Sneak Peek

Transcript:

I think to say this year is weighing heavily on everyone is a gross understatement. Frankly, I’m curious to hear how people are fostering joy in the face of what feels like an endless onslaught of depressing and infuriating circumstances with only the smallest glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel.

Maybe? Fingers crossed.

Anyway, that curiosity brings me to movies. For me, watching a movie that I love–whether it’s alone or with other people, at home or in a theater,  the anticipating it, the post-watch discussions, the debates that I take way too seriously–that’s all been tethered to my joy over the years. Movies have been the balm to a variety of different wounds.

Heartbreaks, definitely.

Growing pains.

Big changes.

Home sickness.

The whole spectrum, really. 

They’ve been a cause for celebration and an avenue for empathy, as I think the best stories are. And they’ve been a genuine source of comfort and delight more times than I can say. So, despite the depressing note we’re beginning this podcast on, what I’m really trying to do with it going forward is get a sense for what people are watching right now that is bringing them joy in a moment when joy feels particularly scarce. I want this to be a warm hug of a podcast because, I don’t know about you, but I feel like it’s what myself and my friends could use right now. 

A huge number of the podcasts I listen to are movie podcasts and I know it’s a saturated market, but I cannot get enough of it. I love hearing people discuss the movies they love. 

I think there’s this really gorgeous relationship we have to film as humans because it’s a far reaching narrative form. It’s a recent invention, in the grand scheme of things, but it’s also a continuation of a historic tradition of storytelling that has always been a part of us and is vital to our existence.

I act and I’m a big reader. I haven’t been able to perform that much during the pandemic and I haven’t really been able to focus on books, either. But, I am still watching movies. I think film offers us something that’s uniquely accessible–especially now–but even outside of our recent collective isolation. Someone might not have the time or headspace to read a book or the money or inclination to see a play, but they can probably encounter a movie and they almost certainly have a favorite one they return to over and again for comfort, or a thrill, or whatever they need in a given moment. I love finding out what that favorite movie is for someone and why it’s a favorite.

Watching a new movie someone is excited to show me or waxing nostalgic over ones we’ve both already seen is deeply my shit. There’s this instant joy and bonding that stems from those shared moments; it’s really universal, and I‘ve made friends near and quite far on the basis of a shared love of a movie. This story will hopefully be in a later episode, but suffice it to say the German voice actor, Arne Elsholtz–forgive me if you speak German, I don’t, clearly–who dubs all of Tom Hanks’ films is literally the reason I have one of my closest friends in my life today. 

For the people we are already close with, movies also give us this great avenue to talk about big things with each other and explore issues we might not be otherwise comfortable confronting. It takes lofty concepts, and feelings, and history and makes them relatable and digestible—granted, sometimes this is done very poorly. (I’m looking at you, Greenbook). And we have to reconcile with that and change it, like seriously change it—those of us who perform in, edit, cast, and write tomorrow’s stories, we have a responsibility to do things in a way that edifies our fellow humans—because when they are done right they’re profoundly enjoyable and worthwhile.

So, I want to talk about all of that; it’ll definitely be nerdy, and I know the people I’ve chosen to interview will bring all sorts of genres and topics to the podcast, which I’m so excited and thankful for. We all find comfort in different art, and I’m psyched to be digging into that.

To you folks listening to this, all three of you and my mom, I hope you can derive some of your own joy from hearing us chat about these movies with enthusiasm and reflection–even if we’re just on in the background while you do dishes. And, who knows? Maybe it’ll spark you to go and watch a new film for the first time or return to the comfort food flicks that already make you joyful. 

Phew! If that explanation was a little too long and circuitous for you, here’s the pithy log line: this is The Featured Friends Podcast–a feature film podcast featuring friends, so stay tuned.