British director Mike Leigh has returned to filmmaking after a long hiatus with Happy-Go-Lucky, a whimsical look at a North London schoolteacher bursting with so much positive energy that it infects everyone around her. A comedy may seem like a departure for Leigh to some but he insists he has always kept his funny bone intact. Whether it’s working for British television in the ‘70‘s and ‘80’s or making the hard-to-watch indie classic “Naked” with a then unknown David Thewlis.

Leigh has always comfortably worked within the confines of British cinema but was forced to embrace America when his 1996 film Secrets and Lies made an impression on audiences worldwide. He followed up his newfound success with some great edgy films ( Topsy Turvy, Vera Drake ) and some disposable ones too ( Career Girls, All or Nothing ).

After being embraced by the San Francisco Film Society earlier this year with a Lifetime Achievement award, Leigh recently returned to the Bay Area to promote Happy-Go-Lucky and discussed the ups and downs of making movies, teaching film classes and watching the new generation of filmmakers grow up into something the world may not be ready for. CLICK HERE to listen to our interview.