Half the Picture's guest this episode is the brilliant director Paul McGuigan, whose mercurial and vibrant talents have been gracing our screens, both big and small for over 25 years!

Paul joined us primarily to discuss the making of his cult classic British crime gem, 'Gangster No.1' featuring barnstorming turns from Malcolm McDowell, David Thewlis and a star-making performance by a then unknown Paul Bettany! He also delved into his approach to directing 'Sherlock', his pioneering use of onscreen text amongst other stylistic flourishes and his films 'The Acid House' and 'Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.' For all this and more, listen on!

#PaulMcGuigan #Gangsterno1 #Sherlock #HalfthePicture

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*Note: This interview was recorded on July 27th 2022.

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Timecodes

0:00 - Intro

00:45 - Gangster No.1's inception

05:47 - Casting Gangster No.1

15:11 - Working with Malcolm McDowell

17:08 - Paul Bettany's Performance

22:32 - Homosexual subtext in Gangster No.1

29:15 - Deconstructing gangsterism

31:53 - Francis Bacon's influence on Gangster No.1

33:17 - Cinema's influence on gangster culture

35:28 - Bettany & Marsan's Kitchen Scene

44:10 - Lenny Taylor's POV Murder Scene

51:28 - Working with Peter Sova A.S.C.

52:24 - Visual filmmaking

55:13 - Directing Sherlock & Text Onscreen

58:00 - Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

01:00:32 - Sherlock & Transitions

01:02:10 - Critical Response to Gangster No.1

01:05:56 - Working with Steven Spielberg

01:06:47 - Sherlock Holmes in the 21st Century

01:10:25 - Fun and games on the Gangster No.1 set

01:12:40 - Outro