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Check the Gate

Check the Gate is a recurring column in which Brad Gullickson goes one-on-one with directors in an effort to uncover the reasoning behind their creative decisions. Why that subject? Why that shot?

Explore the entire Check the Gate archive below

Bodies Bodies Bodies Halina Reijn Interview

Director Halina Reijn Explains Why ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ is Our Problem

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We chat with the director about her new film and discuss whether she loves or loathes her characters.

Rza Kung Fu Cinema Alamo Drafthouse

RZA Names the 2 Kung Fu Flicks Every Curious Kid Should Watch

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We chat with RZA about his favorite kung fu movies and why the new Alamo Drafthouse on Staten Island means so much to him.

Mad God

Phil Tippett on Why ‘Mad God’ Had to Be Cooked Slowly

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We chatted with the stop-motion legend about the filmmaking advice he received from Miloš Forman and Paul Verhoeven. It’s all about preparing for a good shit.

Brea Grant Torn Hearts Interview

Brea Grant Discusses Her Gnarly Country Music Horror Movie ‘Torn Hearts’

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We chat with the director about her one-of-a-kind country music horror film and how it exposes an anxiety surrounding a slowly evolving creative industry.

Graham Moore The Outfit

Graham Moore Asked Dick Pope to Make ‘The Outfit’ Look Like a Suit

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We chat with Moore about his feature directorial debut and geek out over his partnership with master cinematographer Dick Pope.

Castle Falls Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren Wants Action Without Superheroes

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We chat with the director about his movie ‘Castle Falls’ and why his fight scenes can’t afford spandex theatricality.

Jim Cummings The Beta Test Interview

Jim Cummings on ‘The Beta Test’ and its Horrific Opening Scene

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We chat with the filmmaker about the masterful tonal balance required to pull off his latest movie.

Blue Bayou Justin Chon

Justin Chon Explains the Blood Memory Coursing Through ‘Blue Bayou’

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We chat with the director about his new film and how he hopes to change the hearts and minds of those watching.

Sion Sono Prisoners Of The Ghostland Interview

Sion Sono Leaves Japan Behind with ‘Prisoners of the Ghostland’

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We chat with the director about his magical relationship with Nicolas Cage and why Western audiences prefer his movies.