Interview With Director Bess Kargman On Feature Documentary "Diane Warren: Relentless" (2024) @ SXSW

Documentarian filmmaker Bess Kargman's latest opus- “Diane Warren: Relentless” held its World Premiere at SXSW. The film focuses on Academy Award Winning songwriter Diane Warren and features interviews with Diane Warren herself, as well as Clive Davis, Common, Gloria Estefan, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jennifer Hudson, Cher, Randy Jackson, Quincy Jones.

An intimate, captivating and revealing underdog story, providing audiences with a rarely seen glimpse behind one of the most successful, prolific songwriters of all time: Diane Warren. Diane Warren, a prolific songwriter with an unparalleled track record of writing mega-hits for industry giants, emerges as a force to be reckoned with in "Diane Warren: Relentless".

Boasting 15 Academy Award nominations, an Honorary Oscar along with Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe Awards, Diane has etched her name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and is responsible for the soundtrack of our lives. In this intimate documentary, filled with Diane’s signature humor, audiences get a rarely seen glimpse into Diane’s life and underdog journey to where she is today. Marked by a distinctive songwriting approach, unconventional life choices, and an exceptional work ethic with a touch of irreverence, the narrative unfolds, delving into her most remarkable collaborations with first-hand commentary from Cher, Gloria Estefan, David Foster, Jennifer Hudson, Kesha and many more to showcase the creative genius that is Diane Warren. 

In an interview with Bess Kargman about the film, here is what she has to say:

Can you tell us your background and what led you to filmmaking?

BESS: I have been a storyteller for as long as I can remember (ask my parents) but I didn’t know from an early age that I would become a film director. I graduated from Amherst College with a passion for photography, art history and music but it wasn’t until I took a non-fiction writing workshop in New York City that I realized I wanted to shift into journalism and other forms of non-fiction storytelling. I attended Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and initially focused on public radio until, in my final semester, I took a documentary directing class that changed everything.

What do you love about documentary films that separates them from narrative films? And why do you think they are having a comeback?

BESS: There are a few principles that have guided me over the years - “a story is only as good as its characters” and “access is everything.” The first holds true for narrative filmmaking as well, but those characters are shaped in the writer’s room. My job as a documentary director is to not write other people’s stories - it is to capture their stories as an observer, and to not interfere. The best verité films are the ones where subjects seem to forget that a camera is in the room. To answer the question about documentaries making a comeback, to me it feels like the “Golden Age of documentary films” is waning. Just to clarify, the demand isn’t waning (people love true stories), but the outlets that distribute documentaries seem to be shrinking and/or consolidating. I pray that this is not a trend that continues.

You have worked on TV and film. Do you have a project or experience you are most proud of?

BESS: My projects have all been very different, so I am proud of them for different reasons. For my debut feature, First Position, I am proud of the fact that I managed to obtain funding, hire a crew, travel the world shooting, and edit a film that made it into movie theaters. I don’t think I knew how hard it would be to complete a feature length film, so that naivete helped me in the end. I never spent a moment thinking about how inexperienced I was, I just kept chugging. For my most recent film, about the legendary songwriter Diane Warren, I’m proud of the fact that over the course of three years we were able to navigate the difficulties of shooting throughout the pandemic and after.

What have been one of your biggest challenges (and rewards) in your career thus far?

BESS: I always tell aspiring filmmakers that if there is anything else they have a passion for, to choose that career instead…because making independent films is rough. I’m going to steal a line from an aspiring professional golfer and apply it to documentary directing: “It’s like climbing up a cactus backwards, naked.” There isn’t a single day where things go according to plan so the only way to really thrive and adore it is to master the art of pivoting. Once you accept that things won’t go according to plan, it becomes a very fun, fulfilling challenge.

Your feature doc "Diane Warren: Relentless" is a major undertaking. How did the journey of making the film begin? Also, Docs can take a long time to make. How long did it take you to make the film from its birth to final edit?

BESS: Thank you for recognizing that “Diane Warren: Relentless” was a major undertaking! It really was. At the beginning, there were other directors vying for this project and I really felt it had to be “mine.” However, it became a team effort to make it to the finish line (which took a great deal of time because we had to make the project in stages). We completed the film in three years from the day I met her to our film festival premiere at SXSW, which allowed the film’s narrative arc to grow and twist - we got lucky with our timing because we never could have predicted some amazing things that happened in her life during that time.

What do you think it is about Warren that is so unstoppable and such a standalone talent?

BESS: Warren’s work ethic is unparalleled because she has reduced, removed, or avoided all aspects of daily living that might get in the way of her creative process (such as romantic relationships, having children, cooking, cleaning…etc. - all these things take time away from work, so they do not interest her). Also, she never dwelled on the obstacles that were in her way when trying to make it in a male dominated industry. 

The film premiered at SXSW. How was that experience?

BESS: The film’s premiere at SXSW was incredible. I will never forget that day. There was a standing ovation and Diane cried backstage before the Q&A (happy tears!).

How has Warren reacted to the film? And audiences?

BESS: Audience reaction has been a dream. People were laughing, crying, and clapping well before the film had finished. I think people find Diane Warren extremely inspiring and very funny. There is truly no one like her.

What will you be working on next?

BESS: This week and next I am working on selling Diane Warren: Relentless to a distributor. Simultaneously, I am repainting my house! I have been eyeing a few new film projects as well. Documentaries take years, not months, so it really must be a great fit when I take on a new project.