Podcast: The Hate U Give, Burning, Border, Suspiria

Nathaniel R and Murtada Elfadl talk four new films now in theatrical release in select cities

Index (67 minutes)
00:01 The Hate U Give is heavy handed but moving. Amandla Stenberg and Russell Hornsby are very good in it
27:19 Spoiler warning about our discussions of Burning and Border (though in truth we don't get that spoilery. We still speak vaguely but if you wanna go in completely cold, skip!)
28:12 Burning starring Steven Yeun and directed by genius Lee Chang-dong
39:30 Discussion of Oscar's foreign film hopefuls and how they routinely ignores Asian movies
47:00 Sweden's bizarre submission Border and its multiple genres
53:15 Luca Guadagnino's remake of Dario Argento's Suspiria
64:00 Running times and wrap-up.

References / Further Reading
• Nathaniel's review of Burning & Border
• Dan's Review of The Hate U Give
• Chris's review of Wildlife 
• Carey Mulligan drag Instagram cuteness 
• Best Foreign Language Film Predictions

You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you? 

The Hate U Give and more...

Comments

[Suzanne]

Thanks for the discussion of Suspiria. I've been on the fence about seeing it (like Murtada, I was really turned off by the running time), but it sounds like I'd be frustrated by it since I don't have much knowledge of German/European history.

I like hearing you, Nathaniel and Murtada, talk about films.

[Evan]

I haven't seen Suspiria yet, but agree with basically everything else that's said, in particular:

--That the two Stars in The Hate U Give were too similar (though I would probably place some of the blame for this on Amandla Stenberg herself).
--That the scene in the country is the best scene in Burning -- and it's probably one of the top 5 scenes in any film this year for me.
--That though I was somewhat ambivalent about Burning at the time, I think about it constantly these days. I haven't had a film that I didn't initially like be so glued to my brain in a long, long time.

One thing though: I wish you had chatted about what you thought was real and not real in Burning! It's so juicy to contemplate.

I'd also love to hear an actual Korean comment on Steve Yeun's performance. I'm no expert on Korea, but I hear there's a division between native Koreans and kids of Korean ethnicity who were born and grew up in America who go to South Korea. I'd love to hear if Yeun sounds like a Korean-American to native speakers. It would enhance the rivalry between the two characters.

Re: Burning's chances in Best Foreign Language Film, it worries me that Shoplifters is also in the race. I worry the FL committee will choose one or the other...

[Rob]

Listening to you two is really fun - you're both so charming and articulate and entertaining to listen to. Thank you!