The Oscar Project Podcast

Jonathan Ytreberg
  • 5.0 (3)
  • FILM HISTORY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

A discussion of all the films nominated for Oscars, starting in 1929, plus interviews with filmmakers and authors writing about the film industry.

  1. 4.16-Filmmaker Interview with Christine La Monte (REPLAY)

    12H AGO

    4.16-Filmmaker Interview with Christine La Monte (REPLAY)

    Send a text Today I’m replaying an episode from earlier this winter, my interview with Christine La Monte, producer of two recent documentaries, Ai Weiwei’s Turandot and the Oscar shortlisted Viva Verdi!. Viva Verdi! is nominated for Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards and the film is available to stream on jolt.film today! Books mentioned in this episode include: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley HellerCry to Heaven by Anne RiceTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinThe Crying Heart Tattoo by David Lozell MartinThe Samurai’s Garden by Gail TsukiyamaThe Goldfinch by Donna TarttLet’s Call the Whole Thing Off directed by Elizabeth GuestFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: Ai Weiwei’s Turandot directed by Maxim DereviankoViva Verdi! directed by Yvo nne RussoLa Traviata directed by Franco ZeffirelliChildren of the River directed by Federico Rodelli (forthcoming)The Godfather directed by Francis Ford CoppolaBlack Orpheus directed by Marcel CamusOnce Upon a Time in America directed by Sergio LeoneDances With Wolves directed by Kevin CostnerHoliday directed by George CukorThe Night Manager (series)Something’s Gotta Give directed by Nancy MeyersThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (series)Other things mentioned in this episode: “Sweet Dreams of Joy“ by Nicholas PikeFollow Viva Verdi! on Instagram @vivaverdithefilm and check out the websites for both films at aiweiweisturandotfilm.com and vivaverdithefilm.com. And don’t forget to check out Viva Verdi! on jolt.film ahead of the 98th Academy Awards. Support the show

    27 min
  2. 4.15-The Big House with Lewis Beer

    4D AGO

    4.15-The Big House with Lewis Beer

    Send a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Big House. I'm joined by Lewis Beer who writes the Slow Moving Pictures newsletter, and we talk about the key themes that weave throughout the film, how the writing of the film helps propel the narrative forward, and some of the real life prisoners and prison personnel that inspired characters in the film. You can watch The Big House on YouTube or Tubi or grab a copy of the film on DVD for yourself, and be sure to check out Lewis's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Letter directed by Jean De LimurA Woman Under the Influence directed by John CassavetesThe Divorcee directed by Robert Z. LeonardAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneRoofman directed by Derek CianfranceMin and Bill directed by George HillAlibi directed by Roland WestThe Case of Sergeant Grischa directed by Herbert Brenon (lost film)Red-Headed Woman directed by Jack ConwayThe Champ directed by King VidorAnna Christie directed by Clarence BrownThe Big Parade directed by King VidorThe Flying Fleet directed by George HillOther referenced topics: "Frances Marion: Hollywood's Favourite Storyteller""The Woman Who Invented the Hollywood Screenwriter" by Pamela HutchinsonOff With Their Heads: A Serio-Comic Tale of Hollywood by Frances MarionWithout Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood by Cari Beauchamp"Frances Marion: Censorship and the Screenwriter in Hollywood, 1929-1931" by Leslie Kreiner WilsonPrison Movies: Cinema Behind Bars by Kevin KehrwaldNew York Times review by Morduant Hall"Life in and out of a Penitentiary" by John C. MosherFrancis Marion receiving her Oscar for Best WritingSupport the show

    47 min

  3. FEB 10

    4.14-98th Oscars Nominee Interview (REPLAY)

    Send a text Today's episode is a re-air of portions of three interviews I did with several of this year's Oscar nominated filmmakers. You'll hear from Julia Aks and Steve Pinder, directors of the film "Jane Austen's Period Drama," John Kelly from "Retirement Plan," and Sam Davis of "The Singers." Full episodes are available at the links below along with over 100 other interviews with filmmakers, authors, and more. Support the show

    13 min
  4. 4.13-With Byrd at the South Pole with Kevin Pettit

    FEB 6

    4.13-With Byrd at the South Pole with Kevin Pettit

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film With Byrd at the South Pole. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit who writes the See You At the Movies newsletter, and we talk about how the film is essentially a silent film in a world that has fully transitioned to talkies, how the editing of the film made a huge difference on the feel of what we see on screen, and the spectacular images that the cinematographers brought back that led to the film winning Best Cinematography. You can watch With Byrd at the South Pole on YouTube or grab a copy of the film on DVD for yourself, and be sure to check out Kevin's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Notebook directed by Nick CassavetesA Woman Under the Influence directed by John CassavetesFerris Bueller's Day Off directed by John HughesThe Thing directed by John CarpenterThe Empire Strikes Back directed by Irvin KershnerThe Lighthouse directed by Robert EggersThere Will Be Blood directed by Paul Thomas AndersonKing Kong (1933) directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. SchoedsackWings directed by William A. WellmanMarty Supreme directed by Josh SafdieKing Kong (1976) directed by John GuillerminCitizen Kane directed by Orson WellesBowling for Columbine directed by Michael MooreThe Broadway Melody directed by Harry BeaumontAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneOther referenced topics: The Terror (series)Movie scrapbook at the oDartmouth College archivesSupport the show

    49 min
  5. 4.12-Filmmaker Interview with Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski

    FEB 3

    4.12-Filmmaker Interview with Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski

    Send us a text In today's episode, I interview Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, directors of the Oscar-nominated short film "The Girl Who Cried Pearls." The film is a wonderful lesson in the true value of a thing and is currently one of the five nominees for Best Animated Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Listen to hear about the inspiration for the film that came from their previous film collaboration, the unique approach the duo took in creating the characters for the film, and how they changed the look of one of their puppets based on the casting process. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Book of Disquiet by Fernando PessoaNemesis by Agatha ChristieFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "The Girl Who Cried Pearls" directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski"Madame Tutli-Putli" directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski"Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life" directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski"Cochemare" directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski"21-87" directed by Arthur LipsettStar Wars directed by George Lucas"Street of Crocodiles" directed by Timothy Quay and Stephen Quay"When the Day Breaks" directed by Amanda Forbis and Wendy TilbyThe Third Man directed by Carol ReedBall of Fire directed by Howard HawksThe Pink Panther directed by Blake EdwardsFollow Chris and Maciek's production company on Instagram @clydehenryproductions. Support the show

    20 min
  6. 4.11-Hell's Angels with Vicki Lesley

    JAN 30

    4.11-Hell's Angels with Vicki Lesley

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Hell's Angels. I'm joined by Vicki Lesley who writes the Vicki Lesley is...Documental newsletter, and we talk about the beautiful cinematographic moments that earned the film a Best Cinematography nomination, the realities of being called home from abroad to fight for your country in wartime, and an incredible scene of self-sacrifice that came as quite a surprise when we watched the film. You can watch Hell's Angels on YouTube, Amazon Prime, or Tubi or grab a copy of the brand new Criterion 4K release from last November, and be sure to check out Vicki's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis Milestone Top Gun: Maverick directed by Joseph KosinskiThe Jazz Singer directed by Alan CroslandWings directed by William A. WellmanThe Aviator directed by Martin ScorseseIron Man directed by Jon FavreauDark Knight Trilogy directed by Christopher NolanThe Dawn Patrol directed by Howard HawksThe Love Parade directed by Ernst LubitschCity Lights directed by Charlie ChaplinThe Public Enemy directed by William A. WellmanScarface (1932) directed by Howard HawksOther referenced topics: Hell's Angels (1930) on TCM by Rob NixonOuttakes from the recent Criterion release of the filmToday is Tonight (novel) by Jean HarlowReview on The Tinseltown TwinsSupport the show

    1h 3m
  7. 4.10-Filmmaker Interview with Luke Angus

    JAN 27

    4.10-Filmmaker Interview with Luke Angus

    Send us a text In today's episode, I interview Luke Angus, director of the animated short film "Solstice." The film tells a story of loss and grief through the eyes of a lonely Inuit. Listen to hear about how he started from the end of the story and worked backward, the challenges of getting certain visual elements just right, and a unique approach to scoring the film. Books mentioned in this episode include: Demon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverI Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline HarpmanOrbital by Samantha HarveyFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Solstice" directed by Luke Angus"Alienated" directed by Luke AngusArrival directed by Denis VillenueveInterstellar directed by Christopher NolanToy Story directed by John LasseterJurassic Park directed by Steven SpielbergParasite directed by Bong Joon-hoEverything Everywhere All at Once directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel ScheinertRatatouille directed by Brad BirdThe Lord of the Rings directed by Peter JacksonThe Truman Show directed by Peter Weir"Redivider" directed by Luke Angus (forthcoming)Follow Luke on Instagram @lukeangusanimator and check out his YouTube channel including a behind the scenes video about "Solstice." You can also find more information on his website angusarts.com. Support the show

    23 min
  8. 4.9-Song of the Flame with Taylor Lewis

    JAN 23

    4.9-Song of the Flame with Taylor Lewis

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Song of the Flame. I'm joined by Taylor Lewis who writes the Luz Films newsletter, and we talk about how difficult it is to evaluate a film based on just the partial audio, how a film can take on a different focus when large parts are missing, and some music in the film that is incredibly recognizable even today. You can listen to the surviving audio of Song of the Flame on YouTube and be sure to check out Taylor's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Great Escape directed by John SturgesBullitt directed by Peter YatesMilk directed by Gus Van SantThe Jazz Singer directed by Alan CroslandGlorious Betsy directed by Alan CroslandDon Juan directed by Alan CroslandKing of Jazz directed by John Murray Anderson"Sinkin' in the Bathtub" directed by Hugh Harman and Rudolf IsingThe Big House directed by George HillOther referenced topics: www.georgegroves.org.ukNew York Times reviewPhotoplay Magazine reviewSupport the show

    32 min
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About

A discussion of all the films nominated for Oscars, starting in 1929, plus interviews with filmmakers and authors writing about the film industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Ytreberg
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    208
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Oscar Project
  • Show Website
    The Oscar Project Podcast