The Oscar Project Podcast

Jonathan Ytreberg

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

  1. 3.101-Filmmaker Interview with Alex Thompson

    DEC 16

    3.101-Filmmaker Interview with Alex Thompson

    Send us a text In today's episode, I interview Alex Thompson, director of the short film "Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting," the story of a mother and daughter faced with difficult choices as they take part in a coming-of-age hunt set in a fictional 1930s America. Listen to hear about how Alex's world building for the film began with the characters, the process of casting the main characters of the film to ensure they had the right level of humanity for the story, and the challenge of creating a set of digital creatures to inhabit the world that would look like high quality blockbuster effects on a small short film budget. Books mentioned in this episode include: Aesop's FablesGrimm's Fairy TalesThe Great Mother: An Analysis of the Archetype by Erich NeumannBaudolino by Umberto EcoThe Name of the Rose by Umberto EcoSapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah HarariFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting" directed by Alex ThompsonJurassic Park directed by Steven SpielbergHereditary directed by Ari AsterThe Walking Dead (series)The Grapes of Wrath directed by John Ford"La jetée" directed by Chris Marker12 Monkeys directed by Terry Gilliam"Un Chien Andalou" directed by Luis Buñuel"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" directed by Robert EnricoAvatar directed by James CameronBlade Runner directed by Ridley Scott2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley KubrickEverything Everywhere All at Once directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel ScheinertNight of the Hunter directed by Charles LaughtonCome and See directed by Elem KlimovThe Passion of Joan of Arc directed by Carl Th. DreyerThe Seventh Seal directed by Ingmar BergmanApocalypse Now directed by Francis Ford CoppolaThe Cabinet of Dr. Caligari directed by Robert Wiene12 Angry Men directed by Sidney LumetPoor Things directed by Yorgos LanthimosThe Thin Red Line directed by Terrence MalickFollow the film on Instagram @emandselmagogriffinhunting and Alex @alexanderthompsonfilms. Support the show

    36 min
  2. 3.100-Sarah and Son with Matthew Carlson

    DEC 12

    3.100-Sarah and Son with Matthew Carlson

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Sarah and Son. I'm joined by Matthew Carlson from the What Am I Making newsletter and we talk about whether the film would even survive today if not for Chatterton's Academy Award nomination for her performance as Sarah, compare lost films to what it would be like if our music catalog was missing dozens of Elvis or Beatles recordings, and learn about interesting familial connections and an actress who was a bit of a daredevil in her spare time. You can watch Sarah and Son online for yourself and be sure to check out Matt's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Anna Christie directed by Clarence Leon Brown"The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station" directed by the Lumière BrothersThe Devil's Holiday directed by Edmund GouldingAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneGone With the Wind directed by Victor FlemingMetropolis directed by Fritz LangDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) directed by Rouben MamoulianThe Best Years of Our Lives directed by William WylerInherit the Wind directed by Stanley KramerDeath of a Salesman directed by László BenedekThe Fighting Lady directed by Edward SteichenRaising Arizona directed by Joel CoenThe Divorcee directed by Robert Z. LeonardOther referenced topics: Roseanne (series)The Big Bang Theory (series)Young Sheldon (series)New York Times review of the filmCatherine writing on obscurecinemamagicHomeward Bound (book) by Ruth ChattertonSupport the show

    57 min
  3. 3.98-Anna Christie with Swabreen Bakr

    DEC 5

    3.98-Anna Christie with Swabreen Bakr

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Anna Christie. I'm joined by Swabreen Bakr from the Anti-Brain Rot newsletter and we talk about Greta Garbo's first words heard on screen, how the film addresses women's issues at a time when that was not a topic of conversation in film, and how the film looks at characters of lower social status in a time when many movies focused on the rich and well off. You can watch Anna Christie online for yourself and be sure to check out Swabreen's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Manchurian Candidate (1962) directed by John FrankenheimerGrand Prix directed by John FrankenheimerThe Island of Dr. Moreau directed by John FrankenheimerA Woman of Affairs directed by Clarence BrownThe Big House directed by George HillReds directed by Warren BeattyDynamite directed by Cecil B. DeMilleAnna Christie (1923) directed by John Griffith WrayEleanor the Great directed by Scarlett JohanssonThe Love Parade directed by Ernst LubitschHell's Angels directed by Howard Hughes and James WhaleAll Quite on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneWith Byrd at the South Pole directed by Julian JohnsonThe Divorcee directed by Robert Z. LeonardAnora directed by Sean BakerOther referenced topics: Audiobook recording of the playAnna Christie (print version of play) by Eugene O'NeilNew York Times review by Morduant HallVariety reviewDanny Reid on pre-code.comTCM write-up on the filmSupport the show

    45 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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