Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, the filmmaker behind the stylish and brutal new thriller Diablo joins this latest episode of the Movies In Focus podcast.

Espinoza has been flying the flag for genre cinema in Chile for nearly 20 years—serving up everything from hard-hitting martial arts action to offbeat exploitation throwbacks. With Diablo, he’s crafted something lean, atmospheric, and incredibly well acted. Think Man on Fire by way of Terminator 2.

We discuss making Diablo, working with actors like Scott Adkins, and delivering an old-school film with limited resources.

If you like stylish and punchy action movies, you’ll want to hear this.

Film scholar and returning guest James Kenney has a knack for uncovering lost and forgotten cinematic treasures. You can listen to episodes 18 and 32 of the Movies In Focus podcast to learn about his headline-making work on Peter Bogdanovich’s Squirrels To The Nuts and the rediscovery of the original version of the Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas film, God’s Daughter.

James now returns to discuss his latest find: Brian De Palma’s ‘lost’ film script, Ambrose Chapel. The now-published screenplay features an introductory essay from James, which examines De Palma’s fascinating and stylish career as a master of suspense.

Written by De Palma in the 1990s between Carlito’s Way and Mission: Impossible, audiences can finally catch sight of De Palma’s 'screwball noir'. Virtual reality, mind control, and De Palma’s famed voyeurism are the order of the day for this Hitchcock-inspired, Mexico City-set thriller. James digs into the origins of Ambrose Chapel, exploring how it fits within many of De Palma’s signature themes.

The conversation takes a broader look at De Palma’s legendary career, tracing his evolution as a filmmaker and examining how Ambrose Chapel fits into the director’s cinematic legacy - ultimately offering a look at one of Hollywood’s most misunderstood auteurs.

AMBROSE CHAPEL - A screenplay by Brian De Palma is out now from Sticking Place Books

www.stickingplacebooks.com

Acclaimed horror author Adam Cesare joins this bite-sized episode of the Movies In Focus podcast to talk about the recording breaking film adaptation of his novel Clown In A Cornfield.

Known for his mastery of slasher thrills and sharp social commentary, Adam Cesare's book - and its film adaptation - charts the chilling story of Kettle Springs-a town divided and terrorised by the homicidal killer clown, Frendo.

Adam explores the transformation of this bloody, original tale from page to screen, discusses the challenges and creative choices behind adapting a young adult horror novel that balances gore, suspense and small-town tensions.