036 - Filmmaker Zachary Treitz

Zachary Treitz is a NYC based filmmaker he produced "The Pleasure of Being Robbed" and co-produced DADDY LONGLEGS. Both films premiered at the Directors’ Fortnight section of Cannes. He directed the short film "We’re Leaving," which premiered at Sundance and is available on the Criterion Channel. His feature film MEN GO TO BATTLE won the Best New Director prize at the Tribeca Film Festival and was distributed by Film Movement.

Inspired by years of hearing his childhood friend Christian Hansen's research into Danny Casolaro’s Octopus conspiracy, Zachary and Christian began a joint investigation and started filming together. This led to a years-long journey across the United States, seeking to uncover the links between Danny Casolaro’s death and his unfinished book about a vast network of political conspiracies. With Zachary directing and Christian leading the research, they partnered with Stardust Frames and Duplass Brothers Productions to create the four-part documentary series "American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders," released by Netflix in February 2024.

We discussed this project and his filmmaking approach.

** Episode 036 w/ Zachary Treitz on The Film Situation

Hosted by Zef Cota ***