Episode 120: Jonathan Glazer

Director's Club

Happy Thanksgiving to all. And I want to say thank you for all the very kind words and messages in regards to my introduction from the last episode in which I announced the show will be hosted by two different voices next year. For this episode, it is my pleasure to welcome back two special guests from the past that have meant a great deal to me and for their friendship, I am grateful. The first is the co-host of RowThree.com’s Cinecast, and has been a frequent contributor to the show here going all the way back to his first appearance on the Michael Winterbottom episode, the loquacious and astute Kurt Halfyard. The other is a film graduate and she has joined me twice this year to talk about Hitchcock and Varda, the intelligent and good-natured Kate Blair. We cover the surprising winner of the listener’s poll, UK’s very own Jonathan Glazer who has made three films that are all incredibly unique as well as several advertisements and memorable music videos.

First up we cover Glazer’s take on the gangster heist noir SEXY BEAST, in which we all do our best impersonations of Ben Kingsley and his Oscar-nominated role as Don Logan. Secondly, we revisit a much-derided film upon its release, BIRTH, with a pitch-perfect Nicole Kidman as she grapples with the possibility that her dead husband has been reincarnated into the body of a ten-year-old boy. Finally, the one that anyone who has seen it then can’t wait to talk about it afterward, we dive into the pool of the profoundly original sci-fi alien thriller UNDER THE SKIN. Later in the episode, we briefly talk about 2016 recommendations as well as the plans I have for the rest of the year. There may be a bonus episode or two, but other than that, I’m taking most of December off to focus on a number of projects including the revision of my interview podcast and more. Stay subscribed and Happy Holidays to all!

00:00 – 07:03 – Introduction 07:04 – 08:57 – Director Song 08:58 – 26:48 – General Overview, First Experiences 26:49 – 01:02:30 – Music Videos, Sexy Beast 01:02:31 – 01:58:28 – Birth 01:58:29 – 02:21:06 – Under The Skin 02:21:06 – 02:31:13 – Outro

For the next episode, it may be a whole month until I return alongside friend Bill Ackerman as we talk for three hours about our favorite films of 2016. I’m going to be binge-watching as much as I can for the next month, getting ready to launch a revised version of Pop Culture Club, as well as spending time with friends and family because now more than ever, we need to remind one another that we care. Please visit Directorsclubpodcast.com, send me an email to [e-mail]. I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Follow Kate on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/selective_kate/

Listen to Kurt on The Cinecast: http://www.rowthree.com/cinecast-archive/

Follow Jim on Letterboxd: http://letterboxd.com/instantjim/

Visit Jim's Network For Many Great Shows: http://nowplayingnetwork.net