The Curzon Film Podcast

In this episode we tackle the king of the jungle and the queen of the cinema, as Agnès Varda circles her life with Varda by Agnès and Jon Favreau brings a new pride to Disney. Assembling a brilliant voice cast – featuring Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, John Oliver, Chiwetel Ejiofor and James Earl Jones – expect to see the brilliant songs, winning humour and heart-breaking tragedy anew. Following The Jungle Book, Jon Favreau once again shows he can marshal an incredible digital spectacle, while also deftly honouring a beloved childhood favourite. With visuals that rival ‘Planet Earth’, this is a superb reimagining of an African legend. Agnès Varda takes a seat on a theatre stage. This professional photographer, installation artist and pioneer of the Nouvelle Vague is an institution of French cinema but a fierce opponent of any kind of institutional thinking. Varda By Agnès follows the filmmaker and artist as she uses excerpts from her work to illustrate – more associatively than chronologically – her artistic vision and ideas. Her lively, anecdote-rich and clever talk charts her shift from analogue to digital. Discussing the film this week are Sam Howlett, Kelly Powell, Beth Webb and Jake Cunningham Follow the team on Twitter: @SamHowlett_1 - Sam Howlett @jakehcunningham - Jake Cunningham @ks_powell - Kelly Powell @BethKWebb - Beth Webb Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Prince Charles himself, Josh O'Connor (God's Own Country) joins us on the show this week, as well as Victoria's Laia Costa and the director of their new film Only You, Harry Wootliff. Plus, we disassemble Jim Jarmusch's latest, zom-com The Dead Don’t Die. Elena (Laia Costa) and Jake (Josh O'Connor) meet by chance one New Years Eve, arguing over the same taxi. Instead of going their separate ways after a shared ride, they begin a passionate relationship. Within weeks they are living together, and not long after they talk about starting a family. As the seasons pass, reality catches up with them. Falling in love was the easy part, but can they remain in love when life doesn’t give them everything they hoped for? Jim Jarmusch resurrects the gang for his fresh take on the zombie comedy, The Dead Don’t Die. Bill Murray, Chloë Sevigny and Adam Driver are small town cops working their beat when nature turns on itself, the sun refuses to set and the dead rise from the grave. Putting aside chicken theft, they set out to get to the bottom of these strange ghouls, with the help of Tilda Swinton’s mortician (who’s handy with a samurai sword if needs be). Discussing the film this week are Sam Howlett, Kelly Powell & Jake Cunningham Follow the team on Twitter: @SamHowlett_1 - Sam Howlett @jakehcunningham - Jake Cunningham @ks_powell - Kelly Powell Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Writer of Love, Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Notting Hill, Richard Curtis joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his fabulous new rom-com fantasy, Yesterday. But first, we blast off with our review of one of the year's best documentaries (and arguably one of the year's best films) Apollo 11. On the fiftieth anniversary of one of twentieth century's defining moment – the Apollo moon landing – comes this remarkable archive documentary that conjures the shear magnitude of the achievement. Brought to life with intimate detail, this elegantly edited doc gives an unrivalled, fresh view of science and spectacle involved in the team's feat. Next we hear from the writer behind some of the Britain's best loved rom-coms, Richard Curtis, and we give our verdict on Yesterday, the new film from Curtis and director Danny Boyle, which asks the question on everyone's lips: What if you were the only man on Earth able to remember the iconic music of The Beatles? Jack's (Himesh Patel) career as a singer-songwriter is not going well. His friend Ellie (Lily James) thinks he’s got talent, but no one else agrees. But after a mysterious blackout, it turns out he’s the only one who can recall the Fab Four’s back catalogue. With the iconic songs in his arsenal, he becomes world famous, but at what cost? Discussing the films this week are Jake Cunningham, Sam Howlett and Caitlin Quinlan. Follow the team on Twitter: @SamHowlett_1 - Sam @jakehcunningham - Jake @csaquinlan - Caitlin Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Strickland on Strickland: A four-part podcast mini-series from Curzon, about the work of acclaimed British director Peter Strickland ('Katalin Varga', 'Berberian Sound Studio'), made ahead of the release of his new film 'In Fabric', and featuring conversations with the director himself. Discussing the film are Strickland superfans (Berberians?), Catherine Bray - Variety, Film4, 'Beyond Clueless' - and the podcast's very own Steven Ryder, as well as regular host Jake Cunningham. The latest from the unique imagination of Peter Strickland, 'In Fabric' is a typically distinctive and haunting tale that blends Giallo-infused horror with absurdist dark humour, to ghostly effect. Set against the backdrop of a busy winter sales period at a mysterious Thames Valley department store, the film follows the journey of a cursed but strikingly beautiful blood-red dress as it passes from person to person, with devastating consequences.  Follow the team on Twitter: @irma_pep - Steven @jakehcunningham - Jake @catherinebray - Catherine Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Strickland on Strickland: A four-part podcast mini-series from Curzon, about the work of acclaimed British director Peter Strickland ('Katalin Varga', 'Berberian Sound Studio'), made ahead of the release of his new film 'In Fabric', and featuring conversations with the director himself. Discussing the film are Strickland superfans (Berberians?), Catherine Bray - Variety, Film4, 'Beyond Clueless' - and the podcast's very own Steven Ryder, as well as regular host Jake Cunningham. From the critically acclaimed writer-director of 'Berberian Sound Studio' comes a tale of passion and sadomasochism that penetrates the deepest depths of what it means to be human, in love and in control. Cynthia is an orthopterist who is seemingly firmly in control of her partner Evelyn through a strict, dictatorial fetish life behind closed doors. But as Evelyn's requests to be dominated become increasingly extreme, the true nature of their relationship begins to surface. 'The Duke of Burgundy' is a story about power and the exploration of discomfort that people will stretch to for the ones they love, told in mesmerisingly coruscating style by one of Britain's finest contemporary auteurs, Peter Strickland. Follow the team on Twitter: @irma_pep - Steven @jakehcunningham - Jake @catherinebray - Catherine Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Strickland on Strickland: A four-part podcast mini-series from Curzon, about the work of acclaimed British director Peter Strickland ('Katalin Varga', 'The Duke of Burgundy'), made ahead of the release of his new film 'In Fabric', and featuring conversations with the director himself. Discussing the film are Strickland superfans (Berberians?) Catherine Bray - Variety, Film4, 'Beyond Clueless' - and the podcast's very own Steven Ryder, as well as regular host Jake Cunningham. In 1976, a timid sound engineer (Toby Jones) arrives in Italy to work on a mysterious horror film, mixing bloodcurdling screams with the grotesque sounds of hacked vegetables. But as the on-screen violence seeps into his consciousness, reality and fantasy become blurred in nightmarish ways. Daringly original and masterfully constructed, this inspired homage to 70s Giallo horror is a devastating assault on the eyes, ears and brain - drawing comparisons with the films of David Lynch and being hailed as a modern cult masterpiece from Peter Strickland, the hugely acclaimed director of 'Katalin Varga' Follow the team on Twitter: @irma_pep - Steven @jakehcunningham - Jake @catherinebray - Catherine Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Strickland on Strickland: A four-part podcast mini-series from Curzon, about the work of acclaimed British director Peter Strickland ('Berberian Sound Studio', 'The Duke of Burgundy'), made ahead of the release of his new film 'In Fabric', and featuring conversations with the director himself. Discussing the film are Strickland superfans (Berberians?) Catherine Bray - Variety, Film4, 'Beyond Clueless' - and the podcast's very own Steven Ryder, as well as regular host Jake Cunningham. Banished by her husband and her village, Katalin Varga is left with no other choice than to set out on a quest to find the real father of her son, Orbán. Taking Orbán with her under another pretence, Katalin travels through the Carpathians where she decides to reopen a sinister chapter from her past and take revenge. The hunt leads her to a place, she prayed eleven years prior, she would never set foot in again. Praised for its sound design as well as its ominous atmosphere, the award-winning revenge fable marks British director Peter Strickland’s directorial debut. Follow the team on Twitter: @irma_pep - Steven @jakehcunningham - Jake @catherinebray - Catherine Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode we ask whether Pixar's long awaited 'Toy Story' sequel is worth the buzz, plus, we ask all our podcast contributors to send in their Top 10 Pixar films to figure out the definitive list ('Cars' fans, look away here) In the latest instalment of Pixar's beloved series, Woody, Buzz and the rest of the playroom must contend with 'Forky', a plastic spork in denial about his status as a toy. Their new child Bonnie embarks on a road trip and when Forky heads out on his own, the other toys must track him down, discovering a whole new world in the process. One of animation's enduring favourites, this fourth entry retains the effortless charm of Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear and Tom Hanks' Woody, but also adds the voice work of comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. Discussing the films this week are Jake Cunningham, Ella Kemp and Sam Howlett. Follow the team on Social Media: @jakehcunningham - Jake @efe_kemp - Ella @samhowlett_1 - Sam Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Jake Cunningham  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Asif Kapadia, the Oscar-winning director of Amy and Senna, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his new film Diego Maradona, which arrives in cinemas this week. In this inspired documentary portrait from Kapadia, we follow Maradona as he arrives at Naples in 1984, leading the club to their first ever title. But this success was the eye of the storm: Maradona's time in Naples was seven years of tumultuous chaos and jagged alliances. Using more than 500 hours of unseen footage from Maradona’s archive, this is another gripping story of an exceptional and complex person from the Oscar and BAFTA winning documentary team. Discussing the film are Jake Cunningham, Caitlin Quinlan, Steven Ryder and Bertha DocHouse's own Tilly Hudson. Follow the team on Social Media: @jakehcunningham - Jake @irma_pep - Steven @csquinlan - Caitlin @BerthaDocHouse - Bertha DocHouse Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In addition to our episode featuring Julianne Moore all about her new film Gloria Bell, we've got a bonus episode for you! We speak to Mindy Kaling, the creator of 'The Mindy Project' and now writer and co-star of 'Late Night' - the story of a late night comedy TV host and her revamped writers room. Late Night is the story of Katherine (Emma Thompson on acidly winning form), a TV host in desperate need to stay relevant. Cynically hiring Molly (Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project, Ocean's 8), she thrusts her into the all-male writers' room. But Molly is looking to make more than surface changes. Along with laughs come deeper questions about sexism and diversity in the entertainment industry. Kaling's script has the sharpness of lived experience, as well as the comic chops to make the stand up segments sing. With a sprinkling of The Devil Wears Prada, Late Night mixes great chemistry with a forward-looking take on complex issues. Discussing the film with Mindy is Steven Ryder Follow Steven at @irma_pep Produced and edited by Jake Cunningham  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Julianne Moore joins us on to the Curzon Film Podcast this week to talk about her latest film 'Gloria Bell', directed by Sebastián Lelio ('Disobedience', 'A Fantastic Woman'), and what an absolute pleasure it is to have one of contemporary cinema's true greats on our show. Gloria (Julianne Moore) is a free-spirited divorcée who spends her days at a strait-laced office job and her nights on the dance floor, joyfully letting loose at clubs around Los Angeles. After meeting Arnold (John Turturro) on a night out, she finds herself thrust into an unexpected new romance, filled with both the joys of budding love and the complications of dating, identity and family. Lelio creates a feel-good tale of later love which shows love can strike at any time, relationships are never simple, and nothing can get you down as long as you keep dancing. Discussing the film are Sam Howlett, Kelly Powell and Susie Bould @SamHowlett_1 Sam Howlett @susieblues - Susie @ks_powell - Kelly Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode we talk to Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein about their instant classic new teen comedy 'Booksmart', plus we travel to Budapest for 'Sunset', the new film from the director of 'Son of Saul' Study hard, don’t slack off, get into a good college: that’s the formula for high school success, or so think best friends Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever). That’s until they discover that their hard-partying classmates are also bound for the Ivy League. So begins the party odyssey that is 'Booksmart' From László Nemes, the Oscar-winning director of 'Son of Saul', comes 'Sunset', a sublimely evocative recreation of 1913 Budapest, a city at the crux of world history. Irisz Leiter (Juli Jakab) arrives in the capital eager to become a milliner at her late parents’ legendary hat shop. But she is drawn into the mystery of what happened to her long-missing brother. Her search will lead her into a dazzling panorama of the dying gasps of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Discussing the films this week are Jake Cunningham, Kelly Powell, Iana Murray and Sam Howlett Follow the team on Twitter: @SamHowlett_1 - Sam @ks_powell - Kelly @ianamurray - Iana - Iana @jakehcunningham - Jake Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our second report from Cannes 2019, we get in to some more highlights form the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. Curzon’s own Director of Programme Damian Spandley discusses Bong Joon-Ho’s ‘Parasite’ along with more festival favourites. Plus past and future guests Iana Murray (The Skinny, Little White Lies) and Hannah Woodhead (Associate Editor - Little White Lies) share some of their highlights. To hear more from Iana, look out for our episode on 'Booksmart', which you’ll be able to find in our feed: http://hyperurl.co/vr732o Hannah Woodhead can be heard discussing Lucrecia Martel’s masterwork 'Zama' on the Curzon Podcast last year: http://www.curzonblog.com/all-posts/2018/5/25/zama-podcast Produced and edited by Jake Cunningham  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a musical double bill on this episode as we touchdown with the Elton John biopic Rocketman, and speak to two of the film's stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Jamie Bell. Plus, we explore a whole new world with Guy Ritchie's take on Disney's Aladdin. Speaking on this episode are Sam Howlett, Kelly Powell and Steven Ryder, with interviews from Ryan Hewitt and Ella Kemp.  Follow the team on Social Media: @SamHowlett_1 Sam Howlett @irma_pep - Steven @ks_powell - Kelly @efekemp - Ella Produced by Jake Cunningham Edited by Mark Towers  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this first micro-dispatch from Cannes 2019, our intrepid host meets with Curzon's man on the ground for programming Ben Lyndon about a select few highlights from the first week of the festival. Plus, Catherine Bray (Film 4, The I, 'Beyond Clueless') Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Short Film strand Random Acts highlights which short films have caught her eye. To hear more from Catherine, listen to our episode on Halloween from 2018: https://play.acast.com/s/thecurzonfilmpodcast/halloween Produced and edited by Jake Cunningham  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.