Screen Talk: From Albert Maysles and Lena Dunham to the Rise and Fall of Abel Ferrara and Neill Blomkamp

Dunham is executive producing with her “Girls” partner Jenni Konner an HBO doc about Hilary Knight, the creator of “Eloise,” as well as starring in Shonda Rhimes’ “Scandal.” And why Hollywood should follow TV’s lead (“Empire,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “House of Cards”) and add some diversity to their slates.

We talk about Abel Ferrara’s run-in with French sales and production company Wild Bunch’s usually close-mouthed Vincent Maraval, and trace his rise and fall, from “The King of New York” and “Bad Lieutenant” to his refusal to cut his latest film to a contractual R rating. Sometimes directors need protection and leadership from strong producers, we decide–from Ferrara to newcomers Damian Szifron (“Hollywood Tales”) and Yann Demange (“’71”), who have been welcomed with open arms by Hollywood.Neill Blomcamp may need support too, as his latest “Chappie” has been lambasted for being yet another sentient robot in a dystopian setting.

And Eric and I discuss two new movies coming out this weekend.