The Next Reel Film Podcast

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"The government doesn’t let us mix with foreigners. You’ll get us into trouble if you take photos here.”Ann Hui had been working on a documentary for a Hong Kong network when she interviewed a number of ‘boat people,’ people fleeing Vietnam from the rule of China. This piqued her curiosity in the subject and defined her next two films, The Story of Woo Viet and Boat People. This ‘Vietnam Trilogy’ of hers, and particularly the last film, gave Ann Hui a boost in her career as it took off around the world, marking her as one of the Hong Kong New Wave directors. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we close out our series on Hui as well as kick off a series on journalists with her 1982 film Boat People.Boat People gives us the blank slate reporter we’ve been looking for.There are many comments and reviews about this film that dislike the portrayal of the journalist as being too naïve. For us, it feels like a character choice and works well to set up the film as a journey for this photographer – our audience surrogate – as the layers are slowly peeled back to reveal what sort of atrocities are really going on in China-ruled Vietnam after the US left.Add to that exceptional child actor performances as the kids that connect with our photographer, not to mention the visceral violence that shakes us up, and it’s easy to see why this film affects us. The cinematography, the music, the locations, the performances, the direction – everything works well to deliver a powerful film that depicts a unique conflict in this part of the world we learned little about in our history books.We have differing opinions on how well the film stuck with us, but no matter how you slice it, it was a film that affected us and worked well. We have a great conversation about it so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Find places to view this at JustWatchTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

“See you after the victory.”As a filmmaker in Hong Kong, there’s an inevitable balancing act they need to do with their stories and how they depict China. This story portrays an interesting element of World War II that wasn’t often taught in Western history classes – the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Having it told from the Hong Kong perspective is also unique to us. That being said, the film was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the fold of China. Does that affect the tone of the story? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our series on Hong Kong New Wave director Ann Hui with her 2017 film Our Time Will Come.The time has come to discuss Our Time Will Come.It’s hard to not start our conversation with celebration of the fantastic delight we get from Eddie Peng as the revolutionary Blackie Lau. Every time he’s on screen, it lights up. How does everyone else do? Honestly, lots of performances to celebrate, and when we’re not celebrating Eddie Peng, it’s Deannie Ip, Xun Zhou, Wallace Huo, or many of the other performers in the film.But does the story work? It works differently for each of us, and we debate why. Is it because our unfortunate lack of knowledge in the history in this part of the world during WWII? Or whether there should be a romance? Or if the story delivers enough tension in the action scenes and sequences? Or maybe the story never quite delivers?And why does the CG in the film look less than top notch?Regardless, it’s an interesting film with characters we generally like that shows how simple school teachers and mothers can end up becoming spies. We have a great time in our conversation with the film. It’s worth checking out, so do so then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

There are a lot of elements from Ann Hui’s own life in her film Song of the Exile. It’s not a biographical film, though. Knowing that, what are we meant to take away from it? Is it an exploration of Hui’s own life? A chance for her to exorcise some demons from her youth? Or did she simply use those elements as a way to frame this story about a daughter slowly growing to know her own mother? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Ann Hui series with her 1990 film Song of the Exile.We didn’t find as much to connect with in Song of the Exile.This was a frustrating film experience for us. There were interesting story elements throughout the film, but they never congealed to make a complete film for us. It’s the story of a self-centered daughter who has to learn that her mother isn’t just someone to hate but who is a person with their own life journey and baggage. It’s the story of a mother who has to reconnect with her own past to find reconciliation and acknowledge that the life she’s living now is actually pretty good. But could it be more clear? We think so.There are also elements of the East/West mentality throughout the film, though never completely clear with their intent. Is that simply because it was a Hong Kong film made at a time when China was getting close to taking over control of what was at the time a British colony? Or was there more here?That speaks to some of our overall difficulties with the film – we don’t have a good understanding of the conflicts between China, Japan, and Manchuria, where some of this film takes place. Would more knowledge of that history have helped us? And would all of this work better for an audience from Hong Kong and the area?Despite all of that, Maggie Cheung and Lu Hsiao-fen work well as daughter and mother. But this feels like a film that gets lost in its telling. Is this the mother’s story? The daughter’s? All in all, there are a lot of interesting elements and it certainly is a film worth looking at. We just found it disappointing in the end, but plenty of people seem to love this film, so perhaps it’s for you. So check out the movie then tune in to the episode! There is a lot to talk about in the film. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on YouTubeScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"No one gets an unwrapped present on my watch!”The original idea for Arthur Christmas, at the time called Operation Rudolph, had a much darker thread in it involving reindeer burgers. Luckily, the story evolved and turned into a wild story about a hereditary line of Santas running things with a million elves helping out (really doing all the work). The story is one of commerce and efficiency, but also about the meaning of Christmas and believing. Sarah Smith had experience with complex stories, so this film’s clever script fits right in with her live action work she’d done before with Armando Iannucci. Directing her first animated film, with help from Barry Cook, she crafted a holiday classic. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our 10 Year Anniversary series with Smith’s 2011 film Arthur Christmas.Arthur Christmas makes us happy.This is an easy film to love. Wonderful characters, fun character design from the minds of the Aardman team, and a heartwarming story about Santa’s youngest son, Arthur, who works in the mail department. He may be a bit clumsy, but he has the true spirit of the holiday. James McAvoy brings him to life in a performance full of goofy charm. He’s helped by Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, and Bill Nighy as they set out to deliver a present that got missed.The story is touching, and it’s smarter than a lot of animated films. Small jokes, big jokes, Aardman jokes – everything’s in there. And we laugh a lot throughout this one. But there’s also a thread of commerce and big business taking over operations of this sort of place, brought to live in Hugh Laurie’s character Steve, who has transformed delivery with the sleigh into the highest of high tech jobs, with the actual sleigh replaced by what looks like the Starship Enterprise painted red. It’s a genius idea, and it speaks to the idea of commerce vs. the true meaning of Christmas.It’s hard to go wrong with Arthur Christmas. We have such a great time with this one. It’s an annual viewing at Andy’s house and will be for years to come. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out then tune in. And let us know what you think! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

Ann Hui has had a long career and was close to retiring in 2011 when she made A Simple Life. Luckily, she enjoyed making that film so much and enjoyed its success that she decided to keep directing. The film is a quiet one about a maid who has served the same family for over 60 years, now looking after Roger, the son who has become a film producer. After a stroke, however, she decides to retire. And Roger has to now figure out how to take care of her. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our 10 Year Anniversary series with a crossover episode that is also the first entry in our Ann Hui series with her 2011 film A Simple Life.A Simple Life is a simple film, but emotionally rich.With Andy Lau as Roger and his real-life godmother Deannie Ip playing Ah Tao, his family’s maid for generations, there is a built-in connection between these two actors. They feel real and feel like family. That being said, Lau does a great job at the start playing the workaholic who hardly even acknowledges her presence, except when he wants to request particular meals. He never has had to think of her as anything but the person who gets everything done for him.So when Ah Tao has a stroke and decides to retire to a nursing home, the story provides a strong opportunity for Roger to figure out how to fit caring for her into his own life. Lau plays it incredibly well, but part of the reason it works so well is because he’s playing opposite Ip who shines in her role.It’s a quiet film though. There isn’t a lot of time for large, gregarious scenes. These two never make the film maudlin. It always feels even keel, even when we’re left to wonder if we’re supposed to be seeing the nursing home as an antagonistic force in her life. It never quite plays the way we think it would and that provides a bit of confusion for us, but largely it’s fine.We have a great time with this film. It’s touching in its quiet methodologies and carried by incredible performances. It’s great to see it still works so well 10 years later, and it’s a great film to kick off our Ann Hui series with. Check this film out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"Your fiancée can’t crash your bachelor party!”Bollywood has overtaken Hollywood as the largest center for film production in the world, but we have yet to talk about a Bollywood film on this podcast. Well, we’re changing things with today’s episode. Zoya Akhtar, co-writer and director of this film, is from a prominent film production family. This was her second film and it became an immediate success, following three friends as they take a periodic adventure vacation merged with a bachelor party for one of them who is recently engaged. The film becomes a story of personal journeys for each of them, though, and that’s a formula that often works very well for us. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we hit the road with Akhtar to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of her 2011 film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a delight of a film.There’s not as much music as we thought there would be in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, but there is music, there is dancing, and there’s a lot of fantastic character development in this film. Plus, everyone in this film is downright beautiful. If you’re thirsty, you’re bound to find someone to enjoy. The three leads playing the friends on their road trip – Hrithik Roshan, Frahan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol – are great characters and we always buy them as friends.To that end, they each have their own journeys to take as they enjoy this road trip. Are the female characters in this film given as much development as the men? Or are they just there to help their development? Honestly, they’re so much fun that it’s okay that they may be a bit trope-y.Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a fun film that hits all the spots for us. We have a great time talking about it and it’s certainly an easy film to recommend. Check it out and definitely enjoy the soundtrack. It’s a blast! Then tune in to the podcast and enjoy! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

Nadine Labaki started as an actress but starting in 2007 with Caramel, she started working as a writer/director. Her films look at life in Lebanon but through unique prisms that aren’t confined by the grim realities. In her 2011 film Where Do We Go Now?, Labaki uses a magical realist tone with musical elements to craft a story about the women in an isolated village working together to stop the men – divided by Christian and Muslim faiths – from constantly fighting. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our 10 Year Anniversary series with Labaki’s Where Do We Go Now?.We clearly enjoy Where Do We Go Now? and have a lot to say about Labaki’s film.This is a film that may work for some people and not others, but it worked for us. The story shines with magical realism, creating this isolated town where the news is sparse, allowing for the women to craft their own narrative essentially. That allows for a unique story, one that surprises as much as it delights.The women of the town, led by Labaki playing Amal, keep trying ploy after ploy to stop the men, divided by religion, from fighting. Not all their plans work, but they’re always thinking and ready to try new things, even if that means hiring Ukranian exotic dancers for a week. That’s an area we struggled with a bit, but it still generally works. And with Labaki at the helm, this unique story feels cohesive.The cinematography and music come together wonderfully in the musical elements. Could it have used more songs? Maybe. But we like it as-is and think it would have to be double its length to really include more songs. It works the way it is with just the few musical moments. They’re enough to remind us of the magic of this worldIt’s a fun movie about a serious subject and allows for a unique vision of this community without saying that Labaki’s solved religious conflicts the world over by allowing women to be the ones driving the decisions. It’s a beautiful story of community and one that really surprised us with its warmth. Check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"You don’t look happy.”“Have I ever?”Tackling a film that looks at a school shooting is a challenging prospect, but writer/director Lynne Ramsay and her co-writer Rory Stewart Kinnear decided to accept the challenge when they signed on to adapt Lionel Shriver’s book “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” The film is a tough film to watch, but the focus on the mother dealing with what her son has done allows us to explore thoughts about the role of a parent in this sort of situation, nature versus nurture, community reactions, and more. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our 10 Year Anniversaries series with Ramsay’s 2011 film We Need to Talk About Kevin.There’s a lot to talk about in We Need to Talk About Kevin.Tilda Swinton. Ezra Miller. John C. Reilly. Three incredible performances at the heart of this movie in a film full of great performances, but it’s Swinton who carries the film as we follow her on her journey to deal with what her son’s done. She’s a powerhouse in this film and takes us on quite a trip. The way Ramsay puts the film together is a key part of that too, though, because she’s dancing all through her life from the time she met her husband through to now, and we see those bits pop up like memories flitting through her mind as she debates with herself if she’s at fault.And that’s really the crux of the film. Is she at fault? She’s certainly taken the blame upon herself as we’ve seen over the course of the film that she’s never gotten along with her son. But is she right? Was he intrinsically evil already? And does that matter to her or will she always carry all these emotions and walls?It’s a strong film and one we love, despite being a very dark and challenging story. We have a great conversation about it so check it out and tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at JustWatchScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkOriginal MaterialFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible

"It’s kind of complicated, actually.”Céline Sciamma had already proven herself a strong writer/director of complicated love stories involving people figuring out their own sexuality when she wrote and directed Tomboy. The film tells a story of a 10-year-old girl – our titular tomboy – who tells all the kids she’s a boy when she moves to a new neighborhood. It’s a small decision but an important one as this young kid works to figure out who she is. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our 10 Year Anniversaries series with Sciamma’s 2011 film Tomboy.Tomboy worked exceptionally well for both of us.This story is touching and powerfully performed by the young actors in the film, notably Zoé Héran in the title role of Laure who starts going by Mickäel. The quiet intensity in this child’s performance is stunning and has to be weighted as she’s carrying Tomboy on her shoulders. On top of that, she has to play as a boy. This means taking her shirt off when her team goes skins for the football match. It’s incredible.Sciamma gets amazing performances from the adults as well, and does a great job of not writing Laure’s parents as antagonists. Their reaction to her decision makes perfect sense as a parent and come across as loving people trying to figure all of this out themselves.And Sciamma delivers a simple but beautiful film to look at. Many shots, notably of Laure as Mickäel, feel like still portraits and capture her struggle and strength. It’s these moments where Héran’s quiet performance really shines through.Tomboy is a strong film about identity that feels as relevant today – if not moreso – than it did in 2011 when it was first released. The fact that Sciamma continues releasing potent, powerful, and important films dealing with this subject says a lot about her staying power as a filmmaker. We have a great time talking about this film. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Find where you can watch this at JustWatchScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible