Open To Criticism
By Wendy Lloyd
If you ever watch films or read film reviews, this Independent Podcast Awards twice nominated show is for you. Because what you get to see onscreen is directly impacted by what critics value and promote. Film critic Wendy Lloyd investigates how we talk about movies, who gets to do it and why it matters with fellow critics and social commentators. #MeToo, BLM and Times Up mean we're finally seeing improved diversity in film - from the stories being told to onscreen representation. But significant power imbalances remain - as highlighted each year during Awards season. So how might film criticism understand its own role in these inequalities and better serve ALL film fans? Because whilst historically marginalised voices are now coming through in criticism, significant inequalities remain - including who gets the top critic jobs and which stories - and therefore films - are valued most. Join me in this series of thought provoking and lively conversations, that builds on research on inequalities in criticism I carried out for my Masters degree.
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Latest episode
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Dr Clive Nwonka: British Urban Film's Struggle for Critical Recognition
For the final episode in the current season I'm speaking to leading academic on Black British and African American film, Dr Clive Nwonka. Clive's latest book Black Boys: The Social Aesthetics of British Urban Film is the first to have been w… -
Corrina Antrobus: The Feminist Reframing of Rom-Coms
The much maligned Rom-Com is a perfect example of how a whole film genre can be dismissed by dint of who the stories are for, and who they are about. (Clue: it's not men!). After a classy start in Hollywood, Rom Coms - and their sister genre 'Chick F… -
Anton Bitel: Critics vs Influencers? Round 2
I return to the subject of critics versus influences this week, following my enlightening chat with critic and industry influencer Ashanti Omkar back in Season 1. Influencers are increasingly being used by film publicists to provide exposure and hype… -
Jo Berry: The Kids are Alright? Critiquing Family Films
In the hierarchy of film genres, those aimed at kids, or "family" movies, don't tend to be up there. Even though from Toy Story, to Finding Nemo to Snow White and her Dwarves, there's a long history of iconic movies that have defined the childhoods o… -
Stephen Follows: The Film and Critic Data
Perhaps it's rash of me to assume you're on board with my narrative about inequalities in film criticism and its skewed white male demographic. Perhaps you need to hear from someone at the coalface of data who can confirm my claims - and add to them … -
Ita O'Brien: Modernising Movie Sex Scenes
We're back to sex again, because let's face it, it's a key area where inequality and abuse can take place onscreen. However, since the Weinstein furore, more attention is being paid to how intimate scenes are filmed, and how actors are supported in t… -
Gabriella Geisinger: Jewish onscreen Representation
This week I talk to critic Gabriella Geisinger about the representation of Jews onscreen, prompted by several big movies in the past year that provoked debate about authentic casting. I'm talking of course about Maestro, Oppenheimer and Golda. I reac… -
Mia Farrell: Critic Power at Film Festivals
Film festivals are more than just red carpet glamour. They're THE launchpad for movies, and the difference between a positive critic reaction versus an across the board trashing can make or break a film. But whilst there are a much more representativ… -
Anna Bogutskaya: Unlikeable Female Characters
I'm back for a new season of my two-time award nominated podcast! Kicking off in fine style with critic, author, podcaster, author and film programmer Anna Bogutskaya. Anna's fascinating book Unlikeable Female Characters interrogates nine key tropes … -
Festivals, Onscreen Intimacy and Jewish representation, Unlikeable Women and much much more! Season 2 trailer
The two-time Uk Independent Award nominated podcast Open To Criticism is back for season 2! And to mark International Women's Day 2024 the trailer goes live and features 4 awesome women coming up in the season: Critics Gabriela Geisinger and Anna Bog…