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PODCAST

Films for Today

Jimmy Bernasconi | 2XXFM

Hosted by Jimmy Bernasconi (‘Sacred Cinema’, ABC Radio), ‘Films for Today’ explores how the art of cinema can help us understand the social, cultural and political issues that currently trouble us. Each week, Jimmy selects a seminal film and contemplates its profound insights into the most pressing challenges of our time. For questions or enquiries about the show, you can reach Jimmy at contact@jimmybernasconi.com or on Instagram by searching ‘filmsfortoday’.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

00:29:00

'Big Fish' (2003) d. Tim Burton

Films for Today ·

2025/01/19

Should we indulge the egos of our predecessors?Following last week's conversation examining the sometimes fluid power dynamic between the young and old, this week's episode contemplates how wisdom can be extracted from aging generations, even if they see still themselves as the centre of the universe. We also discuss: 'Better Man' (2024) d. Michael Gracy 'The Girl with the Needle' (2024) d. Magnus von Horn Contact Us: E: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram:

en

00:29:00

'The Innocents' (1961) d. Jack Clayton

Films for Today ·

2025/01/12

How adept are we at perceiving looming danger? With the release of Robert Eggers' adaptation of F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu, this week's episode looks to Jack Clayton's gothic masterclass in filmic manipulation, The Innocents, to examine our capacity to recognise imminent harm. We also briefly discuss: Blue Velvet (1986) d. David Lynch Nosferatu (1922) d. F. W. Murnau Nosferatu (2024) d. Robert Eggers Contact Us E: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

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00:29:00

'A Complete Unknown' (2024) d. James Mangold

Films for Today ·

2025/01/05

How open are you to change?With the release of James Mangold's highly anticipated biopic of Bob Dylan, 'A Complete Unknown', this week's episode focuses on the paradoxes inherent to true artistry. We also briefly discuss: 'Inside Llewyn Davis' (2023) d. Ethan Coen and Joel Coen 'The Bikeriders' (2023) d. Jeff Nichols Contact Us E: contact@jimmybernasconi.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

en

00:29:00

2024: A Year in Review

Films for Today ·

2024/12/29

As the year comes to a close, this week's episode reflects on what episodes of the show and films onscreen you, the listeners, found most enjoyable in 2024. Thank you all for joining us this year and we hope to see you again next year as Films for Today embarks into more bold and beautiful cinematic territory! Contact us: E: contact@jimmybernasconi.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

en

00:29:00

'The Day of the Beast' (1995) d. Álex de la Iglesia

Films for Today ·

2024/12/22

Why do righteous acts sometimes feel paradoxical? In a second Christmas-themed episode for this year, we discuss Álex de la Iglesia 1995 black comedy, The Day of the Beast, to examine how it uses Christian mythology to illuminate absurdities in basic moral activity. We also briefly discuss: The Holiday (2006) d. Nancy Meyers Heretic (2024) d. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Also, be sure to let us know what your favourite films of 2024 have been for next week's '2024: A Year in Review'

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00:29:00

'Bad Santa' (2003) d. Terry Zwigoff w/ Eddie Bernasconi

Films for Today ·

2024/12/15

Can even the most cynical be saved?With the Christmas season upon us, this week's episode features special guest Eddie Bernsconi (Jimmy's brother) to examine the continuing relevance of Terry Zwigoff's 2003 black comedy 'Bad Santa'. Also, be sure to let us know what your favourite films of 2024 have been for our '2024: A Year in Review' episode in two weeks. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

en

00:29:00

'Anora' (2024) d. Sean Baker w/ Henry Bretz

Films for Today ·

2024/12/08

How contextual is power in 2024?In this week's episode, comedian and film critic Henry Bretz joins us to discuss how Sean Baker's Palm d'Or-winning film 'Anora' examines how fast power can be won and lost in contemporary society. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠⁠⁠⁠

en

00:29:00

'The Remains of the Day' (1993) d. James Ivory w/...

Films for Today ·

2024/12/01

What might be the cause of international suffering? In this week's episode, we are joined by freelance film writer Christopher Smol to discuss the examinations of complicity, gentility and retrospective guilt in James Ivory's 1993 drama, The Remains of the Day. We also discuss: The Wind Rises (2013) d. Hayao Miyazaki Oppenheimer (2023) d. Christopher Nolan Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠⁠⁠

en

00:29:00

'The Taste of Mango' (2023) d. Chloe Abrahams w/...

Films for Today ·

2024/11/24

How can wounded intergenerational bonds be healed?In this week's episode we are joined by writer-director Chloe Abrahams to discuss her new film, 'The Taste of Mango', which is being released to UK and Irish cinemas on 29 November 2024. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠⁠

en

00:29:00

'Like My Brother' (2024) d. Sal Balharrie w/ Archie Chew

Films for Today ·

2024/11/17

How do you tell a true story? In this week's episode we are joined by co-editor of the new Australian documentary 'Like My Brother', Archie Chew, to discuss his approach to the film and documentary filmmaking more broadly. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'Sofa, So Good' (2024) d. The Thiele Brothers w/ The...

Films for Today ·

2024/11/09

How closely related are absurdism and realism?In this week's special episode, we chat with Kyle, Eli and Cole Thiele, the writers and directors of 'Sofa, So Good', a new absurdist comedy that explores the depths of existentialism by following two cousins carrying a couch across Dayton, Ohio. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'Joker: Folie à Deux' (2024) d. Todd Phillips

Films for Today ·

2024/11/03

What is the appeal of disassociation?Combining recent conversations about the irresistible appeal of media and the challenges that are inherent to revolution, this week's episode examines Todd Phillips' highly anticipated sequel to 'Joker', 'Joker: Folie à Deux'. We also briefly discuss: 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975) d. Miloš Forman 'Pierrot le Fou' (1965) d. Jean-Luc Godard 'The Substance' (2024) d. Coralie Fargeat Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG:

en

00:29:00

Special Early Release - 'Halloween' (1978) d. John...

Films for Today ·

2024/10/24

In this week's halloween special, we are joined by the man behind 'Too Much Film School', Matthew T. Price, to discuss John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic. In our discussion, we explore how the film's iconic antagonist resembles the indifference of evil and the utility of awareness in an increasingly distracted world.Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'Crocodile Tears' (2024) d. Tumpal Tampubolon w/...

Films for Today ·

2024/10/20

How should we understand overbearing mothers? In this week's special episode, we are joined by director Tumpal Tampubolon as we discuss the symbols and themes explored in his gripping new film, 'Crocodile Tears'. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'Trainspotting' (1996) d. Danny Boyle

Films for Today ·

2024/10/13

What's the point of taking life seriously? Combining recent conversations about impulsive behaviours and monolithic purposes, this week's episode centres on Danny Boyle's 1996 slick crime drama, 'Trainspotting', to contemplate the downside of elevating pleasure to the highest priority. We also briefly discuss: 'Candy' (2006) d. Neil Armfield 'Requiem for a Dream' (2000) d. Darren Aronofsky Contact Us E: ⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'A Real Pain' (2024) d. Jesse Eisenberg

Films for Today ·

2024/10/06

Should you respect the pain you feel?An official selection at this year's London Film Festival, Jesse Eisenberg's new film, 'A Real Pain', is at the centre of this week's discussion on the strange relationship between gaining perspective and building mental fortitude. We also discuss: Various buddy comedies 'Old Joy' (2006) d. Kelly Reichardt Contact Us E: ⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'When the Wind Blows' (1986) d. Jimmy T. Murakami

Films for Today ·

2024/10/05

Are you sheltered from war? Building on recent conversations about establishing, maintaining and protecting nations, this week's episode focuses on Jimmy T. Murakami's 1986 animated feature, 'When the Wind Blows', to highlight the stark separation between humble abiding citizens and macroscopic geopolitical activities. We also briefly discuss: 'Barefoot Gen' (1983) d. Mori Masaki 'Grave of the Fireflies' (1988) d. Isao Takahata Contact Us E: ⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠ IG:

en

00:29:00

'Watership Down' (1978) d. Martin Rosen & John Hubley

Films for Today ·

2024/10/05

What does it take to build a community? Following last week's discussion about false idealism when establishing new societies, this week's episode examines Martin Rosen & John Hubley's 1978 animated classic, 'Watership Down', now restored in 4k. We also discuss: 'Animal Farm' (1954) d. Joy Batchelor & John Halas 'The Lion King' (1994) d. Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff Contact Us E: ⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠

en

00:29:00

'The Leopard' (1963) d. Luchino Visconti

Films for Today ·

2024/10/05

Is there one simple thing that would fix the world? Building on recent discussions around monolithic goals and sympathising with emerging rivals, this week's episode examines Luchino Visconti's 'The Leopard' to consider the impermanence of permanence on both the political and personal level. We also briefly discuss: 'Tokyo Story' (1953) d. Yasujirō Ozu 'The Last Emperor' (1987) d. Bernardo Bertolucci Contact Us E: ⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠ IG:

en

00:29:00

'Amadeus' (1984) d. Miloš Forman

Films for Today ·

2024/09/29

How should the established intelligentsia view the new guard? Building on recent conversations about monolithic goals and sympathising with our rivals, this week's episode centres on how Miloš Forman's 'Amadeus' depicts the gatekeeping of emerging genius by the powerful elite. We also briefly discuss: 'Sunset Boulevard' (1950) d. Billy Wilder 'All About Eve' (195) d. Joseph L. Mankiewicz Contact Us E: ⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠ IG:

en

217 results

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