179. What if we told stories about women beyond their love lives?
What happens when a story that once felt modern… suddenly doesn’t? And what does that tell us about the limits — and possibilities — of the stories we tell about women? In this solo episode, Seventh Row Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney tracks a shift in perspective — hers, and maybe yours too. 📍 How a 2021 film reopened an old question 📍 Why Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) once felt strikingly modern — and what I see in it now 📍 And what this tells us about how our expectations for stories about women have changed — fast Along the way, I dig into: How the marriage plot continues to shape the kinds of stories we tell about women The limits of romantic “choice” when that’s the only choice on offer Why stories that include romance aren’t the problem — but centering it might be And how our expectations for women’s stories are shifting — fast 🎟️ Want to know what the 2021 pick is? Join Reel Ruminators to find out — and be part of the conversation.
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178. What happened when Hazel trusted my film curation
What happens when you watch a film — not just to be entertained — but to reflect, notice, and share? In this episode, Alex Heeney (curator of Reel Ruminators) sits down with Hazel Shaw, a UK member of the community, to uncover what really makes this unique movie-of-the-month space so rewarding — and how it sparks discoveries you might not expect. Together, they talk about: What happens when you watch films that aren't suggested by an algorithm Why gathering with film lovers from around the world can change the way you see a film Why some of the most surprising film conversations happen in spaces where no one needs to agree. The “aha” moments that can sneak up on you while watching and reflecting on a film. The lasting rewards of being exposed to films you might have overlooked on your own. Whether you’re already curious about Reel Ruminators or simply interested in what happens when film-watching becomes a shared, intentional practice, this episode offers a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look — with reflections that may just surprise you, too. 🔗 Learn more about Reel Ruminators
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177. 45 Years (dir. Andrew Haigh) with Lindsay Pugh (10th anniversary)
Ten years on, 45 Years hasn’t lost an ounce of its emotional weight. In fact, it might just cut deeper. On this episode, host and Seventh Row Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney is joined by Lindsay Pugh (Woman in Revolt) to revisit Andrew Haigh’s masterpiece about a childless couple celebrating their 45 the wedding anniversary in the same week that a traumatic secret from the past comes to light. We talk about: What makes this story hit differently as we have aged Why the film’s focus on emotional repression, delayed gratification, and public performance feels so radical How Haigh’s queer lens shapes his portrayal of a straight relationship What gets added (and deepened) in the move from short story to screenplay Why Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay deliver two of the most nuanced, unforgettable performances of the century How Haigh’s blocking — the way actors move through space and interact physically — works hand-in-hand with the dialogue to show us what’s shifting beneath the surface, like tension, avoidance, closeness, or control Whether you’re watching for the first time or the fifteenth, 45 Years is a film that evolves with you — and we unpack why. Links Mentioned: 🎟️ Reel Ruminators: http://seventh-row.com/reelruminators 🎥 Guide to One of the Best Films of 2024: seventh-row.com/guide 🪩 Find Lindsay Pugh at Woman in Revolt 📚 Book on Andrew Haigh's film Lean on Pete 💡Read Alex's interview with Andrew Haigh (2021) – audio excerpted in the episode 🎧 Andrew Haigh films/TV on the Seventh Row Podcast Referenced Episodes: Ep 155 Halina Reijn's Babygirl with Lindsay Pugh Ep. 163 Joan Micklin Silver's Chilly Scenes of Winter and Crossing Delancey feat. Lindsay Pugh Ep. 117 The North Water (dir. Andrew Haigh) Ep. 110 Weekend (dir. Andrew Haigh) and End of the Century: Brief Encounters Ep. 94 HBO's Looking Ep. 7 Andrew Haigh's Lean on Pete
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176. Materialists (dir. Celine Song)
In this episode, Alex Heeney digs into Celine Song’s Materialists, a film about Lucy, a matchmaker struggling with her own love triangle. Will Lucy (Dakota Johnson) choose love — in the form of her poor ex John (Chris Evans) — or money with eligible bachelor Harry (Pedro Pascal)? And can love and money even co-exist? With its charming cast, elegant blocking, and standout sound design, Materialists could have been a sharp, class-conscious rom-com. But for all its promise, it ends up skimming the surface. You will hear: What works well in the film, including the visual storytelling and sound design Where the film struggles, especially with its thin characterization and reluctance to fully engage with class and money Comparisons with other works, such as Gossip Girl (2007–2012) and Patricia Rozema’s Mansfield Park (1999), that tackle similar themes with more depth Links Mentioned: 🎟️ Reel Ruminators: http://seventh-row.com/reelruminators 🎥 Guide to One of the Best Films of 2024: seventh-row.com/guide 📚 Kelly Reichardt ebook: http://reichardtbook.com 💡Lindsay Pugh on Materialists Referenced Episodes: Ep 137: Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers TIFF 2024 Ep 7: Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Ep. 172 and 173: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life — a film that delivers more fully on the promise of a smart, satisfying modern rom-com.
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175. How three very different films ended up in conversation
Join me (Alex Heeney) on a journey through three films I programmed inside Reel Ruminators — a British political thriller, an Indigenous Canadian documentary, and a queer South African drama — and discover how their contrasts actually illuminate one another. By the end of this episode, you’ll see how exploring differences between films can reshape your own viewing of film as an art form. 🎧 In This Episode You’ll Discover Hidden threads connecting three very different films—and how noticing those threads can deepen your own film palate. Time as a storytelling tool in cinema: why stretching or compressing time matters, and how you can see it in action. Imagining “an otherwise”: an academic concept—one I first encountered through queer cinema—that helps you consider films about marginalized lives in a new light and uncover new layers of meaning. Tiny moments, lasting impact: why just a few minutes of film can carry immense emotional weight—and stick with you long after the credits roll. Sneak peek at upcoming picks: what’s on deck next inside Reel Ruminators and the threads you might spot in hindsight. Links & Mentions: 🎬 Join Reel Ruminators 🎁 Free companion guide to one of 2024’s best films
A weekly film podcast that helps you have a more rewarding experience watching movies by connecting you to the best under-the-radar films from around the world so that you don’t have to watch all the movies to watch good movies that expand your cinematic horizons — both in content and form.
This is a podcast about those films, the joys and challenges of finding and watching those films, how filmmaking choices affect our experience of them, and the people and places we discover through looking outside the mainstream and beyond the English language.
Our mission is to upend the canon to be more inclusive by spotlighting and diving deep into international and independent films by and about women, Indigenous People, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups. Find multiple episodes on the films of Kelly Reichardt, Céline Sciamma, Andrew Haigh, and Joachim Trier.
Become a member to access the full (200+ episode) podcast archive and get early access to new episodes: http://seventh-row.com/join
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