Plato's Cave is a weekly film criticism show by Melbourne independent radio station Triple R (3RRR 102.7FM). Presented by film critics Thomas Caldwell, Cerise Howard, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Emma Westwood, and broadcast live on Triple R from 7pm to 8pm every Monday night. Informed, passionate,…
Flick Ford is joined this week by Will Cox and Erin Rosenburg for this installment of Primal Screen. The trio interview Mark Walker, owner and operator of Eclispe Cinema in Collignwood on the cinemas recent opening. The crew then review Caught Stealing, an action/dark comedy from director Darren Aronofsky. The trio then review the 4K restoration of the acclaimed documentary Burden of Dreams, which follows the crew and cast in the creation of Werner Hertzog's "Fitzcarraldo".
On this episode of Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined in the studio by Maudie Osborne and Alice McShane. The trio start off with a review of the absurdist cop comedy The Naked Gun, the legacy sequel and forth installment of the Naked Gun franchise from director Akiva Schaffer. Later, The trio review the latest film from accalimed horror director Ari Aster, the devisive ultra-violent weirdo western Eddington.
Flick Ford is joined on this chaotic episode of Pimal Screen by: Thomas Caldwell, Cerise Howard, Alice McShane, Maudie Osborne, Will Cox and Aiden Tee (Primal Screen's new podcast editor). The group al celebrate Triple R's Radiothon by talking film, listening to stories about Primal Screen and playing some gardening related film trivia.
Flick Ford is joined this episode by Cerise Howard. The duo are joined in the studio by the writer and director of Birthright, Zoe Pepper, to discuss the black comedy. Later, the duo are joined by James Litchfield (writer and director) and Lucinda Reynolds (Producer) to discuss their latest offbeat drama, Alphabet Lane. Flick and Cerise finish off with a brief discussion of some of their favorutie screenings they have been to at MIFF 2025 so far.
Flick Ford is joined this week by Cerise Howard and Thomas Caldwell. In this episode, the trio discuss and delve into the curation of the Primal Screen teams Top 20 films of the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival. Tune in to hear some fantastic recommendations.
This week on Primal Screen, host Flick Ford is joined by culture writer Will Cox and writer, audio producer, and filmmaker Silvi Van-Wall. Flick sits down with filmmaker Michael Shanks to talk about his latest body horror release "Together". Then, the trio reviews and unpacks "Fantastic Four: Four Steps". Finally, they wrap up with a brief chat on MIFF 2025 and what to keep your eyes peeled on.
This week on Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined by film critic Thomas Caldwell and film programmer Alice McShane for a lively discussion of three new releases. The trio dives into "Friendship", a poignant exploration of companionship and emotional intimacy. They then review "Too Much", a raw and visually inventive look at excess and identity. And finally, "My Mum Jane", a deeply personal documentary that examines generational trauma and maternal bonds.
On this episode of Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined by writer and critic Vyshnavee Wijekuma and academic, writic and critic Stuart Richards. The trio are joined by Paula Whetu Jones, to discuss her latest documentary The Doctors Wife which follows New Zealand cardiac surgeon Dr. Alan Kerr and his work operating on children in the West Bank of Palestine. The trio then review James Gunn's first film from DC Studio's, Superman. AFter, the trio review and discuss A Nice Indian Boy, a romantic comedy from director Roshan Sethi.
On this episode of Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined by Alice McChain and Anthony Carew. Flick speaks with James Hewison about Remembering Paris May '68, a three-day event exploring the cultural and creative impact of the historic revolt. The trio then review Boris Lojkine's The Story of Souleymane, a powerful and timely drama.
On this episeode, Flick is joined by Eloise Ross and Stuart Richards. Flick sits down with filmmaker Gabrielle Brady to discuss her haunting new work The Wolves Only Come at Night. They chat about Gabrielle's ideology on film making, decentering the autuer and the psychological and emotional impact of climate change. Then, the trio turn their attention to the highly anticipated return of Danny Boyle with 28 Years Later, the latest instalment in the iconic 28 Days Later franchise.
Flick is joined in this episode by Alice Mcchain and Silvi Vann-Wal. They chat to special guest Sean Byrne, about his latest film Dangerous Animals, a surfer survival thriller. The trio then turn their attention to Celine Song's latest film Materialists, diving into her sharp observations on love, class, and identity in modern relationships. They also discuss her acclaimed 2023 film debut, Past Lives.
On this episode of Primal Screen, Flick is joined in the studio by Cerise Howard and Anthony Carew for a lively discussion packed with cinematic insights. They're also joined by special guest Kate Jinx, Senior Programmer at MIFF, who shares an exclusive sneak peek into the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival lineup. Later in the show, the trio reviews the latest entry in the John Wick universe, Ballerina, and dives into Bring Her Back, the newest film from Aussie horror auteurs Danny and Michael Philippou
You may have heard of these iconic cinemas in Melbourne, The Astor Theatre and The Valhalla (which later moved and became the Westgarth Cinema), but how much do you know about their history? Flick and Cerise are joined by special guests Zac Hepburn, General Manager of The Astor Theatre, and John Rouse, General Manager of the former Valhalla and one of the co-founders at Cinema Nova to discuss the vibrant history of Melbourne's cinemascape, from the importance of spotlightling more subversive films for the time, to creating spaces for individuals to come together and 'find their tribe,' to have the freedom to express themselves within their communities. They also discuss the documentary Scala!!!, which focuses on the theatre of the same name in London that was prevalent from the 70's to early 90's and was known for playing counterculture films of the time.
This week on Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined by Cerise Howard and Will Cox for a jam packed episode of film nostalgia and fresh takes.The trio dive into Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the epic conclusion to Tom Cruise's long-running action franchise. They look back at the legacy of the Mission: Impossible series and how it's evolved over the years.Also on the lineup: reviews of Matthew Rankin's surreal cinematic experiment Universal Language and Trey Edward Shults' latest Hurry Up Tomorrow. Expect sharp insights, sharper conversation, and plenty of cinematic love.
Join Flick Ford as she teams up with Thomas Caldwell and Silvi Vann-Wall for another exciting episode of Primal Screen! This week, the trio dive into the launch of the vibrant Melbourne/Naarm nightclub and artspace MISCELLANIA's new Film Club. They chat with filmmaker Haley Elizabeth Anderson about the Australian debut of her film, Tendaberry, which premiered at the Film Club to rave reviews.Then, the gang shares their thoughts on two very different films: Andrew Ahn's remake of Ang Lee's 1993 classic The Wedding Banquet and the gripping sci-fi thriller The Assessment. Tune in for lively discussion, insider insights, and expert reviews!
This week on Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined by Vyshnavee Wijekumar for a jam-packed episode! First up, we preview Cinema Reborn, an annual film festival dedicated to the restoration and celebration of cinema history. Flick chats with festival organisers Grace Boschetti and Digby Houghton about this year's program and the importance of film preservation. The festival runs May 8–13 at Lido Cinemas. Learn more about the program via the Cinema Reborn website. We also review two compelling new series: The Narrow Road to the Deep North is based on Richard Flanagan's acclaimed novel, is a new Australian miniseries that follows WWII army surgeon and prisoner of war on the Thai Burmese railways Dorrigo, both sustain and haunted by his past. Directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Jacob Elordi, it's now streaming on Amazon Prime.Dying for Sex is a bold new comedy-drama on Disney+ and stars Michelle Williams as a woman diagnosed with stage IV cancer who embarks on a journey of sexual discovery, with support from her best friend, played by Jenny Slate.Tune in to Primal Screen live every Monday from 7pm on Triple R 102.7FM Follow us on Instagram: @primal_screen_show
This week we welcome back our beloved host, Flick Ford! Joined by guests Thomas Caldwell and Cerise Howard.We review Levan Akin's deeply touching film Crossing, about a retired teacher searching for her estranged niece, a trans woman, with the help of a young man as her translator. It raises challenging issues – particularly around people whose identity has meant they have been isolated from family – and yet it is such a warm, inviting film.Then we compare Stanley Kubrick's frighteningly hilarious Dr. Stranglove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb with its filmed theatrical adaptation from London's National Theatre, NT Live: Dr. Strangelove. In the latter, Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick's comedy masterpiece, often described as the best political satire of the century, about a rogue U.S. General who triggers a nuclear attack.Triple R's April Amnesty is on now!Subscribe and donate to help keep our beloved community radio station on the airwaves for another year!When you support Triple R, you're supporting Really Real Radio – that means no algorithms, no playlists, no nonsense. Triple R is a champion of local culture and community, and a voice for music and ideas that may not be heard anywhere else.Best of all, when you subscribe during April Amnesty, you'll go into the draw to win a stack of amazing prizes! Subscribe and donate at rrr.org.au.Tune in to Primal Screen each week at 7pm Mondays on Triple R 102.7FM.
It's Boy Week on Primal Screen, as guest host Alice McShane is joined by Will Cox and Maudie Osborne to take us through discussions and reviews of the boy-heavy releases Warfare, Sinners, and The Rehearsal.Warfare is the latest film from A24, with director Alex Garland (Civil War, Ex Machina) turning his attention to the war genre. Following a squad of soldiers throughout a particularly fraught battle, the film is set in real time and is a masterclass in building tension and terror for the big screen.Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Fruitvale Station), follows two brothers who return to their small Southern town in the 1930s to open a juke joint—hoping to build a sanctuary for their community. But their dream takes a dark turn as the racist townsfolk intervene, unleashing a wave of sinister and supernatural events.The Rehearsal returns for a second season from ‘sinister nerd' Nathan Fielder, who uses this offbeat ‘documentary' series to explore a single, surreal question: What if you could rehearse every moment of your life? With a team of actors and meticulously crafted sets that mirror reality down to the smallest detail, Fielder turns hypothetical anxieties into elaborate experiments.Triple R's April Amnesty is on now! Subscribe and donate to help keep our beloved community radio station on the airwaves for another year!When you support Triple R, you're supporting Really Real Radio – that means no algorithms, no playlists, no nonsense. Triple R is a champion of local culture and community, and a voice for music and ideas that may not be heard anywhere else. Best of all, when you subscribe during April Amnesty, you'll go into the draw to win a stack of amazing prizes! Subscribe and donate at rrr.org.au.Tune in to Primal Screen each week at 7pm Mondays on Triple R 102.7FM.
Eloise Ross jumped into the host seat this week to interview Australia's unofficial Merle Oberon expert, Rohan Spong. In light of the recent book, Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star and a new creative project Rohan is working on, they discuss Oberon's contribution to Hollywood. She was the first person of South Asian decent to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, though she spent her life pretending to be born in Australia and her heritage was only made public after her death.Thomas Caldwell also joined the show to discuss misanthropic critic of contemporary culture, Michael Haneke. The Austrian filmmaker's body of work is deceptively humanistic and will be celebrated in upcoming seasons from both the Melbourne Cinémathèque and ACMI, starting Wednesday 16 April and Thursday 17 April respectively.They review Tim Mielants's Small Things Like These, based on Claire Keegan's Booker Prize nominated novel. Starring Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, the absorbing slow burn reveals the uncomfortable horrors lurking just below the surface of a small Irish town controlled by the Catholic Church.Tune in to Primal Screen each week at 7pm Mondays on Triple R 102.7FM.Triple R's April Amnesty is on now! Subscribe and donate to help keep our beloved community radio station on the airwaves for another year!When you support Triple R, you're supporting Really Real Radio – that means no algorithms, no playlists, no nonsense. Triple R is a champion of local culture and community, and a voice for music and ideas that may not be heard anywhere else. Best of all, when you subscribe during April Amnesty, you'll go into the draw to win a stack of amazing prizes! Subscribe and donate at rrr.org.au.
This week, we're diving into three titles that, in their own unique ways, critique capitalist systems and corruption through humor and satire. Join Anthony Carew, Alice McShane, and Will Cox for their reviews of THE WHITE LOTUS, THE STUDIO and DEATH OF A UNICORN.THE WHITE LOTUS has just aired its third season finale, and we have a lot to discuss. Set at the fictional high end resort The White Lotus, each season follows a group of wealthy holiday makers in increasingly luxurious locations, with one person going home in a body bag at the end of their stay. THE STUDIO is the most recent prestige tv release from Apple Studios - and follows Seth Rogan's Matt Remick who has recently been promoted to run the fictional Continental Studios. Howver, his goal to produce films that are high in profit and high in artistic value proves a tall order. DEATH OF A UNICORN follows a father and daughter after they accidentally hit and kill a unicorn on their way to a weekend retreat at the home of his millionaire pharmaceutical boss, who sees an opportunity to exploit the creature for profit, leading to a comedy horror that offers a gory, "eat the rich" satire of capitalism and greed.You can tune in to Primal Screen live on Mondays from 7pm on Triple R 102.7 Triple R's April Amnesty is on now! Subscribe and donate to help keep our beloved community radio station on the airwaves for another year!When you support Triple R, you're supporting Really Real Radio – that means no algorithms, no playlists, no nonsense. Triple R is a champion of local culture and community, and a voice for music and ideas that may not be heard anywhere else. Best of all, when you subscribe during April Amnesty, you'll go into the draw to win a stack of amazing prizes! Subscribe and donate at rrr.org.au.
This week we reviewed three films that all opened in Australian cinemas last week, but otherwise have little else in common.Our guest host Thomas Caldwell was joined by Silvi Vann-Wall and Vyshnavee Wijekumar. They discuss Richard Gere's reunion with American Gigolo writer and director Paul Schrader in Oh, Canada (also starring Uma Thurman and Jacob Elordi); the first fully animated Looney Tunes feature film, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, showcasing magnificent craftsmanship in its 2D animation and hitting the nostalgic feels; and Kazuhiro Soda's observationist documentary The Cats of Gokogu Shrine, which reveals a community collectively caring for stray cats.
Incidentally, the theme for Primal Screen this week was volunteer-run organisations that make it possible to watch films on the big screen with an audience, that you otherwise mightn't.The small but mighty teams behind both Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) and the Melbourne Cinémathèque do extraordinary work to bring unique films to the cinema.Our guest host Cerise Howard speaks with Sian Mitchell, Artistic Director of MWFF, about the festival's mission to champion the work of Australian filmmakers and showcase stories about and by women and gender-diverse folk.Cerise and Eloise Ross, both co-curators of the Melbourne Cinémathèque, also discuss the upcoming season “Out of the Past and Into Flares: Neo-Noir in ‘70s America”, which explores how America's fractured psyche was reflected on screen during this vibrant and chaotic period. If you're wondering what the difference between "noir" and "neo-noir" is, you'd best listen back.MWFF runs 20-24 March.“Out of the Past and Into Flares: Neo-Noir in ‘70s America” runs 26 March-9 April.Thanks to Karl Chapman for working the panel this week.
It's Oscars fever in the studio this week! Even if you don't have a medically certifiable diagnosis of fever, perhaps you have some milder symptoms still attributable to the 97th Academy Awards – it's hard not to get a little lightheaded at Hollywood's night of nights.Anthony Carew jumps into the guest host chair this week with Thomas Caldwell and Vyshnavee Wijekumar, dissecting the highs and lows of this year's Academy Awards before getting into the “real cinema”. They review Mohammad Rasoulof's devastating political thriller about a family's disintegration, The Seed of the Sacred Fig; Walter Salles' masterful historical drama based on a true story set against the backdrop of Brazil's oppressive military dictatorship in the 1970s, I'm Still Here; and Mati Diop's playful hybrid docu-fiction following 26 looted cultural objects from France back to Benin, Dahomey.
This week on Primal Screen, guest host Alice takes us through reviews of Andrea Arnold's stunning tribute to childhood in BIRD as well as THE LAST SHOWGIRL that holds what could be the performance of Pamela Anderson's career. We also hear from Rough Cut Films to discuss on their 'Summer Sacraments' event on March 1, presented alongside Static Vision Film Collective. Included as well is the full interview interview with Charles Williams, director of the newly released prison thriller INSIDE, starring Guy Pierce and Cosmo Jarvis. Tune in to Primal Screen on Monday nights from 7pm on @3rrr 102.7
This week on Primal Screen, guest host Will Cox is joined by Alex McShane to review Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Grand Tour. Our favourite frazzled English woman is back for this Valentine's Day-released rom-com. Renee Zellweger returns to the role of Bridget Jones, this time as a single mother of two facing the prospect of re-starting her love life. New love interests are played by Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor, as well as old flame Daniel Cleaver played by Hugh Grant. This is the fourth instalment of the series, and is based off Helen Fielder's novels. In contrast, Grand Tour is set in colonial-era South East Asia during the First World War. Stationed in Rangoon, British civil servant Edward miserably awaits the arrival of his fiancé Molly, until he decides to flee to Singapore. The resulting lover's chase across the continent is a dreamy adventure, across jungles, over rivers, and through teeming cities. The film also incorporates hybrid-documentary elements and experimental tableaux, for which Miguel Gomes was awarded Best Director at Cannes last year. Will also speaks with Associate Professor Stephen Gaunson from RMIT about Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece Seven Samurai, screening in stunning 4K at the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday, February 25.Plus, Spiro Economopoulos, Creative Director of the Europa! Europa Film Festival, joins the show to discuss this year's program of arthouse European cinema, running from February 12 to March 12.Tune in Primal Screen on Triple R, Monday nights from 7pm on 102.7
On Primal Screen we review three films that have just hit cinemas!THE BRUTALIST is the epic period drama following a visionary architectwho (Adrian Brody) has fled post-war Europe to America for the chance of a new life. Everything changes once he meets a wealthy industrialist (Guy Pierce) who commissions his work. A COMPLETE UNKNOWN is the Bob Dylan musical biopic we've all been waiting for. Directed by James Mangold (WALK THE LINE) and Timothee Chalamet, the film has been topping the box office in Australia and around the world. BABYGIRL, the steamy erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, follows the consequences of when a high powered CEO puts everything on the line for a torrid affair with a much younger intern.Flick Ford is joined by Thomas Caldwell and Cerise Howard to share thoughts and reviews for these three very different, yet equally compelling, new release films.Primal Screen 7pm Monday on @3rrr 102.7 ⚡️
For the first show of Primal Screen for 2025, Flick Ford is joined in the studio by Alice McShane and Anthony Carew to review NOSFERATU and ANORA. A remake of the iconic 1922 silent film, NOSFERATU follows the similar vampire tale of obsession, desire, and affliction. The gothic thriller is horror director David Eggers' follow up to such films as THE WITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE and THE NORTHMAN. ANORA is the high drama high comedy story of a sex worker, named Anora, who finds herself in far too deep after she gets married to the son of a Russian oligarch. From indie director Sean Baker, this cinderella-tale turned crime thriller has generated a lot of hype - find out to see what Flick, Anthony and Alice think!Primal Screen airs on Mondays from 7pm on Triple R Radio, 102.7 FM
We're celebrating the Melbourne Cinémathèque's 40th anniversary this week, with two of the pre-eminent film society's co-curators in the studio. Primal Screen favourite Cerise Howard and Associate Professor Adrian Danks (making his PS debut!) join Flick Ford to reflect on Melbourne Cinémathèque's vital contribution to cinema and to talk about their upcoming program on Australian documentary filmmaker Tom Zubrycki. A hugely important filmmaker in his own right, but also a key mentor and producer for many other Australian filmmakers that have followed. They also review Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland's latest film Green Border, a brutalising drama rooted in deep research that is so urgently of the moment, its potency is manifold. It tells the story of refugees from the Middle East and Africa trying to reach the European Union court in a geopolitical crisis triggered by the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko.Listen back for more on this discussion of how Zubrycki's and Holland's films remain committed to social justice, human rights and the ethics of filmmaking.
This week on Primal Screen, Flick Ford is joined by Alice McShane and Will Cox to discuss two wildly different films. Wicked offers a polished, mainstream iteration of a beloved musical, while The People's Joker pushes the boundaries of intellectual property and the superhero genre in its DIY approach. Despite such different production context, the conversation explores how both films engage with themes of queerness whether subvert or overt, as well as girlhood, gender, and the femme. Come for succinct reviews of these two wildly different films, stay for an extended discussion of the musical genre on screen. Tune in to Primal Screen on Triple R - Mondays from 7pm, 102.7FM
"This week on Primal Screen, Flick Ford discusses with guest reviewers Thomas Caldwell and Stuart Richards this week's upcoming releases. The Roman Empire is on everyon's minds as Gladiator II is released onto the big screen, recieving the blockbuster roll out fit for an emperor. Directed by Ridley Scott in follow up to his 2000 classic and starring the muscled-up Paul Mescal, find out whether this large-scale sequel lives up to its promise of epic entertainment. In contrast to this mighty title, Flick, Thomas and Stuart discuss the quieter film Memory, directed by Michel Franco and starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard. The film's unique examination on the nature of memory, as a means to uncover hidden truths as well as cloud true recollections makes for a wonderful discussion. Tune in to Primal Screen on Triple R - Mondays from 7pm, 102.7FM "
This week's episode dives into the Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF), taking place 14–24 November 2024. We're joined by special guest and former co-host Cerise Howard, program director at MQFF and Patrick Kelly, screen academic at RMIT University. Cerise and Patrick share their top picks of the MQFF program, which this year celebrates queer music culture through the theme Formative Sound and Vision.
It's spooky season this week Primal Screen gears up for a very special Halloween Edition of the show.Former Primal Screen host Paul Anthony Nelson and Co-organiser of Melbourne Horror Film Society Melisa Begg jump into the studio to discuss three iconic films, Henry Selick's 1993 ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas'; Nicolas Roeg's 1990 ‘The Witches' based on Roald Dahls children's book of the same title; and André Øvredal's 2029 ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'.
In this episode we discuss Adam Elliot's award winning film 'Memoir of a Snail', which which was the opening night film of MIFF 2024. And we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Ishiro Honda's 1954 film 'Godzilla'.
Flick Ford and Thomas Caldwell speak to filmmaker Jaydon Martin about his film Flathead (2024). Together they also review The Apprentice (2024), Ali Abassi's film about Donald Trump's ascent to power, and the team also discuss the documentary about four Tiwi Island girls who dream of AFLW stardom in Like My Brother (2024).
Hosts Flick Ford and Will Cox chat with directors of Ghostlight (2024), Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson. Then they review new releases Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) and Megalopolis (2024).
Anthony Carew fills in for Flick, joined by guest reviewers Alice McShane and Erin Rosenberg to discuss a trio of new releases. The satirical feminist body horror The Substance (2024), the documentary Your Fat Friend (2023), and the coming-of-age My Old Ass (2024).
Eloise Ross and Emma Westwood host Primal Screen this week. They're joined by Felix Hubble and Kai Perrignon to discuss Static Visions's latest festival 'Neo-Intimacies', and also review Bill Mousoulis' Australian Musical My Darling in Stirling (2023) and the Netflix limited-series The Perfect Couple.
This week Flick Ford is joined by guest reviewers, Silvi Vann Wall and Eloise Ross. Together they tackle the question: what happens when you revive a cult classic? Tim Burton's sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is on the reviewing table for this episode, along with French erotic drama, Last Summer, directed by Catherine Breillat.Plus, Elyse from ACCA and Hudson from FFFA and Umbrella discuss Friday the 13th: Ozploitation at the Drive-In event at Lido Cinemas. Come geared for a mega-marathon of Australian gothic horrors… tickets are selling fast! Get them here.
With special guest reviewers Thao Phan, Andrew Lynch, our host Flick Ford takes us through the latest horror flicks with a science fiction twist.
This week, presenter Flick Ford is joined by guests Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Will Cox, and Alice McShane to explore where the culinary and the cinematic collide. They sink their teeth into the desire, disgust and drama that food brings to the screen, from the questionable viscosity of Willy Wonka's chocolate river to the faux pas of snacking in the cinema.
Host Flick Ford brings Primal Screen out of the studio and into the Performance Space for this edition of RRR's beloved film and screen culture program.She speaks with director, screenwriter, and cinematographer Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country), filmmaker, producer and theatre director Nadia Tass (Malcolm, The Big Steal), and screenwriter & director Goran Stolevski (Housekeeping for Beginners, You Won't Be Alone, Of An Age). Flick and her panelists sort through the complex and messy questions of what defines Australian cinema – from where we've come from, to where we're heading – and how cinema can challenge myths of nationhood
Join host Flick Ford with reviewers Cerise Howard and Thomas Caldwell, as they chat to founder and artistic director of Hear My Eyes, Hayden Green, and guitarist Lachlan Stuckey from 5-piece band Surprise Chef. They delve into the collaborative inner workings of their reinterpretation of Australian film Wake in Fright (1971), to create a cinematic and musical reimagining. Flick, Cerise and Thomas also discuss their top film picks for this year's Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).
Maudie Osborne fills in for Flick and she is joined by film buffs Anthony Carew and Will Cox to review Deadpool & Wolverine, Totem and LONGLEGS
Flick is joined by reviewers Cerise Howard, Programme Director of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and Writer, Chris Dite. They shine a retro spotlight on SNOWPIERCER on its 10th anniversary, and S/HE IS NOT HER/E.
Flick Ford is joined by Jonathan Schuster (co-writer of recently released Australian movie The Emu War) and film programmer and reviewer Alice McShane.Schuster provides extensive insight into the main aspects of The Emu War, especially its themes and plot.McShane dives into her thoughts on some new releases, including the blockbuster of the moment Twisters, and Australian indie film Birdeater.
This week, Flick is joined by film buffs Maudie Osborne and Anthony Carew to review the latest from Jeff Nichols, who is also known for Take Shelter (2011) and Mud (2012).The Bike Riders details the decade-long story of the Midwestern bike club, the Vandals. As an outsider, Kathy observes their transformation from a haven for misfits into a notorious crime gang. This evolving identity calls the club's ideals into question, and young member Benny must choose between the allure of the Vandals and being with Kathy. The Bike Riders (2024) The team also goes on to review Yorgos Lanthimos' new, witty triptych tale, Kinds of Kindness. Teaming up again with Emma Stone after the recent release Poor Things (2023), and Efthymis Filippou, the screenwriter for his 2009 film Dogtooth, Lanthimos returns with more of his signature flavour of weird.“This is a work of audacious originality, vicious humour and balls to the wall strangeness, giving the impression there are few places the director won't go.” - David Rooney. Kinds of Kindness (2024) Primal Screen airs every week on Triple R at 7pm Mondays. Follow us on socials: Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/primal-screen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primalscreenshow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primal_screen_show/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/primal_screen
This week in the studio, Jack Ralph and Kelsey Pettifer join Flick Ford in the 3RRR studio to delve into the subtle yet profound body of work created by Kelly Reichardt.They discuss films such as First Cow (2019), the political thriller Night Moves (2013), and Wendy and Lucy (2008). The conversation covers Reichardt's challenges in getting her films made, her resistance to mainstream conventions, and her ability to develop indie films with strong casts delivering natural performances. They also explore the recurring actors and the themes that weave through each of her films.The discussion features the 2016 film CERTAIN WOMEN, a triptych of stories centred on women leading local lives in middle America, based on the writing of Maile Meloy. The Guardian's Wendy Ide describes Reichardt's approach in Certain Women as going ‘beyond naturalism and landing somewhere between painful introversion and acute empathy.'They also touch on Reichardt's 2022 film SHOWING UP, which follows Portland-based sculptor Lizzy as she prepares for an upcoming show. The film is celebrated by die-hard Reichardt fans for its strong adherence to the director's signature anti-dramatic style. Showing Up presents an artist working in real-time, without her process being filtered through a romanticised lens, resulting in a very grumpy yet authentic Michelle Williams comedy-drama.Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/primal-screen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primalscreenshow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primal_screen_show/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/primal_screen
Joining Flick in the studio are Vyshnavee Wijekumar and Thomas Caldwell, where they'll be reviewing two new releases hot off the metaphorical press. The first film they're be reviewing is THE PROMISED LAND, a Nordic Western set in 18th century Denmark.Director Nikolaj Arcel collaborates once again with Mads Mikkelsen who plays Captain Ludvig Kahlen, an impoverished retired army captain with a dream of cultivating the uninhabitable Jutland moorlands. THE PROMISED LAND, directed Nikolaj Arcel and stars Mads Mikkelsen. Next up, Flick, Vysh and Thomas then discuss a Netflix documentary released this month (June 2024), about the history of Black Barbie dolls. The film highlights how children play and relate to their dolls, and examines how race and racism can be navigated through doll play. BLACK BARBIE, directed by Lagueria Davis. Follow us on socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primalscreenshow/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primal_screen_show/Twitter: https://twitter.com/primal_screen
Joining Flick in the studio is Thomas Caldwell, Artistic Director of the Children's International Film Festival (CHIFF) and the wonderful Vyshnavee Wijekumar. They discuss the 2024 program, running from June 8th to July 7th, featuring a diverse selection of animated and live-action films from around the globe.The team reviews "AM I OK?", starring Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a young professional in her early thirties grappling with her sexuality. NPR describes it as a “coming-out movie for adults,” exploring the complexities of female friendship. AM I OKAY? Directored by Tig Notaro, Stephanie Allynne Vysh then dives into all things "Bridgerton." The highly anticipated second installment of season 3 premiered on Netflix this Thursday. Overflowing with period drama, the series follows the Bridgerton family through each season of courtship, risking social ruin for the prize of love. BRIDGERTON Follow us on socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primalscreenshow/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primal_screen_show/Twitter: https://twitter.com/primal_screen
This weeks show is focusing on Melbourne's film scene. In the first of three interviews, Flick will chat with Director Molly Reynolds to discuss her film A PORTRAIT OF LOVE. For over twenty years, Archibald Prize-winning artist Craig Ruddy and his partner Roberto Meza Mont filmed their life together.Their friend, documentary-maker Molly Reynolds (MY NAME IS GULPILIL) spent months immersed in Roberto's footage to craft an intimate portrait of their relationship, from over 5000 pieces of footage. We then hear from local director Timothy Despina Marshall about his debut feature IN THE ROOM WHERE HE WAITS, starring Daniel Monks. Having recently premiered at the 2024 Mardi Gras Film Festival earlier this year, this fresh psychological thriller is a claustrophobic story of grief and abandonment set in the close quarters of a hotel room during lockdown.Primal Screen's third guests are the Naarm/Birrarung Ga/Makassar Sulawesi, Indonesia-based film collective, Dogmilk Films. Local and independently run, @dogmilkfilms produces and makes space for alternative film and sound works. The collective places emphasis on cinema that pushes the boundaries of form and exhibition, which makes them an intersection for creative enquiry and exploration. Flick speaks with Lola Hewison, John Hewison and Sofie McClure about the screening of short-form works Dogmilk is curating for 2024 St. Kilda Film Festival.
KinoTopia's co-founders Digby Houghton and Andrew Tobacco joined Flick in the studio on Monday to revisit GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI. Listen back to hear a review of Jim Jarmusch's 1999 crime drama GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI starring Forest Whitaker as a hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob. GHOST DOG ...Follow @kinotopia_ and subscribe to their Substack to learn everything you need to know about arthouse, repertory, art, short form, and experimental cinema screening in the city of Melbourne.Follow Primal Screen on socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/primalscreenshow/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primal_screen_show/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/primal_screen