Reel Mental with Dr. Marcia Sirota

Dr Marcia Sirota
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Reel Mental is a podcast hosted by Dr. Marcia Sirota, a psychiatrist and cinephile. Each episode features lively discussions with directors, actors, writers, and film critics. Together, they delve into how contemporary films portray psychological issues and mental health in society, offering insightful analysis and diverse perspectives.

  1. 3h ago

    40 - Brian Eggert Discusses Project Hail Mary

    Brian Eggert is a Tomatometer-Approved critic who celebrates the movies you love and the hidden gems you have yet to discover. Brian writes about classic, independent, and mainstream cinema. If you're looking for new release recommendations or an appreciation of a longtime favorite, check out his in-depth essays, histories, and critical analyses on his website, Deep Focus Review. https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/  https://bsky.app/profile/deepfocusreview.bsky.social Support independent critic Brian Eggert (Deep Focus Review) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/deepfocusreview

    40 - Brian Eggert Discusses Project Hail Mary

  2. 6d ago

    39 - Brian Eggert Discusses Disclosure Day

    Brian Eggert is a Tomatometer-Approved critic who celebrates the movies you love and the hidden gems you have yet to discover. Brian writes about classic, independent, and mainstream cinema. If you're looking for new release recommendations or an appreciation of a longtime favorite, check out his in-depth essays, histories, and critical analyses on his website, Deep Focus Review. https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/  https://bsky.app/profile/deepfocusreview.bsky.social Support independent critic Brian Eggert (Deep Focus Review) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/deepfocusreview

    39 - Brian Eggert Discusses Disclosure Day

  3. May 21

    38 - Alex Burunova Discusses Satisfaction

    Alex Burunova grew up painting before finding her voice in filmmaking. A Los Angeles-based USC Film School alum with a background in directing theater, she's also directed award-winning shorts, episodics, and a Netflix special. Her debut feature, "Satisfaction" -shot across Greece and London-was nearly a decade in the making and premiered at SXSW. Alex's work blends bold visuals with emotionally intimate storytelling, often exploring themes of gender, identity, and female empowerment. Links:  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3493734/  https://alexburunova.com/

    38 - Alex Burunova Discusses Satisfaction

  4. Mar 4

    37 - Daniel Persitz Discusses Key of Genius

    WRITER/DIRECTOR – DANIEL PERSITZ  Daniel has sold numerous scripts to studios and production companies including Lionsgate, eOne, Hasbro Studios, Dark Horse and Dimension. Three of his screenplays have been voted onto the prestigious Hollywood Black List, including the feature version of Key of Genius, co-written with David Seidler, the Oscar-winning writer of The King’s Speech.  Daniel is also an experienced producer and film executive, with credits at Robert Zemeckis’ production company and Hasbro Studios. He produced Universal’s thriller hit Ouija and worked on the Transformers and Dungeons & Dragons franchises for Paramount. Outside of film, Daniel is a violinist, regularly performing with the Santa Monica Symphony and Westside Chamber Orchestra. Key of Genius combines his two passions of film and music.

    37 - Daniel Persitz Discusses Key of Genius

  5. Jan 15

    36 - Cai Shangjun & Han Nianjin Discuss The Sun Rises On Us All

    In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I discuss the film "The Sun Rises On Us All" with writer-director Cai Shangjun and screenwriter Han Nianjin at The Toronto International Film Festival®. With special thanks to our interpreter Erika Li. CAI SHANGJUN | DIRECTOR Director, screenwriter and producer, Cai Shangjun graduated from China Central Academy of Drama in 1992. Cai’s screenplays include Spicy Love Soup (1997), Shower (1999) and Sunflower (2005). He wrote and directed The Red Awn (2007), People Mountain People Sea (2011) and The Conformist (2017). The Red Awn won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 12th Busan International Film Festival, the Golden Alexander Award for Best Film at the 48th Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the Jury Grand Prize at the 2nd Asia Pacific Screen Award. People Mountain People Sea won the Silver Lion Award for Best Director at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, the Silver Montgolfiere D’Argent Award at the Nantes Three Continents Festival, the Critics Prize at the Black Movie Film Festival, and the Grand Prix Award at the 10th Pacific Meridian International Film Festival of Asia Pacific Countries. The Conformist won Best Actor Award at the 20th Shanghai International Film Festival and was screened in competition at TOKYO FILMex and as a Special Screening at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival. HAN NIANJIN | SCREENWRITER  Han Nianjin graduated from the University of Munich and is a freelance writer and cinematographer. The Sun Rises on Us All is her first screenplay.

    36 - Cai Shangjun & Han Nianjin Discuss The Sun Rises On Us All

  6. Jan 7

    35 - Matteo Salvatore Discusses No Other Choice

    Matteo Salvatore is a Toronto-based film critic and writer. What began as a casual writing hobby has evolved into a dedicated passion for film analysis and criticism, spanning more than four years across multiple platforms. Through a mix of thoughtful written essays and engaging video content, Matteo has steadily grown his online following and presence in the film community. Substack: https://undertheprojector.substack.com/  Instagram: MatteoS4lvatore  X: UnderTProjector  TikTok: UnderTheProjector

    35 - Matteo Salvatore Discusses No Other Choice

  7. 12/24/2025

    34 - Brian Eggert Discusses Rental Family

    Brian Eggert is a national award-winning film critic and scholar. He is Tomatometer-Approved and belongs to several critical and scholarly associations, including: the Society For Cinema and Media Studies, Minnesota Film Critics Association, Online Film & Television Association, International Film Society Critics, National Coalition of Independent Scholars, and the Large Association of Movie Blogs. Additionally, Brian is a member of the Independent Film Critics of America, who honored him with the 2024 Critic of the Year award. Brian lives in Minnesota with his wife and their dog. He is an occasional programmer and regularly appears on the NBC affiliate in the Twin Cities, KARE 11, to review and talk about movies. He also co-hosts the KARE 11+ show, The CineFiles. Learn more about Brian Eggert: Website: www.deepfocusreview.com  Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/

    34 - Brian Eggert Discusses Rental Family

  8. 12/10/2025

    33 - Jason Anderson Discusses Sentimental Value

    Jason Anderson is a film programmer, journalist and lecturer in Toronto. As a longtime programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, he programs work from Canada, the Nordic countries and Benelux. He's also the programming director for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and Aspen Shortsfest. He's a regular contributor to such publications as Uncut magazine, Sight & Sound and Broadview.

    33 - Jason Anderson Discusses Sentimental Value
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Reel Mental is a podcast hosted by Dr. Marcia Sirota, a psychiatrist and cinephile. Each episode features lively discussions with directors, actors, writers, and film critics. Together, they delve into how contemporary films portray psychological issues and mental health in society, offering insightful analysis and diverse perspectives.

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