Beyond Bechdel

You know when you feel all the feelings, including thinking two alternative beliefs at the same time? Like.... Me: I hate this show, it's so trashy/horrifying/boring! Also me: I love this show it's the best ever, I can't look away!! That's what this episode is about. Send us your conflicting opinions: https://twitter.com/Beyond_Bechdel and beyondbech@gmail.com and beyondbechdel.com

A special bonus episode about the film that is going to 'save cinema'. Contrarah has braved TENET twice so she and Nick (a one-time slightly confused viewer) review and breakdown Christopher Nolan's latest complex and controversial spy caper.  NOTE: The episode is broken down into a 1) non-spoiler section, 2) a full detailed plot analysis and 3) spoiler-filled discussion. See time codes below: 00:30 - 33.05 Part One: Discussion of TENET - no spoilers, all confusion. 33.:23 - 54:48 Part Two: Full plot explainer - if you're confused after watching or want to see TENET while holding all the cards completely spoiled, this is for you. 55:00 to end Part Three: A spoiler-filled review of the plot mechanics, characters and ideas in this crazy masterpiece. Here is the visual timeline mentioned in the ep (a gigantic spoiler): https://www.reddit.com/r/tenet/comments/ii38sl/tenet_character_timeline_my_first_attempt_to_map/?utm_source=amp&utm_medium=&utm_content=

While we work on season 3, let's look at some things we love, and some that we loathe. In this episode: reading matter!

While we work on season 3, let's look at some things we love, and some that we loathe...

Half-way through the year 2020 and who knows how far into the devilish reign of COVID-19, Contrarah asks if we're getting film fatigue? She and notorious series-hater Nick debate project length, subject and what two decades can do to our perception, and wonder if it's ok to simply enjoy programming, or should we also endure it?  One thing is for certain, even with a mind at work, we haven't completed Netflix, have you? Give us your easiest watches at: beyondbech@gmail.com  @beyond_bechdel.

Contrarah is joined by Nick again for a new bonus episode on some excellent new films with a common theme. Firstly there's a discussion on enjoying versus enduring a movie, with our take on Joker. Before the main event: looking in depth at two powerful movies directed by directors at the top of their game: * Portrait of a Lady on Fire * Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always Join us to discover why we need to be championing this type of innovative cinema. Have thoughts? Contact us by email at beyondbech@gmail.com or on twitter at @beyond_bechdel. BLACK LIVES MATTER

Movies have long helped us to live out our best and worst fantasies. And what better way to cope with stressful times than by social distancing in the safety of your own home while watching famous, beautiful people do all the hard work.  In this second part of a two-parter, we look at the films that really went viral - and not in a good way... But can films about GERM WARFARE actually help us during the coronavirus pandemic? Listen as Contrarah and Nick break down the (sometimes) invaluable advice found in  7 of these 15 disaster movies.   STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. WATCH MOVIES.

Movies have long helped us to live out our best and worst fantasies. And what better way to cope with stressful times than by social distancing in the safety of your own home while watching famous, beautiful people do all the hard work.  But can film actually help us during the coronavirus pandemic? Listen as Contrarah and Nick break down the (sometimes) invaluable advice found in 15 disaster movies.   STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. WATCH MOVIES.

In these strange times we wanted to bring listeners comfort, in the form of coping tips, media recommendations and the sound of three people laughing through the madness. Hope this helps. Jen's brand new web series Phase 2 can be found here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCuS1mtCoDwYXiq2zALzLYqw We're all on twitter if you want to talk: twitter.com/bec_bebop twitter.com/JustJen_02 twitter.com/Beyond_Bechdel Stay safe.

2020 - sounds good doesn't it? We predict great things for filmmaking in this new decade! Contrarah asked some previous pod guests what they are most looking forward to.  She and Nick also finish their discussion on the best films of the last ten years.  In a Hole Doll's House Key time codes: 5:01 - Just Jen 27:02 - Audrey Fox  40:31 - Emma Butt  1:02:05 - Becky Matthews  (49:00 -Segue into the role of the score in filmmaking) Our final lists: Contrarah               2010 - Winter's Bone 2011 - We Need To Talk About Kevin 2012 - Zero Dark Thirty 2013 - The Bling Ring 2014 - Selma 2015 - Fifty Shades of Grey 2016 - Certain Women 2017 - Lady Bird 2018 - Private Life 2019 - The Farewell Nick 2010 - Inception 2011 - Tree of Life 2012 - Cabin in the Woods 2013 - Enemy 2014 - Whiplash 2015 - Knight of Cups  2016 - Moonlight 2017 - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 2018 - Infinity War  2019 - 1917

The last decade saw some fantastic movies and some big steps forward for women in film, but no one told Nick that, he just loves himself some MAN movies full of MEN. Thank goodness Contrarah weighs in with some big time, money-making, award-winning female films. Contrarah and Nick continue their review of cinema from 2010 to 2019 - this time looking at 2014 to 2017, and they may have finally found some common ground. Do you agree with these choices?

The last decade saw some fantastic movies and some big steps forward for women in film. Contrarah and Nick review their tastes in cinema from 2010 to 2019 - each with a wildly different focus. Did your movie make the cut?

Computer gaming - it's for boys only, right? Wrong! And yet, history hasn't been kind to the gamer community, especially in terms of gender discrimination. Instead of laying blame, maybe it's time to look at whether the games themselves are contributing towards a culture. Contrarah enlists the help of Dr Esther Wright (https://twitter.com/EstherWrigh_) whose recent PhD delves deep into stereotypes within the historical Rockstar Games universe. Listen as they discuss campfire confessionals, seedy underbellies and the lack of trans representation, as well as the world's most lit photography assignment. We're pausing on episodes for a while so that the team can bring you even more content, thank you SO MUCH for listening to this season. Shout out to all of our kind and talented guests and to the audio genius of Andrew Evans (https://twitter.com/AndrewDEvans) And to all you murdering psychopathic gun-toting outlaws...just pass that weapon to a nearby female (or non-binary if you can find em) NPC, she can handle h

What is Cinema? Scorsese thinks he knows, but does he? Nick with his TV industry work knowledge and Contrarah debate this question focussing on art, entertainment with a segue into what exactly is a human being? Plus, do we want our Netflix content even faster? Bonus Drinking Game: Take a sip every time someone says Transformers! Tell us your definition of cinema at: beyondbech@gmail.com or https://twitter.com/Beyond_Bechdel

It's easy to look back at films from 20 years ago and cringe hard, wondering, "what were we thinking?" Yet the 90s brought us so many good things, including a new a golden age for the romantic comedy - a genre sometimes frowned upon today. Writer/director/producer Just Jen thinks we shouldn't dismiss 90s romcoms as featherweight, when the lessons they're bringing are more empowering than at first glance.  The 90s romcom heroine as feminist Trojan Horse. Who knew? Learn more about Jen's thoughts on culture @JustJen_02 on twitter and her own filming work https://www.instagram.com/sassyjamproductions/?hl=en on instagram Tell us about your fave romcoms @Beyond_Bechdel

Amber Hunt, Amanda Rossman, Elizabeth Andes. Madeleine Baran, Parker Yesko, Bertha Tardy. Liliana Segura, Jordan Smith, Donna Brown. You might not know their names. All women. All important. Listen to find out why. Bad things happen to women every day, and women are doing invaluable work to make the world a better place. We get to be a part of the process through the power of audio. Contrarah makes the case for true crime pods, but not all true crime media is the same. Serial: serialpodcast.org/ Accused: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/accused/id1145990861 In The Dark: www.apmreports.org/in-the-dark Murderville: theintercept.com/podcasts/murderville/ (& full long-form content: theintercept.com/series/murderville/) Want to recommend a true crime podcast? Email beyondbech@gmail.com and/or tweet us @Beyond_Bechdel

Remember old-school nurses? The white-starched uniform, kind bedside manner and comforting, feminine presence? Cinema remembers. A movie was made that sought to turn that stereotype on its head.  Nurse Ratched is widely known as the most deliciously heinous member of the nursing profession. She's also - according to our guest Audrey Fox - a Trojan Horse, standing out as a powerful women in a world full of dangerous men.  Contrarah and Audrey discuss Louise Fletcher's magnificent performance, as well as life behind the scenes on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Tell Audrey all of your medical problems https://twitter.com/audonamission Tell us we must be crazy to make a podcast in a looney bin like this: https://twitter.com/Beyond_Bechdel Thanks as always to https://andrewevansmusic.com/about/ for our theme tune.

Getting a film made is a huge undertaking. And the vast majority of films are produced and directed by men. So when we heard that Stefanie Davis had written. directed and produced her own feature, we hunted her down and begged her to share her secrets! Stefanie and Contrarah go into detail about the path to filmmaking, Stefanie's championing of the 'survival job' and how her gender has both nothing and everything to do with how and why she made her movie. In case you thought that we were criticising Stefanie's work(!), the title of the movie is Hot Mess in a Wedding Dress. Watch it here: vimeo.com/ondemand/hotmessinaweddingdress Congratulate Stefanie here: @HotMessMovie & @gypsyfilmmaker Oh, and always check the weather report!

One of the best modern sci-fi action films in recent years, Edge of Tomorrow purported to be a Tom Cruise vehicle, but really it brought us Emily Blunt kicking all kinds of alien ass!  This is our first 'Trojan Horse' of the season and boy is the Angel of Verdun a goodun! \ Come join Nick and Contrarah as they dissect the action role of a lifetime.  Got a better action hero slipping her away into a "man's" action flick?  Let us know on twitter @Beyond_Bechdel or beyondbech@gmail.com

And we're BACK! Welcome to the new season of Beyond Bechdel, where we delve into cinematic culture from a very particular point of view. Stay with us for interviews, reviews, discussion and a lot of laughter from fantastic people working in the film and TV industry. The title might sound a bit odd but we'll break it down for you in the episodes, you'll have to listen to find out! Please let us know what we're doing right (and wrong)by Tweeting us @beyond_bechdel Emailing us at beyondbech@gmail.com We kick off with....sound! Music by Andrewevansmusic.com