Why This Film?

Why This Film?
  • 5.0 (5)
  • FILM INTERVIEWS

 🎬 Exploring the Criterion Collection, one spine at a time. A conversation-driven podcast that takes a deep dive into the artistry, cultural influence, and historical significance of films in the Criterion Collection. Each episode focuses on one film, unpacking its craft and legacy through engaging conversations with experts, historians, filmmakers, and passionate cinephiles.

Episodes

  1. 3 THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985) Spine #905 w/Ciara Moloney

    3D AGO

    3 THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985) Spine #905 w/Ciara Moloney

    In episode 3 of Why This Film?, Ron is joined by Ciara Moloney to discuss The Breakfast Club, John Hughes's defining 1980s teen film. Together, they walk through the film scene by scene, talking about why these characters still resonate 40 years later. They discuss the film's use of archetypes and how it reveals we are often more alike than we may seem on the surface. Along the way, they unpack the film's emotions, its humor, its blind spots, and why it continues to connect with audiences who didn't grow up in 1980s American suburbia. And, as always, Ciara answers the central question: why is this film included in the Criterion Collection and why does it still matter today? You can find more from Ciara from the links below: Bluesky https://ciaramoloney.net/ _______________________________________________________ Support the show Follow the Podcast: Instagram: @whythisfilmpod X: @whythisfilm

    1h 8m
  2. 2 TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI (1954) Spine #271 w/Ginette Vincendeau

    NOV 24

    2 TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI (1954) Spine #271 w/Ginette Vincendeau

    "If retirement means you're in a lovely flat in Paris and your fridge is full of foie gras and champagne - I'm okay with that." In episode 2 of Why This Film?, Ron discusses Jacques Becker's Touchez pas au grisbi (1954) with Ginette Vincendeau, one of the most influential scholars of French cinema working today. Together, they explore how Grisbi reshapes the gangster genre through efficient storytelling and the routine life away from violent action. They move through the film's pacing, its focus on aging and friendship, and the authority of Jean Gabin's performance. Ginette brings her expertise to questions of women's roles in French cinema and society, masculinity, and filmmaking of this period. And as always, Ginette answers the central question: Why is this film included in the Criterion Collection and why does it still matter today? Support the show Follow the Podcast: Instagram: @whythisfilmpod X: @whythisfilm

    1h 13m
  3. 1 LA JETEE (1962) Spine #387 w/Dr. Dennis Weiss

    OCT 6

    1 LA JETEE (1962) Spine #387 w/Dr. Dennis Weiss

    “The past is dead!” In the premiere episode of Why This Film?, Ron and Dr. Dennis Weiss dive into Chris Marker’s La Jetée (1962), a groundbreaking French short that redefined what cinema could be. Composed almost entirely of still photographs, it’s a meditation on memory, time, and human longing. Dennis — a retired philosophy professor and curator of the long-running Philosophy, Drinks & Film series — joins Ron to explore how La Jetée uses form, sound, and storytelling to challenge our ideas about what makes something a film. Together they ask: why this film, and why does it still matter? Support the show Follow the Podcast: Instagram: @whythisfilmpod X: @whythisfilm

    47 min
  • 3 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

 🎬 Exploring the Criterion Collection, one spine at a time. A conversation-driven podcast that takes a deep dive into the artistry, cultural influence, and historical significance of films in the Criterion Collection. Each episode focuses on one film, unpacking its craft and legacy through engaging conversations with experts, historians, filmmakers, and passionate cinephiles.

Information

  • Creator
    Why This Film?
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Why This Film?
  • Show Website
    Why This Film?