World Cinema History

​ In the penultimate installment of our Road to Godard series, we dive into the 1945 epic that the Cahiers du Cinéma crowd famously dubbed a "beautiful corpse."​Filmed under the extreme constraints and constant surveillance of the Nazi occupation of France, Marcel Carné and Jacques Prévert managed to construct a work of staggering scale—complete with massive sets and a cast of thousands. Host Eric Trommater and panelists Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Jennifer Trujillo examine how this pillar of poetic realism functions as both a defiant act of French culture and a meditation on the elusive nature of love and the stage. We discuss why this film remains a vital touchstone for understanding the cinematic world that Godard would eventually inherit and challenge.Episode Chapters0:00 Welcome to Children of Paradise: Initial Reactions8:46 Unpacking Love, Sincerity, and Character Complexity14:27 Jacques Prévert's Poetic Vision on Screen16:50 Cinematic Resistance During Nazi-Occupied France20:37 The Rich Literary Dialogue and Love's Complexities24:16 Exploring Character Borders and the Nature of Love30:13 Garance's True Love and the Nuances of Romance38:57 Wartime Choices and Troubling Character Stereotypes45:22 Lacenaire's Identity and Prévert's Artistic Rebellion49:59 Godard's "Beautiful Corpse" and Political Backlash53:13 The People's Theater and the Film's Title58:27 The Controversial 4K Restoration: A Visual Debate1:09:00 Final Thoughts on Garance and Film Appreciation1:11:03 Join the Discussion and Next Week's Episode Godard's "Weekend." Clips Used. https://youtu.be/81J56YChYo4?si=pU8ccBbm_Bz-uwt0https://youtu.be/jKorhmX5IDo?si=rWoKjCU9pvCuMoschttps://youtu.be/wNl9ksUI-bU?si=nCQ6VMQwcVv3DSwohttps://youtu.be/co52GGV1SYc?si=-8EDa8W6CeD8Zv4Vhttps://youtu.be/2a-VL1VoHJ0?si=_pfOoPiDjTJo6CCdhttps://youtu.be/rpMvf4Gdn-4?si=8jPi_lxKBa5wp03Vhttps://youtu.be/KZBdgRR85sw?si=y8aCRsDm1RlhGyKChttps://youtu.be/0RRWCxfkmtA?si=qAK4_OENas2QpIQ3Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:Bonus EpisodesAttending Live RecordingsOur Love and AppreciationFuture exclusive perksHaving your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

Cocteau’s Orpheus Trilogy | WTF is This?Host: Eric TrommaterPanel: Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Jennifer TrujilloIn this episode, we step through the mirror into the cinematic life of Jean Cocteau. We examine the foundational trilogy—The Blood of a Poet (1930), Orphée (1950), and The Testament of Orpheus (1960)—not as technical exercises, but as a shared space where the image carries a specific, undeniable weight.We’re moving past the usual "film school" vocabulary to discuss how Cocteau demands a unique kind of recognition from his audience. From the post-war static of the car radio to the literal thresholds of death, we explore how these films function when we stop treating them as "social commentary" and start treating them as a lived, theological reality. We also place Orpheus ('50) in its proper sequence on our "Road to Godard," between the elegance of Grand Illusion ('37) and the eventual collapse of Weekend ('67).​YouTube Chapters: Cocteau’s Orpheus Trilogy​00:00 John Simon's Challenge: Try Harder for Cocteau04:00 Jean Cocteau: Poet, Painter, Filmmaker, Surrealist10:00 The Poet's Struggle: Art, Self-Portrait, and Discomfort14:00 Through the Mirror: Cocteau's Evolving Symbolism of Mortality22:00 Cocteau's Practical Effects and Filmmaking Legacy28:00 Eric's Journey: Cocteau's Films and Digital Restoration34:00 The Uncomfortable Truth: Punishment and Fetish in Art41:00 From Myth to Modernity: Orpheus and the Burden of Celebrity44:00 Orpheus's Obsession: Radio Signals and the Nature of Addiction56:00 Jean Cocteau's Controversial Wartime Conduct and Queer Aesthetic1:03:00 Unpacking Power Dynamics: From Nazis to Modern Political Parallels1:16:00 The Final Film: Cocteau's Confession and Technical Decline1:20:00 Recurring Motif: Eyes, Perception, and Artistic Cameos1:27:00 Unstuck in Time: Immortality, Death, and Evolving Perceptions1:34:00 Cocteau's Complex Legacy: Confession, Narcissism, and Horses1:42:00 Children of Paradise: Next Week's Film and Podcast Wrap-upClips and Music Featured:​Archival Resonance: German troops marching (1939) and the BBC’s 1945 broadcast of the crossing of the Rhine, grounding the Orphic myth in the shadow of history.​Sonic Texture: The surrealist "horse-sense" of the Mr. Ed theme, the precision of Saint-Saëns' Violin Sonata No. 1, the ethereal "Space Ambience" by Alexander Nakarada, and Philomena Cunk’s vital inquiry: "What the f*** is this?"Links:​German Troops Marching: https://youtu.be/cQXS6yWuyWw​1945 BBC Broadcast: https://youtu.be/67m3jOU94Pw​Mr. Ed Theme: https://youtu.be/6GAbc5uQXJo​Saint-Saëns Violin Sonata: https://youtu.be/qdmz1PjC1oM​Space Ambience: https://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQ​Cunk (What is this?): https://youtu.be/2ek8WvBI48w​Orpheus Clip 1: https://youtu.be/c4CeP3tuHVU​Orpheus Clip 2: https://youtu.be/2a-VL1VoHJ0​Orpheus Clip 3: https://youtu.be/m5NHeauBtTMConnect With Us:​YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist​Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892​Spotify: http://spotify.com​X (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include bonus episodes, attending live recordings, and having your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance).Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

A Conversation with Jethro Waters. In this episode, our panel—Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Jennifer Trujillo, and Sila Blume—sits down with a true polymath of modern film: Jethro Waters. Jethro serves as the writer, director, editor, and cinematographer for his debut feature, Gunfighter Paradise. He even steps in front of the lens as the film’s lead actor under the nom-de-plume Braz Cubas. Together, we explore the grueling yet rewarding journey of bringing a first feature to life, the intentionality behind the film's striking visual language, and the technical artistry of the lenses and camera techniques used to capture it. We also engage in a broader dialogue on the future of independent cinema as it navigates the shifting tides of a streaming-dominated world.​Music Featured in This Episode:​Sci-Fi Music for YouTube Videos (No Copyright) – https://youtu.be/2a-VL1VoHJ0​Sid Hemphill: Complete Library of Congress Recordings 1941-1942 – https://youtu.be/cTjA1a1CjQs​Muddy Waters: Field Recordings 1941-1942 – https://youtu.be/co52GGV1SYc​Nouth Jazz - B. White (1920) – https://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQ​Chapters:​0:00 Eric's Provocative Godard Comparison and Erin's AI Test​2:36 The Story Behind Jethro's Alias and Nancy Buirski 's Influence ​8:58 Exploring Gunfighter Paradise's Religious Themes and Dark Humor​16:40 Geeking Out and Unpacking Gunfighter Paradise's Layered Visuals and Narrative Structure​27:52 Jethro Waters on Gun Culture and Southern American Identity​41:25 A Technical Dive into Gunfighter Paradise's Cinematography​59:35 Navigating the Independent Film Landscape and Building Community​1:10:58 The Film's Emotional Impact and the Mummified Cat Story​1:20:50 Jethro Waters' Future Projects and Podcast Preview for The Road to Godard​Connect With Us:​YouTube: World Cinema History​Apple Podcasts: World Cinema History on Apple​Spotify: Listen on Spotify​X (Twitter): @etrommater​Join the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club​Support the show and get closer to the booth! Your contributions through Ko-fi help us keep the film history conversation alive. Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a massive difference.​Member Benefits Include:​Exclusive Bonus Episodes​Access to attend Live Recordings​Future exclusive perks​The high honor of having your name mispronounced on air (our sincerest apologies in advance!)​Join the club here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

We are joined by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kevin Willmott (Best Adapted Screenplay for Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman) to discuss his 2004 mockumentary, C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America.Alongside our panel—Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Jennifer Trujillo—we explore Willmott’s searing speculative history that imagines a world where the North lost the Civil War. We dive into the film’s use of satire to expose the enduring reality of white supremacy., We examine how the film’s fictional advertisements and the underlying structures of American identity remain uncomfortably close to the present day.Content Warning: This episode contains a candid discussion of systemic racism and features the use of racial slurs in the context of analyzing the film’s satirical and historical themes.Chapters​0:00 Chasing the EGOT: Oscar Winner Kevin Willmott . ​7:16 Kevin's Filmography: Unearthing the Houston Riot of 1917​13:14 Hollywood's Slavery Problem and Confederate Flags​17:24 Uncomfortable Truths in CSA's Satirical Ads​24:52 Blending Formats for Historical Mockumentary Realism​35:30 Why America Struggles with Slavery's Emotional History​45:02 USA vs. CSA: Expanding or Limiting Freedom​54:54 How Society Changes and Racism is Taught​1:07:06 Voting Against Self-Interest and Racial Prejudice​1:16:53 The Lost Cause Narrative and Modern America​1:20:27 Why Modern Society is More Stupid and Divided​1:34:13 Out-Satirizing Reality and Closing Discourse​1:39:30 Social Media and Next Episode PreviewMusic in this EpisodeSpace Ambience by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comShe Has Freckles on Her But, She is Nice | https://youtu.be/pNcjs30BZTsLead Belly - Midnight Special | https://youtu.be/zIC2hVvKzVQElmer Bernstein - Appointment with Destiny Theme | https://youtu.be/Qt6eKU3v1XENouth by Jazz B Whitehttps://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQ?si=5N4jm7bNgvfV-8-8Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include bonus episodes, attending live recordings, and our sincere apologies in advance for mispronouncing your name on air.Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

Is Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin (1975) Racist?Spoiler: Yes.In 1975, Ralph Bakshi’s Coonskin—a jagged, mixed-media parody of Song of the South—sparked massive protests for its depictions of Harlem, the Mob, and the LGBTQ community. Decades before Roger Rabbit, Bakshi was already blending live-action and animation to create a disturbing, distorted lens of Black America. Host Eric Trommater, joined by Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Jennifer Trujillo, examines a film that has been a personal touchstone for Eric since childhood. We move past the simple binary of "is it racist?" to ask: Why did Bakshi make this, and what can we learn about race today?In this Episode:The Cast: Dual roles from Scatman Crothers, Charles Gordone, and Philip Michael Thomas.The Controversy: Why CORE protested the film and its near-erasure from history.The Satire: Evaluating Bakshi’s "hidden message" against the weight of his stereotypes.Episode Timestamps0:00 — The Panel's Unanimous Verdict on Bakshi's Controversial Film2:37 — Ralph Bakshi's Intentions and the 'White Tourist' Aesthetic5:32 — Erin's Dislike vs. Sila's 'Bleak Beauty' in Coonskin's Art7:36 — Jennifer's Take on Coonskin's Blended Reality and Shocking Elements9:38 — Sila's Deep Dive into Coonskin's Intellectual Depth and Poetic Scenes16:37 — Bakshi's Tape Recorder Tour and the Miss America Metaphor19:22 — Panel Debates Ralph Bakshi's Authority to Create Coonskin23:11 — Suppressed by CORE, Defended by NAACP, and Erik's Unironic Love26:05 — Coonskin's Portrayal of Italian Mafia and Homosexual Stereotypes29:03 — Jennifer's Critique of Coonskin's Queer Characters and Lack of Depth37:30 — Sila Questions the Depth of Coonskin's Satire and Its Intent42:44 — How Bakshi Amplifies the Voices of His Characters in Coonskin46:47 — The Symbolism of Miss America and Its Disturbing Parallels to Racism53:12 — The Role of Black Collaborators and the 'Deliberately Ugly' Art Style57:27 — Defending Coonskin's Visuals as Intentional and 'Punk Rock Beauty'1:05:30 — Questioning Bakshi's Intelligence and the Validity of His Satire1:13:58 — Sila's Argument for Experiencing Art Beyond Pure Intellectual Analysis1:17:17 — Malcolm the Cockroach, Awkward Interactions, and the Satisfaction of Otherness1:26:05 — Unexpected Penises, Film's Message, and Next Week's EpisodeConnect & Support:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehistApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the DVD Extras Club on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

For Black History Month, we are exploring the roots of independent African filmmaking. Black Girl serves as a powerful starting point for this journey, tracing the movement of a young Senegalese woman from Dakar to the French Riviera. We discuss Sembène's transition from literature to film as a means of communicating with a non-literate audience, effectively creating a new visual language for a post-colonial era. Next Week: Oscar Winning Screenwriter Kevin Willmott joins us to discuss his 2004 Mockumentary "CSA: Confederate States of America." Musichttps://youtu.be/NpTyPVbs-64?si=ZMXUHYLQ4Q0ejUI4https://youtu.be/guexLrL44t0?si=UmYYD5vTdrXkGwz4Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:Bonus EpisodesAttending Live RecordingsOur Love and AppreciationFuture exclusive perksHaving your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

The Road to Godard hits the streets of Dakar. ​In this episode of the World Cinema History Podcast, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant, avant-garde energy of Djibril Diop Mambéty’s 1973 landmark, Touki Bouki. Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Jennifer Trujillo and Sila Blume break it all down. Erin and Eric were rather cold on Godard's Breathless. Will the warmer climate of Senegal warm up them to the same techniques? ​As part of our Black History Month celebration, we examine how Mambéty’s radical style and jagged editing bridge the physical and psychic gap between Senegal and the elusive dream of the West. Clips Used: Alexander Nakarada Space Ambience https://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQ?si=LKAgAfA8tooq41bIHello Goodbye. Touki Bouki opening song. Josephine Baker sings "Paris, Paris, Paris." https://youtu.be/guexLrL44t0?si=rvCVfQhD8bbFPsTdMartin Scorsese on Touki Bouki https://youtu.be/o555EiqRC10?si=5U41jyqcen-YOd4jVeggie Tales The Song of the Cebu. https://youtu.be/_uv8Ej4CEoQ?si=Dus5IoYU-J8JVCmLAfrican Drums. No Copyright https://youtu.be/LmtCfMncFSk?si=hB-bJzGzzo5ynl_dConnect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:Bonus EpisodesAttending Live RecordingsOur Love and AppreciationFuture exclusive perksHaving your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

​In this installment of World Cinema History, we move from the historical Road to Godard into the contemporary trenches of independent cinema. We are joined by writer-director Miguel Ángel Ferrer, whose film The Shadow of the Sun—Venezuela’s 2023 Oscar entry—is a study of survival and using your dreams as a roadmap to becoming your best self.The Roundtable Discussion:​Bypassing the Permission Slip: Miguel details the conviction required to walk across the Colombian-Venezuelan border on foot to reach his own set after his funding vanished mid-shoot.​The Short Film Lineage: We trace Miguel’s stylistic development through his short films, deMonica and Innocent Attraction. The panel discusses how these earlier works established the visual frequency and Outlaw spirit that define his current feature work.​The Unconscious Heritage of Resistance: We discuss Glauber Rocha and the Aesthetics of Hunger, exploring how Miguel captured the natural light and resilience of Venezuela while avoiding the heavily packaged traps of "poverty porn."​Authentic Frequency: A look at the documentary eye required to bridge the gap between professional actors and raw newcomers like Anyelo Lopez.​The Peer-to-Peer Interrogation: Jennifer Trujillo, Nicole de Meneses, and Sila Blume join Eric to discuss the evolution of Miguel’s shorts, the ethics of self-financing, and the point of no return on an independent set.The Historical Bridge:Host Eric Trommater synthesizes these modern guerrilla hacks with the legacy of Jean-Luc Godard and Italian Neorealism, proving that while the technology changes, the Outlaw contract between the filmmaker and the truth remains the same.Support the Signal:Join the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club. Support the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include bonus episodes, attending live recordings, and future exclusive perks. Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory​CHAPTERS0:00 Introducing Miguel Ángel Ferrer: An Outlaw Filmmaker's Journey1:59 Miguel's Conviction: Self-Financing 'The Shadow of the Sun'4:51 Achieving High Quality on a Micro-Budget with Community Support7:27 Anamorphic Lenses & Natural Light: Capturing Venezuela's Landscape14:21 From Nat Geo to Outlaw: Ingenuity on an 18-Day Shoot26:25 The Authentic Performance: Discovering Anyelo Lopez for the Film34:11 Resilience, Not Victimhood: Navigating the Aesthetics of Hunger46:47 Miguel's Philosophy: Becoming Your Best Self Through Filmmaking49:48 From 'deMonica' to Feature: Stylistic Development & Unheard Music57:26 Nuance & Acceptance: Alex's Journey of Self-Discovery1:10:18 Badass Women & The Thrilling Future of the 'deMonica' Feature1:18:38 Exploring Faith, Science, and Humanity in Miguel's Films1:22:41 The Legacy of Outlaw Filmmaking & World Cinema History's Future​Music Clips Used:Alma Llanera: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alma_Llanera_-_Instrumental_al_arpa.oggNouth by Jazz B White: https://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQSavfk Dramatic and Epic Music: https://youtu.be/XuVK1TSTt6cSpace Ambience by Alexander Nakarada: https://creatorchords.comINFINITY Epic Futuristic Space Theme: https://youtu.be/4F7sdy2rZwsAmbient Atmosphere: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfP6i5T0-DkIpo7FRcofaXJ0RMIZnQx7MPublic Domain African Music: https://youtu.be/cJjk5aVze1c"African Royalty" by The Free Cat https://youtu.be/cJjk5aVze1c Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehistApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterNext: We begin our celebration of Black History Month with Touki Bouki.

​"Isn't life disappointing?" "Yes, nothing but disappointment."Thunderstorms descended as Erin Brown, Eric Trommater, Sila Blume, and Jennifer Trujillo gathered to discuss Yasujirō Ozu’s seminal 1953 film, Tokyo Story. As the conclusion to our series on Aging and Mortality in 1950s Cinema, the weather seemed determined to participate; our noise-proofing wasn't quite up to the task of keeping the storm at bay.​In a way, the low rumble of the rain provided the perfect atmosphere to discuss a film widely considered one of the high points of cinema history. We explore Ozu’s unique visual style and the quiet, inevitable disappointments that define the relationships between the generations.​In this episode, we reference clips from:​Sakura, Japanese Folk Song: https://youtu.be/AK51LblcEOw?si=KlO76cPH6K6Um6C1​Lindsay Anderson on Tokyo Story: https://youtu.be/7pss-7_5Xh0?si=Ox1KlVJPXQS2Do6T​Martin Scorsese on Ozu and The Stop Watch: https://youtube.com/shorts/bWRtc63FXM4?si=5ZH4rBx56Vra7GV7​Getting the shot with Yuharu Atsuta: https://youtu.be/g0_iThToEzk?si=g1e8JQNKUFKpnAfp​Connect With Us:​YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz​Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892​Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA​X (Twitter): @etrommater​Join the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:​Bonus Episodes​Attending Live Recordings​Our Love and Appreciation​Future exclusive perks we haven't thought of, yet​Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)​Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

Producer Christine La Monte joins the show to discuss her Oscar-shortlisted film Viva Verdi! and Ai Weiwei’s Turandot. We talk about the residents of Casa Verdi and the bridge between opera and cinema history.Host: Eric TrommaterPanel: Erin Brown, Sila Blume, Jennifer TrujilloSpecial Guest: My cousin, Jordan Best (Vocals, "O mio babbino caro" by Puccini) https://www.bestsoprano.com/ Links & Info:Listen to "Sweet Dreams of Joy": https://youtu.be/dpAOquDGcUs?si=gli5b6F6hq8FFKfPNext week: Ozu’s Tokyo StoryFilms recommended by Christine Le Monte The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life, an Academy Award-winning 2013 documentary-short film directed, written and produced by Malcolm Clarke about the oldest living Holocaust survivor.The Age of Champions, a 2011 documentary about The Senior Olympics.Kokuho from 2025, this year's Japanese entry for the Best Foreign Film Oscar. Check us out on YouTube https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance)  To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.In this episode, the panel sits down with writer and producer Christine La Monte to discuss her work on Viva Verdi! and Ai Weiwei’s Turandot. Even for those who don't follow opera, this conversation is a deep dive into the "third act" of life and the preservation of artistic legacy.[00:03:08] The Producer’s Role: Christine explains her journey from major studios to independent projects, serving as the bridge that ensures a director's vision is faithfully translated to the screen.[00:18:27] Viva Verdi!: The heart of the discussion is a retirement home in Milan built by Giuseppe Verdi for musicians.[00:20:40] A Living Liturgy: We explore a place where the elderly masters and young students share a common language of music, proving that art provides a shared recognition that sustains us through old age.[00:34:04] Ai Weiwei’s Turandot: We also look at how activist artist Ai Weiwei used Puccini’s final work to comment on modern authoritarianism.[00:40:04] Art as Witness: A raw look at how art functions as a public witness to history, even under the pressure of a global pandemic.[01:13:26] Looking Ahead: The panel concludes by previewing the end of the current series with Ozu’s Tokyo Story before beginning the Road to Godard, featuring Grand Illusion ('37), Children of Paradise ('45), Orpheus ('50), and Weekend ('67).

In this special bonus installment, we reflect on a filmmaker who defined the American cinematic landscape for decades. We also circle back to the studio for a final word on our recent guest.​The PanelJennifer Trujillo, Sila Blume, Eric Trommater, and Erin Brown.Remembering Rob Reiner (March 6, 1947 – December 14, 2025)The panel gathers to remember the life and legacy of Rob Reiner. Following his passing this past December, we take a moment to look at his run of films:​This Is Spinal Tap (1984)​Stand by Me (1986)​The Princess Bride (1987)​When Harry Met Sally… (1989)​Misery (1990)​A Few Good Men (1992) Additionally, we host a debate on the origins of the mockumentary form, questioning if Peter Watkins' The War Game (1966) should be considered the true first of its kind. The La Monte AfterpartyTo close out the episode, we briefly recap the final insights from Christine La Monte after she left the studio. We share the post-script thoughts and industry reflections that surfaced once the formal mics were cut, rounding out our time with her before we return to our main series.​Upcoming Schedule​Next: Tokyo Story (1953) — Ozu and the geometry of aging​Following: Nouvelle Vague (2025) — Linklater’s look at the birth of the New Wave​Road to Godard 1: Grand Illusion (1937) — Renoir’s foundational work​Road to Godard 2: Children of Paradise (1945) — Carné and the theater of life​Road to Godard 3: Orpheus (1950) — Cocteau’s poetic underworld​Road to Godard 4: Weekend (1967) — The end of cinemaCheck us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

​In this episode, we take an existential road trip from Lund to Stockholm to discuss Ingmar Bergman's 1957 film, Wild Strawberries—or Smultronstället—a film about aging, isolation, and confronting a lifetime of emotional coldness.​Host Eric Trommater is joined by panelists Erin Brown (experiencing Bergman for the first time) and Sila Blume for a deep dive into the film's structure. We examine how Bergman uses unsettling dream sequences and unreliable, sunlit flashbacks to hold the protagonist, Dr. Isak Borg (played by Swedish cinema legend Victor Sjöström), accountable for his solitude. We also discuss the controversy surrounding Bergman's biography, explore the tension between public gesture and private acceptance of mortality, and ask: Does the critical habit of viewing every film as autobiography serve the art?​Key Cast Credited: Victor Sjöström (Dr. Isak Borg), Ingrid Thulin (Marianne), Bibi Andersson (Both Saras), and Max Von Sydow.​Source & Music Credits:​Interview Excerpt: Ingmar Bergman on The Dick Cavett Show (1971)​Special Thanks for the sound clips: The Swedish Chef (from The Muppets)​Cold Open Music: "Glädjens blomster" (Traditional/Elias Sehlstedt)​Main Theme Music: "Excelsior! Concert Overture" (Wilhelm Stenhammar)Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Erin Brown hosts a discussion with Eric Trommater and Jennifer Trujillo on one of her favorite movies, 2019's "Jojo Rabbit." The film features Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson and Scarlett Johannson in a tale of a young boy and his imaginary friend Adolph Hitler, played by the movie's Writer-Director Taika Waititi. Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Luke Higginson, who wrote, directed and edited "Relax I'm from the Future," joins Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Audra Angelique and Jennifer Trujillo to unpack one of his favorite films by his favorite director Akira Kurosawa's "Ikiru." Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Nicole de Meneses and Jennifer Trujillo end their month-long look at horror with Tomas Alfredson's (The Snowman and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) 2008 adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvist's vampire novel "Let the Right One In," set in snowy Sweden. Later remade by Matt Reeves, the original drew a mixed reaction from Eric and Erin while Nicole and Jennifer found it a masterfully done work that mixed genuine scares with a queer romance and a coming of age story. Nicole De Meneses is a writer-director-producer and runs Dark Rainbow Films. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dark-rainbows-sapphic-stories-shineJennifer A. Trujillo runs the Gilbert Baker film festival, showcasing LGBTQIA+ narrative films, shorts and documentaries. https://gilbertbakerfilmfestival.lgbtCheck us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Eric Trommater and Erin Brown are joined by Jennifer Trujillo of The Gilbert Baker Film Festival and "Vampire Director" Nicole de Meneses to discuss one of Nicole's favorite films, "Near Dark" (1987). Coming on the heels of our month long look at women behind the camera, we got a chance to celebrate both Spooky-Season and Katherine Bigalow, the first woman to ever win an Academy Award for best director. Part Vampire film, part Western, part Romance, "Near Dark" stars Adrian Pasdar as Caleb Colton, Jenny Wright as Mae, Lance Henriksen as Jesse Hooker, Bill Paxton as Severen and Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback. We also took a moment to remember our dear friend Mark Redfield who passed away just hours before we recorded the episode. To support Nicole de Meneses' new Sapphic Vampire Film go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dark-rainbows-sapphic-stories-shineFor more information on The Gilbert Baker Film Festival: https://gilbertbakerfilmfestival.lgbtFriend of the show Sav Rodgers is also making a new film and we encourage everyone to check it out at: https://pancakeskank.com/Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Consider leaving us a tip at KI-FI.com/worldcinemahistory Eric Trommater and Erin Brown are joined by Nicole de Meneses, who is currently making her own vampire film, and Jennifer Trujillo, who runs the Gilbert Baker Film Festival. At issue is Carl Theodore Dreyer's "Vampyr," a strange choice from the director of "The Passion of Joan of Arc," "Ordet" and "Day of Wrath." Opinions varied on the film but it was a fun discussion with a lot of respectful disagreement. Oh, and Taylor Swift somehow gets a mention. Learn more about Nicole de Meneses new filmhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dark-rainbows-sapphic-stories-shineLearn more about the Gilbert Baker Film Festival https://gilbertbakerfilmfestival.lgbtCheck us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Help keep us Advertising Free. Donate at https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory Special Guest Luke Higginson, the writer and director of "Relax, I'm From the Future" (which starred Rhys Darby), joins Erin Brown and Eric Trommater to discuss Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's 2014 Vampire Mockumentary "What We Do in the Shadows." First, though, Erin Brown tells of her meeting, the day before, with her favorite actor Rhys Darby! Darby also appears in this film as a werewolf (not a swear wolf) named Anton. Our apologies to Johnny Brugh for mispronouncing his name. Apparently, it's pronounced "Bruff."To see the hat Erin hand made and gave to Darby go here: https://www.instagram.com/toadpuppy?igsh=cGttcmhiejJqNWZnPublic Domain Guitar music by Ben Levin (thanks Ben!) https://youtu.be/aYc17TR2_W8?si=rrMQp4kxsfO4arpnCheck us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Help keep us advertising free. Go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory and toss a buck or two in the tip jar.Eric Trommater and Sila Blume are joined by a special guest as they try and unpack Luis Buñuel's 1930 Surrealist masterpiece ""L'Âge d'or, (The Golden Age)." Dr. Ernesto "Todd" Mireles is an award-winning author, filmmaker, educator, and a lifelong activist and organizer in the Xicano movement. Most recently, he was a faculty member in Ethnic Studies at Northern Arizona University and holds the position of National Secretary of the Partido Nacional de la Raza Unida. He begins his assessment with a quote from Roland Barthes' 1967 essay, "The Death of the Author:""All writing is a critique of reality." This sends the episode spiraling into, yet another, debate on Post-Structuralism with Dr. Mireles taking a pro stance and Eric and Sila against. Eric, however, gives himself the final word (because it's his show). The rest of the episode is a scene by scene unpacking of Buñuel's film and what, if anything, these segments "mean." Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Help Keep Us Free From Ads. ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory Erin Brown and Eric Trommater continue their month long look at women behind the camera. This time it's director Lina Wermüller who, despite her name, is an Italian, and her 1975 black comedy "Seven Beauties." One of many films Wertmüller made with leading man Giancarlo Giannini, the film puts its hero, Pasqualino, through the wringer, including a long stay in Concentration Camp during The Second World War. After a loving parody of the film's opening montage (and the repeated refrain of Oh Yeah!) Erin and Eric discussed what it was that made Wertmüller's work so attractive to male film critics in the middle 1970's but left so many (although not all) of their feminist cohorts more than a bit cold. The episode features a clip from Martin Scorsese on Wertmüller. Stick around for the Easter Egg at the end of the episode featuring a clip from the late 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.