Culture chat: Is ‘Poor Things’ a feminist film?
Life and Art from FT Weekend
Shownotes Transcript
Today we take on ‘Poor Things’, the latest film from director Yorgos Lanthimos. It stars Emma Stone as a Victorian woman whose brain is replaced with that of her unborn baby. She embarks on a sexual journey of self-discovery through Europe and beyond. The film is a critical darling, with 11 Oscar nominations, but unsurprisingly, it left many viewers feeling uneasy. Lilah invites FT arts editor Jan Dalley and HTSI editor Jo Ellison to talk through it: is it an empowering exploration of a woman’s sexual freedom or an uninspiring male gaze fantasy?
We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap) and we’re on X @lifeandartpod). You can email us at [email protected]). We are grateful for reviews, on Apple, Spotify, etc.
Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):
– * Poor Things *is in theatres now
– You can read the FT’s three-star review of Poor Things, by film critic Danny Leigh here: https://on.ft.com/480VjMg)
– The FT’s Raphael Abraham also wrote a review of Poor Things – and gave it five stars: https://on.ft.com/49jGnKe)
– The article we mentioned, with 14 critics’ perspectives on the film, is here: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/24/bound-gagged-poor-things-feminist-masterpiece-male-sex-fantasy-oscar-emma-stone-ruffalo)
– Jo is on X @joellison) and Instagram @jellison22)
More or less:
– Jo wants to see more of Harris Dickinson, who is in The Iron Claw (out now), and Triangle of Sadness
– Jan wants to see more funding for the arts, and for artists to be given more creative freedom
– Lilah wants better, more concentrated travel reviews, and Oaxaca tips! (You can write to her on Instagram))
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Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Clip courtesy of Searchlight
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