To celebrate the Criterion Collection release of her subversive classic Born in Flames, writer-director Lizzie Borden is here to talk about Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. And yes, Wayne Wang and Lukas Dhont have already discussed Akerman’s feminist masterpiece, but Lizzie has a very different approach to the film. Your genial host Norm Wilner suggests you hear her out.

He’s on Broadway with his best pal Keanu Reeves in Waiting for Godot and his new movie Adulthood is in theaters today, but somehow actor and filmmaker Alex Winter carved out the time to talk about his abiding love for Los Olvidados, Luis Bunuel’s uncompromising 1951 drama about a child living in poverty in Mexico City. Your genial host Norm Wilner can’t believe this one came together.

Writer-director Sophy Romvari’s first feature Blue Heron has been picking up a lot of momentum on the festival circuit, and in honor of its TIFF screenings this week your genial host Norm Wilner thought you might want to hear her 2018 episode about the interweaving of personal, professional and global concerns in Kirsten Johnson’s masterful essay film Cameraperson. 

Before his latest (and possibly weirdest) movie F*ck My Son! makes its world premiere in TIFF’s Midnight Madness program on Wednesday, writer-director Todd Rohal wants to discuss George Kuchar’s legendary underground short Hold Me While I’m Naked. Your genial host Norm Wilner never thought this one would come up.

With her new movie Nika and Madison making its world premiere at TIFF on Sunday, writer-director Eva Thomas is here to pay tribute to the tender soul and gigantic heart of Barry Jenkins’ 2016 Oscar-winner Moonlight. And your genial host Norm Wilner is so glad she did.

Before his first feature Little Lorraine has its world premiere at TIFF this Friday, writer-director Andy Hines stops by to celebrate Jonathan Glazer’s 2000 breakout Sexy Beast, still the only motion picture to make Ben Kingsley terrifying. Your genial host Norm Wilner made sure to even out his tan for this one.

Her new documentary Larry (they/them) is streaming free across Canada on CBC Gem, so director and editor Catherine Legault is here to discuss Zachary Heinzerling’s prizewinning 2013 doc Cutie and the Boxer, a study of the decades-long marriage of artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara. Your genial host Norm Wilner is very happy to have gone into writing instead of painting.

Her unsettling first feature Inedia is now available on digital and on demand across Canada, so writer-director Liz Cairns is here to celebrate the fraught drama and boundless compassion of Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s Rosetta. Your genial host Norm Wilner regrets to report the Dardennes’ key concerns have only grown more relevant a quarter-century later.

With her new drama Sweet Angel Baby opening in select Canadian cities this Friday, August 15th, writer-director Melanie Oates is here to talk about the clarifying heartbreak of Derek Cianfrance’s shattering Blue Valentine. Your genial host Norm Wilner thinks Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams both deserved Oscar nominations, for what it’s worth.

With his delightful feature debut Sketch opening across the US and Canada tomorrow, writer-director Seth Worley gets geared up by dissecting the sci-fi surprises of Barry Sonnenfeld’s box-office champion Men in Black. Your genial host Norm Wilner thinks you should see Sketch with a crowd this weekend, by the way.