In this episode I am joined by the film-maker Ian White. We talk about his choice of film – ‘if….’ By Lindsey Anderson (1968) and his own new documentary ‘Mutiny in Heaven’ (2023) that chronicles the fascinating history of The Birthday Party, one of the most influential, brilliant, violent and possessed bands of the 1980s.

We talk about matching form to subject, things that don’t exist anymore, the pleasures and pains of the digital and pre-digital worlds, the potential beauty of nihilism

For more information on where to see ‘Mutiny in Heaven’ in the cinema, streaming or to buy the DVD-

Birthday Party Movie - Mutiny in Heaven | documentary

Mutiny in Heaven — Cargo Film & Releasing (cargofilm-releasing.com)

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Anthony Litton returns to talk about Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Inland Empire and all things David Lynch.

Thinking about Evil watching David Lynch and reading Flannery O'Connor.

For a long time I have intended to make a film, this film, Francis, based on my feelings in relation to George Romero’s Martin. Martin is a vampire movie without a vampire but with a deep and deeply disquieting examination of religion, sex and culture. I loved Martin at first sight and instantly thought (felt) that the idea would make something wonderful about being Irish - and also a great werewolf movie.

This is my version of that film. I spent a long time thinking I just would never have the resources to make it, except as a short story and that is indeed how it started, until I suddenly had the idea ‘Why not La Jetée the thing?’ I am not sure if ‘to La Jetée’ will catch on as a verb in English but let’s give it a try.

It was made for basically nothing and I want those limitations to be part of the atmosphere – how else to capture that strange and intoxicating feeling of 70’s and 80’s exploitation cinema.

It is the story of a young man who has a miserable life, a violent early death, and seems to be having at least as bad a time of it in the afterlife. But in the answer to the question of why this is all so horrible there is possibly something beautiful and rather life affirming…but you’ll need to dig that out for yourself.

https://youtu.be/jmK6ryxsHOo

New Year and the first episode of 2024 and of Series 2. It’s a weird and wonderful, inspired and insane start to things. In this episode I interview Jane Giles and Ali Catterall, co-directors of the new documentary: ‘Scala!!!…or the incredibly strange rise and fall on of the world’s wildest cinema and how it influenced a mixed-up generation of weirdos and misfits.’ From 1978 to 1993 the Scala, in its various incarnations, was a hub of artistic and social energy and creativity and its story is inspiring as well as moving. That story is beautifully told in this unique film. It also features original music by Mr. Barry Adamson. Jane and Ali were fascinating people to talk to and the film is a joyful education. SCALA!!! is in cinemas now and available on BFI Player and BFI Blu-ray from 22 January. A season of the Scala’s greatest hits, Scala: Sex, drugs and rock and roll cinema, runs at BFI Southbank throughout January with selected films on BFI Player.

Scala: Sex, drugs and rock and roll cinema Thanks to Ali and Jane for being so generous with their time and to Jill at the BFI and Shaun at Central Control for all the help getting this together.

The Bad Seeds gig I mention was in fact 1992.

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We arrive at last!

The final episode of the first season. This is just me talking about the 1977 film Der americanische Freund (The American Friend), directed by Wim Wenders. (Written and Produced as well).

It stars :
Dennis Hopper
Bruno Ganz
Lisa Kreuzer
Gérard Blain

and Nicholas Ray.

This episode features 'Written but not sent to a forger' and 'Written but not sent to Wim Wenders' by Nicholas Ray (edited by Susan Ray)

Music: Einsturzende Nebuten