Seventh Row podcast
The Seventh Row podcast is a weekly podcast in which we compare and contrast films to discover new insights and context for (mostly foreign and independent) films both new and old. Our panel always features at least 50% women, and is a combination of critics, film lovers, and academics.
Episodes from the last six months are free; older episodes and bonus weekly episodes are available to members only.
Seventh Row editors build on each other’s ideas for greater insights, a team effort that we invite you to join. An episode accompanies every ebook, and we cover other films, too!
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Latest episodes
Ep. 37: Subverting the western, featuring Meek’s Cutoff
Kelly Reichardt has directed two films set in the 19th century American West, Meek’s Cutoff (2010) and First Cow (2019). To explore how she differs from the traditional Western genre, we compare her films with Oregon-set Bend of the River (1952) and cow film Red River (1948).
Ep. 36: Abortion on screen and Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Inspired by Eliza Hittman’s new drama, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, we discuss various depictions of abortion on screen ranging from this year’s Saint Frances to Obvious Child and 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days. For this discussion, Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney is joined by Executive Editor Orla Smith and guest Lindsay Pugh of Woman in Revolt.
Ep. 35: The Invisible Man and Unsane
Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man re-imagines the Universal Monsters character as a stalker. The theme reminded us of one of Seventh Row’s favourite films, Stephen Soderbergh’s Unsane (2018), so we had to discuss them in conversation with each other.
Ep. 34: On women in film criticism with Lindsay Pugh
In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney and Executive Editor Orla Smith have a wide ranging conversation about film criticism and more specifically women in film criticism with Lindsay Pugh of Woman in Revolt. They begin discussing our new ebook, Portraits of Resistance: The Cinema of Céline Sciamma and the conversation evolves to cover Seventh Row’s approach to putting together books and the lack of good film criticism on women directors.
Ep. 33: Comparing Emma adaptations
In this episode, we compare and contrast three adaptations of Emma: The 2020 Autumn de Wilde film, the 2009 BBC mini-series, and the 1996 Douglas McGrath films. We discuss the films’ differing approaches to characters, comedy, and class. Special guest Caitlin Merriman joins Executive Editor Orla Smith and episode host Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney.
Ep. 32: Sorry We Missed You and Peterloo
Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, two long time British directors, are frequently compared to each other, despite having significantly different approaches. In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney is joined by Executive Editor Orla Smith and Associate Editor Brett Pardy to discuss how Loach and Leigh approach politics, character, and much more.
Ep. 31: Women in Horror Month 2020
For Women in Horror month, Executive Editor Orla Smith speaks to four women horror critics about why they love the genre and their recent favourite horror films.
Ep. 30: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Our latest episode of the Seventh Row podcast is the perfect companion piece to our new ebook, Portraits of Resistance. Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney is joined by Executive Editor Orla Smith and Associate Editor Brett Pardy to discuss Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady of Fire, a chapter-by-chapter breakdown, behind-the-scenes stories of the book, and reader reactions.
Ep. 29: Films about finite romance
How is the romantic film genre changing? Find out, as editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney and Executive Editor Orla Smith discuss a recent trend of films about the finite nature of romances – including site favourites On Chesil Beach, Call Me By Your Name, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, and more.
Ep. 28: 1917 and Jarhead — Sam Mendes’ war films
1917 is an awards favourite, but its blocking is the real reason we wanted to discuss it. In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney is joined by Associate Editor Brett Pardy and special guest Debbie Zhou
Ep. 27: Comparing Little Women adaptations
In this episode, we compare and contrast two film adaptations of Little Women: Gilian Armstrong’s 1994 film and Greta Gerwig’s 2019 one.
Ep. 26: Our 2019 in Review
Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney and Executive Editor Orla Smith recap Seventh Row’s eventful 2019, discuss our four 2019 ebooks, and preview next year’s slate.