Somebody's Watching

My guest today is Berlin-based film programmer and performer Matt Cornell. This episode is dedicated to independent cinema - the films we love and the filmmakers who've made them. Matt and I took different approaches. I spoke about my Top 15 favorite independent directors (real difficult to do, would still recommend though) and Matt chose to talk about his Top 15 favorite independent films. Before that, we spoke about Matt being an honest to god kid film critic and when we first realized what a director does. Show Notes:Matt’s Dam CinemaJoe Bob BriggsBlue Velvet (1986)Short Circuit (1986)The Evil Dead (1981)King Lear (1987)DivineRainer Werner FassbinderLouis MalleAu Revoir Les Enfants (1987)Elevator to the Gallows (1958)Murmur of the Heart (1971)My Dinner with Andre (1981)The Princess Bride (1987)Atlantic City (1980)Jacques Tati (1975)Playtime (1967)2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Michael Haneke The Seventh Continent (1989)The Heartbreak Kid (1972)Ishtar (1987)Elaine MayJeannie BerlinMiss May Does Not Exist bookTsai Ming-liangThe Hole (1998)What Time Is It There? (2001)Celine SciammaGirlhood (2004)The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972)Dardenne BrothersYoung Mothers (2025)The Kid with a Bike (2011)Chameleon Street (1989)Wendell B. Harris Jr.Barbara Loden Wanda (1970)Ingmar BergmanThe Magic LanternWild Strawberries (1957)Kelly ReichardtOld Joy (2006)David LynchJonathan DemmeSomething Wild (1986)Lynne Ramsay We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)Yasujiro OzuTokyo Story (1953)David Cronenberg Crash (1996)Dead Ringers (1988)Vernon, Florida (1981)Errol MorrisRichard LinklaterBefore Sunrise (1995)Todd HaynesSafe (1995)Agnes VardaDeep Cover (1992)Bill DukeMia Hansen-Løve Things to Come (2016)Lucile Hadžihalilović Innocence (2004)The Ice Tower (2025)New French ExtremityPenelope SpheerisThe Decline of Western Civilization (1981)Steven SoderberghOut of Sight (1998)Mike LeighSecrets & Lies (1996)Hard Truths (2024)Coen BrothersMiller’s Crossing (1990)Todd SolondzFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Andrew Nette specializes in pulp fiction among many other things. He's has been living in Berlin for about a year now doing research on many different projects. I was introduced to Andrew when I read "Revolution in 35 mm: Political Violence and Resistance in Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse 1960-1990" which he co-edited with film scholar (and previous guest) Samm Deighan. We spoke about this essential book as well his Berlin film experiences and his time living in South East Asia and the „Westerners in trouble“ trope in cinema. Show Notes: Andrew Nette’s substackRevolution in 35mmAndrew Nette’s 10 favorite films of political violenceAndrew Nette’s Westerners in Trouble Letterboxd ListJames BondPulp FictionCarter BrownThe Battle of Algiers (1966)Z (1969)Elio PetriA Bullet for the General (1967)The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)Rainer Werner FassbinderYoussef ChahineSarah MaldororRobert KramerPatty HearstGilio PontecorvoBlood of the Condor (1969)Raymundo GleyzerAbduction (1975)Paul Schrader Cairo Station (1958)Maeve (1981)On Guard (1984)After Hours (1985)MIFFBorn in Flames (1983)Capitalist RealismWolf BerlinRed Army FactionThe Legend of Rita (2000)The State I Am In (2000)Running on Empty (1988)Black Gravel (1961)Helmut Käutner Oberhausen ManifestoNew German CinemaShore Leave (1925)DEFA StiftungSolo Sunny (1980)Rose (2026)Saint Jack (1979)Stars at Noon (2022)City of Ghosts (2002)Black Narcissus (1947)Il Cinema Ritrovato The Man Who Would Be King (1975)Far East (1982)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Film writer Heather Drain is an expert in both film and music, making her the perfect guest to talk about film soundtracks! We spoke about how she started out as an esoteric film appreciator, her love of "mutated arthouse," and we both share 10 of our favorite film soundtracks. This episode's show notes are especially long because Heather references a lot of films and music and they're all worth noting down!Show Notes:Heather Drain’s linktreeHeather Drain’s SubstackHeather Drain’s video essay Psycho in 1980s Music Videos Heather Drain’s old blogLaura Branigan - GloriaBlondie – RaptureKeith Crocker Maniac (1980)Joe Spinell Forbidden Zone (1980)Timothy CareyHarlan EllisonDanny Peary – Cult Movies 3Cafe Flesh (1982)Stephen SayadianSomething Weird VideoFilm Threat Video MagazineLydia LunchRichard KernJörg ButtgereitThe Go-Go’sRichard BaylorSaturn’s CoreThe Lair of the White Worm (1988)Cryptfinder on YouTubeAmanda Reyes’ BlueskyAnthony PerkinsCosmicVinyl on YouTubeCharles RocketSupertrampTenebrae (1982)The Lost Boys (1987)The Call Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)Dracula (1973)Switchblade SymphonyChristopher LeeThe Psychedelic FursPretty in Pink (1986)OMDSaturday Night Fever (1977)The Last Days of Disco (1998)Boogie Nights (1997)The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (1980)Sex PistolsAlmost Famous (2000)Cameron CroweLester BangsHead (1968)The MonkeesA Hard Day’s Night (1964)Morvern Callar (2002)Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)Mandy (2018)Lost Highway (1997)Blue Velvet (1986)Demons (1985)Claudio SimonettiLamberto Bava Crumb (1994)Subspecies (1991)Nosferatu (1922)Full Moon Features HoleSingles (1992)Scorpio Rising (1963)Invocation of My Demon BrotherKenneth AngerDer Fan (1982)Cannibal Holocaust (1980)Riz OrtolaniMen Behind the Sun (1988)Ebola Syndrome (1996)Anthony WongTimes Square (1980)Kat EllingerRobin Johnson200 Motels (1971)Frank ZappaThe GTOsJohn CaleThe Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)Shock Treatment (1981)Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)Blood Diner (1987)CowpunkPurple Rain (1984)Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)24 Hour Party People (2002)Trainspotting (1996)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

My guest today is scenic artist, filmmaker, and writer Michael Lee Nirenberg, who wrote the book Cinematic Immunity, an oral history told from the perspective of New York film crews, from the 50s to the 2000s. When I came across this book I knew I had to get it right away, it's exciting to learn film history from a completely different perspective! We spoke about how Michael got into the film crew business, the wild days of New York filmmaking, what crews had to say about the likes of Sidney Lumet and William Friedkin, and a whole lot more!Show Notes:CinematicImmunity: An Oral History of New York Filmmaking As Told by the Crews That Got the Shot / Michael Lee NirenbergMicheal Lee Nirenberg’s instagramMichael Lee Nirenberg’s IMDBFrankenhooker (1990)Back Issues: The Hustler Mag Story (2014)Richard KoszarskiOn the Waterfront (1954)Boris KaufmanThe Out of Towners (1970)The Incident (1967)The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)Michael Lee Nirenberg’s book Earth A.D.The Godfather (1972)The Exorcist (1973)Do the Right Thing (1989)Max’s Kansas CityAfter Hours (1985)Midnight Cowboy (1969)Amos PoeSidney LumetWilliam FriedkinNetwork (1976)Dog Day Afternoon (1975)12 Angry Men (1957)Spike LeeRandy JurgensenThree Days of the Condor (1975)The French Connection (1971)Maniac Cop (1988)Law & OrderTrading Places (1983)John Landis Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)Twilight Zone AccidentPaul ReubensMalcolm X (1992)All That Jazz (1979)Bob Fosse Mariska HargitayIce-TMy Mom Jayne (2025)I Love Boosters (2026)Backrooms (2026)The Sopranos (1999-2007)We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)The Wrestler (2008)The Knick (2014-2015)Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)Girls (2012-2017)Please Give (2010)The Seven-Ups (1973)Mad Men (2007-2015)Too Much (2025)Taxi Driver (1976)Death Wish 3 (1985)John WatersDesperate Living (1977)Vincent PeranioFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Kate Hagen is a film writer, screenwriter, producer, and the senior vice president of The Black List. Kate is a cinephile with great taste, and I don't just say that because a lot of what she likes - I like. This episode, we get into many of Kate's interests: the importance of video stores, the representation of fat women on screen, sex scenes in cinema, and more!Show Notes:Kate’s websiteKate’s LetterboxdThe Black ListThe Last Great Video Store Spreadsheet Fat Girls On Film Letterboxd EssayKate Hagen’s Playboy Article „On Sex, Cinema and the Female Gaze“The Wizard of Oz (1939)Addams Family Values (1993)The Breakfast Club (1985)Pretty in Pink (1986)Showgirls (1995)Angelica Jade BastiénFresh Horses (1988)VidiotsBabycakes (1989)Zuckerbaby (1985)Euphoria (2019-2026)The Whale (2022)Joan Didion Crash (1996)Secretary (2002)Cocaine: One Man’s Seduction (1983)Lincoln (2012)Spotlight (2015)Leonard MaltinJane CampionAnora (2024)Sinners (2025)One Battle After Another (2025)Babygirl (2024)Industry (2020-2027)We Kill For Love (2023)Take This Waltz (2011)Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)In the Cut (2003)In the Realm of the Senses (1976)Damage (1992)Dead Ringers (1988)Lovely & Amazing (2001)Nicole HolofcenerBound (1996)Border (2018)Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)Crimes of Passion (1984)Wild Things (1998)Candyman (1992)Shortbus (2006)Body Heat (1981)9 Songs (2004)A Walk on the Moon (1999)After Dark, My Sweet (1990)Don’t Look Now (1973)The Last Seduction (1994)Desert Hearts (1985)The Sheltering Sky (1990)The Hunger (1983)Bug (2006)Lust, Caution (2007)The Handmaiden (2016)Breaking the Waves (1996)Romance (1999)Faces of Death (2026)CinematographeTerms of Endearment (1983)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

I live in Berlin, and something very cool is happening here right now - the film collective Zelluloid42 has been programming film events that this town has sorely needed. In the spirit of the German "Bahnhofskino" (a grindhouse cinema located in or next to a train station, very popular in the 70s and 80s), Zelluloid42 gleefully shows exploitation, horror, and other wonderfully strange obscurities in 16mm & 35mm. I spoke with two collective members, Audrey and Tarek, about their work, German attitudes towards their own film heritage, what's next for them, and a whole lot more!Show Notes:Zelluloid 42⁠⁠Zelluloid 42 Instagram⁠Tarek’s LetterboxdAudrey’s LetterboxdFilmrauschpalast CinemaThe Evil Dead (1981)The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)Cannibal Holocaust (1980)Vampyros Lesbos (1971)Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)ZeughauskinoDouglas SirkLumiere Film Festival in LyonIl Cinema Ritrovato Vinegar SyndromeSamm Deighan’s PatreonBFIDuck, You Sucker! (1971)Der Fan (1982)Deutsche Kinemathek Weimar RepublicYorck KinogruppeCinevilleZ-inemaMoviementob-ware! LadenkinoCity Kino WeddingThe Devil in Miss Jones (1974)SO36Videodrom VideostoreMan Behind the Sun (1988)Water Power (1977)Mondo FilmJörg ButtgereitCombat Shock (1984)Buddy GiovinazzoMuscle DistributionVigilante (1982)William LustigPink FilmBeyond Hypothermia (1996)The Killer (1989)Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)Dr. Lamb (1992)Biggi (1980)Female Trouble (1974)Thriller: A Cruel Picture (1973)Nightmare USALisa, Lisa (1977)The Last House on Dead End Street (1973)Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971)The Beyond (1981)The Image (1975)Meiko KajiHisasayu SatoA Woman’s Torment (1977)Through the Looking Glass (1976)Jamie Gillis L.A. Plays Itself (1972)Golden Age of PornKommkinoFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

This episode is dedicated to the inimitable stand-up comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo. My guest Vibe Kiil and I chat about her influence on comedy, why she was such a fixture of the 90s, our favorite Garofalo roles, and more. Heather Mooney forever!**Apologies for the wonky sound on my end**Show Notes:Vibe Kiil’s WebsiteVibe Kiil’s InstagramReality Bites (1994)Daria (1997-2002)The Ben Stiller Show (1992-1995)Marc MaronThe Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998)Saturday Night LiveRomy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)Suspicious (1995 short film)Wonderland (2003)Wet Hot American Summer (2001)24 (2001-2010)I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)The MatchMaker (1997)Mystery Men (1999)Ween Housekeeping (2001)Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)The Independent (2000)Jerry Stiller Alan CummingA Bread Factory, Part One (2018)Feel This Book Roseanne Interview HBO Half Hour Special Indie Outing with Elliot SmithJaneane Garofalo Never Sold Out. What a Relief.Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

Film academic Marion Biet came on the podcast to talk about long-term films (aka longitudinal films) with me since it's her expertise - making her one of the first to analyze this type of film within an academic framework. Long-term films are films that capture a long passage of time, the most prominent example of this is Michael Apted's Up Series which I refer to a lot during our conversation. We spoke about international long-term films, the ethical dimensions of these films, and their socio-political potential. Show Notes:Marion Biet’s Uni WebsiteMarion's Film L'usine, c'est particulier quand même (2017)Marion’s book DokumentwerdenUp Film SeriesChildren from Golzow (1961-2007)Helena TrestikovaDEFARene (2008)The Bend Episode – Tony (The Up Series)Neil Hughes from The Up Series7 Up South Africa (1992)7 Up Japan (1992)Born in the USSR (1991-)21 Up New Generation (2014-)Born To Be Different (2003-)Daldongne 33 Up (2020)Before Trilogy (1995-2013)Boyhood (2014)Over the Years (2015)Michael AptedKatka (2010)dafilms.comAnny (2020)Private Universe (2012)Quest (2017)Profiles of Farmers: Daily Life (2005)Cow (2021)Minding the Gap (2018)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

I spoke with culture writer Soraya Roberts about the hyper-literate, captivating Queen of Gen X cool Winona Ryder. We spoke about Winona's incredible run from the late 80s to the late 90s, her tricky transition into more adult roles, the meta quality of her current work, and more. Show Notes:Soraya’s WebsiteSoraya’s BlueskySoraya’s article on WinonaDefectorWinona in the Criterion ClosetMojo Nixon video Dr. Katz Professional Therapist – Episode with Winona RyderTavi Gavinson interviewing Winona RyderLucas (1986)Beetlejuice (1988)Heathers (1989)Mermaids (1990)Greer Garson Random Harvest (1942)Timothy LearySquare Dance (1987)Jason Robards Jane Alexander1969 (1988)Reality Bites (1994)Edward Scissorhands (1990)Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990)Holden CaulfieldBram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)The Age of Innocence (1993)The Crucible (1996)Little Women (2019)The Iceman (2012)Alien: Resurrection (1997)Girl, Interrupted (1999)Susanna KaysenAmerican Pie (1999)Autumn in New York (2000)Night on Earth (1991)A Scanner Darkly (2006)Black Swan (2010)Gen XMy So-Called LifeJaneane GarofaloThe Winona BookGreat Balls of Fire! (1989)Cher – The Shoop Shoop SongMr. RobotFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]

I took the opportunity during my third time at Sitges Film Festival to chat with some fine people who came to this gargantuan annual celebration of horror. You'll hear from film professor Alison Peirse and film journalist Daniela Urzola who were on Sitges juries (different juries, there are quite a few at this fest), genre filmmakers Arianne Hinz and Avalon Fast as well as film programmers Sabina Pujol and Sara Neidorf, who is also the co-director of Final Girls Berlin with me. I hope this gives you a glimpse of what being at the largest genre film festival in the world is like and that it motivates you to go in the future!Show Notes:Alison Pierse’s WebsiteAlison Pierse’s InstagramDoing Women’s Global Horror Film HistoryDaniela Urzola’s InstagramDaniela Urzola’s LetterboxdArianne Hinz’s WebsiteArianne Hinz’s InstagramAvalon Fast’s WebsiteAvalon Fast’s InstagramSabina Pujol’s InstagramB-Retina Film FestivalFilmetsCryptshow FestSara Neidorf’s WebsiteSara Neidorf’s InstagramMellowdeath BandcampWeapons (2025)The Monkey (2025)Barbarian (2022)House of Psychotic Women Kier-La Janisse1000 Women in Horror (2025)Zodiac Killer Project (2025)Catherine GrantBeyond Clueless (2014)Doing Women’s Film HistoryThe ‘Burbs (1989)Piranha (1978)The Fog (1980)Nancy LoomisJoe DantePicnic At Hanging Rock (1975)Melies D’OrFilm Madrid FestivalCAMP (2025)Fucktoys(2025)Queens of the Dead (2025)Alice Maio MackayVera DrewJane SchoenbrunWoman in Fan The Plague (2025)Arianne Hinz’s new film MarionettesSystem Crasher (2019)E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982)Rabbit Trap (2025)Tornado (2025)Lesbian Space Princess (2024)Honeycomb (2022)Slamdance FestivalThe Virgin Suicides (1999)American Beauty (1999)Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)Anything That Moves (2025)Lucid (2025)Mother of Flies (2025)Hellbender (2021)Castration Movie I (2024)The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)Fuck My Son! (2025)Alpha (2025)Buffet Infinity (2025)Dead Lover (2025)Frauen Film FestivalJennifer ReederToby PoserSadie LunePorn Film Festival BerlinMiranda July – All FoursDollhouse (2025)Touch Me (2025)Gregg Araki But Film FestivalThe Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan (2025)Seeds (1968)Fleshpot on 42nd Street (1972)The Python Hunt (2025)Occupy Cannes! (2025)Mag Mag (2025)Mary HarronI Shot Andy Warhol (1996)American Psycho (2000)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected]