Ep 169: Mr & Mrs Smith creator Francesca Sloane on women writers & subverting Bond Girl tropes

In this episode of Girls On Film, Anna Smith talks about the recent Cinema for Gaza auction with two of the women behind the initiative, Helen Simmons and Julia Jackman, and she reviews some imminent releases with film critic Rhianna Dhillon and film journalist and programmer Cici Peng. First up Anna speaks with Rhianna Dhillon about Italian box-office hit C’è ancora domani or There’s Still Tomorrow. They discuss the representation of domestic violence in this neorealist-style debut from Paola Cortellesi, and pick up on the film’s surprisingly hopeful feel. Next up they discuss The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling as a stunt-double and Emily Blunt as a blockbuster director, which is out in UK cinemas on 2 May 2024. A recent auction raised over £260,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians or MAP, a charity currently working in Gaza to provide immediate medical aid to those in great need. The auction was an initiative led by film critics Hanna Flint, Leila Latif, and Sophie Monks Kaufman who teamed up with publicist Hannah Farr, and filmmakers Julia Jackman and Helen Simmons. Anna talks with Helen and Julia about the initiative, who also share some insights into the highest-earning lots, which included Annie Lennox’s handwritten lyrics to 1983 hit Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This). Finally, Anna is joined by film journalist and programmer Cici Peng, who shares her thoughts on Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding, and Léa Seydoux’s performance in the upcoming film The Beast. Cici also speaks about her recent archival work to create a programme of hidden gems at Queer East Festival, which showcases queer cinema from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora. Films mentioned in this episode: There’s Still Tomorrow / C'è ancora domani (Paola Cortellesi, 2024) The Fall Guy (David Leitch, 2024) Jungle Cruise (Jaume Collet-Serral, 2021) The Devil Wears Prada (David Frankel, 2006) Ordinary Angels (Jon Gunn, 2024) Hoard (Luna Carmoon, 2024) Abigail (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, 2024) Bonus Track (Julia Jackman, 2024) Love Lies Bleeding (Rose Glass, 2024) The Beast / La bête (Bertrand Bonello, 2024) The River / He liu (Tsai Ming-liang, 1997) Bye Bye Love / Baibai rabu (Isao Fujisawa, 1974) You can buy Cinema for Gaza merchandise until 7 May 2024 via the links below: https://www.weareprintsocial.com/campaigns/cinema-for-gaza-2 https://www.weareprintsocial.com/campaigns/cinema-for-gaza Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter below: http://eepurl.com/iEKaM-/ or email [email protected] to be signed up 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 Lornie Archbold Producer: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Elliana Jay Hamer House band: MX Tyrants © HLA Agency

In this episode of Girls On Film we give you a flavour of the third Girls On Film Awards, our annual celebration of women in film which this year took place at our new home, Regent Street Cinema in London. We launched the awards to celebrate excellence in women-focused films, and to honour women and non-binary filmmakers. Girls On Film provides an inclusive platform for the voices of diverse women and people of marginalised genders, and we have a mission: to bring about industry-wide change, and to work toward equal representation of women in the film industry: on screen, and behind the camera. As the saying goes: “if she can see it, she can be it”, and that’s why shining a light on the great work women are making can make a real difference. Girls On Film host Anna Smith and co-founder Hedda Lornie Archbold hosted the awards together, and were joined by a stellar group of presenters to give out the awards, including Monica Dolan, Ronni Ancona, Sarah Gavron, Mia Bays, Col Needham, Mark Kermode, Nitin Sawhney and more. The mics didn’t pick up all the sound as well as we’d hoped – but the pod conveys the great atmosphere in the room. We hope you enjoy the awards! For a full list of the nominees and winners, you can find the press release on the HLA Website: https://hlaagency.co.uk/category/projects/girls-on-film-awards/ Contributors to this episode include: Ronni Ancona Anthony Andrews Teanne Andrews Blair Barnette Mia Bays Suzie Davies Charlotte Dirickx Monica Dolan Jacqueline Durran Melanie Iredale Ayo Edebiri Kathryn Ferguson Jo Fernihough Kerry Fox Sarah Gavron Sarah Greenwood Priya Kansara Mark Kermode Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch Molly Manning Walker Nida Manzoor Col Needham William Oldroyd Rose Ryan Nitin Sawhney D. Smith Katie Spencer Holly Waddington Paris Zarcilla Films and television series mentioned in this episode are: ALL OF US STRANGERS AMERICAN FICTION ANATOMY OF A FALL ANOTHER BODY BARBIE THE BEAR BOTTOMS BRICK LANE EILEEN THE ETERNAL MEMORY FAIR PLAY THE FALLING FILMSTARS DON'T DIE IN LIVERPOOL HOW TO HAVE SEX JOY RIDE KOKOMO CITY LADY MACBETH MR BATES AND THE POST OFFICE NOTHING COMPARES NYAD PAST LIVES POLITE SOCIETY POOR THINGS THE POWER PREVENGE PRIDE PRISCILLA RAGING GRACE RETURN TO SEOUL ROCKS RYE LANE SALTBURN SCRAPPER SUFFRAGETTE TILL TYPIST ARTIST PIRATE KING W1A YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE THE ZONE OF INTEREST 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 Subscribe to our newsletter by emailing [email protected] 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 and Show Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Awards Producers: Hedda Lornie Archbold, Charlotte Matheson, Lydia Scott and Anna Smith Audio editor: Benjamin Cook House band: MX Tyrants © HLA Agency

In this episode Girls On Film is at the 20th edition of Glasgow Film Festival. Anna Smith sits down with Festival Director Allison Gardner, then has an exclusive interview with the director of Love Lies Bleeding Rose Glass, with Oscar-nominated director of The Teacher Farah Nabulsi, and with BAFTA-nominated director of Edge of Summer Lucy Cohen. First up, Director of GFF Allison Gardner picks out some of her festival highlights, from Ava DuVernay’s Origin to Viggo Mortensen’s The Dead Don’t Hurt which she describes as a ‘feminist western’. Allison talks about the unique programming at GFF with 126 films included at the festival this year. She picks out the ‘Love is sweet oh!’ strand programmed by Tomiwa Folorunso, the ‘Gestures of Memory’ strand programmed by Natasha Thembiso Ruwona, and ‘What Will the Men Wear?’ programmed by Rosie Beattie. Next up Anna welcomes back Rose Glass to Girls On Film, who first appeared in Episode 60 to discuss her debut Saint Maud, which also showed at GFF in 2019. This year Rose is back with her hotly-anticipated second feature, Love Lies Bleeding, which had its UK premiere as the Opening Gala film at GFF. With Anna, Rose talks about the ‘dream’ casting of Kristen Stewart as moody heartthrob Lou, who meets amateur bodybuilder Jackie when she turns up in Lou’s sleepy hometown. The pair fall hard for one another and Rose describes crafting their fantastical love story, with co-writer Weronika Tofilska, which has ‘one foot in reality, and one foot somewhere stranger’... Anna also speaks to Oscar-nominated director Farah Nabulsi, whose debut feature The Teacher is showing at GFF. Anna asked Farah about her journey into filmmaking, from a background in business to directing her first short The Present, which went on to be nominated for the 2021 Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Finally, Anna speaks with BAFTA-nominated director Lucy Cohen, whose coming-of-age film Edge of Summer tells the story of 11-year-old Evie on holiday in Cornwall in the early 1990s. When she meets local boy Adam, a mysterious discovery down an old tin mine changes everything. Lucy talks to Anna about her influences in exploring childhood on screen, citing Ratcatcher (Lynne Ramsay, 1999) and Walkabout (Nicolas Roeg, 1771), and about her excitement to be showing the film at Glasgow Film Festival. Thank you to our partners for this episode, Glasgow Film Festival. The festival runs from 28 February to 10 March. To buy tickets visit the Glasgow Film Festival website glasgowfilmfest.org/home/ Love Lies Bleeding is in UK cinemas from 3 May 2024. You can watch The Teacher in Glasgow on Monday 4 March 2024 at 6pm and Tuesday 5 March 2024 at 3.15pm. You can watch Edge of Summer in Glasgow on Friday 8 March 2024 at 8.30pm and Saturday 9 March 2024 at 3.45pm. Other films mentioned in the podcast: The Mask (Charles Russell, 1994) Origin (Ava DuVernay, 2023) The Dead Don’t Hurt (Viggo Mortensen, 2024) Lousy Carter (Bob Byington, 2023) The Teacher’s Lounge (Ilker Catak, 2023) Thelma and Louise (Ridley Scott, 1991) Walkabout (Nicolas Roeg, 1971) Ratcatcher (Lynne Ramsay, 1999) The Present (Farah Nabulsi, 2021) Saint Maud (Rose Glass, 2019) Girl (Adura Onashile, 2023) Daisies (Vera Chitylova, 1966) The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organisation or its affiliates. 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: Charlotte Matheson House band: MX Tyrants © HLA Agency

This episode features the tenth Oscar winner to appear on Girls On Film. Anna Smith hears from Academy Award winner Olivia Colman who stars opposite Jessie Buckley and Anjana Vasan in the black comedy Wicked Little Letters. She also speaks to the film’s director, Thea Sharrock, and historical consultant Emily Cockayne about bringing this remarkable true story to the big screen. The film follows two neighbours: conservative local Edith Swan (played by Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (played by Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive the letters, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. Anjana Vasan plays Police Officer Gladys Moss, who suspects that Rose may not be the culprit after all… Firstly, Anna speaks with Anjana and Thea about balancing the comedy with some of the more poignant moments in the film. They discuss Anjana’s character Gladys Moss, who is based on the first woman Police Officer in Sussex, and talk about the contemporary relevance of poison pen letters. Next up Anna hears from historical consultant Emily Cockayne, whose book Cheek By Jowl: A History of Neighbours details some of the scandal caused by the Littlehampton case in the 1920s. Finally, Anna is joined by the two stars of the film, Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckely, who recall their delight in receiving Jonny Sweet’s script. Olivia talks about her background in comedy, and the pair give an insight into the set of Wicked Little Letters when they discuss their musical collaboration. WICKED LITTLE LETTERS is released in UK and Irish cinemas on 23 February 2024. 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: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Benjamin Cook House band: MX Tyrants Thanks to our partners for this episode STUDIOCANAL © HLA Agency

As we post this episode, we’re coming up to the third annual Girls On Film Awards 2024. They take place on Tuesday 20 February 2024 at Regent Street Cinema in London. We’ll celebrate the brilliant work made by women in film and will be joined by nominees, industry supporters and listeners. We give awards in 12 categories, and the undisputed climax of the night will be the award for the category 'Female Orgasm on Screen, sponsored by Intimacy On Set' for the second year running. In this episode, Intimacy On Set founder Ita O’Brien talks with Hedda Lornie Archbold, Girls On Film co-founder, about the four nominated films in this category: Fair Play, Joy Ride, Poor Things and Saltburn, as well as about some of the other notable films of the past year. Ita O'Brien is an Intimacy Coordinator and Movement Director for film, television, and theatre. Since 2014, she has been developing best practice when working with intimacy, scenes with sexual content, and nudity in film, TV, and theatre. Ita pioneered the role of Intimacy Coordinator, which is being adopted in leading production houses, including HBO, Netflix, and the BBC. Ita founded Intimacy on Set to provide trained, professional Intimacy Coordinators to the industry. Also in this episode, Anna Smith recommends some great films by women filmmakers in the run up to International Women’s Day 2024. Films mentioned in this episode: Men Up Saltburn Poor Things Fair Play Joy Ride How To Have Sex Barbie Oppenheimer Memory Four Daughters Copa 71 Origin Operas mentioned in this episode: Anthony and Cleopatra Television series mentioned in this episode: Bridgerton Brave New World Men Up is on BBC iPlayer Fair Play is on Netflix Joy Ride is streaming platforms including Apple TV. Saltburn is on Prime Video Poor Things is on streaming platforms including Prime Video and Apple TV from 27 February 2024. 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 Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Audio editor: Emma Butt House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Intimacy On Set © HLA Agency

In today’s episode, Anna Smith talks to members of the the Girls On Film community about Nyad, starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, which tells the remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad. An athlete turned journalist, Diana Nyad made an incredible vow when she turned 60. She was determined to become the first person to swim 110 miles from Cuba to Florida, without a shark cage. She was supported by a team including her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film has a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Annette Bening as Diana, and Supporting Actress for Jodie Foster as Bonnie. The bond between Diana and Bonnie is beautifully depicted, whether they are sharing witty banter, second guessing each other or finding their strong friendship tested by Diana’s relentless and risky ambition. It’s the reason that Nyad is nominated for the Female Friendship on Screen award at the 2024 Girls On Film Awards. In partnership with Netflix we arranged a special Girls On Film screening of Nyad, the feature written by Julia Cox, adapted from the memoir Find A Way by Diana Nyad. We invited some of the Girls On Film community to watch this extraordinary true story on the big screen, followed by a discussion about some of the themes of the film, including friendships between women, achieving your goals no matter what your age, and the great pleasure of seeing the story of two complex, older lesbian characters on screen in mainstream cinema. Thanks to our partners for this episode, Netflix UK Other films mentioned in this episode are: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Blindsight Booksmart Chariots of Fire Free Solo Girl Picture How to Have Sex A League of Their Own Polite Society The Rescue She Said The Silent Twins The Swimmers Thelma and Louise The Woman King 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: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Emma Butt House band: MX Tyrants © HLA Agency

In this episode of Girls On Film, Anna Smith talks to the creator and showrunner of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Francesca Sloane. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a series inspired by the 2005 film by Doug Liman and Simon Kinberg. It stars Maya Erskine and Donald Glover as two lonely strangers who land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency, and are given new identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. The eight-part series explores their relationship as they take on each new mission, with an all-star supporting cast including Parker Posey, Paul Dano, Sharon Horgan, Michaela Coel and more. In this conversation, Francesca discusses the conception of Mr. & Mrs. Smith and how she moved from being offered jobs ‘cleaning in her underwear’ in LA to being the showrunner of this series. She speaks to Anna about subverting gender roles in this reimagining of the 2005 film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and turning Donald Glover into a ‘Bond Girl’ figure. She also talks about the unique experience of leading a writing room made up exclusively of women of colour, and how the plot of the series came to interrogate questions of race and visibility. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is available on Prime Video now. 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: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Emma Butt House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Prime Video

Best actress Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone joins Anna to discuss her powerful performance in Martin Scorsese’s American chronicle crime thriller Killers of the Flower Moon, now streaming globally on Apple TV+. Gladstone’s Mollie Kyle is an Osage Native American, and heir to the oil-rich, Osage-owned land in 1920s Oklahoma that white settlers are desperate to get their hands on. By turns richly emotional and crackling with humour, her nuanced portrayal foregrounds the story of Mollie and her fellow women in the community as an integral part of the film. Making history as the first Native American woman to receive a best actress nomination, Lily’s performance is a powerful testament to the suffering of the Osage women, and their incredible strength in the face of it. She joined Anna after a screening of the film in Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel, where she shared the depth of her preparation for the role, from spending time with the real Mollie’s family to wearing a 100-year-old Osage blanket as part of her costume. She talks working with Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese – now the most nominated living director in Oscars history. Praising his skill and sensitivity in telling the story of Killers of the Flower Moon, she also makes a call to support Native American filmmakers bringing their own narratives to the screen – and answers questions from our audience. —-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Subscribe to our newsletter and invitation list to hear about future screenings by emailing: [email protected] 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: Heather Dempsey Assistant Producer: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Jack Howard House band: MX Tyrants Photographer: Julie Edwards This episode is in partnership with Apple Original Films and Killers of the Flower Moon

Oscar and BAFTA nominee Carey Mulligan returns to Girls On Film for a very special episode celebrating her performance in the towering epic Maestro, currently on Netflix. Carey plays Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, opposite director Bradley Cooper as composer Leonard Bernstein, and her performance is spellbinding. She joined host Anna Smith after a screening of Maestro in London on 23rd January 2024 - the very day she was announced as a nominee for the Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role. This exclusive recording sees Carey sharing her thoughts on preparing for this complex role, working with Bradley Cooper and the incredible craft departments such as Hair and Make-Up. Recalling Carey’s first appearance on episode 3 of Girls On Film, Anna and Carey spoke frankly about how things have progressed for women in film, and how much has changed since we launched the podcast. You can also hear Carey answering questions from our audience of Girls On Film listeners. Other films mentioned in this episode: Promising Young Woman (dir. Emerald Fennell) She Said (dir. Maria Schrader) Subscribe to our newsletter and invitation list to hear about future screenings by emailing: [email protected] 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 Assistant Producer: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Jack Howard Live sound recordist: Cam Griffiths House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Netflix Photo: Julie Edwards Photography © HLA Agency

This week, Anna Smith welcomes Nicole Newnham back to Girls On Film to discuss her documentary The Disappearance of Shere Hite. The film sheds light on the groundbreaking sexologist and former Playboy model Shere Hite, who in 1976 published The Hite Report, dubbed ‘a sexual revolution in 600 pages’. Taking the intimate experiences of thousands of women across the world as its basis, Hite and a small team of grassroots feminists exposed some of the harmful ideas around female sexuality that were prevalent at the time. In this episode, Nicole describes how she first got involved in the project, about the contemporary relevance of Shere Hite, and how Dakota Johnson became the voice of Shere Hite. With Anna, Nicole discusses some of the tragedy as well as triumph in the story of Shere Hite and the desire to explore what she calls the ‘the architecture of silence’ that attempted to remove Hite from the history books. Other films mentioned in this episode: Crip Camp, Nicole Newnham and James Lebrecht, 2020 You can watch The Disappearance of Shere Hite from the 12th January in UK cinemas. 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: Charlotte Matheson Audio editor: Alex Jones House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Dogwoof and NBC Universal © HLA Agency