We just can’t resist discussing a new David Lowery film here at the Next Picture Show, and his latest, THE GREEN KNIGHT, gives us plenty to chew on, taking an alternately minimalist and maximalist approach to a story about honor, myth, and magic that takes place on the edges of King Arthur’s legend. Its bordering-on-abstract narrative stands in high contrast to the more expository approach seen in John Boorman’s EXCALIBUR last week, but the two films’ shared source legend provides a wealth of connections between them, including their respective examinations of honor and chivalry, of nature as magic, and of the symbolic and literal power wielded by women. We get into all of that, plus Your Next Picture Show, where we share recent filmgoing experiences in hopes of putting something new on your radar.

Please share your comments, thoughts, and questions about EXCALIBUR, THE GREEN KNIGHT, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email to [email protected], or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730. 

Show Notes

Works Cited: 

• “The Green Knight is glorious and a little baffling. Let’s untangle it.” By Alissa Wilkinson (Vox.com)

• “Ralph Ineson spills the secrets of playing the Green Knight” By Tasha Robinson (Polygon.com)

Your Next Picture Show:

Genevieve: Janicza Bravo’s ZOLA

Scott: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz’s THE VIEWING BOOTH

Tasha: Edson Oda’s NINE DAYS

Keith: Kon Ichikawa’s TOKYO OLYMPIAD

Outro music: “Lose Your Head” by London Grammar

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