This MK3D at the BFI Southbank was wild! Another stellar array of guests and wide-ranging conversations about film culture.
The news in Here’s the Thing picked up the big stories at the Oscars (there was only one big story at this year’s Oscars and that was Riz Ahmed’s win for “The Long Goodbye”!), paid homage to the recently deceased legendary actor William Hurt, highlighting his work in “Network” – and saw Mark announce his Sony-backed new podcast, Kermode & Mayo’s Take.
Our first guest on stage was Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic to talk about her brilliant debut feature “Murina”, about working with Martin Scorsese. She also talked about her Guilty Pleasure, which Mark was baffled to hear is “My Girl”.
Next Mark did his Q&A segment Ask The Audience and talked about movies featuring train journeys after a question about the Finnish film “Compartment No 6″. For more details, head on over to the BBC iPlayer and have a listen to the Screenshot episode on the same topic. He also gave advice to young aspiring film critics, and told us what he thinks is the most underrated film of the moment, that we should all be watching right now. Who’d have guessed it would be “Greenland” starring Gerard Butler?
Our second guest was Eddie Marsan to talk about his ITV drama series “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe”, based on the true story of John and Anne Darwin who committed insurance fraud by faking John’s death. Eddie and Monica Dolan excel in the lead roles. Eddie talked about the toxic masculinity that it explores, and about shifts in how people perceive bullying in their own relationships following the #MeToo movement. He also touched on his Netflix horror film “Choose or Die”, how he choose his roles – and showing his children scary films like “Silence of the Lambs” and “The Exorcist”.
Next up Mark highlighted the upcoming 007 Retrospective. To celebrate 60 years since “Dr No”, all 25 Bond films return to cinemas in the ultimate BOND retrospective from this Friday for the 60th Anniversary of the beloved British franchise – screening chronologically from April to October 2022, culminating in World Bond Day on 5th October.
Mark listed his top five Bond films – at which his on-stage sidekick and long time producing partner Nick Jones rolled his eyes, and gave his own top five Bond films. Mark invited the audience to show whose list they preferred by applauding both. Let’s not dwell on the outcome…
Next Mark welcomed old friend and star actor Jason Isaacs, as well as Johnny Flynn onto the stage to talk about “Operation Mincemeat”, and about Johnny Flynn’s other movie on release right now, “The Outfit”. Mark also asked if bad reviews hurt – which led to an interesting chat about “Stardust” – which Mark panned.
Finally Mark welcomed Don Letts to the stage to talk about his life and the biopic “Rebel Dread”. Don also talked about “The Film that Changed My Life: The Harder They Come” and about his Guilty Pleasure: “Guardians of the Galaxy” – and the music used so brilliantly in both the films.
Mark ended the show by thanking everyone – and especially our intern Shanaiya Pithiya who has been offered a great job in the film industry. We are gutted that she is leaving but so delighted for her at the same time.
