Ep 201: Emma Thompson in Dead of Winter and Sophie Dupuis on Solo
Update: 2025-09-22
Description
On this episode of Girls On Film, Anna Smith speaks with the creative teams behind two strikingly different films, both exploring relationships, emotion, and identity.
First, she sits down with Emma Thompson to discuss Dead of Winter, a tense new thriller directed by Brian Kirk. Thompson stars as Barb, a widow caught in a deadly snowstorm in northern Minnesota. They talk about stepping into this high-stakes role, balancing action with emotion, the challenges of filming, and the layered relationship between Barb and her late husband.
Later, Anna is joined by filmmaker Sophie Dupuis to talk about her Canadian romantic drama Solo. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the filmmaking process, and the themes at its core.
SOLO, which is described as “a shower of glitter,” tells the story of Simon, an emerging Montreal drag queen caught between a destructive love affair and a long-awaited, complicated reunion with his mother. With the most queer cast ever assembled in a Canadian production, the film embraces queerness not as conflict, but as community, perspective, and joy.
SOLO is out now in UK cinemas, go to Solofilm.co.uk for info on where to see the film whenever you are listening to this podcast
DEAD OF WINTER will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 26th September.
This episode is in partnership with Peccadillo Pictures.
Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
Follow us on socials:
www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/
www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod
www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno
Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z
Girls On Film is an HLA production.
Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Producer: Negin Nia
Audio Editor: Elliana Jay Hamer
This episode is in part-partnership with Peccadillo Pictures
Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer
Sponsored by Lilac Grove Entertainment
© HLA Agency
First, she sits down with Emma Thompson to discuss Dead of Winter, a tense new thriller directed by Brian Kirk. Thompson stars as Barb, a widow caught in a deadly snowstorm in northern Minnesota. They talk about stepping into this high-stakes role, balancing action with emotion, the challenges of filming, and the layered relationship between Barb and her late husband.
Later, Anna is joined by filmmaker Sophie Dupuis to talk about her Canadian romantic drama Solo. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the filmmaking process, and the themes at its core.
SOLO, which is described as “a shower of glitter,” tells the story of Simon, an emerging Montreal drag queen caught between a destructive love affair and a long-awaited, complicated reunion with his mother. With the most queer cast ever assembled in a Canadian production, the film embraces queerness not as conflict, but as community, perspective, and joy.
SOLO is out now in UK cinemas, go to Solofilm.co.uk for info on where to see the film whenever you are listening to this podcast
DEAD OF WINTER will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 26th September.
This episode is in partnership with Peccadillo Pictures.
Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
Follow us on socials:
www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/
www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast
www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod
www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno
Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z
Girls On Film is an HLA production.
Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold
Producer: Negin Nia
Audio Editor: Elliana Jay Hamer
This episode is in part-partnership with Peccadillo Pictures
Principal Partners: Vanessa Smith and Peter Brewer
Sponsored by Lilac Grove Entertainment
© HLA Agency
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