How subjective is comedy? Where does a sense of humour come from, and can it change over time? Are farts always funny? This week we talk about two films with different takes on comedy and delve into what makes us chuckle.

Film picks: Withnail and I (1987) & Blazing Saddles (1974)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

What are the ingredients of a good friendship? Can friends become family, or vice versa? This week we discuss two films which explore how we forge meaningful connections with others.

Film picks: 20th Century Women (2016) & The Station Agent (2003)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

What makes a good teacher? And what's the best way to learn? This week we discuss two films that explore student/mentor roles and talk about our favourite past teachers, cults, and everything in between.

Film picks: Dead Poets Society (1989) & Holy Smoke (1999)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody

What is entertainment? Does this mean different things to different people? We discuss how films created for escapism and thrills have affected the world as we know it.

Film picks: Never Been Kissed (1999) & The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

This week we discuss two short films from last week’s Iris Prize LGBT+ 2020 Film Festival and explore where queer representation in cinema works well, what more can be done, and what the downsides may be of framing the quality of a film purely on its content.

FILM PICKS: Go Home Polish (2018) & Drifting (2020)

Available on demand now on All 4 / irisprize.org until the end of October

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

What can documentaries achieve that fiction can't? This week we discuss the art of shaping real life into narrative and what makes this film genre unique.

Film picks: The Act of Killing (2012) & Honeyland (2019)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

Are we obsessed? In our seventh episode we explore obsessive characters in film and talk about how passion has affected our own lives, for better or worse. 

Film picks: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) & High Fidelity (2000)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

How would we like to be in our later years?  In our sixth episode we explore how films portray the elderly and discuss whether there is a good or bad way to grow old.

Film choices: The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) & The Old Man and the Gun (2018)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

What is directing? This week we talk about how to recognise a good director and Mike unpacks his progression as a filmmaker.

Film choices: There Will Be Blood (2007) & In Fabric (2018)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.

In our fourth episode we talk dream logic, childhood nightmares and appreciating films that take risks.

Film choices: Return To Oz (1985) & Holy Motors (2012)

Let us know what you think on Twitter: @mhfilm and @lucysmithwriter

Music composed by Sebastian Moody.