Secular Faith - 'The Hunt' (2012) d. Thomas Vinterberg, 'Ghost World' (2001) d. Terry Zwigoff & 'Sideways' (2004) d. Alexander Payne
What are the dangers of believing things we cannot prove? Can we exist without believing in something? How do we know when we can have faith in someone? Building on last week's episode on infidelity, ...
18 Sep 202229min
Intro to Infidelity - 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1946) d. Tay Garnett, 'Closer' (2004) d. Mike Nichols & 'Both Sides of the Blade' (2022) d. Claire Denis
Does cheating always catch up on us? Who is destined to stray from their spouse? How can we overcome unfaithfulness? Through the lens of romantic infidelity, this week's episode explores the ways in w...
11 Sep 202229min
Double-Edged Talent - 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?' (1962) d. Robert Aldrich, 'All About Eve' (1950) d. Joseph L. Mankiewicz & 'The Pianist' (2002) d. Roman Polanski
Can talent be a curse? To what extent does talent serve the talented? How and when should we wield our talents? It's a Bette Davis double this week, as we explore the darker side of being gifted. Kee...
4 Sep 202229min
(K)nowhere to Look - 'Nope' (2022) d. Jordan Peele, 'Don't Look Up' (2021) d. Adam McKay & 'Network' (1976) d. Sidney Lumet
What are the dangers of media spectacles? Are all news stories merely spectacles? Is there a healthy way to consume corporate media? In light of some seemingly opposing ideas from two recent films, th...
28 Aug 202229min
Middle Eastern Cinema w/ Sarah Barrie - 'About Elly' (2009) d. Asghar Farhadi, 'Women Without Men' (2009) d. Shirin Neshat and Shoja Azari & 'Incendies (2010) d. Denis Villeneuve
What are some of the lingering issues in modern Middle Eastern cultures? What is the continuing relationship between political and personal emancipation in the Middle Eastern context? What cultural ch...
21 Aug 202229min
Enemies of the State - 'Cool Hand Luke' (1967), 'The Conference' (2022) & 'The People vs. Larry Flynt' (1996)
How does the state treat those who rebel against it? How should we view an oppressive state? What are we actually referring to when we talk about 'the state'? In discussing three films that centre on ...
14 Aug 202229min
Existopmotionalism - 'Anomalisa' (2015), 'Harvie Krumpet' (2003) & '$9.99' (2008)
How do we view ourselves in relation to others? Are people ever the same? What does the meaning of life cost? In exploring some of the bigger philosophical questions we all face, this week's episode f...
7 Aug 202229min
Stressful Sequences - 'After Hours' (1985), 'Uncut Gems' (2019) & 'Full Time' (2021)
How does it feel to be inundated with unwelcome stress? How can our own actions contribute to stress? Can stress ever be desirable? This week's episode focuses on three high-tempo films in which the t...
31 Juli 202229min
