Film Swap

Film Swap Media
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Go beyond the algorithm! Film Swap is the podcast for curious and adventurous film lovers. In every episode, David and Jonathan — along with special guests — swap films on fascinating themes and dive into film history, cult cinema, lost classics, and the hidden gems that deserve more love. Calm, thoughtful, and fun discussions for anyone who wants to dig deeper and find their next favourite film.

  1. Oct 23

    Film Swap Ep. 58 - Shakespeare: Remixed! Chimes at Midnight and Prospero's Books

    This time on Film Swap, we’re exploring two extraordinary films that take the works of William Shakespeare and transform them into something entirely their own.Joining us is returning guest Brad McDermott, artist and filmmaker from Toronto, for a double bill of Shakespearean cinema that showcases two very different approaches to adapting the Bard.First, we discuss Orson Welles’ Chimes at Midnight (1965), a remarkable reimagining of Shakespeare’s history plays that brings the larger-than-life Sir John Falstaff to the forefront. Starring Welles himself alongside John Gielgud and Keith Baxter, this moving and visually inventive film explores friendship, ageing, rejection and the painful passage of time. We also look at its extraordinary Battle of Shrewsbury sequence, its influence on later cinematic depictions of medieval warfare, and the creative ingenuity behind one of Welles’ most celebrated films.In the second half, we turn to Peter Greenaway’s Prospero’s Books (1991), a dazzling and unconventional adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, starring John Gielgud as Prospero. Blending theatre, classical painting, animation, music, dance and experimental visual effects, Greenaway transforms Shakespeare’s final play into a kaleidoscopic cinematic experience. We explore the film’s elaborate imagery, its imaginary library of magical books, and its fascinating reflections on art, knowledge, memory and the creative process.From Welles’ gritty, emotionally charged vision of Shakespearean history to Greenaway’s richly layered audiovisual fantasia, these films demonstrate just how much can be discovered when filmmakers dare to remix a literary classic.Whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast, an admirer of Orson Welles and Peter Greenaway, or simply curious about adventurous world cinema, join us for a thoughtful and fun conversation about two distinctive works of essential cinema.Films discussed:- Chimes at Midnight aka Falstaff (1965) — directed by Orson Welles- Prospero’s Books (1991) — directed by Peter GreenawayFollow artist Brad McDermott on Instagram: and Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/jpwFPeter Greenaway is still at it: Guardian Article 🎬 About Film SwapHosted by David Seeley and Jonathan Pritchard-Barrett, Film Swap explores film history, cult favourites, lost classics and hidden gems. We go beyond the familiar to discover what makes cinema so fascinating, with thoughtful conversation, unexpected connections and an eye on the bigger picture.If you enjoy discovering great films and looking at familiar stories from a fresh perspective, follow or subscribe to Film Swap and join us for the next double bill.Our website: filmswap.uk

    Film Swap Ep. 58 - Shakespeare: Remixed! Chimes at Midnight and Prospero's Books

  2. Oct 1

    Film Swap Ep. 57 - Spy-Fi Subversives! The Unknown Man of Shandigor and Billion Dollar Brain

    What happens when Cold War spy films throw out the rulebook? In this episode of Film Swap, we head into the stranger corners of 1960s espionage with two wildly unconventional 1967 films: Jean-Louis Roy’s The Unknown Man of Shandigor and Ken Russell’s Billion Dollar Brain, starring Michael Caine as Harry Palmer. In The Unknown Man of Shandigor, rival spies descend on an eccentric scientist and his extraordinary invention. But beneath the surreal visuals and bizarre spy capers is a darker idea: what happens when something created for the good of humanity becomes a prize for those who want wealth and power? As the race to control the invention intensifies, paranoia and madness inevitably follow. Then there’s Billion Dollar Brain, where a billionaire, a giant computer and a fanatical anti-communist crusade collide in one of the strangest entries in the Harry Palmer series. It’s a Cold War spy thriller that starts looking increasingly like a warning about the dangerous combination of wealth, technology and political power. Both films turn the familiar spy movie on its head, playing with the genre’s Cold War politics, imperial ambitions and futuristic ideas. And despite being made in 1967, they have some surprisingly modern things to say about who controls technology, who gets to wield power, and what happens when ideology and money become tangled together. Join us as we explore two forgotten Cold War spy films, their strange visions of the future, and why The Unknown Man of Shandigor and Billion Dollar Brain deserve to be rediscovered.

    Film Swap Ep. 57 - Spy-Fi Subversives! The Unknown Man of Shandigor and Billion Dollar Brain

  3. Jul 30

    Film Swap Ep. 56 - Hostile Horizons! Kin-Dza-Dza! and The Plague Dogs

    This time on Film Swap actor and musician George Coutsoudis joins us once again as we're diving back into some Reel Rarities with two unforgettable cult classics that prove some of the best films are the ones you've never heard of. We begin with Kin-dza-dza! (1986), Georgi Daneliya's wonderfully weird Soviet sci-fi comedy, where two ordinary men find themselves stranded on a baffling alien planet full of strange customs, absurd social rules and some surprisingly sharp observations about humanity. Then it's back to Earth for The Plague Dogs (1982), Martin Rosen's powerful animated adaptation of Richard Adams' novel. Following two laboratory dogs as they escape into the wilds of the Lake District, it's a moving, often heartbreaking story about survival, freedom and finding your place in a world that doesn't always welcome you. Although they couldn't seem more different, these films have more in common than you might think. We explore how both throw their characters into unfamiliar worlds where every decision matters, every encounter is unpredictable, and the journey itself becomes the real story. We chat about surreal science fiction, unforgettable animation, social satire, unlikely friendships, and why these remarkable films deserve to be discovered by a whole new audience. If you're looking to venture beyond the algorithm and uncover some truly unique cinema, come and join us. **In this episode: Kin-dza-dza! (1986) The Plague Dogs (1982) Reel Rarities Cult and overlooked films Soviet science fiction Adult animation Richard Adams adaptations Film history and recommendations Listen to George Coutsoudis on Spotify or any of your favourite music streamers! Visit our website at: filmswap.uk

    Film Swap Ep. 56 - Hostile Horizons! Kin-Dza-Dza! and The Plague Dogs

  4. Jul 1

    Film Swap Ep. 55 - Profound Piffle! 2010: The Year We Make Contact and Prometheus

    What happens when filmmakers reach for the profound... and end up with a little piffle?In this episode of Film Swap, David and Jonathan are joined by special guest, genre film expert Richard Doyle to explore the curious world of Profound Piffle—films packed with big ideas, philosophical ambition and cosmic questions that occasionally tie themselves in knots along the way.The discussion centres on Ridley Scott's Prometheus (2012) and Peter Hyams' 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984), two science fiction films that attempt the daunting task of expanding upon some of cinema's most enduring mysteries. Both films seek answers to questions posed by beloved classics, but does explaining the unknown enrich the story or diminish its power?Along the way, we discuss the relationship between mystery and explanation in storytelling, whether modern audiences have become too dependent on exposition and tidy resolutions, and why filmmakers seem increasingly compelled to explain every corner of their fictional worlds. Does answering a mystery deepen a story, or undermine its impact? When does mythology become lore? And can a film be simultaneously profound and a little bit silly?From alien creators and enigmatic monoliths to franchise world-building and the value of ambiguity, this conversation explores why some of cinema's most fascinating and enduring films are also its messiest.Brought to you by those funky film guru's at the Film Swap podcast. Your calm oasis for fun and thoughtful film discussion.Visit our website at filmswap.uk

    Film Swap Ep. 55 - Profound Piffle! 2010: The Year We Make Contact and Prometheus

  5. May 26

    Film Swap Ep. 54 - Avoiding the Void! The Passenger and Aniara

    In this episode of Film Swap, we stare directly into the void with two haunting explorations of identity, escape, and existential drift: *The Passenger* (1975) directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and *Aniara* (2018) directed by Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja. We begin with Antonioni’s enigmatic road movie starring Jack Nicholson, unpacking themes of alienation, identity loss, emotional paralysis, and the illusion of escape. From the film’s hypnotic pacing and observational style to its legendary final shot, we explore why *The Passenger* remains one of cinema’s most quietly devastating existential works. After an intermission, we leave Earth entirely and venture into the cold cosmic despair of *Aniara*, the Swedish sci-fi odyssey about a colony ship drifting endlessly through space after a catastrophic accident. We discuss the film’s bleak vision of humanity, technological escapism, collapse of meaning, consumer distraction, and the terrifying psychological consequences of confronting an indifferent universe. Across both discussions, we examine how these films portray people desperately trying to outrun emptiness — whether through travel, reinvention, entertainment, memory, or routine — only to discover that the void has a way of following us. Topics include: * Michelangelo Antonioni and existential cinema * Jack Nicholson’s performance in *The Passenger* * Identity, displacement, and emotional detachment * The philosophy and psychology of *Aniara* * Cosmic horror and nihilism in science fiction * Escapism, technology, and modern alienation * Slow cinema and observational filmmaking * Meaning, routine, and surviving existential dread Brought to you by those funky film guru’s at the Film Swap podcast. Your calm oasis for fun and thoughtful film discussion. Visit our website at filmswap.uk Film Swap on Letterboxd

    Film Swap Ep. 54 - Avoiding the Void! The Passenger and Aniara

  6. Apr 29

    Film Swap Ep. 53 - Baker Breakdown! Let's Get Lost and Beware of Mr. Baker

    In this episode of Film Swap, we explore two unforgettable music documentaries: Let’s Get Lost (1988) and Beware of Mr. Baker (2012)—a fascinating double feature built around two legendary musicians who share a name, but couldn’t be more different. We dive into the haunting, dreamlike portrait of jazz icon Chet Baker in Let’s Get Lost, directed by Bruce Weber. Shot in striking black and white, the film captures Baker at the end of his life—reflecting on fame, addiction, and the fragile beauty of his music. But how much of what we see is truth, and how much is myth? Then we turn to Beware of Mr. Baker, Jay Bulger’s explosive documentary on Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Where Chet drifts, Ginger confronts—offering a raw, often uncomfortable look at a fiercely talented and deeply volatile personality. Across both films, we unpack: The rise and fall of two musical legendsAddiction, self-destruction, and artistic geniusThe blurred line between truth and storytelling in documentary filmmakingHow charisma, talent, and chaos shape legacyFrom ethereal jazz to thunderous rock, these films reveal the cost of living at extremes—and the strange allure of artists who burn brightly, even as everything around them falls apart. If you’re interested in music documentaries, jazz history, rock legends, or character-driven filmmaking, this is a double bill worth discovering. Brought to you by those funky film guru’s at the Film Swap podcast. Your calm oasis for fun and thoughtful film discussion. Visit our website at filmswap.uk Visit our Letterboxd profile at: Letterboxd

    Film Swap Ep. 53 - Baker Breakdown! Let's Get Lost and Beware of Mr. Baker

  7. Mar 26

    Film Swap Ep. 52 - It's a Conspiracy! Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and Z

    This time on Film Swap, we’re joined by David Blakeslee of the Criterion Reflections podcast to explore paranoia, power, and political corruption in two landmark works of European cinema.We begin with Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970), directed by Elio Petri—a surreal, biting satire that examines how authority can warp the individual psyche. When a high-ranking police official commits a crime to prove his own immunity, the film becomes a disturbing study of ego, control, and the seductive nature of unchecked power.In the second half, we turn to Z (1969), directed by Costa-Gavras—a gripping political thriller that shifts the focus from individual corruption to systemic failure. Based on real events, Z exposes how institutions can manipulate truth, resist accountability, and ultimately protect themselves at all costs.Together, these films trace a chilling progression: from the corruption of a single individual to the resilience of corruption within the system itself. Along the way, we discuss themes of justice, institutional trust, political violence, and the uneasy tension between scepticism and belief in the structures that govern society.Brought to you by those funky film guru’s at the Film Swap podcast—your calm oasis for fun and thoughtful film discussion.Visit our website at filmswap.ukVisit our Letterboxd profile for capsule reviews and our essential cinema lists!Check out David Blakeslee's Criterion Reflections podcast at CriterionCast.com

    Film Swap Ep. 52 - It's a Conspiracy! Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and Z

  8. Feb 26

    Film Swap Ep. 51 - Alien Eyes! Under the Skin and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

    What happens when humanity is seen through alien eyes?In this episode of Film Swap, we are joined by special guest Jack Wyer as we explore the theme of the outsider perspective through Werner Herzog’s The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974) and Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013) starring Scarlet Johansson. One tells the story of a young man raised in total isolation and released into society. The other follows an extraterrestrial predator observing — and imitating — human behaviour in modern Scotland.Together, these films strip away the familiar and force us to confront the strange rituals, social conditioning, language, cruelty, and vulnerability that define human life. What looks “normal” to us becomes alien, awkward, and often disturbing when seen through unconditioned eyes.We discuss:The idea of the “pure” or unformed mind.Social conditioning and the construction of identity.The uncanny nature of everyday human behaviour.Empathy, alienation, and moral development.How Herzog and Glazer use perspective to defamiliarise the mundane.From Kaspar’s childlike reasoning to the silent observation of an extraterrestrial drifter, both films challenge us to reconsider what it means to be human — and whether civilisation refines us or simply masks our instincts.If you’re interested in outsider narratives, existential cinema, arthouse film analysis, or deep dives into philosophical themes in film, this episode is for you.Brought to you by those funky film guru’s at the Film Swap podcast — your calm oasis for fun and thoughtful film discussion.LINKS:An interview with the sound designer for Under the Skin: Interview Herzog's Minnesota Manifesto Article about Bagan in Myanmar/Burma (where Herzog actually replied to the blogger's email): Dream Vision in classic Herzog film Episode of Criterion Reflections where David was a guest and discussed Herzog's Land of Silence and Darkness with host David Blakeslee: Criterion Reflections 80 Land of Silence and Darkness Visit the Film Swap website at: filmswap.ukFilm Swap on Letterboxd

    Film Swap Ep. 51 - Alien Eyes! Under the Skin and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser
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Go beyond the algorithm! Film Swap is the podcast for curious and adventurous film lovers. In every episode, David and Jonathan — along with special guests — swap films on fascinating themes and dive into film history, cult cinema, lost classics, and the hidden gems that deserve more love. Calm, thoughtful, and fun discussions for anyone who wants to dig deeper and find their next favourite film.

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  • Creator
    Film Swap Media
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Film Swap Media
  • Show Website
    Film Swap