A Lacanian Theory of Cinema (feat. Helen Rollins)

A Lacanian Theory of Cinema (feat. Helen Rollins)

From Emancipations Podcast by Daniel Tutt

May 11, 2026 · 1h 59m · Episode 149

About this episode

Daniel Tutt interviews filmmaker Helen Rollins about her book Psychocinema and its exploration of the relationship between psychoanalysis and cinema.

I'm joined by filmmaker and theorist Helen Rollins for a discussion on her new book on psychoanalysis and cinema, Psychocinema. In this book Helen argues there is a fundamental relationship between the structure of psychoanalysis and that of cinema. Cinema acts upon the viewer like psychoanalysis upon the analysand and can expose them to the universal lack inherent in their desire. This process undermines the unconscious logic of capitalism, which relies on a promise in fulfillment. We also discuss Helen's experiences in the film industry, her many film projects (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7184276) in addition to the theoretical topics raised in Psychocinema. Get a copy of Psychocinema here: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Psychocinema-p-9781509561155

People in this episode

Host: Daniel Tutt

Guest: Helen Rollins

Topics covered

  • psychoanalysis
  • cinema
  • film industry
  • desire
  • capitalism
  • theory

Keywords

  • Psychoanalysis
  • Cinema
  • Psychocinema
  • Film Theory
  • Desire
  • Capitalism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IMDB, Wiley

Books & works: Psychocinema

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