PODCAST · tv
Varsity Cinema Podcast
by Keith Rich
The Varsity Cinema Podcast is about highlighting and encouraging film exploration, covering films that will be playing at our Des Moines, IA-based cinema house. Whether you're into Hollywood fare, the off-kilter indie or the artiest of art films, we've got you covered.
Episodes
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Episode 35: Compassion
Host Keith Rich discusses the upcoming screening of Ai Wei Wei's 'Human Flow' in celebration of World Refugee Day with moderator of the event, Clayton Boeynik! Clayton is the Immigrant and Refugee Family Services Manager for Lutheran Services in Iowa at the Des Moines, IA hub. As always, please…
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Episode 34: Creature Comforts
Among discussing the year so far and what's to come with the Varsity, host Keith Rich and Varsity's Director of Development, Daniyel Turner, discuss their Top 5 Comfort Films. Keith's partner, Suzanne, also pays a little visit to the Varsity Cinema Podcast to piggyback on the conversation. As...
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Episode 33: Favorite Discoveries of 2025!
Host Keith Rich switches it up as a treat for the new year, as friends, Matt Bledsoe of the Cult Movies podcast and Daniel Epler of the Cobwebs Channel on YouTube, join him for a discussion of their favorite Top 10 discoveries of 2025. As always, check out varsitydesmoines.com to secure…
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Episode 32: Those Aren't Pillows!
Host Keith Rich discusses the upcoming programming at the Varsity Cinema in Des Moines, IA for November. As always, check out varsitydesmoines.com to secure ticketing and screening information!
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Episode 31: Des Moines Film Turns 10!
Host Keith Rich discusses the 10th anniversary of the nonprofit that heads the Varsity, Des Moines Film with Executive Director, Ben Godar. As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing to all Varsity screenings!
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Episode 30: Stronger Than You Can Imagine
Host Keith Rich discusses the documentary 'Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution' with the Director of Disability Policy for the Harkin Institute at Drake University, Daniel Van Sant. As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing to all Varsity screenings!
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Episode 29: For Faust's Sake!
Host Keith Rich discusses the upcoming screening of F.W. Murnau's 1926 silent film classic, Faust, with Mike from the LA-based band, The Silent Light, who will be live scoring the event. As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing to all Varsity screenings!
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Episode 28 - Rocco's Modern Pride
Host Keith Rich chats with film critic and Fantastic Fest shorts programmer, Rocco Thompson about all things Pride for the month of June. Paris is Burning, Drop Dead Gorgeous and more - this one is not to be missed! As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing to…
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Episode 27: Lifers with Scott Lucas!
Host Keith Rich chats with newly minted director and frontman of Local H, Scott Lucas! Scott will be in-person at the Varsity on Tuesday, April 8th for a screening of Lifers and a post-screening Q&A. We chat about the new film, being a cinema buff and the importance of editing (as not everything...
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Episode 26: A Red Carpet Affair, The Third
Host Keith Rich dishes once again about the upcoming 'Red Carpet Affair' live watch party that'll be taking place Sunday, March 2nd at the cinema. A conversation with Daniyel Turner, development manager at the Varsity and social media manager for the Varsity, Kasey Dunifer transpires. Let's get...
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Episode 25: Var Si Ty Op Er Ahhh
Listen as host, Keith Rich, chats with world renowned opera scholar and former tenured dramaturg of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Roger Pines, ahead of the screening of Maria on December 11th. Roger chats about his role in the opera world, his top 6 favorite opera / opera adjacent films and much,...
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Episode 24: Nilbog or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Hospitality
Host Keith Rich discusses the packed slate for November. Take a well needed trip to Nilbog for a little R&R or maybe you're more interested in a Texan getaway. Either way, we've got you covered on this episode of the Varsity Cinema Podcast! Head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing...
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Episode 23: Silent Film Accompaniment with Ben Model!
Listen as host, Keith Rich, chats with nationally renowned silent film accompanist, Ben Model, ahead of his live event at the Varsity on September 29th. Ben talks about how he came to live score silent films, his method of playing, his boutique Blu-Ray label, Undercrank Productions, and more!...
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Episode 22: That's So Regen
Host Keith Rich has a discussion with another one of Varsity's own, Regen Kuker! Also in this episode, we talk special events around 1997's 'Selena', documentaries like 'Join or Die' and 'Art Dealers', a 'Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight' tease and more! As always, please be sure to head over…
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Episode 21: Live Q&A from 'The Last American Gay Bar' Screening!
Enjoy a live Q&A from the 'The Last American Gay Bar' screening that took place at the Varsity in June. As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing to all of the Varsity's screenings!
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Episode 20: Varsity is Brimming with Pride!
Host Keith Rich has a discussion with filmmaker Kristian Day about his upcoming series, 'The Last American Gay Bar', which will be showing its first three episodes at the Varsity. As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing to all of the Varsity's screenings!
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Episode 19: My Neighbor Daniyel
Host Keith Rich has a discussion with the Varsity's Development Manager, Daniyel Turner, gives a preview of what's to come for the latter half of the month at the Cinema and what his son, Simon, thinks of 'My Neighbor Totoro.' As always, please be sure to head over to varsitydesmoines.com…
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Episode 18: Cinema of the Dead!
Host Keith Rich has a conversation with one of the co-hosts of Des Moines, Iowa-based horror film podcast, Nate of the Fright Zone, about the George A. Romero 'Dead' trilogy. In addition, we discuss the new Varsity Relays kick off event, the return of Science on Screen, live director Q&A of Scott...
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Episode 17: Red Carpet Affair, Part Deux
THE awards ceremony for film is upon us once more! Host Keith Rich dishes about the upcoming 'Red Carpet Affair' live watch party that'll be taking place Sunday, March 10th at the cinema. A conversation with Ben Godar, executive director of Des Moines Film and film enthusiast and marketing…
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Episode 16: You're Darn Tootin'
Host Keith Rich discusses the packed slate for February. From Jonathan Glazer to John Carpenter, we've got a large swath of all types of cinema for you here at the Varsity! Head over to varsitydesmoines.com for ticketing information, showtimes, our blog and more!
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Episode 15: Happy New Year!
Host Keith Rich discusses the latter half of the January slate at the Varsity Cinema, while getting his bearings as a new father of two. Head over to varsitydesmoines.com to secure ticketing & find out more information on films and events!
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Episode 14: It's Not A Transformer
Host Keith Rich has a discussion with LA-based, Iowa native writer/ director Marissa Vonn about her debut feature length film, Knee High, which opens at the Varsity on Sunday, December 10th. Head over to varsitydesmoines.com to secure ticketing & find out more information on films and events!
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Episode 13: Film Festival Travelogue
Host Keith Rich has a discussion about the New York and Telluride film festivals with executive director of Des Moines Film, Ben Godar, and members Clinton Olsasky and Nicole Baxter. Listen here to find out what was on the festival circuit, what's coming to the Varsity and what's currently…
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Episode 12: Oh, The Horror!
Host Keith Rich has a discussion with Film Feast host, Matt Bledsoe, about the Midnights at Ten programming for October, alongside new releases and classic horror rep screening fare. Dracula! Frankenstein! Taylor Swift! It's all here!
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Episode 11: Interview with a Librarian
Host Keith Rich has a discussion about the Varsity Cinema Book Club with adult services librarian, Dennis Cooper, of the Des Moines Public Library. Listen here to find out all about this month's screenings! Head over to varsitydesmoines.com to secure ticketing & find out more information on films...
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Episode 10: 48 Hrs.
Host Keith Rich discusses the ins & outs of participating in the 48 Hour Film Project with Pat Boberg & Brian Hogan of the Tiny Explosions film collective. Listen here to find out all about this month's screenings! Head over to varsitydesmoines.com to secure ticketing & find out more information…
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Episode 09 - Pomp and Circumstance
Host Keith Rich discusses the upcoming Fantasia 2000 screenings with Olivia Guns of the Des Moines Symphony & Academy. A classic Pixar film, an American icon brought to life, a nuclear pair and a teaser for August: listen here to find out all about this month's screenings! Head over to...
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Episode 08: Cineastes & Readers Unite!
Host Keith Rich discusses the current partnership between the Varsity Cinema and the Des Moines Public Library with youth services librarian, Samantha Reid. They discuss their current Summer Literacy program and how it ties to the Varsity, alongside their Cinema Clubhouse programming. Whether…
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Episode 07: Breaking Away
Host Keith Rich is joined by directors Courtney Crowder & Kelsey Kremer to discuss their new film, 'Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary'. In addition to 'Shift,' we also discuss upcoming bicycle-centric screenings, 80s genre classics & much more! As always, tickets and showtimes are available at...
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Episode 06: Varsity Pride
Host Keith Rich discusses this month's Varsity partnership with Dan Jansen of Capital City Pride, showcasing two LGBTQ+ films, 'In From the Side' and 'Joyland'! We discuss our baseball season kickoff programming, Nicolas Cage as a vampire, Tarkovsky & Samurai Cop in the same breath (WHAT?!) and...
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Episode 05: Red Carpet Affair
The Oscars are coming! The Oscars are coming! Host Keith Rich dishes about the upcoming 'Red Carpet Affair' Academy Awards live watch party that'll be taking place Sunday, March 12th at the cinema. In addition to sharing the details of the soirée, we get to meet some of the folks that keep the...
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Episode 04: From Stage to Screen
Host Keith Rich holds a discussion with Tiffany Johnson and Alexis Davis of the Pyramid Theater Company and their partnership with the Varsity programming the 'Stage to Screen' series for Black History Month! As always, tickets and showtimes are available at varsitydesmoines.com!
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Episode 03: Based on a True Story
New releases abound! Upcoming programming afoot! Host Keith Rich talks upcoming showings and future programming plans for the upcoming year. In addition, an interview with filmmaker Tommy Haines (Saving Brinton, Pond Hockey) is featured, discussing his newest film, Hockeyland.
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Episode 02: Opening Day Approaches
As the title implies, opening day is finally fast approaching! Thursday, December 15th is the first day the Varsity Cinema in Des Moines will be opening its doors to the public since 2018. Host Keith Rich goes through the initial lineup and details of how to snag your tickets!
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Episode 01: A Re-Introduction
With the Varsity Cinema re-opening within mere weeks, we thought it'd be fun to give patrons an idea of the changes that are to come with the newly remodeled theater. From the concessions to both auditoriums, all the way to the projection booth, host Keith Rich and executive director of the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Varsity Cinema Podcast is about highlighting and encouraging film exploration, covering films that will be playing at our Des Moines, IA-based cinema house. Whether you're into Hollywood fare, the off-kilter indie or the artiest of art films, we've got you covered.
HOSTED BY
Keith Rich
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Varsity Cinema Podcast have?
Varsity Cinema Podcast currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Varsity Cinema Podcast about?
The Varsity Cinema Podcast is about highlighting and encouraging film exploration, covering films that will be playing at our Des Moines, IA-based cinema house. Whether you're into Hollywood fare, the off-kilter indie or the artiest of art films, we've got you covered.
How often does Varsity Cinema Podcast release new episodes?
Varsity Cinema Podcast has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Varsity Cinema Podcast?
You can listen to Varsity Cinema Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Varsity Cinema Podcast?
Varsity Cinema Podcast is created and hosted by Keith Rich.
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