The Projection Booth podcast

THE NIGHT PORTER (dir. Liliana Cavani, 1974) is one of those films that is well-known. But for all the wrong reasons, and not for good reason either. This means it’s often languishing at the bottom of ‘to watch’ lists when it should be promoted to the top.

Not only is it a marvel to see Dirk Bogarde and Charlotte Rampling at the top of their game here, but it is a extremely touching, rawly human love story – surprisingly so, and uncomfortably so for many, which sadly means a remarkable piece of cinema is simply dismissed as exploitation.

To take on the self-appointed task of defending THE NIGHT PORTER on The Projection Booth with Mike White and Kat Ellinger was challenging and, although I don’t usually listen back to my podcast appearances, this is one where I decided to replay snippets and see if I rose to that challenge. I was pleased by what I heard, and even more pleased to hear Kat’s insights (she is definitely one of the best commentators on classic cinema working today).

So, why not have a listen yourself? With a little bit of luck, we might help you see THE NIGHT PORTER through fresh eyes and ‘get under its skin’.

I’ve just ticked another item off my career bucket list: appear on an episode of The Projection Booth

Not only do I get my mind blown by my co-hosts David Kittredge and the mighty Mike White (who is the driving force behind the podcast) in the discussion but I also speak about one of the greatest films of all-time (it’s a big statement but I stand by it), Bob Fosse’s ALL THAT JAZZ (1979).

As Mike describes it, “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.”

The podcast also includes interviews with editor Alan Heim, actress Deborah Geffner and Keith Gordon.

It’s showtime, folks! *jazz hands*

What an honour it is to be interviewed by Mike White about THE FLY for inclusion in his incredible The Projection Booth podcast!

For anyone who may be a debutante when it comes to The Projection Booth, Mike does a deep-dive dissection of cinema that, just like my book, looks at one film per episode then examines it with a panel of co-hosts (Mike being the constant). Often, this culminates in podcasts over two hours long – 3.5 hours in the case of this one.

Mike has two of the most insightful voices in today’s cinema commentary landscape, Samm Deighan and Bill Ackerman, as his co-hosts for the Special Report on THE FLY. And I step up separately to be interviewed about my book, as does Stuart Cornfeld who is the producer of THE FLY and a champion of the film.

This is a podcast that never fails to deliver to the discerning film fan. Get into it.

Tag: The Projection Booth podcast

The Projection Booth podcast: THE NIGHT PORTER

The Projection Booth podcast: ALL THAT JAZZ

The Projection Booth’s Special Report: THE FLY