The Miss Independent Podcast

In this episode, we sink our teeth into Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), Jim Jarmusch’s slow-burning vampire film that’s more mood than plot. We talk loneliness, love, and the slow decay of meaning in a world that won’t stop spinning. Is eternal life a gift or a curse when the world is losing its soul? This isn’t just a vampire movie, it’s an existential hangout with deathless romantics watching it...

This week, we're diving into the Oscar-nominated documentary, Minding the Gap (2018). The film follows the lives of three young men who find connection and freedom through skateboarding, using it as an escape from their difficult home environments. We paired this film with Otto's Constant Dream, a Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand. With vibrant notes of red and black fruits rounded...

This week we dive into Song of the Sea (2014), a breathtakingly unique animated film rooted in folklore and magic. The story follows Ben, a boy navigating grief, sibling bonds, and Irish folklore after the loss of his mother. His journey with his sister Saoirse unfolds in a world of myth, music, and memory.  Between admiring its stunning artistry and getting lost in selkie myths, Patrick and I can...

In this episode, we pair Sing Sing (2023), a moving story of resilience, creativity, and hope inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility, with the 2023 Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc. Colman Domingo leads a narrative that shows the power of art as incarcerated individuals find purpose through theater. Bright, crisp, and boldly named, Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc mirrors this journey, capturing the spirit of...

Welcome back for Season 3!  We’re kicking things off with a bang (or rather, a scooter chase) in Thelma 2024, starring the unstoppable June Squibb. This sharp, heartfelt action-comedy isn’t just about revenge and internet scams, it’s a celebration of badass grandmas, aging boldly, and going out on your own terms. Join us as we talk aging, minions (yes, really), and why Thelma might be the action f...

We haven’t stopped thinking about Origin since we first saw it in theaters last year. It’s one of those stories that lingers long after the credits roll, shifting the way you see the world. Honestly, we were a little nervous to dive into this conversation, given the weight of its subject matter. But here we are — pushing ourselves to ask the hard questions and to keep learning along the way. Direc...

CODA follows Ruby, the only hearing member of her deaf family, as she tries to balance her love for music with her deep loyalty to the people who raised her. It's a heartfelt story set in a small fishing town, full of humor and moments that really hit home. The 2018 Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon is bold but approachable, with just the right amount of depth - like CODA itself. It's the kind of wine...

This week, we follow Billi as she navigates the pull between American individuality and Chinese tradition. When her family hides a terminal diagnosis from her grandmother, she's forced to confront the values that shaped her—and the ones she's grown into.  Join us as we explore what it means to be lost—and how sometimes we have to look back at where we come from to figure out where we’re going. A s...

This week, we're discussing All of Us Strangers — a tender, haunting story about Adam, a lonely queer screenwriter who forms an unexpected connection with his neighbor, Harry. As their relationship deepens, Adam returns to his childhood home and finds his long-dead parents seemingly alive, forcing him to confront a past he's never truly let go of. It feels only right to pair All Of Us Strangers wi...

Join us as we explore The Fall – a visually stunning tale blending fantasy and emotional realism. This vibrant story of suicide and survival, told through a child's eyes, is sure to captivate fans of Big Fish and What Dreams May Come .  And just remember, don’t spell morphine with a 3 instead of an E! This week, the witch has selected Caruso & Minini Arancino 2023, a Sicilian orange wine that...

This week, we're diving into the 2013 film  Under the Skin . It follows an alien disguised as a woman (Scarlett Johansson) who roams Scotland, seducing lonely men into a strange, dark trap—until she starts to question who she really is. The Areo Patagonia Argentina 2022 Malbec is a perfect match for  Under the Skin —its dark fruit flavors and smooth texture capture the film's eerie vibe. Plus, com...

In this fun coming-of-age story, we explore the timeless question: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self? There’s no wrong answer, but the one in this film might just surprise you. Join us as we take a reflective journey through memories, personal antics, and the very essence of what makes a home. As we reflect on childhood memories, why not pair this journey w...

This week, we're traveling back to 2016 to discuss  Captain Fantastic . This film follows a devoted father raising his kids off the grid, teaching them self-sufficiency and a deep appreciation for the world around them. But when they're forced to reenter mainstream society, their beliefs are challenged, and they begin to question everything they've been taught. Equal parts heartwarming and heartbr...

A beautifully crafted homage to classic horror films, The Substance is a grotesque, disturbing, and utterly unique experience - one that will have you covering your eyes to preserve your sanity. This film is not for the faint of heart. With bold, brutal choices and a focused vision, it leaves you grappling with a haunting question that ties the entire movie together: Who will be the next Elisabeth...

Step into 1920s Harlem, where childhood friends Clare and Irene reconnect in a hotel dining room—only for Irene to realize that Clare has been passing as white. Rebecca Hall makes her directorial debut with Passing , a visually stunning and thought-provoking adaptation. For this episode, we paired Passing with a Sauvignon Blanc from The McBride Sisters Collection. Both are elegant and complex—just...

It may seem as though life is coming to an end, but what if it’s just the beginning?  Describing Flow may be impossible to put into words, which is ironic because this film is completely void of dialogue. Relying on realistic animal sounds, director Gints Zilbalodis  takes us on a whirlwind adventure of survival and friendship led by a black house cat and his ragtag band of misfit animals.  A film...

Take a trip to 1950’s Mexico City where we join Lee on his quest of self discovery. Artistic, bold and full of symbolism, this is an abstract journey into the psyche. When the time comes, are we able face who we are - even the parts we try so desperately to hide? Described as both ethereal and complex, the Red Newt Gewurtztraminer 2021 definitely delivers! Bold, refreshing and full of fruity aroma...

We made it! Thank you for joining us for our finale episode of the season .  Choosing a film to leave you with for the New Year was not easy…but once we found Little Miss Sunshine it felt like an obvious choice!  Full of family drama, some funky moves and a trip that changes everything, this film is a stark reminder that the road to success can blind us to the things that truly matter. To celebrat...

In this week’s episode we chat about my (Emily’s) favorite indie film, Billy Elliot.  In Northern England during the 1984-85 miner’s strike,11 year old Billy, a working class boy is torn between his love for dance and his dedication to his family.  With unforgettable characters and an inspiring story, this film takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and encourages you to always fight for what you...

Today, we're talking about my (Patrick's) favorite independent film: Cinema Paradiso. This film follows Salvatore, aka Toto, returning to his hometown for the funeral of local movie theater film projectionist, Alfredo. Told through flashbacks and present times, we follow Toto discover his love for film and the events that follow. Cinema Paradiso is a personal reminder that love comes in various fo...

Life is messy and unpredictable.  Through a uniquely non-linear narrative, we follow the love story between Tobias and Almut as their love challenges the very limits of time. This is a story about how we live, how we die, and how we want to be remembered.  The fragments of each person’s life are what make them whole.  Today’s episode is paired with Aljibes Syrah from 2020, a cherry-red wine with s...

And…we’re back!  Starting off this week with the beautiful Perfect Days . This film follows Hirayama; a man of routine and minimalistic lifestyle.  When he’s not at work cleaning toilets, you’ll find him reading books or staring up at the trees. A film about being grateful for the little things in life and finding stillness in a bustling city.  For this film, we paired Juan Gil, a Silver Label fro...

Tuesday has been best described as a Studio Ghibli film brought to life.  By personifying death in the form of a macaw, it examines our existence using fantasy and wit. In typical A24 fashion, this film delivers a fresh perspective on a familiar theme through its artistry and originality. Using the label as inspiration, we matched Scopa, a light Pinot Grigio with hints of apple, white flowers and...

In this week’s episode we talk about the newly released neo-noir thriller, Magpie .  A fractured psyche, female rage and a plan to seek revenge.  First-time director Sam Yates, has created a film that very much benefits from the saying “the less you know, the better”. Gnarly Head's Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp and light bodied wine. With its green apple, lemon and honeydew blend it delivers a sweet...

MISSING PERSONS Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams. A revolutionary marketing strategy paired with a story so convincing that Heather Donahue’s mother received sympathy cards from strangers about her daughter’s disappearance and presumed death.  With authentically amateurish camerawork and much left to the imagination, this indie film paved the path for the found-footage genre....