Associate Editor Brett Pardy recently defended his PhD about film and empathy. We discuss his research, what inspired him to get into the topic, and how Seventh Row ties in.

This episode also features Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney and Executive Editor Orla Smith.

On this episode:

• Brett's Doctoral Dissertation (0:45)
• Related episodes (4:48)
• Brett's origin story for getting into this study (9:36)
• Cultural perceptions of films as just entertainment (18:24)
• What does empathy through film look like? (29:03)
• Having conversations about films (34:36)
• Expanding people's film horizons (43:31)
• How Seventh Row relates to this (48:36)
• Conclusion (1:02:18)

Show notes:

• Read Brett's interview with Stupid Young Heart director Selma Vilhunen and writer Kirsikka Saari
• Read Alex's interview with Meditation Park director Mina Shum
• Read Roger Ebert's speech about empathy and film.
• See the They Shoot Pictures, Don't They Top 1000 film list

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