In today’s episode, we discuss the 1966 Italian film, the Battle of Algiers. The film, based on events that occurred during the Algerian war against French occupation (1954-62) and specifically, the battle in the capital city of Algiers, depicts the actions of the various groups that fought against, and with each other during that war. Here is a synopsis from Criterion:

“One of the most influential political films in history, The Battle of Algiers, by Gillo Pontecorvo, vividly re-creates a key year in the tumultuous Algerian struggle for independence from the occupying French in the 1950s. As violence escalates on both sides, children shoot soldiers at point-blank range, women plant bombs in cafés, and French soldiers resort to torture to break the will of the insurgents. Shot on the streets of Algiers in documentary style, the film is a case study in modern warfare, with its terrorist attacks and the brutal techniques used to combat them. Pontecorvo’s tour de force has astonishing relevance today.”

As the Criterion synopsis states, ‘Battle of Algiers’ remains relevant. During this conversation, we use the film as a foundation for a broader conversation about its relevance to present concerns and the ongoing battle for liberation.

Battle of Algiers - Criterion

https://www.criterion.com/films/248-the-battle-of-algiers

George Jackson Interview (mentioned by Dennis)

https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/jacksoninterview.html

Tariq Ali article

https://socialistworker.co.uk/in-depth/the-killing-of-palestinians-is-undoubtedly-genocide-tariq-ali-and-others-speak-out/

French Algeria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Algeria

On July 26 of 2024, a story was published by entertainment industry trade magazine Variety about Francis Ford Coppola’s alleged behavior on the set of his film, Megalopolis.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Video has surfaced of director Francis Ford Coppola that shows the legendary director trying to kiss young female extras on the set of his ambitious sci-fi epic. Variety has obtained two videos that were taken by a crewmember last year during the filming of a bacchanalian nightclub scene.

Two sources told Variety that Coppola appeared to act with impunity on set. And unlike traditional movies, Coppola financed the entire $120 million budget himself, so there were none of the traditional checks and balances in place. The videos would appear to corroborate a bombshell report in the Guardian that claimed the 85-year-old director “tried to kiss some of the topless and scantily clad female extras” and told them “he was ‘trying to get them in the mood.’” The Guardian story broke right before “Megalopolis” made its world premiere in Competition in Cannes.

[...]

After reading this story, I immediately experienced disappointment. As a filmmaker, I’ve admired Coppola, and considered him to be a venerable elder of the industry. Beyond disappointment however, I began to think of misogyny in the film industry - a matter of patriarchal society and power, among other things. This brings me to our guest, Mary Wild who, we're happy to say, has been on Film Conversations before to discuss Hitchcock’s Vertigo.

On Mary's bio page at the Global Center for Advanced Studies website she's described as a 'Freudian Cinephile’ and pop psychoanalyst, creating content related to cinema, philosophy, and the modern cultural landscape, founder of the Projections lecture series at Freud Museum London, applying psychoanalysis to film interpretation, which has been running since 2012. She teaches film at City Lit and Picturehouse Cinemas, and has produced events for London Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Picturehouse Cinemas, White Cube Gallery, and Morbid Anatomy. She also co-hosts Projections Podcast, contributes to Evolution of Horror Podcast.

In this episiode, we use the story of Coppola to examine misogyny in the film industry and beyond.

Variety article on Coppola

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/megalopolis-set-video-francis-ford-coppola-kissing-extras-1236082653/

Mary Wild GCAS Page

https://gcascollege.ie/mary-wild

Projections Lecture Series

https://www.freud.org.uk/tag/projections/

Projections Podcast

https://www.projectionspodcast.com/

Evolution of Horror Podcast

https://www.evolutionofhorror.com/player

Hollywood by Garson Kanin

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1105839.Hollywood

Why women had better sex under socialism by Kristen R. Ghodsee

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53284567-why-women-had-better-sex-under-socialism?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_18

In this episode, we discuss 1997’s The Edge starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Harold Perrineau and Elle Macpherson, written by David Mamet and directed by Lee Tamahori.

Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia entry:

"The Edge is a 1997 American survival thriller film written by David Mamet and directed by Lee Tamahori starring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. The plot follows wealthy businessman Charles Morse (Hopkins), photographer Bob Green (Baldwin), and assistant Stephen (Harold Perrineau), who must trek through the elements and try to survive after their plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, all while being hunted by a large Kodiak bear and the men's fraying friendships. Bart the Bear, a trained Kodiak bear known for appearances in several Hollywood movies, appears in the film as the bloodthirsty Kodiak, in one of his last film roles."

[...]

Full at the Wikipedia entry

During our conversation, Charles offers an interpretation of The Edge based on an examation of the themes of masculinity it presents in a pop culture, action adventure film form (as that existed in the 1990s). Dennis came into the conversation with quite a few criticisms but adjusts his view, somewhat, as we chat. It was an interesting and lively discussion which I hope you'll enjoy.

References: