Feminist Frequency Radio

On this episode of Cyberpunk Summer, we are discussing TRON, a 1982 adventure film directed by Steven Lisberger and starring Jeff Bridges as a software engineer-turned-arcade owner, who is corporeally transported into cyberspace by a power-hungry computer program. Anita and Kat are joined by acclaimed author, public speaker, and travel writer, Geraldine DeRuiter, to sift through the film’s convoluted plot, and perhaps more importantly, its legacy as one of the earliest movies to use computer-generated animation and groundbreaking technology. Note: Enjoy this episode of the podcast as a video at patreon.com/femfreq or on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/3VaUZ0luumITime Stamps:49:23 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the “What I Want” music video by MUNAAnita on the movie Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of MadnessGeraldine on the series Our Flag Means DeathLinks Mentioned:Roger Ebert’s review: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/tron-1982Kat’s freq out: https://youtu.be/ysQl74R_TogFind Geraldine:https://twitter.com/e

Welcome to Cyberpunk Summer, episode 3, where we are discussing the 1995 thriller The Net, directed by Irwin Winkler and starring Sandra Bullock as a systems analyst whose life is threatened by cyber terrorists in a film that drives home the mid-’90s fascination with how much of our lives were just beginning to be tied to the internet. Anita and Kat are joined by the perfect guest for this discussion: “There Are No Girls on the Internet” host, Bridget Todd. CW: This episode includes brief mentions of suicide. Note: Enjoy this episode of the podcast as a video at patreon.com/femfreq or on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/zkMdP5NmBQY Time Stamps:47:11 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the Father of the Bride remake’s “Get Lucky” coverAnita on the FX series (streaming on Hulu), The BearBridget on the Black history of House music and Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” Find Bridget:https://twitter.com/BridgetMarieunbossedcreative.comThere Are No Girls on the Internet - https://www.tangoti.com/Find Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteS

For episode 2 of Cyberpunk Summer, Anita and Kat are joined by by actor, producer, and writer Kristian Bruun to discuss eXistenZ. While you may think that sounds like an off-brand male enhancement supplement, it’s actually a sci-fi film from David Cronenberg. The filmmaker—known for his work defining the body horror genre, like The Fly and Dead Ringers—made waves at the Cannes Film Festival this year with his feature Crimes of the Future. Back in 1999, after interviewing Salman Rushdie for Shift magazine, Cronenberg reportedly came up with the idea of "a Fatwa against a virtual-reality game designer." In eXistenZ, Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as the designer of the titular game, leading a cast that includes Jude Law, Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, Christopher Eccleston, and Willem Dafoe.Note: Enjoy this episode of the podcast as a video at patreon.com/femfreq or on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/FdEWrzNXixITime Stamps:47:11 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the Netflix series HeartstopperAnita on this Letterboxd review of

Cyberpunk Summer is here, and we’re coming in hot with JOHNNY MNEMONIC, the 1995 film directed by Robert Longo and based on the 1981 short story by one of the authors credited with the invention of the cyberpunk genre: William Gibson. It boasts a preposterous cast, including Keanu Reeves, Dolph Lundgren, Takeshi Kitano, Ice-T, and Henry Rollins. The film, which was made at the time the internet was starting to enter everyday lives, includes a lot of the elements we’ve come to associate with cyberpunk fundamentally, but how does it feel to watch it in 2022 (one year after the events are the movie are set)? Join Anita, Kat, and our special guest—journalist and podcaster Ryan Broderick—as we try to make sense of it all.Note: Enjoy this episode of the podcast as a video at patreon.com/femfreq or on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/Hl2KzCYDOtA Time Stamps:43:19 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the reboot of Queer as FolkAnita on seeing Hannah Gadsby liveRyan on the fan reactions to the latest season of The BoysFind Rya

In our Hollywood by the Decade series, we’ve been exploring film history by watching and discussing landmark films from the beginnings of cinema up through the 1980s with new expert guests for each decade. In this final episode, we’re joined by two special guests: prolific writer and film critic Walter Chau, and long-lost co-host Dr. Ebony Adams. We dive into what was happening in the 1980s politically and cinematically, discussing Walter’s picks: 1988’s MIRACLE MILE directed by Steve De Jarnatt, and Kathryn Bigalow’s 1987 vampire western NEAR DARK.Links Mentioned:Ebony didn’t mention this link, but she meant to, because Near Dark made her think of it, so she wanted to share - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X3RiliFsHw&feature=youtu.be Find Walter:https://www.filmfreakcentral.nethttps://twitter.com/mangiottoBook preorders - https://mzsworldstore.com/products/pre-order-a-walter-hill-film-hardcover-signedVoir on Netflix - Walter Chaw episode on 48 HoursFind Ebony:twitter.com/ebonyasterWomen in Film - wif.o

Carolyn Petit returns as special guest to lead our discussion of the 1970s on the penultimate episode of our “Hollywood by the Decade” series. She selected two acclaimed films to focus our discussion. From 1971, Alan Pakula’s KLUTE, in which Jane Fonda plays a sex worker who teams up with an investigator (played by Donald Sutherland), to search for a missing person who’d once been a client of hers. In Paul Mazursky’s 1978 film AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, Jill Clayburgh stars as an Upper West Sider who navigates dating, friendships, and parenting an independent teenage daughter in the aftermath of an unexpected divorce. Two disparate films about female characters directed by men, but connected by a very 1970s focus on character with glimpses into their inner thoughts and lives.Links Mentioned:Angelica Jade Bastién’s Criterion Collection essay about An Unmarried Woman: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/6975-an-unmarried-woman-the-business-of-being-a-woman“Everyone is Beautiful and No One is Horny”: https://bloodk

The 60s in America are remembered as a time of cultural upheaval and revolution, but did Hollywood keep in step with contemporary conversations? Our expert and guide on this episode of Hollywood by the Decade is Dr. Philana Payton, a scholar-activist with research interests in Black film and television history and popular culture, as well as gender and queer studies, and who is currently a professor of film and media studies at the University of California, Irvine. She’s selected two films from the period to launch our discussion: PARIS BLUES (1961) and GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967).Find Dr. Philana Payton:twitter.com/philanapaytonhttps://www.blackstarfest.org/seen/read/issue003/the-voice-i-sing-is-an-echo-the-power-of-black-collectivity/Find Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

Halfway through our “Hollywood by the Decades” series, we time-travel to the 1950s with our special guest—writer, podcaster, and film review editor—Alonso Duralde. We’ll be framing our conversation around two 50s films recommended by Alonso: ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) and THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957).Links Mentioned:Anita & Alonso on “Let’s Go, Atsuko!” https://megaphone.link/FODP1317812259Alonso’s TheWrap listicle: https://www.thewrap.com/best-romantic-comedies-made-before-1980/Alonso’s TCM puzzle: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/turner-classic-movies-alonso-duralde/1139963963Find Alonso Duralde:twitter.com/ADuraldeFind Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

Anita and Kat are joined by literature and film studies Professor Julie Grossman—an oft-published scholar who’s penned numerous essays about the classic archetypes of women onscreen and behind the camera in vintage Hollywood. She’s taking us into the 1940s, and specifically the introduction of film noir and the femme fatale for our “Hollywood by the Decade” series. To set the scene for our conversation, we watched two films on Julie’s recommendation: from 1943, Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt, and from 1948, Road House—directed by Jean Nogulesco and starring Ida Lupino before the advent of her directing career. Find Julie Grossman:twitter.com/JulieGrossman1The Femme Fatale - https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-femme-fatale/9780813598246Twin Peaks - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52737979-twin-peaksFind Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

The 1930s saw the introduction of sound in film, the implementation of the Hays code, and marks the beginning of the “Golden Age of Hollywood”.  On this episode of our “Hollywood by the Decade” series, we’re guided by special guest Patricia White—Centennial Professor of Film and Media Studies and Coordinator of Gender and Sexuality Studies at Swarthmore College—through a discussion of the landscape of Hollywood in the 30s, including how the enforced morality of the Hays code influenced which stories were told and how, while perhaps counterintuitively creating opportunities for surprising subtext. Join us as we examine BLONDE VENUS (1932) starring Marlene Dietrich, and STELLA DALLAS (1937) starring Barbara Stanwyck. Links Mentioned:Blonde Venus https://archive.org/details/blonde-venus-1932-remastered-720pStella Dallas https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08CY15HWB/Find Patricia White:Check out Rebecca: BFI Film Classics - https://shop.bfi.org.uk/rebecca-bfi-film-classics-paperback.html (also available throu

We’re kicking off our Hollywood by Decade series with the inception of filmmaking in the 1910s and 20s. Specifically, we’ll be looking at director Lois Weber’s film, Shoes. Released in 1916 at the height of Weber’s power and popularity as one of the top filmmakers of the time, the film tackles poverty, prostitution, and gender pay inequity. Ebony pops in, and she and Anita are joined by Dr. Shelley Stamp, writer and professor of film and digital media at UC Santa Cruz, and the person who quite literally wrote the book on Lois Weber. Listen in for a fascinating discussion of early filmmaking.Links Mentioned:Books:Movies:Find Dr Shelley Stamp:twitter.com/StampShelleyhttps://people.ucsc.edu/~stamp/research/Shelley_Stamp/Home.htmlFind Ebony:twitter.com/ebonyasterFind Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

For our 200th(!!) episode of Feminist Frequency Radio, Anita, Ebony, and Carolyn reunite to discuss the Coen brother’s infinitely quotable, The Big Lebowski. Since its 1998 release, the film has earned cult classic status, spawning festivals, conferences, and even a religion: Dudism. Does our original FFR trio abide? Listen in as we revisit The Dude on his hapless, meandering odyssey through LA to find out.Time Stamps:6:00 - Main discussion on The Big Lebowski41:49 - What’s your Freq Out?Carolyn on the book Conflict Is Not Abuse: Overstating Harm, Community Responsibility, and the Duty of Repair by Sarah SchulmanEbony on the twitter thread of Orsen Welles burns on other directors - https://twitter.com/jfrankensteiner/status/1522761153822269440?s=21&t=u19lPY5tVM7xUOrofR24EwAnita on new thoughts on the film The Old GuardSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTMentioned:The Long Goodbye (1973), directed by Robert AltmanHow Aladdin Changed Animation (by Screwing Over Robin Williams), video by

On the heels of the recent release of director Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman, Kat Spada and special guest Dr. Kishonna Gray—Associate Professor in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies at the University of Kentucky—step back to 2015 to consider Egger’s first film, The Witch.CW: This episode contains discussion of film portrayals of supernatural or historical violence against woman and children, including infanticide. Time Stamps:1:00:10 - What’s your Freq Out?Kishonna on the game FortniteKat on the HBOMax series Julia and the companion podcastSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTFollow Kishonna:twitter.com/KishonnaGrayFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

Anita and new cohost Kat Spada start off the season strong with an episode all about the allure of toxic masculinity onscreen. Special guest Dave Proctor returns to discuss why male characters embodying cisheteronormative values can be so obviously problematic, but often still manage to be attractive and compelling to us a viewers.Time Stamps:54:36 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the movie Aline (2020) directed by and starring Valérie LemercierAnita on the shows Severance on Apple TV, and Minx and Winning Time both on HBOMaxDave on The Linda Lindas’ album Growing Up -  https://thelindalindas.bandcamp.com/Submit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLearn more about Kat:katexmachina.comtwitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFollow Dave:twitter.com/blankdavetwitter.com/mightyyellFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

We finish Women’s History Month and this season of FFR with Eliza Hittman’s critically-acclaimed, profoundly affecting 2020 film, Never Rarely Sometimes Always. Joining us for this emotionally intense discussion is returning special guest, writer and podcaster, Kat Spada.CW: This episode includes discussion of suicide, abuse, sexual assault and other sensitive topics. If you need help please reach out to organization like RAINN.org or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline available 24 hours at 1-800-656-4673Time Stamps:43:07 - What’s your Freq Out?Ebony on the documentary Attica (2021) directed by Traci A. Curry and Stanley NelsonKat on the film Plan B (2021) directed by Natalie MoralesSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:FFR 184: Reproductive Rights in the Media - https://feministfrequency.com/video/reproductive-rights-in-media-with-special-guests-rachel-lee-goldenberg-and-lizz-winstead-ffr-184/FREQ Show on fake clinics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ca6VTJYiW8Follo

Next in our series of works by women filmmakers is director Joanna Hogg’s loosely-autobiographical 2019 film, The Souvenir. Joining us to talk about the film is FemFreq Favorite and Managing Editor at Kotaku, Carolyn Petit! We’ve missed our former co-host and know you have, too; a good discussion is all but guaranteed when Caro’s in the house, and today is no exception as we tackle the film’s themes of addiction, power, art, self-discovery and more.  And be sure to check out our bonus episode this week! Usually a Patrons-only privilege, this week’s Bonus is available wherever you get your podcasts or at Patreon.com/femfreqTime Stamps:44:19 - What’s your Freq Out?Carolyn on the memoir Gentrification of the Mind: Witness to a Lost Imagination by Sarah Schulman AND on the film Drive My Car (2021) directed Ryusuke Hamaguchi based on the novel by Haruki MurakamiAnita on the film Sid and Nancy (1986) directed by Alex CoxSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Team Deakins podcast -

Today on the Bonus, we welcome Patrons and non (future?) Patrons alike for a special public episode. Carolyn Petit is here to reunite our original FFR trio for a deep-dive discussion on the utility of rating systems and subjectivity vs. “objectivity” in criticism.Follow Carolyn:twitter.com/carolynmichellekotaku.comFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

Written by Diablo Cody, directed by Karyn Kusama, and starring Megan Fox, Jennifer’s Body is the next in our series featuring women filmmakers. The film struggled to find an audience in 2009, but has earned a reappraisal in recent years. It’s new to Anita and Ebony, but luckily we’re joined by writer, producer, podcast host, returning FFR guest, and notably, “America’s Foremost Scholar on Jennifer’s Body”, Jordan Crucchiola. Opinions are strong and varied so buckle in for a lively discussion. And if you’re a Patron (or want to become one) visit Patreon.com/femfreq for a Patron exclusive unedited video of our recording!CW: We use offensive and derogatory language in this episode. It’s discussed within the context of films that have used these words, but we do not censor the language.Time Stamps:54:27 - What’s your Freq Out?Anita on the Green Bone Saga series of novels by Fonda LeeJordan on the High&Low moviesSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:“So … When Are We All Goin

We’re kicking off a month of episodes dedicated to the work of pioneering female directors, and to get us started, we’ll be talking about Jane Campion’s 1993 Oscar-winning film, The Piano. Writer, raconteur, podcast host, and our special guest, Kat Spada, joins our discussion as we grapple with an undeniable masterpiece of a film that is simultaneously racist and which presents a deeply troubling “love” story built upon coercion. Can we reconcile the more pernicious and problematic aspects of this film with its magnetic sensualism, compelling performances, and gorgeous filmmaking?Time Stamps:54:41 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the HBO Max series, Sort OfEbony on the Netflix series, Inventing AnnaSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Sam Neill’s IG - instagram.com/twopaddocksFollow Kat:twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaKat’s podcast: twitter.com/90210blazeFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv

Remember when we promised to take the podcast in some new and interesting directions this year? Well, you’re in luck because today we’re talking: visual art, global feminisms, resistance, anti-capitalism, and more through a focus on graffiti, and to do so, we’ve got a pioneering and interdisciplinary scholar and activist in the field to join us. Dr. Jess Pabón is Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at SUNY New Paltz. Her teaching and research areas are vast and varied, and include Performance Studies & Theories; Black and Latina/o/x Performance and Visual Culture Studies (with a specialization in Hip-Hop Studies); Women of Color Feminisms; and LGBT & Queer Studies. Don’t miss this fascinating episode.Time Stamps:48:18 - What’s your Freq Out?Ebony on tenure discussions on twitter (Links below in “links mentioned”)Submit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Slides - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wOEDPX2p54ZpvZ7XXVXOyHV_LN9veWzu6Kov_NwCMzE/