Representation in Cinema

Happy Black History Month pod! Throughout February and March, we’re going to be talking about Black Directors who deserve their flowers. With all of the talk about the amount of snubs Ryan Coogler and Nia DaCosta are getting, which is pretty on brand for Hollywood if you ask us (but we digress), we wanted to spend time talking about the filmmakers who inspire us and are creating incredible films.

Tonight, we’re talking about Jordan Peele, the director behind Get Out, Us, and Nope. While awards and accolades are nice, we don’t center them as a reference to validate and instead look to filmmakers as the artists that they are, the deeper messages and takeaways that come through the characterization, direction, writing, and overall structure, the way that Black folks are portrayed onscreen, and the thought and effort with which they approach storytelling. This, for us, is what makes a filmmaker stand out, and it’s why we wanted to talk about Jordan Peele – the storyteller.

Returning back to the podcast is Taurus Savant. Taurus is a queer Black artist, singer/songwriter, composer, published author, and community advocate that moves in steely resolve in the names of authenticity, perseverance, and audacity.

You can follow Taurus on Instagram at www.instagram.com/taurussavant and listen to his songs and support his work on Bandcamp at https://taurussavant.bandcamp.com.

Wherever you’re listening from, hit that subscribe button, give us a 5-star rating, share this episode and leave a comment to let us know what you thought of tonight’s episode. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, & Threads.

Visit ourvoicesproject.com and sign up for our newsletter for more information about what we do. We’ll be back with more episodes every Thursday with old and newly released movies that center Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks, general movie news, and interviews with film festival programmers/curators, film critics, and filmmakers!

Next week continues our series on Black filmmakers –their stories and contributions to cinema. We’re handing flowers to filmmakers that we should be talking about—some you may have heard of and some you may not have heard of. Either way, you won’t know until the show premieres so make sure you subscribe!

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:46 – Giving Jordan Peele His Flowers

11:06 - The Horror in Everyday Life

17:41 - The Concept of the Sunken Place

21:39 - Discussion of Themes in 'Get Out'

31:25 - The Tension of Anticipation: Cop Cars and Audience Reactions

36:58 - Transition to 'Us': Initial Reactions

45:43 - Exploring the Duality of Characters

55:50 - The Influence of Music in Horror Film

01:01:21 - Dynamic Duo: Exploring Sibling Relationships in Nope

01:03:38 - The Opening Scene in ‘Nope’

01:11:44 - The Spectacle and Its Consequences

01:17:31 - Exploring the Impact of Jordan Peele's Films

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone.

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Nights and Weekends

Check out Nights and Weekends on Lunchador!

Y’all, the Oscar Nominations are OUT and we have a BUNCH of things that we want to cover—the nominees, the snubs, and everything else in between!

You can follow along with the list of Oscar Nominations here: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026. There’s a printable ballot here: https://www.thegoldknight.com/2026/01/oscars-2026-download-our-printable.html

Joining me to talk about all of this and more is Arnita Heathington. Follow Anita on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theoryofbeneficence

Arnita is a passionate media professional and an up-and-coming television development executive. She has gained valuable experience working in content-focused and production settings across the U.S. and the U.K. Currently, she is excitedly completing her MSc in Media and Communications at the London School of Economics, where she explores audiences, identity, and how entertainment media shape culture.

Arnita is also the creator of Theory of Beneficence, a media analysis platform where she explores film and television through storytelling, character, and audience impact, with a special focus on how Black women are positioned within narratives. Her work encourages meaningful conversations about why certain stories connect with us, how development choices influence perceptions, and what it truly means to feel seen on screen.

With her background in newsroom operations, project management, and media production, Arnita is passionate about exploring how audience insights, creative development, and original programming come together. She’s excited about building a career focused on how stories are crafted, how audiences engage with them, and the powerful role of thoughtful storytelling in shaping culture.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone.

It’s a NEW YEAR which means new movies and it’s January so that also means upcoming award shows. Oscar nominations are coming up next week and we’re going to be diving into that on our next episode so again make sure you’re following us to get updated on that because depending on how that goes, I’m going to have A LOT to say. If SINNERS is not up for Best Picture, we RIDE AT DAWN!

ANYWAY—

Tonight, let’s talk about the movies that are coming out this year - some of the blockbuster films, some more independent films coming out, and then how to watch the TRULY indie films (the ones without agents, without a studio backing—how to see films by filmmakers like us).

Tiffany Nicholas is an avid movie watcher, a casual art maker, and the number one fan of the 2002 Dreamworks movie, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. She has a lot of opinions about a lot of things (especially movies) and despite knowing that these opinions are not objective facts, she will argue about them as if they are.

You can follow Tiffany on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/waffleyoriginal and check out her Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WaffleyOriginal.

Christopher Rush is a Rochester native who is deeply invested in the success of underrepresented communities in Rochester. He serves the community as a part of the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI) supporting organizations and individuals committed to creating conditions for upward mobility in Rochester and Monroe County. Chris is also the host of the CRUSH HOUR on WAYO 104.3 FM connecting with leaders working to make Rochester a better place.

You can follow Christopher at https://www.instagram.com/_crushhour.

Listen to the CRUSH HOUR at https://wayofm.org/shows/crush-hour.

Learn more about the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI) and how to get involved here: https://rmapiny.org/

Want to support independent filmmakers? Start with your local film festivals! If you live in Rochester, go support the following film festivals by following their social media pages and signing up for their mailing lists:

■ Anomaly Film Festival: https://www.anomalyfilmfest.com/

■ One Take Film Festival: https://thelittle.org/one-take/

■ Witness Palestine Film Festival: https://www.wpff.us/

■ ImageOUT Film Festival: https://imageout.org/

■ Rochester International Film Festival: https://rochesterfilmfest.org/

■ Rochester Teen Film Festival: https://www.wxxi.org/projects/rochester-teen-film-festival/

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone.

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

We sat down with committee member, filmmaker, and professor, Cole Seidl, to talk about the Witness Palestine Film Festival, November 15-23, 2025. (This was recorded on November 17, 2025.) You can learn more and purchase tickets now at www.wpff.us.

We discuss the importance of showing the diversity of Palestinian films--documentary, narrative, and experimental--as well as reflecting on watching "The Voice of Hind Rajab" with an audience, upcoming films this week (Shorts at Visual Studies Workshop ("A Night We Held Between", "Morgenkreis", "The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing"), "All That’s Left of You", "Thank You For Banking With Us", "With Hazan in Gaza", "Palestine 36"), possible award nominations, and Palestinian cuisine with Mama’s Palestinian Dinner on Saturday, Nov 22 cooked by Ahlam Abid.

Cole Seidl is a filmmaker, educator, and literary translator. Once illegally entered the properties of David Lynch and the Sultan of Brunei. Current professor at Monroe Community College. Former Professor at Al Quds University in Abu Dis, Palestine.

The Witness Palestine Film Festival is the primary project of Rochester Witness for Palestine (RW4P), a registered 501 (c)(3), that seeks justice and liberation for the people of Palestine wherever they may be. RW4P's motto "Come and see, go and tell" applies also to the work of WPFF, which aims to provide a space for reflection and discussion, as well as tools for action and change.

The Witness Palestine Film Festival Committee includes activists involved in interfaith and Palestinian solidarity work. As a member organization of the Rochester Committee to End Apartheid, RW4P is dedicated to growing the movement for Palestinian freedom in Rochester, NY, and across the globe.

Chapters:

• 00:01 - Introduction to Representation in Cinema
• 01:38 - Witness Palestine Film Festival's Mission
• 17:30 - Palestinian Cinema and Artistic Expression
• 22:18 - The Diversity of Palestinian Stories
• 26:45 - The Upcoming Events and Mama's Palestinian Dinner

On this Representation in Cinema podcast episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between horror films and social justice, featuring a discussion with Professor Kathy Simon, who has developed an online course entitled "Screams and Social Justice: Analyzing the Politics of Horror," that you can now enroll in. Central to our discourse is the assertion that horror serves not merely as entertainment but also as a profound reflection of societal anxieties and cultural narratives, particularly those relevant to Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Throughout the episode, we explore various thematic elements present in horror cinema, including class, gender, and the role of technology, while emphasizing the necessity for more nuanced and complex portrayals of characters within the genre. Furthermore, we highlight the significance of community engagement and ongoing dialogue regarding these critical issues as participants share their insights and reflections on the films discussed. Ultimately, this episode aims to illuminate the power of horror as a vehicle for social commentary, encouraging listeners to engage deeply with the narratives that shape our understanding of contemporary societal challenges.

Takeaways:

• The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of representation in cinema, particularly focusing on black, brown, and indigenous peoples' narratives.
• The discussion highlights the new online course titled 'Screams and Social Justice', which analyzes the intersection of horror films and social issues.
• Listeners are encouraged to participate in upcoming screenings that engage with themes of black culture, community building, and black women's protection.
• The hosts explore how horror films can serve as a commentary on societal fears and anxieties, reflecting broader cultural messages.
• The episode discusses the significance of complex character portrayals in horror films, advocating for deeper representations of black characters.
• Kathy Simon's course aims to equip students with tools to critically analyze horror films and create their own scripts reflecting contemporary social issues.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Course information and link: https://kathy-simon-s-school.teachable.com/p/screams-social-justice-analyzing-the-politics-of-horror
• Our Voices Project website: ourvoicesproject.com
• Want to be on the podcast? Send us an email at inforvoicesproject.com
• Join us at one of our screenings of Being Black in America and register for FREE here: bit.ly/bbia

For any questions about the course, you can contact Kathy at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Glass

Podcast and gallery focusing on underrepresented artists utilize the space to amplify their work. Curated by @Richardbcolon @qua.jay. Check out the podcast or join them in person first Fridays at 240 E Main St, Rochester, NY!

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

We're talking about the ¡Presente! Latin Film Fest at the George Eastman Museum, commencing on September 17th. As we delve into this crucial initiative, we engage with Jason Barber, whose extensive background in the arts and commitment to representation in cinema make him an invaluable contributor to this conversation. The series aims to illuminate the significant impact of Latino and Latinx artists within the cinematic landscape, offering a platform to explore their narratives and contributions. Throughout our dialogue, we will also reflect on the broader implications of representation in film, particularly in light of current socio-political climates affecting marginalized communities. Through this series, we aspire to foster a deeper understanding of the richness and diversity inherent in Latin cinema, while simultaneously advocating for authentic representation and storytelling.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Latin Film Fest: eastman.org/latinfilmseries
• IBERO Rochester: https://www.ibero.org/
• Poder 97.1 FM: https://www.ibero.org/poder/
• International Plaza: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-services-drhs/international-plaza

Mentioned in this episode:

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover!

Lunchador Podcast Network

Lunchador Podcast Network is a network of podcasts originating in Rochester, NY. Our goal is bringing creative people together to be a positive force in the arts community. The shows that make up Lunchador are owned by the creators and cover a wide range of topics and backgrounds.

On this podcast episode, we're talkin about the film "One of Them Days" and discussing intricacies of Black women's representation in cinema and the profound themes of sisterhood and community care that permeate the narrative.

Our esteemed co-host, Dr. Katrina Overby, joins me, Jackie McGriff, to delve into the film's portrayal of two best friends, Dreux and Alyssa, as they navigate the precarious situation of evading eviction while embodying resilience and camaraderie. Throughout our dialogue, we engage with three remarkable guests, Erica Jae, Cocoa Rae David, and Dominique Simmonds, who illuminate the significance of their work and its intersection with the film's themes. As we analyze the film's narrative structure and character dynamics, we aim to highlight the vital conversations surrounding representation in popular media. Listeners can anticipate an insightful exploration of how "One of Them Days" encapsulates the essence of Black culture, friendship, and the enduring strength found within community ties.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Caribago Creative (Photography + Videography): https://www.caribagocreative.com/
• Island Wraps Restaurant: https://www.islandwraps2go.com/
• Black Women Is Art, Curated by Erica Jae, coming in 2026: https://www.instagram.com/thebwiaproject/
• Katrina is a DJ! DJ KO spinning on Thursday nights at 7-10pm at Sidebar: https://www.instagram.com/sidebarroc
• By Cocoa Rae - Photographer + Event Space: https://www.cocoa-rae.com
• Blk Haus Boutique: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571782587822&sk=about
• Our Voices Project Website: ourvoicesproject.com
• Would you like to be a guest on our podcast? Email us at inforvoicesproject.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Behind the Glass

Behind the Glass, hosted by Richard B Colón and Quajay Donnell, is a monthly talk with the current month’s BTG Roster. Artists are interviewed about their submissions and we dive deep into their process, inspiration and thought process centralized around their artwork in the Behind the Glass Gallery located in the heart of Downtown Rochester NY.

It’s Jackie McGriff, your host on today’s Representation in Cinema episode for another deep dive into the film, Sinners!

That’s right this is PART TWO of our talk on Sinners, so if you didn’t listen to the first episode, we highly recommend listening to that one on our website at ourvoicesproject.com/podcast or any where you listen to your favorite podcasts - Spotify, Apple, all of them! We’re calling it our Black as YOU KNOW WHAT or Black AF episode because it had to be US breaking this movie down - thanks again to Ryan Coogler, the team at Proximity Media, and cast and crew for this one. This film is truly a gift!

SO, if you haven’t watched the film already, you can watch it in theaters now—please go see it in IMAX NOW! We encourage you to watch it and then come back to listen to our podcast. From here on out though, we’ll be discussing the film in depth so SPOILERS AHEAD and as always, you have been warned.

HUGE THANK YOU to our guests joining us in the studio and virtually, Cocoa Rae David, CaTyra Polland, Brianna Milon, Hernease Davis, Heather Thompson, Iasia Lorick, and DJ T.A.G.O.E.

CaTyra Polland is a published author, editor, copywriter, poet, speaker, Founder/CEO of Love For Words and the creator of National Black Authors Day. She's an essayist for Christopher Coles who's being honored along with CaTyra on May 19 at 6:30pm at the George Eastman Museum. It's free to attend and every guest gets a copy of the book. You can register for the book launch and panel discussion at https://www.eastman.org/event/free-all-talks-special-events/moment-revolution-reckoning-reparation-volume-3.

She's also co-hosting a virtual Masterclass with Write, Edit, Publish for those who are looking to publish a book on June 7 at 1pm ET/10am PT. You can register here: https://winnpublications.com/write-edit-publish-a-self-publishing-masterclass. Purchase your ticket before the price goes up on June 3!

You can follow CaTyra at @catyrapolland on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn as well as her business page Love For Words on Facebook and LinkedIn.

DJ. T.A.G.O.E. is a Raleigh-based DJ, who seeks to bring community together through music and dance, blended with collective education rooted in history and liberation-based politics. Follow him on Instagram and Tiktok at @djtagoe.

Brianna Milon is a published author, communications professional, and model who blends creativity and connection in everything she does. With a background in media, public relations, and storytelling, she’s passionate about using her voice and presence to inspire and uplift others. You can follow Bri on Instagram at @suunnybri.

Cocoa Rae David is a New York-based visual artist, curator, photographer, award-winning filmmaker, and business owner of By Cocoa Rae LLC and Da Purp. You can also find her on all social media platforms at @bycocoarae. She’s currently raising money to make her studio and art space for accessible for creatives and artists. You can donate monetarily or in-kind with studio needs like camera and lighting equipment and/or yoga mats by visiting https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLTR86SCCSSKM/checkout/U2TDPNZWTRWMOQ4XBQM4IMSK OR contacting Cocoa at [email protected].

Hernease Davis is a photo-based artist and curator born and raised in South Los Angeles with roots in Southern Louisiana. Her practice is spurred by her curiosity about process, one’s psychological nature and the meaningful connections made possible through art when individual complexities are acknowledged and welcomed. You can find her on Instagram at @hernease and follow her at https://www.herneasedavis.com. Follow the work that she and other artists do at Visual Studies Workshop at @visualstudiesworkshop on all social media platforms and https://www.vsw.org.

Heather Thompson is a psychology student and mother. She’s in the process of making a mockumentary– we will keep you updated on the progress of that project!

Iasia Lorick is a filmmaker.

If you’d like to be a guest on our podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Please note that while we welcome all, we prioritize hearing from Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks especially since this podcast is about highlighting the films telling authentic and multifaceted stories of Black, Brown, and Native peoples.

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Glass

Podcast and gallery focusing on underrepresented artists utilize the space to amplify their work. Curated by @Richardbcolon @qua.jay. Check out the podcast or join them in person first Fridays at 240 E Main St, Rochester, NY!

Behind the Studio Door

Behind the Studio Door, hosted by Molly Darling and Christian Rivera, takes listeners on a captivating exploration of artists and their creative processes. Through deep and meaningful conversations, they uncover the stories and experiences that shape the outward expression of their work.

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

A film so good we had to make TWO PARTS! This is the first episode doing a deep dive into Sinners with co-hosts, Jackie McGriff and Courtney Shouse.

Sinners is a horror/adventure film written and directed by Ryan Coogler starring Michael B Jordan playing twin brothers – Smoke and Stack – returning to their home in the Mississippi Delta in 1932 to start a Juke joint. In reuniting with family, friends, and neighbors, they gather a crew of entertainers, one of them being their younger cousin, Sammie–played by newcomer Miles Caton–who has an incredible talent that not only brings people together, but also attracts an evil force that dares to rip all of that apart. The film also stars Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Miller, Delroy Lindo, and Hailee Steinfeld.

SO, if you haven’t watched the film already, you can watch it in theaters now—please go see it in IMAX when it comes back on May 15! We encourage you to watch it and then come back to listen to our podcast. From here on out though, we’ll be discussing the film in depth so SPOILERS AHEAD and as always, you have been warned.

HUGE THANK YOU to our guests, CaTyra Polland, Muna Najib, and DJ T.A.G.O.E.

CaTyra Polland is a published author, editor, copywriter, poet, speaker, Founder/CEO of Love For Words and the creator of National Black Authors Day. She's an essayist for Christopher Coles who's being honored along with CaTyra on May 19 at 6:30pm at the George Eastman Museum. It's free to attend and every guest gets a copy of the book. You can register for the book launch and panel discussion at https://www.eastman.org/event/free-all-talks-special-events/moment-revolution-reckoning-reparation-volume-3.

She's also co-hosting a virtual Masterclass with Write, Edit, Publish for those who are looking to publish a book on June 7 at 1pm ET/10am PT. You can register here: https://winnpublications.com/write-edit-publish-a-self-publishing-masterclass/. Purchase your ticket before the price goes up on June 3! You can follow CaTyra at @catyrapolland on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn as well as her business page Love For Words on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Muna Najib is a Palestinian activist, writer, speaker, and educator. She wants everyone to go see The Encampments film and any film related to authentic narratives about Palestinians and the Palestinian movement film if it's playing at a theater near you! If you're local to Rochester, follow The Little Theatre and The Witness Palestine Film Festival - these two organizations have been making sure that Palestinians are heard and seen onscreen!

Be sure to follow @speakup_4palestine on Instagram!

DJ. T.A.G.O.E. is a Raleigh-based DJ, who seeks to bring community together through music and dance, blended with collective education rooted in history and liberation-based politics. Follow him on Instagram and Tiktok at @djtagoe.

Book Referenced: Africanisms in American Culture by Joseph E. Holloway

If you’d like to be a guest on our podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Please note that while we welcome all, we prioritize hearing from Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks especially since this podcast is about highlighting the films telling authentic and multifaceted stories of Black, Brown, and Native peoples.

Mentioned in this episode:

Punches & Popcorn

The masters of Couch Potato style Mike Huntone, Jason Bills, and Dr. Dominic D’Amore take a deep dive into the best and worst of martial arts films.

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Today, we're discussing the Oscar-Award winning documentary film, No Other Land, with First Generation Palestinian social justice activist, writer, speaker, and educator, Muna Najib.

No Other Land is a documentary that centers Palestinian activist Basel Adra, who records the destruction of his hometown, Masafer Yatta in the Occupied West Bank, by Israeli forces aiming to turn the area into a military training zone; the film highlights the harsh reality of displacement faced by Palestinians, with Adra documenting the demolitions of homes, schools, and the filling of water wells with cement, all while forming an unlikely bond with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham who helps him document his struggle against the occupation.

The film is co-directed by Palestinians and Israelis, Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor. No Other Land was awarded Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars back in February this year and still doesn’t have a US distributor. In more recent news, on top of the genocide that continues to unfold in Palestine perpetuated by the Israeli government—and by extension the United States as well as other Western powers—Hamdan Ballal was attacked by Israeli citizens and is now currently recovering. “Israel” has continued to bombard Gaza and arm its citizens terrorizing Palestinians living in the West Bank—including Masafer Yatta—on top of committing many additional war crimes against the Palestinians.

Please note that the events in the film happen before October 2023. It’s all part of a larger campaign to occupy and ethnically cleanse Indigenous Palestinians from their lands.

SO, if you haven’t watched the film already, it's now available to stream at https://supportmasaferyatta.com until May 9 as part of a fundraiser. We encourage you to donate, watch it and then come back to listen to our podcast. From here on out though, we’ll be discussing the film in depth so SPOILERS AHEAD and as always, you have been warned.

Muna Najib is a first-generation Palestinian social justice activist, writer, speaker and educator. She has been advocating and teaching about Palestine and other marginalized communities for well over a decade. She is a graduate of University at Buffalo with a degree in English, Third world literature and African American studies. She believes in fighting for full land back for all indigenous peoples which includes Palestine’s full liberation and sovereignty from the river to the sea.

Clip Referenced: https://youtu.be/3gzo7PiFiaM?si=JdoEpz-1O8UjPFDc&t=36

Links referenced in this episode:

• Our Voices Project: https://ourvoicesproject.com/
• Dogwoof Releasing: https://releasing.dogwoof.com/no-other-land
• Palestine Film Institute: palestinefilminstitute.org
• Witness Palestine Film Festival: https://wpff.us/
• Reel Bad Arabs (Documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPxak6lFd-I
• Kanopy - Palestinian Films: https://www.kanopy.com/en/category/14590

Mentioned in this episode:

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Mind of Magnus

Check out Mind of Magnus at magnusapollo.com, and leave him factoids at 585-310-2473!