Phoenix Talks

Welcome to Phoenix Talks, our podcast where we get experts and cinephiles to chat with us about past, current and upcoming films.

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Episodes

Podcast | What Makes a Christmas Classic?

Thu 13 Dec -

We get into the festive spirit chatting with Dr Ellen Wright about It's a Wonderful Life, why it's one of the most loved films of all time and what makes a Christmas classic. (Duration 15mins)

Podcast | She Should Have Gone to the Moon

Wed 7 Nov -

A podcast with award winning filmmaker Ulrike Kubatta about Jerri Truhill and the Mercury 13 - women who thought they were going to become the first female astronauts, only to have their dreams shattered. Plus a look at the importance of documentaries and women in the film industry. (Duration 18mins)

The Whys and Wherefores of Film Awards

Fri 19 Jan -

Do we need film awards? Who makes these decisions anyway? We try to demystify the people behind film awards, if we need them, and the problems - and benefits - of these systems and events. (Duration 16min)

The Thrills of Horror

Sat 13 Jan -

With our Thriller Season continuing in January we sit down with a horror cinephile to chat about what makes a 'thrilling' horror film, why we create them, and just what it is that makes the thrill linger long after the movie has ended. (Duration 15mins)

Musicals & The Greatest Showman

Mon 8 Jan -

We kick off the New Year talking about the magic of musicals, why we like them, why they get made, and The Greatest Showman, Hugh Jackman's daring original musical that shares subject matter with the stage musical Barnum. (Duration 15mins)

The New Jedi

Tue 19 Dec -

The Force has reached magical levels and we're here to talk it out. We share our take on why Star Wars is such a success, how The Last Jedi is all about failing, and the future possibilities the franchise has opened up for itself. (Duration 1hr 4mins) Warning: Spoilers!

Inventing Dickens

Thu 14 Dec -

As The Man Who Invented Christmas visits Phoenix, we talk to Dr Hila Shachar about Charles Dickens, author biopics, and A Christmas Carol's impact and success. (Duration 19mins)

Pressures on The Sexes

Fri 8 Dec -

With Battle of the Sexes well underway, we talk with Dr. Ellen Wright about the depictions of female athletes, the differing pressures regarding body images, and our reactions to the feminist representations in the film. (Duration 20mins)

The Wonder Of Waititi

Tue 28 Nov -

With two Waititi films coming up, we talk with Kieran Foster, Harry Abbot, and Ethan Hargreaves from the Film department at De Montfort University, about Taika Wititi, his filmography, his work with Marvel for Thor Ragnarok, and why we love the style that is all his own. (Duration 27mins)

Awkward Love in Call Me By Your Name

Fri 17 Nov -

Following our screening of Call Me By Your Name, Professor Claire Monk helps give some history around the film's ties to Merchant Ivory, its place within contemporary queer film, and her reactions to the changes made in the adaptation. (Duration 23mins)

Close Encounters Of the Cinematic Kind

Fri 29 Sep -

For its 40th anniversary, Phoenix brought this restored classic back to the big screen. Associate Professor Matthew Jones shares some insights regarding the cinematic history and impact of this film, as well as how it helped revive the cinema industry of the 70s. (Duration 23mins)

Charlize Theron Fights Like a Girl

Fri 8 Sep -

Charlize Theron's acting choices, Atomic Blonde, and women action stars. A podcast talking with Dr. Ellen Wright from De Montfort University. (Duration 12mins)