We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Puskas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, what are you inspired by?
Our breed. Human kind. Nature and solitude brings me peace of mind, society gets my brain working. All our deeds, dynamics, stories, our vastly different ways of life. Even within our own micro communities. People inspire me. The ones I look up to in awe, and the ones I’m glancing at in earnest curiosity on my right, on my left.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve directed my first big budget stage production since we last caught up, the hit play Prima Facie by Suzie Miller debuted in Australia, then hit London’s West End starring Jodie Comer receiving rave reviews, then moved on to Broadway half a year later. A week after the opening night in New York, we opened in Budapest. Without exaggeration it is a great honour for me that my directorial debut took place at the Central Theatre, one of the most successful companies in Hungary. As soon as we wrapped on Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi in Los Angeles, I flew to Europe to start pre-production. These might’ve been the most creatively and logistically challenging months of my life so far. When everything seemed to be ready for us to set off and the play rights had arrived from the UK as well, we did 8 weeks of rehearsals and premiered end of April, 2023. Earnestly, it flew by in an instant. Prima Facie is about a young star attorney who defends those being accused of sexual assault. At the dramatic climax of the story she’s sexually abused by one of her lawyer colleagues so in the witness stand she takes the place of all the women she cross examined in court and has her eyes opened to the flaws of the legal system. A system that’s been created, written and shaped by men across decades. It’s an outstandingly powerful play about the necessity of equality. And an exceptionally strong tool for us, artists to try and initiate conversations around certain topics. Conversations that alter the norm. Because at the end of the day that’s all we can do to change this world we’re living in. And maybe leave it in a better shape than we found it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my absolute favourite dining spots is this European style cozy French brasserie called Le Petit Paris in DTLA, we’d definitely start there. And wrap up the week at Mama Shelter’s Rooftop with sensational views of singular LA sunsets and the Hollywood sign lighting up at night. The owner has a subsidiary company in Budapest close to where I grew up, so that place holds sentimental values for me as well besides the core memories I’ve made there. That is the wisest frame structure for such a visit in my consideration. On the second day we could head down to Malibu Lagoon State Beach, have brunch at Lily’s in Point Dume Village, then Millet Crepe in Japantown. Universal CityWalk, Westfield Century City, the most stunning mall I’ve ever been to with its very own futuristic micro-urban landscape and the Getty’s are all must-visits in my humble opinion. Both the Center and the Villa deserve a full day. After all these we still got the Venice Canals, Hilltop Park on Signal Hill and a long line of other attention and time worthy spots around town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My comrade-in-arms has been my brother since the very beginning. In the past quarter of a century we walked along a common path and I’m starting to realise that no matter how many lone ranger sort of adventures I wondered off on, theI reason I’ve been able to enjoy them was that I knew he is right there on our trail, steadily marching on and will welcome me with open arms by his side again, and again, and again. I’ve heard this phrase so many times but could never really wrap my mind around what makes people choose this term, but at this point in my life I think I finally get it. He is my rock.

Website: https://www.sampuskas.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam.puskas/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpuskas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samu.puskas

Image Credits
Kevin Lynch, Evelyn Raquel, RTL Hungary.

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