EPISODE · Apr 13, 2026 · 47 MIN
BEHIND THE LENS #516: Featuring Ben Wheatley and Aneil Karia
from Behind The Lens · host debbie lynn elias
This week on BEHIND THE LENS 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 HAMLET starring Riz Ahmed. It takes guts to handle Shakespeare and adapt and reimagine, but director Aneil Karia did an amazing job with HAMLET. One of the most interesting aspects of the film comes courtesy of Michael Lesslie's screenplay. Michael did a wonderful job adapting "Macbeth" for director Justin Kurzel, and once again delivers a Shakespearean adaptation that is relatable and attainable for today's audience with HAMLET. Switching gears and genres, we head to the small town of NORMAL with director BEN WHEATLEY. I love Ben Wheatley's work, be it High Rise, Free Fire, Rebecca, Meg 2, or now, NORMAL. Ben can tackle any genre and always delivers first-rate films with high production values, excellent performances, and, in many cases, go-for-broke action and intensity. I have to put NORMAL in the latter category. Directed by Ben Wheatley and written by the brilliant Derek Kolstad, and starring Bob Odenkirk, NORMAL is the latest collaboration from this powerhouse team. Described as a kinetic neo-Western action film with Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a quaint Midwestern town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive. NORMAL is weird, wacky, and wonderful, brimming with originality, spurting blood, fantastic action, great deadpan humor, and first-rate performances. It is an absolute blast. When was the last time you watched folks covering up dead bodies and bright red blood with snow, and be thankful for having had a blizzard?? http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com
What this episode covers
This week on BEHIND THE LENS 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 HAMLET starring Riz Ahmed. It takes guts to handle Shakespeare and adapt and reimagine, but director Aneil Karia did an amazing job with HAMLET. One of the most interesting aspects of the film comes courtesy of Michael Lesslie's screenplay. Michael did a wonderful job adapting "Macbeth" for director Justin Kurzel, and once again delivers a Shakespearean adaptation that is relatable and attainable for today's audience with HAMLET. Switching gears and genres, we head to the small town of NORMAL with director BEN WHEATLEY. I love Ben Wheatley's work, be it High Rise, Free Fire, Rebecca, Meg 2, or now, NORMAL. Ben can tackle any genre and always delivers first-rate films with high production values, excellent performances, and, in many cases, go-for-broke action and intensity. I have to put NORMAL in the latter category. Directed by Ben Wheatley and written by the brilliant Derek Kolstad, and starring Bob Odenkirk, NORMAL is the latest collaboration from this powerhouse team. Described as a kinetic neo-Western action film with Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a quaint Midwestern town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive. NORMAL is weird, wacky, and wonderful, brimming with originality, spurting blood, fantastic action, great deadpan humor, and first-rate performances. It is an absolute blast. When was the last time you watched folks covering up dead bodies and bright red blood with snow, and be thankful for having had a blizzard??
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BEHIND THE LENS #516: Featuring Ben Wheatley and Aneil Karia
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