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 We discuss the locations, unusual visuals, links to amateur passion plays, stand out scenes and art historical references.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.

Nichetti's film ( 'Ladri di Saponette' is the Italian title) is both an affectionate homage of 1940s neorealism and a critique of the effects of consumerism, and particularly Berlusconi's media, in 1980s Italy. Russ discusses the social historical background to the making of this film before we talk about Nichetti's background in circus, children's TV and adverts in addition to film directing. The film within the film is repeatedly interupted by TV adverts and cuts to a family watching at home until characters from one medium/story spill into the others. Comic moments are highlighted - definite spoiler alert for this one - before talking about influences from silent slapstick cinema in particular.

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/tt0097702/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

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

This episode explores Lina Wertmuller's 1973 film Love and Anarchy (D'Amore e D'Anarchia), the first female director they've discussed. Wertmuller's route to direction is outlined, including her early career with an avant garde puppets theatre, then work with Fellini, before we unpick some of the detail in this exhuberant film. Set in and around a legal brothel in prewar fascist italy, the film tells the story of an anarchist from the sticks who comes to the city to assassinate Mussolini. Excellent performances and some unusual story telling make for a highly watchable and thought provoking 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/tt0070061/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_2

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

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

In this episode Russ and Ken talk about Bertolucci's 1970 film The Conformist (Il Conformista), based on Alberto Moravia's 1947 novel of the same name. Set in fascist Italy, mainly before WW2, it tells the story of Marcello whose desire to conform makes him embrace and become a willing puppet of the regime and a plot to kill a prominent antifascist living in Paris, but that only scratches the surface of this tale. The 29 year old cinematographer later went on to win 3 Oscars, including one for Apocalypse Now. Lots more interesting stuff. Take a listen...

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.http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065571/

The Novel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conformist

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

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

In this episode Russ and Ken talk about Michelangelo Antonioni's classic genre defying masterpiece 'L'Avventura' from 1960. After discussing the use of black and white in art house cinema in this period Russ outlines how the film has been critically interpreted as a kind of filmic philosophical investigation of existentialism by a director who, for the time, seems unusually aware of female sensibility. We also talk about various unconventional spects to the film making including shot choice, editing, music, sound and storytelling.

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.http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

L'Avventura on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053619/

The film can be viewed in full for free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJVI7aFREb4&t=3610s

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

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

In this episode Russ and Ken discuss 'I Vitelloni' a Federico Fellini Classic from 1953, his first international success. We talk through the story, the main characters and what gives it classic status, including Fellini's use of humour, visual composition and characters. It's the story of a group of small town 'loafers' avoiding responsibility whilst hoping for better as Italy's post war economic boom kicks in, Religious imagery and characters get a mention (including a monk up a tree) and the includion of gay characters. To finish ther is some chat about film makers who credit its influence, including Scorsece, Lusas and Madden.

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.http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

I Vitelloni (1953): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046521/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

My Winnipeg (2007) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093842/

The Children's Train (2024) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29242846/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

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