Cinephile, history fan, and one-time Muscovite Ally Pitts explores contemporary and Soviet-era Russian language cinema one film at a time! The show combines interviews and movie discussion, and features expert guests including authors, journalists, stand-up comedians, and indie podcasters. From time to time, it also tackles Hollywood’s attempts to bring aspects of Russian culture, literature, and history to the Silver Screen.
Episodes
Thursday Feb 15, 2018
The Death of Stalin (Armando Iannucci; 2017)
Thursday Feb 15, 2018
Thursday Feb 15, 2018
Matt Billingsley, editor and Iannucci aficionado, joins Ally Pitts to discuss this black comedy satire. It was effectively banned in Russia, but well-reviewed by Russian critics (if you don't read Russian, just count the thumbs-up).
CONTENT WARNING: the movie depicts multiple executions and implied sexual assault off-screen.
SPOILERS from about 10 minutes in until the end, although some things
should be fairly easy to anticipate...
The movie stars Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Rupert Friend and Jason Isaacs (hello to Jason Isaacs, obviously).
The show's intro music is Cold by Sasha Ilyukevich and the Highly Skilled Migrants.
You can find more of their music at:
https://thehighlyskilledmigrants.bandcamp.com/
Or: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cXWmfhuDWyfKfsYADk96F
If you'd like to get in touch and tell us what you thought of the film and/or the podcast episode, it would be great to hear from you! Here are some ways you can do that:
Twitter: @RussophilesU
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/russophilesunite
Instagram: www.instagram.com/russophiles_unite/
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Ally_Pitts/
Support the show/fund Ally's caffeine habit at: https://ko-fi.com/russophilesunite
Find Ally's other podcast appearances at: https://www.podchaser.com/creators/alistair-pitts-107ZzmUqmI
Wednesday Feb 14, 2018
Loveless (Andrei Zvyagintsev; 2017)
Wednesday Feb 14, 2018
Wednesday Feb 14, 2018
As a special Valentine's Day treat, we're watching Andrei Zvyagintsev's latest film, Loveless from 2017.
The film stars Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, and Matvey Novikov. It has been nominated for a Bafta for Best Film Not in the English Language, and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
To discuss the film, Ally is joined by former Moscow resident and self-described emergency back-up guest Carrie Pitts.
We've tried to avoid SPOILERS but be aware that they may occur from about 6 minutes in until the end.
If you'd like to get in touch and tell us what you thought of the film and/or the podcast episode, here are some options:
Twitter: @RussophilesU
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/russophilesunite/
Thursday Feb 01, 2018
Stalingrad (Fyodor Bondarchuk; 2013)
Thursday Feb 01, 2018
Thursday Feb 01, 2018
This time around we're watching Stalingrad, from 2013 and directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk.
The film stars Mariya Smolyakina, Yanina Studilina, Pyotr Fyodorov, Thomas Kretschmann, Sergey Bondarchuk, Dmitri Lysenkov, Andrey Smolyakov, Aleksey Barabash, and Oleg Volku. It was Russia's entry for Best Film in the 87th Oscars, but it ultimately wasn't nominated.
To discuss the film, Ally is joined by former A-level film studies student and Chuckle Brother Award co-winner (2004) Patrick Say.
This episode contains SPOILERS from 20 minutes in until the end.
If you'd like to get in touch and tell us what you thought of the film and/or the podcast episode, here are some options:
Twitter: @RussophilesU
Email: russophilesunite@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/russophilesunite/