The Film Exchange

Mar 11 2024 59 ep. 12 mins

The Film Exchange Podcast artwork

Hosted by Matt Sparks and Branson Stowell, The Film Exchange is a podcast where friends and film enthusiasts discuss the movies that inspire them. Join us every week where we discuss a film we think was overlooked or deserves more recognition.

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LIVE: Oscars 2024 Reaction

Mar 11 2024 61 mins

Immediately after the Oscar ceremony, Branson and Matt share their live reactions to this year's winners in our premiere live episode!

BONUS: Our Top Films of 2023

Dec 31 2023 18 mins

We return for a special edition, delving into our favorite films of 2023.

BONUS: Season 1 Closing

Jul 12 2023 9 mins

We wrap Season 1 by reflecting on our 56 episodes, our favorites, and how our opinions on some films may have evolved. As we prep to return for Season 2 in the fall, we invite you to please share any feedback or suggestions you may have. We're open to revising the format of the show. We want to hear from you! Thank you so much for coming along with us this past year. We hope to

Black Orpheus

Jul 11 2023 10 mins

This week Branson picked Black Orpheus (1959) directed by Marcel Camus. It is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set against the backdrop of the vibrant Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. The film follows the passionate love affair between Orpheu (Brent Mello), a talented streetcar conductor and musician, and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), a country girl who comes to

Hoop Dreams

Jul 04 2023 18 mins

For Independence Day we revisit an American classic -- Hoop Dreams directed by Steve James. This documentary tells the captivating story of two African-American teenagers from Chicago, William Gates and Arthur Agee, who dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film follows them over a period of five years, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and the challenges they f

V for Vendetta

Jun 27 2023 16 mins

V for Vendetta is a dystopian thriller set in a totalitarian Britain ruled by a fascist government. The story revolves around a masked freedom fighter known as "V" (Hugo Weaving) who seeks to ignite a revolution and overthrow the oppressive regime. Along the way, he encounters a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), and together, they uncover the truth about

Tangerine

Jun 20 2023 13 mins

We continue our celebration of Pride month by watching Sean Baker's Tangerine (2015)-- a film that follows the story of two transgender sex workers, Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), as they navigate the streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. When Sin-Dee discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she embarks on a wild and comical j

The Piano Teacher

Jun 13 2023 12 mins

We rewatch one of our favorites -- The Piano Teacher (2001) directed by Michael Haneke. It is based on a novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. It is a psychological drama that follows the story of Erika Kohut, a strict and emotionally repressed piano teacher, brilliantly portrayed by Isabelle Huppert. Set in Vienna, the film delves into Erika's complex and disturbing rela

My Beautiful Laundrette

Jun 06 2023 12 mins

To kick off Pride month, we watch Stephen Frears' My Beautiful Laundrette (1985). The film tells the story of Omar (Gordon Warnecke), a young Pakistani man living in London, who dreams of transforming his uncle's run-down laundrette into a successful business. Along the way, he reconnects with Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis), an old friend and former lover, who is now involved in right-w

Strictly Ballroom

May 30 2023 11 mins

To celebrate our 50th episode, we watch Bad Luhrmann's debut film Strictly Ballroom! Thank you to our listeners for your support and encouragement in reaching this milestone-- we plan to bring you lots of more episodes! Today's film explores the themes of tradition, individuality, and the power of expression. The film follows the journey of Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a