What does a classic protector look like? Do we ever let predators into our lives? Are princesses always in need of protection? Specifically focusing on films where young girls and older men are paired together, this week's episode examines traditional ideas about power and vulnerability through the lenses of age and gender. 

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What accounts for the demise of 'competence'? What accounts for the rise of 'incompetence'? How and why should the world maximise the grand sum of human competence? With the release of Todd Field's newest film, 'Tár' (2022), this week's episode examines the differing ways in which modern societies respond to competence and incompetence.  

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What kinds of people do we specifically meet at work? Can the workplace be the key to our self-development? Can we still benefit from a poor work environment? Noting a common trait in multiple coming of age films set in the the 1980s, this week's episode examines the ways in which the workplace can help us grow in early adulthood. 

The Films:

'Caddyshack' (1980) d. Harold Ramis

'Mystic Pizza' (1988) d. Donald Petrie

'Adventureland' (2009) d. Greg Mottola

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Is indulgence dangerous? Why does indulgence perpetually endanger us? In whom does indulgence manifest itself? Given that we are in the heart of awards season, this week's episode takes a look at one of the major cinematic trends of 2022. 

The Films:

'Babylon' (2022) d. Damien Chazelle

'The Whale' (2022) d. Darren Aronofsky

'Triangle of Sadness' (2022) d. Ruben Östlund

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What is the relationship between the conscience and the self? Can listening to our conscience ever be a bad thing? If not our conscience, what should we listen to? Building on some brief discussions in last week's episode about self-discovery, this week's episode tackles the relationship we have with the voices inside our heads that purport to guide us. 

The Films:

'Pinocchio' (2022) d. Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson

'Heathers' (1988) d. Michael Lehmann 

'Donnie Darko' (2001) d. Richard Kelly

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How can going undercover threaten our identity? What kinds of people go undercover? Can we ever reach a point of no return when going undercover? Following recent discussions about the relationship between public opinion and living virtuously, this week's episode contemplates the efficacy of joining forces with our enemies to defeat them from within.  

The Films:

'Mean Girls' (2004) d. Mark Waters

'The Departed' d. Martin Scorsese 

'Le Doulos' (1962) d. Jean-Pierre Melville

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Are the people we hate always our true enemies? Can personal flaws ever be a badge of honour? Are we adept at recognising hate in ourselves? Building on last week's conversation about the relationship between modern protectors and those they protect, this week's episode examines the power of a negative public image.  

The Films:

'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (2001) d.  Chris Columbus

'12 Angry Men' (1957) d. Sidney Lumet 

'Ladybird' (2017) d. Greta Gerwig

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What is the nature of state control in the 21st century? When do the ends justify the means? Can we simultaneously act righteously and avoid enemy attacks? Focusing specifically on films set in the mid to late 2000s, this week's episode contemplates the dangers and obligations of 21st century technocracies.

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What is the relationship between people and space? How should we compartmentalise people and key life events? Can we meet people more than once? As we say goodbye to 2022, this week's episode examines the various ways independence, acceptance and romantic maturity are commonly explored in multiple films set in late December. 

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Under what circumstances do we seek isolation? Can systems designed to serve us ever imprison us? Can we ever be imprisoned by desire? As we enter the final weeks of December 2022, this week's episode examines the curious intersection of Christmas movies and the themes explored in the writings of Franz Kafka.    

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