Politics of Cinema

Jan 17 2025 100 ep. 74 mins 76
Politics of Cinema Podcast artwork

Films are cultural artifacts. There is a political and artistic message in every one and we're here to document. On each episode we pick a film; sometimes current and sometimes from the riches of world cinema’s 100+ year history, and take a deep dive into what the film is really saying about the world. Both overtly and covertly.

  TV & Film  Society & Culture
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Cinematic Resistance: Entranced Earth (1967) as Radial Political Poetry

Jan 17 2025 61 mins  
On this episode, we're heading to Brazil and discussing Glauber Rocha's Entranced Earth (1967), a pivotal work of the Cinema Novo movement. Following our exploration of Costa-Gavras' Z (1969), we're delving into the turbulent world of Brazilian filmmaking in the wake of the 1964 military coup. Entranced Earth isn't just a film; it's a cinematic rebellion against political corruptio

Cinematic Resistance: Z (1969) & the Enduring Threat of Authoritarianism

Dec 20 2024 64 mins  
Given the results of the US elections, we thought it would be a good idea to look at a great work of art to help with context and see how filmmakers can play a role in confronting state repression. It's a film we should have discussed at some point over the last four years: Costa-Gavras's political thriller Z (1969). To state the obvious, this depiction of government conspiracie

Film Noir & Capitalism II: Capitalism is Crime

Nov 15 2024 50 mins  
For the last three years we've observed the month long celebration know as Noirvember, and this year is no exception. In 2021 we recorded an episode called Film Noir & Capitalism. For 2022 we went over to Japan and did two episodes looking at Yakuza Noir via Tokyo Drifter (1966) and A Colt is My Passport (1967). Last year we focused in on Neo-Noir with and episode on Killing the

Our Primordial Past: Folk Horror in Penda's Fen (1974) & La Llorona (2019)

Oct 18 2024 67 mins  
October has arrived and as we are wont to do here at The Politics of Cinema, we are diving into an approiate theme within the horror genre to celebrate. In the past we've looked at; Fascism in Green Room (2015), Humans Hunting Humans, Art House Horror, and the career of George Romero. This year we are heading into the thick of the woods to explore Folk Horror. We discuss a few

Commentary Track: Sorry to Bother You (2018)

Oct 04 2024 129 mins  
It's our 100th episode and to celebrate we're doing something a little different. This is a syncable commentary of one of the films that inspired this podcast - Boots Riley's Sorry to Bother You (2018). Sync up this episode with the film to watch along and hang out with us while we geek out over this brilliant directorial debut and biting social satire. Follow us at: Patreon / Tw

The Paranoid Lens: Warren Beatty vs Chuck Norris in 1970's Political Thrillers

Sep 20 2024 72 mins  
American cinema of the 1970's is generally known as the golden age of the paranoid thirller. Specifically, the paranoid political thriller. The genearl idealism of the 1960's was met with increasing cynicism by the 1970's, but do these films actually go for the politics of the era or are they just dealing with vibes? In this episode, we focus on two films of the era; The Parallax

Victim of Subtlety: The Missed Opportunity of Civil War (2024)

Aug 16 2024 59 mins  
When it comes to great political films, subtlety is vastly overrated. Why not go all in and express a point of view? Or better yet, throw in a bunch of competing viewpoints and see how they bounce off each other. Sounds like the recipe for conflict, insight, drama, action-packed set pieces, and maybe a few killer needle drops. Alex Garland's Civil War (2024) teeters on the edge of

Beyond Borders: Joint Security Area (2000) and the Rise of South Korean Cinema

Jul 19 2024 70 mins  
On this episode, we take a look at Park Chan-wook's breakthrough film Joint Security Area (2000). Upon release, this film was the highest grossing film at the South Korean box office. Now, in 2024, it ranks at number 65. This really illustrates just how popular cinema is in South Korea. Along with this film, we discus the rise of South Korean cinema around the world since 2000. Fr

Culinary Tyranny: Exploring Capitalism, Identity and Authenticity in Pig (2021)

Apr 12 2024 65 mins  
On this episode we dive into one of Isaac's favorite films of the 2020's, Michael Sarnoski's Pig (2021). Sure, on the surface it's a simple story of a man who just wants his beloved pig back. But, as Robin and Amir journey through the Portland culinary scene to find said pig, the film explores what it means to live a life true to oneself, the importance of rejecting marketplace exp

Political Vaudeville: FTA (1972), Jane Fonda, and Mobilizing the Military Against Vietnam

Mar 08 2024 60 mins  
As we celebrate 3 years of the show, we decided to take a look at one of our favorite eras of American film - the 1970's. We're specifically looking at the Vietnam Anti-War Movement as captured by a fictional film and a documentary; Milestones (1975) and F.T.A. (1972). On this episode we discuss Francine Parker's documenatry, F.T.A. (1972). Once again, we're also joined by special