Dr. James Schamus is a filmmaker, award-winning writer and a teacher at Columbia University. After writing, producing and distributing films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain, Dallas Cowboys Club, Milk and Lost in Translation, Dr. Schamus makes his debut in feature films with Indignation. He wrote and directed the film that is based on a Philip Roth novel.

We caught up with Dr. Schamus at the 59th San Francisco International Film Festival, where Indignation was the closing night film.

 

LISTEN: FILMMAKER JAMES SCHAMUS ON INDIGNATION, PHILIP ROTH AND ANG LEE

In the interview we spoke to Dr. Schamus about why he chose a Philip Roth novel for his directorial debut and his fascination with Roth’s works. We also spoke to him how he selected the cast and crew for the film. What kind of director is he? We also spoke about his extensive collaboration with Ang Lee. And, we had to ask him about the influence of the Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer. Schamus has written a book on Dreyer.

Indignation stars Sarah Gadon, Logman Lerman and Tracy Letts. Editing is by Andrew Marcus and Cinematography by Christopher Blauvelt.