Her Head in Films

A life update. I wanted to let people know where I'm at right now and how things are going for me.

Follow me on  Letterboxd, Twitter, Tumblr,and …

In this episode, I talk about Robert Eggers's 2015 film, "The Witch." It looks at a New England Puritan family in the 1600s that is exiled from their community. They go to live in a remote area, and terrifying things …

In this episode, I talk about the 1945 film "Humoresque." Joan Crawford plays a socialite tormented by her love for a younger man--played by John …

In this episode, I talk about Michael Curtiz's 1945 film "Mildred Pierce." Joan Crawford won an Oscar for her performance as the title character, a mother who, in the wake of the end of her marriage, starts her own …

In this episode, I talk about Mike Newell's 1991 film, "Enchanted April." It's about four women in 1920s Britain who rent a castle in the Italian countryside. Their vacation in Italy will forever transform their lives. …

In this episode, I talk about Audrey Wells's 2003 film, "Under the Tuscan Sun." I've loved this film since I was a teenager. It stars Diane Lane as a woman who goes through a devastating divorce and goes to Italy and …

In this episode, I talk about Michael Haneke's controversial and thought-provoking 1997 film, "Funny Games." It's a thriller that breaks all the …

In this episode, I talk about Michael Haneke's 2012 film, "Amour." It's about Georges and Anne, an elderly Parisian couple who have their lives turned upside down after Anne suffers a stroke. This is a deeply …

In this episode, I'm talking about Jane Campion's 2009 film, "Bright Star." It's about the brief but beautiful love story between the poet John Keats …

In this episode, I talk about Jane Campion's 2003 film, "In the Cut." Meg Ryan plays, Frannie, an English teacher who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation after parts of a woman's body are found in her garden. …

In this episode, I talk about Wim Wenders's 1988 film, "Wings of Desire." It's about an angel who falls in love with a trapeze artist and is willing to give up eternity and become human in order to be with her. I think …

In this episode, I talk about Joachim Trier's 2011 film "Oslo August 31st." It follows Anders, a young man just out of rehab for heroin addiction, as …

In this episode, I'm talking about Julie Dash's 1991 film Daughters of the Dust. This is a dreamlike film that focuses on the Peazant family who live …

In this episode, I talk about George Sluizer's 1988 film "The Vanishing." It's about Rex and Saskia, a Dutch couple who go on vacation in France and have their lives turned upside down when Saskia is abducted. To give …

In this episode, I talk about Lynne Littman's 1983 film, "Testament." It's about how a mother and her children in a California town survive the aftermath of a nuclear bombing. We don't know who dropped the bombs, what …

In this episode, I talk about Olivier Assayas's 2014 film "Clouds of Sils Maria." It's a complex film starring Juliette Binoche as Maria Enders, an …

In this episode, I talk about John Cassavetes's 1977 film, "Opening Night." It's about an actress named Myrtle Gordon (played by the magnificent Gena Rowlands) who witnesses the death of one of her fans and begins to …

In this episode, I talk about Charles Laughton's 1955 film "The Night of the Hunter." It's about two young children--John and Pearl--who are pursued …

In this episode, I talk about Theo Angelopoulos's 1988 film, "Landscape in the Mist." This film follows a brother and sister--Alexandros and …

In this episode, I talk about Jean-Pierre Melville's 1949 film "Le silence de la mer." It's set in France in 1941 at the time of the Second World …

In this episode, I talk about Jean Vigo's wondrous and magical 1934 film, "L'atalante". On the surface, it's the simple story of Jean and Juliette, …

In this episode, I talk about Terrence Malick's 2011 film "The Tree of Life". This is a monumental and important film in my life. It's hard to describe what it's about because it's really about everything--the cosmos, …

In this episode, I talk about Terrence Malick's 1978 film "Days of Heaven." Set in 1916, it follows a man named Bill, his sister Linda and his …

In this episode, I talk about the 1942 classic, "Casablanca," directed by Michael Curtiz. Often cited as one of the greatest films ever made, Casablanca is set in 1941 during the Second World War and centers around …

In this episode, I talk about Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen's 1952 musical, "Singin' in the Rain." Often voted the greatest musical ever made, this …

In this episode, I talk about Ang Lee's 2005 film, "Brokeback Mountain." It's a grand love story about two cowboys--Ennis and Jack--who fall in love in 1960s Wyoming. Their romance spans decades but, because of …

In this episode, I talk about Catherine Corsini's glorious 2015 film "Summertime" (aka "La Belle Saison"). Two women--Carole and Delphine--fall in …

In this episode, I talk about Bong Joon-ho's 2003 film "Memories of Murder." It's based on the real-life Hwaseong serial murders that happened in a rural area of South Korea in the 1980s and early 1990s. At the time the …

In this episode, I talk about Roberto Rossellini's groundbreaking 1954 film, "Journey To Italy." It stars Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders as Katherine and Alex Joyce, a couple whose relationship starts disintegrating …

In this episode, I talk about Vittorio De Sica's classic 1952 Italian Neorealist film, "Umberto D." It's about an elderly man trying to evade eviction against the backdrop of post-World War II Italy. As his life becomes …

In this episode, I talk about Kelly Reichardt's 2008 film, "Wendy and Lucy." It stars Michelle Williams as Wendy Carroll, a young woman stopping in …

In this episode, I explore the Dardenne brothers' 2014 film, "Two Days, One Night." Marion Cotillard stars as Sandra, a factory worker who tries to return to her job after a bout of depression only to find that her …

In this episode, I explore Krzysztof Kieslowski's 1993 film, "Three Colors: Blue." Juliette Binoche plays a woman who loses her husband and daughter …

In this episode, I talk about Pablo Larrain's 2016 film, "Jackie." It looks at Jackie Kennedy's grief in the days after the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, in 1963. I explore how the film …

On this episode, I talk about Agnès Varda's 2000 documentary, "The Gleaners and I." It looks at people who glean in modern society, whether in the fields, at orchards, or after the markets have closed in Paris. With her …

In this episode, I talk about Nicolas Philibert's 2002 documentary, "To Be and To Have." It focuses on a small school in rural France where the kind …

In this episode, I explore Todd Haynes's 2002 film, "Far From Heaven." It's an homage to 1950s melodramas and stars Julianne Moore as Cathy Whitaker, …

In this episode, I talk about Todd Haynes's 1995 film, "Safe." It stars Julianne Moore in her first collaboration with Haynes. Moore plays Carol …

In this episode, I talk about the mysterious power and beauty of Jane Campion's 1993 film, "The Piano." It stars Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath, a …

In this episode, I talk about Maïwenn's "My King," a raw and intense film that stars Emmanuelle Bercot as a woman struggling to heal her body and mind in the wake of a toxic and destructive relationship. I discuss how …

In this episode, I talk about Peter Webber's 2003 film "Girl with a Pearl Earring." It's an adaptation of the 1999 Tracy Chevalier novel by the same name, which imagines how Johannes Vermeer's 17th century painting, …

In this episode, I talk about Pete Travis's dreamy 2015 film, "The Go-Between," produced by the BBC, based on the classic L.P. Hartley novel of the same name, and starring Jim Broadbent, Vanessa Redgrave, and Lesley …

In this episode, I talk about Patricia Cardoso's feminist coming-of-age classic, "Real Women Have Curves" (2002). I discuss body image, factory work, …

In this episode, I talk about Nancy Savoca's beautiful 1991 coming-of-age film, "Dogfight." It stars River Phoenix and Lili Taylor as Eddie Birdlace …

In this episode, I interview director Leon Lee on his latest documentary, "Letter from Masanjia." In 2012, a story in The Oregonion went viral. A …

In this episode, I explore François Ozon's mysterious and emotionally devastating 2000 film "Under the Sand," starring Charlotte Rampling as Marie Drillon, a woman whose husband, Jean, unexpectedly disappears during a …

In this episode, Carolyn Petit joins me for a conversation about Jem Cohen's 2012 film "Museum Hours." Carolyn is managing editor at Feminist …

In this episode, I talk about Robert Wise's 1963 cult classic, "The Haunting." It's based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel "The Haunting of Hill …

In this episode, I delve into Alejandro Amenábar's haunting 2001 film, "The Others." This episode contains FULL SPOILERS. If you have not seen the film and you choose to listen to this episode, it will be ruined for you.

In this episode, I welcome my first guest, Jesse Ataide, and we talk about our love for John Cromwell's 1945 film, "The Enchanted Cottage." It tells the story of Laura Pennington, a woman who struggles with her …

In this episode, I talk about the intense personal connection I feel to Lynne Ramsay's 2002 film, "Morvern Callar," starring Samantha Morton. I discuss how the film represents grief, death, and sensuality, and I situate …

In this episode, I talk about Carol Morley's haunting 2011 documentary, "Dreams of a Life," which tells the tragic story of Joyce Carol Vincent, a …

In this episode, I talk about Jessica Hausner's 2009 film, "Lourdes." It tells the story of Christine, a young woman in a wheelchair who goes to the …

In this episode, I provide my concluding thoughts on the final two episodes of "Sharp Objects." I discuss episode 7 ("Falling") and episode 8 …

In this episode, I talk about Wong Kar-wai's 2000 film, "In the Mood for Love," which follows two people--Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan--in 1960s Hong Kong …

In this episode, I talk about David Lean's 1945 film, "Brief Encounter." Set in 1938, in pre-WWII England, it's about Laura and Alec, two strangers who fall in love despite being married to other people. I talk about …

In this episode, I recap episodes 5 ("Closer") and 6 ("Cherry") of the HBO limited series, "Sharp Objects." I talk about how the relationship between Camille and Adora is getting darker and how the show continues to …

In this episode, I talk about James Ivory's 1987 film, "Maurice." It's based on the novel of the same name by E.M. Forster. It's set in 1910 and tells the story of Maurice Hall, a young man who attends Cambridge …

In this episode, I recap episodes 3 and 4 of the HBO limited series, "Sharp Objects." I discuss the importance of more women having a role in films …

In this episode, I talk about Ingmar Bergman's devastating 1978 film, "Autumn Sonata." It's an unforgettable portrait of a mother/daughter …

In this episode, I explore Ingmar Bergman's 1957 classic, "Wild Strawberries," in which an elderly man remembers moments from his past and struggles …

In this episode, I try something new by talking about the first two episodes of the HBO limited series, "Sharp Objects." This is more than just an episode recap. It's a personal exploration of the ways in which the show …

In this episode, I talk about Ingmar Bergman's 1951 film "Summer Interlude." It's about Marie, a young ballet dancer who receives the diary of a young man with whom she had a passionate love affair in her teens. The …

In this episode, I explore the mystery and power of Jonathan Glazer's 2004 masterpiece, "Birth." This is the most important episode I've ever produced for the podcast. This is the film that defines me, that I can't get …

In this episode, I explore Gena Rowlands's raw and uncompromising performance as Mabel Longhetti in John Cassavetes's 1974 film, "A Woman Under the Influence." Mabel is a woman struggling with mental illness and coming …

In this episode, I explore Michael Haneke's 2001 film, "The Piano Teacher." Isabelle Huppert gives one of the greatest acting performances of all …

In this episode, I explore Yasujiro Ozu's 1949 classic, "Late Spring." Setsuko Hara stars as 27-year-old Noriko who feels a strong bond with her …

In this episode, I continue my exploration of films that helped me through my grief after my father died in 2006. "The Lives of Others" is an important film in my life. I have intense memories of watching it for the …

After my father died in 2006, my mom and I lost ourselves in the films shown at a local discount theater. In this episode, I talk about Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth," a movie I saw in that theater and one that …

In this episode, I explore Donna Deitch's 1985 cult classic, "Desert Hearts." It's about Vivian Bell, who travels to Reno, Nevada in 1959 to get a …

For decades, the work of Kathleen Collins languished in obscurity. She was a writer, filmmaker, and professor who is considered one of the first …

In this episode, I explore Ounie Lecomte's moving 2009 debut feature film, "A Brand New Life." The film is based on Lecomte's own life and centers …

For the month of April, I'm focusing on debut feature films by women directors. I'm kicking off the series with Joanna Hogg's 2007 debut film, "Unrelated." The film explores the emotional crisis of a woman who escapes …

What happens when cinema becomes an obsession? I explore that question and many more in this episode on Abbas Kiarostami's 1990 genre-blending film, …

In 1960, Michelangelo Antonioni released "L'avventura," a film that would make him world-famous and that would change cinema forever. Antonioni was …

In this episode, I talk about Agnès Varda's 1962 film "Cléo from 5 to 7." It's about a French pop singer who is waiting for test results that will …

In this episode, I explore all the many facets of Chris Marker's landmark and influential 1962 short film, "La Jetée." Told almost exclusively …

I would not be a cinephile without Carl Theodor Dreyer's "The Passion of Joan of Arc." This silent film from 1928 awakened me to the power of cinema …

For thousands of years, stray cats have roamed the streets of Istanbul, becoming an integral part of the city. Ceyda Torun's extraordinary 2016 …

I saw 'Dead Poets Society' for the first time when I was a teenager. It was a revelatory film for me because of the way it celebrated the power of literature and poetry. In this episode, I talk about why the film means …

Larisa Shepitko is one of the greatest directors that many people have never heard of. In this episode, I seek to change that. I talk about two of her greatest films: "Wings" (1966) and "The Ascent" (1977). Shepitko …

For the final episode of 2017, I thought it would be interesting to spotlight three television shows that I loved over the year--The Keepers, Big …

In this episode, I talk about Elem Klimov's monumental 1985 Soviet film, "Come and See," which follows a young man named Florya who witnesses …

In this episode, I talk about Ettore Scola's 1977 film, "A Special Day," starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni in some of the most raw …

Released in 2001, Le Stade de Wimbledon (The Wimbledon Stage) is French actor Mathieu Amalric's second feature film, and it stars his ex-wife, the brilliant Jeanne Balibar. It is based on the Italian novel, Lo stadio di …

It's the most ghoulish time of the year now that Halloween is here. In this episode, I explore Herk Harvey's 1962 cult horror classic "Carnival of …

In this episode, I talk about Agnieszka Holland's beloved 1993 children's film "The Secret Garden," which tells the story of Mary Lennox, a …

In this episode, I talk about Lee Chang-dong's devastating 2010 film "Poetry". It tells the story of 66-year-old Mija, who is struggling with her …

In this episode, I talk about Andrea Arnold's 2009 film "Fish Tank." It's about 15-year-old Mia who lives on a housing estate in England with her …

In Laura Citarella and Veronica Llinás's 2015 Argentine film "Dog Lady," a woman lives in the woods with no companionship except that of her dogs. This nameless woman lives outside of society, either by necessity or by …

Released in 1970, Barbara Loden's "Wanda" is a monumental achievement of American independent cinema. It tells the story of a woman living on the margins of society, rejected by almost everyone, a failure in just about …

In this episode, I talk about Katell Quillévéré's "Heal The Living" (2016) and Radu Jude's "Scarred Hearts" (2016), two films that explore illness, …

In this episode, I talk about the ways in which Vadim Perelman's 2003 film "House of Sand and Fog" foreshadowed many of the issues that would …

In this episode, I talk about Sally Potter's 1997 film, "The Tango Lesson." The film stars Potter as herself in a semi-autobiographical story about a film director who becomes interested in learning how to tango. The …

In this episode, I examine Agnès Varda's 1985 film, "Vagabond". It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and Sandrine Bonnaire won a César …

Often maligned and disparaged, made-for-tv movies from the 1990s have gotten a bad reputation. The biggest critique is that they always portray women as victims. As a child of the 1990s (I was born in 1989), I grew up …

In this episode, I talk about Alain Resnais's 1959 classic "Hiroshima Mon Amour." I combine excerpts from Marguerite Duras's screenplay for the film and portions of John Hersey's "Hiroshima" to explore how the film …

In this episode, I explore the controversies and complexities of Abdellatif Kechiche's 2013 film "Blue is the Warmest Color," which also took home …

In this deeply personal episode, I discuss Ken Loach's Palme d'Or winning "I, Daniel Blake," which is a searing indictment of how the poor and …

In this episode, I discuss Abbas Kiarostami's Koker Trilogy, which consists of the films "Where Is My Friend's House?," "Life, and Nothing More," and "Through the Olive Trees." They span the years 1987 to 1994. Film …

In this episode, I focus on two films and the ways in which they portray friendship and childhood. The first film I talk about is Abbas Kiarostami's 1987 film "Where Is My Friend's House?" The second film I discuss is …

In this episode, I discuss depression, suicide, and Abbas Kiarostami's 1997 film "Taste of Cherry."

Note: In the episode, I misspoke when, at one point, I say "Iranian new cinema." I meant to say "Iranian New Wave" …

In this episode, I talk about class and crime in Claude Chabrol's 1995 masterpiece, "La Cérémonie." Spoilers are discussed in this episode.

Consider …

In this episode, I discuss Christian Petzold's 2014 film, "Phoenix," which is about a woman who survives the Auschwitz death camp, undergoes facial …

In this episode, I discuss trauma, the Holocaust, and Meryl Streep's astonishing performance in "Sophie's Choice."

Consider making this podcast …

In this episode, I share my thoughts, feelings, and emotions about Satyajit Ray's monumental Apu Trilogy, which consists of Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), and Apur Sansar (1959). Note: This episode contains …

In this episode, I talk about Satyajit Ray's 1955 masterpiece "Pather Panchali."

Consider making this podcast sustainable by supporting it on Patreon.

In this episode, I discuss two films about Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was an editor at Elle Magazine in France and suffered a stroke in 1995 at the age of 43. The stroke plunged him into a rare condition known as …

In this episode, I talk about David Lean's dreamy 1955 film "Summertime."

Consider making this podcast sustainable by supporting it on Patreon.

…

In this episode, I talk about Krzysztof Kieślowski's "The Double Life of Veronique," which is my favorite film. I discuss why I love the film so much …

In this episode, I talk about Satyajit Ray's 1963 film "The Big City."

Consider making this podcast sustainable by supporting it on Patreon.

…

In this episode, I talk about João Dumans and Affonso Uchoa's 'Arábia,' a powerful and haunting film about a Brazilian laborer. Note: At the 41 …

In this episode, I discuss the magnificent film "Moonlight."

Consider making this podcast sustainable by supporting it on Patreon.

Subscribe to the …

In this episode, I discuss the 1990 classic documentary 'Paris is Burning,' which documented the drag balls in New York City during the 1980s. I talk about critiques of the film and why the film matters.

Consider making …

The latest episode of the Her Head in Films podcast is about the 1996 cult classic, Big Night, which focuses on food and the bond between two …

In this podcast, I discuss the high school class that sparked my love for cinema. I also talk about losing my father and how film has been a source …

In this episode, I talk about Krzysztof Kieślowski's 'Dekalog,' a masterpiece of Polish cinema.

Consider making this podcast sustainable by …

An introduction to the Her Head in Films podcast.

Consider making this podcast sustainable by supporting it on Patreon.

Subscribe to the Her Head in …