September 27, 2025 • 9 mins
ICYMI: ‘Later, with Mo’Kelly’ Presents: A conversation with Actor Emile Hirsch & Director Sean McNamara, who join the program to preview their new film "Bau: Artist at War", which tells “the extraordinary true story of Joseph Bau, a man who defied the darkness of the Holocaust with art, humor, and an unbreakable spirit” - on KFI AM 640…Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app & YouTube @MrMoKelly
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty with.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Kelly one K.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Six Boo. Artist at War is now in theaters and
based on the true story of Joseph and Rebecca Boo,
whose wedding took place in the Plus Show concentration camp
during World War two. Bow Artists at War is part
love story, of course, part war drama, and even part
espionage tale.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
I do not speak German, Duke can kiss my ass
as you like.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
You did.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
This is my deposition of yours. Nak Joseph bo you're
a new map maker commandant.
Speaker 5 (00:56):
Then your cabal service of forty for you?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Is it possible to change my seat? How does this work?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
I'm waiting for the sunshine. Looks like you might have
a problem. Maybe you can.
Speaker 5 (01:09):
Be more sunshine.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
I met a most wonderful woman for being my sunshine.
Speaker 5 (01:15):
Only you yourself. You would find something like that in
a place like this.
Speaker 6 (01:26):
I see you.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
You take care of everybody.
Speaker 6 (01:31):
But who takes care of you.
Speaker 5 (01:35):
Goes on.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
If we do our work, maybe we can survive this
madness and tell.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
Our story, however longer forever is share it with me.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
I'm just trying to give people hope.
Speaker 5 (02:10):
If you want.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Justice, you're going to have to survive.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Don's let them leave me.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Count There's some things that they can't take from us. Laughter, joys,
our spirits.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
It stars Emil Hirsh is Joseph Bao, who not only
finds love in the midst of despair and imprisonment, but
uses his artistic skills to help hundreds escape. Emil Hirsch
joins me now on the show, Emil, A pleasure to
meet you this evening.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Nice to meet you, Thank you for having.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Me, and also Bow. Artists at War is directed by
Sean McNamara, who also joins me, Sean, thank you so
much for coming on this evening.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Sean.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Let me start with you. We last heard from you
as the director of the movie Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid.
I think it's fair to say you thrive with character
driven movies. What drew you to tell this Storyboo Artists
that War.
Speaker 6 (03:04):
Well, you got it right. Character driven movies that are inspirational.
And when I read this movie, I was just blown
away by this true life person who was a jokester.
He was funny, he could make people laugh. In the
darkest of times and we all need that. And at
the same time he was saving lives, forging passports, and
(03:24):
then he found the love of his life in a
concentration camp, Rebecca, and he just fell in love with her,
and somehow they managed to get married. If you saw
Schindler's List, there was a small part of two people
getting married in the plash out barracks, and that's what
that was.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Emil A similar question to you. You have such an
eclectic body of work, from starring in speed Race or
to co starring and Loan Survivor to your voluminous voice
acting work. What inspires you in choosing these projects?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
I think characters that I think are challenging, and in
the case of Joseph Boo and Boo Artist at War,
playing a character that has qualities that I just truly
admire looking at the world like the glass is half
full and not half empty. I think that having that
kind of hope and courage and resilience and able to
(04:17):
deal with the darkest of times with love and light
and laughter, those are qualities that I should have more.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
In my own life.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
And to be able to walk a more perfect path
is something that I think.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Is inspiring Sean take me into Boo Artists at War.
It's subtagline that it's the greatest love story of the
twentieth century. But how did you go about balancing the
delicate nature of a love story against the harsh backdrop
of the genocide of the Holocaust.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Well, what I did was just follow the real story.
There was a screenplay, but it was based on a
book written by Joseph Boo and Joseph bow lines what
happened to him before the war, becoming an artist, becoming
a successful artist, and then you know, first getting thrown
into the ghetto and then putting into the Plaschau concentration camp.
(05:11):
So I just kind of followed that story. What made
me want to do it was the humor of it.
He was a humorous guy. He was a person who
could make you laugh. And we all need friends like that,
you know, when you're feeling down and you're feeling bad
and somebody just cracks the joke that's totally inappropriate, but
it makes you smile, That makes you laugh, and I
think that releases endorphins in you. And I'm about making
(05:32):
movies that make you feel something. And so then whilst
in there he's one of the things that kept him
alive is he could draw maps because he was an artist,
and he was a great artist. He could go around
the camp and that gave him a quality that they
had to keep him alive. So he meets outside hit
the love of his life for Becca Bau, and his
(05:53):
pickup line was would you mean my sunshine? Because he
needed the sun to dry his artwork. And I mean,
if you think about that, that's a great first pickup line.
And he falls in love with her and they have
to sneak around and they you know, he has to
dress as a woman to get into the women's bear
because back then they were separated. The men were over here,
the women were over there, and somehow he could get
(06:14):
snuck over the gate and got in there. So it
was a hidden love and it was so that just
makes it intriguing today. But they really loved each other
and together they were part of the resistance and they
helped rescue over a thousand people and save their lives.
And those lives have gone on to create millions of
(06:35):
family members from them and from all those people.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Emil for those who may not know you are of
German Jewish ancestry, did anything or what went through your
mind when you were seeing these re enactments of the
atrocities committed during World War Two?
Speaker 4 (06:51):
I think just on a human level, just anytime you
see how other human beings are treated or mistreated, it's
upsetting and eye opening and heartbreaking to know that there's
just so much pain and tragedy now and even back then,
(07:12):
and obviously throughout the course of human history. It's just
there's been so much war and tragedy and sadness. So
knowing that we were playing people that had gone through that,
it was it was also inspiring to know that even
despite those circumstances, we do have these pockets of hope,
(07:35):
We do have these love stories that actually that worked
out and that had you know, you couldn't call it
out and out happy ending, because like, look what we're
dealing with, but it was it was sort of a
rose that grew from concrete in a way. Their their
(07:56):
marriage of Joseph and Rebecca about even even amidst a
concentration camp where he had to risk his life by
sneaking into the women's barracks to even get married to me.
It's a testament to just the human spirit. You know,
you can't stamp out the good in people.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
My time is run short with you, gentlemen, let me
leave this last question with you. Sean McNamara, director of
Bout Artist at War. You made mention of Schindler's List,
and that's obviously going to be a likely comparison point
for a story like this. But for you, what is
your yardstick, your measurement as far as whether what you
put on screen met the mark and met the moment?
Speaker 6 (08:38):
Well, I think it definitely met the mark. Bow Artist
at War is a story that we need right now
more than ever. When we made it, you know, a
couple of years ago, we were thinking, oh, this is
just a tale of what happened in World War Two,
and it's a cautionary tale so it doesn't happen again.
And then October seventh happened. And then while we were
editing it getting it ready for today, the world is
(08:58):
turned upside down. So we need people to go to
the movies and watch Bao Artists at War and realize
what can happen if we don't find a way to
make peace with each other and to find find a
path forward.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Bow Artist at War is now in theaters. I want
to thank Emil Hurst and Sean McNamara for joining me
this evening. Many congratulations to you, gentlemen, and I wish
you nothing but success. Thank you for coming on tonight.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Thank you so much, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty
You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty with.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Kelly one K.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Six Boo. Artist at War is now in theaters and
based on the true story of Joseph and Rebecca Boo,
whose wedding took place in the Plus Show concentration camp
during World War two. Bow Artists at War is part
love story, of course, part war drama, and even part
espionage tale.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
I do not speak German, Duke can kiss my ass
as you like.
Speaker 5 (00:41):
You did.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
This is my deposition of yours. Nak Joseph bo you're
a new map maker commandant.
Speaker 5 (00:56):
Then your cabal service of forty for you?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Is it possible to change my seat? How does this work?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
I'm waiting for the sunshine. Looks like you might have
a problem. Maybe you can.
Speaker 5 (01:09):
Be more sunshine.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
I met a most wonderful woman for being my sunshine.
Speaker 5 (01:15):
Only you yourself. You would find something like that in
a place like this.
Speaker 6 (01:26):
I see you.
Speaker 5 (01:27):
You take care of everybody.
Speaker 6 (01:31):
But who takes care of you.
Speaker 5 (01:35):
Goes on.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
If we do our work, maybe we can survive this
madness and tell.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
Our story, however longer forever is share it with me.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
I'm just trying to give people hope.
Speaker 5 (02:10):
If you want.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Justice, you're going to have to survive.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Don's let them leave me.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Count There's some things that they can't take from us. Laughter, joys,
our spirits.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
It stars Emil Hirsh is Joseph Bao, who not only
finds love in the midst of despair and imprisonment, but
uses his artistic skills to help hundreds escape. Emil Hirsch
joins me now on the show, Emil, A pleasure to
meet you this evening.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Nice to meet you, Thank you for having.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Me, and also Bow. Artists at War is directed by
Sean McNamara, who also joins me, Sean, thank you so
much for coming on this evening.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Sean.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Let me start with you. We last heard from you
as the director of the movie Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid.
I think it's fair to say you thrive with character
driven movies. What drew you to tell this Storyboo Artists
that War.
Speaker 6 (03:04):
Well, you got it right. Character driven movies that are inspirational.
And when I read this movie, I was just blown
away by this true life person who was a jokester.
He was funny, he could make people laugh. In the
darkest of times and we all need that. And at
the same time he was saving lives, forging passports, and
(03:24):
then he found the love of his life in a
concentration camp, Rebecca, and he just fell in love with her,
and somehow they managed to get married. If you saw
Schindler's List, there was a small part of two people
getting married in the plash out barracks, and that's what
that was.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Emil A similar question to you. You have such an
eclectic body of work, from starring in speed Race or
to co starring and Loan Survivor to your voluminous voice
acting work. What inspires you in choosing these projects?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
I think characters that I think are challenging, and in
the case of Joseph Boo and Boo Artist at War,
playing a character that has qualities that I just truly
admire looking at the world like the glass is half
full and not half empty. I think that having that
kind of hope and courage and resilience and able to
(04:17):
deal with the darkest of times with love and light
and laughter, those are qualities that I should have more.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
In my own life.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
And to be able to walk a more perfect path
is something that I think.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Is inspiring Sean take me into Boo Artists at War.
It's subtagline that it's the greatest love story of the
twentieth century. But how did you go about balancing the
delicate nature of a love story against the harsh backdrop
of the genocide of the Holocaust.
Speaker 6 (04:49):
Well, what I did was just follow the real story.
There was a screenplay, but it was based on a
book written by Joseph Boo and Joseph bow lines what
happened to him before the war, becoming an artist, becoming
a successful artist, and then you know, first getting thrown
into the ghetto and then putting into the Plaschau concentration camp.
(05:11):
So I just kind of followed that story. What made
me want to do it was the humor of it.
He was a humorous guy. He was a person who
could make you laugh. And we all need friends like that,
you know, when you're feeling down and you're feeling bad
and somebody just cracks the joke that's totally inappropriate, but
it makes you smile, That makes you laugh, and I
think that releases endorphins in you. And I'm about making
(05:32):
movies that make you feel something. And so then whilst
in there he's one of the things that kept him
alive is he could draw maps because he was an artist,
and he was a great artist. He could go around
the camp and that gave him a quality that they
had to keep him alive. So he meets outside hit
the love of his life for Becca Bau, and his
(05:53):
pickup line was would you mean my sunshine? Because he
needed the sun to dry his artwork. And I mean,
if you think about that, that's a great first pickup line.
And he falls in love with her and they have
to sneak around and they you know, he has to
dress as a woman to get into the women's bear
because back then they were separated. The men were over here,
the women were over there, and somehow he could get
(06:14):
snuck over the gate and got in there. So it
was a hidden love and it was so that just
makes it intriguing today. But they really loved each other
and together they were part of the resistance and they
helped rescue over a thousand people and save their lives.
And those lives have gone on to create millions of
(06:35):
family members from them and from all those people.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Emil for those who may not know you are of
German Jewish ancestry, did anything or what went through your
mind when you were seeing these re enactments of the
atrocities committed during World War Two?
Speaker 4 (06:51):
I think just on a human level, just anytime you
see how other human beings are treated or mistreated, it's
upsetting and eye opening and heartbreaking to know that there's
just so much pain and tragedy now and even back then,
(07:12):
and obviously throughout the course of human history. It's just
there's been so much war and tragedy and sadness. So
knowing that we were playing people that had gone through that,
it was it was also inspiring to know that even
despite those circumstances, we do have these pockets of hope,
(07:35):
We do have these love stories that actually that worked
out and that had you know, you couldn't call it
out and out happy ending, because like, look what we're
dealing with, but it was it was sort of a
rose that grew from concrete in a way. Their their
(07:56):
marriage of Joseph and Rebecca about even even amidst a
concentration camp where he had to risk his life by
sneaking into the women's barracks to even get married to me.
It's a testament to just the human spirit. You know,
you can't stamp out the good in people.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
My time is run short with you, gentlemen, let me
leave this last question with you. Sean McNamara, director of
Bout Artist at War. You made mention of Schindler's List,
and that's obviously going to be a likely comparison point
for a story like this. But for you, what is
your yardstick, your measurement as far as whether what you
put on screen met the mark and met the moment?
Speaker 6 (08:38):
Well, I think it definitely met the mark. Bow Artist
at War is a story that we need right now
more than ever. When we made it, you know, a
couple of years ago, we were thinking, oh, this is
just a tale of what happened in World War Two,
and it's a cautionary tale so it doesn't happen again.
And then October seventh happened. And then while we were
editing it getting it ready for today, the world is
(08:58):
turned upside down. So we need people to go to
the movies and watch Bao Artists at War and realize
what can happen if we don't find a way to
make peace with each other and to find find a
path forward.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Bow Artist at War is now in theaters. I want
to thank Emil Hurst and Sean McNamara for joining me
this evening. Many congratulations to you, gentlemen, and I wish
you nothing but success. Thank you for coming on tonight.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Thank you so much, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from
KFI AM six forty
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.