Behind The Lens

Behind The Lens

JoinTomatometer-approved, veteran film critic debbie lynn elias and a line-up of talented and informed guests as she goes BEHIND THE LENS and below the line with movie reviews and interviews with an in-depth look at the filmmaking process from producing to performance to production design, directing, cinematography, costuming, scoring, editing, scripting, casting and more.

Episodes

July 13, 2026 65 mins

A new filmmaker for you today on BEHIND THE LENS!  BRITT BANKHEAD - director, co-writer, producer, and lead actor joins me talking about his narrative feature directorial debut, THE TOWN THAT TAKES.

How many of you remember some of your elementary school lessons about the early settlers of the colonies? I know I do, and so does Britt, and he is bringing us an interesting and entertaining film that blends the legend of CROATOA...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It’s another entertaining and enlightening episode of BEHIND THE LENS thanks to director/co-writer ANTHONY FRITH and his documentary MOCKBUSTER.  

Now, MOCKBUSTER isn’t your typical documentary.  This is a documentary directed by Anthony Frith concurrently with his directing of another Asylum B-movie classic, THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT.  I know you know The Asylum, the studio responsible for the SHARKNADO...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Surprise!  It’s a bonus edition of BEHIND THE LENS!  

So many terrific interviews of late with some very energetic and enthusiastic filmmakers, and all rather lengthy, that I can’t fit them all in on our weekly Monday show.  And because of the fun and enthusiasm of these filmmakers, I want you to hear and enjoy that enthusiasm rather than read a written feature.  So you’re getting some bo...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Another fun week on BEHIND THE LENS!  Another terrific film and filmmaker!  That's right!  This week, it's all about THE GET OUT with director/co-writer DERRICK BORTE.  But first. . .

Dances With Films has come to a close in Hollywood. Some fantastic films this year. You’ve heard some of my interviews the past couple of weeks with DWF filmmakers, and I still have a few more that you’ll be reading an...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It’s another week of BEHIND THE LENS shining a spotlight on DANCES WITH FILMS and a couple of the wonderful films and filmmakers in this year’s festival, namely HEKLA and w/d MICHAEL GLOVER SMITH and THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG and w/d DOUGLAS BREMNER.

First up - MICHAEL GLOVER SMITH and HEKLA!  HEKLA is a comedy/drama about the emotional cost of pursuing a creative life. Set over one hectic day in Chicago,...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Last week was all about Tribeca Film Festival and some wonderful animated short films that had their premieres there.  This week it’s all about Dances With Films, which starts this week on June 18 and runs through June 28 at the TCL Chinese Theatre complex in Hollywood.  And there are some great films for you to look forward to seeing, starting with the opening night film - the world premiere of YALE from director J...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It's a fun week on BEHIND THE LENS as we’re talking animation and the Tribeca Film Festival!  And not just any animation, but world premiere animation shorts - DEAR UPSTAIRS NEIGHBORS and ROAR, both animated gems led by filmmakers with a Pixar pedigree - animation editor SARAH AFFLECK and writer/director JESSE WEGLEIN, respectively.

First up, we’re gonna roar with writer/director/editor/dp/and songwriter JESSE WEG...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Welcome back to a new week and a new month of BEHIND THE LENS!  Glad to be back after the Memorial Day holiday.  Hope yours was fantastic!  I've got a terrific show for you today, thanks to actor and producer KATIE CASSIDY and director JON KEEYES talking all things SPEED DEMON!  And what a film it is!

A runaway train.  A demon named Asmodeus.  A nun called upon to perform an exorcism.

On pa...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, we turn our attention to the Miami art world and first-time feature director Jing Ai Ng with her film FORGE.  I thoroughly enjoyed this film from a story perspective and from a directorial and production perspective.  As I’ve been seeing in quite a few films of late from first-time feature directors, once again, production values are high, but story and character are at the center of it...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

What a terrific show I’ve got for you this week on BEHIND THE LENS as I get to introduce you to a wonderful British filmmaker, writer/director JOHN MICHAEL KENNEDY, who makes his narrative feature directorial debut with the mystery thriller, AN ENEMY WITHIN.  Not only is this John’s narrative feature directorial debut, but as I found out, this interview that you are about to hear was his very first interview, somet...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

I’m very excited about this week’s BEHIND THE LENS because I get to talk about RENNY HARLIN and his new film DEEP WATER! 

After 33 years of chatting with Renny and talking about his films, he truly is not only one of my favorite filmmakers, but one of my favorite people.  His intelligence, his skill, his dedication to the craft of moviemaking and storytelling, his directorial vision, and his kindness.  I...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

As promised, this week on BEHIND THE LENS is all about director DAVID MACKENZIE and his new explosive film, FUZE.  

Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Ben Hopkins, FUZE boasts an amazing cast - Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Saffron Hocking, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Elham Ehsas, and Sam Worthington.

Executed with razor-sharp precision, FUZE is a tightly coiled, high-wire heist thriller that unfolds like a cinematic shell ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, it’s all about tension and terror, blood and brutality with writer/director ANTON SIGURDSSON’s psychological thriller/mystery,  REFUGE.

Four estranged friends reunite on a fishing trip, but a missing child and a desperate father's accusation turn the reunion into a deadly reckoning.  Brutal, bloody.....lots of duct tape involved.  Terror-filled.  A twisted ending that w...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

This week it’s all about “To See or Not To See”, and after hearing today’s exclusive interviews with BEN WHEATLEY discussing NORMAL and ANEIL KARIA talking all things HAMLET, I think you’ll agree that the answer will easily be - Must See.  Both of these films are fresh and fantastic, from story to performances to production values.  

First up today is director ANEIL KARIA talking about HAMLE...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

As promised, this week on BEHIND THE LENS, we’re talking about the religious-themed, historical drama A GREAT AWAKENING.  

Brought to us by director/co-writer Joshua Enck and those terrific folks at Sight & Sound, A GREAT AWAKENING tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history - the America...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Sorry that I missed all of you last week with BEHIND THE LENS, but I had no voice.  And you all know how catastrophic that is when I cannot talk and sound worse than a Budweiser bullfrog.  So my apologies.  But it’s a new week, and I’ve got a working voice and working internet, so let’s take a look at a film and filmmaker that just blew me away - OUR HERO, BALTHAZAR and its co-writer/director OSCAR ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It’s post-Oscar Monday on BEHIND THE LENS, and most of Hollywood is probably still recuperating from a night of celebration.  Some big winners last evening, notably ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, SINNERS, and KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, and you'll hear me talk about the evening with the good, the bad, and, to borrow from Sigourney Weaver, the adorable.  

But beyond Oscars, this week we're looking ahead with films that coul...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

I love this week’s BEHIND THE LENS (and hope you will, too), and my interview with writer/director PAUL BOYD talking about his new film SCARED TO DEATH.  But first, how about a bit of MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS and a new era of YELLOWSTONE with MARSHALS!

Moving into PAUL BOYD and SCARED TO DEATH, let me say at the outset, Paul is fantastic. He knows his craft, and he knows how to tell a story. He spent about 30 yea...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It's a jam-packed show this week on BEHIND THE LENS with two fantastic films and two equally fantastic filmmakers, both of whom are enthusiastic, energetic, and excited about filmmaking.  You’ll be hearing from writer/director CINQUE LEE in the second half of the show, talking about his new film LAST RIDE.  But first up is my exclusive interview with writer/director NASTASYA POPOV, going in-depth about her narrative...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Welcome back to another week of BEHIND THE LENS!  This week, we’re taking a look at WORLDBREAKER, an apocalyptic, action-oriented, sci-fi, creature feature with a dad and daughter dynamic that is told from the perspective of a young teenage girl, directed by BRAD ANDERSON.

Described as a pulse-pounding sci-fi action thriller about survival, sacrifice, and a young woman’s fight to step out of the shadows and into t...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Hey Jonas!

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices