Open To Criticism
By Wendy Lloyd
What if your taste in movies is being dictated by powerful voices who don’t look like you, think like you, or care about the stories you want to see? Film critic Wendy Lloyd investigates who’s really shaping what you watch – and why it matters.
In the #MeToo, BLM, and Times Up era, are the gatekeepers of film criticism changing, or are the same old voices still pulling the strings? Wendy digs deep into who gets to shape the conversation, why it matters, and how the stories we value are impacted by race, gender, and privilege.
With sharp wit and a knack for getting to the heart of the issue, Wendy invites fellow critics and commentators into lively discussions about the inequalities still lurking behind the scenes of the industry's most powerful platforms. Who decides what films deserve top honours during Awards season? And why are so few diverse voices holding the reins?
Join Wendy for this twice-nominated Independent Podcast Awards show, as she unpacks the mystery of who holds the real power in film. Blending humour with hard truths in a show that might just change the way you see the movies – and the critics who rate them.
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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…