Popcorn & Patriarchy | Feminist Film Review & Creative Confidence Podcast

Evulve Productions

๐Ÿฟ Film reviews through a feminist lens ๐ŸŽฌ Where cinema meets culture & power ๐Ÿ’‹ Episodes & creative challenges ๐Ÿ‘‡ Hosted by filmmaker and Founder of Evulve Productions, Esme Michaela, and actor Joe Coates. Produced by Evulve Productions.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Sinners (2025) - Inspired to Create | Ep.3b

    ๐ŸŽฌ The creative challenge episode. A companion film discussion exploring the film through a feminist lens is also available. ๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’‹ Inspired by 'Sinners' (2025), this episode invites listeners to move from analysis to action. Esme and Joe set a creative challenge designed to help you build confidence, experiment with ideas, and make your own work - whether youโ€™re a filmmaker, writer, performer, or simply feeling creatively curious. Through the Creative Hangup Hotline, listeners can anonymously share their creative fears, blocks, and doubts, with the hosts responding with encouragement, perspective, and inspiration. Thank you to our Sponsor, Ivan Weiss Photography, for supporting this episode of Popcorn & Patriarchy. Ivan provides a stunning customised headshot and portrait service out of his central London studio. He is celebrated across the industry for his signature โ€˜ Table Portraitsโ€™ and has photographed high profile actors, corporate executives and creatives. He is truly a jack of all trades! If you want to view his spectacular portfolio or book your own session, head over to his website - https://ivanweiss.london/book-headshot-session - or check out his stunning work via @IvanWeiss.london on Instagram. You can use the link along with the code 'POPCORN15' to get 15% off of your booking, so upgrade your portfolio today with Ivan Weiss Photography! Follow us everywhere at @PopcornAndPatriarchy Find our film diaries and ratings on Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/PopPatriarchy/ Stuck in a creative spiral? Send your dilemmas to the Creative Hangup Hotline! Expect honesty, confidence boosts, and creative inspiration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeinE3oshLOnXd220wbLhKwvuWrZIpBtRHRxgQFgn2rXYpePA/viewform?fbclid=PAT01DUAQ8t_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeTnt-AvIVe1qilUg1Enf7kodYaGzHw4r8Qr5LI3zS5OseOW0JYDVeKJ0oE4g_aem_NWBxgnFQ1VOoqKWTWpOBBA

  2. Jul 9

    Sinners (2025) - Through a Feminist Lens | Ep.3a

    ๐ŸŽฅ The film discussion episode. A companion creative challenge inspired by this film will also be available.๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’‹ This episode of Popcorn & Patriarchy explores 'Sinners' (2025) through a feminist and intersectional lens.Hosts Esme Michaela - filmmaker and Founder of Evulve Productions - and actor, Joe Coates, examine the filmโ€™s themes, politics, representation, and cultural impact, asking what it gets right, what it gets wrong, and why it still matters.Through the Creative Hangup Hotline, listeners can anonymously share their creative fears, blocks, and doubts, with the hosts responding with encouragement, perspective, and inspiration.Want even more? Join our Patreon for early access to episodes, bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, post-episode discussions, and exclusive access to all things Popcorn & Patriarchy.Thank you to our Sponsor, Ivan Weiss Photography, for supporting this episode of Popcorn & Patriarchy. Ivan provides a stunning customised headshot and portrait service out of his central London studio. He iscelebrated across the industry for his signature โ€˜ Table Portraitsโ€™ and has photographed high profile actors, corporate executives and creatives. He is truly a jack of all trades! If you want to view his spectacular portfolio or book your own session, head over to his website - https://ivanweiss.london/book-headshot-session - or check out his stunning work via @IvanWeiss.london on Instagram. You can use the link along with the code 'POPCORN15' to get 15% off of your booking, so upgrade your portfolio today with Ivan Weiss Photography! Follow us everywhere at @PopcornAndPatriarchyFind our film diaries and ratings on Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/PopPatriarchy/Stuck in a creative spiral? Send your dilemmas to the Creative Hangup Hotline! Expect honesty, confidence boosts, and creative inspiration - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

  3. Jul 2

    Should a Man Write the Drama about the Sarah Everard Case? Our Take on the BBC Controversy | Bonus Episode

    ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ A special bonus episode of Popcorn & Patriarchy. ๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’‹ This week, Esme and Joe step away from their usual film discussion and creative challenge format to unpack a major debate in the UK screen industry. Following the BBC's decision to commission a drama about Sarah Everard, more than 400 female screenwriters signed an open letter criticising the appointment of a male writer. Esme and Joe explore the arguments on both sides, discuss why they disagree with the letter's central position, and ask broader questions about authorship, representation, and who gets to tell whose stories. As always, the conversation is thoughtful, feminist, and unafraid to challenge assumptionsโ€”even when those assumptions come from within the creative industries themselves. This episode discusses violence against women and girls, sexual violence, domestic abuse, and policing. If anything raised in this conversation affects you, support is available via the resources below: Film & TV Support Line (free & confidential, available 24/7) ๐Ÿ“ž 0800 054 0000 ๐ŸŒ filmtvcharity.org.uk National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge, 24/7) ๐Ÿ“ž 0808 2000 247 ๐ŸŒ nationaldahelpline.org.uk Rape Crisis England & Wales (free helpline & online support) ๐Ÿ“ž 0808 500 2222 ๐ŸŒ rapecrisis.org.uk National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Galop) ๐Ÿ“ž 0800 999 5428 ๐ŸŒ galop.org.uk Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service (run by Crimestoppers โ€“ completely anonymous) ๐Ÿ“ž 0800 085 0000 ๐ŸŒ crimestoppers-uk.org Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (independent of the police, investigates serious complaints) ๐ŸŒ policeconduct.gov.uk Through the Creative Hangup Hotline, listeners can anonymously share their creative fears, blocks, and doubts, with the hosts responding with encouragement, perspective, and inspiration. Want even more? Join our Patreon for early access to episodes, bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, post-episode discussions, and exclusive access to all things Popcorn & Patriarchy. ๐Ÿ“ฒ Follow us everywhere at @PopcornAndPatriarchy ๐ŸŽž๏ธ Find our film diaries and ratings on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/PopPatriarchy/ โ˜Ž๏ธ Stuck in a creative spiral? Send your dilemmas to the Creative Hangup Hotline! Expect honesty, confidence boosts, and creative inspiration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeinE3oshLOnXd220wbLhKwvuWrZIpBtRHRxgQFgn2rXYpePA/viewform?fbclid=PAT01DUAQ8t_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeTnt-AvIVe1qilUg1Enf7kodYaGzHw4r8Qr5LI3zS5OseOW0JYDVeKJ0oE4g_aem_NWBxgnFQ1VOoqKWTWpOBBA

  4. Jun 25

    PRIDE (2014) โ€“ Inspired to Create | Ep.2b | Feat. Tazmyn-Mei Gebbett

    ๐ŸŽฌ The creative challenge episode. A companion film discussion exploring the film through a feminist lens is also available. ๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’‹ Inspired by 'PRIDE' (2014), this episode invites listeners to move from analysis to action. Esme and Joe set a creative challenge designed to help you build confidence, experiment with ideas, and make your own work - whether youโ€™re a filmmaker, writer, performer, or simply feeling creatively curious. Through the Creative Hangup Hotline, listeners can anonymously share their creative fears, blocks, and doubts, with the hosts responding with encouragement, perspective, and inspiration. This episode is proudly supported by Switchboard, the UK's national LGBTQIA+ support line. As Switchboard puts it, they exist to create a space where people can "explore, talk and be truly heard." For over 50 years, their trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers have provided confidential support, helping people navigate questions around identity, relationships, sexual health, and life in general with compassion and understanding. If you or someone you know could benefit from support, Switchboard is available every day from 10amโ€“10pm. You can call 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt, use their web chat, or find more information at www.switchboard.lgbt. You can also follow their work on Instagram and Facebook at @switchboardlgbt. A huge thank you to Switchboard for sponsoring us and supporting independent feminist media and helping us foster conversations rooted in empathy, creativity, and community. We'd also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Tazmyn-Mei Gebbett for joining us on this episode and bringing the most perfect, queer chaos into the creative challenge this week! Follow Tazmyn-Mei on Instagram at @TazmynMei or @TeaBooksAndTazmyn, or on TikTok at @TazmynMei Follow us everywhere at @PopcornAndPatriarchy Find our film diaries and ratings on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/PopPatriarchy/) Stuck in a creative spiral? Send your dilemmas to the Creative Hangup Hotline! Expect honesty, confidence boosts, and creative inspiration.(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeinE3oshLOnXd220wbLhKwvuWrZIpBtRHRxgQFgn2rXYpePA/viewform?fbclid=PAT01DUAQ8t_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeTnt-AvIVe1qilUg1Enf7kodYaGzHw4r8Qr5LI3zS5OseOW0JYDVeKJ0oE4g_aem_NWBxgnFQ1VOoqKWTWpOBBA)

  5. Jun 11

    PRIDE (2014) โ€“ Through a Feminist Lens | (Ep. 2a) | Feat. Tash Walker

    ๐ŸŽฅ The film discussion episode. A companion creative challenge inspired by this film is also available. ๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿ’‹ This episode of Popcorn & Patriarchy explores 'PRIDE' through a feminist and intersectional lens. Hosts Esme Michaela - filmmaker and Founder of Evulve Productions - and actor, Joe Coates, examine the filmโ€™s themes, politics, representation, and cultural impact, asking what it gets right, what it gets wrong, and why it still matters. Littered throughout. Through the Creative Hangup Hotline, listeners can anonymously share their creative fears, blocks, and doubts, with the hosts responding with encouragement, perspective, and inspiration. This episode is proudly supported by Switchboard, the UK's national LGBTQIA+ support line. As Switchboard puts it, they exist to create a space where people can "explore, talk and be truly heard." For over 50 years, their trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers have provided confidential support, helping people navigate questions around identity, relationships, sexual health, and life in general with compassion and understanding. If you or someone you know could benefit from support, Switchboard is available every day from 10amโ€“10pm. You can call 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt, use their web chat, or find more information at www.switchboard.lgbt. You can also follow their work on Instagram and Facebook at @switchboardlgbt. A huge thank you to Switchboard for sponsoring us and supporting independent feminist media and helping us foster conversations rooted in empathy, creativity, and community. We'd also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Tash Walker for joining us on this episode and sharing their insights, expertise, and perspective with such generosity. Want even more? Join our Patreon for early access to episodes, bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, post-episode discussions, and exclusive access to all things Popcorn & Patriarchy. Follow us everywhere at @PopcornAndPatriarchy Find our film diaries and ratings on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/PopPatriarchy/) Stuck in a creative spiral? Send your dilemmas to the Creative Hangup Hotline! Expect honesty, confidence boosts, and creative inspiration.(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeinE3oshLOnXd220wbLhKwvuWrZIpBtRHRxgQFgn2rXYpePA/viewform?fbclid=PAT01DUAQ8t_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeTnt-AvIVe1qilUg1Enf7kodYaGzHw4r8Qr5LI3zS5OseOW0JYDVeKJ0oE4g_aem_NWBxgnFQ1VOoqKWTWpOBBA)

About

๐Ÿฟ Film reviews through a feminist lens ๐ŸŽฌ Where cinema meets culture & power ๐Ÿ’‹ Episodes & creative challenges ๐Ÿ‘‡ Hosted by filmmaker and Founder of Evulve Productions, Esme Michaela, and actor Joe Coates. Produced by Evulve Productions.