7/4/2025
Beautifully Flawed

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed filmmaker and director Carl Bessai of Raven West Films to explore his raw, human approach to storytelling. Known for embracing imperfection and championing underrepresented voices, Carl shares how real life, with all its messiness, complexity, and beauty, inspires his work. Carl’s commitment to honest moments and inclusive narratives proves that the most compelling stories come from the heart. Tune in for a conversation that celebrates the beauty of being real and the power of telling stories that truly matter.

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Carl Bessai

Carl Bessai is a filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. He has made over 25 narrative feature films and documentaries and has directed an impressive range of acting talent including Sir Ian McKellen (Emile), Carrie-Anne Moss (Normal ), Bruce Greenwood (Rehearsal ), Amy Smart (No Clue) and Bruce Dern (The Lears). He has received numerous jury awards, critics’ prizes and nominations and his films have played in some of the world’s leading film festivals and retrospectives including Toronto, Sundance, Berlin, the Canadian Film Institute and the Museum of Modern Art.