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In the beating heart of the most successful independent filmmakers you can find one thing for certain: a belief in oneself. I've hardly ever heard a more powerful defense of one's vision than from filmmaker Rachel Suissa, who is here to talk about her debut indie film, GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE (2025).

If you want to be inspired by a woman and her vision, this is the episode for you.

And don't forget -- preorder her film! Rachel lets us in on the insight of the Apple algorithm and so much more.

In this episode, Rachel and I discuss:

• how she got involved in filmmaking, starting as an actress and boldly taking control of her career after a show bombed -- "people had different ways to grieve and mine was to take control, of things and have freedom to tell my stories";
• what people should expect to see during GREEK MOTHERS NEVER DIE;
• what kind of advice she gives on creating ethnic related films? "if somebody wants to make a first indie movie, it has to be something that resonate with his heart, his universe, and his experience";
• her feelings about MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002);
• how she was able to keep a two hour plus run time in a field (romcoms) that's very hard to do -- how did she manage this?
• whether being an actress helped her direct this film with the vision she wanted -- "it's all ink and paper until an actor brings it to life";
• her thoughts on funders demanding a "name" cast and what an indie director should do about it;
• her sticking to her vision, no matter the consequences;
• how many preorders it takes to beat the Apple algo;
• what's next for her -- "The Hangover meets Mamma Mia!"

Rachel's Indie Film Highlight: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004) dir. by Michel Gondry

Links:

Follow Rachel Suissa On Instagram

Preorder on Apple TV Now