PSYCHOCINEMATIC

TRANSCRIPT HERE 

Join us on a spooky scary episode where Steph and Michael discuss in great depth (yet, succinctly, dare we say?) 1973's massively influential horror film The Exorcist. Together we shed light on the religious and cultural context of this film, the various stories of its creation and resulting impact on society, feminist and psychodynamic theories behind it (Oedipal Complex welcome to the podcast), and whether it’s trying to say something about mental illness, religion, or both.

And don’t forget to watch our shot for shot remake of the film in our tiktok HERE !!

CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, medical trauma and discussion of invasive procedures, violence, sexual assault and rape, including sexualisation of a child, misogyny, ableist tropes, discussion of religion and Catholicism.

(Hotline numbers: Lifeline 131114, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732)

References:

• Here is John Safran Vs God's Exorcism episodes on youtube - Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and regular fundraisers!

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Host: Stephanie Fornasier

Cohost, music and artwork: Michael Watson

Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Today you get a taster of what you'll find from our Patreon with an extra special release of an exclusive bonus episode - for everyone to hear!

Steph makes Michael watch season 2 episode 3 of the Babysitter's Club, and then fires questions at him about how his diabetes experience compares to that of Stacey McGill, member of the BSC with juvenile diabetes. It's a position of power for Steph, but also allows Michael to vent a lot. A perfect combination! Find out about the complexity of managing your diabetes (NB as a white, educated, affluent cis man), and of course which BSC character = which SATC character. Naturally. 

Listen to more bonus content with fun yet informative discussions like this by signing up to Patreon here! 

CONTENT WARNING: description of a hypoglycaemic attack, chronic illness ableism & disability tropes,  mention of blood tests/injections, swearing, white privilege, we use the word 'slutty' to describe Samantha Jones but please note we love Samantha Jones and herald her sex positivity.

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Host & terrible photoshopper: Stephanie Fornasier

Cohost, music and artwork: Michael Watson

Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

TRANSCRIPT HERE 

Steph is the luckiest daughter to be able to interview her retired engineer father, Frank (or Franco) Fornasier, on the podcast today, as they reflect on the film and play Looking for Alibrandi (2000 and 2022 respectively). Frank tells Steph what it was like growing up in Brisbane as an Italian boy with an extremely religious mother, and tyrannical unaffectionate father. Topics include religion, early immigration days, and wine that tastes like pus.

This episode is dedicated to Luigia Fornasier, aka Nonnie (14/11/17 - 13/4/2010). We still miss your food and sloppy cheek kisses.

CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, domestic abuse and violence including child and gendered abuse, racial and cultural slurs and racist events, discussion of religion and catholocism.

(Hotline numbers: Lifeline 131114, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732)

References:

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI - Belvoir St Theatre

Looking for Alibrandi (film) - Wikipedia

The rise and fall of troubled Aussie star Matthew Newton

Franco Fornasier’s memory 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and for your September fees to go to MINUS18!

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Host: Stephanie Fornasier

Cohost, music and artwork: Michael Watson

Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Our first foray into the Darren Aronofsky Mental Illness Universe, today we have the editing genius and dead-pan-ly funny Nic Fornasier to talk about the slap in the face that is REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000). Join us as Nic takes us throw what he relates to in the film (and what he absolutely does not relate to), how it compares to other ‘Don’t do drugs!’ films of the 2000’s, and whether Darren Aronofsky’s style of filmmaking is genius or film school 101. Also is method acting good or bad?

CONTENT WARNING: This one is a doozy. Drug use, substance addiction, sexual assault, rape, sex shaming, body horror, cancer, medical abuse and trauma, elder abuse, ableism, diet culture, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Follow Nic on instagram  @4nic8r (mainly for slightly puerile humour) but more importantly check out his website here for his incredible portfolio of work!

Also here is that video with Maz giving birth to our beloved family dog Lote. 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and for your September fees to go to MINUS18!

REFERENCES:

• An Oral History of ‘Requiem for a Dream’ (ESSENTIAL READING)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 

For Psychocinematic’s first foray into the documentary film, Steph discusses the Netflix documentary Keep Sweet Pray and Obey, with the inspiring (and multitasking) Merowyn Olaver, a nurse, writer, mental health & domestic violence advocate, breast cancer previvor, AND a mother as well.

Steph and Merowyn discuss the psychology of religion, how it differs from that of cults or cult-like structures, and of childhood sexual abuse and trafficking. We reflect on how this is explored in the doco with regard to the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints, whether it is conveyed respectfully to the survivors, and where it perhaps goes wrong. Merowyn, who has been a front line worker during the Covid pandemic, is an absolute delight and should have her own podcast!

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse and rape, including of children, domestic abuse and violence, religious trauma.

Convince Merowyn to make her own podcast (she has time, right?) by following her on instagram @nurse.merowyn and explore her amazing publications on her linktree. And donate to her LIPTEMBER page here: https://www.liptember.com.au/nursemerowyn !!

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for lots of past, new and upcoming bonus content!

REFERENCES:

• The Psychology Behind Cults | Discover Magazine

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Since Steph finally convinced Michael to watch the Babadook we found ourselves covering this absolutely terrifying film. We discuss why this film scares us so much, what the Babadook really represents (so many mental illnesses), and why Steph thinks the plot is actually a metaphor for therapy. Should we be proud of how brutally f**ked Australian horror/thriller is?

CONTENT WARNING:, Swearing, death of loved one, car accident, animal death, brief mention of infanticide & suicide, childhood trauma, horror themes, violence, Steph mentions Mulligrubs (not a joke). 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for lots of past, new and upcoming bonus content!

REFERENCES

The Babadook - Wikipedia

Jennifer Kent interview: directing The Babadook | Den of Geek

Facing the Darkness of Life: Interview with The Babadook's Jennifer Kent - Diabolique Magazine 

Horror Icon: Australian Filmmaker Jennifer Kent Is a Force to Be Reckoned With 

The Babadook Ending Explained

The Babadook Ending Explained: What The Monster Really Means - Screenrant

Celebrate Pride Month With Our In-Depth Look at The Babadook, The Best Horror Movie So Far This Century- Parade

The Ending Of The Babadook Explained

GOUT PAINTINGS: 

NPG D12692; 'The gout' - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery

The introduction of gout.   | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)

After Henry William Bunbury | Origin of the Gout | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)

TRANSCRIPT HERE

It had to be done. After a Netflix watch party everyone voted for but nobody wanted, Steph and Michael decided they simply must make an episode talking about 2004’s absolutely ridiculous  psychological thriller, The Butterfly Effect starring Ashton Kutcher. We change up the format today by breaking down the problematic tropes, themes and messages plotpoint by plotpoint, to really hit home why this is an absolutely terrible movie. It’s also quite traumatic and distressing, so be warned!!

CONTENT WARNING:, Lots of Swearing (in first 20 seconds sorry) suicide, childhood abuse and trauma, sexual assault & rape, animal cruelty, ableism,use of ableist terms, harmful portrayals of sex work, discussion of disability inspiration porn. 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for PILES, literal PILES of bonus content!

REFERENCES

The Butterfly Effect (2004) - IMDb

The Butterfly Effect (Film) - TV Tropes

How Ashton Kutcher Prepared For His Role In 'The Butterfly Effect' (thethings.com)

The Butterfly Effect – Ending Explained & Film Analysis – Blimey

The Butterfly Effect's Original Ending Was Ridiculously Grim (slashfilm.com)

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Steph has the insightful Indi Gage from Hot Girls Theory podcast to talk about a movie they both adore, Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), written by Charlie Kaufman. We discuss how the film raises questions about our experience of relationships and the way our fallible memory can shape how we see them, as well as how we relate to the character of Clementine and have definitely dated a Joel or two in our time. Also, does Clementine have Borderline Personality Disorder or does she just have contextually significant hair colour?! 

Follow Indi on insta here! Listen to Hot Girls Theory here and follow their Instagram here and tiktok here! 

Last chance to donate to our Gidget Foundation fundraiser coming up soon!!!! Join our patreon here or donate individually here! 

CONTENT WARNING: stalker behaviour (Patrick), childhood trauma, discussion of fat phobia and ableism 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected]

REFERENCES

• Charlie Kaufman: 'The world is terrifying and destructive and dehumanising and tragic' | Anomalisa | The Guardian 

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts

TRANSCRIPT HERE

Steph and Michael enter into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. As non- Comic-Book-film aficionados, do they like what they see? Moon Knight is their first piece on the slab for dissecting*. Join us as we discuss (with ultimate vocal fry due to heavy colds, apologies), the portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder through Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight hero, and where it stands compared to the other depictions we’ve seen so far. Does it perpetuate the same tropes, or are we actually here for it? We also talk about the cultural portrayal of Ancient Egypt, the state of mental institutions in 2020, and how much Steph likes Oscar Isaac. 

(*Given Michael’s a vegetarian this is an uncomfortable image and I regret everything)

CONTENT WARNING:, descriptions of medical trauma, childhood abuse and trauma, swearing, use of stigmatizing/ableist descriptors (in context of the show). 

Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at [email protected] for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for PILES, literal PILES of bonus content!

REFERENCES

• Read the VMIAC report Steph references here including information on the Mental Health Royal Commision: Seclusion Report #3 (vmiac.org.au)