Films for Today

Is it a simple fact that that poverty is the parent of revolution and crime? With whom and where do wars start and end? Is war always born out of hate and fear? Advancing previous discussions on the topic, this week's episode contemplates the fundamental causes of war to re-conceptualise armed conflict as a never-ending human struggle. Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

With what does a seaside escape provide us? How should we understand the urge to embrace the abyss? What can we gain from confronting limitlessness? After many tentative discussions about the subject, this week's episode specifically focuses on the symbolic significance of summer pilgrimages to the seaside. Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

Who is the worst kind of enemy? Do we ever embody the traits of our enemies? How often do people actually find themselves in a state of head-to-head conflict? Building on previous conversations about enemies and the duality of man, this week's episode confronts the somewhat bipolar aspect of the human condition. Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagra...

What can younger men learn from older women? What can older women learn from younger men? What are the dangers of ignoring the intersection of age and gender? Following last week's examination of the traditional dynamics between older men and younger women, this week's episode examines the contrary. Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_berna...

What does a classic protector look like? Do we ever let predators into our lives? Are princesses always in need of protection? Specifically focusing on films where young girls and older men are paired together, this week's episode examines traditional ideas about power and vulnerability through the lenses of age and gender.  Get in touch: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://...

What accounts for the demise of 'competence'? What accounts for the rise of 'incompetence'? How and why should the world maximise the grand sum of human competence? With the release of Todd Field's newest film, 'Tár' (2022), this week's episode examines the differing ways in which modern societies respond to competence and incompetence.   Get in touch: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Insta...

What kinds of people do we specifically meet at work? Can the workplace be the key to our self-development? Can we still benefit from a poor work environment? Noting a common trait in multiple coming of age films set in the the 1980s, this week's episode examines the ways in which the workplace can help us grow in early adulthood.  The Films: 'Caddyshack' (1980) d. Harold Ramis 'Mystic Pizza'...

Is indulgence dangerous? Why does indulgence perpetually endanger us? In whom does indulgence manifest itself? Given that we are in the heart of awards season, this week's episode takes a look at one of the major cinematic trends of 2022.  The Films: 'Babylon' (2022) d. Damien Chazelle 'The Whale' (2022) d. Darren Aronofsky 'Triangle of Sadness' (2022) d. Ruben Östlund Get in touch: Email: co...

What is the relationship between the conscience and the self? Can listening to our conscience ever be a bad thing? If not our conscience, what should we listen to? Building on some brief discussions in last week's episode about self-discovery, this week's episode tackles the relationship we have with the voices inside our heads that purport to guide us.  The Films: 'Pinocchio' (2022) d. Guill...

How can going undercover threaten our identity? What kinds of people go undercover? Can we ever reach a point of no return when going undercover? Following recent discussions about the relationship between public opinion and living virtuously, this week's episode contemplates the efficacy of joining forces with our enemies to defeat them from within.   The Films: 'Mean Girls' (2004) d. Mark W...

Are the people we hate always our true enemies? Can personal flaws ever be a badge of honour? Are we adept at recognising hate in ourselves? Building on last week's conversation about the relationship between modern protectors and those they protect, this week's episode examines the power of a negative public image.   The Films: 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (2001) d.  Chris...

What is the nature of state control in the 21st century? When do the ends justify the means? Can we simultaneously act righteously and avoid enemy attacks? Focusing specifically on films set in the mid to late 2000s, this week's episode contemplates the dangers and obligations of 21st century technocracies. Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jim...

What is the relationship between people and space? How should we compartmentalise people and key life events? Can we meet people more than once? As we say goodbye to 2022, this week's episode examines the various ways independence, acceptance and romantic maturity are commonly explored in multiple films set in late December.  Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https...

Under what circumstances do we seek isolation? Can systems designed to serve us ever imprison us? Can we ever be imprisoned by desire? As we enter the final weeks of December 2022, this week's episode examines the curious intersection of Christmas movies and the themes explored in the writings of Franz Kafka.     Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://...

How can social change be instantly ignited? Are human beings doomed to a prison of idealism? How should we act in the wake of annihilation? To conclude our two-week series on Russia, this week's episode focuses on the rise of the Soviet Union, the perennial dilemmas it failed to solve and the burdens of geopolitical heavyweights.  Get in contact: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram:...

What does Russia feel that it has to protect? What is required when establishing a cultural identity? What is required to protect a cultural identity? With the recent release of 'Kompromat', both this week and next week's episodes will try to account for Russia's current cultural identity in order to better understand its recent geopolitical behaviour.  Get in Contact Email: contact@jimmybern...

Can tyrants maintain their power forever? Is absolute power unattainable in reality? Do human beings idealise a certain form of governance? Following on from last week's brief discussion of tyranny, this week's episode examines the complex relationship between authoritarian rulers and their subjects.  Get in touch: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_...

How closely related are our concepts of heaven and hell? Whose good intentions pave the way to hell? What might be the path to heaven? Viewing heaven and hell through a somewhat conceptual and secular lens, this week's episode evaluates the eternal resonance of our everyday actions. Contact Us: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.con Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_bernasconi/ 

How does satire advance social progress? Can the conventional become absurd? Are there shortcomings to contemptuous cinema? Covering a body of work that spans multiple decades, this week's episode explores the popular and compelling films of Adam McKay to contemplate how best to maximise cultural influence.  Contact Us: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j...

The Canberra Short Film Festival is back and in this week's episode, we are joined by festival entrants Stephanie Begg and Josh Mawer to chat all things short film making.  All of the important details about this year's festival can be found at the official CSFF website here: https://www.csff.com.au/ Contact us: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_ber...

How profound is the home ground advantage? Does a legal right to a home necessarily endow someone with a home ground advantage? How do the power dynamics associated with the home ground advantage play out in the real world? This week's episode focuses on the distinct sense of dominance locals often assert over outsiders and contemplates what specific factors need to be enlivened in order to access...

What accounts for society's attraction to college? What are the limitations of the arts and culture? Can we maintain our youth as we age? Focusing specifically on films in which adult men return to college, this week's episode examines the flurry of emotions we feel when we meditate on our formative years. Get in touch: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_bernasconi/?hl=en

From where does rebellion generate? Who controls America? To what extent do Americans have a shared experience? Focusing specifically on the filmography of Robert Altman, this week's episode seeks to uncover some updated insights on the land of the free.  Get in touch: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_bernasconi/?hl=en

How might moods be set? What unique powers do filmmakers possess? Can creative expression be therapeutic for both the creator and their audience? Following last week's episode, in which we discussed 'Ghost World' (2001), we are joined by special guest and legendary American director Terry Zwigoff to discuss his relationship with music, visual art and film.  Get in touch: https://www.instagram...

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, this week's episode embarks on a broader exploration of faith and trust in people. Get in touch: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_bernasconi/?hl=en