Director Paul Schrader discusses First Reformed

May 13, 2018

A DGA Q&A in New York

The pastor of a small church must grapple with a crisis of faith in both himself and a parishioner in Director Paul Schrader’s new drama, First Reformed.

Schrader’s film tells the story of Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke), a former military chaplain who is now the parish pastor of a small 250-year old Dutch Reform church in upstate New York. Struggling with the death of his son who he encouraged to enlist in the armed forces, he finds his faith further challenged after a pregnant parishioner (Amanda Seyfried) asks him to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist (Philip Ettinger) who doesn’t want to bring a child into a world he believes is doomed.

Following the DGA membership screening in New York on May 12, Schrader sat down with Director John Patrick Shanley (Doubt) to discuss the making of First Reformed.

In addition to First Reformed, Schrader’s credits include the feature films Blue Collar, Hardcore, American Gigolo, Cat People, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, Patty Hearst, The Comfort of Strangers, Affliction, Auto Focus, The Canyons, Dog Eat Dog; the documentary feature Venice 70: Future Reloaded; and the movie for television Witch Hunt. He has been a DGA member since 1977.

You can listen to Schrader's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find more DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Event photos by Marcie Revens - Print courtesy of A24.

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Director Paul Schrader speaks about the making of his new drama, First Reformed, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Ethan Hawke in Director Paul Schrader’s First Reformed.

Director Paul Schrader (right) speaks about the making of First Reformed with Director John Patrick Shanley (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Amanda Seyfried in Director Paul Schrader’s First Reformed.

Director John Patrick Shanley (moderator) asks Director Paul Schrader a question about the making of First Reformed.

Philip Ettinger in Director Paul Schrader’s First Reformed.

A member of the DGA New York Theater audience asks Director Paul Schrader a question about the making of First Reformed.

Cedric the Entertainer in Director Paul Schrader’s First Reformed.

Directors Paul Schrader and John Patrick Shanley (moderator) pose for a photo following the New York DGA membership screening of Schrader’s new drama, First Reformed.