Beyond the Spine

Do you believe cinema can change everything? You should. Beyond the Spine explores the films that redefined cinema—and the stories behind them you've never heard. A journey through the Criterion Collection, where each episode unpacks one essential work: what the director was battling, what the world looked like, why certain images refuse to fade. Samurai defending a village for nothing but rice. A winter light that exposes faith collapsing. A steamship dragged over a mountain because the director refused to fake it. These aren't just great films—they're films that had to be made. By people who couldn't walk away. Hosted by Quentin, who builds each episode around a single film and a companion playlist—songs that capture what lingers after the credits. Music that echoes the mood, the questions, the feeling you can't shake. Not the soundtrack. The emotional conversation. The community shapes the journey. Polls decide which films get explored. Conversations continue beyond the episodes. This is cinema as discovery, not lecture. New episodes weekly. Playlists on Spotify and Apple Music. Join at beyondthespine.co and @beyondthespinepodcast.