One time, it might be a coincidence. But time after time, if you're going to areas that make other people afraid, like underground fight clubs in Asia or the Chilean Andes or like in her latest film, SILVER (2026), a mine in Bolivia, that's your hallmark as a filmmaker.

You can say that about my guest, brilliant director Natalia Koniarz, whose film SILVER won the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize at this year's Slamdance film festival. No explanations, no interviews, just gorgeous cinema about a Bolivia mine that needs to be seen on a big screen.

Will it? How can we do that? We discuss that on this episode, as well as being absolute brave as hell. When I'm sleeping in my warm bed, I thank God for filmmakers like Natalia.

In this episode, Natalia and I discuss:

what do all the awards tell her about SILVER? And what does it feel like?
what should people know about the film before watching;
how she got such immersive footage of the mines that few films have achieved;
did anyone tell her she needs to offer more explanations in the film?;
how she knew she wanted to get involved in filmmaking;
her next film will be about underground fighting in Asia -- what draws her to otherworldly topics?
the distribution process and the challenges of seeing a doc like hers in a theater;
indie filmmaking in Paris and Poland;
what's next for her.

Memorable Quotes:

" It's a very immersive film where you have to immerse into the world. There is no explanation of history or there's no interviews."

" I was asking the miners and people around how they would make the film."

" I've met people who have been completely crushed by the film and I met those who haven't felt anything. And I think it's the way that things exist in the art."

On her film's topics: " I have this feeling that they are choosing me more than I'm choosing this."

" I don't treat fear as something bad."

" That's actually a game changer also...how easy it is in Europe, easier to have co-productions between countries."

Links:

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