Listen "Shock Value"
Episode Synopsis
Mark Kermode and Ellen E Jones ask if we still go to the movies to be shocked.As Caligula: The Ultimate Cut hits cinemas, Mark talks to stars of the notorious cult classic, Dame Helen Mirren and Malcolm McDowell. They discuss the film's long journey to the new version, and what it was really like on set of one of independent cinemas most controversial productions.Ellen examines what shock value means in the digital age and how shocking cinema has evolved over cinema's history. She speaks to film critic Virginie Selavy about how critical and audience perception of 'shocking' content has evolved from Tod Browning's Freaks to the cinema of Lar Von Trier, and if audiences really are harder to shock. Ellen then talks to comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait about his transgressive films, which are favourites of John Waters, and how an increasingly bizarre political landscape has affected his filmmaking.Producer: Jane Long
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4
More episodes of the podcast Screenshot
Frankenstein
31/10/2025
The Naked Civil Servant
24/10/2025
Translation
17/10/2025
Death
10/10/2025
Painters and Painting
03/10/2025
Yuppies
26/09/2025
Twin Peaks
08/08/2025
Police Procedurals
01/08/2025
Remakes
25/07/2025
Scotland
18/07/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.