Anna goes searching for buried treasure with two fascinating creators of The Dig (Moira Buffini and Gabrielle Tana) and brilliant actress Monica Dolan. They unearth the true lives of the film’s female characters, behind-the-scenes stories, and more.

First up, Anna and screenwriter Moira discuss why The Dig has been such a popular lockdown watch. Moira delves into the process of adapting the book and how she brought to life the characters of Edith (Carey Mulligan) and Peggy (Lily James). On the subject of picking projects with interesting women, Moira also reflects on creating the popular TV series Harlots and her adaptation of Jane Eyre.

Next, Anna catches up with Monica on her performance as May Brown, the wife of archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes). Monica describes working opposite Ralph and explores the pivotal role her character has. From the struggle to shake a Suffolk accent, to the training it takes to suppress a shiver, Monica gives us a picture of life on set.

Finally, producer Gabrielle talks to Anna about putting together a “creative family” for the making of The Dig. She speaks fondly of casting director Lucy Bevan, production designer Maria Djurkovic, and costume designer Alice Babidge, among others. She also explains why she thinks women make good producers.

Other TV and Movie Mentions: Call My Agent!, Honeyland, Philomena, Harlots, Jane Eyre (2011).

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Anna talks to two British rising stars about their career prospects and what it feels like to be up for a BAFTA Film Award.

CW: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault.

First up, Saint Maud star Morfydd Clark tells Anna about working with writer-director Rose Glass on her horror hit. Expressing sympathy for her character Maud, she explains the importance of educating young women with ADHD and autism on consent. Morfydd also recalls her first film job on The Falling and celebrates the safe and artistic environment that writer-director Carol Morley created for girls on set. Keep listening for Morfydd’s funny story on standing up to male directors and her insight into reading scripts with dyslexia.

Next, Anna is joined by Rocks lead Bukky Bakray. Plucked out of secondary school by director Sarah Gavron, Bukky explains the X-Factor like casting process for her first professional role. She recalls the joys of meeting open-minded women, works through her ideas of feminism, and pinpoints the importance of intersectionality. Did Rocks almost end up on YouTube? Is Viola Davis a real person? Bukky muses on these topics and more.

Other TV and movie mentions: I May Destroy You, Mr Robot, Judas and the Black Messiah, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, You Don’t Know Me (coming soon).

Bukky’s reading recommendations: Gloria Watkins aka bell hooks and Toni Morrison.

For more on Saint Maud, find our interview with Rose Glass in Episode 60, and to delve further into Rocks, you can listen to Sarah Gavron in Episode 26.

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Hear from a host of women who have been working behind the scenes this past year to bring you amazing female-led films… and behold the launch of our 365 days of feminist film recommendations!

First up, co-founder of Raising Films, Hope Dickson Leach, updates us on a recent study undertaken by the initiative. She reveals the negative impact that working from home has had on parent and carer filmmakers during lockdown, and suggests what can be done to improve working conditions in the future.

Anna is then joined by three women from the thriving feminist production and distribution company Modern Films: Founder and Managing Director Eve Gabereau, Marketing and Distribution Manager Jacqueline Wang, and Digital Design and Social Media Manager Eva Zvendeniuk. They reflect on the ways Modern Films adapted to lockdown, thinking back to our first partnered Isolation Pod on The Perfect Candidate. They also share their favourite releases from the past year and kick off our feminist film recommendations endeavour with some fantastic suggestions!

Stay tuned for cameos from some industry friends, including Rebecca del Tufo from Saffron Screen, Sonia Zadurian from the Barbican Centre, and Claire Vaughan from Cardiff’s Chapter Cinema. Finally, join us for a throwback to some past Girls On Film guests!

Movie Mentions: Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint, Mr Jones, The Perfect Candidate, Misbehaviour, Wildfire, Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché, Lady Bird, Nomadland, Petite Maman, The Portrait of a Lady On Fire, My Life as a Courgette.

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Our feminist picks of this year’s Glasgow Film Festival. Anna delves into personal punk rock doc Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché and witty coming-of-age Sweetheart with cast and crew.

First, Celeste Bell reveals what it was like to make a film about her mother, the punk icon and X-Ray Spex frontwoman, Poly Styrene. Weaving archive footage with Celeste’s narration, the documentary unpicks Styrene’s eccentric and multi-layered life, and explores the effect fame had on life at home. Celeste shares the challenges of piecing together such a personal film and how the process changed her relationship with her late mother.

Next, writer-director Marley Morrison and actor Ella-Rae Smith join Anna to discuss crushes and caravan parks in Sweetheart. Marley pinpoints where the film draws on personal experiences and explains the importance of creating an uplifting lesbian love story. From Friday night discos to the magic of no phone signal, Ella reminisces about the fun they had behind the scenes. Marley and Ella also discuss the build-up to the intimate scene, having lots of women on the crew and working with Jo Hartley.

Keep listening for even more GFF21 watching recommendations.

Other mentions: This Is England; Dead Man’s Shoes; Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging; Lady Bird; Séance; The Lost Girls.

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We are honoured to bring you an extra special episode with legendary activist Mother Akua (formerly known as Deborah Johnson), and the actress who plays her in Judas and the Black Messiah, Dominique Fishback.

Directed by Shaka King, this film recounts the true events that unfolded when an FBI informant infiltrated the Illinois Black Panther Party to keep tabs on their leader, Chairman Fred Hampton, played by Daniel Kaluuya. Central to this story is the love between Fred and fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson.

Mother Akua and Dominique Fishback come together in this emotional, inspiring and fascinating discussion to reveal what it was like to work on this film. Mother Akua shares her initial reaction to the movie being made and talks about seeing herself in Dominique’s brilliant performance. Equally, Dominique comments on the responsibility that comes with playing a real person and considers how this role has changed her. From charitable programmes to poetry, they unpick Mother Akua’s experiences in the Illinois Black Panther Party and how these were woven into the film. Dominique also recalls giggling through a kiss scene with Daniel!

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We travel back to 1920s Chicago in this episode that celebrates the Netflix Original film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Starring Viola Davis as Ma, this musical drama tunes into one particular recording session of the famed blues singer. Anna chats to star Taylour Paige, casting director Avy Kaufman and critic Akua Gyamfi.

Anna first chats to critic Akua about Viola’s exceptional portrayal of the musical icon. They explore the character’s image, sexuality, fame and unapologetic truth. Finding Ma Rainey relevant to the present day, Akua imagines her as a 21st century influencer, and reflects on Black women in the music industries. Whether busting conventions or being busted for lesbian orgies, Ma sparks endless intrigue and admiration.

Anna is then joined by Taylour Paige who stars as Ma’s girlfriend Dussie May. Taylour unpicks her character’s role in the film and praises George C. Wolfe’s direction for allowing her to be playful. She also reveals what it was like to work with Viola both onscreen and offscreen… apparently she is quite the comedian!

Finally, Anna welcomes Avy Kaufman to the podcast – our first casting director guest! Avy gives us an insight into the world of casting. She explains how she cast actors around Viola and why it was important to get the dynamic right between her and Taylour. More generally, Avy comments on bringing diversity to the screen, how the casting process has changed during the pandemic, and what makes a good casting director.

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In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Netflix Original film Pieces of a Woman. This drama stars Vanessa Kirby as Martha, a woman who tragically loses her child after a home birth.

Vanessa talks to Anna about how she prepared for the role. She details the research she undertook to learn about pregnancy, giving birth, and the processes of grief. She also describes having a pyjama party with Ellen Burstyn! Looking back at Vanessa’s career, they discuss what she looks for in a character, citing Margaret from The Crown as a particularly interesting part. On approaching blockbuster roles, Vanessa talks Mission Impossible and dreading sports day at school!

Critic Jessica Kiang joins Anna to delve into Pieces of a Woman further. They celebrate Vanessa’s extraordinary performance and the breath-taking opening sequence. The critics discuss how the intimacy between writer Kata Wéber and her partner, director Kornél Mundruczó, comes across on screen. Jessica particularly enjoys how Kata and Vanessa have worked together to make Martha a relatable woman.

Jessica’s recommendations: Proxima and Dick Johnson Is Dead (both on Netflix UK now).

Other movie mentions: Three Sisters, The World To Come, White God, Jupiter’s Moon.

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Anna Smith has two open, feminist discussions with two great actresses.

First up, Rosamund Pike talks about her latest movie, the fast-paced thriller I Care A Lot. She has received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Marla Grayson, a ruthless businesswoman who exploits the care home system. Rosamund sings the praises of Dianne Wiest and reveals her pride in the film’s LGBTQ+ representation. On sex scenes, she reveals a ‘graphic’ scene that didn’t make the cut, and discusses the introduction of intimacy coordinators on set.

Next, Anna chats with Stacy Martin about her recent roles in sci-fi film Archive and serial killer series The Serpent. Stacy considers the challenges she has faced in her career, including the backlash she received for her first film Nymphomaniac. She also delves into how she chooses her roles and why she tries to swerve the love stories. In this chock-full feminist chat, Stacy discusses the pay gap, sitting on the 16 Days 16 Films jury, and why she loves podcasts!

Stacy recommends The Ripper on Netflix, and Rosamund expresses her love for Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland.

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Is Wonder Woman 1984 a feminist movie? Joining Anna for this lively debate are Empire critic Helen O’Hara and F-Rating’s Holly Tarquini.

They first discuss Helen’s new book Women vs. Hollywood: The Fall and Rise of Women in Hollywood, which is available from February 18th 2021. Helen shares some surprising facts on women’s roles in silent cinema and celebrates the increasing number of opportunities for women in film today.

Perhaps representative of this positive change is the rebooted Wonder Woman franchise, helmed by Patty Jenkins. The newest instalment is Wonder Woman 1984, it’s a fluorescent sequel that sees Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) face two new villains: Barbara (Kristen Wiig) and Max Lord (Pedro Pascal).

A female-led superhero film co-written and directed by a woman sets the groundwork for a surefire feminist success, but does it hit the mark? With opposing opinions, Anna, Helen and Holly debate everything from how the film tackles sexual harassment to the backstories of the villains.

Decide for yourself by renting Wonder Woman 1984 on demand.

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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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