Podcast

At Home #9

The show must go on: New York Times critic Manohla Dargis on the impact of the cinema shutdown and why old Hollywood movies can hold a special pleasure

In an article in The New York Times, the critic Manohla Dargis wrote about what we’re missing right now: “There is nothing like watching a movie, leaving the world while being rooted in it alongside friends, family and everyone else.” It’s a feeling that means so much to all of us, and on this podcast, we’ve been doing our best to stay virtually connected with each other and with movies. We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming Manohla Dargis on the podcast in our festival editions, and in these extraordinary times, she joins us once again. For this episode, Film Comment Editor-in-Chief Nicolas Rapold and Assistant Editor Devika Girish talked to Manohla about the impact of the cinema shutdown, what’s unique about the movies, and why old Hollywood movies can hold a special pleasure. We touch on Hollywood classics like 42nd Street and The Great McGinty as well as recent films including Bong Joon Ho’s Okja and Sudanese documentary Talking About Trees. Please note that our necessarily remote connection may mean some variable audio quality

If you’re a longtime Film Comment subscriber, listener, or reader, or are just tuning in now, please consider becoming a member or making a donation to our publisher, Film at Lincoln Center, during these unprecedented times. Also, don’t miss details on the new streaming availability of Bacurau, The Whistlers, and Vitalina Varela, online now via Film at Lincoln Center.

This story is part of the March-April 2020 issue of Film Comment.

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