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Alison Gardner, Rebecca Harrison and Nick Varley discuss what makes a classic film.Di INTO FILM

In the primary episode of this months podcast we explore the themes of family, on screen representation, and anti bullying in the extremely popular children's film A Wrinkle in Time. The film tells the story of Meg Murry, a high-school-aged girl who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother Charles Wallace and h…

In the first segment of this episode we discuss how Love, Simon is a game changer for gay representation in teenage cinema, with it being the first film from a major studio to address the subject.In the second segment we explore the historical and cultural significance of The Rape of Recy Taylor, a documentary which investigates the rape of Recy Ta…

Into Film interviewed both director Lenny Abrahamson and actor Domhnall Gleeson for a podcast in advance of The Little Stranger’s theatrical release (21 September). We asked them a wide variety of questions about their approach to the film, its characters, and its themes, designed specifically to support English Literature teachers using The Little…

BBC Radio 4, The Film Programme - Into Film co-founder Beeban Kidron talks to fellow director Hope Dickson Leach about empowering women in the film industry, with particular focus on female directors. This interview is part of the programme's ongoing strand, 'This Woman's Work.'Di INTO FILM

In this podcast we discuss gender and politics in films The Post, the true-life story of The Washington Post, and its owner Katherine Graham's fight to publish documents exposing the US Government's cover-up of the realities of the Vietnam War, and A Fantastic Woman, in which Marina, a transgender woman working as a nightclub singer and waitress in…

We explore the themes of family, memory, legacy and the power of music in the popular animation Coco, which tells a cultural story about Diá de Muertos: the Day of the Dead, through the eyes of Miguel, a 12 year old Mexican boy. Celebrated from 31 October to 2 November by Mexicans around the world, the holiday sees families and friends gathering to…

This podcast explores the global refugee crisis in Ai Weiwei's documentary Human Flow and how best to view and discuss the film in the classroom, and the politics and satire of Armando Iannucci's The Death of Stalin.Human Flowhttps://www.intofilm.org/films/19076Refugee Week Resourcehttps://www.intofilm.org/resources/74People and Democracy film list…

In this podcast we discuss Paddington Bear's latest adventure thwarting Hugh Grant's villainous Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2 which was a huge hit with audiences, and themes such as community, teamwork and staying true to yourself.Paddington 2https://www.intofilm.org/films/19013The value of kindness and politeness with Paddington 2https://www.in…

In this podcast, we focus on Child's Eye Filmmaking, with two extraordinary films, told from the perspectives of the young child protagonists, I Am Not a Witch, and The Florida Project. I Am Not A Witchhttps://www.intofilm.org/films/19055I Am Not a Witch Interview with director Rungano Nyonihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE8eUU7SkWo&t=172sBAFTA Ou…

Adapted from the best selling U.S. set novel, young Auggie Pullman has been born with facial differences. Embarrassed about his appearance, and fanatical about science, he wears an astronaut’s helmet. As he starts attending mainstream school for the first time, Auggie tries to fit in and make everyone realise that he is no different to anybody else…

We explore the themes of family, anti-bullying, teamwork and resilience in the riotously funny Lego Ninjago movie, the third movie in the Lego series, after The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie. The Lego Ninjago Filmhttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18973Captain Underpants Podcasthttps://soundcloud.com/into-film-archive/captain-underpants-primary…

In this episode we discuss the science and the science fiction behind two movies that come from different ends of the scientific spectrum - Blade Runner 2049, set in an imagined future, which asks questions about the nature of humanity and empathy, and Breathe, set in the real life past of the 1950s, which also explores the nature of humanity and e…

In this podcast, we speak to a production co-ordinator, a location manager and a first assistant director and discover what their jobs involve on a day to day basis and the skills and training needed.Di INTO FILM

To celebrate our Women in Animation film screenings taking place from 5 - 9 March 2018 across the UK, we explore the filmmaking techniques involved in bringing to life Ava, the robot at the centre of the drama in Ex-Machina, and the hand crafted, oil-painted animation of Loving Vincent.Ex-Machina:Film Guide:https://www.intofilm.org/resources/76VFX …

To celebrate Into Film's Women in Animation film screenings taking place from 5 - 9 March 2018 across the UK, we discuss the oldest surviving animated film in the world. Created by director Lotte Reiniger in 1926, this cut out animation is a magical fantasy adventure which will delight young children everywhere and inspire them to use this simple s…

For National Storytelling Week (27 Jan - 3 Feb 2018), we discuss how stories about real historical events are told in the masterful films Dunkirk and Detroit, directed respectively by two of the most exciting film makers working today, Christopher Nolan and Kathryn Bigelow.World War 2 film listhttps://www.intofilm.org/films/filmlist/83Dunkirkhttps:…

To celebrate National Storytelling Week (27 Jan - 3 Feb 2018) we recommend for young audiences the cheeky delights of Captain Underpants, an anarchic animated family comedy full of toilet humour and pranks, and adapted from a hugely successful collection of stories.Captain Underpantshttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18970Zip and Zap and the Marble Gan…

We discuss the film making craft in the energetic British thriller Baby Driver, and the themes around gender and growing up in the stunning Japanese body-swap animation Your Name.Baby Driver Film Guidewww.intofilm.org/films/18956Your Name Resourcehttps://www.intofilm.org/resources/1308Your Name Film Guidewww.intofilm.org/films/18834…

Take your primary school age students on a journey with Rock Dog Bodi as he sets out to realize his dream of becoming a rock musician. This fun and inspiring story encourages young audiences to work together and to harness the power of their individual creativity.Film Guide:www.intofilm.org/resources/1352Articlewww.intofilm.org/news-and-views/artic…

Q&A with art director Lydia Fry about her work on the film Bladerunner 2049, recorded at the Into Film Festival 2017. Lydia talks about how she got into a career as an art director and the unusual places where she finds inspiration for her design work on movies.Di INTO FILM

In this episode we look at some of the films screening in the Into Film Festival 2017 which runs from 8 - 24 November in cinemas all across the UK, suitable for secondary school age students.Into Film Festivalhttps://www.intofilm.org/events/festivalStephttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18995Little Menhttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18806Little Men film…

In this episode we look at some of the films screening in the Into Film Festival 2017 which runs from 8 - 24 November in cinemas all across the UK, suitable for primary school age students.Into Film Festivalhttps://www.intofilm.org/events/festivalLandfill Harmonichttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18976Landfill Harmonic film guidehttps://www.intofilm.o…

In this episode we discuss two very different movies to watch with your secondary school-age filmclubs, the comedy-horror Get Out with its themes around racism and prejudice, and the dialogue-free animation The Red Turtle, a gentle reflection on the human life cycle.Get Outhttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18890https://www.intofilm.org/resources/1321T…

This touching and funny French animation, from filmmaker Céline Sciamma, director of the brilliant Tomboy and, for older audiences, Girlhood, is about a little boy nicknamed Courgette who is taken into care.We discuss why this perceptive, gentle and uplifting film about friendship and child welfare is a great film to watch with primary school age s…

In this podcast we discuss two films exploring female characters in period dramas - the delightful 'Their Finest' starring Gemma Arterton who is hired to write Informational Films during the Second World War and 'Lady Macbeth' a dark, unsettling drama starring Florence Pugh as the eponymous heroine of the story.Their Finest film guidehttps://www.in…

Zip and Zap and The Marble Gang is a brilliant Spanish-language adventure story to watch with your primary school age students. Based on a Spanish comic strip, it's a great introduction to Spanish language learning, the action zips along with imagination, charm and wit, celebrating the right to play and championing children who break the mould.Zip …

Scottish Development Executive Gavin Glendinning works for Qwerty Films, the production company behind films such as The Duchess, Suite Francaise and Florence Foster Jenkins. Here he describes his work and how he got into the industry, he discusses opportunities for filmmakers in Scotland, and he tells us how one of the highlights of his job was si…

The Pride Festival takes place in June and July, and to celebrate, we have a fascinating interview with the screenwriter of The Danish Girl, Lucinda Coxon. The Danish Girl is a period drama depicting the true story of transgender Danish artist Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of male to female sex reassignment surgery. In this interview…

Featuring interviews with Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, we explore the themes of love, loss and family in the powerful true story Lion. In the second part of the podcast we discuss La La Land, an unashamedly sentimental musical referencing the Golden Age of Hollywood, which won the 2017 Oscars for Best Director, Best Actress, Cinematography, Product…

The Lego Batman movie features the caped crusader as he returns for a hilarious crime-fighting adventure in Gotham City. Batman has always prided himself on being a solo crime fighter, but he is learning that it can be lonely being a superhero by yourself. Exploring themes of friendship, teamwork and family, this animation is the perfect end of ter…

An inspiring podcast for anyone interested in working as an actor in film, learn about the craft of acting from British actress Hayley Atwell, who is internationally known for playing the feisty character of Agent Peggy Carter in the Captain America movie series, as well as starring in British films such as Testament of Youth and Cinderella.Captain…

British Actor Asa Butterfield talks about his new film The Space Between Us, its amazing soundtrack, the similarities between him and Gardner, the character that he plays, and the locations that he filmed in.He also reveals how being an actor has helped him to relate to people in real life. Asa began acting at the age of eight after a casting direc…

In this podcast episode we discuss how The Edge of Seventeen offers a fresh perspective on the teen film genre and sensitively explores issues around adolescent mental health.In the second part of the podcast, we explore themes in A Monster Calls, in which Conor, a 12-year-old boy who is facing up to his mother's serious illness must learn to under…

This remarkable documentary tells the story of Aisholpan, a 13-year old Kazakh girl living in the remote Altai Mountains of Mongolia, who is determined to become an eagle hunter like her father - a tradition usually reserved for men. We discuss how the filmmakers captured the beauty of the landscape and introduced audiences to Aisholpan, an inspira…

A fascinating insight into the world of prolific UK producer, Damian Jones, whose hit films include The Iron Lady, Adulthood, Kidulthood, Millions, The Lady and the Van, Belle and The History Boys. Here, he reveals what a producer does and what inspired him to develop the movie Belle, explains his strategy for promoting films, describes the backgro…

Adapted from a short story by Ted Chiang, critically acclaimed sci-fi film Arrival expands on the themes of communication, language and interpretation, and the notion of time. We discuss how these issues impact the lead character Dr Louise Banks, a linguistics professor, played by Amy Adams, explore the sound and visual design of the film, and reco…

Disney's feature, Moana, is a coming-of-age tale featuring a young girl whose destiny is to become the chief of her Polynesian island. We discuss how the animation and music bring the story to life and how Moana is such an inspiring character for young people.Find out more:Watch interviews on Moana:https://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/m…

Newcastle-based Independent British producer Samm Haillay explains what a producer does, the skills and attitude you need to do the job, and his approach to producing low budget regional feature films.Samm Haillay founded independent production company 'Third' with Duane Hopkins in 2001. He produced Hopkins’ multi-award winning short films and his …

Meet the actor behind Neville Longbottom, the clumsy but keen Herbology student and shy Gryffindor in the Harry Potter films. Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville, talks to students about his journey making the Harry Potter film series, how he got into acting, auditioning for the role, meeting the director Chris Columbus, doing stunts, and the secrets …

We discuss the simplicity of the storytelling in Ken Loach's emotionally wrenching I, Daniel Blake, hear from the film's lead actor Dave Johns, and recommend other films on social injustice and inequality. We also explore the theme of prejudice and politics in the film A United Kingdom and hear from the film's star David Oyelowo.I, Daniel Blakehttp…

Take your primary school age students on an adventurous journey into the colourful and musical world of the Trolls. We discuss themes in the film that you can discuss with your students, such as body Image and identity, healthy friendships, emotional well being and the art of toy design and storytelling. Perfect for an end of term viewing treat.Tro…

We interviewed Director Anna Rose Holmer about her intriguing new movie The Fits, set almost entirely within the confines of a gymnasium in Cincinnati. 11 year old Toni joins The Lionesses, a local dance troupe, and quickly feels empowered by the sense of camaraderie and confidence amongst the slightly older, all-female team. Learning the challengi…

Director Gurinder Chadha discusses her new movie Viceroy's House which depicts the remarkable true story of the last Viceroy of India and his handling of events in 1947 throughout India's last months as a British Colony.VIceroy's House: Empire and Independence Resource:https://www.intofilm.org/resources/1205…

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, we have uploaded this inspiring interview with Malala, the youngest ever Nobel Peace-Prize Winner, in conversation with actress and United Nations Good Will Ambassador Emma Watson. Here Malala discusses her hopes for her charity The Malala Fund which campaigns to give every child an education, and …

Explore two new films suitable for secondary audiences in our latest podcast as we discuss Hunt for the Wilderpeople & Sonita, exploring themes such as creativity and self-expression.Hunt for the Wilderpeople Film Guidehttps://www.intofilm.org/resources/1246Sonita Film Guidehttps://www.intofilm.org/resources/1102…

Explore two new films suitable for primary audiences in our latest podcast as we discuss Kubo and the Two Strings & Phantom Boy, exploring themes such as storytelling.Kubo and the Two Stringshttps://www.intofilm.org/films/18761Behind the Scenes Videohttps://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/kubo-behind-the-scenesPhantom Boy Film Guidehttps:/…

The director of Oscar-nominated movie Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, talks about the inspiration behind making the film and the importance of casting the right actors, actor Naomi Harris discusses her reasons for taking the role of Paula and the research that she did to play her, and actor Mahershala Ali talks about how he avoids stereotypes in his perf…

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has been nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. Here, Eddie talks to us about his best-loved spells, which fantastic beasts he would keep as a pet, and his favourite movies.Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them https://www.intofilm.org/films/18758…