Wigs and Candles

To close their 5th season dedicated to artists and films about their lives, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2018 film Van Gogh: At Eternity’s Gate.Directed by Julien Schnabel and starring Willem Dafoe as Vincent Van Gogh, the movie is a visually arresting and moving depiction of the painter’s last years. In their discussion, Gaby and Andreina discuss the representation of the artist’s imagination and subjectivity in film, Julien Schnabel’s rich directorial approach, and their connection to Van Gogh and his art.***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Links and sources:Interview with director Julian Schnabel at the TIFF 2018Interview with Willem DafoeInterview with Oscar IsaacJohn Berger, The Sense of SightSelf-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Vincent van GoghVan Gogh Museum

In this episode, Andreina and Gabriela learn more about the French sculptor Camille Claudel (1864-1943), through two films: Camille Claudel (1988) and Camille Claudel 1915 (2013).An artistic prodigy from a very young age, Claudel gained recognition and acclaim as an artist during her lifetime. However, in the popular imagination, she is most often remembered as Auguste Rodin's lover.Andreina and Gabriela discuss how Camille Claudel is portrayed in the two movies and how her dimension as a female artist and woman in a male-dominated art practice is conveyed: do the films give us a good sense of who she was as an artist?Join us in this third episode of our series of discussions about artists and their art in film.Links and sources:Abstract of article “Camille Claudel: trajectory of a psychosis”The Art Institute of Chicago: Member Lecture: Camille ClaudelCamille Claudel through Five WorksCamille Claudel, Bust of RodinAugust Rodin, Thought (Camille Claudel)

Gaby and Andreina continue their exploration of art through period film and discuss the film Mr. Turner. Directed by Mike Leigh and starring Timothy Spall as the English romantic painter J. M. W. Turner, the movie tells the story of the painter during the last 50 years of his life when he was at the peak of his artistic abilities. Gaby and Andreina discuss Timothy Spall's portrayal of the painter and how the tone and style of the movie shape our perception of Turner's art.Links and sources:J. M. W. TurnerUntold Lives Blog: Hannah Danby – JMW Turner’s housekeeperThe Art of the SublimeJ.M.W. Turner RA (1775 - 1851)

In this first episode of the 5th season of Wigs and Candles, Andreina and Gaby discuss the film Hilma, a biographical movie about the Swedish painter Hilma af Klint. Gaby and Andreina talk about Klint's career as a female painter in the 19th and early 20th centuries and her unusual approach to art and spiritual painting, a genre to which she greatly contributed.Touching on themes of what it is to live a creative life and follow your artistic calling and dreams as a woman, Gaby and Andreina open the season with a film that deeply touched their hearts. Links and sources: Art historian Julia Voss on Hilma af Klint See the Guggenheim Museum’s Most Popular Show EverHilma af Klint Foundation

To cap off their 4th season,  Gaby and Andreina discuss the 1975 Stanley Kubrick film Barry Lyndon.With the help of a very special guest, we discuss the technical marvels of this film as well as it enduring beauty and depth. Sources and links:Barry Lyndon Making ofLeon Vitali on KubrickReview from The GuardianRoger Ebert Review

In this episode, Gaby, Andreina, and a special guest, discuss the beloved 2005 Joe Wright adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.One of the most popular adaptions of the novel by Jane Austen, the film remains surprisingly fresh after almost 20 years since it was released. Gaby, Andreina and their guest discuss the movie timelessness, the remarkable cast, and many other fun detours along the way.***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Links and sources:Short interview with Keyra KnightleyBehind the Scenes Pride & Prejudice BTS - The Politics of 18th Century Dating (2005)The CastManic Pixie Girl TropeWanderer above the Sea of FogKarolina Żebrowska: I watched every version of "Pride and Prejudice" so you don't have to

In this episode, Gaby and Andreina finally watch a movie they have been waiting a long time to discuss.A Royal Affair, tells the story of Princess Caroline Matilda of Great Britain and her husband King Christian VII. The story follows the years during Christian's reign when the ideas of the Enlightenment start to be introduced into the kingdom, mainly through the influence of Johann Friedrich Struensee, a physician and thinker who is deeply influenced by the movement.Released in 2012 in Denmark, A Royal Affair tells a story in which love, politics, ideas, and history intersect in astonishing and heartbreaking fashion. Join us as we discuss what it means for pivotal national historical moments to be portrayed in film and what makes a period film, well, a period film. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this movie we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources & further readings:Interview with cast + crew on the Berlinale 2012Interview with Mads Mikkelsen - Empire MagazineMaking of documentaryFilm Review on The GuardianHistorical Accuracy of A Royal Affair

In this episode, Andreina and Gabriela discuss the 2022 filmThe Woman King.Written by  Dana Stevens and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, The Woman King tells the true story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior force in the Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1830s, in what is present-day Benin.Starring a formidable Viola Davis as the military general who eventually would become the woman king, the film tells a story of bravery, sacrifice, and female empowerment hidden within the history books during one of the darkest periods in modern times: the transatlantic slave trade. Andreina and Gabriela discuss the main cast performances, the power of representation, and their efforts to expand their knowledge of the history of women across the globe. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and links:Interview with cast at TIFF 2022Interview with Viola Davis and CastThuso Mbedu in “The Daily Show” with Trevor NoahLashana Lynch and Thuso Mbedu in Good Morning AmericaFilm review on The New York TimesWarrior Women with Lupita Nyongo

There’s nothing little in the story of this film nor in the significance of the topics it touches on. Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (2019) is a wonderful, fierce, and modern adaptation of this classic, bringing all the themes that have made it one of the most beloved books of the last 150 years. Centered on the character of Jo March, an aspiring writer, Little Women tells the story of the March sisters, four deeply loving but very different young women, all trying to find their path in life within the restrictions of 1860s American society. Join us as we review Little Women with a special guest and talk about feminism, safe female spaces, pervasive gender roles, how they impact men and women, and much more.***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and links:In-depth interview with the director and castGreta Gerwig on her idea for the film

In a baroque opera hall in Paris sometime in the late 1700s, there’s a concert taking place. The audience is hypnotized by the virtuosity of the main violin player and the beauty of the music. And still, the most puzzling fact about the scene is the player’s skin colour: it’s Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, and he’s Black. Born in Guadeloupe to an enslaved African woman and a French aristocrat, Joseph grows up in Paris and enjoys a high-class education. His talent for music can only benefit from this, making him a renowned musician and composer and gaining the favor of Queen Marie Antoinette and her entourage. It sounds as if the boundaries of race and class are diluted in this story. Only to discover that, by crossing a line that seemed unimportant, the colour of the skin is the only thing that suddenly matters. The story of Chevalier is fascinating, and is still hard to believe that it has remained untold for over two centuries. While reviewing this movie, we learn about hidden jewels in history, what it takes to bring them back to light, and what effect they have on a wider audience. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and other links:Interview with cast and crewKelvin Harrison Jr. on the Tonight Show with Jimmy FallonInterview with the Cast and crew on the TIFF 2022 by “The Hollywood Reporter”Cast, crew and other facts

The Liberator tells the story, in wide strokes, of Simón Bolívar, the military leader, and most important Venezuelan historical figure. In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2013 film with the help of a very special guest. Placing the film in the historical and political context in which it was made, we look at the role of historical films in creating a national identity and memory. Join us as we discuss the relevance of cultural representation on the big screen, the humanisation of a mystified historical figure and the risks of too ambitious screenwriting. Sources:The Liberator Interview with actor Edgar RamirezThe Liberator Interview with director Alberto Arvelo (Spanish)TIFF Interview with director Alberto ArveloGoogle Hangout The Liberator (Spanish)

In this episode, Andreina and Gabriela discuss the 2020 film Ammonite with a very special guest. Ammonite tells the story of 19th-century British paleontologist Mary Anning.  An imaginary retelling of a brief period of her life, the film is directed by Francis Lee and stars Kate Winslet in the role of  Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchinson, her lover. Join us as we discuss this period film mixing science, history, and romance in the South West of England. In the process, we explore the dichotomy between artistic vision vs reality, period film clichés, and what dignifies or not a character. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this show we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources & further readings:Article with film’s synopsis prior to releaseInterview with Kate Winslet on LGBTQ+ Representation and Honouring The History of Mary AnningBehind the scenes

In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2022 film Emily, written and directed by Frances O'Connor in her directorial debut. Emily is a part-fictional portrait of English writer Emily Brontë mostly converting the period of her life before she wrote her novel Wuthering Heights. Gaby and Andreina talk about the cinematic representation of Emily as a historical character, Brontë’s relationship with her equally celebrated siblings, and how the film fits within the period film movie genre.***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this show we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources & further readings:Interview with director Frances O’Connor and main cast at the People + Entertainment at TIFF 2022And because they’re so good, here’s also the Q&A at the TIFF 2022Film Review from The New York Times

In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2022 Netflix movie The Wonder, based on the novel of the same name by Irish-Canadian writer Emma Donoghue. The movie, starring the brilliant Florence Pugh as a 19th-century nurse charged with observing a so-called “ fasting girl” in a rural town in Ireland in 1862, pushes against the limits of the period film genre and opens up conversations about science, religion, faith, and belief.  Joins us as we walk through this mysterious and fascinating film. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this show we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources & further readings:The Wonder IMDB PageInterview with Florence Pugh and Sebastian LelioFilm review on The New YorkTimesInterview with Emma Donoghue

In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the much-talked-about 2022 Austrian movie Corsage, which depicts a year in the life of Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi. Mixing historical fact with imaginative interpretation, the film is a fascinating portrayal of this beloved Austrian icon, one that remains more a myth than a real person in the general imagination. Gaby and Andreina also welcome a very special guest to talk about Sisi and help separate fact from fiction. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Trigger warning: in this episode, we briefly mention the name of Austrian actor Florian Teichtmeister, who in February 2023 was charged with possession of child pornography. We recorded this discussion prior to this news being reported and we understand if you need to skip this episode. Sources and other links:TIFF 2022 Women Directors: Meet Marie Kreutzer – Corsagehttps://womenandhollywood.com/tiff-2022-women-directors-meet-marie-kreutzer-corsagePeople +Entertainment weekly TIFF Studio 2022https://youtu.be/OpfUWSiXdrQ  Q&A on the TIFF 2022https://youtu.be/4SLPnduOleA Marie Kreutzer on "Willkommen Österreich" (Interview in german!)https://youtu.be/0Kf3v8mR07E 

We rarely find a more determined fictional female character in literature from the late 19th century than Bathsheba Everdeen. Guided by a strong will and a deep-rooted desire to build her path while keeping her full independence, Bathsheba learns the hard way that love and companionship are still not that bad after all. A film full of breathtaking landscapes, a plot with unexpected twists, and a love story to remember, Far from the Madding Crowd made us think about women's leadership in an unusual time and place as well as the hard choices we sometimes get in life. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and other links:Carey Mulligan on how she suggested casting Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oakhttps://youtu.be/or_CQ_iAWA8Carey Mulligan interviewhttps://youtu.be/jxgCL96ILsg  Making of “Far from the madding crowd”https://youtu.be/JHhhXcxbwgwQ&A Session with Thomas Vinterberg and Matthias Schoenartshttps://youtu.be/JbJBZaK7Kio 

To open up our third season, Gaby and Andreina discuss the South Korean film The Handmaiden, directed by Park Chan-wook.Acclaimed by critics, this movie is a work of extraordinary vision from beginning to end: cinematography, performances, costume and set design, in addition to an incredibly well-written script–every detail of this film shows the highest ambition and achievement. We hope you enjoy our discussion and fall in love with this movie as much as we did. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and other links:Film review by Jia Tolentino on The New Yorker:https://www.newyorker.com/culture/jia-tolentino/the-handmaiden-and-the-freedom-women-find-only-with-one-anotherShort clip - Making of “The Handmaiden”:https://youtu.be/pUQ5H_bF1Ck Interview with Sarah Waters, author of the novel “Fingersmith”https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/08/sarah-waters-the-handmaiden-turns-pornography-into-a-spectacle-but-its-true-to-my-novel-

What do you get when you take a pitch-perfect cast, beautiful but expressive cinematography, restraint but character-revealing costumes, and an inspired and poetic direction? The 2011 adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, Jane Eyre! Directed by then up-and-coming filmmaker Cary Fukunaga, it remains one of the most underrated period films of the last two decades. Join us as we discuss the incredible and timeless characters of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester and the way they are portrayed in the film. Adriana–Gaby and Andreina's eldest sister–joins the hosts for an in-person, prosecco-filled discussion fit for a midsummer grand season finale. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and other links:Jane Eyre IMDB Pagehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229822/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0Jane Eyre Featurettehttps://youtu.be/QaPNyABiGfU

“I’m gonna stand up, take my people with me, together we are going to a brand new home” – so sings Cyntia Erivo in the song “Stand Up,” the Academy Award nominated song for the film Harriet she co-wrote after playing the film’s leading role.  In their first review of an American film so far, Andreina and Gabriela discuss the 2019 film Harriet, which tells the story of the abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman. Formerly enslaved, Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849 and then worked for the rest of her life to bring her family and other enslaved people to freedom.Gaby and Andreina discuss casting choices (i.e. a British person playing an American historical figure), the differences between British and American period films, Cythia Erivo’s performance and much more. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and other linksHarriet  IMDB Page:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7248827/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_smHarriet Cast and Crew Q&A | TIFF 2019:https://youtu.be/9N8sgVS32fY  Interview with Cast:https://youtu.be/jtuhFw_g-UgVideo of the title song:https://youtu.be/sn19xvfoXvk Rogerebert.com Review:https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/harriet-movie-review-2019 Following Harriet Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/following-harriet/id1483073168

Oh, Emma! Got into trouble again? Although she always meant good, Jane Austen’s Emma is known for stirring things up in her hometown while playing the matchmaker. Set in the early 19th century, this all-time classic has been brought to the big screen in many ways, but which one is your favourite? We couldn’t answer this question easily so we watched two versions and tried to make up our minds!So, tune in to listen to our discussion about Emma and Emma.! Two wonderful films, both true to the original material, but so different from each other. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!***Sources and other links:Emma (1996) IMDBhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116191/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 Emma (1996) Making Ofhttps://youtu.be/SMGlrlREOw8Emma (1996) New York Times Reviewhttps://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/02/movies/so-genteel-so-scheming-so-austen.htmlEmma. (2020) IMDBhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt9214832/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_5  Emma. (2020) Q&A Session with Anya Taylor-Joy & director Autumn de Wilde https://youtu.be/QyDhhwDq-S4 Emma. (2020) The Guardian Reviewhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/feb/16/emma-review-autumn-de-wilde-anya-taylor-joy-bill-nighy-johnny-flynn