We're in the thick of awards season and as always, we're far more interested in seeing the industry newcomers getting their flowers. In this episode, which is turning into a bit of an annual tradition for us, we meet the five brilliant nominees of the Best British Short Film category at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards. We chat to Theo Panagopoulous director of "The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing", Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine for their film "Marion", Franz Böhm and Hayder Hoozeer for "Rock...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min
It’s Winona season and we’re BACK with a special episode recorded in the company of a delightful audience in London. Yes it’s time we released to the world… our thoughts on the monumental and enduringly relevant film that cemented Winona Ryder as a star. HEATHERS! Released in 1989 and considered a flop, it’s become what we see as the original mean girl movie. In this episode we explore serious themes of mass hysteria, teen suicide…. and the unserious themes of mystery pâté. We discuss the teenag...
Nov 13, 2024•57 min
Ending the season on a magical high chosen by the listeners. The more we get into this episode the more magic we realise The Parent Trap (1998) is. After we’ve addressed the ridiculous trauma of it all (erm…the terrible parenting decisions!), we get to the good stuff; the nostalgic joy of this film, its legacy and the fact it introduced to the world, Lindsay Lohan and director and co-writer Nancy Meyers. Wait until you hear about the other actors that were considered before Lindsay. We discuss t...
Jun 26, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 21
For film club this week we’re watching Polite Society, last year’s British martial arts action comedy film from debut feature filmmaker Nida Manzoor . The setup sees Ria, a London-based Pakistani Muslim girl who dreams of becoming one of Britain’s top stuntwomen. But it;s about so much more than that. It’s genre hopping, it’s a rewarding British comedy, it’s giving Kick Ass, and you know what, it’s different to the other sh*t you see in the cinemas. The film inspires us to reflect on meeting you...
Jun 19, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 20
Mean Girls meets Scream? This week we passionately and lovingly rant about the cult classic, Jennifers Body (2009). Turns out back in 2009, the film industry execs, aka the boys, ruined Diablo Cody’s masterpiece. Fresh off the heels of her hit Juno, screenplay writer Cody was given free rein to create her dream horror comedy starring Megan Fox, the actress born to play the title role. The film flopped thanks to the sexist marketing targeting the wrong audience, jeopardising Megan and Diablo’s ca...
Jun 12, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 19
We lure the amazing Mia McKenna-Bruce to our studio to discuss our fave film of last year: How To Have Sex. She stars as the central character of Tara in this stunning film exploring sexual consent, female friendship, toxic friendship, and self discovery. Mia gives us the scoop on filming those party scenes, drunk acting tips and regressing 10 years for this role. We reflect on the weighty themes of the film. Unsurprisingly we can all identify with the experiences of the central character and it...
Jun 05, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Wear an extra pair of socks because this film will knock them right off. This week we discuss Femme, the Neo-noir thriller and debut feature from directing duo Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping. In Femme, we see Jules targeted in a horrific homophobic attack, destroying his life and career. Some time after that, he encounters one of his attackers in a gay sauna and wants revenge. We discuss the inspiring journey of this film getting made, from short to feature, plus a whole new cast, with the sup...
May 29, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 17
This week we watch Maestro, a film where Bradley Cooper convincingly ages before your eyes across four decades. We address his biographical film about American conductor Leonard Bernstein. In this episode, we learn a lot about Cooper’s career and directing techniques. We finally learn what a conductor actually does. We discuss whether the apparent 6 years of prep goes unnoticed as far as the performances are concerned. And we recoil in horror at Carey Mulligans lack of ageing. Maestro (2023) fol...
May 22, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 16
This week we watch The Holdovers to finally see what all the awards fuss was all about. A film that has so much heart, it follows Paul Giamatti as an unlikeable teacher at a boarding school who is forced to chaperone a handful of students with nowhere to go over Christmas. Convincingly set in the 70s, the film was committed right down to the old school trailer. None of us expected to connect with it as much as we did, but we were won over by the people - from character actor Paul Giamatti in a r...
May 15, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Talking about Jonathan Glazer’s Auschwitz-set film The Zone of Interest this week was both really hard and in many ways very easy. Easy because it’s a masterclass in sound design and unusual cinematography choices. Obviously film students should be studying this for years to come. But this is no easy watch - it's a film that leaves you questioning humanity and resonates harder now than ever. We discuss the effect the film had on us, how Glazer pulled it off and the incredible reception its had. ...
May 08, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 14
For two of us, this film was deeply inspiring. For one of us, this film was simply not it. Nyad is a 2023 American biographical sports drama about swimmer Diana Nyad’s attempts to swim from Cuba to Florida, starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster. In this episode we address the controversy of the athlete’s cheating and conclude that people need to GET A LIFE. We give serious props to the filmmakers who are legends in the world of sports documentary. But despite their credentials, we question so...
May 01, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 13
We visited you lovely lot in Everyman Bristol to watch the sweatiest film of recent years- Challengers (2024)- and record a live podcast with you all. We discuss love triangles, obsession, competition, painfully obvious branding in films, CGI tennis balls in your face, the power of Zendaya’s onscreen presence and the thrilling score. We have a group discussion with our gorgeous audience on who is “the bad guy” and if there was actually any love at all in this “love triangle” film? Starring Zenda...
Apr 25, 2024•35 min
Never have we done such a 180 whilst recording an episode. Directed by Todd Haynes, we agreed May December is a gripping and technically brilliant film. By the end of the episode, we question whether we should like it so much. The film is inspired by real scandalous events and based off of real victimized people, so does Hollywood really have the right to tell this story? We discuss the DRAMA Todd Haynes brings - the music, those zooms and the sensationalized American-ness of it all. And we get ...
Apr 24, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 12
We buckled ourselves down for a film about shattered masculinity (one of Han's favourite genres) and came away wholly impressed, but conflicted. Why didn't it make most of us cry? What was missing? How can one family have so much tragedy? How did we find ourselves scrutinising male actors' bodies? The double standards! Plus, we discuss the lack of awards recognition and whether actually, that kind of makes sense? There are a lot of questions, but one thing that is UNquestionable, is that this is...
Apr 17, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 11
On Wednesdays, we wear pink drop episodes. This week we delve into the MGU (the Mean Girls Universe), and discuss the recent Mean Girls musical adaptation alongside the original. Who else knew Tina Fey’s screenplay is based off a single chapter in a self-help book? We discuss the phenomenal impact of the original film and our first-time viewing experiences. For us, we agree it was the first time we saw girls being truly hilarious on screen. But we question the relatability of the film and the fa...
Apr 10, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 10
This week on film club we're discussing this beautiful, perfectly executed and unexpected ghost story from Andrew Haigh. Lead actor Andrew Scott is perfection, Paul Mescal is sublime. Yes, the internet frenzy is deserved. From depicting grief and loneliness, to homophobia in the 80s, we pull out the scenes that impacted us most. We analyse what made the screenplay so unpredictable and original. We also need a hug. All Of Us Strangers was written and directed by Andrew Haigh and stars Andrew Scot...
Apr 03, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 9
For this week's episode we're not going to beat around the bush; we really loved Sofia Coppola's Priscilla (2023) and if you listen you’ll find out why. The film follows the perspective of Elvis’s teen wife, a rare autobiographical film that actually gives the time of day to a woman of that generation. Not only is this film completely non-judgemental, but Coppola somehow has a way of making us relate to a woman we have nothing in common with. Would we have been more satisfied ending with an expl...
Mar 27, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 8
This week our film was chosen by YOU lovely listeners. We asked for an iconic 90s or 00s film and you really delivered. The cult classic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a film that genuinely keeps on giving, from the gut-wrenching emotional turmoil, to the visual language that was truly ahead of its time. We discuss the sour backstory of the making of this film; whether pushing actors too far and bad working conditions can ever be justified by the great art it resulted in. We’re divided...
Mar 20, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 7
An episode Maisie was dreading… until she actually watched the film. And, well, we couldn't dislike it if we tried. Turns out acting royalty and Harry Potter's production team will always work wonders. This week we discuss everything about the undeniably fun, not too sickly, if a little unmemorable, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory unofficial prequel. We try to imagine other actors in the role of young Wonka, and we look back at our fav Wonka's from the past… A full transcript of this epi...
Mar 13, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Will they/won't they?? Should they/shouldn't they?? This week we discuss Celine Song's phenomenal debut, Past Lives. In a world of explosive franchises comes a quiet original film that entranced us all. We discuss the prep that went into the authentic performances and casting. Plus, Celine Song's lived experiences that led her to write this, and, Maisie receives love life advice from none other than Teo Yoo. Past Lives is produced by A24, directed and written by Celine Song, starring Greta Lee, ...
Mar 06, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 5
It's Saltburn week, time to discuss that film that you regret watching with your parents. We are so here for the vulgarity, the Barry, the girlies, the soundtrack and the eyebrow piercings. At times we're a little salty.. is it too predictable? Did the internet ruin it? Listen to find out 💖 Saltburn (2023) is written and directed by Emerald Fennell starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan and Richard E Grant. Produced by our fave, LuckyChap Entertainment. A full trans...
Feb 28, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 4
This week we go on the wild ride that is Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos. It’s a real head-scratcher as we try get to the bottom of what it’s all supposed to MEAN?! In the latest from one of our favourite directors, it’s the costume dept that are our true heroes of this film. We discuss the visual effects and production behind this eccentric spectacle, and, the erm, unique accent work. Plus, our favourite listener comments! Written by Tony McNamara, directed Yorgos Lanthimos, based on the book P...
Feb 21, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 3
It's BAFTA week baby so for this special episode we are honoured to have our first guests of the season be the future of film, aka the five nominees of the Best British Short Film category. Some of our favourite films from last year started out as a short. Over half of the film industry are thought to enter via shorts, yet some – without established industry connections – can find the routes challenging to navigate. We want to hear all about that journey so this week, dialling into our Bristol s...
Feb 16, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 2
It’s been 15 years and the Twi-hards amongst us have been lying low. But now, we emerge. The Twi-naissance is here. To celebrate the anniversary year of Catherine Hardwicke’s Twilight, we force Hannah to watch it for the first time. We discuss the chokehold this series had Lowri and Maisie in as teenagers and the reasons we keep returning to it time and time again. We discuss actor chemistry, easter eggs and the astonishing impact of this franchise. Plus we hear some HOT takes from our fellow Tw...
Feb 14, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 2
This episode is brought to you by PROPER snacks, proud makers of PROPERCORN & PROPERCHIPS. The dust had barely settled on Barbie Land. After multiple watches and months of reflection, we look back at the phenomenon of Greta Gerwig’s 2023 hit Barbie and ask the big questions: Why make Ken the best character? With 45 Mattel films in the works, what does the future of film look like? What will the unstoppable force of Margot Robbie’s production team turn to next? And why the **** was Maisie cry...
Feb 07, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 1
We've been laying low these past few months. You film buffs have probably guessed it: we've been silent because we 100% stand with the SAGs + WGAs demands for everyone in this wonderful, but greedy industry. Now that the strikes are over, we are so excited to return to you with a new season and some exciting films! Watch the full episode on YouTube @frankfilmclub Join us every Wednesday for your go-to spot for a little bit of laughter, a little bit of fun and some really great movies. Watch full...
Feb 03, 2024•2 min
Back for one fine bonus episode discussing One Fine Morning (2022) from director Mia Hansen-Løve. This might just be our love story of the year. We dissect the film’s realistic portrayal of womanhood and unusual handling of infidelity and analyse the value of intimacy coordinators in our industry. Plus, Han’s got a special announcement. Watch the full episode on YouTube @frankfilmclub In the film, Léa Seydoux is Sandra, a young, widowed mother who juggles her job with caring for her young daught...
Jun 16, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Join us for our take on the classic 90’s teen romcom 10 Things I Hate About You, directed by Gil Junger. The film stars Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union & Allison Janney and was the breakout role for the former three actors. Watch the full episode on YouTube @frankfilmclub Mixing up the structure a little, in addition to our discussion on the history and casting of the film, we’ll also give you our unsolicited '10 things we hate about 10 Things I Hate About Y...
Mar 08, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 12
This week, we discuss The Wonder (2022), directed by Sebastián Lelio and based on the novel by Emma Donoghue. Set shortly after the Great Famine, it follows an English nurse sent to a rural Irish village to observe a young 'fasting girl', who is seemingly able to miraculously survive without eating. Hannah, Maisie and Lowri chat about the power of storytelling and the hold it has over people’s lives - a prominent theme in the film. And they, of course, discuss the magnificent performances of Flo...
Mar 01, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 11
This week, we are discussing the romantic-horror Bones and All (2022), directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on the 2015 novel of the same name. The film stars Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet as a pair of young cannibals who flee together on a road trip across the country and develop feelings for each other. In this episode, Hannah, Maisie and Lowri share their hilarious cinema experiences when watching the film. We chat about the casting, Timothée’s first producer credit and what themes ca...
Feb 15, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 10
