Introduction
‘A Lien’ is Oscar-nominated! Having worked on a few films since ‘A Lien,’ Sam Cutler-Kreutz feels slightly removed from the film, but the award season persists. I spoke to Sam, who co-wrote/directed the film with his brother and filmmaking partner, David, before the nomination. Since our conversation, Adam McKay has boarded the film as an Executive Producer. ‘A Lien’ can be viewed on Vimeo before the Academy Award ceremony on March 2nd, 2025.
Can you speak about your collaboration with David and what that looks like?
David’s my brother and best friend, so it’s really fun working together. Our collaboration feels natural because our tastes align so well. Sometimes, we’d independently come up with the same idea or cast choice. Working in sync like that makes the filmmaking process incredibly enjoyable and effective. For example, during a casting session, I thought we’d found the perfect person, and David called me immediately with the same thought, even though we were in different locations. It’s like we’re always on the same page, which is really helpful for filmmaking.
Is the process of making the films more important to you than the final product?
We grew up without a TV, which meant our filmmaking journey started with storytelling from our imaginations. Our dad bought a home movie camera, and we created stories from what we thought up, not what we saw on TV. For me, which I think is true for David too, the joy is in the process of turning stories in our heads into something real. Watching those films isn’t as exciting for us. The making of it is more enjoyable than the final product. It’s much like enjoying cooking more than eating the food!
“Ideas are like butterflies—everyone sees them, but only some capture them. It’s about being ready to seize those moments when inspiration strikes.”
What guides you to work on a specific project, especially given your diverse filmography?
For us, style is more about hindsight—it’s the tracks we leave behind, not what’s ahead. We’re drawn to good stories, whatever they may be. Ideas are like butterflies—everyone sees them, but only some capture them. It’s about being ready to seize those moments when inspiration strikes. We keep Google Docs of ideas and revisit them when inspired. We test these ideas and see which ones still excite us. With “A Lien,” it was a news article that sparked something years ago, and we came back to it when it felt right.
Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is unpredictable, and that’s part of the fun. Stephen King captures this idea well, noting that hard work is what often brings the muse to those who are ready to receive it. You have to be down there in the basement, working through the tough moments, and occasionally, you’ll get that spark of inspiration. It’s about the grind, showing up and doing the work.
What inspired “Flounder”?
“Flounder” came from a story told by my uncle about Marines jumping into water with cinder blocks, a story that probably wasn’t true. But the image of questioning life choices on a dock stuck with me. We grew that idea into a film. It went from a military setting to hazing with a bowling ball, exploring themes of toxic masculinity. It was about taking an initial image and building a narrative and themes around it.
“Anybody can make a movie; becoming a filmmaker is fully about how much work you’re willing to put in.”
Congratulations on the Oscars shortlist! What does it take to get to where you are now?
Thank you! Honestly, it’s a lot of work. From being a kid with a camera to getting here involves years of dedication. These projects do not finish themselves—you must drag them across the finish line. You have to enjoy the grind because you’re going to be doing it a lot. Anybody can make a movie; becoming a filmmaker is fully about how much work you’re willing to put in.
What’s next? Do you have any upcoming projects?
There’s a feature film coming up. We’re still working on it, trying to put it into shape. It’s a new experience with new challenges, but it’s exciting. We’re aiming for it to be the first of many. Hopefully, people will get to see it soon, and it sets the stage for more features to come.
Conclusion
Watch ‘A Lien’ on Vimeo, and tune into the Academy Award ceremony on March 2nd, 2025. Sam and his brother David have some other excellent films that can be found on Sam’s Vimeo profile, so I strongly advise you to check those out, too. Thanks for reading!
Note: This Interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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