The Ministry of Film

Carolina and Robin
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The art and politics of classic films. Presented by Carolina Saludes and Robin McGhee

  1. Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Alice (1988)

    19 MAR

    Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Alice (1988)

    'Alice had got so much into the way of expecting nothing but out-of-the-way things to happen, that it seemed quite dull for life to go on in the common way' Robin and Carolina come back from their brief hiatus to discuss not one, but two Alice's Adventures in Wonderland adaptations: Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' (1951) and Jan Švankmajer's 'Alice' (1988). Politics include: Victorian satire, logic that isn't logic (but maybe is), how growing up is scary but exciting, the value of wonderment to the human experience, and a bucket of dead oysters. More cool, psychedelic writing about the meaning of Alice: 'Female identity in Wonderland' by Anna Cermakova (you knew there would be one about feminism)'Alice's adventures in algebra' by Melanie Bayley (really rather good, actually)'Carroll's satirical vision of the age' by Ansam Khyoon (more politics, for you nerds)If you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    1hr 5min
  2. Lincoln (2012) with Jeevun Sandher MP

    13 FEB

    Lincoln (2012) with Jeevun Sandher MP

    Carolina is joined by UK Member of Parliament and Junior Minister Jeevun Sandher to discuss the ultimate blast from the past political historical drama Lincoln (2012), from Steven Spielberg.  Because who better to discuss a jobbing politician than... a jobbing politician. Politics include: Daniel Day-Lewis acting his absolute socks off, something about the purity of the democratic process (remember that, USA?), the undeniable need to master words in politics, the even more undeniable need to master force in politics, and maybe a bit about why ending slavery is great but what about universal suffrage.  You can expect great speeches and even better facial hair.  Ready to read some tomes about the great Abe? 'Team of Rivals' (2009) by Doris Kearns Goodwin, on which the film is based'Abraham Lincoln: A life' (2008) by Michael Burlingame, if you don't fear neck pain in bed'Battle cry of freedom' (1988) by James M. McPherson, for those wanting an even more depressing readIf you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    48 min
  3. Waterloo (1970) with Matthew Palmer

    27/11/2025

    Waterloo (1970) with Matthew Palmer

    Robin and Carolina are joined by writer and former British Army soldier Matthew Palmer to discuss the best (and hammiest) film about Napoleon Bonaparte. Politics include: everything you needed to know about the egomaniac, manipulative, completely genius character of Bonaparte; how Wellington was a massive dick, but so was everyone else; the nuts story behind how the film came into existence, and how it literally couldn't be made today; and of course the politics of the battlefield at Waterloo. Plus some of the best one-liners committed to film in the history of cinema. Hold on to your horses: it's going to be a good one. Need more Bonaparte in your life? Check some of these monumental works - there are many, many, many others 'Napoleon the Great' by Andrew Roberts'Napoleon: the Myth of the Saviour' by Jean Tulard'The Greatest Movie Never Made: Kubrik's Napoleon vs Bondarchuk's Waterloo' by Matthew ShadboltIf you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    1hr 14min
  4. Brief Encounter with Groovy Movies

    13/11/2025

    Brief Encounter with Groovy Movies

    Robin and Carolina join the wonderful Lily Austin and James Brailsford from the Groovy Movies podcast for a discussion on the most swoony, heartachy British film of all time, Brief Encounter (1945).  Politics include: the very universal feeling of having to say no to the thing you want most; the class politics of being able to cheat on your partner if you're working class but not if you're middle class; how director David Lean having six wives is actually pretty relevant here; and how arguably the most romantic film of all time was shot during the Blitz in WWII, and was all the better for it. Check out Groovy Movies on: Apple PodcastsSpotifyor wherever you get your podcasts!They're also on Instagram and TikTok, so check them out there! If you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    44 min
  5. Alien (1979)

    31/10/2025

    Alien (1979)

    Carolina and Robin celebrate ONE WHOLE YEAR of The Ministry of Film with Ridley Scott's 'oh-god-the-terror-of-childbirth' haunted-house Halloween special Alien (1979).  Politics include: the insane gender dynamics of a film about motherhood, domestic violence and female revenge in the context of a monster flick in space; how this film is sort of about 16th-century colonial ships; and how the Weyland Yutani Corporation is the perfect allegory for rapacious capitalism and labour uprisings. Plus a xenomorph with a penis head.  You will want to read more because oh boy: That 2h BTS documentary about the making of Alien: 'The Beast Within'Eleanor Johnson's brilliant Substack essay about how we could interpret the film as being about the Alien, and humans as the deadly colonisers: 'Speaking the Monster'Go deep into the theory of capitalism as an unstoppable, amoral beast in 'On the reproduction of capitalism: Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses' by Louis AlthusserIf you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    1hr 8min
  6. Pan's Labyrinth

    17/10/2025

    Pan's Labyrinth

    This spooky season, Robin and Carolina delve into the mystical forest of fauns and folklore with Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro's modern classic tale from 2006.  Politics include: why you would never find Franco inside Pan's Labyrinth, how the church in 1940s Spain may have consisted of a bunch of sellouts, and how you can portray the coolest, greenest imaginary world a 10-year-old girl could wish for.  Plus a load of Spanish Civil War, WWII and fascist soldiers. But we'll make it fun, promise. If you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    1hr 12min
  7. Toy Story (1995)

    03/10/2025

    Toy Story (1995)

    Carolina and Robin revisit our collective childhoods with Toy Story, the ultimate Pixar classic, where Marx's theory of the proletariat meets the best Mr Potato gags you've ever seen. Politics include: surveillance capitalism, the rise of the enslaved worker class, the American 'end of history' obsession with alternative realities, and a hero who is a toy but turns into a man by realising he is in fact a toy.  Also, for the ultra fans, you will be glad to hear that The Truman Show and the white picket fence are heavily referenced. You are welcome.  No links this week, just go watch this film again: with your kids, your neighbour's kids, on your own, however you can. It is magnificent.  If you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    1hr 5min
  8. A Separation (2011)

    04/09/2025

    A Separation (2011)

    Robin and Carolina get into the autumn spirit with the incredibly successful Iranian domestic drama 'A Separation'.  Politics include:  why not every Iranian film has to be about Iranian politics, how every Iranian film necessarily ends up being at least a little bit about Iranian politics, and the very universal need for directors to pick beautiful actors to portray normal people going about their normal lives.  More about Iranian cinema,  Director Ashgar Farhadi being very oblique about his film and Iranian politics in this 2012 interviewHow women are actually treated in Iran these daysWhy Simin was not alone in wanting to leave the countryIf you like what you hear, please rate and subscribe to the show wherever you're listening, it will help others find the pod. You can now follow us on: Instagram @ministryoffilmpodBluesky @ministryoffilmpod.bskyb.social

    52 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The art and politics of classic films. Presented by Carolina Saludes and Robin McGhee

Information

  • Creator
    Carolina and Robin
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ministry of Film
  • Show Website
    The Ministry of Film