2025 Woodstock Film Festival: A Conversation with filmmakers Nira Burstein + Fred Armisen

Nira Burstein: Woodstock Film Festival is going to be the world premiere for Dear Shop Girl, so I’m really eager to be in the room with an audience for the first time and see how they react. I hope people will feel a range of emotions and want to talk about it afterward.

Fred Armisen: Dear Shop Girl is mysterious and entertaining, and it’s by Nira Burstein, who I think is just the greatest filmmaker.

Nira Burstein: That’s very generous, Fred.

Was there a defining moment or influence that led you to the film industry, and how has that shaped your journey?

Fred Armisen: Watching John Waters’ movies when I was a kid made me want to be a part of whatever message he was conveying. It was like a life mission, celebrating being a weirdo.

Nira Burstein: I saw Donnie Darko and was awe-struck. I wanted to make movies like that, ones that people have to watch over and over to decipher, and I’d say that’s still true.

Can you share a memorable moment that stood out for you while working on this film?

Fred Armisen: I am a producer on this, so I did the right thing and stayed away from the set.

Nira Burstein: Without giving too much away, Fred also has a special cameo in the movie. Being on set was such a whirlwind, though I’m sure it would have been a lot more fun with Fred around. There is one moment that will probably always stay with me – we were filming the climax of the film and running into overtime. The scene was an especially intense one for our actors, Rory Culkin and Lorraine Farris, and when I called cut on the last take, the entire crew broke out in spontaneous applause. We were all so blown away by their performances. It was a beautiful moment.

As technology continues to transform how stories are made and shared, where do you see the biggest opportunities or challenges for creators?

Fred Armisen: Opportunities: more venues and platforms to show films. Challenges: being immune to people who panic or complain.

Nira Burstein: I think the opportunity to be able to reach people all over the world (and in outer space, too) is pretty incredible. At the same time, it’s a challenge to get said audience’s attention.

Was there a moment in your career that fundamentally changed how you approach your craft?

Fred Armisen: I was a drummer, and then I started doing comedy. It seemed to lead the way, as opposed to my planning everything out.

Nira Burstein: I started out thinking I’d just make scripted films, but in the process of working on my first documentary, Charm Circle, I learned so much about storytelling. There is so much vitality in what’s real, and I want to get as close to that as possible in my scripted work as well.

When people look back on your body of work, what do you hope they see?

Fred Armisen: I hope it’s so confusing that it becomes impossible to define.

Nira Burstein: Something that sparked good.

What is your current state of mind?

Fred Armisen: I’m in a great mood, and I’m always grateful.

Nira Burstein: I second that feeling.