The Film Exchange

Immediately after the Oscar ceremony, Branson and Matt share their live reactions to this year's winners in our premiere live episode!

We return for a special edition, delving into our favorite films of 2023. 

We wrap Season 1 by reflecting on our 56 episodes, our favorites, and how our opinions on some films may have evolved. As we prep to return for Season 2 in the fall, we invite you to please share any feedback or suggestions you may have. We're open to revising the format of the show. We want to hear from you! Thank you so much for coming along with us this past year. We hope to see you for Season 2!

This week Branson picked Black Orpheus (1959) directed by Marcel Camus. It is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set against the backdrop of the vibrant Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. The film follows the passionate love affair between Orpheu (Brent Mello), a talented streetcar conductor and musician, and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), a country girl who comes to the city seeking refuge. Marcel Camus beautifully captures the pulsating energy of the Carnival, the infectious music, and the colorful traditions of Brazil. The film won both the Palm d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.  Its success helped popularize bossa nova music globally, introducing the world to the sounds of artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá. It introduced audiences worldwide to the rich culture and vibrant spirit of Brazil, leaving an indelible mark on the history of world cinema.

For Independence Day we revisit an American classic -- Hoop Dreams directed by Steve James. This documentary tells the captivating story of two African-American teenagers from Chicago, William Gates and Arthur Agee, who dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film follows them over a period of five years, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and the challenges they face both on and off the court. Through their journey, we witness the harsh realities of inner-city life, the impact of socio-economic factors on their dreams, and the profound ways in which sports can shape young lives. This film was Matt's pick.

 V for Vendetta is a dystopian thriller set in a totalitarian Britain ruled by a fascist government. The story revolves around a masked freedom fighter known as "V" (Hugo Weaving) who seeks to ignite a revolution and overthrow the oppressive regime. Along the way, he encounters a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), and together, they uncover the truth about their society and the power of individualism. The screenplay was written by the Wachowski sisters of Matrix fame. It is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd and has garnered significant cultural significance since its release in 2005. This film was Branson's pick

We continue our celebration of Pride month by watching Sean Baker's Tangerine (2015)-- a film that follows the story of two transgender sex workers, Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), as they navigate the streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. When Sin-Dee discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she embarks on a wild and comical journey to find him and confront him. The film takes us through the gritty and vibrant underbelly of L.A., exploring themes of friendship, identity, and resilience. This film was Matt's pick.

We rewatch one of our favorites -- The Piano Teacher (2001) directed by Michael Haneke. It is based on a novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. It is a psychological drama that follows the story of Erika Kohut, a strict and emotionally repressed piano teacher, brilliantly portrayed by Isabelle Huppert. Set in Vienna, the film delves into Erika's complex and disturbing relationship with her student, Walter Klemmer (Benoît Magimel). The film is a challenging and deeply unsettling exploration of desire, power dynamics, and repression. It tackles taboo subjects and offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of human sexuality. The film was met with critical acclaim for its exceptional performances, masterful direction, and its unapologetic examination of the darker aspects of human nature. This film was Branson's pick.

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To celebrate our 50th episode, we watch Bad Luhrmann's debut film Strictly Ballroom! Thank you to our listeners for your support and encouragement in reaching this milestone-- we plan to bring you lots of more episodes! Today's film explores the themes of tradition, individuality, and the power of expression. The film follows the journey of Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a talented ballroom dancer who wants to break free from the rigidity of traditional dance steps. He partners up with Fran, a beginner dancer, to create a new dance routine that defies the norms of the ballroom dancing world. The film has a timeless message about following your dreams and finding the courage to express yourself.

We go back to the French New Wave film "La Collectioneuse" directed by Eric Rohmer. Released in 1967, the film tells the story of Adrien, a cynical art dealer and a young woman named Haydée. Adrien and his fiancée part on bad terms before she goes to work in London, leaving Adrien to stay at a villa near St Tropez with old friend Daniel. They discover that the villa's third occupant, Haydée, is promiscuous and they bully her by branding her a collector of men. Adrien eventually develops feelings for Haydée and tries to win her over, but things go awry when they visit a crass American collector. The film's title "La Collectioneuse" refers to Haydée's character, who is a collector of men, rather than objects. The film is part of Rohmer's "Six Moral Tales" series, which explores themes of love, desire, and morality. This film was Branson's selection

This episode was recorded in person in San Francisco, CA at The Archery. We discuss Fantastic Planet-- a 1973 French-Czech science fiction animation, Fantastic Planet directed by René Laloux. This film is a groundbreaking work of animation that explores themes of oppression, rebellion, and the struggle for freedom. It is set on the distant planet of Ygam, where a group of giant blue humanoid creatures called Draags coexist with a human-like species known as Oms. The Draags, who are highly advanced and possess telekinetic abilities, keep the Oms as pets, studying and experimenting on them for their own amusement. But when one Om named Terr, who is adopted by a Draag girl, gains knowledge and understanding of their technology, he becomes a threat to the Draag way of life and leads a rebellion to gain freedom for his people.

Matt’s pick is 45 Years—a 2015 British drama film that tells the story of a retired couple, Kate and Geoff Mercer (Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay), who are preparing to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. The celebration takes a sudden turn when Geoff receives news that the body of his former lover, who died in a hiking accident fifty years ago, has been found in Switzerland. This revelation throws their relationship into turmoil and causes Kate to question the foundation of their marriage. The movie explores themes of love, loss, and the fragility of relationships.

Today we revisit a seminal film in Matt's movie watching-- "Koyaanisqatsi," which means "life out of balance" in the Hopi language, is a visual masterpiece that showcases the relationship between humans, nature, and technology. Released in 1982, the film is known for its unique style of cinematography, featuring time-lapse photography, slow-motion footage, and aerial shots.

Branson selected one of our mutual favorites to discuss Cat People — a 1942 horror film directed by Jacques Tourneur that tells the story of a Serbian immigrant named Irena Dubrovna, who believes that she's descended from a race of people who turn into giant cats when they're sexually aroused. The film stars Simone Simon, Kent Smith, and Jane Randolph, and was produced by Val Lewton for RKO Pictures. The film was a box office success, and has since become a cult classic due to its unique and eerie atmosphere, as well as its exploration of psychological themes such as sexual repression and cultural identity.

Following Easter Sunday, we discuss Branson's pick-- Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis and adapted by Paul Schrader, it is a 1988 film that explores the life and inner struggles of Jesus Christ played by Willem Dafoe. Shot on a tight budget in Morocco, the film depicts Jesus as a human with doubts, desires, and temptations. As Jesus grapples with his divine destiny and confronts his own humanity, the film delves into themes of faith, sacrifice, and the complexities of being both divine and human. Despite initial backlash and controversy from some religious groups, the film has been widely regarded for its bold and innovative approach to depicting the life of Jesus Christ and its thought-provoking exploration of spirituality.

We watch the modern classic Toni Erdmann-- a critically acclaimed German comedy-drama directed by Maren Ade. The story revolves around the strained relationship between a workaholic corporate consultant, Ines, and her prankster father, Winfried, who decides to pay her an unexpected visit in Bucharest, Romania, where she works. To reconnect with his daughter, Winfried creates a bizarre alter ego named Toni Erdmann, an eccentric life coach with a terrible wig and fake teeth, and infiltrates Ines' professional and personal life, causing chaos and embarrassing situations. As they spend more time together, Ines begins to question her career choices and the values she has been prioritizing. The film explores themes of family, identity, and corporate culture, and has been praised for its sharp humor and emotional depth.

Today we discuss the 1985 Swedish drama adaptation of the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Reider Jönsson. It tells the coming of age story of Ingemar (Anton Glaanzelius), a young boy sent to live with extended relatives. In 1987 it was released in the United States where it became a surprise hit. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Director for Lasse Hallström and Best Adapted Screenplay.

We bring one of our mutual favorite films to the podcast -- Mike Leigh's masterpiece Naked (1993) starring David Thewlis. The story follows the journey of Johnny, a young man who leaves Manchester for London after assaulting a man. In the city, he engages in a series of sexual and intellectual encounters with various women while struggling with his own existential crisis. Throughout the film, Johnny's nihilistic and misanthropic worldview is challenged by the people he meets, including his ex-girlfriend and a lonely young woman. As the story progresses, Johnny's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, leading to a devastating climax that forces him to confront the consequences of his actions. "Naked" is a gritty and thought-provoking exploration of human relationships, morality, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

This week we watch Chariots of Fire, a 1981 British historical sports drama film directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Colin Welland and produced by David Putnam. It is based on the true story of two British athletes in the 1925 Olympics— Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice. It is a film of modest intentions and funding that went on to be a worldwide success—its most lasting legacy being its innovative use of slow motion and enduring electronic score. It won the Oscars for — Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Score and Best Costume Design. To celebrate the end of awards season and the Oscars, we are revisiting Best Picture Oscar winners from the past

Joins us as we celebrate awards season and give our predictions for this year's Oscars. Who do you think will win? 

To celebrate awards season and the Oscars, we are revisiting Best Picture Oscar winners from the past. We discuss Matt's Best Picture selection -- The Best Years of Our Lives. It is a 1946 drama directed by William Wyler. The movie follows three World War II veterans as they return home to their families and attempt to readjust to civilian life. The three men come from different backgrounds, and their individual experiences highlight the challenges and emotional toll of war, including physical disability, PTSD, and difficulties in re-establishing relationships with loved ones. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and the impact of war on ordinary people, offering a poignant and deeply affecting portrayal of post-war America. The Best Years of Our Lives remains a timeless classic and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Our topic this week is Matt's pick-- Defending Your Life. It is a 1991 comedy-drama directed by Albert Brooks. The film stars Meryl Streep as Julia and Albert Brooks as Daniel Miller, a Los Angeles advertising executive who dies and finds himself in a strange afterlife world where people must defend their lives before a celestial tribunal to determine if they are worthy of advancement to the next phase of existence. Through his experiences, Daniel learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness, as he strives to prove himself and win his case. The film features a witty and insightful script, charming performances, and a thought-provoking commentary on the meaning of life and what truly matters.

Branson's pick Dance, Girl, Dance is a 1940 American comedy-drama directed by Dorothy Arzner and starring Maureen O'Hara, Louis Hayward, Lucille Ball, and Ralph Bellamy. The film follows two dancers who strive to preserve their own integrity while fighting for their place in the spotlight and for the affections of a wealthy young suitor. The feminist movement of the late 60s and early 70s helped give the film a new lease on life. In 2007, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, describing it as Arzner's "most intriguing film" and a "meditation on the disparity between art and commerce.”

For Valentine's Day we discuss Priceless. It is a 2006 French romantic comedy film directed Pierre Salvadori, starring Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh. The film follows Jean, a shy waiter who works at a high-end hotel in the south of France who falls for the beautiful and intriguing fortune hunter Irene. One night he is mistaken as a potential client by Irene and spends the night with her. The next morning, Irène realizes her mistake and leaves, but poor Jean is smitten with her. Later, when a rich dowager mistakes Jean for a veteran gigolo, Irène agrees to tutor him in the art of fleecing wealthy lovers.

SPECIAL GUEST: Bryan Berrios. Magic Magic is a 2013 psychological thriller written and directed by Chilean filmmaker Sebastian Silva and starring Juno Temple, Emily Browning, Michael Cera, and Catalina Sandino Moreno. The film follows Alicia (Juno Temple), who arrives in Chile to visit her cousin, Sarah (Emily Browning). Unexpectedly Sarah is called away and Alicia is then stuck on a remote island with three of Sarah’s friends. Bewildered, frightened and unable to sleep, Alicia’s reality becomes a waking nightmare. Her companions fail to notice the danger until it is too late. This film was selected by our guest and friend of the podcast Bryan Berrios (@berriosbryan), a Venezuelan filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY.

This week we discuss Matt's pick An American Werewolf in London--a 1981 horror comedy film directed by John Landis. The film follows two American college students, David and Jack, who are attacked by a werewolf while backpacking in England. Jack is killed and David is left with a bite wound. He struggles to come to terms with his new condition and the death of his friend, while also trying to prevent himself from hurting others. The film combines elements of horror and comedy, and is known for its groundbreaking special effects, which earned it the first Academy Award for Best Makeup.

We discuss Branson's pick Nights of Cabiria (1957), an Italian drama co-written and directed by the great auteur Federico Fellini. It stars Guilietta Masina as Cabiria, a prostitute living in Rome.  The film is based on a story by Fellini. Gulietta Mansion won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival and the film won Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. Cabiria has gone on to be lauded as one of the most indelible characters in all of cinema-- she is a fiercely independent sex worker who moves through the sea of Rome’s humanity through adversity and heartbreak. She must rely on herself to stay standing. Criterion writes that the film “embodies the blend of the bitter and the sweet that define Fellini’s vision of the world.”

Join us for our first episode of the new year as we discuss Elaine May's rom-com classic A New Leaf  (1971) starring Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Jack Weston, and James Coco. Henry Graham (Walter Matthau)  lives the life of a playboy. When his lawyer tells him one day that his lifestyle has consumed all his funds, he needs an idea to avoid climbing down the social ladder. So he intends to marry a rich woman and - murder her.

Join us as we each share our top films of 2022. What are your favorite films of 2022? Let us know on instagram and twitter @filmexchangepod ! This episode was recorded in person at River North Media in Denver, CO.

Join us on our Pinocchio-extravaganza as we revisit Disney’s 1940 film and how it compares to the many Pinocchios that that have followed, including Guillermo Del Toro’s new stop motion feature. A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy. This episode was recorded in person at River North Media in Denver, CO.

We discuss Ingmar Bergman’s swan song Fanny and Alexander (1982) and whether or not it can be considered a Christmas classic. Two young Swedish children in the 1900s experience the many comedies and tragedies of their lively and affectionate theatrical family, the Ekdahls. This film is Matt’s pick.

To kick off the holiday season we start with the feel-good romantic comedy You’ve Got Mail (1998) directed by Nora Ephron. It is inspired by the 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie by Miklós László which had earlier been adapted in 1940 as The Shop Around the Corner directed by Ernst Lubitsch, and in 1949 as In the Good Old Summertime directed by Robert Z Leonard and Buster Keaton. It marks the third pairing of Hanks and Ryan who previously co-starred in Joe Versus the Volcano and Sleepless in Seattle, the latter directed by Ephron. Struggling boutique bookseller Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) hates Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of the corporate Fox Books chain store that just moved in across the street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. When they meet online, however, they begin an intense and anonymous Internet romance, oblivious of each other's true identity. Eventually Joe learns that the enchanting woman he's involved with is actually his business rival. He must now struggle to reconcile his real-life dislike for her with the cyber love he's come to feel.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s last film together is the Merchant Ivory classic Mr. & Mrs Bridge (1990) directed by James Ivory. We explore what makes this film timeless and still relevant today. Walter and India Bridge are a middle-aged married couple living in Kansas City during the 1930s. They labor to keep their upper-middle class family together amongst the conservative nature of the patriarch and the progressive values of his children. This film was Matt’s pick.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving we revisit Prisoners (2013), which begins on a rainy Thanksgiving afternoon in Pennsylvania. It is thriller directed by the Quebecois filmmaker Denis Villeneuve from an original screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski. The film has a star studded ensemble cast including Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano. Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) faces a parent's worst nightmare when his 6-year-old daughter, Anna, and her friend go missing. The only lead is an old motorhome that had been parked on their street. This film was Branson’s pick.

SPECIAL GUEST: Junting Zhou. Edward Yang's magnum opus Yi Yi (2000) is often considered one of the best films of the 2000s, if not of all time. The film follows each member of a middle-class family in Taipei as they seek to reconcile past and present relationships within their daily lives. We discuss our guest’s selection. Our guest Junting Zhou is a cinematographer, filmmaker, and noodle soup lover based in Brooklyn, NY and originally from Guangzhou, China.

We discuss Branson’s pick — David Lean’s film Summertime from the year 1955 starring Katherine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi. It is a romance film that follows a lonely middle-aged American and her experiences touring Venice alone for the first time, during which she falls in love with a Venetian shopkeeper. Filmed on location, it earned both David Lean and Katherine Hepburn Oscar nominations and has gone on to become a classic.

SPECIAL GUEST: Jimmy Giannopoulus. It’s the last week of October and to celebrate Halloween we’re discussing our guest Jimmy’s pick The New York Ripper (1982) directed by Lucio Fulci. A highly controversial filmed banned in many countries—it’s about a burned out New York police detective who teams up with a psychoanalyst to track down a vicious serial killer randomly stalking and killing young women around the city. What is the killer’s motive? Our guest Jimmy Giannopoulous is a writer, director and musician whose fantastic debut film The Birthday Cake a crime-thriller starring Shiloh Fernandez, Val Kilmer, and Ewan McGregor came out in 2020 and he has a new slasher horror film coming out in 2023 named Alone at Night starring Ashley Benson, Pamela Anderson and Janice Blue.

SPECIAL GUEST: Kelsey Bollig. Our topic is Kelsey’s pick 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) a sci-fi thriller / horror directed by Dan Trachtenberg in his directorial debut, written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman. It is the second film in the Cloverfield franchise which also includes Cloverfield (2008) and The Cloverfield Paradox (2018). A young woman is held in an underground bunker by a man who insists that a hostile event has left the surface of the Earth uninhabitable. For the month of October we have a guest each week and discuss a horror film of their choice. We love the horror genre and hope this gets you in the Halloween spirit! Bollig’s works include Asking For a Friend (2019), The Fourth Wall (2020), and Kickstart My Heart (2022). She is currently in development with Lionsgate on a film named Breeders set to shoot next year.

We revisit 1970's The Phantom Tollbooth directed by Abe Levitow, Chuck Jones, and Dave Monahan-- a live-action/animated fantasy film based on Norton Juster's 1961 classic children's book of the same name. This is Branson's pick. We discuss how the film holds up today and what makes it special. Milo, a bored boy who lives in a San Francisco apartment block, is surprised by a large, gift-wrapped package that has appeared in his room. The package turns out to be a gateway to a magical parallel universe. The film moves from live action to animation, after Milo is transported to the enchanted Kingdom of Wisdom in the Lands Beyond.

We enter the Demy-verse and watch Jacques Demy's debut Lola (1961) starring Marc Michel and Anouk Aimée. Described by Demy as "a musical without music" this French New Wave film is a tribute to Max Orphüls. A bored young man meets with his former girlfriend, now a cabaret dancer and single mother, and soon finds himself falling back in love with her.

This week we discuss Matt’s pick— the underrated Archer Films classic A Matter of Life and Death directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger starring David Niven, Kim Hunter, and Roger Livesey. The film follows a British wartime aviator who cheats death and must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his romance with an American girl.