SUBTEXT Literature and Film Podcast

SUBTEXT is a podcast about the human condition, and what we can learn about it from the greatest inventions of the human imagination: fiction, film, drama, poetry, essays, and criticism. Each episode, philosopher Wes Alwan and poet Erin O’Luanaigh explore life’s big questions by conducting a close reading of a text or film and co-writing an audio essay about it in real time.

(post)script: Post-Godfather

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Wes & Erin continue their discussion of “The Godfather,” and the novelty of thinking about such movies analytically. Wes approaches the podcasts more like a Michael, and Erin like a Sonny. According to Erin, Italian Americans are so ambivalent about this movie because–despite the unfortunate associations it creates with organized crime–in many ways it’s so accurate when it comes to the culture. Wes is obsessed with movies from the late 60s and 70s, but isn’t as consistently enthusiastic about other eras. He did watch “Bridge Jones’s Diary” recently, and forgot how much is based on “Pride and Prejudice.” Erin likes seeing Mr. Darcy in a Christmas jumper, and Wes envies the way he can be so charmingly sullen. Erin’s students have fascinating ideas about “Pride and Prejudice,” and are fascinated by the fact that Erin has a podcast. We talk about how well the podcast is doing, and perhaps Erin assigning it to students will lift it even more. Remember: this podcast is business, not personal.