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Kermode on Film
HOW TO HAVE SEX with Mia McKenna-Bruce & Molly Manning Walker – plus Ian McKellen on HAMLET
In this episode of Kermode on Film, Mark is joined by the legendary Sir Ian McKellen to talk about the film version of HAMLET directed by Sean Mathias.
Following that he talks with star Mia McKenna-Bruce and director Molly Manning Walker about their award-winning feature HOW TO HAVE SEX.
This episode of the Kermode on Film podcast is Part 1 of the MK3D show, recorded live at the BFI Southbank on Monday 18 December 2023.
Next week’s podcast features Part 2 of that show, in which Mark talks to George MacKay about his role in British Thriller FEMME, written and directed by Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, and to Jason Isaacs about starring in ARCHIE, the British drama television serial about the life of Cary Grant.
Thank you for listening!
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The opening title sequence of Kermode on Film uses quotes from:
- Mary Poppins, directed by Robert Stevenson and distributed by Walt Disney Motion Pictures – quote featuring Julie Andrews.
- Nope, written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele, and distributed by Universal Studios – quote featuring Keke Palmer.
- Withnail & I, written and directed by Bruce Robinson, and distributed by HandMade Films – quote featuring Richard E Grant.
- The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, distributed by Warner Brothers – quote featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair.
We love these films. We urge you to seek them out, and watch them, again and again.
They are masterpieces!
Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production.
Cover photo by Julie Edwards.
This episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones.
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Films Mentioned in this edition:
Hamlet
Throne of Blood
Forbidden Planet
Chimes at Midnight
Titanic
Spice Girls
Lion King
Prisoners
Krakatoa, East of Java
Scrapper
Plays mentioned in this show:
Hamlet
Richard II
Richard III
Othello
Macbeth
Henry IV part 1 and 2
King Lear
Much Ado About Nothing
People mentioned:
Ian McKellen
Sean Mathias
Vanessa Redgrave
Michael Redgrave
Edwin Booth
Francesca Annis
Steven Berkoff
Bill Kenwright
Richard Loncraine
Judi Dench
Akira Kurosawa
Orson Welles
William Shakespeare
Kenneth Branagh
David Tennant
Ralph Fiennes
Peter Schaufuss
Laurence Olivier
Trevor Nunn
Molly Manning Walker
Mia McKenna-Bruce
Kate Winslet
James Cameron
© Copyright HLA Agency
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238. Stephen Fry on ODYSSEY and Allison Anders on GRACE OF MY HEART & PARIS, TEXAS
43:35||Season 2, Ep. 238In this episode of Kermode on Film, Mark welcomes two legendary guests for a lively film conversation, recorded at the BFI Southbank on Monday 14th July 2025.This is Part 2 of that show, in which Mark is joined by Allison Anders, the director of Gas Food Lodging and Grace of My Heart, to talk about her work. She talks about her experiences of working on Paris, Texas, and about her bucket list project, Paul Is Dead.Mark is also joined by best beloved writer, actor, and broadcaster Stephen Fry, who reflects on his enduring relationship with cinema, storytelling, and satire.In the first half of the 14 July MK3D show, uploaded last week, Mark was joined by Barbara Broccoli and John Carney to discuss the stage to screen production of Sing Street, and by actor and writer Arinzé Kene to talk about Harvest.Films and Productions Mentioned in This Episode:Love and MercyGrace of My HeartGas, Food, LodgingPaul Is DeadParis, TexasThe Odyssey, Christopher NolanThe Return, Uberto Pasolini, Ralph FiennesOh Brother Where Art ThouThe HobbitThere and Back AgainGaslight, Thorold Dickinson, Anton Walbrook, Diana WynyardThe Life and Death of Colonel BlimpFury, Fritz Lang, Spencer Tracy, Sylvia SidneyDambusters, Peter JacksonGuests in This Episode:Allison AndersStephen FryOpening title quotes from:Mary Poppins (Robert Stevenson, Walt Disney Productions – featuring Julie Andrews)Nope (Jordan Peele, Universal Pictures – featuring Keke Palmer)Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, HandMade Films – featuring Richard E. Grant)The Exorcist (William Friedkin, Warner Bros. – featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair)These films are essential viewing.Watch them. Love them. Share them.They are masterpieces.MK3D is a production of HLA AgencyThis episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones© HLA Agency237. Barbara Broccoli and John Carney on SING STREET and Arinzé Kene on HARVEST
41:24||Season 2, Ep. 237In this episode of Kermode on Film, Mark welcomes a trio of outstanding guests for a lively evening of film and conversation, recorded at the BFI Southbank on Monday 14th July 2025.Barbara Broccoli and John Carney join Mark to talk about Sing Street, the joyous, music-filled coming-of-age story originally brought to life on screen by Carney, now reimagined for the stage. As producers of the new production opening at the Lyric Hammersmith on 18 July, they discuss the creative journey from film to musical theatre and the power of music to transcend time and appeal to a wide range of audiences. Also on the show is actor and playwright Arinzé Kene, who stars in Harvest, an adaptation of Jim Crace’s acclaimed novel, directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari. With its UK cinema release set for Friday 18 July, Arinzé shares his thoughts on the film’s exploration of rural upheaval, tradition, and transformation.This is the first half of the 14 July MK3D show. In Part 2, Mark is joined by Allison Anders, the director of Gas Food Lodging and Grace of My Heart, and beloved writer, actor, and broadcaster Stephen Fry, who reflects on his enduring relationship with cinema, storytelling, and satire.Films and Productions Mentioned in This Episode:Sing Street (Lyric Hammersmith, opens 18 July)Harvest (in cinemas 18 July)OnceBegin AgainBuena Vista Social ClubJames BondCrooklynGuests in This Episode:Barbara BroccoliJohn CarneyArinzé KeneOpening title quotes from:Mary Poppins (Robert Stevenson, Walt Disney Productions – featuring Julie Andrews)Nope (Jordan Peele, Universal Pictures – featuring Keke Palmer)Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, HandMade Films – featuring Richard E. Grant)The Exorcist (William Friedkin, Warner Bros. – featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair)These films are essential viewing.Watch them. Love them. Share them.They are masterpieces.MK3D is a production of HLA AgencyThis episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones© HLA Agency236. Mark & Jack – Mission: Impossible – POND OF WOOD
30:51||Season 2, Ep. 236In this episode, Mark Kermode and Jack Howard are back to rank the eight Mission: Impossible films in order of preference, and talk about everything from Tom's tumbles to theme tunes. Films and people mentioned in the two episodes are:Mission: Impossible (1996) Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) Mission: Impossible III (2006) Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) Limp BizkitLalo SchiffrinMike OldfieldNick HornbyJohn WuSecrets of CinemaKim NewmanNick JonesWallace & GromitOceans 11Brian de PalmaJJ AbramsPhilip Seymour HoffmanTom Cruise – action movie JesusEddie HamiltonSimon PeggDoctor WhoMichael BayBen Bailey SmithChris McQuarryBrad BirdThe Incredibles Indiana Jones Dark Knight RisesMichael GiacchinoPaddingtonJurassic Park – Lost WorldJoe KramerLorne BalfeHan ZimmerSean HarrisTurandot Nessun DormaSimon MayoAlex BaldwinStanley KubrickPunch Drunk LoveHenry CavillStone ColdBrian Bosworth Terminator 2No Time to DieEthan HawkeJulie Delpy Top Gun MaverickVanessa KirbyRebecca FergusonHayley AtwellJames BondFace-OffJohn TravoltaNic CageLea SeydouxPaula Patton Ana de ArmasStar WarsJohn BoyegaJon VoightVanessa RedgraveMichelle MonaghanTrue DetectiveDuneBuster KeatonThandiwe NewtonSean Connery Jason BourneDanny Boyle235. Mark & Jack – Mission: Impossible Part 1
27:33||Season 2, Ep. 235In this episode, Mark Kermode and Jack Howard rank the eight Mission: Impossible films in order of preference, and talk about everything from Tom's tumbles to theme tunes. Part two of their conversation is uploaded next week.Films and people mentioned in the two episodes are:Mission: Impossible (1996) Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) Mission: Impossible III (2006) Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) Limp BizkitLalo SchiffrinMike OldfieldNick HornbyJohn WuSecrets of CinemaKim NewmanNick JonesWallace & GromitOceans 11Brian de PalmaJJ AbramsPhilip Seymour HoffmanTom Cruise – action movie JesusEddie HamiltonSimon PeggDoctor WhoMichael BayBen Bailey SmithChris McQuarryBrad BirdThe Incredibles Indiana Jones Dark Knight RisesMichael GiacchinoPaddingtonJurassic Park – Lost WorldJoe KramerLorne BalfeHan ZimmerSean HarrisTurandot Nessun DormaSimon MayoAlex BaldwinStanley KubrickPunch Drunk LoveHenry CavillStone ColdBrian Bosworth Terminator 2No Time to DieEthan HawkeJulie Delpy Top Gun MaverickVanessa KirbyRebecca FergusonHayley AtwellJames BondFace-OffJohn TravoltaNic CageLea SeydouxPaula Patton Ana de ArmasStar WarsJohn BoyegaJon VoightVanessa RedgraveMichelle MonaghanTrue DetectiveDuneBuster KeatonThandiwe NewtonSean Connery Jason BourneDanny Boyle234. Legend Brian Cox talks to Mark about Succession, Hannibal Lecter, and the actors who inspired him
46:26||Season 2, Ep. 234In this edition of Kermode on Film, Mark Kermode talks to legendary actor Brian Cox about his career, from Manhunter and the controversial L.I.E., all the way through to the final season of Succession.This is part two of the Mark Kermode Live in 3D show, recorded live at the BFI Southbank in April 2023.Films mentioned in this episode:SuccessionManhunterThe Silence of the LambsL.I.E.Woman of the YearBringing Up BabyPeople mentioned in this episode:Jesse ArmstrongKatherine HepburnSpencer TracyCary GrantHoward HawksAnthony Hopkins———————The opening title sequence of Kermode on Film uses quotes from:Mary Poppins, directed by Robert Stevenson and distributed by Walt Disney Motion Pictures – quote featuring Julie Andrews.Nope, written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele, and distributed by Universal Studios – quote featuring Keke Palmer.Withnail & I, written and directed by Bruce Robinson, and distributed by HandMade Films – quote featuring Richard E Grant.The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, distributed by Warner Brothers – quote featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair.We love these films. We urge you to seek them out, and watch them, again and again.They are masterpieces!Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency productionThis episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones© Copyright HLA Agency233. Simon Pegg on everything from Mission: Impossible to Spaced, Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead
33:52||Season 2, Ep. 233Mark is joined by actor Simon Pegg, who talks about his role in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and reflects on his career from Spaced and the Cornetto Trilogy all the way to Hollywood.This episode of Kermode On Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 9 June 2025, and was the second half of that date's Mark Kermode Live in 3D show.Thanks for listening!Films and shows mentioned in this episode:Mission: ImpossibleSpacedHot FuzzShaun of the DeadThe World's endMeantimeSyd & NancyCity of the Living DeadDawn of the DeadStar TrekSpacedStar WarsGuest House ParadisoThe Young OnesDoctor WhoPeople mentioned in this episode:Eddie HamiltonTom CruiseMike LeighGary OldmanNick FrostLucio FulciEdgar WrightRich FulcherJessica HynesLeonard NimoyPeter MayhewJoonas Viljami SuotamoRick MayallAde EdmondsonThe opening title sequence of Kermode on Film features quotes from:Mary Poppins – Julie AndrewsNope – Keke PalmerWithnail & I – Richard E. GrantThe Exorcist – Ellen Burstyn and Linda BlairWe love these films. We urge you to seek them out and watch them—again and again. They are masterpieces.Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production.This episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones.Cover photo by Julie Edwards© Copyright HLA Agency232. Domhnall Gleeson and Michael Pearce on ECHO VALLEY, and Posy Sterling on LOLLIPOP
59:21||Season 2, Ep. 232In this episode of Kermode On Film Mark talks to actor Domhnall Gleeson and director Michael Pearce, whose gripping psychological drama Echo Valley stars Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney, and he talks to actor Posy Sterling, who takes on her first leading role as Molly in Lollipop, a bittersweet story about a mother faced with the injustices of the care system in Britain.This episode of Kermode On Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 9 June 2025, and was the first half of that date's Mark Kermode Live in 3D show.Come back for Part 2, where Mark is joined by actor Simon Pegg, who talks about his role in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and reflects on his career from Spaced and the Cornetto Trilogy all the way to Hollywood.Thanks for listening!Films mentioned in this episode:Echo ValleySicarioLollipopSeven SamuraiPunch Drunk LoveDead Man's ShoesPeople mentioned in this episode:Domhnall GleesonMichael PearcePosy SterlingSimon PeggJulianne MooreSydney Sweeney———————The opening title sequence of Kermode on Film uses quotes from:Mary Poppins, directed by Robert Stevenson and distributed by Walt Disney Motion Pictures – quote featuring Julie Andrews.Nope, written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele, and distributed by Universal Studios – quote featuring Keke Palmer.Withnail & I, written and directed by Bruce Robinson, and distributed by HandMade Films – quote featuring Richard E Grant.The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, distributed by Warner Brothers – quote featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair.We love these films. We urge you to seek them out, and watch them, again and again.They are masterpieces!Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production.This episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones.© Copyright HLA Agency231. Bold Samurai Western TORNADO by John Maclean, the provocative DYING FOR SEX with director Shannon Murphy, and blockbuster insights from editor Eddie Hamilton
01:00:37||Season 2, Ep. 231In this second part of Mark Kermode Live in 3D, Mark is joined by director Shannon Murphy, who discusses Dying For Sex—a powerful and provocative television series based on a true story, starring Michelle Williams.Mark also talks with filmmaker John Maclean about Tornado, a bold and genre-defying Samurai western set in 18th Century Scotland, and with acclaimed editor Eddie Hamilton, who shares behind-the-scenes insights from cutting high-octane blockbusters like the Mission: Impossible films.This episode was recorded live at BFI Southbank on 19 May 2025 as the second half of that evening’s Mark Kermode Live in 3D show.Thanks for listening!Films and shows mentioned in this episode:Dying For SexTornadoMission: Impossible seriesTop Gun: MaverickLockeSlow WestPeople featured in this episode:Shannon MurphyJohn MacleanEddie HamiltonMichelle WilliamsGeorge MillerTom CruiseSteven KnightKodi Smit-McPheeThe opening title sequence of Kermode on Film features quotes from:Mary Poppins – Julie AndrewsNope – Keke PalmerWithnail & I – Richard E. GrantThe Exorcist – Ellen Burstyn and Linda BlairWe love these films. We urge you to seek them out and watch them—again and again. They are masterpieces.Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production.This episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones.© Copyright HLA Agency230. Nail-biting thriller HALLOW ROAD by director Babak Anvari, and stunningly strange and beautiful CIELO by writer-director Alberto Sciamma
39:13||Season 2, Ep. 230In this episode of Kermode On Film Mark talks to director Babak Anvari, whose nail-biting thriller Hallow Road was released in UK cinemas on 16 May 2025, and he talks to writer-director Alberto Sciamma, whose stunningly beautiful film Cielo premieres at SXSW on 6 June 2025. This episode of Kermode On Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 19 May 2025, and was the first half of that date's Mark Kermode Live in 3D show.In Part 2, Mark is joined by director Shannon Murphy, who talks about the television series Dying For Sex, based on a true story starring Michelle Williams. Mark also talks with John Maclean about Tornado, the Samurai western set in 18th Century Scotland, and with Eddie Hamilton, editor of the Mission: Impossible films, among many others.Thanks for listening!Film mentioned in this episode:Hallow RoadUnder the ShadowsUsI Came ByThe ExorcistStar WarsCieloTales of Ordinary MadnessLa Grande BouffePeople mentioned in this episode:Babak AnvariAlberto SciammaWilliam GilliesRosamund PikeMatthew RhysJohn CassavetesLorne BalfeDepeche ModePeter AdamsGeorge MackayBettina KadooriJohn Dunton-DownerAna-Maria VeraMarco FerreriBen Gazzara———————The opening title sequence of Kermode on Film uses quotes from:- Mary Poppins, directed by Robert Stevenson and distributed by Walt Disney Motion Pictures – quote featuring Julie Andrews.- Nope, written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele, and distributed by Universal Studios – quote featuring Keke Palmer.- Withnail & I, written and directed by Bruce Robinson, and distributed by HandMade Films – quote featuring Richard E Grant.- The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, distributed by Warner Brothers – quote featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair.We love these films. We urge you to seek them out, and watch them, again and again.They are masterpieces!Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production.This episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones.© Copyright HLA Agency