Special Report: Silver Star (2024)

About this episode

The episode features an interview with the stars of the film Silver Star, discussing its themes and production.

When a bank robbery goes sideways, two strangers find themselves bound together on the road — Billie (Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson), whose desperation brought her to the bank in the first place, and Franny (Grace Van Dien), a pregnant teenager with nothing left to lose. What begins as a hostage situation slowly reshapes into something stranger and more human: an unlikely alliance, an argument across the American heartland, and the gradual discovery that these two women need each other more than either is willing to admit. Silver Star reunites French filmmakers Ruben Amar and Lola Bessis behind the camera for the first time since Swim Little Fish Swim, their debut feature that broke through at SXSW in 2013. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Deauville American Film Festival and went on to screen at Les Arcs, Denver, Glasgow, and the Love International Film Festival in Mons, where it won Best Screenplay. Indican Pictures acquired North American rights and released the film theatrically on January 30, 2026. Mike talks with stars Grace Van Dien and Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson about bringing Silver Star to life. Become a supporter of this podcast…

People in this episode

Guests: Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson, Grace Van Dien

Topics covered

• bank robbery
• hostage situation
• female friendship
• film festival
• interview

Keywords

• Silver Star
• Grace Van Dien
• Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson
• bank robbery
• film festival
• female friendship
• interview

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Indican Pictures, Weirding Way Media

Books & works: Silver Star, Swim Little Fish Swim

Places: American heartland

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