Felicia is joined by Geoff Thomas to discuss the effects of capitalism on an old man and his dog in Vittorio De Sica’s Umberto D. (1952). We chat about this film as a bridge between De Sica’s as a neo-realist filmmaker and his move towards comedies. Along with the themes of questioning the moral compass of authority figures present in this film. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Check out...

Felicia is joined by Jason Christian to discuss the story of two young boys who just want to buy a horse but get sent to a juvenile prison instead, in Vittorio De Sica’s Shoeshine (1946). We chat about De Sica’s ability to get natural performances out of children, and how important it was to explore the lives of orphaned children after the war. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Follow...

Felicia is joined by Bryan and Hannah Loomis to discuss a film about hope and making the most out of the life you’ve been given in Vittorio De Sica’s Miracle in Milan (1951). We chat about De Sica and Zavattani’s (his long time writing partner) communist ideals and how they translate to the importance of community and choosing your own family. Along with the mix of realism and fantasy to create a story that leaves the viewer feeling hopeful. This is the series two opening film and I think...

Felicia is joined by Jeanmarie Vargas to discuss Michael Haneke’s film about a woman just trying to live out her sexual fantasies in The Piano Teacher (2001). We chat about Haneke’s shift in the 2000s to create more films focused on women and their struggles. Along with the importance of diegetic music as it relates to pushing the story forward. This marks the end of the Haneke series, it was a pleasure (even when it was a displeasure) to revisit his films and watch them through multiple...

Felicia is joined by Riley Greenwood to discuss a film about a family who makes a questionable decision in Michael Haneke’s The Seventh Continent (1989). We chat about how Haneke decision to not give the audience any answers but instead allows them to wonder why people make certain life decisions. Along with how the story is fragmented to disorient the viewer. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email:...

Felicia is joined by Nathan Cowles to discuss Michael Haneke’s dark mystery about the roots of evil in The White Ribbon (2009). We chat about how Haneke tackles children and violence in his films and the concept of “good vs evil”. Along with the use of black and white and lack of score that help amplify the film’s message. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Listen to our previous episode...

Felicia is joined by Jane Waldner to discuss Michael Haneke’s groundbreaking 1997 film Funny Games and his 2007 shot for shot remake. We chat about how important the original film was and remains, and what caused him to remake his own work in the English language. Along with his exploration of violence in film as it relates to the audiences consumption of this type of imagery. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email:...

Welcome to Season 2! After a summer break the show is back and with a few changes. We’re still focusing on a different director or cinematographer each month, with a new guest each week to discuss a film in that artist’s filmography. What we’re doing is moving away from a scene by scene breakdown of the story, and instead moving towards discussion the aritst’s unique stamp on the film. The purpose of this show was always to focus on the artist, so we’ll be talking about what lead them to...

Felicia is joined by Vanya Garraway to discuss David Cronenberg’s exploration of media consumption in a little film called Videodrome (1983). We chat about how this Toronto classic has become a cautionary tale on the effects of hiding behind the ‘content’ you view. Along with the ways in which Cronenberg create a new cinematic language unique to the city of Toronto that is still relevant today. Oh yeah, and long live the new flesh! This marks not only the end of the Cronenberg series, but...

Felicia is joined by Ms. Sinclair to discuss David Cronenberg’s psychological twin terror Dead Ringers (1988) We chat about how the setting of Toronto plays a part in the story, and why the collaboration between Jeremy Irons and Cronenberg gave us one of the greatest dual performances on film. Can you guess how many times I say Toronto in this episode? Send us your thoughts on the episode - what is your favourite film about twins? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social...

Felicia is joined by Newman to discuss Cronenberg’s return to body horror in Crimes of the Future (2022). We chat about how Cronenberg explored themes of climate change, body modifications, and the failure of technology, while blending noir-like elements into the story. Send us your thoughts on the episode - what is your favourite modern Cronenberg film? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Follow Newman...

Felicia is joined by John Pennington to discuss conflicting parenting styles in David Cronenberg’s The Brood (1979). We chat about the use of daylight in a film that tackles dark subject matters. Along with Cronenberg’s personal life being the inspiration behind the story. Send us your thoughts on the episode - what is your favourite 70s Cronenberg flick? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Follow John...

Felicia is joined by Josh Cooley to discuss David Cronenberg’s otherworldly adaptation of William S. Burrough’s Naked Lunch (1991). We chat about the way Cronenberg took Burrough’s story and put it into his own perfectly crafted world, and how he was able to succeed at adapting a difficult novel. This is the Cronenberg series opener and it’s been a long time coming. I honestly cannot put into words how important Cronenberg is to me, his work is everything to me and the world would be a...

It’s bonus episode time. In today’s Special Features episode Felicia is joined by Erin and Tom from the Baby’s First Watchlist Podcast to discuss one of cinema’s greatest romance films Before Sunrise (Richard Linklater 1995). We chat about how fresh this film feels nearly thirty years later, and although it is heavy in dialogue, the quiet moments reveal the most about Celine and Jesse. Send us your thoughts on the episode - what is your favourite film in the trilogy? Let us know by...

Felicia is joined by Calvin Kemph to discuss Catholic guilt and philosophy through the character’s in My Night at Maud’s (Éric Rohmer 1970). We chat about how important it is that this film was shot in black and white and how this story could also fit within his tale of four season series. This marks the end of the Rohmer series, one that I felt such a great delight in putting together and had some of the best conversations on the show so far. I hope you’re inspired to tackle the rest of...

Felicia is joined by Duran Aziz to discuss Éric Rohmer’s foray to the medieval era in Perceval (1978). We chat about the incredibly unique set design and Rohmer’s desire to create a space that would be a reflection of paintings from that era. Send us your thoughts on the episode - are you satisfied with our protagonist’s ending? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Follow Duran Here: IG (Chapman University Students...

Felicia is joined by Frieda Beckerman to discuss Éric Rohmer’s film about a woman facing vacation ennui, in The Green Ray (1986). We chat about how he created a character whose small problems we can all relate to, and why the multiple settings in France are imperative to the film’s energy.. Send us your thoughts on the episode - have you read The Green Ray? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email:...

Felicia is joined by Nathan Cowles to discuss Éric Rohmer’s first film in his A Tale of Four Season series, about a man being tossed around by three different women in A Summer’s Tale (1996). We chat about Rohmer’s way of writing women, his choice to work with a woman cinematographer and how that lends to a unique gaze behind the camera. Along with the importance of the script and the quiet moments that expose the protagonists inner truth. This is the Rohmer series opener and I’m beyond...

Felicia is joined by Peter Merriman to discuss Yasujirō Ozu’s tale about aging parents and their relationships with their older children, in Tokyo Story (1953). We chat about why Japan original didn’t think they could market this film in North America, and how it eventually became one of the most universal film texts that audiences continue to relate to. This mark’s the end of the Ozu series, it was an honour and beautiful experience revisiting and watching some of his films for the first...

Felicia is joined by Bryan Loomis (from What a Picture Podcast) to discuss Yasujirō Ozu’s silent comedy about two brothers who begin to see their father in a new light. Send us your thoughts on the episode - do you prefer Ozu’s silent or talkies era? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Listen to our previous episode: All The President’s Men (D.O.P. Gordon Willis 1976) Follow Bryan here: Website: PODCAST | What a...

Felicia is joined by Malik Nelson to discuss Yasujirō Ozu’s overlooked film about two sisters grappling with the return of their mother who abandoned them in Tokyo Twilight (1957). Send us your thoughts on the episode - do you prefer Ozu’s black and white or in colour films? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: [email protected] Follow Malik here: Letterboxd:...

Felicia is joined by Seth Vargas to discuss one of the most touching and heartbreaking story of a father and daughter dynamic, in Yasujirō Ozu’s Late Spring (1949). We chat about how Ozu perfected the genre of family dramas, by keeping the visuals simple yet effective. We also how the characters in this film bridge old and new world Japan. Send us your thoughts on the episode - which is Ozu’s ‘season’ films is your favourite? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social...

It’s bonus episode time. In today’s Special Features episode Felicia is joined by Charles Forsman and Joey Gantner to discuss the only punk sci-fi film that matters, Repo Man (Alex Cox 1984). We chat about how Alex Cox not only made one of the most important films about punk culture but how he was able to successfully infuse other genres to make it a complete story. Along with how members of the LA Punk community came together to create an authentic piece of cinema that continues to grow...

Felicia is joined by Liam and Wayne from the In Film We Trust Podcast to discuss Jim Jarmusch’s film about three outlaws on the run, in Down By Law (1986). We chat about how each of these characters play off each other and why the outsider, Roberto, is the glue that holds them together. We also discuss how he gave Robby Müller carte blanche to shoot the film however he wanted and how that collaboration is imperative to the film’s lasting effect. Send us your thoughts on the episode - who...