In this podcast we talk about Pier Paulo Pasolini's 1964 film 'The Gospel According to Matthew' ('Il vangelo secondo Matteo' is the title in Italian) the unusual cast selection (non-actors), Italian locations and a Jesus depicted with more than a hint of Che Guevara. Russ talks about Pasolini's route to this film, via novels and poems and ealrier films, including a short film depicting the crucifixion in less than reverent terms, and the remarkable fact that the catholic establishment embraced a film by a gay marxist athiest. We discuss the locations, unusual visuals, links to amateur passion plays, stand out scenes and art historical references. We conclude by talking about Pasolini's violent death aged 53 in the 1975.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058715/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we unpack the delights of Alice Rohrwacher's 2023 movie 'La Chimera', a film about 'tomboroli' (tomb robbers) in the 1980s. Russ discusses the social and historical background, and the way the film explores attitudes to and roles of women and other aspects of Italian society then and now. We explore the various storytelling techniques Rohrwacher employs and the interwoven themes, including Orpheus and other mythological references.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14561712/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss Pietro Marcello's 2019 film 'Martin Eden', based on Jack London's semi-autobiographical coming of age novel published in 1909. Russ unpacks some of the historical and political backstory of story, as filmed. Unconventional flashback-like sequences are highlighted and ambiguity over the time period in which the action takes place discussed. We compare and contrast the novel and film. We discuss the excellent acting, especially by the lead Luca Marinelli (unrecognisable in his latest role as Mussolini in eight part 'M: Son of the century'). Russ concludes by explaining why he feels the work of Russian literary theorist Mikhail Bakhtin, and his concept of the 'chronotope', illuminates aspects of the film.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4516162/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.