Ryan McNeil
Runtime
70 minutes
Show Contents
0:00 Introduction
2:54 Know Your Enemy: Heidy Morales
18:14 The New Slang: THE PHOTOGRAPH
57:01 The Other Side: Heidy and Ryan talk further reading after Stella Meghie’s new film
Thoughts From Your Host…
This episode is posting just a few days after a terrible situation between a filmmaker and several critics. The situation was nasty, hateful, draining, and anger-inducing.
In short, the situation was the opposite of everything this show strives to be and boost. In an ironic twist, the film at the centre of the situation is a film someone suggested I cover next on this podcast. No thanks – I was already quite set on “no”, but now especially no thanks.
I hate seeing moments like this bubble up in the film community. It makes me wonder how people get to be so terrible to so many for so long and still go on doing what they do?
Meanwhile, as all of this was going on, I was sitting down with someone whose passion and curiosity I admire. We discussed a gorgeous film that will go deeply underseen even though it is sexy as hell, loaded with the best music, and is a wonderful example of representation on film.
The discussion around the ugly situation will remain on film-lovers lips for weeks, and this movie we talk about today will fade to the background before the ground thaws.
But that’s okay – because it’s where I chose to put my energy and attention, and where I will keep putting my energy and enthusiasm. It’s not that I don’t care about the people harmed in the other situation (I do) – it’s that I want to spend what energy I have talking up the beautiful things in the world instead of yelling down the vile things.
I admire and salute those who are fighting the good fight – but I couldn’t fight, and I couldn’t watch.
I want to be a force for good in the world, and a positive voice in the cinematic discussion…and sometimes that means taking the time to talk something up while everyone else is yelling something else down. Even if it doesn’t, I know myself and need to preserve my mental wellness and reserves…otherwise when the time comes for me to join the fight when it truly matters, I won’t have anything left.
After all, to quote one of my very favorite films from the last decade:
We are only here briefly, and in this moment I want to allow myself joy
Heidy’s Twitter feed can be found here. Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you very much for listening.
Enjoy!
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