Writers on Film
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Writers on Film is the only podcast to focus on film books and to talk to the best authors working in the area of cinema. From Making Of tomes to biographies, studies to novelisations, author and film critic John Bleasdale is fascinated by where the written word intersects with the world of the big screen. Get bonus content on Patreon A proud part of the Film Stories Podcast Network: www.filmstories.co.uk
Episodes
- J.G. Ballard on Film
Dr. Brian Baker discusses film adaptations of J.G. Ballard's works, such as "Empire of the Sun," "Crash," and "High Rise," in this episode of Writers on Film. The discussion includes well-known and lesser-known films.
- Cinema Italia: Salvatore Giuliano
On Writers on Film, Nicholas Bell and John Bleasdale discuss the 1962 film Salvatore Giuliano, directed by Francesco Rosi.
- Robert Kolker David Wyatt Discuss The Film Auteur
Robert Kolker and David Wyatt explore the history of auteur theory, detailing its roots in late 1940s French film criticism and its evolution with American critic Andrew Sarris in the 1960s.
- John Rain on ThunderBook and SmershPod
John Rain, host of the Smersh Pod podcast and author of Thunder Book, SuperBook, and Explodobook, is featured on Writers on Film.
- Pamela Hutchinson on The Curse of Queen Kelly
The podcast episode discusses "The Curse of Queen Kelly," an unfinished silent film from the late 1920s. It details the ambitious but scandalous production involving star Gloria Swanson, director Erich von Stroheim, and financier Joseph P.…
- Acting and Performance in Hitchcock
This episode discusses the significance of acting in Alfred Hitchcock's films, challenging his dismissive attitude towards actors. The conversation centers on a collection of essays analyzing key performances and acting as a thematic eleme…
- Adrian Martin on Filmmakers Thinking
This episode of Writers on Film features Adrian Martin discussing his book, Filmmakers Thinking, which explores the historical and theoretical reflections of filmmakers on their craft and the medium of cinema.
- Stephen Volk on Gothic, GhostWatch and Weird Reality
Stephen Volk, a Welsh screenwriter known for horror films such as Gothic and The Guardian, discusses his work, including the BBC pseudo-documentary Ghostwatch.
- Gabriel Byrne on his Memoirs
Gabriel Byrne, Irish actor and writer, discusses his memoir Walking with Ghosts. The episode is part of the Writers on Film series.
- Partially Devoured with Daniel Kraus
Daniel Kraus, a New York Times bestselling author known for novels like Angel Down and Whalefall, discusses his work in novels, TV, and film. He also co-wrote The Shape of Water with Guillermo del Toro.
- Adventures in Autuerism with Daniel Kremer
This episode features author Daniel Kremer discussing his book on appreciating undervalued film directors, with a foreword by Joe Dante. Kremer presents a philosophy for venerating forgotten filmmakers.
- Ashley Clark and The World of Black Film
Ashley Clark discusses 'The World of Black Film,' a survey of significant global Black cinema. The episode also mentions the book 'African Cinema: Politics & Culture' by Manthia Diawara.
- Kristen Lopez on Popcorn Diabilities
Film critic Kristen Lopez examines the portrayal of disability in Hollywood over the past century in her book, Popcorn Disabilities.
- Thomas Golianopoulos talks John Singleton: Boyz N the Hood to Snowfall
Thomas Golianopoulos discusses filmmaker John Singleton's career, covering his work from Boyz N the Hood to Snowfall. The discussion is based on "The Life of Singleton," a book featuring interviews with those close to Singleton.
- Martin Scorsese by Ian Nathan
This episode explores the career of filmmaker Martin Scorsese, detailing his impact on cinema over 50 years. It covers his exploration of themes like power and morality, his collaborations, and his lasting place in film history.
- Sir Christopher Frayling on The Hollywood History of Art
This episode explores Hollywood's depiction of famous artists in feature films, citing examples from the sound era to recent productions. It mentions actors who portrayed figures such as Cellini, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo.
- Greta Gerwig by Laura Venning
This episode of Writers on Film features Laura Venning exploring the career of director Greta Gerwig. John Bleasdale's novel Connery is also mentioned.
- Hurricane Billy: The Life of William Friedkin with Nat Segaloff
This episode of Writers on Film features a discussion about William Friedkin's life and work, referencing his books such as 'Hurricane Billy'.
- Don't Look Now (and then) with Justin John Doherty
Justin John Doherty's new book, DON’T LOOK NOW AND THEN, delves into Nicolas Roeg’s film using hundreds of previously unpublished photographs and documents. The book offers new perspectives on the making of the film and its impact, with co…
- Tom Shone: Best Movies of 2025
In this episode, author Tom Shone shares his picks for the best films of 2025, his biggest cinematic disappointments, and his perspective on anticipated 2026 releases from directors Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg.
- 2025 Writers on Film Round Up
In this episode, the host reflects on 2025, discussing books, films, festivals, and previous guests. The discussion also covers the writing of works related to Jonathan Glazer and Sean Connery.
- John Waters: Michelle E. Moore Praises the Pope of Trash
This episode features Michelle E. Moore discussing a new book that offers a comprehensive study of John Waters's work, exploring his themes, style, and impact on collaborators and audiences, including a retrospective interview with Waters…
- Mike Miley on David Lynch
This episode explores David Lynch's films, examining how they engage with literary and musical traditions, not just cinematic ones. The discussion, based on the book "David Lynch
- Joseph McBride talks I Loved Movies But...
Joseph McBride, a veteran film critic, teacher, and screenwriter, discusses his career and his new memoir/interview book "I Loved Movies But..." with Danny Peary. The episode covers his work on films like Rock n Roll High School and his ex…
- The Death of Cinema? with Thomas Flight
Writers on Film features YouTuber and documentary filmmaker Thomas Flight discussing the topic of 'The Death of Cinema?'. Flight is known for his visual essays on cinema and writes for various publications.
- The History of the Western Movie with Jem Duducu
Jem Duducu
- Tom Shone on The Greengrass Papers
Author Tom Shone discusses his book, The Greengrass Papers, which explores the career of director Paul Greengrass. The conversation covers Greengrass's notable films, from The Murder of Stephen Lawrence to his latest work.
- David Hughes on Night Moves by Alan Sharp
A special edition of Alan Sharp
- Ellen E Jones on Screen Deep: How Film and TV Can Solve Racism and Save the World
This episode features Ellen E Jones discussing her book 'Screen Deep: How Film and TV Can Solve Racism and Save the World,' which won the Kraszna-Krausz Moving Image Book Award.
- Ellen E Jones on the Kraszna-Krausz Moving Image Book Award
Ellen E Jones, winner of the 2025 Kraszna-Krausz Moving Image Book Awards, is the guest on the Writers on Film podcast. An event celebrating Jones's win will be held at the Barbican on October 27th.
- The Pordenone Silent Film Festival with James Harrison and Neil Brand
Host speaks with James Harrison of South West Silents and author, musician, and dramatist Neil Brand about the Pordenone Silent Film Festival, also known as the Giornate del Cinema Muto.
- Rear Window with Jennifer O'Callaghan
This episode of Writers on Film discusses Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 masterpiece, Rear Window. It delves into the film's production, themes of voyeurism and paranoia, and behind-the-scenes details, including insights from the papers of Hitchc…
- Jonathan Demme by David M. Stewart
This episode of Writers on Film features a discussion about Jonathan Demme, presented by David M. Stewart.
- The Malick Hours: BADLANDS
This episode features a conversation with Tom Shone focusing on Terrence Malick's debut film, Badlands (1973). The discussion touches on the film's status as a true crime drama and its impact on seventies cinema.
- Julie Seabaugh on Roast Battles and Marc Maron
Julie Seabaugh, a writer covering the comedy scene, discusses her work including "A Tight Twenty" and "Ringside at Roast Battle," as well as her new documentary on Marc Maron titled "Are We Good?"
- Single and Psycho: with Caroline Young
In "Single and Psycho," Caroline Young examines the pervasive stereotype of the "damaged single woman" across music, literature, and film, connecting it to social trends and personal experiences. The book analyzes how these portrayals infl…
- Making Monsters with Marshall Julius and Howard Berger
Academy Award-winning make-up artist Howard Berger and journalist Marshall Julius discuss the creation of movie monsters, drawing on interviews with directors, actors, and effects artists. Their book, "Making Monsters," explores the histor…
- Will Sloan on Ed Wood Jr: Made in Hollywood
Will Sloan's critical study examines Ed Wood Jr., known as the "worst director of all time," repositioning him as a maverick independent filmmaker. The analysis challenges the boundary between "bad" and "good" in Wood's work, particularly…
- Venice Film Festival Part Two
Bilge Ebiri joins the podcast to discuss Olivier Assayas's The Wizard of the Kremlin, Kathryn Bigelow's A House of Dynamite, and Kaouther ben Hania's The Voice of Hind Rajab.
- Venice Film Festival Part One
Nicholas Bell from IONCINEMA and the host discuss films from the 82nd Venice Film Festival, covering titles such as La Grazia, Frankenstein, After the Hunt, Bugonia, No Other Choice, and The Smashing Machine.
- Screaming and Conjuring with Clark Collis
Clark Collis's book "Screaming and Conjuring" examines the horror genre's renaissance from 1996 to 2013, detailing the production of influential films like Scream and The Conjuring. It features insights from genre figures and behind-the-sc…
- The Zone of Interest
This episode reviews 'The Zone of Interest' and Jonathan Glazer's broader filmography, discussing his impactful work in cinema, commercials, and music videos, as detailed in the book 'Darkness Visible.' The discussion covers his formal con…
- The Life and Death of Peter Sellers author Roger Lewis
Roger Lewis's biography, "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers," details the comedian's career and exposes his private struggles with violence, addiction, and relationships, concluding with his early death.
- Visible Darkness: UNDER THE SKIN
This podcast episode, originally broadcast two years ago, discusses Maureen Foster's book "Under the Skin" and its inspiration for "Visible Darkness: The Cinema of Jonathan Glazer."
- Film Critic Xan Brooks on his novel The Catchers
Xan Brooks, a long-time film critic and journalist for The Guardian, discusses his new novel, The Catchers. His previous work includes hosting the program Film Weekly.
- Birth: David Thomson talks Jonathan Glazer's second film
This episode features David Thomson discussing Jonathan Glazer's filmography, covering his major works like Sexy Beast, Under the Skin, and The Zone of Interest, as detailed in the book "Darkness Visible: the Cinema of Jonathan Glazer". Th…
- Shawn Levy talks CLINT
Shawn Levy discusses his biography of Clint Eastwood, described as a revelatory portrait of the actor-director and American cultural icon. The book received accolades from The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The New Yorker.
- Sexy Beast
This episode of Writers on Film features a discussion with Kaleem Aftab about Jonathan Glazer's first feature film, Sexy Beast. The conversation coincides with the release of the book Darkness Visible The Cinema of Jonathan Glazer.
- A Bollywood State of Mind with Sunny Singh
Novelist and film academic Sunny Singh discusses the history and evolution of Bollywood cinema, tracing its journey from early theatre and silent films to contemporary blockbusters and its reflection of societal changes.
- Rob Spera talks about his Film and TV Director's Field Manual
Rob Spera, a director of numerous features and TV shows, discusses his book, the Film and TV Director's Field Manual. The book offers maxims on the art and ethics of filmmaking for aspiring and current directors.