Scene by Scene

In this episode, we discuss Tsai Ming-liang’s  The River , including how Tsai visualizes complex ideas, the reason for Hsiao-Kang's neck pain, and what water represents.  See where The River is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: • The River | City Cinematheque • City Without Tears by Jonathan Rosenbaum • Video Essay: "Days Passed" | Lee Kang-Sheng Through the Eyes of Tsai Min...

In this episode, we discuss Sidney J. Furie’s  The Entity , including how Carla is disbelieved and dismissed, the disharmony between the film’s sexual assaults and the paranormal climax, and Furie’s use of Dutch angles and the split diopter.  See where  The Entity  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: • Scream Factory's The Entity Blu-ray • Imprint's Directed by Sidney J. Furie...

In this episode, we discuss Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s  Cure , including how the film differs from traditional mysteries, how Kurosawa depicts violence, and how the filmmaking hypnotizes. See where  Cure  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's Cure Blu-ray •  Eureka! Masters of Cinema's Cure Blu-ray • Cure on The Criterion Channel • (There Is No) CURE • Cure:...

Announcement: Scene by Scene is transitioning to one episode per month. This new release schedule is temporary. More information in the episode.  In this episode, we discuss Ritwik Ghatak’s The Cloud-Capped Star , including the Indian Partition’s influence on Ghatak, Ghatak’s unbalanced compositions, and how Neeta “looking” communicates character information.  See where  The Cloud-Capped Star  is ...

In this episode, we discuss Edward Yang’s That Day, on the Beach , including the theme of tradition vs modernity, the film’s structure, and the techniques used to transition into flashbacks. Supplemental Material: Nova Media's That Day, on the Beach Blu-ray That Day, on the Beach (Internet Archive) That Day, on the Beach (rarefilmm) Edward Yang (Contemporary Film Directors Series) by John Ande...

In this episode, we discuss John Cassavetes' Shadows including how the film grew from Cassavetes’ personal experiences, Cassavetes’ use of improvisation, and techniques used to communicate information about characters and their relationship with one another.  See where  Shadows  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's John Cassavetes: Five Films Blu-ray C...

Trash Cinema Month is Back! In this episode, we discuss Stephen Chiodo's Killer Klowns from Outer Space , including the killing of dogs in movies, how it compares to 1950s creature features, and the lack of understandable klown motivation. See where  Killer Klowns from Outer Space  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game Scream Factory's Kil...

Trash Cinema Month is Back! In this episode, we discuss David DeCoteau's  Nightmare Sisters , including the lack of horror elements, how the film’s short schedule affected the film grammar, and how we found inspiration through the film. See where  Nightmare Sisters  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Vinegar Syndrome's Nightmare Sisters Blu-ray Cinema Conversations: David DeCo...

In this episode, we discuss Agnès Varda's  Cléo from 5 to 7 , including how Cléo goes from viewed to viewer, the techniques used to communicate Cléo's change, and how Varda balances fantasy and reality.  See where  Cléo from 5 to 7  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's The Complete Films of Agnès Varda Blu-ray Cléo from 5 to 7: Remembrances Cléo fr...

In this episode, we discuss Eric Rohmer's  Claire's Knee , including how Jerôme’s actions contradict his words, the characters’ lack of maturity, and how the blocking communicates character relationships. See where  Claire's Knee  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's Six Moral Tales Blu-ray Video Essay: How the French New Wave Changed Cinema Ci...

In this episode, we discuss Chris Smith's American Movie , including Mark’s performative side, Mark and Mike’s friendship, and the ways we see ourselves in Mark. See where  American Movie  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: American Movie Blu-ray Coven (Dir. Mark Borchardt) I Blow Up (Dir. Mark Borchardt) Mike Schank's Music Filmmaker Mark Borchardt's Awesome Tour Of Milwa...

In this episode, we discuss Adam Rifkin's  Giuseppe Makes a Movie , including Giuseppe’s filmmaking process, how it inspires us, and the importance of documenting a community that no longer exists.  See where  Giuseppe Makes a Movie  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Giuseppe Makes a Movie Official Website Cinelicious Pics' Giuseppe Makes a Movie Blu-ray Garbanzo Gas (Film) G...

In this episode, we discuss Krzysztof Kieślowski's  Three Colors: Red , including its connections to Blue and White , the film's telephone motif, and the way Kieślowski’s camera conveys connection and disconnection. See where  Three Colors: Red  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's Three Colors Blu-ray Curzon's Three Colours Trilogy 4K Ultra HD...

In this episode, we discuss Krzysztof Kieślowski's  Three Colors: White , including the strong opening sequence, its connections to Three Colors: Blue, and whether the film effectively handles the theme of equality. See where  Three Colors: White  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's Three Colors Blu-ray Curzon's Three Colours Trilogy 4K Ultra HD K...

In this episode, we discuss Krzysztof Kieślowski's  Three Colors: Blue , including possible interpretations of the film’s abstract moments, the depiction of loss and grief, and Juliette Binoche's internal performance. See where  Three Colors: Blue  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's Three Colors Blu-ray Curzon's Three Colours Trilogy 4K Ultra...

We’re sorry for the delay on this episode, but we hope you enjoy the looser discussion. We’ll be back on March 1st, discussing Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors: Blue . In this episode, we discuss our favorite films featured on the podcast. We also discuss the best and worst films we watched in 2023, lessons learned, and our 2024 film resolutions. Additional Music from Charlotte Wells' After...

In this episode, we discuss Charles Poekel's Christmas, Again , including Poekel's extensive research, Kentucker Audley's naturalistic performance, and the film's lack of traditional exposition. See where  Christmas, Again  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Factory 25's Christmas, Again Blu-ray Christmas, Again Kickstarter Christmas, Again Q&A with Film at Lin...

This episode features discussion of suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. https://988lifeline.org/ In this episode, we discuss Edson Oda's Nine Days , including multiple interpretations of Will, the questions the story r...

In this episode, we discuss Hirokazu Kore-eda's After Life , including the film's documentary aesthetic, how Kore-eda communicates information visually, and the way exposition is made engaging. See where  After Life  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Criterion Collection's After Life Blu-ray BFI's After Life Blu-ray After Life:  In Memoriam by Viet Thanh Nguyen On...

In this episode, we discuss Neil Marshall's  The Descent , including the film’s lighting, the mistakes made in the first act, and whether the creatures help or harm the film.  See where  The Descent  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: The Descent Blu-ray Additional Audio Sources: The Descent Trailer "The Descent: Beneath the Scenes" on The Descent Blu-ray "DescENDING:...

In this episode, we discuss John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness , including the screenplay's missteps, the effective use of insects, and Carpenter's visual techniques. See where  Prince of Darkness  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Scream Factory's Prince of Darkness Blu-ray John Carpenter on Managing to "Survive" Hollywood (Variety Interview) Additional Audi...

In this episode, we discuss Trey Edward Shults'  It Comes at Night , including the film's marketing, our interpretations of "it", and the film's use of traditional horror conventions and iconography. See where  It Comes at Night  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: It Comes at Night Blu-ray Anatomy of a Scene: Trey Edward Shults Narrates a Scene From ‘It Comes at Ni...

In this episode, we discuss Andrzej Żuławski’s  Possession , including our interpretations of the film's creature and doppelgängers, the expressive actor blocking, and the abrasive (yet successful) performances. See where  Possession  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Mondo Vision's Possession Blu-ray Additional Audio Sources: Possession Official Trailer Mondo Vision's Po...

In this episode, we discuss Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York , including the lack of subtlety, the execution of numerous themes and ideas, and whether the film encapsulates the human experience.  See where Synecdoche, New York is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Synecdoche, New York Blu-ray Charlie Kaufman | BAFTA Screenwriters’ Lecture Series Charlie Kaufman Interview with WGA W...

In this episode, we discuss Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God , including Herzog's process, the unconventional storytelling, and the masterful approach to perspective. See where  Aguirre, the Wrath of God  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: Shout! Factory's Aguirre, the Wrath of God Blu-ray Werner Herzog's MasterClass Werner Herzog: A Guide for the Perplexed (B...