First Act's Spell and Structural Limits

On St. Valentine's Day in 1900, a group of podcasters set out to record an episode about Peter Weir's Picnic At Hanging Rock. Some were never to return...because they got addicted to the calming sounds of pan flute! Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun joins us to chat about this 1975 classic of Australian cinema, and we're getting into the eerie qualities that make this film such an enduring mystery. From Rachel Roberts' wig drama to frame rate manipulation...from the Aboriginal concept of "dream time" to the casting of actual private school girls...there's much to unpack. But don't worry, we also spend a lot of time discussing The Grabber from The Black Phone 2.

Check out Jane's Dream Film Syllabus

Watch the Virgin Suicides Zoom Reunion

Read Australian Gothic: Peter Weir’s ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ at 50 by Tim Pelan

Check out Jane's Sully Tumblr

Pre-Order Jane's Book Public Access Afterworld

Pan flute accompaniment composed and performed by Alex Mitchell

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