Director Susan Kucera Joins Us to Discuss Her Film ‘Wild Genius’

As a filmmaker, Susan Kucera has been an impressive run over the past 15 or so years. Kucera can do it all, acting as the director, co-producer, cinematographer, and editor on her latest film, Wild Genius. Released on September 20th, the film focuses on the life and history of Robert Trivers. Trivers is an influential evolutionary biologist and sociobiologist and is considered one of the most influential evolutionary theorists in the world. Wild Genius traces Trivers’ history back to his youth and his struggles with mental health issues. Filmed in Berlin, Germany, New Jersey, and Jamaica, the film is a brilliantly original look inside the mind of one of the modern world’s most important researchers and theorists.

Kucera has had an impressive career as both a director and a producer. She produced and directed the award-winning Living in the Future’s Past alongside Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges. Kucera and Bridges have collaborated in the past, most notably on the 2021 film Hot Money. She is a unique filmmaker for many reasons, one of the most significant being the diversity of her interests. She has worked on all kinds of films of different tones and genres. Kucera has collaborated with artists, authors, actors, and scientists from around the world. She works to bring artistic appreciation and scientific reasoning to social issues.

Today, we are pleased to be joined by Kucera, who discusses her time working with Trivers, what inspired her to create Wild Genius, taking a stance on social and political issues, and more!

What was the most important takeaway from your time with Robert Trivers?

Susan Kucera: “The most important takeaway was the depth of his insights into human and all animal nature, particularly how evolutionary theory explains our emotions and behaviour. His work on parent-offspring conflict, reciprocal altruism, deceit and self-deception opened my eyes to how deeply our biology is intertwined with our social lives.”

What is one thing you want the world to know about Robert Trivers and his work?

“Robert Trivers’ work isn’t just academic; it’s like a backstage pass to the human experience. His ideas on self-deception, for example, are the stuff we see play out daily: in our friendships, politics (definitely politics!), and even our own self-talk. He’s cracked the code on why we do the things we do. That doesn’t mean we can’t change our behaviour. As he says in the film, ‘Our genes don’t care about us, why should we care about them.’”

Wild Genius: Robert Trivers in Jamaica

What makes Robert Trivers stand out from other people in his field?

“He has a rebellious spirit, both in his personal life and his intellectual work and because of this, he has not been afraid to explore controversial ideas and present them in a way that is accessible to both scientists and the general public. He also is a person who has changed scientific paradigms while dealing with his own mental health challenges. One thing is for certain, he’s a livewire!”

What inspired you to create a documentary about Trivers?

“Executive producer Jim Swift and I kept asking ourselves: how can someone who revolutionized socio-biology still be flying under the radar for so many outside the scientific world? Capturing his story felt like documenting a hidden chapter of intellectual history, one that’s been key in shaping how we understand human nature today.”

Wild Genius: Robert Trivers in Jamaica

What’s the most innovative project you’ve been part of, and what made it stand out?

“All the projects Jim Swift and I have tackled have been innovative in their own way. Living in the Future’s Past, a collaboration with Jeff Bridges, was as unique as Hot Money with General (Wesley) Clark and his son Wes. Then there’s 12th Hour, Breath of Life, and now Wild Genius; each one brings something fresh to the table.

“Honestly, I have to keep myself entertained, so these documentaries have to push boundaries! They often explore similar themes, but always with the goal of helping us better understand ourselves so we can face the challenges ahead with more clarity.”

What’s one hard truth about working in film production that newcomers aren’t prepared for?

“One hard truth is that you have to have a passion for it because documentaries are a lot of hard work and long hours! Creativity is only part of the equation.”

Wild Genius: Robert Trivers in Germany

How important is it for filmmakers to take a stance on social or political issues through their projects?

“Films are powerful tools for shaping public discourse. Whether consciously or not, every film has a perspective. Thoughtful engagement with important issues has the potential to provoke meaningful change. This is where being aware of your own self-deception comes in handy. Certainly makes you question your own pre-existing ideas which is helpful if you’re striving to actually document a subject.”

How has your definition of success as a filmmaker changed over the years?

“I’m not sure I had a standard or definition of success that would have changed. I just feel lucky to get to do this. And I love being behind the camera. I just wrapped filming the Apsaalooke people in one of the most beautiful places on earth. That feels like success.”

‘Wild Genius’ Documentary movie artwork