Radio

Primal Screen (formerly Plato’s Cave) is a weekly film criticism program that can be heard on Melbourne independent radio station Triple R (3RRR 102.7FM) from 7pm to 8pm every Monday (AEST).

After more than three years as a co-host of Plato’s Cave, Emma Westwood ‘retired’ from her weekly seat to appear as an occasional guest – regular hosts are Paul Anthony Nelson and Flick Ford.

The show is produced by Karl Chapman. Episodes are edited and in podcast form by Maudie Osborne.

Former Plato’s Cave broadcasters (l-r): Emma Westwood. Paul Anthony Nelson, Sally Christie and Cerise Howard

ABC Overnights with Trevor Chappell

Emma Westwood talks with host Trevor Chappell (with special input from listeners) about actors playing against or out of type.

Air date: 23rd December 2021

Podcasts 

The Projection Booth (Episode 586): THE NIGHT PORTER (1974)
with Mike White

We’re looking at Liliana Cavani’s The Night Porter (1974). Set in 1957 Vienna, Max Aldorfer (Dirk Bogard) is the titular night porter. When a conductor and his wife, Lucia (Charlotte Rampling) check in to Max’s motel, he is thrown into a tizzy. He’s been living a quiet life and trying to stay under the radar as he’s a war criminal who has just been confronted with one of his victims… who was also his sex slave.

Professor Gaetana Marrone (author of The Gaze and the Labyrinth: The Cinema of Liliana Cavani) joins us to discuss Cavani’s work while Emma Westwood and Kat Ellinger discuss the film.

Air date: 7th September 2022

That Reminds Me Of: MEN (2022)
with Alex von Hofmann and Kym Logan

Emma joins Alex, Kym (and some mysterious character they call ‘The Baron) to talk about MEN, written and directed by Alex Garland, and some other films it kinda reminds them of.

Air date: 25th July 2022

See Hear: SUMMER OF SOUL (Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)
with Maurice Bursztynski and Bernie Stickwell

Emma joins Maurice and Bernie to talk about the multi-award-winning music documentary, Summer of Soul.

Air date: 21st March 2022

The Projection Booth Special Report: Jez Conolly & Emma Westwood on SECONDS
with Mike White

Mike White spoke with Jez Conolly and Emma Westwood about their Constellations book on John Frankenheimer’s Seconds (1966).

Air date: 30th October 2021

Cult Movies: FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956)
with Anthony King

Anthony is joined by writer and commentator Emma Westwood to discuss Fred M. Wilcox’s Forbidden Planet, followed by their recommendations for pairings with the film.

Air date: 10th October 2021

Cult Movies: THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963)
with Anthony King

Anthony is joined by writer and commentator Emma Westwood to discuss Jerry Lewis’ The Nutty Professor, followed by their recommendations for pairings with the film.

Air date: 4th April 2021

The Projection Booth (Episode 481): ALL THAT JAZZ (1979)
with Mike White & David Kittredge

It’s showtime, folks! On this episode, we’re talking about Bob Fosse’s 1979 film All That Jazz. It’s definitely not an autobiographical picture about a choreographer slash director (Roy Scheider) who’s working on his previous film about a groundbreaking stand-up comedian (Cliff Gorman) while rehearsing his next Broadway sensation. It’s definitely not about Fosse facing down the specter of mortality and expressing it the best way he knows how.

David Kittredge and Emma Westwood join Mike to discuss the film. Interviews include editor Alan Heim, actress Deborah Geffner, and our old friend Keith Gordon.

Air date: 19th August 2020

The Locust Files
with Lee Gambin

What’s the buzz? It’s Emma Westwood! Talking about her work on monster movie history and her books on The Fly, Seconds, and an assortment of other wonderful things. She and host Lee discuss classic horror, James Whale and his Bride of Frankenstein, film criticism, public speaking and more!

Air date: 25th June 2020

Caught in a Celluloid Jam
with Sally Christie

Sally is joined by special guests Emma Westwood and Lee Gambin to discuss satan in cinema.

Air date: 27th January 2020

Supporting Characters
with Bill Ackerman

Bill speaks to Emma about her many creative endeavours. Topics include: FatalVisions, Lee Gambin, the differing approaches of American and Australian film schools in the early 1990s, ALIEN, John Frankenheimer, Bert Deling’s DALMAS, writing about standup comedy, HOUSEBOAT HORROR, the research process for audio commentary tracks and why “write what you know” is bad advice.

Air date: 2nd June 2019

The Projection Booth
with Mike White

Emma was interviewed about her book on David Cronenberg’s THE FLY for this exhaustive, nearly 4-hour special report on THE FLY, including an in-depth critique of the film by Bill Ackerman, Samm Deighan and Mike White, and an interview with the film’s producer, Stuart Cornfeld.
Air date: 18th March 2019

International Women’s Day 2019
with Cerise Howard and Megan McKeough 

Emma joins Cerise and Megan for a special one-hour broadcast on International Women’s Day where they discuss their favourite women filmmakers, as well as women animators and very, very early women filmmakers including the legendary Alice Guy-Blaché.

Air date: 8th March 2019

Hell is for Hyphenates
with Lee Zachariah & Rochelle Siemienowicz

Emma appeared on the bumper 3.5-hour edition of Hi4H (possibly the final episode ever) about the films of Martin Scorcese, along with a roll-call of past guests and co-hosts.

Air date: 30th April 2019 

Emma also appeared on the episode of November 2017 of Hell is for Hyphenates, featuring the films of Roman Polanski.

Beyond the Lab
with David Murray

Emma appeared on the episode ‘The Science of Horror’.

Air date: Friday 11th March 2016 

Listen to the Beyond the Lab ‘The Science of Horror’ Podcast: