575: Hamnet Special: Chloé Zhao, Paul Mescal & Jessie Buckley

We have a Hamnet special for you on Soundtracking, as first writer / director Chloe Zhao and stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley join Edith. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel - who also worked on the script - it tells the story of how the horrendous tragedy that strikes Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, inspires him to write Hamlet. Hamnet is scored by friend of the show Max Richter, and we'll hear plenty of his music throughout the episode.

Our last guests on Soundtracking are Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany, who join us to discuss Amadeus. Available to watch on Sky and Now TV, it’s a reworking of Peter Shaffer’s classic play, in which the precocious composer arrives in Vienna and soon makes an enemy of court composer Salieri.

As promised, we have a second episode of Soundtracking for you this Boxing Day, as Joachim Trier and Stellan Skarsgard join us to discuss Sentimental Value, which is on general release in the UK as of now. Addressing themes of intergenerational trauma, nepotism and suicide, Sentimental Value follows a fractured relationship between an acclaimed director and his two estranged daughters, which becomes even more complicated when he decides to make a personal film about their family history. This was our last Everyman Soundtracking Film club of the year, where we screen a movie and Edith speaks to person or persons connected to it afterwards. You can find every single edition of our partnership at edithbowman.com

It’s a Boxing Day bonus, as we bring you not one but two episodes of Soundtracking in the spirit of festive cheer. First up is Josh Safdie, co-writer, producer and director of Marty Supreme, the film which has been wowing critics across the globe with five star review after five star review. Then, after you've polished off your Christmas Day leftovers, we'll hear from Joachim Trier & Stellan Skarsgård, who joined Edith live on stage as part of our Everyman Soundtracking Film Club to discuss Sentimental Value. But we begin with Josh and Marty Supreme. Starring Timothée Chalamet and loosely based on a true story, the narrative follows an up-and-coming table tennis star who gets embroiled in all manner of scrapes to achieve his dream. It's beautifully scored by Daniel Lopatin

Our latest episode of Soundtracking sees a welcome return to the podcast for the legend that is Warren Ellis, who joins us to discuss his score for The Death Of Bunny Munro, which he composed with Nick Cave. Based on Nick's novel, The Death Of Bunny Munro stars Matt Smith as a salesman who takes his son on a road trip around Sussex after his wife's suicide at the same time a serial killer is operating in the area.

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Nia DaCosta, who joins us to discuss her film Hedda, which is streaming now on Amazon Prime as well as other home entertainment platforms. Based on the Henrik Ibsen play, Hedda stars former Soundtracking guests Tessa Thompson and Tom Bateman among a fine cast, and centres around a lavish party in which personal and professional tensions simmer. Hildur Guanodottir's score is predictable fabulous.

We're very excited to be bringing you this latest episode, recorded in front of an audience as part of our Everyman Soundtracking film club. Edith was joined on stage by Kathryn Bigelow, Noah Oppenheim, Greg Shapiro, Rebecca Ferguson and Volker Bertelmann after a screening of Kathryn's Netflix film, A House Of Dynamite. Told non-chronologically and from multiple perspectives, the narrative follows the responses of different US government and military officials after an unknown adversary launches a single intercontinental ballistic missile at a North American city.

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Alex Russell and Archie Madekwe, who join us to discuss Alex's debut feature, Lurker. Archie stars as Oliver, a rising pop musician who is befriended by a fan who infiltrates Oliver's inner circle, becoming an evermore disturbing presence. 

Our latest episode of Soundtracking involves a lovely conversation between Kate Winslet, her son Joe Anders, composer Ben Harlan and music supervisor James Taylor, who join us to discuss Kate's directorial debut Goodbye June, which Joe wrote. Goodbye June tells the story of a family who gather around their dying mother at Christmas, confronting themes of grief, reconciliation and love. The ensemble cast is magnificent, with Kate, Toni Collette, Timothy Spall, Andrea Risborough, Jonny Flynn and Helen Mirren all delivering stellar performances (as usual).

We have yet another bonus episode of Soundtracking for you, celebrating the release of Noah Baumbach's comedy, Jay Kelly. First up is Noah himself, then leading men George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Jay Kelly tells the story of the titular movie star and his devoted manager, Ron (played by George and Adam), who embark on an unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men confront the choices they've made, relationships with loved ones, and the legacies they'll leave behind. It is beautifully scored by Nicholas Britell, and you will of course hear plenty of his music