Movies vs. Capitalism Alien (w/ Joe Mayall)
Jan 9, 2024
Author Joe Mayall joins hosts Rivka Rivera and Frank Cappello to discuss Ridley Scott's Alien as an allegory for the labor movement and the dangers of unchecked deregulation in the late '70s and early '80s. They also explore the themes of profit-seeking without morality, the portrayal of Ripley as a strong female character, and the historical treatment of workers in different phases of capitalism.
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Dad's Feedback
- Frank Capello's dad listened to the podcast and thought a joke about exploiting employees was serious.
- They discussed it, but the only feedback received was about that joke.
Hollywood's Performative Diversity
- Despite pledges for inclusivity after George Floyd's murder, Hollywood's diversity in directing roles remains low.
- Only 12.1% of top-grossing 2023 films were directed by women, and 3.4% by women of color.
Barbie's Limited Impact
- While Barbie was a landmark achievement, it doesn't significantly change overall representation.
- The study's focus on top-grossing films excludes many diverse directors working on smaller projects or streaming.