Episode 256 – TEST PATTERN

Runtime 84 minutes Show Contents 0:00 Introduction 2:29 Know Your Enemy: Carolyn Mauricette 21:03 The New Slang: TEST PATTERN 1:07:36 The Other Side: Carolyn and Ryan talk further reading after Shatara Michelle Ford’s new film Thoughts From Your Host… I made passing mention of this in today’s episode, but it bears repeating: I’m happy for the way film in 2020/2021 is playing out. In years past, it was difficult for audiences to find their way to stories like THE SOUND OF METAL…or MINARI…or PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN. The feature we talk about today would certainly have a hard time finding an audience if it had to lure people to the end of the corridor to “Cinema 10”. Yet here we are: cinematic product choosing to keep itself in storage for another season while some bold voices grab the mic. Many of these titles are stories people who love film likely would have found anyway – but this year they are broadcasting with a stronger signal. They are drawing in audiences beyond the usual cluster of cinephiles and giving voice to a new batch of storytellers. It’s as though the grid has gone down in the city one night, and as we look up we can see entire constellations we couldn’t spot before. Don’t get me wrong – I would love to go back to before when I’d walk up to my neighbourhood cinema after dinner on a Thursday night and watch something silly with coffee and chocolate to give me that late-night caffeine boost. But all things considered…this is a wonderful substitute. I’m grateful for this substitute – truly, I’m happy with it. Links Mentioned on Episode 256: Carolyn’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank you very much for listening. Enjoy!