The Cinema Silo Podcast

“We don’t get a lot of things to care about.” One thing we don’t care much about this year is the Oscars, especially given the lack of love for one of the best films of last year: Pig (2021). We got a lot of things to care about from Pig, and we’re excited to come back from our hiatus to share them with you all! The film follows an Oregonian truffle hunter (Nicolas Cage) on a search to find his stolen, beloved foraging pig—a mission that transforms into a journey for him and his companions to confront long-held grief and loss. We discuss the outstanding performances in this movie, the film’s poignant meditations on pain and isolation, and our appreciation for short movies.

This Bonus Reel highlights a local DC-area film festival with guest Dara Sanders, chair of The Alexandria Film Festival. Dara shares the films she’s most excited for audiences to watch at AFF this year, how she got involved in the festival scene, as well as her favorite and least favorite DC movies. #2021AlexFilmFest will be virtual starting November 11-14. Tickets and film information can be found at https://alexfilmfest.com and on instagram @alexandriafilmfestival

The sisters reflect on the I Do Not Dream of Labor series and the current union efforts by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. They also discuss all-time favorite Halloween movies, respond to listener mail, debate their recent watches Squid Game and The Many Saints of Newark, and Annee recaps her favorite films from BFI London Film Festival.

Tune in for all this and more as we discuss what else we’ve been watching lately and reveal the theme for our next series!

In the final installment of our series on labor, we examine Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 film Modern Times, the Tramp’s last film appearance and the only time where audiences heard the iconic silent character’s voice.

In this episode, we contemplate Chaplin as a talented artist, modern philosopher, and flawed individual. We compare Modern Times to contemporary films, analyze its humanist vision for meaning in a machine world, and reveal the extent of Frankee’s love for Charlie Chaplin movies.

“Buck up - never say die. We’ll get along!” 🔩🙂🔧

Continuing our I Do Not Dream of Labor series with Jessee’s selection, we dive into the 1976 Best Documentary Oscar winner, Harlan County, U.S.A. (dir. Barbara Kopple).

The sisters learn about Kentucky coal mine strikes and discuss the documentary’s community-based production, the role of women in front of and behind the camera, and some unforgettable folk music.

Which side on you on?

We kick off the I Do Not Dream of Labor series with Annee’s pick: the 1999 comedy classic Office Space (dir. Mike Judge). The sisters discuss the search for authenticity and fulfillment in the modern American workplace, and try to figure out who is the 2021 equivalent of peak Michael Bolton. What would you do if you had a million dollars?? 💸

The sisters reflect on the past few episodes, respond to listeners’ comments, and analyze the Movie of Summer 2021, a.k.a. the one about the beach that makes you old.

Tune in for all this and more as we discuss what else we’ve been watching lately and reveal the theme for our next series!

Wrapping up the summer series with the Annee’s sizzling pick of Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También (2001), the sisters admire the smoking hot talent in front of and behind the camera 🔥, dip their toes into Mexican political history 🇲🇽, and bask in its cinematographic and screenwriting glory. ☀️

In the second installment of our summer series, we’re taking a bite out of Jaws (1975). The sisters examine the idea of the “summer blockbuster”, analyze the unexpected artistry of the film’s music, editing, and cinematography, and contemplate the movie as a metaphor for the great American tradition of predatory capitalism. 🇺🇸🦈

Turning up the heat for the summer season, the sisters chat about one of Frankee’s favorite films, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): a story of a jazzy, homoerotic, and murderous summer for a grifter among wealthy American expats in 1958 Italy. The sisters examine the film’s sympathetic anti-hero, review different adaptations from over the years, and rave about the delicious cast on the precipice of stardom.