Films for Today

Feb 02 2025 179 ep. 28 mins 69
Films for Today Podcast artwork

Hosted by Jimmy Bernasconi (‘Sacred Cinema’, ABC Radio), ‘Films for Today’ explores how the art of cinema can help us understand the social, cultural and political issues that currently trouble us. Each week, Jimmy selects a seminal film and contemplates its profound insights into the most pressing challenges of our time. For questions or enquiries about the show, you can reach Jimmy at [email protected] or on Instagram by searching ‘filmsfortoday’.

  TV & Film
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'Leave Her to Heaven' (1945) d. John M. Stahl

Feb 02 2025 29 mins  
What kinds of people should we open up to? Following recent conversations on confronting the darker parts of our psyche, this week's episode examines John M. Stahl's 1945 noir classic, Leave Her to Heaven to discuss the challenges involved in bearing the deepest parts of ourselves to new companions. We also briefly discuss: Gilda (1946) d. Charles Vidor Laura (1944) d. Ot

'I Origins' (2014) d. Mike Cahill

Jan 26 2025 29 mins  
What does a true commitment to science really look like? Following on from last week's discussion about seeking deep truths hidden in disconcerting places, this week's episode centres on Mike Cahill's 2014 film, 'I Origins', to contemplate the surprisingly vast purview of scientific enquiry. We also briefly discuss: Wild Strawberries (1957) d. Ingmar Bergman

'Big Fish' (2003) d. Tim Burton

Jan 19 2025 29 mins  
Should we indulge the egos of our predecessors? Following last week's conversation examining the sometimes fluid power dynamic between the young and old, this week's episode contemplates how wisdom can be extracted from aging generations, even if they see still themselves as the centre of the universe. We also discuss: 'Better Man' (2024) d. Michael Gracy 'The

'The Innocents' (1961) d. Jack Clayton

Jan 12 2025 29 mins  
How adept are we at perceiving looming danger? With the release of Robert Eggers' adaptation of F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu, this week's episode looks to Jack Clayton's gothic masterclass in filmic manipulation, The Innocents, to examine our capacity to recognise imminent harm. We also briefly discuss: Blue Velvet (1986) d. David Lynch Nosferatu (1922) d. F. W. Murnau Nosferatu (202

'A Complete Unknown' (2024) d. James Mangold

Jan 05 2025 29 mins  
How open are you to change? With the release of James Mangold's highly anticipated biopic of Bob Dylan, 'A Complete Unknown', this week's episode focuses on the paradoxes inherent to true artistry. We also briefly discuss: 'Inside Llewyn Davis' (2023) d. Ethan Coen and Joel Coen 'The Bikeriders' (2023) d. Jeff Nichols Contact Us E: [email protected] IG: https://www.ins

2024: A Year in Review

Dec 29 2024 29 mins  
As the year comes to a close, this week's episode reflects on what episodes of the show and films onscreen you, the listeners, found most enjoyable in 2024. Thank you all for joining us this year and we hope to see you again next year as Films for Today embarks into more bold and beautiful cinematic territory! Contact us: E: [email protected] IG: https://www.instagram.c

'The Day of the Beast' (1995) d. Álex de la Iglesia

Dec 22 2024 29 mins  
Why do righteous acts sometimes feel paradoxical? In a second Christmas-themed episode for this year, we discuss Álex de la Iglesia 1995 black comedy, The Day of the Beast, to examine how it uses Christian mythology to illuminate absurdities in basic moral activity. We also briefly discuss: The Holiday (2006) d. Nancy Meyers Heretic (2024) d. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Also, be

'Bad Santa' (2003) d. Terry Zwigoff w/ Eddie Bernasconi

Dec 15 2024 29 mins  
Can even the most cynical be saved? With the Christmas season upon us, this week's episode features special guest Eddie Bernsconi (Jimmy's brother) to examine the continuing relevance of Terry Zwigoff's 2003 black comedy 'Bad Santa'. Also, be sure to let us know what your favourite films of 2024 have been for our '2024: A Year in Review' episode in two weeks. Contact Us E: ⁠�

'Anora' (2024) d. Sean Baker w/ Henry Bretz

Dec 08 2024 29 mins  
How contextual is power in 2024? In this week's episode, comedian and film critic Henry Bretz joins us to discuss how Sean Baker's Palm d'Or-winning film 'Anora' examines how fast power can be won and lost in contemporary society. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ins

'The Remains of the Day' (1993) d. James Ivory w/ Christopher Smol

Dec 01 2024 29 mins  
What might be the cause of international suffering? In this week's episode, we are joined by freelance film writer Christopher Smol to discuss the examinations of complicity, gentility and retrospective guilt in James Ivory's 1993 drama, The Remains of the Day. We also discuss: The Wind Rises (2013) d. Hayao Miyazaki Oppenheimer (2023) d. Christopher Nolan Contact Us E: ⁠⁠�