Interview with Directors Jenny Schweitzer Bell & Brian Bell For Short Doc THE PUZZLE PALACE (2024) @ SXSW

Jenny Schweitzer Bell and Brian Bell are a husband-and-wife filmmaking team based in New York City. Together they produced several director-driven, narrative independent feature films from 2001 to 2006. Over the past decade, while Jenny focused on directing commissioned and personal short documentaries, Brian produced studio-backed narrative feature films. 

Brian is a veteran film producer with over two decades of experience in the industry. He has collaborated with renowned directors such as Ang Lee, Todd Haynes, Noah Baumbach, Jason Reitman, Phil Lord/Chris Miller, and Will Speck/Josh Gordon.

Jenny is a filmmaker based in New York City known for her character-driven stories that examine identity, culture, and the human experience.

The Puzzle Palace, her first collaboration with her husband, held its World Premiere at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival. Now reunited, they are committed to making films that challenge the status quo and explore the complexities of the human experience.

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

JENNY & BRIAN: Jenny has embraced visual storytelling since adolescence, starting as a street and portrait photographer in her high school years. After college she spend fifteen years working in production, coordinating and eventually line producing narrative feature films. Brian, a natural storyteller, transitioned from radio dramas in college to screenwriting at NYU, ultimately finding his niche in producing.

How did your working relationship begin?

JENNY & BRIAN: Our paths crossed in an indie film's production office in NYC in the early 2000’s, where Jenny coordinated, and Brian assisted the producers. Marriage and family followed, and Jenny shifted to creating short documentaries while Brian continued with feature films. The Puzzle Palace marks our first documentary collaboration. 

What do you love about documentary films that features cannot achieve?

JENNY & BRIAN: Documentaries offer a raw, unfiltered reality that scripted narratives seldom match. The Puzzle Palace showcases this authenticity, capturing an unscripted, unpredictable journey that outstrips fictional storytelling.

Can you share the genesis of Puzzle Palace and its transformation into a film?

JENNY & BRIAN: Inspired by her father's interest in mechanical puzzles, Jenny delved into the niche world of puzzle enthusiasts, discovering the captivating Millers on YouTube. With our children away, we seized the opportunity to fly down to Boca with our cameras where we embedded ourselves in the Puzzle Palace and became fast friends with the Millers. 

What message do you hope audiences derive from your film?

JENNY & BRIAN: Embrace individuality and live boldly—this film champions the spirit of uniqueness and living life to its fullest.

What was a standout puzzle during filming, and why?

JENNY & BRIAN: That’s easy. It was the life-sized replica sculpture of The Millers (they appropriately titled “The Lovers”) in an embrace with a rope belt that needed to be untied from around their waist. It epitomized the theme of the film and became the focal point.

How do puzzles enhance life quality, in your view?

JENNY & BRIAN: Puzzles mirror life's complexity and the satisfaction of problem-solving. They’re complicated and sometimes seemingly impossible to solve. But solving can ultimately bring great joy and fulfillment in one’s life.

Any memorable anecdotes from the filming process?

JENNY & BRIAN: The entire shoot was funny and dramatic because we truly did not expect the film to unfold the way it did. Nothing was pre-planned— we just went with it. Shortly into the filming of the first interview, we turned to George and Roxanne and said that though we were captivated with their puzzle collection, the movie is ultimately about their love story. They were game to pivot.

How was the experience of premiering at SXSW?

JENNY & BRIAN: Going to SXSW with a film is nothing short of exhilarating. This was our first time away from the kids in a long while, so we were so delighted to share the SXSW experience together. It was probably the best vacation we’ve ever had.

What are your upcoming projects?

JENNY & BRIAN: Brian is gearing up for several features, including two that he has been developing with Ang Lee, while Jenny is developing more shorts and a feature. Production is underway on our second collaboration, another short documentary.