Scene This

In this episode of Scene This, host Mike Ornelas interviews director Mehrnoush Alia about her debut feature film, 1001 Frames. The film, which premiered at AFI Fest, explores power dynamics in the audition process from a woman's perspective. Mehrnoush shares her inspiration, challenges faced during production in Iran, and the genre-blending nature of her film. The conversation delves into the psychological horror elements and the empowering message for women.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Mehrnoush Alia and 1001 Frames

00:03:00 Inspiration and Personal Experiences

00:09:00 Filming Challenges in Iran

00:15:00 Genre-Blending and Cinematography

00:21:00 Empowering Women Through Film

00:27:00 The Film's Ending and Recommendations

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In this conversation, writer-director Afia Nathaniel discusses her short film 'Don't Be Late Myra,' which explores the heavy themes of harassment through the eyes of a young girl. Afia shares her experiences in the festival circuit, the casting process for the lead role, and the personal connection she has to the story. She emphasizes the importance of visual storytelling, sound design, and collaboration with her cinematographer to create a powerful narrative. The discussion also touches on the cathartic process of sharing her story and the impact it has on audiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Afia Nathaniel

01:56 Casting Myra: Finding the Right Actress

06:25 The Personal Connection: Afia's Story and Motivation

08:12 The Cathartic Process of Filmmaking

10:11 Symbolism in Visuals: Balloons and Innocence

11:36 Family Dynamics: Myra's Role in the Household

13:43 Collaboration with the DP: Capturing Tone and Emotion

16:20 Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

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In this episode, the hosts celebrate their podcast's anniversary while diving into a discussion about Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein. They explore various films they've watched recently, share their thoughts on the performances, themes, and visual effects of Frankenstein, and engage in a spoiler-filled analysis of character dynamics and narrative structure. The conversation wraps up with recommendations for double features that complement the film

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:13 What We've Seen This Week

13:30 Frankenstein (Spoiler Free Review)

27:39 Spoiler Review

35:22 Commodus Scale

39:19 Double Feature Recommendations

45:10 Drafting Stock

50:09 Wrap Up

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In this episode, Mike Ornelas, Erica McMullen, and Adrian Cedeno engage in a lively draft of movies from the year 2000. They discuss various categories including comedy, drama, horror, and best performance, while sharing insights and personal anecdotes about the films. The conversation highlights the cultural significance of the movies from this era, the impact of 9/11 on cinema, and the importance of representation in film. The hosts also reflect on their favorite performances and the evolution of comedy in the early 2000s, culminating in a fun and nostalgic exploration of a pivotal year in film history.

In this episode, Mike Ornelas and Adrian Cedeno dive into a variety of topics, starting with a recap of the World Series and their experiences as fans. They transition into film discussions, reviewing recent movies including 'The Secret Agent' and 'After the Hunt', while also reflecting on Adrian's experience at the AFI Film Fest. The duo shares their top 10 films from the festival, exploring themes of community, rebuilding, and the importance of representation in cinema. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast and upcoming film discussions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:05 What We've Seen

10:54 Discussion on After the Hunt

22:14 Adrian's AFI Film Fest Experience

26:35 Adrian's Top 10 Films at AFI Fest

56:16 Wrap Up

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In this conversation, director Gabe Polsky discusses his documentary 'The Man Who Saves the World?', which explores the life of Patrick McCollum and his mission to unite indigenous tribes of the Americas. Gabe shares his personal spiritual journey, the challenges of filmmaking, and the complex themes of mental health, cultural narratives, and the white savior complex. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection, exploration, and the impact of storytelling in understanding our world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Documentary and Gabe Polsky

01:53 Gabe's Spiritual Journey and Beliefs

04:53 Meeting Patrick: The Ordinary and Extraordinary

06:23 The Role of the Filmmaker in the Prophecy

09:00 Exploring Mental Health and Cultural Narratives

10:52 The White Savior Complex: A Nuanced Discussion

14:26 Shaping Future Work: Spiritual Influence on Filmmaking

17:13 The Takeaway: What Should Viewers Learn?

20:54 Underseen Films: The Importance of Hidden Gems

The Man Who Saves The World? Website

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In this special edition of Scene This, Mike sits down with acclaimed Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk for a deep dive into his new feature film Wrong Husband (Inuktitut title Uiksaringitara) which premiered at TIFF. Set in Igloolik circa 2000 BCE, the story follows two young lovers, Kaujak and Sapa, whose lives are torn apart by fate, tradition and the eerie presence of a shaman and troll-like creature.

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In this episode of Scene This, Mike Ornelas and Erica McMullen revisit the beloved 1995 classic Casper — the friendly ghost who defined a generation. They dive into their nostalgic memories, unpack the film’s character dynamics, and even imagine what a modern sequel or recast might look like.

The duo also explore how the film holds up today, touching on cultural sensitivity, language, and direction, while sprinkling in plenty of trivia, fun facts, and a few double-feature recommendations for fellow '90s movie fans.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of Casper

03:42 Does This Still Slap?

06:54 Unnecessary Sequel

09:43 No Fly Zone

12:35 Twist Ending Ideas

13:34 Hot Takes

17:11 Best Prop/Clothing to Steal

18:24 Recasting

20:08 Double Feature Recommendations

24:59 Nitpicks

31:36 This Movie Needs a Latin

34:38 Most Underrated Character

36:08 Oh Shit Moment

36:59 Emotional Moments in Casper

38:37 Best Dressed

40:28 Directorial Vision for a New Casper

44:46 And The Oscar Goes To...

47:21 IMDb Trivia

56:06 Wrap Up

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Join me for an in-depth conversation with filmmaker Ulises Porra, director of Bajo El Mismo Sol (Under the Same Sun), a powerful period drama set in the early 19th-century Caribbean. The film explores themes of colonialism, cultural hybridity, survival, and belonging, following the uneasy alliance of a Spanish heir, a Chinese weaver, and a Haitian deserter.

In this episode, the hosts celebrate the 25th anniversary of 'Scary Movie,' discussing its impact on the comedy genre, the legacy of its sequels, and the performances that launched the careers of Anna Faris and Regina Hall. They explore what has and hasn't aged well in the film, the clever twist ending, and share hot takes on its humor. The conversation also touches on recasting ideas, recommendations for similar films, and the Wayans family's significant contributions to comedy. Fun facts and trivia about the film's production and cultural impact are also shared, making for a comprehensive discussion on this iconic parody.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating 25 Years of Scary Movie

03:57 Does This Still Slap?

06:25 Sequel Ideas

08:44 No Fly Zone

11:58 Twist Ending

15:18 Hot Takes

17:14 Best Prop/Clothing to Steal

18:00 Recasting

21:08 Double Feature Recommendations

23:32 Nitpicking the Comedy

24:53 This Movie Needs a Latino

27:30 Underrated Character

28:58 Oh Shit Moment

31:29 Emotional Gut Punch

32:35 Best Dressed Characters

33:27 New Director?

34:54 And The Oscar Goes To...

41:01 IMDb Trivia

45:40 Wrap up

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