Director Karyn Kusama discusses Destroyer

December 8, 2018

DGA Q&As in Los Angeles and New York

A police detective seeks to reconcile herself with her tragic past in Director Karyn Kusama’s new drama, Destroyer.

Kusama’s film weaves the story of LAPD detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) whose undercover assignment when she was a young cop – the infiltration of a gang in the California desert – ended tragically. When the leader of that gang re-emerges years later, she seeks to finally lay to rest her personal demons that were spawned during that case.

Following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on December 7, Kusama sat down with Director Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk) to discuss the making of Destroyer. She also discussed the film in a conversation moderated by Director Bette Gordon (The Drowning) following the DGA screening in New York on December 1.

In addition to Destroyer, Kusama’s credits include the feature films The Invitation, Jennifer's Body, Æon Flux; and episodes of the television series Halt and Catch Fire, Billions and Casual. In 2000, she took home the Sundance Film Festival Directing Award for her debut feature, Girlfight. A DGA member since 2004, Kusama also serves on the Independent Directors Committee.

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

Pictures

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

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Director Karyn Kusama speaks about the making of her new drama, Destroyer, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Nicole Kidman as LAPD detective Erin Bell in Director Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer.

Director Karyn Kusama speaks about the making of her new drama, Destroyer, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Karyn Kusama (right) speaks about the making of Destroyer with Director Christopher Nolan (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Nicole Kidman as LAPD detective Erin Bell and Sebastian Stan as Chris in Director Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer.

Director Karyn Kusama speaks about the making of Destroyer with Director Bette Gordon (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Director Bette Gordon (moderator) asks Director Karyn Kusama a question about the making of Kusama’s new drama, Destroyer, following the DGA membership screening in New York.

Nicole Kidman as LAPD detective Erin Bell and Tatiana Maslany as Petra in Director Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer.

Director Christopher Nolan (moderator) asks Director Karyn Kusama a question about the making of Kusama’s new drama, Destroyer, following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Directors Karyn Kusama and Bette Gordon (moderator) pose for a photo following the New York DGA membership screening of Kusama’s new drama, Destroyer.

Nicole Kidman as LAPD detective Erin Bell in Director Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer.

Directors Christopher Nolan (moderator) and Karyn Kusama pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Kusama’s new drama, Destroyer.

Director Karyn Kusama chats with a member of the audience following the New York DGA membership screening of her new drama, Destroyer.

Sebastian Stan as Chris and Nicole Kidman as LAPD detective Erin Bell in Director Karyn Kusama’s Destroyer.

Director Karyn Kusama chats with members of the audience following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of her new drama, Destroyer.

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