With awards season approaching, we delve into Germany’s Oscar-entry And Tomorrow the Entire World. This urgent political drama follows new Antifa member Luisa (Mala Emde) as she finds her feet in Germany’s anti-fascist organisation.

Anna’s first guest is the writer-director Julia von Heinz. Having based the film on personal experience, Julia talks about the terrifying moments she faced as a young Antifa member and how she tried to replicate that fear and frenzy onscreen. She further delves into the cinematography choices she made with DOP Daniela Knapp and recalls the casting process for her female protagonist. Anna and Julia discuss the powerful effect of a song and why the film is sadly so relevant today.

Next, Anna is joined by critics Emma Jones and Tara Judah. Together they unpack the film’s central female friendship and explore its portrait of youth. Prompted by her favourite scene, Emma dreams of life in a commune. From protests to pregnancy tests, the critics then turn to Kiwi comedy Baby Done. They talk about the pressures of impending motherhood, and praise the depiction of a woman who’s conflicted by her pregnancy. Finally, they offer a teaser review of upcoming revenge thriller Promising Young Woman.

Other movie mentions: Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Breaker Upperers

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In the latest isolation pod, Anna chats to two creatives who are championing complex female characters in film, including intimate insights into women’s mental health.

Anna first chats to Tuppence Middleton, the star of mystery-thriller Disappearance at Clifton Hill. Inspired by the personal experiences of writer-director Albert Shin, the film follows Abby, a young woman haunted by childhood memories of witnessing a possible kidnapping. Tuppence talks about playing a flawed female protagonist and delves into the intricacies of Abby’s mind. She further explains how she found a convincing bond with her onscreen sister and takes a look back at her career so far, reflecting on past feminist roles.

Anna then talks to writer-director Rose Glass, whose debut feature Saint Maud achieved critical acclaim when it hit cinemas last year. This psychological-horror film follows Maud (Morfydd Clark), a reclusive nurse who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient (Jennifer Ehle). Rose unpacks the individual acting styles of Morfydd and Jennifer, and dives into how she brought the complex character of Maud to life. They also discuss the surprising style of the film, Rose’s cinematic influences and the use of William Blake in the story.

Other movie mentions: Trap for Cinderella, A Woman Under the Influence, In Her Place, Skeletons, Mank, The Current War, Repulsion, Rosemary’s Baby, The Tenant, Persona, The Silence, Through a Glass Darkly, Taxi Driver.

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This episode is a deep dive into the film Bombshell, a dramatic representation of the Fox News sexual harassment scandal that unfolded in the media in 2016.

Anna welcomes film critics Udita Jhunjhunwala and Pamela Hutchinson to revisit the movie and the true story it tells. They celebrate the lead performances from Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie, as well as delve into some particularly poignant scenes.

The critics compile a short watchlist of films with similar themes, including The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, On The Record, The Assistant, and 9 to 5. These prompt lively discussions that leap from stand-up comedy to shoes on screen.

Other mentions: To Die For, WW84, Nomadland, No Time To Die, Mirzapur, Four More Shots Please!, Succession, Bhaag Beanie Bhaag.

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We team up with Birds’ Eye View to bring you a female-focused film review of 2020. Despite the knockback the film industry as a whole has faced this year, a record number of films by women were released in cinemas and on digital. Host Anna Smith welcomes Mia Bays, Delphine Lievens and Allison Gardner onto this very special episode to discuss the highlights. Delphine, the Senior Box Office Analyst for Gower Street, delves into the intersections of the stats. Allison, the CEO at Glasgow Film, looks at how cinemas have been coping. And Mia unpacks the work Birds’ Eye View has done this year. Together, they offer a positive and critically constructive outlook on the intersectional inclusion of women in all areas of the film industry. Stay tuned for special appearances from some of the most celebrated filmmakers of 2020, from Halina Dyrschka to Zeina Durra.

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In this lively episode, Anna is first joined by freelance journalist and her regular karaoke companion, Kat Brown. A massive fan of Pitch Perfect, Kat enthusiastically delves into the comedic and authentic female friendships presented on screen. Looking at how the film has aged, they explore both where Pitch Perfect hits the right notes and where it may need a little tuning. Kat mentions some other musical movies she’s been watching, spanning classic and cult favourites.

Next, Anna talks to some real-life Barden Bellas. Jade Harvey and Gina Dunn are two members of Cardiff University’s DeciBelles, an award-winning all-female a cappella group. They speak to the sisterhood of their singing society and compare their experiences with those of the Bellas.

Finally, Anna welcomes musician and old friend Charley Stone to the show for a festive twist. Charley talks about her new single, Merry Christmas Actually. Inspired by Love Actually’s cue cards scene, this song takes a feminist stance on the infamous moment.

Kat’s recommendations: Grease 2, My Fair Lady, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Secret Garden, Hook, Nanny McPhee | Gina’s and Jade’s recommendations: Once, Rock of Ages | Charley’s recommendations: Edward Scissorhands, Swallows and Amazons, The Railway Children | Anna’s recommendations: I’m Your Woman, Wonder Woman 1984

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This episode dives into Truth Seekers, the new paranormal Prime Video series and latest collaborative effort of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Anna Smith talks to its two female stars: Susan Wokoma (Helen) and Emma D’Arcy (Astrid).

First, Susan (Chewing Gum, Year of the Rabbit) tells Anna how she prepared for the role of Helen and enthusiastically recalls what it was like to work with comic icons Simon and Nick. She further talks about discussing representation on set and celebrates the process of ageing in women. Stay tuned as Susan shares her very own spectral sighting…

Next up, Emma (Hanna, Misbehaviour) delves into Astrid’s mentality and tells Anna about a particular onset mishap. Discussing the nostalgic movies referenced in Truth Seekers, they consider whether there has been an improvement in the way that horror movies treat their female characters. Finally, Emma talks gun-wielding in Prime Video series Hanna and shares her personal connection to the spiritual world.

Film and TV Recommendations. Susan: La Haine, Pose. Emma: The Sopranos, True Blood, I May Destroy You, the Coen brothers films, and anything with Frances McDormand! Anna: For Sama, Love Child.

Other mentions: Spaced (on Prime Video), The Cornetto Trilogy (watch all 3 movies on Prime Video), Chewing Gum, Year of the Rabbit, Hereditary, Midsommar (on Prime Video), Prime Suspect, The Exorcist, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

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Anna invites writer-director Veena Sud (The Killing, Seven Seconds) and actor Mireille Enos to discuss The Lie, part of Amazon Prime Video’s Welcome To The Blumhouse series. Shot in the snowy suburbs of Toronto, this unsettling crime-drama shows a young girl’s terrible secret unravel in horrifying ways. Beware of minor spoilers.

Veena talks to Anna about what drew her to adapting The Lie, and why it was important to address social issues such as the sexualisation of women and racial profiling. She further speaks to the importance of diversity in positions of power in filmmaking and criticism. Veena also produces some fantastic film recommendations for Halloween, including Night of the Living Dead and It Follows.

Mireille talks about playing Rebecca, the mother of Kayla (Joey King), and speaks highly of Veena’s directorial skills. She also revisits her roles in Hanna and The Killing, both also available to watch on Prime Video now. Keep listening to hear Mireille’s own terrible secret about horror movies…

Finally, critic Kayleigh Donaldson shares her thoughts on the Suspiria remake, American Psycho, and Midsommar – all on Amazon Prime Video now. They also talk about the recent female-focused horror releases Saint Maud, Carmilla, Relic and Cordelia. Finally, Kayleigh recommends Carnival of Souls (1962) and the works of Ida Lupino, and suggests checking out the horror streaming service Shudder on Amazon.

Other movie mentions: Seven Seconds (2018), Fright Night, The Witches (2020), The Captive (2014).

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