How should we view 'lowbrow' art? How should we approach conflicting views on artistic value? Is it useful for people to have differences in taste? Drawing on a number of themes raised in recent weeks, this week's episode challenges the highbrow/lowbrow dichotomy by examining cinematic depictions of filmmaking, architecture and archeology. 

The Films:

'Sullivan's Travels' (1941) directed by Preston Sturges

'In Bruges' (2008) directed by Martin McDonagh

'Compartment Number 6' (2021) directed by Juho Kuosmanen

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What is the essence of brotherhood? What does true brotherhood feel like? What is required to find our brothers? Focusing on three modern American cinematic odysseys, this week's episode examines the long and adventurous journeys upon which we embark in finding and embracing our fellow man.

The Films:

'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' (2000) directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

'About Schmidt' (2002) directed by Alexander Payne

'The Straight Story' (1999) directed by David Lynch

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How does it feel to suffer at the hands of our predecessors? Should we dispose of everything tainted by past mistakes? How can we view the burdens we inherit constructively? This week's episode examines three cinematic personifications of the past in order to unpack a key aspect of the eternal tension between conservatism and progressivism

The Films:

'Hereditary' (2018) directed by Ari Aster 

'Once Were Warriors' (1994) directed by Lee Tamahori

'The Descendants' (2011) directed by Alexander Payne

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What are the dangers of indecisiveness? What are the dangers of self-discipline? What is the relationship between self-improvement and community? Following on from last week's discussion about the line between sacrifice and suicide, this week's episode looks at three cinematic depictions of jazz to distinguish self-discipline from self-destruction. 

The Films:

'Cold War' (2018) directed by Pawel Pawlikowski

'Whiplash' (2014) directed by Damien Chazelle

''Round Midnight' (1986) directed by Bertrand Tavernier

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What does it take to abandon a toxic relationship? How do we endure through a lifetime of betrayal? Who is ultimately burdened with the responsibility of emancipating us from imprisoning relationships? Exploring the inverse of a number of themes covered over the past few weeks, this week's episode focuses on three romantically unfulfilled female protagonists confronting the fallout of severed relationships. 

The Films:

'Midsommar' (2019) directed by Ari Aster

'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore' (1974) directed by Martin Scorsese 

'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' (2022) directed by Sophie Hyde

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How should outsiders behave in new and confronting circumstances? What happens when we follow the dominant mob? What is at the core of societal tension? Following on from discussions about the darker sides of masculinity, this week's episode focuses on a sub-genre of films from the early seventies that explored the friction between outsiders and communities with established traditions. 

The Films:

'Straw Dogs' (1971) directed by Sam Peckinpah

'Wake in Fright' (1971) directed by Ted Kotcheff

'The Wicker Man' (1973) directed by Robin Hardy

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From where does the killer instinct come? Should the state have the power to enact violence? When, if ever, is violence morally justifiable? Following on from recent episodes, in which we have explored confrontational and destructive societal tendencies, this week's episode further examines the nullification of those we despise.

The Films:

'Snowtown' (2011) directed by Justin Kurzel 

'Killer Joe' (2011) directed by William Friedkin

'Sling Blade' (1996) directed by Billy Bob Thornton

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What is the relationship between injustice and destruction? Can we apprehend imminent destruction? What happens when we completely abandon the feminine? In light of recent events, this week's episode focuses on the potentially dangerous traits of the typical male psyche.

The Films:

Taxi Driver (1976) directed by Martin Scorsese

La Haine (1995) directed by Mathieu Kassovitz

This Sporting Life (1963) directed by Lindsay Anderson

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Can we actually eliminate our enemies? How can we reconcile our differences? Where should we look for our enemies? Expanding our conversations into the romantic, political and personal realms, this week's episode contemplates the ways in which we should deal with those we oppose. 

The Films:

Dial M for Murder (1954) directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Zulu (1964) directed by Cy Endfield

Suspiria (1977) directed by Dario Argento

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Do humans have the capacity to prophesy and preach truth? How do we identify false prophets? How adept are we at knowing when we are under someone's spell? Following recent episodes about the nature of cultural leaders, this episode focuses on the processes that underpin deceitful leadership.

The Films:

La Ricotta (1962) directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini

The Night of the Hunter (1955) directed by Charles Laughton

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) directed by Sean Durkin 

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