Why This Film? podcast artwork

Why This Film?

Exploring the Criterion Collection, one spine at a time.

In each episode, I sit down with film historians, critics, filmmakers, and scholars for in-depth conversations about a single film from the Criterion Collection. From French New Wave masterpieces to American westerns, from experimental shorts to beloved classics, we unpack what makes these films essential viewing.

All Episodes
12 episodes  ·  New episodes release 1–2 times monthly
Episode 12 Latest
#1199
La cérémonie
Claude Chabrol · 1995
with Girish Shambu — Author & Critic
Episode 11
#1201
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
del Toro & Gustafson · 2022
with Caleb Tyson — Editor
Episode 10
#267
Kagemusha
Akira Kurosawa · 1980
with Michael Repsch — President, Dark Star Pictures
Episode 9
#157
The Royal Tenenbaums
Wes Anderson · 2001
with Chris Cook — Assistant AD
Episode 8
#536
The Thin Red Line
Terrence Malick · 1998
with Jared Frederick — Historian & Author
Episode 7
#1293
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Tim Burton · 1985
with Jesse Thorn — Podcaster & Comedian
Episode 6
#654
Repo Man
Alex Cox · 1984
with James Chestnut — Assistant Director
Episode 5
#1248
Winchester '73
Anthony Mann · 1950
with Brady Crytzer — Historian & Author
Episode 4
#1185
After Hours
Martin Scorsese · 1985
with Sheila O'Malley — Film Critic & Author
Episode 3
#905
The Breakfast Club
John Hughes · 1985
with Ciara Moloney — Podcaster & Film Critic
Episode 2
#271
Touchez pas au grisbi
Jacques Becker · 1954
with Ginette Vincendeau — Author & Film Critic
Episode 1
#387
La Jetée
Chris Marker · 1962
with Dr. Dennis Weiss — Film Programmer & Professor