SEEING FACES IN MOVIES

Felicia is joined by Darragh McGrath to discuss why The Tarnished Angels (1957) may be the most Sirkian at its core. We chat about the beauty of the black and white photography, and why Sirk was so good at portraying the lives of broken people. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingfacesinmovies@gmail.com Listen to our previo...

Felicia is joined by Josh Cooley to discuss why it’s important to consider melodrama in a positive light through Douglas Sirk’s Magnificent Obsession (1954). We chat about why Sirk was considered a ‘woman’s picture’ director, and why that work lead to some of the most beautiful imagery put on screen. This is the first installment in the Sirk series and an important one to listen to as we give a lo...

Felicia is joined by Ben Vargas to discuss the weight of parental guilt as it is manifested through Lars von Trier’s Antichrist (2009). We discuss the ways in which Lars von Trier portrays raw emotions on film, and why filmmakers aren’t often as brave when it comes to showing their audience the ugly side of grief. This is the last installment in the Lars von Trier series, thanks for following alon...

Felicia is joined by Jeanmarie Vargas to discuss the concept of inherent depression through Lars von Trier’s Melancholia (2011). We chat about Lars von Trier’s desire to break down his own battles with depression through these characters, along with the importance of Wagner in his work. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingf...

Felicia is joined by The Davids Podcast to discuss Lars von Trier’s take on male aggression, in The House That Jack Built (2018). We chat about the nuisance of supporting the work of an artist whose personal ideals we may not agree with. Along with the way Trier is reflecting on his life through the character of Jack. Send us your thoughts on the episode by sending us a message on any of our socia...

Felicia is joined by Scott Cole to discuss Lars von Trier’s take on an American musical in Dancer in the Dark (2000). We chat about the way von Trier crafts and treats his women characters, along with his criticism of American culture. This is the first installment in the Lars von Trier series, and a great introduction to his sensibilities as an artist. Send us your thoughts on the episode by send...

Felicia is joined by Ryan Ritter to discuss the film that cemented the genre of Italian neo-realism in history; Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves (1948). We chat about De Sica’s ability to discover raw talent from non-actors and guide them to deliver unforgettable performances. Along with how relatable this story has been to audiences over the years. This is the final installment in the De Sica s...

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...

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...

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...

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 pl...

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...

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...

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 thought...

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...

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...

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 i...

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...

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...

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 word...

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 you...

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 som...

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...

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 a...

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 moment...