One of the foremost American filmmakers of our time, Richard Linklater achieved cult immortality with the '90s classic Dazed and Confused, won critical respect for the sublime Before trilogy, and redefined cinematic storytelling with the groundbreaking Boyhood. But along the way, the director's unconventional working methods and fierce independence have frequently put him at odds with the industry.

Through interviews with both the filmmaker and many of his closest collaborators, this revealing profile traces Linklater's life and work-from the DIY landmark Slacker to his latest comedy Everybody Wants Some!!-shedding light on how a creative visionary carved out a one-of-a-kind career unbeholden to the Hollywood machine.