Watch: Learn the Secrets of ‘The Big Short’ from Author Michael Lewis and Oscar Nominee Adam McKay

After earning five Oscar nominations and the PGA for Outstanding Production of the Year, “The Big Short” has become a bonafide contender in the race for the Academy Award for Best Picture this year. The film is also nominated for Best Director for Adam McKay, Best Adapted Screenplay for Charles Randolph and Adam McKay and Best Supporting Actor for Christian Bale. The star-studded cast also includes Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt. 

Last night, TimesTalks invited Oscar nominee Adam McKay and the award-winning author of the novel, Michael Lewis, to discuss the film and their inspirations. Some of the topics they covered vary from the specific to the broad and analytical: the innovative explanations of complex financial ideas, movies as social catalysts, the ethical implications behind capitalism, and the role of the media during and about the 2008 crisis.

On the latter topic, McKay said, “I felt like this was a great way to get audiences in [theaters] and to get them to think about important things through a satirical absurdism and laughs.”

“The Big Short” is currently playing in theaters. Watch the 50-minute discussion above.