sbarge

Horror films have haunted cinema since its earliest days — from the silent terror of NOSFERATUto the iconic Universal Monsters of the 1930s, to demonic classics like ROSEMARY’S BABY and THE EXORCIST. For generations, filmmakers have pushed the boundaries of fear, redefining what it means to scare audiences.

Then came 1974. When THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE premiered, it didn’t just terrify audiences; it changed horror forever. Directed by Tobe Hooper, this low-budget, gritty masterpiece arrived in the aftermath of Vietnam and political turmoil, channeling the anxieties of its time. Today, it remains one of the most influential horror movies ever made, inspiring generations of filmmakers.

 

Acclaimed documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe turns his lens on THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE in his new documentary CHAIN REACTIONS. Rather than retelling the well-known production story, Philippe highlights the film’s cultural impact through the eyes of five devoted fans — all accomplished artists themselves. They reveal how this horror classic shaped their creativity, careers, and storytelling.

 

Philippe has built his career exploring cinema’s cultural touchstones. His celebrated works include 78/52 — a deep dive into Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic Psycho shower scene — and LYNCH/OZ, which uncovers how THE WIZARD OF OZ influenced David Lynch’s surreal filmmaking. With CHAIN REACTIONS, Philippe adds another must-see documentary to his filmography.

Whether you’re a lifelong horror fan, a filmmaker seeking inspiration, or just curious about why THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE still matters today, this conversation is for you. Even if you don’t typically watch horror films, you’ll find fresh insight and passion in our discussion with CHAIN REACTIONS director Alexandre O. Philippe on Inside the Arthouse, starting now… 

Inside the Arthouse: The American Southwest

Posted on by Raphael Sbarge

Thank God for nature filmmakers. Sure, we could try to get ourselves out to some breathtaking wilderness. But would we really have the time—or the patience—to wait for a herd of elk to appear? Or the equipment to capture a shy family of beavers building a dam? And don’t even get me started on the vertigo that would stop me from watching a young condor soar above the Grand Canyon.

Thankfully, filmmaker Ben Masters and his team of cinematographers have done all of that for us. They’ve spent countless hours in the field, so that we can experience these wonders in under two hours—and for the price of a ticket.

THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST is Masters’ third feature documentary, and it’s a stunning addition to his body of work. This time, he takes us along the mighty Colorado River, from its headwaters in the Rockies, through the Grand Canyon, and down to the Gulf of California. Along the way, we meet the signature species that call the river home, and we come to understand the delicate balance of this vital ecosystem.

The film not only helps us appreciate these creatures and landscapes, but also explores the impact we humans have on the river—and how we might become better stewards of our environment.

It’s a beautiful, meaningful film with something for audiences of all ages.

Join us now for our conversation with Ben Masters, Inside the Arthouse, starting now.

Inside the Arthouse: Roger Christensen

Posted on by Raphael Sbarge

The staff members at your local arthouse — they’re generally as unique as the films they show. And thank God for that. Because without their disregard for corporate uniformity, the experience of going to the cinema would not have that distinctive quality that makes each visit unique.

In this episode of INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE, we get to talk with Roger Christensen, a longtime movie theater employee who spent the last part of his 40-plus year career as the locally famous, beloved, and hilarious general manager of the Sunset 5 in West Hollywood. At a time when that venue was the hottest arthouse west of the Angelika Film Center in New York, he was there when indie icons like Todd Haynes, Lisa Cholodenko, and Doug Liman debuted their first films. And just to prove that it wasn’t all Oscars and accolades, he also bears some responsibility for the launch of the phenomenon of Tommy Wisseau and his cult B movie THE ROOM.

Downtown movie palaces fade away. New venues take over as the audience shifts geographically. Single screens give way to multiplexes. But through it all, the audience still craves that moment when the house lights dim and the screen comes to life. And for the people who work at the theater – the managers, projectionists, and box office and concessions personnel – they get to share in that journey of change and discovery that comes with seeing a great movie.

We had a lot of fun recording this episode, and we hope that you’ll also find it fun and illuminating. So join us as we share war stories with Roger Christensen, General Manager of the Sunset 5 in West Hollywood, on INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE, starting now…

Inside the Arthouse: The Teacher

Posted on by Raphael Sbarge
The Teacher

After receiving an Oscar nomination for her short film, THE PRESENT, Palestinian British filmmaker Farah Nabulsi set out to take audiences on an intense, emotional journey into the Israeli occupied West Bank. Based on real life experiences of relatives, the story lifts the curtain on the hardships and difficult choices Palestinians have to make. 

Starring the renowned Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri in a moving performance, the film follows the character of Basem, a teacher with a buried personal tragedy. Throwing himself into his work, he forms a deep bond with his student, Adam.

Shot entirely in Palestine, told with humanity and empathy, Nabulsi brings these threads together, leaving us with a sense of compassion and hope for a future, even as the present reality seems to offer none.

THE TEACHER premiered at The Toronto Film Festival, received Best International Feature Award at Galway, Audience award at San Francisco International Film Festival, among many others; the film has received over a dozen awards!

Join us and our conversation with filmmaker Farah Nabulsi on her journey to make 

THE TEACHER  on INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE, starting now.  

Inside the Arthouse: Gaucho Gaucho

Posted on by Raphael Sbarge
Gaucho Gaucho

The filmmaking duo of Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw have taken us from the Long Island stock car racetrack featured in THE LAST RACE, to the oak forests of the Piedmont region of Italy in the Oscar-nominated THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS.

Their continuing exploration of tight knit subcultures fighting to maintain their place in a rapidly changing world turns next to the plains of Argentina and the community of gauchos who maintain a strong connection to their traditional ways, along with a profound relationship with their environment.

Their latest film, GAUCHO GAUCHO, merges the authenticity and immediacy of verité filmmaking with an operatic flair that results in a cinematic language that defies comparison. 

Join us Raphael Sbarge and Greg Laemmle as they sit down with Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw on the latest episode of Inside the Arthouse.