Open To Criticism

For the final episode in the current season I'm speaking to leading academic on Black British and African American film, Dr Clive Nwonka. Clive's latest book Black Boys: The Social Aesthetics of British Urban Film is the first to have been written on the subject. In it, Clive argues the need for this often overlooked and denigrated genre to be properly recognised in its own right - so that it might take its rightful place in arts and culture. Clive shares his insights on the social and political history from the 70s and 80s that fed into the emergence of British Urban projects in the 2000s; how Black representation has suffered a default construction around negative portrayals of Black culture and social crises; how the TV series Top Boy and the era of streaming heralded a new - and much needed - platform for British Urban storytelling; and much much more. We also discuss Clive's programme of films inspired by James Baldwin at London's Barbican in May 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The much maligned Rom-Com is a perfect example of how a whole film genre can be dismissed by dint of who the stories are for, and who they are about. (Clue: it's not men!). After a classy start in Hollywood, Rom Coms - and their sister genre 'Chick Flicks" - have been used to dismiss a particular type of love story, and anyone who's dared to enjoy them. And so the Guilty Pleasure was born. Thankfully times are changing, and there's a realisation that many films that have been overlooked - at best! - might be worth revisiting in our more enlightened times. Step up this week's guest, critic Corrina Antrobus, who's new book, a 'manifesto in 100 films' entitled "I Love Rom-Coms and I am a Feminist", is released in August. We discuss how lighthearted love stories haven't been given their due over the years and how that's not unrelated to who makes and watches them. And how the genre has only recently begun to recognise love beyond the white heterosexual gaze. Corrina shares her insights from rewatching films spanning 100 years of cinema and together we celebrate a genre which - unlike all others - has a long and strong history of female filmmakers. To preorder Corrina's book, click here: https://geni.us/ILoveRomcoms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I return to the subject of critics versus influences this week, following my enlightening chat with critic and industry influencer Ashanti Omkar back in Season 1. Influencers are increasingly being used by film publicists to provide exposure and hype ahead of film releases - especially Blockbusters. But has it gone too far? Some critics think so - and there was industry outrage last summer when many felt their freedom to express genuine reactions to the film Barbie was being curtailed by publicists. I wanted to have a reasoned debate about this from the perspective of a long-time critic, and Anton Bitel was the man for the job. With a balanced recognition about the reality of criticism as an ever-changing discipline, and the authority to call-out where he sees influencers and their role in marketing impinging on critics' editorial independence, Anton provides an important and interesting perspective on screening etiquette, the reality of modern film promotion, the scourge of 'star ratings', and why critics need to not assume spoilers are always a bad thing. #Barbie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the hierarchy of film genres, those aimed at kids, or "family" movies, don't tend to be up there. Even though from Toy Story, to Finding Nemo to Snow White and her Dwarves, there's a long history of iconic movies that have defined the childhoods of generations. Kids' films are also a minefield for parents - discerning what is age appropriate and what to expect from the somewhat confusing certification. Film Critic Jo Berry has carved out an important and much needed niche reviewing family films on her Movies4Kids website. There, parents can get the lo-down on specific causes for a concern so they can make informed and responsible decisions - as well as identify the movies that won't bore them to tears as chaperones! The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) recently released the findings of their latest five year public survey, which revealed what parents are currently concerned about when it comes to their kids' media consumption. Jo shared her thoughts on this, and a lot of very funny and enlightening stories about her life navigating kids' films and their target audience. #KillBill #PawPatrol #ToyStory #ABugsLife #Pixar #Disney #Wish #Paddington #Paddington #FindingNemo #Armageddon #MrBean #ThomasTheTankEngine #DespicableMe #Tarantino #HItchcock #Oscars #TheWizardOfOz #ChittyChittyBangBang #NormOfTheNorth #TheChildCatcher #SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarves #CruellaDeVille #GlennClose #Bambi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perhaps it's rash of me to assume you're on board with my narrative about inequalities in film criticism and its skewed white male demographic. Perhaps you need to hear from someone at the coalface of data who can confirm my claims - and add to them with their own reputable research. If so, then this week's conversation with Stephen Follows should be just the ticket. Stephen's a data researcher and educator in the film industry whose work focussing on patterns and trends has been widely published and recognised. Stephen's also written and produced numerous short films and two feature films. He co-founded Catsnake, a story agency serving non-profits, and serves as chair of the Central Film School. An utter pleasure to chat with Stephen about his research on the continued lack of women in criticism, his theories on why the inequalities remain pervasive and persistent, and what he thinks might improve it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.