Films for Today

What kinds of men attract attention? How do we justify our obsessions? What are the ultimate sources of betrayal and vengeance? Following a past episode on 'Women with Gravity', this episode focuses on American cinema of the late 80 and 90s to explore the roots and implications of instances in which we obsess over men.  The Films: Fatal Attraction (1987) directed by Adrian Lyne Misery (1990)...

What are we the ultimate goals of modernity? Is it dangerous to abandon modernity? Can we live in harmony with nature? In this episode, we discuss the concepts of development, ideology and environmental degradation by looking at three films that each explore a distinct period of the modern age.   The Films: Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) directed by Werner Herzog Stalker (1979) directed by...

Why do women often feel suffocated? Is idolatry inevitable? How should we view others? In this episode, we discuss multiple cinematic depictions of women who attract attention and contemplate the dangers of social suffocation.  The Films: The Collector (1967) directed by Éric Rohmer Shiva Baby (2020) directed by Emma Seligman Ema (2019) directed by Pablo Larraín Follow Us: https://www.faceboo...

Is victimhood gender-specific? How should we attribute blame? Are claims to victimhood universal? Following a past episode on 'Male Victimhood', this episode compares the journeys of various female characters from cinema history, focusing specifically on their dealings with suffering, blame and responsibility.  The Films: La Strada (1954) directed by Federico Fellini Requiem for a Dream (2000...

How does our impending death impact our lives? What does it mean to die? How should we spend our time on Earth? In this episode, we look at three cinematic explorations of death to gain some insight into how we should live. The Films: The Seventh Seal (1957) directed by Ingmar Bergman The Fountain (2006) directed by Darren Aronofsky  Ikiru (1952) directed by Akira Kurosawa Follow Us: https://...

How do we reconcile our sense of rationality with our emotions? Are there various lenses through which we can understand human nature? In this episode, we explore and question the traditional dualistic view of the human condition by considering various insights provided by three distinct films.  The Films: Apocalypse Now (1979) directed by Francis Ford Coppola Persona (1966) directed by Ingma...

Why do we both seek and avoid the truth? What should we do when we encounter uncomfortable truths? In this episode, we focus on three films that explore the sometimes liberating and other times frightening concept of reality. The Films: The Truman Show (1998) directed by Peter Weir Come and See (1985) directed by Elem Klimov Blue Velvet (1986) directed by David Lynch Follow Us: https://www.faceboo...

Why do we run away? Do we ever look back? Can we ever fix the mistakes of our past? In this episode, we take a look at multiple cinematic characterisations of the modern American drifter in contemplating whether there is ever a way home once we leave it.  The Films: What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) directed by Lasse Hallström Five Easy Pieces (1970) directed by Bob Rafelson Paris, Texas (19...

Can men be victims? Do men outgrow victimhood? Should men view themselves as victims? In contemplating these questions, this episode focuses on the changing depiction of men in British cinema throughout the late 50s and 60s. The Films: Kes (1969) directed by Ken Loach  Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) directed by Karel Reisz If.... (1968) directed by Lyndsay Anderson Look Back in Ange...

Can we be truly free whilst engaged in a relationship? Are relationships a form of emotional imprisonment? Do relationships guarantee us unique freedoms? In this episode, we discuss the impact romantic love has on individual freedom by looking at how the relationship between these two concepts is explored in three different films.  The Films: The Piano (1993) directed by Jane Campion Portrait...

What are the goals of people with power? How do they emerge? How do we fall under their spell? In this episode, we discuss three cinematic depictions of authority figures and contemplate whether there are any lessons to be learnt from viewing them side by side.  The Films: There Will Be Blood (2007) directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Cabaret (1972) directed by Bob Fosse The Master (2012) direct...