Girls On Film

Sally El Hosaini joins Anna Smith to discuss her new film The Swimmers and to talk in-depth about compassion and empathy in her work, her filmmaking as a political act, and her journey to become a director. Anna also speaks with the stars of the film, real-life siblings, Nathalie and Manal Issa, as well as one of the women who inspired the film, Yusra Mardini. They talk about their shared experience of being displaced from their homes, and the special relationship between sisters. Based on a true story, The Swimmers follows sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini from their war-torn Syrian home via Germany to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Over the course of their harrowing journey as refugees they put their skills as champion swimmers to heroic use, and this becomes their saving grace. The girls’ story is an uplifting and inspiring look at sisterhood, compassion, bravery and the refugee experience. There’s also a postscript to the film: Sara Mardini is now a humanitarian worker who has been helping refugees in Greece. She has been charged with people smuggling - her trial is currently on hold: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/11/sean-binder-and-sarah-mardinis-lives-remain-on-hold-as-trial-is-adjourned/ The Swimmers is in select UK cinemas now and will be available globally on Netflix from 23rd November. For more information on refugees, and on some of the charities that aid those who are displaced, click the below links: www.amnesty.org.uk www.refugee-action.org.uk www.actionaid.org.uk www.unicef.org.uk Other films mentioned in this episode include: My Brother The Devil, Sally El Hosaini, 2012 Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Elliana Jay Hamer Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with The Swimmers

In this episode filmmaker Ondi Timoner joins Anna Smith to talk about her new documentary, Last Flight Home, sharing with Anna how the documentary came to be, her personal journey throughout the making of it, and the impact that the film is having on audiences. They also talk about her journey to becoming a filmmaker, and her experience of being a woman in the industry. Last Flight Home is a beautifully moving and deeply personal account of her, and her close-knit family’s, experience as it follows them as their extraordinary father chooses to end his own life following a long illness. The film explores Eli Timoner’s life, his past as the co-founder of Air Florida, and his decision to exercise his right to die with dignity. Ondi Timoner's Last Flight Home will be in UK cinemas from Friday 25th November 2022. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Dig!, Ondi Timoner, 2004 We Live in Public, Ondi Timoner, 2009 Brand, A Second Coming, Ondi Timoner, 2015 Mapplethorpe, Ondi Timoner, 2018 Chrysalis (or Coming Clean), Ondi Timoner, 2020 Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Nic Wassell Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with MTV Documentary Films

What’s your leadership style? Just one of the questions answered by our impressive panellists at the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, where festival director Sandra Lipski invited Girls On Film to host a panel discussion on Women and Leadership, with a focus on the creative and business side of the industry. Four high profile industry women joined Anna Smith on stage at the Fondacio Sa Nostra in Palma on 29 October 2022. In this recording, you can hear our guests talking about how they got started in the industry, the importance of mentorship and diversity, and how to lead well with compassion, heart and humour. Panellists are Lee Broda, founder and CEO of LB Entertainment and producer of Call Jane, whose film premiered at EMIFF the night before our panel; Teresa Fernández-Valdés, co-founder and co-director of Bambú Producciones, who were the first company in Spain to make shows for the streaming platforms and have grown rapidly over the past 15 years; Uzma Hasan, film producer at Little House Productions, whose feature Creature directed by Asif Kapadia with choreographer Akram Khan is about to be released in the UK; and finally Kirsten Niehuus, who holds the purse strings at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg as their CEO of Film Funding. The conversation about women in leadership roles in the film industry takes some surprising turns and is inspiring, wise and funny. Films and series mentioned in this episode include: Call Jane, 2022 Phyllis Nagy - you can hear Phyllis talk about Call Jane in episode 129 Grand Hotel, 2019, Brian Tannen Creature, 2022, Asif Kapadia How To Sell Drugs on the Internet (Fast), 2019, Philip Kässbohrer, Mathias Murmann Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio Producer: Nic Wassell Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with EMIFF

Director Phyllis Nagy and stars Elizabeth Banks and Wunmi Mosaku join Anna to talk about the inspiring new film CALL JANE. CALL JANE follows Joy, played by Elizabeth Banks, a woman whose life-threatening pregnancy leads her to seek help from the 'Janes', an underground collective. In Chicago during the 1960s, a group of extraordinary women came together to secretly provide nearly 12,000 women and girls with safe abortions. Sigourney Weaver features as Virginia, the founding member of the female activist group, along with Wunmi Mosaku as Gwen, and a fantastic wider ensemble cast. In this episode, Nagy and Banks talk about how they learned of the 'Janes', discussing the importance of activism through art, and the pertinence of CALL JANE in the wake of the US Supreme Court overruling the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case. They also talk about establishing the tone of this comedy-drama that is as entertaining as it is empowering. Anna also speaks with Wunmi Mosaku about her personal motivation for being a part of the project, and about CALL JANE through a lens of race, both in the reality of the 'Janes', but also in the telling of the story today. She also shares her joy about working with the group of women who play the 'Janes'. UK listeners can watch CALL JANE in cinemas from 4th November 2022. Advice and information about abortion can be found on the NHS website here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/ Other films mentioned in this episode include: ALICE, DARLING, Mary Nighy, 2022 Television series mentioned in this episode include: WE OWN THIS CITY LOKI LOVECRAFT COUNTRY Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Jenny Nelson Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Vertigo Releasing

Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane and Nicholas Stoller join Anna Smith for this episode to talk about BROS, the first romantic comedy from a major film studio about two gay men, produced by Judd Apatow and directed and co-written by Nicholas Stoller. Billy co-wrote and stars in this funny, refreshing rom-com alongside Luke Macfarlane who plays the macho lawyer Aaron, who Billy’s character Bobby just might fall for. Billy and Nicholas, who co-wrote and directed the film, talk to Anna about their decision to bring LGBTQ+ representation into the mainstream, with central characters who are gay, lesbian, trans and bisexual - both on screen and in real life. UK listeners can watch BROS in cinemas from Friday 28 October 2022. Other films mentioned in this episode include: WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, 1989, Rob Reiner SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, 1993, Nora Ephron YOU'VE GOT MAIL, 1998, Nora Ephron ANNIE HALL, 1977, Woody Allen Television series mentioned in this episode include: HEARTSTOPPER SCHITT’S CREEK Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio Producer: Jenny Nelson Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with BROS

Jamie Lee Curtis and Anna Smith discuss HALLOWEEN ENDS, the final chapter in the HALLOWEEN horror franchise, directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak and Kyle Richards. Anna is also joined by Executive Producer Hedda Archbold to talk about the best films featured at this season's film festivals. Anna speaks to Jamie Lee Curtis about her experience playing Laurie Strode and how she perceives feminism in regard to the character. Jamie also highlights how her success as an actress in her 60s defies the idea that older women aren't getting great parts, and she talks to her aversion to the ‘anti-ageing’ lobby, and abouther commitment to looking real – both on screen and off. Jamie also discusses the way in which her character in HALLOWEEN ENDS manages the trauma she has endured. Hedda Archbold joins Anna to consider their favourite releases from the recent film festival season and suggest upcoming female-focused films to look out for. UK listeners can watch HALLOWEEN ENDS in UK cinemas from Friday 14 October 2022. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Trading Places, John Landis, 1983. Knives Out, Rian Johnson, 2019. Everything Everywhere All At Once, Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, 2022. True Lies, James Cameron, 1994. A Fish Called Wanda, Charles Crichton, 1988. The Wonder, Sebastián Lelio, 2022. Aisha, Frank Berry, 2022. Triangle of Sadness, Ruben Östlund, 2022. Corsage, Marie Kreutzer, 2022. Nezouh, Soudade Kaadan, 2022. Last Flight Home, Ondi Timoner, 2022. Runner, Marian Mathias, 2022. Great Yarmouth: Provisional Figures, Marco Martins, 2022. Thunder, Carmen Jaquier, 2022. Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno https://www.tiktok.com/@girlsonfilm_podcast Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio editor: Jenny Nelson Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants

In this episode of Girls On Film Anna Smith explores GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, a Finnish coming-of-age film directed by Alli Haapasalo, starring Aamu Milonoff, Linnea Leino and Eleonoora Kauhanen. Anna talks to Alli Haapasalo about her fresh perspective on stepping into adulthood and navigating sexual desire alongside discussing her motivations, her casting process and narrative choices. Alli also talks about the role of female characters on screen and why her film is an antidote to the all too common trope of women as victims. UK listeners can watch GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS in UK cinemas from Friday 30 September 2022 Other films mentioned in this episode include: All This Panic, Jenny Gage, 2016. Call Me By Your Name, Luca Guadagnino, 2017. Booksmart, Olivia Wilde, 2019. Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Audio Producer: Cam Griff Intern: Ellie Hardy House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Vertigo Releasing

In this episode we focus on two female-run film festivals coming up in October: the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. Anna Smith speaks to Sandra Lipski, founder and director of EMIFF, and Tricia Tuttle, director of festivals at the BFI and director of the LFF about what is coming up. The festivals share not only a female focus with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, but unlike some film fests, they are open to audiences, rather than industry only. Girls On Film will be hosting a live event at EMIFF on Women in Leadership so if you fancy a week in Mallorca watching and discussing films, do join us there! The BFI London Film Festival runs from 5-16th October 2022 - select titles are showing around the UK For more details see the LFF website, here: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/default.asp The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival runs from 26th October to November 1st 2022. See the website for more information, here: https://www.evolutionfilmfestival.com/ Other films and people mentioned in this episode include: Kristy Matheson, creative director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Sundance Festival Laia Costa Lone Scherfig Harvey Weinstein Sebastian Schipper’s Victoria, starring Laia Costa https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4226388/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1a Georgia Oakley’s Blue Jean, starring Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes and Lucy Halliday https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8649344/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Nina Menkes’ Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10410506/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Sebastián Lelio’s The Wonder, starring Florence Pugh and Niamh Algar https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9288822/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Sebastián Lelio’s Disobedience, with Alessandro Nivola and Anton Lesser https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6108178/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Sebastián Lelio’s A Fantastic Woman, with Daniela Vega https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5639354/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Phyllis Nagy’s Call Jane, starring Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7461272/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 VR project ‘The Choice’ Maria Schrader’s She Said, starring Samantha Morton, Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan, based on books written by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey with a screenplay written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz with Jodi and Megan https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14807308/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Alan J. Pakula’s All the President's Men, with Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074119/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Chinonye Chukwu’s Clemency, starring Alfre Woodard https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5577494/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Chinonye Chukwu’s Till, starring Danielle Deadwyler https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4960748/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny, starring Anna Diop https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10931784/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1 Alice Diop’s Saint Omer, starring Kayije Kagame https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15376894/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Alice Diop’s documentary We, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14038600/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_3 Ondi Timoner’s documentary Last Flight Home, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16377430/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold. Audio Producer: Elliana Jay Hamer House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with EMIFF

In this episode of Girls On Film Anna Smith does a deep dive into MR. MALCOLM’S LIST, a new release starring Zawe Ashton, Freida Pinto and Sope Dirisu, directed by Emma Holly Jones in her feature debut. Anna talks to Emma Holly Jones about this Regency RomCom with a difference: about what it takes to get a first feature made, about historical accuracy versus depicting diverse female agency on screen and about casting and working with Freida Pinto and Zawe Ashton during lockdown. Zawe Ashton joins Anna to talk about playing Julia Thistlewaite in MR. MALCOLM’S LIST opposite Freida Pinto as Selina Dalton. Zawe talks about her view of the film's narrative, the pleasure of working with Freida Pinto and the other women in the film, and on making a movie in which female friendship is as important as the love interest. UK listeners can watch MR. MALCOLM’S LIST in cinemas from 26 August 2022. Other films and theatre shows mentioned in this episode include Hamilton, Bridgerton, Belle, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Notting Hill, When Harry Met Sally. We also discuss The Black List Table Reads podcast which you can find here: https://www.stitcher.com/show/black-list-table-reads and Penguin Random House’s initiative to support inclusive reading in schools, Lit in Colour, which you can find here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold. Audio Producer: Benjamin Cook Intern Grace Delve House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Vertigo Releasing #RomCom #Regency #RegencyRomCom #Inclusivity #GenderDynamic

In this special episode recorded with an audience at Edinburgh International Film Festival 2022, Girls On Film celebrate EIFF’s 75th anniversary with an all-star line-up including Julia Davis, Jackie van Beek and Armağan Ballantyne from NUDE TUESDAY; director and co-writer of ZUHAL Nazli Elif Durlu; EIFF 2022’s Creative Director Kristy Matheson, and film critics Wendy Mitchell and Finn Halligan. First up, the NUDE TUESDAY team talks about their mutual obsessions with each others’ work, non-sexual nudity on screen and developing a new language for the film. Next on stage is Kristy Matheson, the Creative Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2022, who tells Anna how she selects a festival programme, and outlines her top picks from this 75th edition of the festival. The director of ZUHAL Nazli Elif Durlu then joins Anna and Kristy to share how she developed her film after meeting someone who heard cat noises in her apartment, which no one else could hear. Finally, critics Finn Halligan and Wendy Mitchell join Anna on stage to discuss their 2022 festival picks. From the audience, Antonia Campbell-Hughes shares some insight on her directorial debut IT IS IN US ALL. Films, Television productions and directors mentioned in this episode include: THE BREAKER UPPERERS, NIGHTY NIGHT, HUMAN REMAINS, NUDE TUESDAY, SIGHTSEERS, AAAAAAAAH!, NOTHING COMPARES, ZUHAL, KINUYO TANAKA, STILL WORKING 9 TO 5, LOLA, AFTERSUN, CLEAN, IT IS IN US ALL. You can listen to the Nude Tuesday podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-nude-tuesday-podcast/id1630048038 Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold. Audio Producer: Cam Griff with Little Bird Creative. Intern: Grace Delve. House band: MX Tyrants. With special thanks to the EIFF 2022 team and Chris Boyd at Cornershop PR for their support. Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z This episode was produced in partnership with EIFF