A Q&A with director Alexander Payne and actor Hong Chau, moderated by Rajendra Roy, follows a screening of Downsizing (2017). Alexander Payne has focused our gaze on the intimacies of American life for over two decades. With Downsizing he both expands his canvas globally (exploring Nordic frugality, Eastern-bloc excess, and transnational migration) and zooms in on hyper-specifics of contemporary human existence. How much are a married couple (Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig) willing to sacrifice in order to achieve an upper-class lifestyle? Is it really possible to frame radical self-interest as planetary charity? These contradictions, and the hilarity they instigate (as well an astonishing, breakout performance by Chau), propel Payne's mind-bender into our hearts and our heads. The conversation was part of MoMA Contenders, The Museum of Modern Art's renowned series of influential, innovative films from the past 12 months. Whether bound for awards glory or cult classic status, each of these films is a contender for lasting historical significance.