Daniel Roher on Directing Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldana in Upcoming Crime Thriller Positano

On the 2026 Sundance Movie PageantCollider’s Perry Nemiroff sat down with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel Roher (Navalny) within the Arby’s Cinema Heart to debate his upcoming heist thriller, Tuner. Whereas within the studio, Roher additionally shared an thrilling replace for his mysterious follow-up function with Netflix, titled Positano, starring Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldana.

Working from a script by Alessandro Tanaka (Sharper), plot particulars are being stored below wraps, however we do know the film is a romantic caper that takes place in Italy. Regardless of holding particular factors near his chest, Roher does supply some compelling teases for followers to anticipate what’s to come back. Referencing the press notes for TunerNemiroff notes that the director talked about there have been “so many private causes” to inform the story, however was curious what it was about Positano that impressed Roher to show his consideration there subsequent.

“Nicely, it is twofold. One, from an expert and form of ambition standpoint, I needed to choose one thing that was larger — larger canvas, larger scope, larger scale. That was actually necessary to me.

Then the opposite factor was, I’ve felt that residing by means of the final yr on planet Earth has been fucking loopy, and it is like nothing issues and every little thing is smoke and mirrors and everyone seems to be simply conning everybody, and there are not any guidelines, and every little thing is only a fiction, and the story may be very a lot a con man/con girl story. It is about individuals who lie to guard themselves, and who drift by means of the world sporting masks with smoke and mirrors. I like the thematic relevance of the con man’s story, this one that’s simply making up an unlimited conspiracy to attempt to obtain no matter good or dangerous goal. That is actually what drew me into Positano. Then, while you begin to consider the areas and the dimensions and the scope and the forged, I liked each little bit of that and needed to attempt to sink my enamel into it.”

Relating to the scope and forged, with McConaughey being a relentless presence in tradition and Saldaña lately being topped because the highest-grossing actor in historical pastsomething these two do is bound to make waves. Working with two titans of the business can be an honor for any director, however casting expertise that encompasses the position remains to be important. Roher defined why he needed to forged them, and what made them the proper match for his or her roles in Positano:

“Simply being round each of them is electrifying and thrilling. I advised Zoe that I nonetheless have my ticket stub for the primary AvatarDecember 18, 2009, at Bay and Bloor Cineplex Varsity in Toronto. Zoe is somebody who’s possibly the kindest and most great individual I’ve ever met. She has such humility, and he or she’s so enthusiastic about this film. She’s somebody who has a extremely robust perspective and concepts with the character she needs to play, which I believe is so cool.

Matthew is a genius at understanding what he does very well and understanding what sort of character he needs to play. We have now cultivated this collaboration that is thrilling for me. He is sending me concepts, I am sending him concepts again. We’re form of speaking in music. We make playlists. He sends me songs. He despatched me this track for the film that I am simply obsessive about. Like, it has been caught in my head nonstop, and I redesigned this entire set piece within the second act round McConaughey’s track.

So, that stage of collaboration with two legendary Oscar winners, Zoe being the highest-grossing actor of all time, and McConaughey being McConaughey, for me, I pinch myself each single day that I get to work with this caliber of individuals. It is a miracle.”

Why Dustin Hoffman Calls ‘Tuner’ One of many “Most interesting Scripts” He is Ever Learn

Roher discusses how significant it was to have Hoffman’s stamp of approval.

The Sundance Movie Pageant has such robust model title recognition that audiences can conjure up a picture of their head as to what a typical Sundance film would appear to be. After all, the legendary establishment, in its ultimate exhibiting in Park Metropolis, Utah, is open to an countless number of motion pictures, however sudden indie dramas that subvert style conventions like Elevation Footage’ and Black Bear’sTuner are true classic Sundance photos. Rohermaking his return to the pageant after successful the Sundance Movie Pageant Favourite Award in 2022 with Navalnymakes his narrative function debut with this dynamic new movie.

Starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, Tuner follows a gifted piano tuner with a singular auditory situation, Niki (Woodall), who discovers an sudden aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life the wrong way up. The movie is outlined by the chemistry between Woodall and Hoffman, who performs Niki’s watchful guardian. As a documentary filmmaker, Roher imbues their relationship with a lifelike high quality because the story routinely shifts in tone and route.

As most unbiased movies do, Tuner ran up in opposition to challenges all through the event course of, one in all which Roher nonetheless ominously refers to as “Darkish Thursday,” however Nemiroff was curious what it was that lastly clicked into place, the place Roher may let loose a sigh of reduction. With out hesitation, the filmmaker remembers a second shared with two-time Academy Award winner Hoffman:

“Nicely, most likely, we’re in London, England, in October of 2024 or one thing, and I am sitting with Dustin Hoffman in his home, and he stated to me, ‘That is among the many best scripts I’ve ever learn.’ And I stated, ‘Come on. No, it isn’t. Give me a break. Actually? You are Dustin Hoffman.’ And he is like, ‘No, actually, I like it.’ What I did not know, what he meant, and what I did not totally admire in that second, is that when he was a child, he needed to be a chess participant. That is what he was actually enthusiastic about, was piano and jazz, and so it actually hit dwelling on a private stage. And when you’ve gotten a residing legend like that who’s like, ‘I actually like this factor you probably did, and I wish to be a part of it,’ that is extremely inspiring and really empowering.”

For extra on “Darkish Thursday,” the influences behind Tunerand the way the late and nice Rob Reiner impressed the rating, try the total dialog within the video above, with a time index beneath.

• 01:43 – This Piano Tuner Has a Very Particular Set of Expertise

• 02:16 – Daniel Roher Calls His Oscar Win a “Double-Edged Sword”

• 05:20 – Roher Recounts the Manufacturing’s Lowest Level, “Darkish Thursday”

• 06:30 – Dustin Hoffman Praises Tuner as “One of many Most interesting Scripts” He’s Ever Learn

• 07:16 – Tuner Brings Scorsese, Tarantino, and the Coen Brothers to a Personal World

• 09:47 – Discovering the Excellent Casting

• 11:52 – The Diner Scene Required “Editorial Gymnastics”

• 13:40 – The Late Rob Reiner Performed a Half in Tuner’s Unforgettable Rating

• 14:48 – Roher Reveals the Tales Behind Tuner’s High quality Particulars

• 16:05 – Daniel Roher Goes “Greater” With Positano

• 19:16 – Tuner Spiritually Connects to Roher’s The AI Doc: Or How I Grew to become an Apocaloptimist

Tuner will have fun a restricted theatrical launch on Could 22, adopted by a large launch on Could 29.

Particular because of our presenting sponsor, Arby’s, for making the Collider Studio occur on the Arby’s Cinema Heart and holding us all fed with their choice of curly fries, mozzarella sticks, and tastes of their new Italian Beef Dip, a brand new limited-time sandwich that brings Chicago-style flavors to its menu. As well as, because of our supporting companions, together with Hendrick’s Gin, Sommsation – The Wine Firm, Peroni USA, neau water, Bernier, and our producing companion Twenty35 Company.