How do you direct a Palme d’Or-winning film…from behind bars? Our new season about dissident filmmakers kicks off with the tale of Yilmaz Güney—one of Turkish cinema’s most revered and controversial directors—from his days as a tough-guy movie star nicknamed “The Ugly King,” to his years as a left-wing activist, to his 19-year prison sentence…during which he somehow managed to make his masterpiece, Yol (1982). Featuring Oscar-winner and Yol megafan Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Digger, 2026) and German-Turkish auteur Fatih Akin (Head-On, 2004).
The MUBI Podcast returns for its 12th season, “Under Pressure.” At a time when artists worldwide are being threatened or stifled by their governments, host Rico Gagliano tells the stories of filmmakers from across history and around the world who have made movies in spite of incredible state pressure to compromise, give in, or give up. From 1970s Turkey to modern-day America, these are alternately wild, sobering, controversial, and inspiring tales of art by any means necessary.
Listen to episode one below or wherever you get your podcasts: