Director Peter Hedges discusses Ben Is Back

December 17, 2018

DGA Q&As in New York and Los Angeles

America’s opioid epidemic is examined through the eyes of a mother and son in Director Peter Hedges’ new drama, Ben Is Back.

Hedges’ film tells the story of Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges), a young man who unexpectedly returns home on Christmas Eve after spending time in a treatment center following his heroin overdose. While his mother Holly (Julia Roberts) is happy to see her son returned, she is also worried about his ability to remain clean and ready to do everything in her power to keep him and the rest of her family safe.

Following the DGA membership screening in New York on December 16, Hedges sat down with Director Maggie Greenwald (Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane) to discuss the making of Ben Is Back and the challenges of directing his own son in a lead role. He also discussed the film in a conversation moderated by Director Craig Johnson (Alex Strangelove) following the DGA screening in Los Angeles on December 14.

In addition to Ben Is Back, Hedges’ credits include the feature films The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Dan in Real Life and Pieces of April. He also shared an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay with Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz for their script to the Weitz’s 2002 feature About a Boy. Hedges has been a DGA member since 2002.

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

Pictures

Event photos by Marcie Revens (New York) and Trixie Textor (Los Angeles) - Print courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

View slideshow

Director Peter Hedges speaks about the making of his new drama, Ben Is Back, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges in Director Peter Hedges’ Ben Is Back.

Director Peter Hedges speaks about the making of his new drama, Ben Is Back, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Director Peter Hedges (right) speaks about the making of Ben Is Back with Director Craig Johnson (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Lucas Hedges in Director Peter Hedges’ Ben Is Back.

Director Peter Hedges speaks about the making of Ben Is Back with Director Maggie Greenwald (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Director Craig Johnson (moderator) asks Director Peter Hedges a question about the making of Hedges’ new drama, Ben Is Back, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Courtney B. Vance, Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts in Director Peter Hedges’ Ben Is Back.

Director Maggie Greenwald (moderator) asks Director Peter Hedges a question about the making of Hedges’ new drama, Ben Is Back, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Directors Craig Johnson (moderator) and Peter Hedges pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Hedges’ new drama, Ben Is Back.

Courtney B. Vance and Julia Roberts in Director Peter Hedges’ Ben Is Back.

Directors Peter Hedges and Maggie Greenwald (moderator) pose for a photo following the New York DGA membership screening of Hedges’ new drama, Ben Is Back.

Director Peter Hedges chats with a member of the audience following the New York DGA membership screening of his new drama, Ben Is Back.

Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges in Director Peter Hedges’ Ben Is Back.

Director Peter Hedges chats with a member of the audience following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of his new drama, Ben Is Back.

Calendar

8/17/2025 - 8/23/2025