Celebrating Cinema LAB111

Collectively known as The Ross Brothers, Bill and Turner Ross are utterly unique in their approach to filmmaking. In a conversation with our host Elliot Bloom, these American directors discuss how film can serve as a vehicle for social experiments, aiming to uncover deeper truths about ourselves and society. Their latest film, "Gasoline Rainbow," offers a bold exploration by giving five Gen-Z teenagers the freedom to be entirely themselves on a classic American road trip. But what did The Ross Brothers learn on their own journey while making this film?

Book tickets to Gasoline Rainbow on June 26

Book tickets to Hit The Road this summer


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lab111/message

A film’s success often rests on the shoulders of its most bankable stars. But have stars once born to seduce the silver screen become influencers more than actors? Joined by actor Mike Gomez, we try get to the bottom of what exactly makes us fall in love with an actor. Among the giants whose shoulders many actors stand on today is none other than Marlon Brando, cinema’s OG pretty bad boy. The latest episode of Celebrating Cinema talks acting, movie stars and the hearts they steal.

Book tickets here for Marlon Brando 100.

Show Notes & Films Mentioned


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lab111/message

Sean Price Williams, a stalwart in American indie cinematography, has boldly embarked on his directorial debut with The Sweet East. This exhilarating journey, starring the captivating Talia Ryder, serves as a critical love letter to the fractured landscape of America's East Coast. In a candid discussion for our Celebrating Cinema podcast , both Sean and Talia share, with our host Sophie, their collaborative experience on this wild road trip. Find out how Sean's eclectic cinematic influences enrich his storytelling, while Talia's insights breathe authenticity into the character of Lillian. By the end you might just be left wondering if Sean makes films simply to play his favourite songs.

Book tickets here for The Sweet East @ LAB111

Show Notes & Films Mentioned


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lab111/message

Liberated from the arthouse cliches of cinema, Bertrand Bonello is a rare kind of director. Our host Hugo Emmerzael spoke with Bertrand about his daring approach to filmmaking, and why his films focus on translating our collective social anxieties. Find out how influences from Lynch to Jarmusch all unconsciously seep into this French director’s work, as well as what it's like working with Lea Seydoux and her unique acting approach for his latest film The Beast.

Book tickets for The Beast

Show Notes & Films Mentioned


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lab111/message

Baloji is a prolific francophone rapper, known for his visually striking and poetic style. So his turn to filmmaking only seemed like a natural evolution of his talents. Speaking with the Belgian-Congolese director, Elliot discusses Baloji's feature debut Augure, unpacking this incantatory drama about identity and grief.

Inspired by the weight of his own name, which took on the loaded meaning of “evil sorcerer” in colonial times, Baloji explains the clashes of culture, mixing Western & African folklore. Raised by the do-it-yourself mentality of hip-hop, Elliot explores with Baloji his role in not only writing and directing but also costume design and soundtracks that all contributed to this visually stunning ensemble story. Rooted in magical realism, find out how Baloji invites the audience to experience rather than to watch.

Book tickets to Augure at LAB111 here.

Book tickets to Touki Bouki here.


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lab111/message

Do AI portrayals in film predict a future of robotic overlords or simply offer a chance to innovate cinema?

Artificial Intelligence in cinema goes way back. Spanning from Fritz Lang’s 1927 Metropolis and robot Maria, to the iconic Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey, our tech obsession runs deep in film. But why is it all so dystopian?

What now seems to be a serious technological shift, we discuss how A.I. could impact cinema and what film depictions of sentient machines might tell us of what's to come.

(This was not written by ChatGPT)

Come watch 2001: A Space Odyssey with us as part of our first ever Celebrating Cinema Film Club - book your tickets here.

Show Notes & Films Mentioned


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lab111/message