Talking Films: November Meet Up

Welcome to Sydenham Arts Film’s new venture! Every month, first online and eventually, hopefully, face to face, we will… Meet Up to discuss some of our favourites moving images. These could be films, documentaries or series that are currently screening on TV or are available on any of the streaming platforms (subscription or free). This month we start with a timely bang, looking back to October to celebrate both BHM and Halloween, while keeping an eye on the most extraordinary US election.

Watch as much or as little as you like of this month’s Talking Films playlist ahead of the MeetUp, and then catch up with the group! We’re looking forward to hearing your opinions, ideas, and vigorous discussions!!

Film: “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

14 years after his Oscar nominated, cult, timeless, daring comedy, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”, Sacha Baron Cohen returns as the Kazakh TV journalist on a new mission to America. Shot in absolute secrecy in the midst of the pandemic, with both Cohen and newcomer Maria Bakalova (who plays Borat’s teenage daughter) staying in character for hours on end, if not days, the film, which premiered on October 23, instantly gained notoriety for catching President Trump’s lawyer and former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani in a compromising position. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Suggested discussion points:

• Critics mostly praised the film but noted that it lucks the originality and timelessness of the first one. Do you agree?
• Could this be one of, if not the most feminist films of last year, and why?
• Chose and argue for your favourite prank.
• Is it Oscar worthy?
• When talking to each other in Kazakh, Cohen is actually speaking Hebrew, Bacalova, Bulgarian and Dani Popescu, who plays the president of Kazakhstan, Romanian. Any ideas why?

Documentaries: “Mo Gilligan: Black British and Funny”, “The Talk”

Platform: All4

Channel 4 commissioned for and included these two documentaries in its BHM diverse programme across all its TV channels and streaming platform.

In the first one, comedian and star of “Celebrity Gogglebox”, Mo Gilligan traces his comedic roots, revealing the inexcusably under the radar, rich and vibrant British black comedy culture of the last 30 years.

In the second, well known in the public arena Britons, some with their parents, some with their children, share their experience with systemic racism and the talk they had or didn’t have about it growing up.

Suggested discussion points:

• Isn’t it ironic that in a country that is renowned the world over for its sense of humor, its thriving Black comedy circuit remains mostly hidden?
• Comedy can be very particular and personal. But isn’t that one of the ways it breaks down barriers and becomes irresistibly universal?
• “I understand that I don’t understand, but I still stand” was one of Black Lives Matter main mottos. Does it make more sense now?
• Should we always remind ourselves that there is a difference of experience growing up white or black, male or female, and everything in between?

Series: “Lovecraft Country”

Channel: Sky Atlantic, available on demand on Sky and Now TV

Based on Matt Ruff’s dark fantasy horror novel, this imaginative, original and wonderfully bonkers series created by Misha Green (“Underground”, “Helix”, “Sons of Anarchy”), explores the unexpected conjunction between H.P. Lovecraft’s fiction and racism in the US during the 50s. And it does so by following Atticus Freeman as he embarks on a road trip with his friend, Letitia, and his uncle George, in search of his missing father. Initially. Because after episode 2 it takes some wild and continuously jaw dropping turns.

Suggested discussion points:

• Any thoughts on the distinctive use of mainly primary (red, blue, and yellow) colours and the near absence of white?
• Name the fantasy/horror sub-genre that each of the first 5 episodes could fit under.
• Any comments on the extremely varied and effective soundtrack that includes Naomi Wadler’s speech “’m here to say never again for black girls too” at the March for Our Lives rally (Ep. 8) and Janet League’s original recording “Dark Phrases” from Brodway’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” (Ep. 5).
• What attracts Ruby to Christina and visa versa, and didn’t they both deserved better in the end?
• Chose and argue for your favourite episode.

Series: “Ghosts”, “What We Do in the Shadows”

Platform: iPlayer

The first season of “Ghosts” was the highest rated British comedy TV series of 2019. No wonder that the BBC commission a second, which concluded on September 21, a Christmas Special to air this December, and a third season for 2021. Created by the same people who gifted us “Horrible Histories” and now star as some of the titular ghosts, it tells the at times hilarious or unexpectedly emotive, but always uplifting story of a young couple inheriting a country home, and having to learn to coexist with the spirits that haunt it.

Suggested discussion points:

• Comedy is nothing but tragedy turn on its head, is it not?
• Chose and argue for your favourite episode.
• Chose and argue for your favourite character, dead or alive.

“What We Do in the Shadows” is created by New Zealanders, writers, actors, and directors Jemaine Clement and Oscar winner Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit”). It is inspired by and takes place in the same universe as their original, insanely cult, 2014 film of the same name (which is also available on iPlayer). And it is shot as a reality TV show, documenting the everyday lives of 3 “regular” and 1 “psychic” vampires, navigating the pitfalls of the here and now of  Staten Island, with the help of one of their familiars, the surprising resilient Guillermo.

Suggested discussion points:

Comment on the juxtaposition of reality TV norms with the Vampiric mythos tropes.

• Can you name all the famous actors/cult personalities who guest star as Vampires on S01E07, “The Trial” and on S02E06, “On the Run”?
• Chose and argue for your favourite episode.
• Chose and argue for your favourite character.