In this podcast we talk about Visconti's first feature film, based on the James M. Cain the novel 'The postman always rings twice', though set in the Ferrar region of Italy. Hated and banned by the fascists, the film survives because the director kept a copy, but it had to wait until 1977 for its US release as film rights hadn't been obtained to use the novel. We talk through the acting, great cinematography and visual story telling, Visconti's politics, background and use of operatic music in his films (including this) and the positive critical response to the film. In short, it looks good, is well acted, tells an interesting story and isn't over-long - what's not to like?

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film:

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast we discuss Giani Amelio's neglected 1994 film on Albanian migration to Italy, 'Lamerica', multi award winning at the time and still resonant. The conversation moves from the opening, a fascist propaganda film about Italy colonising Albania in the 1930s, to a discussion of the mass migration that followed the collapse of the repressive communist regime at the end of the 1980s. We talk about the two lead performances, one by an extraordinary first time actor aged 80. We discuss the historical background and various scenes, particularly a rusting freighter loaded with thousands of migrants (Albanian extras) and a closing sequence worthy of projecting as a contemporary artwork. A great but hard to find film even more relevant today than when it was made.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110299/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_lamerica

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB illustration.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast we explore what is generally agreed to be Paolo Sorrentino's masterwork, La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty, 2013). Russ talks about why he decided to write a book about his movies and why he thinks this, and Il Divo, are his stand out works. After outlining the plot, we talk about the cinematography, most striking scenes the religious and seculalr themes in the movie. We discuss Jep, the main character's, at times disparaging treatment of women, and the fact that Sorrentino is not averse to objectifying. The movie is in part a walk around Rome and her beautiful but also a dissection of the lives of her cultured elite, told with brio and to a great soundtrack.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2358891/

The music playist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nCk4uJxmYwAzCwQPdZM21?si=4ba160c081414dc9

Russ's book on Sorrentino: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-cinema-of-paolo-sorrentino/9780231189934/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nichetti's film ( 'Ladri di Saponette' is the Italian title) is both an affectionate homage of 1940s neorealism and a critique of the effects of consumerism, and particularly Berlusconi's media, in 1980s Italy. Russ discusses the social historical background to the making of this film before we talk about Nichetti's background in circus, children's TV and adverts in addition to film directing. The film within the film is repeatedly interupted by TV adverts and cuts to a family watching at home until characters from one medium/story spill into the others. Comic moments are highlighted - definite spoiler alert for this one - before talking about influences from silent slapstick cinema in particular.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097702/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast we talk about Nanni Morreti's 1994 film 'Caro Diario' ('Dear Diary'), in which the director plays himself. Russ explains the three chapter structure, the first following him around Rome on his Vespa, the second a trip around Italian islands with a friend and the last an account of a year in which a chronic itch was eventually diagnosed as a malignancy, a lymphoma (successfully treated as this was over 30 years ago. All of this involves amusing encounters with a variety of friends, strangers and professionals. We talk about Morretti's politics and concerns explored in the film and the importance of music, including a long sequence following Morretti on his scooter accompanied by Keith Jarrett's Köln concert and a gently atmospheric score by composer Nicola Piovani.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109382/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss Matteo Garrone's 2008 adaptation of journalist Roberto Saviano 2006 book about the Naples mafia (Camorra). Russ talks about the way the book is adapted, dipping into the many activities of the Camorrah, from drugs to toxic waste disposal whilst also following younger characters aspiring to that lifestyle. We talk about the striking cinematography and lack of traditional soundtrack music, as such, contrasted with in scene pounding techno/dance. Garrone's casting of people familiar with the life they depict also gets a mention, plus the hopeful conclusion, at least for two of the characters.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film:: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929425/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast we talk about Pier Paolo Pasolini's 1964 film 'The Gospel According to Matthew' ('Il vangelo secondo Matteo' is the title in Italian) the unusual cast selection (non-actors), Italian locations and a Jesus depicted with more than a hint of Che Guevara. Russ talks about Pasolini's route to this film, via novels and poems and ealrier films, including a short film depicting the crucifixion in less than reverent terms, and the remarkable fact that the catholic establishment embraced a film by a gay marxist athiest. We discuss the locations, unusual visuals, links to amateur passion plays, stand out scenes and art historical references. We conclude by talking about Pasolini's violent death aged 53 in the 1975.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058715/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we unpack the delights of Alice Rohrwacher's 2023 movie 'La Chimera', a film about 'tomboroli' (tomb robbers) in the 1980s. Russ discusses the social and historical background, and the way the film explores attitudes to and roles of women and other aspects of Italian society then and now. We explore the various storytelling techniques Rohrwacher employs and the interwoven themes, including Orpheus and other mythological references.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14561712/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.