Watershed Podcast

This month's podcast discusses all things family at Watershed and shares some of the highlights of Bugs on Film, our school holiday season of films and workshops though out August and into early September.So get your summer holidays started with a crawl into our fun family season celebrating all things miniature, as we get down amongst the undergrowth to explore the world of some of life’s tiniest creations – bugs.

The July podcast looks forward to Cinema Rediscovered – a chance to discover some of the finest new digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities from across the globe where they were meant to be experienced – on the big screen.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, talks about how Cinema Rediscovered came about, how it fits into the annual film calendar and shares his own must sees of the weekend.

In this month's podcast cinema curator Mark Cosgrove and film writer Tara Judah make the case for melodrama; and explore its heightened tension, searing emotions and progressive female characters.Also ahead of Watershed's first ever season of immersive experiences in virtual reality, Mark asks curator and producer Catherine Allen what is Virtual Reality. They consider how VR relates to film, what is it that is unique about this new art form and Catherine offers recommendations on how you can explore more VR at home.

To mark the centenary of the Russian Revolution Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator and Andrew Kelly, Director Bristol Festival of Ideas, discuss upcoming films and events in May.They talk about the part cinema played in romanticising revolution, the optimism of international socialism, and how some directors making films in a revolutionary context were seeking new forms of audience participation.

There is plenty to get your ears and eyes into in April as we celebrate the creative connections between film and music through screenings and performances as a part of Filmic.Mark Cosgrove, Cinema Curator at Watershed, talks about the initial inspiration behind Filmic, some of the past highlights and what to look forward to this month – including film season Celebrating Female Composers plus live performances of the scores to Under the Skin and Koyaanisqatsi.

A Taste of South Korean Cinema is on the menu in Watershed's March Podcast. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer discuss what it is about South Korean cinema that makes it so dynamic and unique. Ahead of a weekend of South Korean films in early March and new films later in March and April, The Handmaiden and Age of Shadows respectively, they discuss its culture of social critique and genre based filmmaking and how compeelingly it subverts standard tropes.

What is it about new film Moonlight that is so extraordinary? Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Edson Burton and Lize Chege from curators collective Come The Revolution, discuss this much anticipated new release. Listen to their thoughts on the film and why they see it as a gamechanger – a brilliant and bold statement about the art and craft of film.

A look ahead at some of the film highlights coming up in early 2017 at Watershed. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, look forward to a rich year in cinema and share the films that they are looking forward to seeing on the big screen at the start of 2017.

This months podcast reflects on the year in cinema at Watershed and revisits some of the standout films of 2016. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, pick the cream of the crop in independent and world cinema for 2016 and select their top 5 films of the year.

A round up of some of the fantastic films coming to Watershed over the next three months. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator and Sven de Hondt, independent film blogger and programmer, discuss film highlights from the recent Toronto and London Film Festival and how their faith in quality world and independent cinema has been restored.

Highlights and insights into Watershed's two-month long season Black Star, celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, in conversation with co-curators for the season Come the Revolution, on the meaning and films that celebrate black acting talent.

September at Watershed sees the arrival of Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival. Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, looks forward to the festival and to discovering some of the most exciting new films being made. He also discusses how short films are not just rites of passage to feature films, but perfectly formed pieces of creativity which work on their own terms.

August at Watershed celebrates the films of Roald Dahl. In this month's podcast Roseanna Dias, Watershed's Engagement Projects Coordinator and Sally Griffith, Roald Dahl On Film programmer, discuss the enduring appeal of Roald Dahl to audiences young and old, and to filmmakers – along with highlights of the films and events at both Watershed and Chapter in Cardiff.

In anticipation of July's Cinema Rediscovered festival at Watershed, which celebrates classic and contemporary films back on the big screen, this month's podcast discusses some of the highlights from the festival and explores what it is that makes cinema going so unique. Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove and writer, broadcaster and critic Tara Judah share what it is that they find so beguiling about cinema and which films in particular they are looking forward to seeing back on the big screen.

Observations and reflections from the Cannes Film Festival 2016 by Watershed Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove. Mark comments that 2016 was a vintage year for Cannes and discusses how melodrama is back, films exploring the moral maze, the cinema of dissent; and poetic visions of the world through new, surprising, urgent and moving cinema.

This month Watershed screens a season of films exploring the work of influential composer and director John Carpenter. Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discusses the historic links between music and film from the early days of cinema, via Psycho and Jaws to the era defining and groundbreaking scores of John Carpenter.

Screening at Watershed this month is unforgettable Holocaust drama Son of Saul. Watershed's Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove discusses the film and the morality of the creative choices inherent in making films that portray human atrocities.

2016's Berlinale Film Festival opened with a focus on the humanitarian crisis that is currently unfolding around us. Watershed's Cinema Curator Mark Cosgrove was at the festival and reports back on the winning film Fire at Sea – a powerful study of migrant crisis. He also shares his pick of the crop with new films from Isabelle Huppert, Gerard Depardieu, Terence Davies and a shocking documentary on the state of internet security today.

Through the late 40's and 50's America's House Committee on Un-American Activities waged a war against communists and communist sympathisers, with special attention paid to the film industry. Through this period a significant number of screenwriters, directors and actors were called to account for their alleged beliefs, ruining lives and careers along the way. In this month's podcast Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, discusses this dark time in Hollywood and the release this month of the entertaining and illuminating Trumbo – about the Hollywood screenwriter who was blacklisted after refusing to testify to the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1947.

After a visit to what will be probably the highest grossing film of all time – Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator reflects on the fact that on average the UK population goes to the cinema only twice per year. What does this mean for a diverse film culture? However all is not lost as Mark looks forward to some of the varied, high quality and, yes, entertaining films coming to Watershed in early 2016.