21 Inside The Alfa with filmmakers Aidan de Cadenet & Lukas Dong

Shoot Wisely Podcast — A conversation with Aidan de Cadenet & Lukas DongIn this special in-person episode of Shoot Wisely, I sit down with filmmaker Aidan de Cadenet and director Lukas Dong to talk about the making of their short film The Alfa.What makes this conversation unique is the setting. The episode was recorded at Aidan’s home, with the very car that inspired the film the legendary 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ  sitting quietly in the garage just a few steps away. The atmosphere of the recording mirrors the tone of the film itself: intimate, reflective, and deeply personal.Rather than a traditional interview, this episode unfolds as a relaxed conversation between two filmmakers and longtime friends. Together we explore how The Alfa came to life from the earliest spark of the idea to the collaborative process between Aidan and Lukas as producer and director.At the heart of the film is Aidan’s relationship with his father, legendary racing driver Alain de Cadenet, and the emotional significance of restoring one of his most beloved cars. But the conversation moves far beyond the mechanics of filmmaking or automotive history.We talk about the deeper themes behind the project: the creative friendship between Aidan and Lukas  the role of objects as vessels for memory  the challenge of telling personal stories through film  and whether the idea of closure is something that can truly be achieved — or even something we should pursue at all. The episode also looks forward, as Aidan and Lukas discuss the future of their collaboration and the possibility of continuing this project as an ongoing series exploring legacy, storytelling, and the emotional weight carried by meaningful objects.Recorded in the presence of the very car that inspired the film, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the creative and emotional journey behind The Alfa — and the friendship that made the film possible.