Oscar Loves... The Biopic

Izzy and Mark gather round the microphone to discuss the real lives recreated on celluloid that went on to win Best Picture. 

The Life of Emile Zola directed by William Dieterle portrays the life of the great french playwright and author (played by Paul Muni), focussing in particular on the Dreyfuss Affair of 1894-1906. Often called the greatest biopic ever made, Izzy and Mark discuss whether they agree with this moniker, particularly within the social context of the time.

Based on the 1853 memoir of Solomon Northup, Twelve Years A Slave tells Solomon's story of being a free-born African American from Washington DC, kidnapped and then sold into slavery into Louisiana until freed twelve years later. Directed by Steve McQueen and Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film was nominated for nine oscars, going on to win three.

Thank you to Thomas Whitelaw for our intro music and Rachel Valentine Smith for our artwork.