Open To Criticism

Film Critic Wendy Lloyd sets out this new podcast that investigates how we talk about movies, who gets to do it and why it matters. Previewing upcoming interviews with critics Helen O'Hara, Amon Warmann and Anna Smith, this'll whet your appetite for a series of lively conversations about the changing face of film and its criticism. Launching 10th March 2023.

Women have had their (brief) moments of power during the 100+ years of Hollywood, but they and other marginalised groups have never had an easy ride. Film critic Helen O'Hara's book Women vs Hollywood: the Fall and Rise of Women in Film is a must-read for understanding this history of cinema - from the perspective of those still trying to get an equal piece of the pie. She's the perfect way to kick off this podcast: from the problem with the (very white male) film canon, to how women's opinions are still shouted down, Helen is a voice of reason - and a highly engaging and entertaining one at that.

2023's Awards season has been a mixed bag - and definitely not mixed enough in terms of representation amongst the winners. This week's guest, critic Leila Latif, has built a career speaking out about the continued lack of recognition for people-of-colour in film. In this episode we discuss the problem with awards campaigns, the unreasonable attacks and judgement endured by Spike Lee and other black filmmakers and how she has to "Trojan-horse" herself into publications to secure commissions beyond the topics of black cinema and diversity.

This week I chew the fat with film critic Anna Smith who's done much to progress film and critic culture, especially for women via her award winning podcast Girls On Film. Anna was Chair of the UK Film Critics' Circle for six years and was key to making changes that reflect the MeToo, BLM and Times Up era. We ruminate over how film criticism has changed since we both came on board many years ago, how writing from a feminist perspective has gone mainstream. and how it's imperative that all critics are paid for their work.

Whilst the push for better representation for women and people of colour has become more mainstream, the disabled community are yet to be included to the same degree. This matters hugely when it comes to cinema because of its long-standing problematic history when representing disability. From failing to cast disabled actors, to entrenched tropes where disability denotes evil or societal outsiders to be avoided, we've been drip-fed many taken-for-granted representations that need significant revision. After reading journalist and author Cathy Reay's recent review of the film Champions, which features a supporting cast of learning disabled actors, I was keen to chat with her and hear firsthand the many ways non-disabled critics and filmmakers are failing the disabled community.

Amon Warmann is one of very few black male film critics in the UK, and despite having carved out an impressive career over the.past decade he can still struggle to be seen beyond his racial credentials. Amon reflects upon this in this weeks episode, along with how he found his voice in a decidedly white space, how lighthearted film chats on social media can get messy, and his frustrations with the repeated pushback against diverse casting. Our chat took place in summer 2022 and I date it, because he discusses his "BFI Greatest films of All Time" list which has since been made available online.

Sex and the movies. It's a perfect combination, except when it isn't. #MeToo has prompted a realisation that onscreen depictions of sex need rethinking - especially when it comes to women. There's a wider understanding of the Male Gaze now, so how is it impacting the way we perceive and discuss female sex and nudity? And can we be more more careful about sex onscreen without losing the intended sexiness? As former sex columnist "Dear Karen" from the 90s, film critic and film production researcher Karen Krizanovich was my first port of call for an overview of onscreen sex and how we critics do - and don't - talk about it.

For the longest time, critics have been an important cog in the wheel of film promotion. However, film publicists are now utilising social media influencers and their huge numbers of followers. By wooing influencers and inviting them to special preview screenings, vast online attention is garnered via viral photos from these glitzy media events - with the bonus that enthusiastic influencers can help counter any potentially negative critical reviews. So are influencers and blockbuster film promotion a match made in heaven? Or are critics getting pushed out in favour of paid-for promotion that undermines critical quality control for film-goers? To lift the veil on the true impact of influencers on criticism, I'm joined by critic and industry influencer Ashanti Omkar, who has experience on both sides of this promotional fence.