OH NO WHITE MAN PRIVILEGE ALERT! Correct, this is an episode about a TV show produced by a white, straight, male showrunner, BUT it's different, we promise. The Premise is a new comedy anthology on Disney+ (shocking) looking at our pre-conceived ideas about gender, morality, race and sex and turning them on their heads to hopefully bring empathy, e…

We're back! And here with a look at the new age of Hard Sci-Fi. Is it new? Is it good? Is it female-friendly? How hard, is hard? We answer all these questions and a whole lot more in the episode focused on Denis Villeneuve's new movie and Apple TV's new series, based on not-so-new IP. Please rate, subscribe, review and always USE THE VOICE!…

We invite back the delightful and witty Courtney Hodgkiss (https://twitter.com/courtneyishere) to talk movies that are so awe-inspiring, breathtaking, maddening and emotional that you can't stop yourself shouting about them to anyone who'll listen. We came up with ten, count em, TEN movies that fit the bill - using various weird sub-categories and …

You're minding your own business, watching classic movies, movies that won Best Picture at the Oscars, and then you stop, and think...does this film glamourise child prostitution?! Nick and Contrarah take a look at three classic films from yesteryear examining them through a 2021 lens. They are well-made and were financially and critically successf…

We are back in the cinema with a big, bold action movie that celebrates sound and champions hearing loss - A Quiet Place: Part 2. Join Contrarah for an episode about what the film represents, if it's any good and how Millicent Simmonds is its runaway star. This episode contains SPOILERS in certain places, so please consult the running order below i…

This episode delves into Hollywood history and the fascinating back story surrounding the 1977 Oscar-winning movie Julia. Based on the memoirs of playwright Lillian Hellman and starring Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave, Julia is a strange and thrilling story about Hellman's real life brush with espionage and German fascism...or is it? After the film…

Filmmaker Ella Greenwood packed in a lot in the last couple of years. She made an award-winning short film about her struggles with teenage mental health issues (Faulty Roots), she made an animated film to bring those discussion topics to a younger audience (Dreary Days), she started working on her next film Self Charm with the award-winning Bukky …

Ah 2020, a great year for health, positivity, movies.... in the immortal words of Thor, is it, though? Contrarah researched what movies we went to see at the cinema and on streaming services, and some interesting trends emerged. Did we choose movies to watch because they were the best? Or because they were the best available? Or because they were s…

This is a real treat of an episode for anyone wanting tips on how to find work in cinema, and for anyone who loves Paris (that's everyone, surely?) Contrarah is joined by director, actress, writer and film festival producer Jenna Suru to talk about the Paris International Film Festival and her film career, including her feature L'Age D'or (The Gold…

Now that we have your attention... In honour of (and a little bit in spite of) IWD we made an episode about the women who inspire us - every day - across the arts. Contrarah asked filmmakers Becky Lima-Matthews (Becky-matthews.com) and Jen Francis (Sassy Jam Productions) to come talk, champion and celebrate women in multiple fields and they deliver…

To celebrate and commemorate LGBTQ History Month (in the UK) we take a look at lesbian cinema, focusing on movies that put gay relationships front and centre. Join Contrarah and Nick as they discuss what's good and bad about films made in the 1960s, the 2010s and right now in 2021, and the complexities of putting queer stories about women on screen…

We turn our attention to Wandavision, the mystery box show that everyone is talking about and nobody fully understands. If you have a passing interest in the new Disney+ show but don't have the energy to find out what's happening, let Contrarah do the hard work for you. She sets out why it's such a female-friendly show, then gives an episode by epi…

Welcome to a new era...of (hopefully) better, kinder government. The film industry has seen its fair share of political scandal and Contrarah wonders if we can learn lessons from movies, especially those made many years ago. We discuss 5 movies spanning a period of worldwide political upheaval from the 1940s all the way to end of the last century, …

2021! A new year and a renewed opportunity to get excited about the Academy Awards! Kinda... Soon the Academy will be implementing a new set of diversity and inclusion rules, which can't come soon enough. Kristin Janssen - podcast host of So...I'm Watching this Show joins Contrarah to break down the rules and talk about the films she loves and loat…

This is part 3 of a now 4-part series (screw chronology) because Mank is a movie with so many layers it demands its own episode! While David Fincher is definitely not the greatest closet feminist of all time, Mank says a lot about Hollywood hierarchies, gender roles, politics and numerous power battles. It's a masterpiece, and requires an explainer…

Yeah, yeah 2020 is a living hellscape...but...is it though? The prestige TV world is booming and this year we were able to enjoy some of the best shows around. Also, we could finally concentrate on listening to the music behind these big shows. Music can be very subjective, as Contrarah found out, when a tweet called one of her favourite 2020 TV so…

In Part 2 of this series, we're still to determine whether David Fincher is the greatest closet feminist of all time? In this period Fincher starts to utilise a range of female characters, takes a view on disability and even hires some (read: a few) people of colour. But we cannot deny that the brilliantly dark auteur treats people as people, and t…

Is David Fincher the greatest hidden feminist of all time? Unlikely, but his movies appeal to all of our darker desires. Join us on a poorly lit but beautifully sounding journey through the director's back catalogue, and then decide for yourself: Fincher - friend or foe of film feminism?

This episode is devoted to the superhuman acting capabilities of Cush Jumbo. It's also a teaser for our London Film Festival 2020 coverage - this year's festival is full of thought-provoking movies made by filmmakers with something to say. Clips in the episode are from: Herself - Dir. Phyllida Lloyd Undine - Starring Paula Beer Reggae music doc (wh…

We have a legal theme for this episode, asking: how is the law serving women on screen? Contrarah analyses a new Netflix show that might be doing more harm than good, followed by a quick retrospective of a legal titan. You want to lay down the law? Contact us at beyondbechdel.com Tweet us Send us an email "You can disagree without being disagreeabl…

You know when you feel all the feelings, including thinking two alternative beliefs at the same time? Like.... Me: I hate this show, it's so trashy/horrifying/boring! Also me: I love this show it's the best ever, I can't look away!! That's what this episode is about. Send us your conflicting opinions: https://twitter.com/Beyond_Bechdel and beyondbe…

A special bonus episode about the film that is going to 'save cinema'. Contrarah has braved TENET twice so she and Nick (a one-time slightly confused viewer) review and breakdown Christopher Nolan's latest complex and controversial spy caper. NOTE: The episode is broken down into a 1) non-spoiler section, 2) a full detailed plot analysis and 3) spo…

While we work on season 3, let's look at some things we love, and some that we loathe. In this episode: reading matter!

While we work on season 3, let's look at some things we love, and some that we loathe...

Half-way through the year 2020 and who knows how far into the devilish reign of COVID-19, Contrarah asks if we're getting film fatigue? She and notorious series-hater Nick debate project length, subject and what two decades can do to our perception, and wonder if it's ok to simply enjoy programming, or should we also endure it? One thing is for cer…

Contrarah is joined by Nick again for a new bonus episode on some excellent new films with a common theme.Firstly there's a discussion on enjoying versus enduring a movie, with our take on Joker.Before the main event: looking in depth at two powerful movies directed by directors at the top of their game:* Portrait of a Lady on Fire* Never, Rarely, …

Movies have long helped us to live out our best and worst fantasies. And what better way to cope with stressful times than by social distancing in the safety of your own home while watching famous, beautiful people do all the hard work. In this second part of a two-parter, we look at the films that really went viral - and not in a good way... But c…

Movies have long helped us to live out our best and worst fantasies. And what better way to cope with stressful times than by social distancing in the safety of your own home while watching famous, beautiful people do all the hard work. But can film actually help us during the coronavirus pandemic? Listen as Contrarah and Nick break down the (somet…

In these strange times we wanted to bring listeners comfort, in the form of coping tips, media recommendations and the sound of three people laughing through the madness. Hope this helps. Jen's brand new web series Phase 2 can be found here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCuS1mtCoDwYXiq2zALzLYqw We're all on twitter if you want to talk: twitter.com/bec_b…

Computer gaming - it's for boys only, right? Wrong! And yet, history hasn't been kind to the gamer community, especially in terms of gender discrimination. Instead of laying blame, maybe it's time to look at whether the games themselves are contributing towards a culture. Contrarah enlists the help of Dr Esther Wright (https://twitter.com/EstherWri…

What is Cinema? Scorsese thinks he knows, but does he? Nick with his TV industry work knowledge and Contrarah debate this question focussing on art, entertainment with a segue into what exactly is a human being? Plus, do we want our Netflix content even faster? Bonus Drinking Game: Take a sip every time someone says Transformers! Tell us your defin…

It's easy to look back at films from 20 years ago and cringe hard, wondering, "what were we thinking?" Yet the 90s brought us so many good things, including a new a golden age for the romantic comedy - a genre sometimes frowned upon today. Writer/director/producer Just Jen thinks we shouldn't dismiss 90s romcoms as featherweight, when the lessons t…

Amber Hunt, Amanda Rossman, Elizabeth Andes. Madeleine Baran, Parker Yesko, Bertha Tardy. Liliana Segura, Jordan Smith, Donna Brown. You might not know their names. All women. All important. Listen to find out why. Bad things happen to women every day, and women are doing invaluable work to make the world a better place. We get to be a part of the …

Remember old-school nurses? The white-starched uniform, kind bedside manner and comforting, feminine presence? Cinema remembers. A movie was made that sought to turn that stereotype on its head. Nurse Ratched is widely known as the most deliciously heinous member of the nursing profession. She's also - according to our guest Audrey Fox - a Trojan H…

Getting a film made is a huge undertaking. And the vast majority of films are produced and directed by men. So when we heard that Stefanie Davis had written. directed and produced her own feature, we hunted her down and begged her to share her secrets!Stefanie and Contrarah go into detail about the path to filmmaking, Stefanie's championing of the …

One of the best modern sci-fi action films in recent years, Edge of Tomorrow purported to be a Tom Cruise vehicle, but really it brought us Emily Blunt kicking all kinds of alien ass! This is our first 'Trojan Horse' of the season and boy is the Angel of Verdun a goodun! \ Come join Nick and Contrarah as they dissect the action role of a lifetime. …

And we're BACK! Welcome to this 8-part mini-series of Beyond Bechdel, where we delve into cinematic culture from a very particular point of view. Stay with us for interviews, reviews, discussion and a lot of laughter from fantastic people working in the film and TV industry. The title might sound a bit odd but we'll break it down for you in the epi…

Can you hear us?Our season opener and first 'Specialist Subject' episode is all about sound. ADR and sound production specialist Emma Butt takes us through her career and influences, and gives invaluable advice for anyone who also wants to be a sound specialist. She is funny and self-deprecating. That sounds perfect to us!Find out more about Emma a…

Are you a completionist? Find out by listening here. Contrarah and Nick take us through the cinematic steps that brought the world to the brink of obsession Mild spoilers for Avengers: Endgame in the first half of the pod & Major Spoilers from around 0.45m in.

(NEWSFLASH: Boden & Fleck are not married - apologies to them and yay to the concept of platonic opposite sex filmmakers!) Hopefully you'll get that the title of this episode is a joke. BUT it's true that the MCU's masterpiece Captain Marvel means different things to different people. Join Contrarah and Nick while they try to drill down the plot an…

The 2019 Academy Awards raise many questions for Contrarah, and she finds three directors who can answer them - with revolutionary films and performances.Many spoilers for Oscar nominated films in this episode.Roma, Roma, Roma!

Merry Christmas to you from Beyond Bechdel.In this last episode of 2018 we give you a CHRISTMAS MOVIE MUSIC QUIZ! Followed by the obligatory discussion of the categorisation of Christmas movies, plus our review of 2018 and our hopes for next year's crop of films.Thank you, as always, for listening. Please rate, subscribe and review and tweet to us …

Mona Eltahawy said, "What would the world look like if girls were taught they were volcanoes?"Women watching Fatal Attraction could be heard shouting "Kill the Bitch!" as the film concluded.Anger can take many forms, so Contrarah and Becky Matthews explore how this new age of rage is playing out on screen.Speak kindly to Becky @ https://twitter.com…

Nick and Contrarah raced back to Beyond Bechdel towers to give their quick verdict on Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald. To listen to the our deep-dive exploration of feminism in the Wizarding World please listen to episode 28.Contrarah's review of Fantastic Beasts 2 for liveforfilm.com can be found here: http://www.liveforfilm.com/2018…

Yep....you read that title correctly. This episode is all about 'Arry Potter! In the episode Nick and Contrarah ask:- are the women of the wizarding world getting short shrift?- Is JK Rowling caught in a spell cast by the Patriarchy?- What is Nagini's deal? Maledictus or Retcon victim?- can you compare the crimes of Grindelwald to the crimes of Joh…

It's often the driving force behind plot, but female trauma isn't often truthfully depicted on screen. This is becoming a problem.Contrarah speaks to trauma expert Dr Karen O'Donnell about the stages in trauma presentation and resolving, and how directors are spreading misinformation with dicey narrative decisions (e.g. I've suffered sexual assault…

This 'Bit Beyond' celebrates the latest outing of everyone's favourite double-gun-toting treasure hunter. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft's motivation, inner conflict and aggression are explored as never before. Probably because of the amazing work from the game's lead writer - Jill Murray.Lara jumps impossibly far, hangs from the thinnest…