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. 3.105-Top 10s of 2025

    10H AGO

    3.105-Top 10s of 2025

    Send us a text Today's episode is the first of several year end episodes where I recap 2025 and look ahead into 2026. First up are my top 10s of 2025 where my lists include: Top movie books I read in 2025Top short film of 2025Biggest surprises and disappointments of 2025Top first time watches in 2025Top films of 2025Be sure to check out my Substack newsletter for full articles on each of these as we count down to the new year and my next episode where I will be recapping everything that happened on the podcast in 2025. Support the show

    21 min
  2. 3.104-The Divorcee with Beth Lisogorsky

    3D AGO

    3.104-The Divorcee with Beth Lisogorsky

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Divorcee. I'm joined by Beth Lisogorsky from the You Need to Watch This! newsletter and we talk about Norma Shearer's Oscar-nominated performance, how different the film might have been had it been released a few years later under the Hayes Production Code guidelines, and the complex set of relationships the film uses to delve into all sorts of love and loyalty. You can watch The Divorcee online for yourself or pick up a DVD copy, and be sure to check out Beth's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: King of Jazz directed by John Murray AndersonWhen Harry Met Sally directed by Rob ReinerThe Philadelphia Story directed by George CukorWar of the Roses directed by Danny DeVitoThe Roses directed by Jay RoachTheir Own Desire directed by E. Mason HopperThe Gold Rush directed by Charlie ChaplinThe Jazz Singer directed by Alan CroslandAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneThe Big House directed by George HillOther referenced topics: Ex-Wife (novel) by Ursula ParrottVariety review of the filmDanny Reid writing on pre-code.comJessica Stewart writing on attaboyclarence.comCinerama.com reviewSupport the show

    50 min
  3. 3.103-Filmmaker Interview with Giovanna Ferrari

    6D AGO

    3.103-Filmmaker Interview with Giovanna Ferrari

    Send us a text In today's episode, I interview Giovanna Ferrari, director of the animated short film "Éiru," her directorial debut which is currently on the shortlist for Best Animated Short Film for the 98th Academy Awards. Listen to hear about the inspiration for the story that stemmed from Giovanna's own travels around the world, the importance of being willing to see the world through the eyes of people not like ourselves, and whether an entire generation can feel like they lack a voice in the world. Books mentioned in this episode include: Victory City by Salman RushdieParable of the Sower by Octavia E. ButlerThe Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodQ by Luther BissetFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Éiru" directed by Giovanna FerrariSong of the Sea directed by Tomm MooreThe Breadwinner directed by Nora TwomeyWolfwalkers directed by Ross Stewart and Tomm Moore"Screecher's Reach" (Star Wars Visions episode)My Father's Dragon directed by Nora TwomeyPrincess Mononoke directed by Hayao MiyazakiThe Power of the Dog directed by Jane CampionAmarcord directed by Federico FelliniAlien directed by Ridley ScottSilence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan DemmeHamnet directed by Chloé Zhao"Late Afternoon" directed by Louise BagnallJulián directed by Louise BagnallFollow the film on Instagram @eiruofficial and Giovanna @ferrarianimation. Support the show

    27 min
  4. 3.102-King of Jazz with Matthew Brady

    DEC 19

    3.102-King of Jazz with Matthew Brady

    Send us a text Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film King of Jazz. I'm joined by Matthew Brady from the Warren Peace newsletter and we talk about the use of color in this film that sets it apart for many other films of the time, the relative success of various comedy bits throughout the film, and how many of the sequences throughout are reminiscent of the vaudeville days. You can watch King of Jazz online for yourself or pick up the Criterion release of the film, and be sure to check out Matthew's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: "Sinkin' in the Bathtub" directed by Hugh Harman and Rudolf IsingAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis Milestone"Africa" directed by Walter LantzHollywood Revue of 1929 directed by Charles F. ReisnerSingin' in the Rain directed by Stanley Donen and Eugene KellyThe Wizard of Oz directed by Victor FlemingDuck Soup directed by Leo McCareyBulldog Drummond directed by F. Richard JonesThe Love Parade directed by Ernst LubitschSally directed by John Francis DillonThe Vagabond King directed by Ludwig BergerOther referenced topics: Bewitched (series)All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque"Rhapsody in Blue" (song) by George GershwinReviews from A New Movie and The New York Times on WikipediaDanny Reid writing on pre-code.comNow You Has King of Jazz essay on The Criterion CollectionSupport the show

    1h 1m
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 3.99-Filmmaker Interview with Christoffer Stenbakken

    DEC 9

    3.99-Filmmaker Interview with Christoffer Stenbakken

    Send us a text In today's episode, I interview Christoffer Stenbakken, director of the short film "The Thief," which follows a boy in a remote town in East Greenland as he looks for his dog that has gone missing. Listen to hear about the challenges of filming with a small crew in a remote location, trying to find the film's lead actors around town when they didn't have phones, and the story's foundation in the personal life of the lead actor. Books mentioned in this episode include: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeerBorne by Jeff VanderMeerThe Strange Bird: A Borne Story by Jeff VanderMeerFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "The Thief" directed by Christoffer Rizvanovic StenbakkenLa Promesse (The Promise) directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre DardenneLe Fils (The Son) directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre DardenneA Prophet directed by Jacques AudiardKilling of a Chinese Bookie directed by John CassavetesWinter's Bone directed by Debra GranikThe Big Lebowski directed by Joel CoenUnforgiven directed by Clint EastwoodScooby-Doo directed by Raja GosnellAnnihilation directed by Alex GarlandFollow Christoffer on Instagram @christofferstenbakken. Support the show

    16 min
  8. 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
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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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    191
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Oscar Project
  • Show Website
    The Oscar Project Podcast