World Cinema History

The Novel: The Trial (Der Prozess) (1925) by Franz Kafka ​The Films: The Trial (Le Procès) (1962) ​Directed by: Orson Welles​Screenplay by: Orson Welles ​Produced by: Alexander Salkind​Starring: Anthony Perkins, Orson Welles, Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider, Akim Tamiroff, Elsa Martinelli​The Trial (1993) ​British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)​Directed by: David Jones​Screenplay by: Harold Pinter​Produced by: Louis Marks, Jan Balzer​Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Anthony Hopkins, Jason RobardsThe Panel: ​Host: Eric Trommater​Guests: Erin Brown and Sila Blume​Music Credits: Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: V. Chaconne by Johann Sebastian Bach. Performed live by Ben Goldstein. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Game Show Themehttps://youtu.be/UaRrDZWhtWA?si=v_no8Gd_OZ3x5R0s The Chapters: (TBA) 00:00:00 - Introduction & The Philosophy of Solipsism00:02:07 - Opening Thoughts on Welles vs. Jones-Pinter00:06:50 - The Meaning of Der Prozess: Language and Detail00:12:05 - The Rhythmic Deception of Harold Pinter's Dialogue00:22:37 - Structural Traps and Camera Violations00:25:55 - Post-War Systems vs. Internalized Guilt00:30:48 - Game Segment: Mapping the Family Tree of the Void00:36:41 - The Mechanical Breakdown of Linguistic Erosion00:43:19 - Technical Hurdles, Low Budgets, and Lenses00:46:34 - The Quarry: Comparing the Explosive vs. Sterile Endings00:56:33 - Philosophical Lineage: Existentialism and Absurdism00:59:39 - Sign-Off and Where to Find Us​Connect With Us: ​YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ​Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 ​Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA ​X (Twitter): @etrommater​Join the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club Support the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:​Bonus Episodes​Attending Live Recordings​Our Love and Appreciation​Future exclusive perks​Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)​Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory (Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

The Host:Eric Trommater https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryThe Panel:Susan GorrellExecutive Director of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF).https://julienfilmfest.com/Jim FarmerFestival Director of Out On Filmhttps://outonfilm.orgJennifer TrujilloSenior Managing Director and Executive Director at the Gilbert Baker Film Festival and Panelist on The World Cinema History Podcast.https://gilbertbakerfilmfestival.lgbt/Joshua R. PangbornWriter/Actor/Filmmaker of Queer Fat-Positive Horror/Comedy. Founder/SideKick Productions.https://www.sidekickproductionsny.comLuke HigginsonWriter/Director/Co-Editor of RELAX, I'M FROM THE FUTURE (2023) and friend of The World Cinema History Podcast.https://www.instagram.com/borrowedtimemediaErin BrownIndependent Filmmaker and Co-Host of The World Cinema History Podcast.https://youtube.com/@pizzahorseproductionsLaura PetrieFounder and Executive Director Cinema Systers Film Festival.https://cinemasysters.com/krissy mahanworking class filmmaker and founder of dykeumentary films.https://www.dykeumentary.com/The Issues:0:00 Shenanigans, Tomfoolery, and the Podcast's Opening Banter0:55 Introducing Our Distinguished Panel of Film Festival Experts3:11 Volume, AI, and Human Standards in Film Submissions5:18 Balancing Quality, Inclusivity, and Niche Film Curation7:33 Expression, Online Reach, and In-Person Connection13:34 Expanding Reach Through Online Film Festivals17:33 The Struggle for Indies: Big Names Don't Guarantee Entry21:20 Uplifting Voices: Why Queer Film Festivals Are Essential23:29 How Festivals Screen Thousands of Films25:53 Making Festivals Inclusive: Venues, Captions, and Beyond31:33 Getting Artists Paid in the Streaming Era38:16 Prestige, Strategy, and Audience Impact42:30 Celebrating Unique Voices and Community46:47 What is Art's Role in Global Crises?

"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a cinephile."This week, the World Cinema History panel breathes in the salt air of 1953 Rimini to tackle Federico Fellini’s early masterwork, I Vitelloni. Following our "Road to Godard" series, we’re pivoting from Maoist groupthink to the "Economic Miracle" of Italy, where the problem isn't a lack of resources—it's a vacuum of purpose.Join Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Sila Blume, Koom Kankesan, and a very skeptical Jennifer Trujillo as we break down the blueprint for the "hangout movie." From the "Overgrown Calves" terrified of an alarm clock to the cinematic DNA that directly informed Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and Goodfellas, we explore how Fellini used the camera to judge, mock, and ultimately find mercy for his lovable losers.In This Episode:The "Goodfellas" Connection: We analyze how Scorsese lifted Fellini’s "roll call" and tracking shot techniques to introduce his own crew of nobodies on the street corner.Technical Breakdown: We dive into the physics of the 25–28mm lens. Why do these men look "top-heavy" and grotesque? We discuss the "big head" effect and how Fellini used wide-angle distortion as a tool for satire.The Ghost Train: A deep dive into the technical miracle of the final sequence, where Fellini breaks the physical "contract" of the world to film a journey through memory.Nino Rota’s Sound: How the predecessor to The Godfather score turns a pathetic provincial life into a grand, tragic parade.The Cinematic Timeline: We place I Vitelloni in context between the domestic shadows of C’è ancora domani and the cynical "Years of Lead" seen in Seven Beauties.Next Week’s Pick: Jennifer brings us back to the 90s with Bound."One dog goes one way, the other dog goes the other way, and Moraldo is standing in the middle like, 'Whaddaya want from me?'"Chapters0:00 From Goodfellas to Fellini: A Cinematic Opening2:24 Jennifer's Unpopular Opinion: Machismo in 1953 Italy9:20 Unlikable Characters & Sympathetic Satire in Fellini's Film15:07 Placing 'I Vitelloni' in Italy's Post-War Cinematic Evolution21:09 Moraldo's Journey: Narrator, Protagonist, or Moral Compass?26:42 Fellini's Casting Choices: Leopoldo's Intellectual Pretensions30:16 The Blueprint for Hangout Movies: Fellini's Influence on Scorsese33:52 Wide-Angle Lenses: Crafting Grotesque Imagery in Fellini's Style40:23 The DNA of 'The Godfather' Score: Nino Rota's 'I Vitelloni' Music45:17 Moraldo & Fausto: Symbolism in Character Names and Relationships50:11 Breaking the Contract: Moraldo's Escape and Fellini's Artistic Evolution1:02:20 Behind the Scenes: Costumes, Sets, and Fellini's Production Control1:07:25 Final Thoughts on Fellini and Announcing Next Week's Film: 'Bound'Clips Used:Clips from Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas Clips from Federico Fellini's I Vitteloni https://youtu.be/6SPLEPdEBuo?si=rxrnuAMMCgMwSGd9https://youtu.be/pct1uEhAqBQ?si=_oGY9oS4RcJKtTccNouth Jazz B. White (1920)https://youtu.be/aM5z0XLRdXc?si=MVf9MNChUIZ1h6E0Christopher Romero Wilson as Charley from Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesmanhttps://youtu.be/mRe8J4scGtU?si=aOggHR4uOhDWMZlDhttps://youtu.be/zxtz-L6YLpk?si=XnPtrQG8d-7vSuc8Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:Bonus EpisodesAttending Live RecordingsOur Love and AppreciationFuture exclusive perksHaving your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

​"A Podcast Found in a Garbage Dump."​The journey is complete. In the final installment of our Road to Godard series, we tackle Jean-Luc Godard’s 1967 scorched-earth satire, Weekend. We have traveled from the poetic realism of Grand Illusion to the revolutionary "End of Cinema," navigating a landscape of endless traffic jams and the collapse of the social contract.​In this episode, we discuss:​The High Concept: Why Weekend might actually be Godard’s most "High Concept" film, surprisingly borrowing the narrative DNA of Road to Zanzibar.​The Death of Narrative: How Godard tears up the traditional rules of filmmaking to create something confrontational, sarcastic, and new.​The Great Traffic Jam: Breaking down one of the most famous tracking shots in history and its scathing critique of bourgeois consumerism.​The Series Wrap-Up: Reflecting on the evolution of film language across our four-film journey—from Grand Illusion, Children of Paradise, and Orpheus to this final destination.​Host: Eric TrommaterPanel: Erin Brown, Jennifer Trujillo, and Sila BlumeChapters:0:00 Podcast Opening and Panel's Initial Reactions to Weekend5:20 Analyzing Godard's Iconic Traffic Jam and French Cultural Critique12:24 Is Godard's Weekend Funny, Satirical, or Simply Mean-Spirited?25:01 From Nihilism to Maoism: Understanding Godard's Political Evolution31:48 Weekend's Unexpected Link to Road to Zanzibar and Cannibalism43:30 Panelists' Personal Struggles and Weekend's Enduring Cinematic Impact54:10 Reflecting on the Road to Godard: Connecting Influential Films1:00:42 Where to Find Us and What's Coming Next on the PodcastClips used:https://youtu.be/aM5z0XLRdXc?si=utq9OwLLKLqMRWoZNouth Jazz B. White (1920)https://youtu.be/w7e-TTRQHMs?si=VAtn3RgwWZC9QUUyRoad to Zanzibar Trailerhttps://youtu.be/4F7sdy2rZws?si=4sRiepWig58Okj6zhttps://youtu.be/OFXmVSEVa7Y?si=dHF1ONW8sONF5Gk2https://youtu.be/CwbYnGhZ2pU?si=2cM3pll3_VoQNxTZhttps://youtu.be/2xaQu3uP6VA?si=zhJkza01jYBlPd_nConnect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:Bonus EpisodesAttending Live RecordingsOur Love and AppreciationFuture exclusive perksHaving your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

Cocteau’s Orpheus Trilogy | WTF is This?Host: Eric TrommaterPanel: Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Jennifer TrujilloIn this episode, we step through the mirror into the cinematic life of Jean Cocteau. We examine the foundational trilogy—The Blood of a Poet (1930), Orphée (1950), and The Testament of Orpheus (1960)—not as technical exercises, but as a shared space where the image carries a specific, undeniable weight.We’re moving past the usual "film school" vocabulary to discuss how Cocteau demands a unique kind of recognition from his audience. From the post-war static of the car radio to the literal thresholds of death, we explore how these films function when we stop treating them as "social commentary" and start treating them as a lived, theological reality. We also place Orpheus ('50) in its proper sequence on our "Road to Godard," between the elegance of Grand Illusion ('37) and the eventual collapse of Weekend ('67).​YouTube Chapters: Cocteau’s Orpheus Trilogy​00:00 John Simon's Challenge: Try Harder for Cocteau04:00 Jean Cocteau: Poet, Painter, Filmmaker, Surrealist10:00 The Poet's Struggle: Art, Self-Portrait, and Discomfort14:00 Through the Mirror: Cocteau's Evolving Symbolism of Mortality22:00 Cocteau's Practical Effects and Filmmaking Legacy28:00 Eric's Journey: Cocteau's Films and Digital Restoration34:00 The Uncomfortable Truth: Punishment and Fetish in Art41:00 From Myth to Modernity: Orpheus and the Burden of Celebrity44:00 Orpheus's Obsession: Radio Signals and the Nature of Addiction56:00 Jean Cocteau's Controversial Wartime Conduct and Queer Aesthetic1:03:00 Unpacking Power Dynamics: From Nazis to Modern Political Parallels1:16:00 The Final Film: Cocteau's Confession and Technical Decline1:20:00 Recurring Motif: Eyes, Perception, and Artistic Cameos1:27:00 Unstuck in Time: Immortality, Death, and Evolving Perceptions1:34:00 Cocteau's Complex Legacy: Confession, Narcissism, and Horses1:42:00 Children of Paradise: Next Week's Film and Podcast Wrap-upClips and Music Featured:​Archival Resonance: German troops marching (1939) and the BBC’s 1945 broadcast of the crossing of the Rhine, grounding the Orphic myth in the shadow of history.​Sonic Texture: The surrealist "horse-sense" of the Mr. Ed theme, the precision of Saint-Saëns' Violin Sonata No. 1, the ethereal "Space Ambience" by Alexander Nakarada, and Philomena Cunk’s vital inquiry: "What the f*** is this?"Links:​German Troops Marching: https://youtu.be/cQXS6yWuyWw​1945 BBC Broadcast: https://youtu.be/67m3jOU94Pw​Mr. Ed Theme: https://youtu.be/6GAbc5uQXJo​Saint-Saëns Violin Sonata: https://youtu.be/qdmz1PjC1oM​Space Ambience: https://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQ​Cunk (What is this?): https://youtu.be/2ek8WvBI48w​Orpheus Clip 1: https://youtu.be/c4CeP3tuHVU​Orpheus Clip 2: https://youtu.be/2a-VL1VoHJ0​Orpheus Clip 3: https://youtu.be/m5NHeauBtTMConnect With Us:​YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist​Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892​Spotify: http://spotify.com​X (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include bonus episodes, attending live recordings, and having your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance).Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

We are joined by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kevin Willmott (Best Adapted Screenplay for Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman) to discuss his 2004 mockumentary, C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America.Alongside our panel—Eric Trommater, Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Jennifer Trujillo—we explore Willmott’s searing speculative history that imagines a world where the North lost the Civil War. We dive into the film’s use of satire to expose the enduring reality of white supremacy., We examine how the film’s fictional advertisements and the underlying structures of American identity remain uncomfortably close to the present day.Content Warning: This episode contains a candid discussion of systemic racism and features the use of racial slurs in the context of analyzing the film’s satirical and historical themes.Chapters​0:00 Chasing the EGOT: Oscar Winner Kevin Willmott . ​7:16 Kevin's Filmography: Unearthing the Houston Riot of 1917​13:14 Hollywood's Slavery Problem and Confederate Flags​17:24 Uncomfortable Truths in CSA's Satirical Ads​24:52 Blending Formats for Historical Mockumentary Realism​35:30 Why America Struggles with Slavery's Emotional History​45:02 USA vs. CSA: Expanding or Limiting Freedom​54:54 How Society Changes and Racism is Taught​1:07:06 Voting Against Self-Interest and Racial Prejudice​1:16:53 The Lost Cause Narrative and Modern America​1:20:27 Why Modern Society is More Stupid and Divided​1:34:13 Out-Satirizing Reality and Closing Discourse​1:39:30 Social Media and Next Episode PreviewMusic in this EpisodeSpace Ambience by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comShe Has Freckles on Her But, She is Nice | https://youtu.be/pNcjs30BZTsLead Belly - Midnight Special | https://youtu.be/zIC2hVvKzVQElmer Bernstein - Appointment with Destiny Theme | https://youtu.be/Qt6eKU3v1XENouth by Jazz B Whitehttps://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQ?si=5N4jm7bNgvfV-8-8Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include bonus episodes, attending live recordings, and our sincere apologies in advance for mispronouncing your name on air.Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

For Black History Month, we are exploring the roots of independent African filmmaking. Black Girl serves as a powerful starting point for this journey, tracing the movement of a young Senegalese woman from Dakar to the French Riviera. We discuss Sembène's transition from literature to film as a means of communicating with a non-literate audience, effectively creating a new visual language for a post-colonial era. Next Week: Oscar Winning Screenwriter Kevin Willmott joins us to discuss his 2004 Mockumentary "CSA: Confederate States of America." Musichttps://youtu.be/NpTyPVbs-64?si=ZMXUHYLQ4Q0ejUI4https://youtu.be/guexLrL44t0?si=UmYYD5vTdrXkGwz4Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZzApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterJoin the World Cinema History DVD Extras ClubSupport the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include:Bonus EpisodesAttending Live RecordingsOur Love and AppreciationFuture exclusive perksHaving your name mispronounced on the podcast (our sincerest apologies in advance)Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory(Recurring monthly payments of any amount make a huge difference!)

​In this installment of World Cinema History, we move from the historical Road to Godard into the contemporary trenches of independent cinema. We are joined by writer-director Miguel Ángel Ferrer, whose film The Shadow of the Sun—Venezuela’s 2023 Oscar entry—is a study of survival and using your dreams as a roadmap to becoming your best self.The Roundtable Discussion:​Bypassing the Permission Slip: Miguel details the conviction required to walk across the Colombian-Venezuelan border on foot to reach his own set after his funding vanished mid-shoot.​The Short Film Lineage: We trace Miguel’s stylistic development through his short films, deMonica and Innocent Attraction. The panel discusses how these earlier works established the visual frequency and Outlaw spirit that define his current feature work.​The Unconscious Heritage of Resistance: We discuss Glauber Rocha and the Aesthetics of Hunger, exploring how Miguel captured the natural light and resilience of Venezuela while avoiding the heavily packaged traps of "poverty porn."​Authentic Frequency: A look at the documentary eye required to bridge the gap between professional actors and raw newcomers like Anyelo Lopez.​The Peer-to-Peer Interrogation: Jennifer Trujillo, Nicole de Meneses, and Sila Blume join Eric to discuss the evolution of Miguel’s shorts, the ethics of self-financing, and the point of no return on an independent set.The Historical Bridge:Host Eric Trommater synthesizes these modern guerrilla hacks with the legacy of Jean-Luc Godard and Italian Neorealism, proving that while the technology changes, the Outlaw contract between the filmmaker and the truth remains the same.Support the Signal:Join the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club. Support the show and get closer to the booth! Benefits include bonus episodes, attending live recordings, and future exclusive perks. Join here: https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory​CHAPTERS0:00 Introducing Miguel Ángel Ferrer: An Outlaw Filmmaker's Journey1:59 Miguel's Conviction: Self-Financing 'The Shadow of the Sun'4:51 Achieving High Quality on a Micro-Budget with Community Support7:27 Anamorphic Lenses & Natural Light: Capturing Venezuela's Landscape14:21 From Nat Geo to Outlaw: Ingenuity on an 18-Day Shoot26:25 The Authentic Performance: Discovering Anyelo Lopez for the Film34:11 Resilience, Not Victimhood: Navigating the Aesthetics of Hunger46:47 Miguel's Philosophy: Becoming Your Best Self Through Filmmaking49:48 From 'deMonica' to Feature: Stylistic Development & Unheard Music57:26 Nuance & Acceptance: Alex's Journey of Self-Discovery1:10:18 Badass Women & The Thrilling Future of the 'deMonica' Feature1:18:38 Exploring Faith, Science, and Humanity in Miguel's Films1:22:41 The Legacy of Outlaw Filmmaking & World Cinema History's Future​Music Clips Used:Alma Llanera: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alma_Llanera_-_Instrumental_al_arpa.oggNouth by Jazz B White: https://youtu.be/sB6jXSr7_wQSavfk Dramatic and Epic Music: https://youtu.be/XuVK1TSTt6cSpace Ambience by Alexander Nakarada: https://creatorchords.comINFINITY Epic Futuristic Space Theme: https://youtu.be/4F7sdy2rZwsAmbient Atmosphere: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfP6i5T0-DkIpo7FRcofaXJ0RMIZnQx7MPublic Domain African Music: https://youtu.be/cJjk5aVze1c"African Royalty" by The Free Cat https://youtu.be/cJjk5aVze1c Connect With Us:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@worldcinehistApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmAX (Twitter): @etrommaterNext: We begin our celebration of Black History Month with Touki Bouki.

In this special bonus installment, we reflect on a filmmaker who defined the American cinematic landscape for decades. We also circle back to the studio for a final word on our recent guest.​The PanelJennifer Trujillo, Sila Blume, Eric Trommater, and Erin Brown.Remembering Rob Reiner (March 6, 1947 – December 14, 2025)The panel gathers to remember the life and legacy of Rob Reiner. Following his passing this past December, we take a moment to look at his run of films:​This Is Spinal Tap (1984)​Stand by Me (1986)​The Princess Bride (1987)​When Harry Met Sally… (1989)​Misery (1990)​A Few Good Men (1992) Additionally, we host a debate on the origins of the mockumentary form, questioning if Peter Watkins' The War Game (1966) should be considered the true first of its kind. The La Monte AfterpartyTo close out the episode, we briefly recap the final insights from Christine La Monte after she left the studio. We share the post-script thoughts and industry reflections that surfaced once the formal mics were cut, rounding out our time with her before we return to our main series.​Upcoming Schedule​Next: Tokyo Story (1953) — Ozu and the geometry of aging​Following: Nouvelle Vague (2025) — Linklater’s look at the birth of the New Wave​Road to Godard 1: Grand Illusion (1937) — Renoir’s foundational work​Road to Godard 2: Children of Paradise (1945) — Carné and the theater of life​Road to Godard 3: Orpheus (1950) — Cocteau’s poetic underworld​Road to Godard 4: Weekend (1967) — The end of cinemaCheck us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

This week on World Cinema History, we continue our series on Aging and Mortality in 1950s Cinema. Having explored the bureaucratic cages of Kurosawa’s Ikiru and the cold Swedish apathy of Bergman’s Wild Strawberries, we now arrive in the blistering, post-war economic hangover of Vittorio De Sica’s 1952 film, Umberto D.Host Eric Trommater is joined by Erin Brown, Sila Blume, and Italianophile Audra Angelique to dissect a film that was so honest about Italian poverty it was publicly accused of "slandering Italy" by the government.In this episode, we discuss:The World’s Most Synchronized Dog: Why Flike is the true star of the film (and why he’s such a good boy).The 18,000 Lire Problem: We break down Umberto’s debt—roughly $340 in today’s money—and why such a "small" sum was a catastrophic, life-ending figure for a pensioner.The Irony of Neo-Realism: How a movement dedicated to "truth" was built on a foundation of noisily dubbed studio dialogue and non-professional actors.The Great Debate: Eric offers a pointed rebuttal to Erin’s preference for this film over China is Near, arguing that while Umberto D. leaves us paralyzed by outrage, Bellocchio’s satire provides a Brechtian "false happy ending" that allows us to process the hypocrisy of the political center.From Realism to Satire: Finding the seeds of Commedia all’italiana in the film’s darkest moments—from professional beggars to Flike holding the hat in his mouth.Join us as we explore the "poetry of the ordinary" and the political minefield that defined one of the most influential eras in film history.Sound CreditsOpening Audio: Courtesy of Martin Scorsese’s introduction to Umberto D. on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).Musical Theme: Canto di Lavoro composed by Alessandro Cicognini.Classical Selections: * Vivaldi, Concerto for Viola d'amore in A Minor, RV 397.Rossini, La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) Overture.Next Week: We conclude our series with Yasujirō Ozu’s Tokyo Story.Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Erin Brown hosts a discussion with Eric Trommater and Jennifer Trujillo on one of her favorite movies, 2019's "Jojo Rabbit." The film features Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson and Scarlett Johannson in a tale of a young boy and his imaginary friend Adolph Hitler, played by the movie's Writer-Director Taika Waititi. Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Eric Trommater, Erin Brown and Jennifer Trujillo are joined from Bonnie Scotland by Leonard Hockerts from Understanding Movies. We look at Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's romantic comedy "I Know Where I'm Going!" Set in the Hebrides Islands, of Scotland, and starring Wendy Hiller and Roger Livsey, the film was made during the last days of World War II. Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.

Eric Trommater and Erin Brown are joined by Jennifer Trujillo of The Gilbert Baker Film Festival and "Vampire Director" Nicole de Meneses to discuss one of Nicole's favorite films, "Near Dark" (1987). Coming on the heels of our month long look at women behind the camera, we got a chance to celebrate both Spooky-Season and Katherine Bigalow, the first woman to ever win an Academy Award for best director. Part Vampire film, part Western, part Romance, "Near Dark" stars Adrian Pasdar as Caleb Colton, Jenny Wright as Mae, Lance Henriksen as Jesse Hooker, Bill Paxton as Severen and Jenette Goldstein as Diamondback. We also took a moment to remember our dear friend Mark Redfield who passed away just hours before we recorded the episode. To support Nicole de Meneses' new Sapphic Vampire Film go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dark-rainbows-sapphic-stories-shineFor more information on The Gilbert Baker Film Festival: https://gilbertbakerfilmfestival.lgbtFriend of the show Sav Rodgers is also making a new film and we encourage everyone to check it out at: https://pancakeskank.com/Check us out on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@worldcinehist?si=z8Yay0W0I-6APEZz ⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-cinema-history/id1744483892 or Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4YkCJSJvngtDMhey0CNsWj?si=i143kCA8RQKhQauUICLrmA or follow us on X (The Artist Formerly Known as Twitter): @etrommater Consider joining the World Cinema History DVD Extras Club.Benefits include:* Bonus Episodes * Attending Live Recordings of the Show * Our Love and Appreciation * Whatever Else We Think of in The Future * Having your name mispronounced on the podcast (sorry in advance) To join just go to https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistoryand make a recurring monthly payment for any amount.