In this episode, we sit down with Elijah Guess, the cinematographer behind Violent Ends, the 2025 Southern crime-thriller that blends gritty realism with haunting Ozark atmosphere. Elijah shares how he crafted the film’s moody visual language — from capturing the tension of backwoods family feuds to shaping the film’s dark, Gothic tone. We dive into his creative process, the challenges of shooting in the rugged Ozark landscape, and how visual storytelling helps amplify themes of violence, legacy, and redemption. A must-listen for film lovers and anyone curious about the craft behind compelling cinematography.

Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji is an Iraqi-Dutch filmmaker. He completed two master’s degrees in cinematography and directing at the Northern Film School in Leeds.

Set in the heart of post-war Baghdad, Irkalla: Gilgamesh's Dream follows the emotional journey of Chum-Chum, an eight-year-old homeless boy living with diabetes. Orphaned and forgotten by the world, he survives in a crumbling city, clinging to ancient myths for comfort. He believes the Tigris River is a passage to Irkalla - the Mesopotamian underworld - where he hopes to reunite with his lost parents. Guided by dreams, stories, and imagination, Chum-Chum sets out on a quest that mixes myth and reality.

As his only friend begins to fall into the trap of violence and street crime, Chum-Chum chooses a different path. He embarks on a symbolic journey through Baghdad - a city at once real and mythological - searching for hope, memory, and purpose. Along the way, he encounters visions of ancient figures like Gilgamesh and winged bulls. The city transforms into a surreal playground of history, trauma, and dreams, where every alley and ruin carries echoes of forgotten legends.

The film is a powerful blend of magical realism and neorealism. It captures both the physical destruction of modern Iraq and the emotional landscape of its youngest survivors. Through rich visuals and poetic storytelling, director Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji shows how myth can become a lifeline. Chum-Chum is not just a passive victim - he is a storyteller, a seeker, a child-hero recreating the epic of Gilgamesh in his own way.

Irkalla is a meditation on grief, memory, and resilience. It reflects on how children process trauma, and how ancient myths can give shape to unimaginable pain. The film reframes childhood not as something broken by war, but as something brave enough to reimagine the world. Chum-Chum's journey reminds us that even in a city torn apart, a child's dream can light the way forward.

A quiet, black-and-white story set on Christmas Eve, 1998. The film follows a weary taxi driver and the strangers who drift in and out of his cab as he waits for a glimpse of the newly launched International Space Station. Blending gentle humor, melancholy, and cosmic wonder, it’s a meditation on loneliness, connection, and the small moments that hold us together.

On this episode, Director, Daniel Masciari discusses all of the behind the scenes on the making of the film, its characters and creative choices.

Stationed at Home is now available to own or rent on digital download