In conversation with director Alicia MacDonald - Finding Emily, Mike Leigh, short films, romantic comedies, Kickstarter – Film Stories with Simon Brew

Alicia MacDonald first feature film as director, Finding Emily, turns out to be a Working Title-backed romantic comedy, the kind that used to fill British cinema charts. Albeit with a twist! In this Film Stories special, she talks to Simon Brew about launching her first feature, the years on her way up when she found herself alongside Mike Leigh, and in a room while Alan Rickman watched her type. Plus a whole lot more... Finding Emily is now in UK cinemas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In conversation with director Alicia MacDonald - Finding Emily, Mike Leigh, short films, romantic comedies, Kickstarter

Howard The Duck (1986) and the first Marvel movie, plus Terri White

Gladiator (2000) and its journey to the screen, plus director Morgan Matthews

American Made (2017), and the Tom Cruise film that's fallen through the cracks

In conversation with Sam Campbell - Make That Movie, bananas, VHS tapes, cinema and more

Fight Club (1999), plus the dig against Rupert Murdoch at the end

In conversation with Paul Mercurio - Strictly Ballroom, Exit To Eden, and, er, homebrew beer

Jurassic Park (1993), and the struggle to bring dinosaurs to the screen

The New Mutants (2020), and a big missed opportunity

In conversation with Thea Sharrock - Ladies First, Wicked Little Letters, The Beautiful Game, posh chairs

Hook, and how it became the Steven Spielberg film that Steven Spielberg doesn't like