Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

It's no longer Kubrick Month because we're late recording

Dhruv, Amartya, and Hemant have spent the entirety of July

In Part 3 (of 4), we focus on three of Kubrick’s most overtly provocative films whose controversial nature and treatment continue to inspire heated discussions.

The least of it, perhaps, centers around “Lolita” (1962).

The opposite may be true in the case of “A Clockwork Orange” (1971) – undoubtedly the director’s most aggressively controversial and confrontational film both in terms of its content and treatment. Its anger towards the individual’s brand of ultraviolence and sexual deviance is outmatched by its contempt towards forced social conditioning that destroys the individual’s free will without ever actually reforming him. Kubrick – unsurprisingly – places us somewhere in between these two modes – at times, troublingly embodying the individual’s POV and other times distancing us from it, making “A Clockwork Orange” what it is – an irresolvable film of conflict that offers NO solutions.

Which is THE problem with “Eyes Wide Shut.” Well, for

Listen to the full episode to hear talk in detail about all three

TIME CODES

Intro: [00:00 - 17:02]

“Lolita” (1962): [17:02 - 57:25]

"A Clockwork Orange" (1971) : [57:25 - 01:36:39]

"Eyes Wide Shut" (1999) : [01:36:39 - 02:14:51]

Outro: [02:14:51 - 02:28:16]

AUDIO EXCERPTS

2. Lolita (1962) - Teaser Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b94tzbyDV9U

3. Kailash Kher - Tauba Tauba - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebceE8_aNoA

4. Lolita (1962) - A New Home - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqGIe8AZ1g

5. A Clockwork Orange 4kUHD - Rival Gang Fight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHK5d5a5HJI&t=45s

6. First Reformed | Official Trailer HD | A24 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCF5Y8dQpR4

7. Eyes Wide Shut (Trailer) | Austin Film Society - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDXSmhOQkk4

8. Eyes Wide Shut - Opening [HD] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNaNk09usi4

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In this episode, Dhruv and Amartya invite Devi (@film.trance) and Adithiyan (@curioseradithiyan) to discuss their favorite films of the year (up to and including July) in a new format! Each of them selects not only their favorite film but also their favorite direction, cinematography, score, screenplay, editing, and performance of the year (so far).

Like before, this discussion is not limited to any particular language or industry! And most all film discussions (barring maybe "Challengers") are fully spoiler-free!

Listen to the episode, note down titles that interest you, and share your favorites of 2024 (so far)!

TIME CODES

Introduction & Discussion Format - [00:00 - 08:22]

Favorite Performances - [08:22 - 39:20]

Favorite Screenplays - [39:20 - 01:03:38]

Favorite Musical Score - [01:03:38 - 01:22:02]

Favorite Cinematography - [01:22:02 - 01:42:20]

Favorite Editing - [01:42:20 - 01:54:54]

Favorite Direction - [01:54:54 - 02:20:04]

Honorable Mentions - [02:20:04 - 02:29:09]

Favorite Films - [02:29:09 - 02:46:44]

Outro - [02:46:44 - 02:50:35]

Audio Excerpts used under the “Fair Use Provisions” of the Indian Copyright Act.

1. "Paradise" (2024) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdy2yY8nLjY.

2. "Ullozhukku" (2024) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iElmR97W024.

3. "The First Omen" (2024) - Demonic Possession & Water Break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO-J_ttajjw.

4. "I Saw the TV Glow" (2024) - Bleachers Scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbibu7Y5OHM.

5. "Maharaja" (2024) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otcr-vRuaQs.

6. "Aattam" (2024) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UczdNpVB1I.

7. "Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyenar Kobole" (2024) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqTlTwWH67U.

8. Thaensudare, "Lover" (2024) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubk_MzyPVrY.

9. Premalola, "Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha" (2024) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH9ewNKSUhM.

10. Ishq Mitaye, "Amar Singh Chamkila" (2024) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwUV6AMd5cM.

11. A Time of Quiet Between the Storms, "Dune: Part Two" (2024) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igtwOdqboT0.

12. "Challengers" (2024) - Churros Scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GvC0-42F58.

13. "Civil War" (2024) - Trailer 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA4wVhs3HC0.

14. "Merry Christmas" (2024) - Katrina Kaif OPENS UP to Vijay Sethupathi about BETRAYAL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyeXTFjJQtk.

15. "Aavesham" (2024) - Eda Mone Rengan Chettan Kanikkum Paranja Kanikkum - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsvzoeKIlNU.

16. "The Taste of Things" (2023) - The Kitchen Scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ5_6aqJ4Pw.

17. "Bramayugam" (2024) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55pzldrBRJM.

18. "Godzilla Minus One" (2023) - Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7DqccP1Q_4.

19. Evil Does Not Exist, "Evil Does Not Exist" (2023) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyIRZ3We4SA.

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Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/

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Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/

Tis' Kubrick Month!

Dhruv, Amartya, and Hemant will spend the entirety of July revisiting and discussing 10 (of 13) Kubrick-directed films (the Horror and Noir films will be discussed in October and November, respectively!) plus 1 conceptualized and obsessed over by him but eventually directed by his dear friend, Steven Spielberg.

In Part 2 (of 4), we focus on Kubrick's historical epics, which feel like a continuation of his War films and, at times, a counterpoint to them.

We start by discussing the only film he believes he never had a final cut on—"Spartacus" (1960)—a swords-and-sandals epic whose main point of value for us lies in debating the limits of the auteur theory and the behind-the-scenes shenanigans that made the production a living hell for most involved.

Then, we pivot to focus extensively on "Barry Lyndon" (1975), best described as a "rebound" for Kubrick after he couldn't get his "Napoleon" project off the mark. But what if—we discuss and argue—"Barry Lyndon" is his best film? What if it retains the utter silliness of "Dr. Strangelove" but somehow also works as a heartbreaking character tragedy?

Listen to the full episode and much more about Yorgos Lanthimos ("The Favourite," "Poor Things") and Sofia Coppola's ("Marie Antoinette") Kubrickian touches in their period pieces!

TIME CODES

Intro: [00:00 - 06:14]

"Spartacus" (1960): [06:14 - 55:04]

Kubrick's "Take" on Humanity: [55:04 - 57:13]

"Barry Lyndon" (1975): [57:13 - 02:07:59]

Outro: [02:07:59 - 02:15:36]

Book Referenced in this Episode -

"Kubrick: An Odyssey" (Nathan Abrams & Robert P. Kolker).

Audio Excerpts -

1. "Kermode Uncut: Barry Lyndon." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk-xbqrJHzE&t=60s&ab_channel=kermodeandmayo.

2. "I'm Spartacus - Spartacus." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKCmyiljKo0&ab_channel=Movieclips.

3. "Georges Friedrich Haendel - Sarabande - Main Title (Barry Lyndon)." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWMR79IMQ-M&ab_channel=Gepetto.

4. "Hail Caesar! Got Most of It Scene." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9v6VJLZ8_I&ab_channel=Movieclips

5. "A Clockwork Orange Trailer." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T54uZPI4Z8A&ab_channel=WarnerBros.Entertainment

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

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You can follow us on Instagram at:

Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/

Hemant: https://www.instagram.com/hemantganti/

Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/

You can also follow us on Letterboxd at -

Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/

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Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/

Tis' Kubrick Month!

Dhruv, Amartya, and Hemant will spend the entirety of July revisiting and discussing 10 (of 13) Kubrick-directed films (the Horror and Noir films will be discussed in October and November, respectively!) plus 1 conceptualized and obsessed over by him but eventually directed by his dear friend, Steven Spielberg.

In Part 1 (of 4), we focus entirely on the one genre he repeatedly returned to throughout his career—the War Film.

This allows us to begin with "Fear and Desire" (1952), the feature-length debut that he outright disowns. Understandably, too -- because it only occasionally hints at his incredibly accomplished directorial (in particular, cinematographic) abilities.

Then, we move on to his three extremely accomplished films covering three different periods of war. The ray of humanity (and morality) in "Paths of Glory" (1957), set during WWI, is nowhere to be seen when we get to the absurdly crude (but horrifyingly prescient) comedy of the Cold War in "Dr. Strangelove" (1964) and the even cruder cruelty of the Vietnam War in "Full Metal Jacket" (1987).

Is this shift towards irony, detachment, and amorality resulting from him increasingly becoming untethered to the studio system? Is it because the wars themselves encouraged its pawns and players to embody these attitudes?

Listen to the full episode to hear us ask and then try and answer these questions whilst also situating each of these films within the context of other war films around the same subject matter.

Or just listen to the full episode to discover how we connect Stanley Kubrick to Salman Khan!

TIME CODES

Stanley Kubrick - Early Influences, Lasting Legacy: [00:00 - 22:28]

The (Anti)War Films: [22:28 - 34:22]

"Fear and Desire" (1952): [34:22 - 50:36]

"Paths of Glory" (1957) : [50:36 - 01:08:42]

"Dr. Strangelove" (1964) : [01:08:42 - 01:47:11]

"Full Metal Jacket" (1987) : [01:47:11 - 02:27:22]

Closing Thoughts: [02:27:22 - 02:33:04]

Books & Reviews Referenced in this Episode -

1. "Kubrick: An Odyssey" (Nathan Abrams & Robert P. Kolker).

2. "Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb -- Stanley Kubrick" (Dhruv Goyal). https://inreviewonline.com/2024/02/01/dr-strangelove/

Audio Excerpts -

1. "Stanley Kubrick; A Life in the Pictures, Intro." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNuzGlLqxNU&t=75s&ab_channel=FilmMasterKubrick.

2. "Fear and Desire Trailer." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDy7E6pNBSc&ab_channel=KinoLorber.

3. "Paths of Glory Trailer." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmDA60X-f_A&t=109s&ab_channel=criterioncollection.

4. "Have to answer the Coca-Cola Company." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ9B7owHxMQ&ab_channel=UHFknob.

5. "Full Metal Jacket - Born to Kill/Peace Button." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMEViYvojtY&ab_channel=markbrady.

6. "Dr. Strangelove Ending." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4VlruVG81w&ab_channel=Laurenan69.

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

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You can follow us on Instagram at:

Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/

Hemant: https://www.instagram.com/hemantganti/

Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/

You can also follow us on Letterboxd at -

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Hello, Hello, Hello!

In our third (of three!) episodes on Queerness in Film this month, Dhruv invites Queer Academic & SRK and KJo Fanboy Cris Patrick (@limjaeseven) to discuss the one thing he wanted to talk about most, the thing that in many ways defines his Twitter Page - QUEER CODING, READING & CAMP SENSIBILITY IN BOLLYWOOD.

We emphasize the words "Coding, Reading, and Camp Sensibility" most because our focus for this episode is on films that covertly (or, at least, less self-seriously overtly) position themselves as queer narratives about queer people. This includes all films written and directed (yes, even ghost-directed) by Karan Johar and Farah Khan. But for the sake of clarity, we focus most explicitly on Johar's work -- "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003) for Queer Coding, "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (2001) for Queer Reading, & "Student of the Year" (2012) vs. "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" (2023) for Camp Sensibility.

Listen to the full episode to first hear us talk at length about embracing Bollywood Camp (or Campy Bollywood) and its inherent Queer Sensibility. (We use Susan Sontag's "Jottings" on Camp and Jack Babuscio's essay on Camp and Gay Sensibility to form our argument.) And then about particular scenes from each of these films that help define what it means to Queer Code & Queer Read (or Queer Bait)!

TIME CODES

Embracing Camp Bollywood - [00:00 - 16:21]

What is "Camp" (ft. Susan Sontag & Jack Babuscio) - [16:22 - 55:24]

What's Your Problem if I Want To Queer Read? - [55:25 - 59:54]

Queer Coding in "KHNH" - [59:54 - 01:26:53]

Queer Reading in "K3G" - [01:26:53 - 01:52:45]

Queer Sensibility in "SOTY" vs. "RARKPK" - [01:52:45 - 02:19:44]

Planning a Future Farah Khan Ep - [02:19:44 - 02:32:00]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

Follow our Instagram page:

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YOU CAN (& SHOULD!) FOLLOW CRIS IN ALL THESE PLACES -

Twitter - https://twitter.com/limjaeseven

Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/crislim/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/

Articles & Research Papers Referenced in this Episode -

1. "Notes On Camp" (Susan Sontag). https://monoskop.org/images/5/59/Sontag_Susan_1964_Notes_on_Camp.pdf.

2. "Camp and the Gay Sensibility" (Jack Babuscio). https://comm350queercinema.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/camp-and-the-gay-sensibility.pdf

Audio Excerpts -

1. "Kantaben's Encounter - Kal Ho Naa Ho - Comedy Week." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaIdJbfffTM&ab_channel=DharmaProductions.

2. "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDP1GTdo90A&ab_channel=NexusKhan.

3. "The Wedding - Student of the Year." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-El_iQ0i5Og&t=136s&ab_channel=DharmaProductions.

In the second of three (or maybe even four!) episodes on Queer Cinema this month, Dhruv and Cris rhapsodize about Claire Denis' formally groundbreaking masterwork of queer and post-colonial cinema, "Beau Travail" (1999).

Initially, we planned to make this a 25-30 minute "extra" episode because Cris' recent obsession with the film matched Dhruv's unwavering love for it. But the film, loosely based on Herman Melville's unfinished 1888 novella, "Billy Budd, Sailor," about male camaraderie that gives way to envy and jealousy, inspires a much longer discussion. Everything from the film's Godardian influences to Denis Lavant's staggering central performance to Agnès Godard's unforgettably haunting cinematography is discussed in detail here, with Dhruv and Cris recounting numerous instances from the film that continue to prove elusive even after three or four viewings.

Listen to the full episode to hear us wax lyrical about Denis' subtle lyricism and her whole-hearted embrace of fragmented, elliptical storytelling. These formal and narrative transgressions, we argue, are what make "Beau Travail" an unforgettable, radical queer text.

TIME CODES

Introduction - [00:00 - 02:56]

Claire Denis - [02:57 - 08:06]

Herman Melville's "Billy Budd, Sailor" & Jean-Luc Godard's "Le Petit Soldat" - [08:06 - 12:20]

"Beau Travail" - [12:20 - 01:34:55]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

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YOU CAN (& SHOULD!) FOLLOW CRIS IN ALL THESE PLACES -

Twitter - https://twitter.com/limjaeseven

Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/crislim/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/

Audio Excerpts -

1. "Beau Travail Re-Release" Trailer

2. Tarkan's "Kiss Kiss" (1997)

3. Franky Vincent's "Tourment D'Amour" (1991)

4. Corona's "The Rhythm of the Night" (1993)

Hello, Hello, Hello!

In our first (of three!) episodes on Queerness in Film this month, Dhruv invites Queer Academic & SRK and KJo Fanboy Cris Patrick (@limjaeseven) to discuss the one thing he "avoided like the plague for the longest time as he himself came to terms with his identity" -- Queer REPRESENTATION in Bollywood.

We emphasize the word "representation" because our focus for this episode is on films that overtly position themselves as queer narratives about queer people. This includes films that belong to, as Cris points out, the "Ayushmann Khurrana Social Messaging Industrial Complex" ("Chandigarh"), mainstream melodramas ("Ek Ladki..."), and incredible shorts buried within otherwise abhorrent Netflix anthologies ("Geeli Pucchi" in "Ajeeb Daastaans").

Listen to the full episode to hear us detail the history of Queer Representation, its aesthetics, and politics in Bollywood, especially before we tackle these three individual films -- two of which Dhruv and Cris are split on, one which they unabashedly adore.

TIME CODES

Introduction & Episode Overview - [00:00 - 13:31]

History of Queer Representation, Aesthetics & Politics in Cinema - [13:32 - 41:39]

"Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" (2019) - [41:39 - 01:11:39]

"Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui" (2021) - [01:11:39 - 01:41:41]

"Geeli Pucchi" (2021) - [01:41:41 - 02:23:21]

Other Favorite Queer Films in Bwood & The Future of Bwood Queer Cinema - [02:23:21 - 02:45:43]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

Follow our Instagram page:

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YOU CAN (& SHOULD!) FOLLOW CRIS IN ALL THESE PLACES -

Twitter - https://twitter.com/limjaeseven

Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/crislim/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/

Articles & Research Papers Referenced in this Episode -

1. "Gender Minority and its Changing Portrayal in Bollywood Films" (Ankita Chowdhury, 2019).

2. "Indian Cinema and the Queer Gaze: Presentation of LGBTQ+ in Bollywood" (Neha Jain, 2021).

3. What's Happening to Queer Cinema in the LGBT Boom? (Alex E. Jung, 2018). https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/queer-cinema-whats-happening-to-it.html

Audio Excerpts -

1. "Ek Ladki Ko Dekhta Toh Aisa Laga" Trailer

2. "Chandigarh Kare Aashqui" Netflix Promotional Clip

3. "Geeli Pucchi" Netflix Promotional Clip

4. "Sang Rehna" - Geeli Pucchi

Hello, Hello, Hello!

In our latest episode, Sanjeet, Dhruv, and Hemant discuss Alex Garland's Civil War, which is now available to buy/rent on all OTT platforms. Using the film's increasingly divisive reception as a jumping point, we try to reason out its potential explanations; then, we center our main discussion on what we thought about the film itself.

Listen to the full episode for a spoiler-filled discussion that praises Garland's late-70s/early-80s-style direction and character work. But, also debates the merits and demerits of posing such bleak questions without proposing any answers.

TIMECODES

Intro/Random Chit Chat: [00:00 - 04:20]

Alex Garland, the director: [04:20 - 41:00]

"Civil War" (2024): [41:00 - 01:28:00]

Outro/(more) Random Chit Chat: [01:28:00 - 01:43:03]

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You can follow us on Instagram at:

Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/

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In another long-overdue episode, Dhruv welcomes Sanket back to discuss two underseen films (both premiered at Cannes but got lost in the mix) that provide a depressing diagnosis of Europe and England's rapidly multiplying racism and xenophobia.

Ken Loach's "The Old Oak" (2023) provides potential solutions to it; Cristian Mungiu's "R.M.N." (2022) leaves the decision up to us.

Listen to the full episode for a spoiler-filled discussion on the uncanny thematic similarities between these two films, the tonal differences that make them unique, and other films of a similar ilk that tackle politically charged subject matter in similarly explosive and nuanced ways.

TIMECODES

Introduction: [00:00 - 05:35]

Ken Loach-Paul Laverty Collaborations: [05:35 - 15:11]

"The Old Oak" (2023): [15:11 - 55:20]

"R.M.N." (2022): [55:20 - 01:34:44]

Closing Thoughts: [01:34:44 - 01:44:20]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

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You can subscribe to Sanket's Channel on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@CinephileSanketFilmLover/about

You can follow us on Instagram at:

Sanket: https://www.instagram.com/cinephile_sanket/

Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/

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Sanket - https://letterboxd.com/cinephilesanket/

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In this episode, Sanjeet and Amartya welcome Devi (@film.trance) back to talk about two new Malayalam movies recently released on OTT: Jithu Madhavan's high-voltage action-comedy "Aavesham" (on Amazon Prime Video) and Girish AD's tender rom-com-drama "Premalu" (on Hotstar).

Both films serve up narratives that are largely popular in the Indian cinematic landscape but feel unique because their screenplays are shaped by rich characterizations, not elaborate plots. In "Aavesham," Fahadh Faasil's electric performance lights up the screen; "Premalu" is a carefree, almost experiential story of burgeoning youthful love.

Interestingly, both films are produced by Faasil. We discuss how his productions' stamp on contemporary Malayalam cinema makes them feel refreshingly unique.

Listen to the full, spoiler-filled episode to know what we thought about each of these movies and how pale Bollywood films look & feel compared to these films.

TIMECODES

Random baat-cheet - [00:00 - 04:13]

Intro - [04:13 - 05:33]

"Aavesham" - [05:33 - 01:12:00]

"Premalu" - [01:12:00 - 02:14:05]

Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!

You can also follow our Instagram page:

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Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/
Devi: https://www.instagram.com/film.trance
Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/

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