Four Favorites with James Gray: Armageddon Time, The 400 Blows and the misery of school

“The spirit is filled by cinema; our dreams rendered tangible.” Filmmaker and inspirational-quote master James Gray joins Gemma and Slim to talk about the 1980s New York childhood that underpins his new drama, Armageddon Time, and four films that strongly relate to it—Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows; Jean Vigo’s Zero for Conduct; John Cassavetes’ A Woman Under the Influence and Federico Fellini’s Amarcord.

Plus: this “salesman for old cinema” on why students should be forced to watch obscure films; the trauma of the classroom; how teachers can change lives; James’s morning ritual for waking his teenagers; American power structures; why cinema is not compatible with angry tweeters; magic sauce; Anthony Hopkins; Times Square in the ’80s; making waves and fitting in.

Lists & Links:
The Letterboxd list of films mentioned in this episode; Marsh Boy’s list of “films that are even more damaging to think of than to actually see”; Ella Kemp’s feature with Aftersun’s Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio

Reviews of Two Lovers by Evan and Nathan; Ad Astra by Levi; We Own the Night by Ed, Paddy and Francesco; Armageddon Time by Tony and Oliver; Killer of Sheep by Graham.

Credits:
This episode was recorded in Los Angeles, Auckland and Pennsylvania, and edited by Slim. Facts by Jack. Booker: Brian Formo. Transcript by Sophie Shin. Art by Samm. Theme: ‘Vampiros Dancoteque’ by Moniker. The Letterboxd Show is a TAPEDECK production.