Harsh Film Critics, Creative Resilience & a 2020 Halloween Plan

A photograph of filmmaker Uwe Boll in a boxing ring sends Henrique Couto into a story about Boll challenging critics to sanctioned matches. Henrique explains why he printed the image for his office and recalls appearing for a few seconds in a documentary after its producers licensed part of his parody video. The hosts treat the episode as a strange piece of film-culture history, not an endorsement of violence or a complete account of the bouts.The joke opens into a much more vulnerable discussion of criticism. Henrique says published reviewers and anonymous commenters have told him to kill himself, attacked his collaborators and mocked a premiere dedication to a late friend. He distinguishes constructive criticism from personal cruelty and describes “thick skin” as being hurt without letting the hurt end his creative work. He also disputes specific reviews of Babysitter Massacre that, in his account, misstated the production’s camera and sound equipment.A gentler family update changes the mood. After a long estrangement, Henrique and his grandmother had begun speaking again, exchanging cards and bonding over pictures of his dogs. Her delight in the pets offered a welcome connection while she was isolated during the 2020 lockdown. The moment also captures why Henrique and Michelle describe the podcast as a personal conversation between close friends rather than a formal filmmaking interview.The hosts close by brainstorming Halloween during the pandemic. Michelle imagines webbing off her porch and leaving candy outside, while Henrique discovers that his community had scheduled Beggars Night and considers a mask-based costume and individually packed treat bags. Their excitement, jokes and improvised precautions reflect one conversation from 2020—not current public-health guidance. Michelle also explains how forced theme days at Hot Topic exhausted her enthusiasm for costumes.LinksEmail the hosts: [email protected]