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Anna Smith explores the BFI Player collection Female Desire on Screen, giving audiences the chance to hear from collection programmer and author of She Found It at the Movies, Christina Newland, along with actors Billie Piper, Sally Phillips and Ronni Ancona, and the founder of Bechdel Test Fest, Corrina Antrobus.
In this bonus episode, we’re bringing you a podcast edition of our ‘Film Industry Post-Pandemic’ panel, created in partnership with the BFI for their Woman With A Movie Camera summit, powered by Jaguar. We assembled a panel of expert women from five corners of the film industry to talk about the future of their fields following the impact of Covid-19.
Anna is first joined by Allison Gardner, CEO of Glasgow Film, Claire Vaughan, lead programmer at Cardiff’s multi-artform venue Chapter, and filmmaker, writer and disability advocate Kyla Harris. They share what the pandemic has revealed about the workings of their respective facets of the industry, what changes they made to survive, and how we can hold on to some of those creative innovations to help us thrive in future.
Allison shares how she made a success of Glasgow Film Festival despite ongoing lockdowns, and Claire tells Anna how she got creative with programming when cinemas closed their doors. Kyla talks about the impact of the pandemic for people with disabilities — plus her new project documenting her endeavour to teach a friend her care regime in just one week. The panel also discuss the crucial role of caring and carers in society, and how the film industry can acknowledge and facilitate this better.
In a second conversation, filmmaker and Luxor director Zeina Durra joins Anna alongside Eve Gabereau, CEO of Luxor’s female-led distributor Modern Films. They discuss the challenges of releasing an independent movie during lockdown, and how filmmakers and distributors have worked together to achieve successes like Luxor’s in this challenging time. All this and many more strong words from inspiring women.
Anna is first joined by Mia Bays and Be Manzini for a celebration of Sundance Film Festival: London. Mia gives a rundown of the female-directed films playing at the festival, from documentary The Most Beautiful Boy In The World to musical drama CODA. Be talks about responding to films through poetry and delivers a reading of her Sundance-inspired poem.
Next up, Anna talks to director and producer Rintu Thomas about Writing with Fire. This feminist documentary follows the movements of India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. Rintu recalls the thrills and fears of shadowing these daring female journalists. She applauds their passionate and refreshing voices, and reveals how they have empowered her. What do Indian female journalists bring to light, that their male counterparts may not?
Finally, director Phyllida Lloyd returns with an update on her emotional drama Herself, a film whose story of domestic violence and housing has evolved in meaning during lockdown. She explains what attracts her to telling women’s stories and remembers that directing Mamma Mia was “a feminist mission”!
From Clio Barnard’s hopeful love story Ali & Ava to Eva Husson’s star-studded WWI drama Mothering Sunday, Anna and Wendy look ahead to the most promising female-directed films premiering at Cannes 2021. Their curiosity shifts to Paul Verhoeven’s upcoming lesbian nun movie Benedetta. And finally, it wouldn’t be Cannes without the Palm Dog Award!
Next Anna is joined by the director of Black Widow, Cate Shortland. The second female-focused Marvel movie sees Scarlett Johansson reprise her role as the titular superhero who is reunited with her Russian family and espionage past. Anna and Cate discuss sisterhood, Florence Pugh’s pivotal role in the film, and rebuking sexist jokes.
Reeling from a screening of First Cow at Picturehouse Central, Mia and Anna join Orla Smith on Zoom for a chat about all things Kelly Reichardt. Her latest film follows the story of a Jewish chef and a Chinese businessman who set out to make their fortune in 1820s Oregon. The critics discuss the film’s tender representation of masculinity, its exploration of American mythologies, and its unique attention to menial tasks. Orla, the executive editor of Seventh Row, gives a background to Kelly’s work, and Mia, the director of Birds Eye View, advises on where to start with her challenging movies.
Anna is then joined by academic Chrystel Oloukoï, who further delves into the slowness and whiteness of Kelly’s work. Discussing the video essay she made on Kelly Reichardt’s films, she holds a lens to their indigenous characters and interesting portrayal of settler colonialism.
What makes a father a feminist? We explore a range of movie dads in this episode to celebrate Father’s Day in the UK. Stay tuned for some great movie recommendations, including docs, dramas, and everything in between!
First up, Anna Smith is joined by Ashanti Omkar from BBC Asian Network and the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival. From Bollywood fathers to debatable blockbuster dads, Anna and Ashanti consider the types of dads we see on screen. Can the supportive dad unhelpfully play into the nagging wife trope? And can we really call Liam Neeson’s character in Taken a feminist?!
Next up, Anna welcomes actor and father Sanjeev Bhaskar to the show. He reveals the strong female influences in his life and reflects on the powerful women he’s worked with on set. He shares his thoughts on our changing access to female role models over the past few decades and is grateful for his exposure to diverse perspectives. Keep listening to find out what Sanjeev finds bizarre about his father roles in both Anita & Me and Yesterday…
Fancy watching a fantastic documentary? This episode is full of recommendations, as we celebrate the world-renowned British documentary festival, Sheffield DocFest.
First up, Anna talks with Festival Director Cíntia Gil about how this year’s Sheffield DocFest has come together. Cíntia selects a few of her favourite female-focused docs, that include everything from polyamorous weddings to weight lifting! Anna and Cíntia reflect on the surge of feminist reformative histories and new wave of female-directed docs. Is there a gendered gaze?
Next up, critic Simran Hans tells Anna why Sheffield DocFest is a special place for her. Together, they review the tumultuous personal portrait Charm Circle and the coming-of-age trans story If God Were a Woman. Simran recommends the clever and impactful short film, They Won’t Call It Murder.
Anna’s final guest is the director, producer and cinematographer of This Stained Dawn, Anam Abbas. This thoughtful doc explores the feminist movement in Pakistan. Anam details the important impact of marching and hopes her film will connect feminists across borders. She talks sisterhood, shocking moments, and what it means to be a part of Sheffield DocFest.
Feminism, faith and ferries to France… actor Joanna Scanlan tells Anna all about her new leading role in the film After Love. Written and directed by Aleem Khan, this tense, personal drama follows Mary (Joanna) as she uncovers her late husband’s secret. When questioned on the feminist angle of the film, Joanna makes an interesting point about our double standards on male and female bodies when it comes to a particular scene. Anna and Joanna also discuss the complex clash between the central female characters, what it was like preparing for the role, and their favourite scenes. Listen to the end to find out how Joanna’s been shaking off sexual shame in lockdown!
Anna takes a deep dive into Disney’s recent projects, exploring how far they’ve come in terms of female representation and diversity.
Critic Larushka Ivan-Zadeh feels right at home discussing all things Disney and Pixar. She tracks the evolution of Disney princesses and celebrates the multiple complex female characters of Raya and the Last Dragon. From warriors to wretches, the discussion turns to Cruella. Anna and Larushka share their thoughts on the new villainous origin story, the female rivalry at the centre of the film, and the brilliant performances from Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, and a cast of canines! Larushka also gives a review of the new horror film A Quiet Place Part II.
Next up, screenwriters Adele Lim and Osnat Shurer explain what it means to them to create Disney’s first Southeast Asian warrior-princess. They talk about developing the movie with positive gender representation in mind, including the decision to have multiple leading female characters. They also pinpoint why representation behind the scenes is so important to onscreen diversity.
Finally, the Director of Disney’s new Launchpad initiative, Mahin Ibrahim, joins Anna to offer an exclusive insight into how this new programme is aiming to bring to light underrepresented stories. American listeners stay tuned for some exciting opportunities!
Mental health, gender disparities, beastly characters, and musicals. Billie Piper joins Anna Smith to talk about her bold writer-director debut Rare Beasts. The film sees single mother Mandy (played by Billie) pursue a relationship with an openly misogynistic man (Leo Bill). From insecurities to inspirations, Billie shares the process of building this bleakly comic story. She also raves about working with friend-of-the-pod Kerry Fox, and reflects on her first experience of directing men.
