Talk Gnosis Why Movies, Why Theory, Why Gnosis w/Todd McGowan & Ryan Engley
Aug 23, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Todd McGowan, a film and theory expert, and Ryan Engley, a media studies aficionado, dive into the fascinating interplay of psychoanalysis and film. They explore how constraints in classic cinema sparked subversion and the importance of viewing films as 'garbled messages.' From Barbarella’s unexpected feminism to the notion that 'kindness is punk,' they challenge conventional nostalgia. With practical tools for deeper interpretation, they urge listeners to engage with art on a transformative level that transcends mere entertainment.
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Film As Theory’s Laboratory
- Todd and Ryan use film and TV as a testing ground for continental theory and psychoanalysis.
- They prioritize theoretical rigor over mere media fandom to reveal deeper cultural dynamics.
Barbarella’s Accidental Feminism
- Ryan recounts Barbarella's production-code context and its intended sexploitation purpose.
- He shows how the film unintentionally yields a feminist reading by overturning the villain's sexualized machine.
Constraints Seed Creativity
- Restrictions like the old Production Code can force creative formal work that finds subversive expression.
- Limitations often yield inventive cinematic form that pure freedom doesn't produce.
