Robert Eggers on his new film The Lighthouse and how he creates memories from a different era

Robert Eggers' second feature film, The Lighthouse, is a dark psychological thriller about two men trapped together on a rocky island off the coast of Maine in the 1800s. It's a follow-up to his debut film The Witch — another period piece blending horror, mythology, and history. 

The Lighthouse was shot under punishing conditions in Nova Scotia, near Yarmouth, on a chunk of rock known as Cape Forchu. A courageous crew of Maritimers built a working, 70-foot tall lighthouse just for the film. "All these little details are cumulative so you can feel that the world is viable," Eggers said to Tom Power about why it was important for him to film under these conditions and on location. 

Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, the film was one of the most buzzed-about movies at the Toronto International Film Festival last month and it continues to get rave reviews.

Tom Power spoke to the young director when he was in Toronto for TIFF about the making of his film and his creative process. The Lighthouse is in theatres now. 

Download our podcast or click the 'Listen' link near the top of this page to hear the full conversation with Robert Eggers.

— Produced by ​Chris Trowbridge