Raising Cinephiles Jessica Kantor

In this part of the conversation, the guests discuss their first movie memories and their favorite films growing up. They also touch on the topic of unreliable Wi-Fi and the importance of having a landline. John shares his experience of going to boarding school and the freedom he had as a child. He emphasizes the importance of being open to different types of movies and discovering hidden gems. John Farley and Grant Garry discuss their taste in movies and the role of comedy in their lives. They share stories about their experiences with movies and TV shows, including their favorite comedies and the influence of their family on their comedic preferences. They also talk about the importance of communication and using humor to navigate difficult situations. The conversation highlights John's unique perspective as the brother of the late comedian Chris Farley. The conversation covers various topics, including humor, grief, physicality, and movie recommendations. Movie recommendations for children are shared, including classics like The Sandlot, The Princess Bride, and Star Wars.

Jennifer Warren, a former actress turned director, shares her journey in the film industry and the challenges she faced as a working parent. She discusses her early movie memories, growing up in a family of actors, and the influence of her famous Yiddish actor uncle. Jennifer also talks about her transition from acting to directing and the importance of having a support system while balancing work and family life. She emphasizes the changing landscape of the industry and the need for more opportunities for women directors. The conversation covers topics such as the challenges of breaking into the film industry, the role of technology in filmmaking, the importance of building a creative community, and introducing children to the cinema. The guests discuss the difficulty of getting a foot in the door of the industry and the recent resurgence of independent financing. They also explore the potential of AI in film production and the need for a balance between technology and human creativity. The guests share their experiences in teaching and mentoring aspiring filmmakers and emphasize the importance of finding a supportive, creative community. They also discuss the influence of personal taste and interests on children's movie preferences.

Laura Morton, the co-director, producer, writer, and creator of the documentary 'Anxious Nation,' discusses her journey in making the film and her love for cinema. She shares her first movie memory of watching 'Fiddler on the Roof' and how it sparked her love for going to the movies. Laura and Jessica Kantor, the host, discuss the emotional impact of films and how they provide an escape and a safe space to feel different emotions. They also talk about the importance of storytelling and the role of movies in understanding our ancestry and where we come from. Laura shares her experience as a single mom and how she watches movies with her daughter, passing on her love for cinema and using films to connect and have conversations. The conversation explores the state of youth mental health and the challenges parents face in identifying and addressing their children's mental health issues. It emphasizes the need for pediatricians to be trained in mental health and for parents to be aware of and validate their children's emotions. The conversation also discusses the lack of support and resources for parents and the importance of fostering children's individuality. The film 'Anxious Nation' is recommended as a resource for parents, and the films 'Inside Out' and 'Out of Africa' are recommended for children.

In this episode, host Jessica Kantor interviews Lucy Lawless about her career in acting and her directorial debut. They discuss Lawless' first movie memory, her love for horror films, and her journey in the entertainment industry. Lawless shares her experiences as an actress and the inspiration she finds in other actors and films. She also talks about her desire to entertain and create a somatic experience for the audience as a director. Lucy Lawless discusses her children's taste in movies and her own favorite films. She mentions that her daughter and one of her sons are cinephiles, while her other son is interested in trucks and plants. They all enjoyed movies like Alien, Tremors, and The SpongeBob Movie. Lucy also talks about her love for The Godfather and how it showcases both the male and female gaze. She recommends showing her son the Godfather movies to help him fall in love with cinema.

Alex Lebovici shares his first movie memory and discusses his love for cinema. He talks about going to the theater with his parents and how they would watch movies at home almost every night. Alex also talks about his experience with different movie theater formats, such as drive-ins and 4D theaters. He discusses how his taste in movies evolved over time and how he started choosing his own movies as a teenager. He shares how the movie 'Bowfinger' inspired him to pursue a career in filmmaking and talks about his experience in film school. Alex Lebovici and Jessica Kantor discuss their experiences with movies and their children in this conversation. They talk about introducing their kids to different films, dealing with scary scenes, and creating a safe, enjoyable movie-watching experience. They also discuss the film 'Boy Kills World' and how personal taste and the marketplace influence the projects they choose. The conversation touches on the power of movies to transport and inspire and the importance of creating unique and honest films.

In this episode, Jessica Kantor talks through highlights of the previous 48 Raising Cinephiles Interviews. She discusses how movies can create conversation starters and shared memories between parents and children. She also explores the topic of when to show kids certain films and the impact of cinema on a child's perspective. Additionally, she highlights the spark of curiosity that movies can ignite in children and how cinema can open up their point of view to the world. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to screen time.