Politics of Cinema
101 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -Films are cultural artifacts. There is a political and artistic message in every one and we're here to document.
On each episode we pick a film; sometimes current and sometimes from the riches of world cinema’s 100+ year history, and take a deep dive into what the film is really saying about the world. Both overtly and covertly.
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Episodes
Political Vaudeville: FTA (1972), Jane Fonda, and Mobilizing the Military Against Vietnam
March 08, 2024 12:30 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBAs we celebrate 3 years of the show, we decided to take a look at one of our favorite eras of American film - the 1970's. We're specifically looking at the Vietnam Anti-War Movement as captured by a fictional film and a documentary; Milestones (1975) and F.T.A. (1972). On this episode we discuss Francine Parker's documenatry, F.T.A. (1972). Once again, we're also joined by special guest Jim Miller. As we celebrate Parker's film as well as Jane Fonda's career, Jim helps us to tie together a...
The Continuous Process of Becoming: Robert Kramer's Milestones (1975)
February 09, 2024 11:30 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBAs we celebrate 3 years of the show, we decided to take a look at one of our favorite eras of American film - the 1970's. We're specifically looking at the Vietnam Anti-War Movement as captured by a fictional film and a documentary; Milestones (1975) and F.T.A. (1972). On this episode we discuss Robert Kramer's experimental opus, Milestones, and are joined by special guest Jim Miller. Jim was an organizer during this period and provides key insights into just what was going on in that spa...
Buñuel's Banquet: Feasting on Satire in The Exterminating Angel (1962)
January 12, 2024 12:00 - 52 minutes - 42.6 MBLuis Buñuel was a master at creating lasting images that stay in the viewers brain long after the film is over. He had a career that spanned multiple decades and working in multiple countries, yet he consistantly took aim at political and social elites. In his 1962 masterpiece, The Exterminating Angel, the acclaimed filmmaker crafts an allegorical comedy that confronts the socio-political realities of Franco's Spain. Infused with a surrealistic touch and a substantial dose of satire, the ...
The Palestinian Experience: Documented and Portrayed
December 22, 2023 12:30 - 1 hour - 53.4 MBOn this episode, we're looking at two cinematic exampoles of the Palestinian expereince. One documentary and one fictionalized portrayal. The documentary, Gaza Ghetto: Portrait of a Palestinian Family (1985), captures exactly what the title implies. We get the lived experiences from grandmother down to grandchildren as they recount their experiences ranging from the 1948 exile to the 1967 war to the 1971 “pacification campaign”. The fiction film is the very poorly titled, The Dupes (19...
Systemic Risk: Killing Them Softly (2012) & the Precarity of Modern American Crime
November 10, 2023 13:30 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBThe fallout 2008 financial crisis has been portrayed on film in a number of ways; from documentary's like Iniside Job (2010) and Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) to ficiton films "inspired" by the events like The Big Short (2015) and Margin Call (2011). Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly (2012) takes a different approach. It starts with George V. Higgins' 1974 crime novel, itself the third in a series, that centers on a lower level crime syndicate in Boston. Then Dominik places that stor...
Green Room & Fascist Tendencies in the Pacific Northwest
October 20, 2023 10:31 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBThis Halloween season we take a look at a recent film we hope gets to cult status soon, Green Room (2015). Anton Yelchin and his bandmates are forced to battle against Patrick Stewart and his group of Neo-Nazis. We get into the pros and cons of non-political punk bands, why the Pacific Northwest is such a haven for white ethnonationalists and when it's okay to swap out character arcs for a pure survival narrative. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Resource Frontiers: Commodity Zones and the Vampiric Nature of Capitalism
September 29, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBOne of the topics that first inspired us to start this podcast, Resource Frontiers. Back in 2016, when Hell or High Water was released, Isaac and I were still working at our beloved art house theatre and our discussion of the film kept coming back to its multi-layered resource frontier setting. Settler colonial zones and the effects on indigenous populations were regular topics of conversations and, of course, Wages of Fear (1953) kept coming up too. Since it took us so long to finally cov...
Double Feature: Strike!
September 08, 2023 11:30 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBOn this Double Feature episode, we take a look at films about strikes. As the WGA and SAG continue to strike, we thought it would be a good time to examine how Hollywood has protrayed strikes throughout the years. We discuss; Norma Rae (1979), The Pajama Game (1957), Sorry to Bother You (2018), Harlan County, USA (1976), The Organizer (1963) and Chi-Raq (2015) and then put together a double feature (actually two) recommendation. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd /...
Rebroadcast - Children of Men: The Psychology of the Long Take, Maoist Urban Guerrillas Getting Lost in the Struggle and the Power of Radical Hope
August 04, 2023 11:30 - 1 hour - 80 MBWhile Isaac is immersed in his Arabic language summer camp, we're rebraodcasting our very first episode. In 2027, after 18 years of global human infertility and depression, the world is on the brink of collapse and humanity faces extinction. The United Kingdom, one of the few nations with a functioning government (Stiff upper lip chap!), is deluged by asylum seekers fleeing radiation and plague. In response, the UK has become a police state as the British Army rounds up and executes immig...
July 4th Special: How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022)
July 04, 2023 11:30 - 52 minutes - 57.7 MBThis July 4th, celebrate with a true Leftist film that will have you on the edge of you seat with suspense, a pulsing score and politics that will have you debating the need for a diversity of tactics when fighitng the evils of capitalism. We're discussing the film Daniel Goldhaber's How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
May Day Special: The Man in the Orage Jacket (2014)
May 26, 2023 12:30 - 38 minutes - 41.8 MBThis year we celebrated May Day (a little late) by watching a Latvian worker-revenge-horror-film. Aik Karapetian's The Man in the Orage Jacket (2014). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
DTV Action: Universal Soldier Regeneration & Day of Reckoning
May 05, 2023 12:30 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBIsaac finally make Aaron sit down and enjoy some DTV action, focusing on the John Hyams' last two entries in the Universal Soldier franchise. Regeneration (2010) and Day of Reckoning (2012). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Double Feature: Hong Kong Action
April 21, 2023 12:30 - 57 minutes - 62.2 MBOn this Double Feature episode, we take a look at two of the greats from the best era for cinematic action - 1980's Hong Kong. On this episode we discuss the art of action and (oftentimes) convoluted politics of In the Line of Duty 4 (1989) & Righting Wrongs (1986). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Auteur Films: Claudine (1974)
March 24, 2023 11:30 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBWe conclude our 2023 series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with Claudine (1974). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook Sources: White Balance: How Hollywood Shaped Colorblind Ideology and Undermined Civil Rights by Justin Gomer Daniel Amir Jackson article on Claudine
Auteur Films: Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975)
March 03, 2023 12:30 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBWe continue our 2023 series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with Jamaa Fanaka's Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Auteur Films: The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)
February 10, 2023 12:30 - 1 hour - 92.3 MBWe kick off our 2023 series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with podcast favorite Ivan Dixon's The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Classic: Alphaville - A Techno Dystopian Vision of the Future from 1965
January 20, 2023 12:30 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBWith the voluntary passing of Jean-Luc Godard in 2022, we decided that it's long overdue to take a look at one of his classics. Alphaville (1965) is a dystopian science-fiction film shot in black & white on the streets of Paris and is infused with Godard's politics of the moment. But, can Aaron convince Isaac that he actually liked this one? Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Classic: Alphaville - A Techo Dystopian Vision of the Future from 1965
January 20, 2023 12:30 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBWith the voluntary passing of Jean-Luc Godard in 2022, we decided that it's long overdue to take a look at one of his classics. Alphaville (1965) is a dystopian science-fiction film shot in black & white on the streets of Paris and is infused with Godard's politics of the moment. But, can Aaron convince Isaac that he actually liked this one? Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Classic: Harakiri (1962)
December 25, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBIt's masterpiece time here at Politics of Cinema. We're finally discussing Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri (1962). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Yakuza Noir #2 - A Colt Is My Passport (1967)
December 02, 2022 14:30 - 54 minutes - 42.6 MBNoirvember concludes with one more Yakuza Noir film from Japan. On this episode we're dicussing Takashi Nomura's A Colt is My Passport (1967). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Yakuza Noir #1 - Tokyo Drifter (1966)
November 18, 2022 14:30 - 58 minutes - 50.2 MBThis Noirvember, we are taking a look at some Yakuza Noir films from Japan. On this episode we're gushing over Seijun Suzuki's Tokyo Drifter (1966). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Double Feature: Halloween Night
October 28, 2022 13:30 - 44 minutes - 36 MBOn this Double Feature episode, we highlight some of the horror films we've been watching this Halloween season as well as our planned double (maybe triple) features for Halloween night. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Humans Hunting Humans: Punishment Park (1971) & Turkey Shoot (1982)
October 21, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBThe idea of Humans Hunting Humans has been a story told through film since The Most Dangerous Game back in 1932. There is something about this kind of story that lends itself to a variety of social and political metaphors. Here we take a look at two films from two countries that have virtaually the same plot synopsis, but couldn't be farther apart in execution and their politics. Punishment Park (1971) from the United States and Turkey Shoot (1982) from Australia. Follow us at: Patreon...
LSD Horror: Blue Sunshine (1977) & Mandy (2018)
September 23, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 71 MBLSD has been portayed on film in a number of different ways. From the trippy visuals and gonzo narration in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) to the "how-to trip" guidance of The Trip (1967) to the POV death trip of Enter the Void (2009). Here we take a look at how two LSD fueled horror films explore the cultural detritus of the 1960's ripples all the way to Ronald Reagan's America in the early 1980's. It ain't pretty, but it makes for some wild films. Here's a link to the Lockheed M...
Double Feature: American Urban Landscapes
September 09, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 76.6 MBOn this episode, we wrap up our summer series looking at American Urban Landscapes on film with a Double Feature episode. We each bring a few titles that exemplify this theme and then put together a Double Feature (or two...or three) for the listeners. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
American Urban Landscapes: Summertime (2020)
August 26, 2022 13:30 - 57 minutes - 48.2 MBOn this episode, we continue our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. For this episode we watch Summertime (2020). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
American Urban Landscapes: The Plot Against Harry (1971)
August 05, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBOn this episode, we continue our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. For this episode we watch The Plot Against Harry (1971). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
American Urban Landscapes: City of Hope (1991)
July 22, 2022 13:30 - 51 minutes - 44.2 MBOn this episode, we continue our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. We take a look at John Sayles' City of Hope (1991). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
American Urban Landscapes: Falling Down (1993)
July 01, 2022 13:30 - 2 hours - 101 MBOn this episode, we kick off our summer series taking a look at American Urban Landscapes on film. We're starting off with Falling Down (1993). It's a mess, but it's an interesting mess. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Double Feature: Communism on Film
May 27, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBOn this episode, we each bring a few titles that exemplify Communism on Film and then put together a Double Feature for the listeners. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
May Day Special: Reds (1981)
May 06, 2022 13:30 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBThis year we celebrated May Day by finally watching Warren Beatty's passion project, Reds (1981). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Auteur Films: Ganja & Hess (1973)
April 22, 2022 13:30 - 54 minutes - 37 MBWe wrap up our series on independent African American auteurs that made landmark films with Bill Gunn's Ganja & Hess (1973). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Auteur Films: The Watermelon Woman (1996)
April 08, 2022 13:30 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBOver the next few episodes, we're taking a look at some independent African American auteurs that made landmark films. On this episode, Cheryl Dunye's The Watermelon Woman (1996). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Auteur Films: Losing Ground (1982)
February 25, 2022 14:30 - 1 hour - 24.5 MBOver the next few episodes, we're taking a look at some independent African American auteurs that made landmark films. On this episode, Kathleen Collins' Losing Ground (1982). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Auteur Films: Killer of Sheep (1978)
February 18, 2022 14:30 - 52 minutes - 18 MBOver the next few episodes, we're taking a look at some independent African American auteurs that made landmark films. First up is Charles Burnet's Killer of Sheep (1978). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
On Screen: Plan B (2021)
February 04, 2022 14:30 - 1 hour - 24 MBOn this episode, we take a look at the hilarious and politically timely film Plan B (2021) from director Natalie Morales. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
On Screen: Don't Look Up (2021)
January 14, 2022 14:30 - 1 hour - 30.5 MBOn this episode, we take a look at one of the most watched Netflix films of all time (according to Netflix), Adam McKay's Don't Look Up (2021). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
On Screen: The Last Duel (2021)
December 31, 2021 14:30 - 1 hour - 14.8 MBOn this episode, we take a look at one of two Ridley Scott films to be released in 2021 - The Last Duel. It's feminism and feudalism in this #MeToo era film that is filtered through a 14th century France lens. We also mention a few holiday films that we watch this season. Here is the Slate article Isaac mentions. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
On Screen: Dear Comrades! (2020)
December 10, 2021 14:30 - 49 minutes - 32.7 MBWe're back in the waters of contemporary cinema for this episode. Dear Comrades! was Russia's official submission to the Academy Awards for 2020 and the most recent film of Andrei Konchalovsky's erratic and storied career. From collaborating with Tarkovsky to directing a Kurosawa script to working with Stallone to Bryan Adams cameos to documentaries and tv work...still going strong at 84 years of age. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Film Noir and Capitalism
November 19, 2021 14:30 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBOn this episode we chat about a few films that exemplify the theme of Film Noir and Capitalism. Underworld USA (1961), Never Let Go (1960), Mildred Pierce (1945), New World (2013) and Pickup on South Street (1953) are highlighted. Then we dive into Jules Dassin's noir masterpiece, Night and the City (1950). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Films of Romero - Romero Roulette (8 Films)
October 29, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 62 MBWrapping up our October coverage of the films of George A. Romero with a discussion of Monkey Shines (1988), The Dark Half (1993) and all six films in the Dead series. Isaac and Aaron also chat about what they've been watching this Halloween season. Isaac - Curse of the Cat People (1944), Lord of Illusions (1995) & Angel Heart (1987). Aaron - House (1977), Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977) & Halloween Kills (2021) Book Plug: Leatherface vs Tricky Dick: The Texas Chainsaw Massac...
Films of Romero - Martin (1977)
October 15, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBThis October we're diving into the films of George A. Romero. Sure, he's known as the father of the zombie film, but he also made a fascinating vampire film that came out the same year as Star Wars - Martin (1977). Isaac and Aaron also chat about what they've been watching this Halloween season. Isaac - Titane (2021), Abby (1974), Frenzy (1972), House of Usher (1960) and Viy (1967). Aaron - Haunters: The Art of the Scare, Halloween (1978), Halloween (2007) and Halloween (2018). Bo...
Films of Romero - Knightriders (1981)
October 01, 2021 13:30 - 53 minutes - 43.5 MBThis October we're diving into the films of George A. Romero. Sure, he's known as the father of the zombie film, but we're starting off with a look at his deeply personal 1981 film about a troupe of medieval knights who travel the land performing jousting events on motorcycles. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
History of the Blockbuster Film - Part IV: 2000-2017
August 27, 2021 13:30 - 2 hours - 104 MBOur fourth and final episode in our series on the history and politics of the blockbuster film. On this episode we focus on the Transformers franchise, 300, The Passion of the Christ and the Fast Franchise. We also touch on The Matrix, Hunger Games, The Sixth Sense, The Blair Witch Project, Gladiator, Spielberg & Tom Cruise, toxic fan reactions to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
History of the Blockbuster Film - Part III: The 1990's
July 30, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 97.1 MBOur third in a series on the history and politics of the Hollywood Blockbuster. We're in the 1990's for this episode and we discuss Ghost, the return of Star Wars, Disney animation, Will Smith (aka Mr. July 4th), Kevin Costner and James Cameron. We also discuss: Twister, Independence Day, True Lies, Men in Black, 90's conspiracy theories and the continued trend of studio consolidation. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
History of the Blockbuster Film - Part II: The 1980's
July 02, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 92.3 MBOur second in a series on the history and politics of the Hollywood Blockbuster. We're in the 1980's for this episode and we discuss the Vietnam War trend via Good Morning, Vietnam, Platoon & Full Metal Jacket. We then deconstruct the Rambo franchise for the conspiracy theory nonsense that it really is. We also discuss: Top Gun, Flashdance, Stir Crazy, Tootsie, Beverly Hills Cop, Three Men and a Baby, Big and the continued trend of studio consolidation. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitt...
History of the Blockbuster Film - Part I: The 1970's
June 18, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 88 MBWe kick off a series on the history and politics of the Hollywood Blockbuster with a conversation about its origins in the 1970's (and a few films that were earlier). We discuss Jaws and Star Wars, but mostly it's a lot of Superman talk. We also touch on: The Sound of Music, James Bond films, The Godfather, The Poseidon Adventure, The Exorcist, Rocky, Smokey and the Bandit, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Saturday Night Fever. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterb...
On Screen: Nomadland and Leftist Film Criticism
June 04, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBOn this episode we take a look at Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland (2020) and also the oddly negative reviews from some Leftist film critics as well as Armond White. Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Workers on Film: Barbershop (2002) & The Molly Maguires (1970)
May 28, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBWe're celebrating May Day all month long by looking at various portrayals of workers on film. On this episode Aaron has chosen Barbershop (2002) and Isaac has chosen The Molly Maguires (1970). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook
Workers on Film: How Green Was My Valley (1941) & Empire Records (1995)
May 14, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBWe're celebrating May Day all month long by looking at various portrayals of workers on film. On this episode Isaac has chosen How Green Was My Valley (1941) and Aaron has chosen Empire Records (1995). Follow us at: Patreon / Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd / Facebook