Feminist Frequency Radio

Anita and Kat are joined by literature and film studies Professor Julie Grossman—an oft-published scholar who’s penned numerous essays about the classic archetypes of women onscreen and behind the camera in vintage Hollywood. She’s taking us into the 1940s, and specifically the introduction of film noir and the femme fatale for our “Hollywood by the Decade” series. To set the scene for our conversation, we watched two films on Julie’s recommendation: from 1943, Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt, and from 1948, Road House—directed by Jean Nogulesco and starring Ida Lupino before the advent of her directing career. Find Julie Grossman:twitter.com/JulieGrossman1The Femme Fatale - https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-femme-fatale/9780813598246Twin Peaks - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52737979-twin-peaksFind Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

The 1930s saw the introduction of sound in film, the implementation of the Hays code, and marks the beginning of the “Golden Age of Hollywood”.  On this episode of our “Hollywood by the Decade” series, we’re guided by special guest Patricia White—Centennial Professor of Film and Media Studies and Coordinator of Gender and Sexuality Studies at Swarthmore College—through a discussion of the landscape of Hollywood in the 30s, including how the enforced morality of the Hays code influenced which stories were told and how, while perhaps counterintuitively creating opportunities for surprising subtext. Join us as we examine BLONDE VENUS (1932) starring Marlene Dietrich, and STELLA DALLAS (1937) starring Barbara Stanwyck. Links Mentioned:Blonde Venus https://archive.org/details/blonde-venus-1932-remastered-720pStella Dallas https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08CY15HWB/Find Patricia White:Check out Rebecca: BFI Film Classics - https://shop.bfi.org.uk/rebecca-bfi-film-classics-paperback.html (also available throu

We’re kicking off our Hollywood by Decade series with the inception of filmmaking in the 1910s and 20s. Specifically, we’ll be looking at director Lois Weber’s film, Shoes. Released in 1916 at the height of Weber’s power and popularity as one of the top filmmakers of the time, the film tackles poverty, prostitution, and gender pay inequity. Ebony pops in, and she and Anita are joined by Dr. Shelley Stamp, writer and professor of film and digital media at UC Santa Cruz, and the person who quite literally wrote the book on Lois Weber. Listen in for a fascinating discussion of early filmmaking.Links Mentioned:Books:Movies:Find Dr Shelley Stamp:twitter.com/StampShelleyhttps://people.ucsc.edu/~stamp/research/Shelley_Stamp/Home.htmlFind Ebony:twitter.com/ebonyasterFind Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

For our 200th(!!) episode of Feminist Frequency Radio, Anita, Ebony, and Carolyn reunite to discuss the Coen brother’s infinitely quotable, The Big Lebowski. Since its 1998 release, the film has earned cult classic status, spawning festivals, conferences, and even a religion: Dudism. Does our original FFR trio abide? Listen in as we revisit The Dude on his hapless, meandering odyssey through LA to find out.Time Stamps:6:00 - Main discussion on The Big Lebowski41:49 - What’s your Freq Out?Carolyn on the book Conflict Is Not Abuse: Overstating Harm, Community Responsibility, and the Duty of Repair by Sarah SchulmanEbony on the twitter thread of Orsen Welles burns on other directors - https://twitter.com/jfrankensteiner/status/1522761153822269440?s=21&t=u19lPY5tVM7xUOrofR24EwAnita on new thoughts on the film The Old GuardSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTMentioned:The Long Goodbye (1973), directed by Robert AltmanHow Aladdin Changed Animation (by Screwing Over Robin Williams), video by

On the heels of the recent release of director Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman, Kat Spada and special guest Dr. Kishonna Gray—Associate Professor in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies at the University of Kentucky—step back to 2015 to consider Egger’s first film, The Witch.CW: This episode contains discussion of film portrayals of supernatural or historical violence against woman and children, including infanticide. Time Stamps:1:00:10 - What’s your Freq Out?Kishonna on the game FortniteKat on the HBOMax series Julia and the companion podcastSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTFollow Kishonna:twitter.com/KishonnaGrayFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

Anita and new cohost Kat Spada start off the season strong with an episode all about the allure of toxic masculinity onscreen. Special guest Dave Proctor returns to discuss why male characters embodying cisheteronormative values can be so obviously problematic, but often still manage to be attractive and compelling to us a viewers.Time Stamps:54:36 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the movie Aline (2020) directed by and starring Valérie LemercierAnita on the shows Severance on Apple TV, and Minx and Winning Time both on HBOMaxDave on The Linda Lindas’ album Growing Up -  https://thelindalindas.bandcamp.com/Submit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLearn more about Kat:katexmachina.comtwitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFollow Dave:twitter.com/blankdavetwitter.com/mightyyellFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

We finish Women’s History Month and this season of FFR with Eliza Hittman’s critically-acclaimed, profoundly affecting 2020 film, Never Rarely Sometimes Always. Joining us for this emotionally intense discussion is returning special guest, writer and podcaster, Kat Spada.CW: This episode includes discussion of suicide, abuse, sexual assault and other sensitive topics. If you need help please reach out to organization like RAINN.org or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline available 24 hours at 1-800-656-4673Time Stamps:43:07 - What’s your Freq Out?Ebony on the documentary Attica (2021) directed by Traci A. Curry and Stanley NelsonKat on the film Plan B (2021) directed by Natalie MoralesSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:FFR 184: Reproductive Rights in the Media - https://feministfrequency.com/video/reproductive-rights-in-media-with-special-guests-rachel-lee-goldenberg-and-lizz-winstead-ffr-184/FREQ Show on fake clinics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ca6VTJYiW8Follo

Next in our series of works by women filmmakers is director Joanna Hogg’s loosely-autobiographical 2019 film, The Souvenir. Joining us to talk about the film is FemFreq Favorite and Managing Editor at Kotaku, Carolyn Petit! We’ve missed our former co-host and know you have, too; a good discussion is all but guaranteed when Caro’s in the house, and today is no exception as we tackle the film’s themes of addiction, power, art, self-discovery and more.  And be sure to check out our bonus episode this week! Usually a Patrons-only privilege, this week’s Bonus is available wherever you get your podcasts or at Patreon.com/femfreqTime Stamps:44:19 - What’s your Freq Out?Carolyn on the memoir Gentrification of the Mind: Witness to a Lost Imagination by Sarah Schulman AND on the film Drive My Car (2021) directed Ryusuke Hamaguchi based on the novel by Haruki MurakamiAnita on the film Sid and Nancy (1986) directed by Alex CoxSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Team Deakins podcast -

Today on the Bonus, we welcome Patrons and non (future?) Patrons alike for a special public episode. Carolyn Petit is here to reunite our original FFR trio for a deep-dive discussion on the utility of rating systems and subjectivity vs. “objectivity” in criticism.Follow Carolyn:twitter.com/carolynmichellekotaku.comFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

Written by Diablo Cody, directed by Karyn Kusama, and starring Megan Fox, Jennifer’s Body is the next in our series featuring women filmmakers. The film struggled to find an audience in 2009, but has earned a reappraisal in recent years. It’s new to Anita and Ebony, but luckily we’re joined by writer, producer, podcast host, returning FFR guest, and notably, “America’s Foremost Scholar on Jennifer’s Body”, Jordan Crucchiola. Opinions are strong and varied so buckle in for a lively discussion. And if you’re a Patron (or want to become one) visit Patreon.com/femfreq for a Patron exclusive unedited video of our recording!CW: We use offensive and derogatory language in this episode. It’s discussed within the context of films that have used these words, but we do not censor the language.Time Stamps:54:27 - What’s your Freq Out?Anita on the Green Bone Saga series of novels by Fonda LeeJordan on the High&Low moviesSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:“So … When Are We All Goin

We’re kicking off a month of episodes dedicated to the work of pioneering female directors, and to get us started, we’ll be talking about Jane Campion’s 1993 Oscar-winning film, The Piano. Writer, raconteur, podcast host, and our special guest, Kat Spada, joins our discussion as we grapple with an undeniable masterpiece of a film that is simultaneously racist and which presents a deeply troubling “love” story built upon coercion. Can we reconcile the more pernicious and problematic aspects of this film with its magnetic sensualism, compelling performances, and gorgeous filmmaking?Time Stamps:54:41 - What’s your Freq Out?Kat on the HBO Max series, Sort OfEbony on the Netflix series, Inventing AnnaSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Sam Neill’s IG - instagram.com/twopaddocksFollow Kat:twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaKat’s podcast: twitter.com/90210blazeFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv

Remember when we promised to take the podcast in some new and interesting directions this year? Well, you’re in luck because today we’re talking: visual art, global feminisms, resistance, anti-capitalism, and more through a focus on graffiti, and to do so, we’ve got a pioneering and interdisciplinary scholar and activist in the field to join us. Dr. Jess Pabón is Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at SUNY New Paltz. Her teaching and research areas are vast and varied, and include Performance Studies & Theories; Black and Latina/o/x Performance and Visual Culture Studies (with a specialization in Hip-Hop Studies); Women of Color Feminisms; and LGBT & Queer Studies. Don’t miss this fascinating episode.Time Stamps:48:18 - What’s your Freq Out?Ebony on tenure discussions on twitter (Links below in “links mentioned”)Submit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Slides - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wOEDPX2p54ZpvZ7XXVXOyHV_LN9veWzu6Kov_NwCMzE/

Talking all things Black and games this week, Dr. Kishonna Gray hosts a full-faceted conversation with Latoya Peterson and Shawn Alexander Allen.Links Mentioned:Treachery in Beatdown CityThe Come Up Game Follow Latoya Peterson: https://twitter.com/LatoyaPetersonFollow Glow Up Games: https://twitter.com/GlowUpGamesFollow Shawn Alexander Allen: https://twitter.com/ShawnDoubleAFollow Nu Challenger: https://twitter.com/NuChallengerFollow Beatdown City: https://twitter.com/beatdown_cityFollow Us:Our WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

This week, we’re diving into literature with Toni Morrison's incredible Song of Solomon. Joining Ebony is Dr. Tai Coleman and our very own Jae Lin.CW: This episode includes discussion of incest, abuse, and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is suffering with these issues please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to get the support you need.Freq Outs:Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel NayeriSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Toni Morrison interview about Song of SolomonWithout SanctuaryFollow Dr. Taiyon Coleman: twitter.com/taiyonjcolemanUpcoming anthology - Sparked: George Floyd, Racism, and the Progressive Illusion, edited by Walter JacobsForthcoming book this year - Traveling without Moving: Personal Essays on Motherhood, Love, Equity, and TeachingFollow Jae Lin: instagram.com/doodlemealiveFollow Us:Our WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT

This week, we’re adding to our collection of conversations on iconic 90s Black cinema by delving into the aesthetics and atmosphere of Kasi Lemmons’ 1997 directorial debut, Eve’s Bayou. Joining us to discuss this gem of a film is Dr. Taiyon Coleman, who last joined our podcast for our I Am Not Your Negro episode.CW: This episode includes discussion of incest, abuse, and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is suffering with these issues please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to get the support you need.Time Stamps:41:42 - What’s your Freq Out?Anita on the film The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie GyllenhaalSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUT Links Mentioned:FFR episode on I Am Not Your Negro - https://feministfrequency.com/ebony-dr-coleman-on-i-am-not-your-negro-james-baldwin-white-supremacy-police-violence-2/Follow Dr. Taiyon Coleman:twitter.com/taiyonjcolemanUpcoming anthology - Sparked: George Floyd, Racism, and the Progressive Illusion, edited by Wal

An episode for Tim Curry fans, and Tim Curry fans only! Today on the FFR podcast we are revisiting one Ebony’s childhood favorites, Ridley Scott’s 1985 glorious, florid, Baroque banquet of a film: Legend. Writer Charlie Jane Anders returns as special guest for this fantastical trip down memory lane. Does Legend hold up after all these years?Time Stamps:43:43 - What’s your Freq Out?Ebony on the series (based on book by Emily St. John Mandel) Station ElevenAnita on the film Aniara (2018)Charlie Jane on the novels She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan and The Unbroken by CL ClarkSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTLinks Mentioned:Robert Picardo on playing Meg Mucklebones - https://youtu.be/rNgiowZyF3g?t=165Ebony’s piece for feministfrequency.com - Senior Citizen: Gender, Infirmity and Horror“Shine on Me” Follow Charlie Jane:Preorder Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak - netgal.ly/ImrrPJouropinionsarecorrect.comtwitter.com/charliejanecharliejane.cominstagram.com/charliejaneandersFollow Us:J

For over 20 years, both Anita and Ebony have successfully refused to watch James Cameron’s 1997 mega-blockbuster Titanic, but today they’ve finally relented in order to have a discussion with returning guest and Titanic super-fan Caitlin Durante. Can Caitlin’s sincere love of this disaster movie/period romance warm the waters of Anita and Ebony’s icy reception? Or are two decades worth of parody, memes, and replays of “My Heart Will Go On” too much to keep them from never letting go?Follow Caitlin:twitter.com/caitlinduranteinstagram.com/caitlindurantewww.caitlindurante.comwww.bechdelcast.comFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to our Star Trek PodcastTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq (every Thursday at 6:30pm PT)

In our final episode of 2021, we welcome a very special guest: Carolyn Petit herself! Along with Anita and Ebony, the original FFR trio are discussing Paul Verhoeven’s Benedetta—the premiere of which faced protests by Catholics upset with the film’s depiction of illicit attraction between 17th century nuns. Does this ecstatically portrayed story of Sister Benedetta—a fervently devoted Renaissance nun consumed by the force of her transcendent visions—qualify as a Very Caro Movie? Listen in to our lively discussion to find out.Make a Donation for our end of year campaign at Givebutter.com/femfreq2021Time Stamps:5:50 - Main discussion on Benedetta42:35 - What’s your Freq Out?Carolyn on Voir on Netflix - Walter Chaw episode on 48 HoursEbony on novel Circe by Madeline MillerAnita on Home Alone in Concert with the LA Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert HallSubmit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTFollow Carolyn:twitter.com/carolynmichellekotaku.comFollow Us:Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe t

Along with their special guest—Caroline Heldman, chair of critical theory and social justice at Occidental College and the executive director at The Representation Project—Anita and Ebony are taking on the entirety of the Terminator franchise. From the 1984 original and “T2” a decade later, to the (perhaps less memorable) follow-ups from the two-thousands and beyond, the Terminator franchise catalyzed the careers of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Michael Biehn and launched a pop culture juggernaut that to date includes 6 films, novels, a tv show, video games, comics, and a web series. Just what is it about the characters and concerns of this dystopian nightmare that has proved so compelling for audiences over the last 40 years? And what could it look like in the future as stars age and technology catches up to the AI promise of Skynet?Time Stamps:7:40 - Main discussion on the Terminator franchise58:36 - What’s your Freq Out?Caroline on the book Feminist AF by Britney Cooper, Chanel Craft Tanner, a

This episode of the podcast was originally meant to be a look at the Terminator franchise as a whole, but there’s only two things that can stop a podcast: (1) the fall of civilization at the hands of our robot overlords, or (2) laryngitis. We’ll let you guess which took down this week’s attempt.Our Terminator meta-take will be out in a few weeks, but in the meanwhile we’re re-releasing our episode on 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate. Below you’ll find our original show notes for the episode which aired November 20, 2019. Enjoy!—Terminator: Dark Fate is the 6th entry in the wibbly-wobbley timey-wimey cinematic universe originally brought to life by James Cameron in 1984. The franchise has taken a lot of detours over the past 35 years — some more successful than others — but the supporting infrastructure of the story has never really changed: sometime in “the future,” “the machines” turn on us and wage an all-out war that leaves billions dead and the planet a devastated wasteland. But there’s a brave human resistan