Best Wilson Ben And Eli Podcasts (2025)

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107. Chantal Akerman: Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles 1:32:01

8d ago1:32:01

1:32:01

It’s about time. We tackle Chantal Akerman’s Sight and Sound topping Jeanne Dielman, and begin our series on her singular career. Ben introduces Akerman’s career, spotlighting her fierce conviction and crystalline vision, Eli loops in a melodramatic reading, and Wilson zeroes in on an ending that explosively caps off a 3.5h opus. And if you’re stru…

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106. Pablo Larrain: Maria 40:05

23d ago40:05

40:05

After a rocky relationship between Deep Cut and Mr. Pablo Larrain, we come back to the final film in Larrain’s “important 20th century white women” trilogy (as Ben describes it). Will Larrain redeem himself with a portrait of the final days of Maria Callas’ life? Or will he and Stephen Knight sh*t the bed again? Wilson praises Angelina Jolie’s come…

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105. Hong Sang-soo: Night and Day (featuring Alexander Lee) 1:15:32

1M ago1:15:32

1:15:32

We are joined by Asian Film Archive programmer Alexander Lee for our second installment in our Hong Sang-soo series! Alex talks to the guys about pairing Hong Sang-soo deep cuts with Eric Rohmer classics, and specifically the pairing of Night and Day with Love in the Afternoon. Eli chats about the narrative motifs that are on display in this film, …

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104. Hong Sang-soo: Woman on the Beach 1:12:34

2M ago1:12:34

1:12:34

Deep Cut partners with Asian Film Archive which is presenting Twin Tales: Éric Rohmer and Hong Sang-soo, a special programme featuring six pairings of films by French New Wave director Éric Rohmer and prolific Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo. Buy tickets here! We’ve teased this for YEARS! And it’s finally here. The DC Trio break the ice by introduci…

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103. Luca Guadagnino: Queer 1:00:40

2M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

I want to podcast with you. Without speaking. On this episode of Deep Cut Upkeep we step into 1950s Mexico City and dive into the lush world of Luca Guadagnino’s Queer. Wilson expands more on his love for the film and why it topped his 2024 film list. Eli talks about the narrative constraints of this (bio)pic about William S. Burroughs. Ben draws l…

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102. Kelly Reichardt: Meek’s Cutoff 1:01:28

2M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

As voted for on our Patreon, we return to Kelly Reichardt with her 2010 Western, Meek’s Cutoff. Ben argues that no discussion of the American Western is complete without Reichardt’s film, Wilson highlights the film’s fraught production that miraculously led to its poetic ending, and Eli frames the film within the larger context of America’s problem…

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101. HKIFF49 Dispatch (Youth Trilogy, Phantosmia, I'm Still Here, Dreams (Sex Love), and MORE!) 1:16:24

3M ago1:16:24

1:16:24

Wilson comes on the podcast to talk about all the films he saw at the 49th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Come listen to us talk about the newest films from around the world, including Wang Bing’s Youth Trilogy, Lav Diaz’s Phantosmia, Andrea Arnold’s Bird, and many more. Join our FREE patreon, discord server, and our socials …

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100. Hirokazu Kore-eda: Still Walking 1:28:53

3M ago1:28:53

1:28:53

Released as an exclusive Patreon post at the end of 2024, we’re now releasing this video podcast to publicly to commemorate ONE HUNDRED EPISODES! What a milestone. See you at 1000! The summer of 2024 saw Ben, Wilson, and Eli all together in the same place for the first time in six years! To mark the momentous reunion, we recorded a special video ep…

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099. Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl 41:44

4M ago41:44

41:44

We’re back in West Wallaby Street to discuss the latest adventure in the Wallace and Gromit universe: Vengeance Most Fowl, directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham! This time around, Wilson finally feels seen as the film tackles the inequality in the Wallace and Gromit relationship head-on. Ben argues that the film functions as a surprisingly r…

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098. The Wedding Banquet (2025): Interview with Director Andrew Ahn 1:24:28

4M ago1:24:28

1:24:28

Director Andrew Ahn is back for a three-peat with his new film The Wedding Banquet, a re-imagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic. We chat with Ahn about his updates to the original to capture the new nuances of queer lives today, get behind the scenes tidbits of his time working with his incredible AAvengers cast, and see how the original and his remak…

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097. Bong Joon-ho: Mickey 17 49:16

4M ago49:16

49:16

We can’t believe it’s finally here! After much anticipation, we finally have creepers on screen, A Minecraft Movie, starring Jason Mamoa and Jack Black is easily the movie blockbuster release of the year— wait wait wait Sorry, this is actually about the Robert Pattinson starring movie in which he plays the dual roles of Bruce Wayne / The Batman— wa…

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096. The Best Movies of 2024, According to Deep Cut 2:48:29

5M ago2:48:29

2:48:29

Do you know how much of A Real Pain it is to keep the years straight with us straddling three different global release windows? We do! We got Caught by the Tides and are a little late with this one but nevertheless, join our Conclave for the fifth (!) time as we huddle around the Ghostlight to talk about the films of the last year! We cover award-w…

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095. Edward Yang: A Brighter Summer Day 2:07:57

5M ago2:07:57

2:07:57

We’ve finally done it: all seven Edward Yang films discussed on Deep Cut. The only podcast to give Edward Yang the time and space he deserves as one of the all time greatest directors (and Wilson’s favorite director)! We end our coverage on Yang with what is considered to be his magnum opus, 1991’s A Brighter Summer Day, an intimate epic of teenage…

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094. Edward Yang: That Day, On The Beach (featuring Natalie Ng) 1:26:56

6M ago1:26:56

1:26:56

We’re thrilled to be joined by Natalie Ng, a huge Edward Yang fan and friend of the podcast, to dive into Yang’s feature debut, That Day, On The Beach! Natalie, who works at the Asian Film Archive, tells us about AFA’s recent Edward Yang retrospective (complete with a physical exhibition) and shares her deep love for Yang’s work. Together, we explo…

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093. Edward Yang: Mahjong 56:50

6M ago56:50

56:50

We prepare for Edward Yang’s game of Mahjong and all we’re looking for is a fourth player (you!). The last of his works to get restored, and possibly his most cynical film, we find much to discuss with A Confucian Confusion’s evil twin in Yang’s filmography. Ben explores Yang’s depiction of sexual relationships, Eli expounds on Yang’s fascination w…

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092. Edward Yang: A Confucian Confusion 1:09:38

7M ago1:09:38

1:09:38

Girl, so Confucian. We sit down to unpack Edward Yang’s dark horse masterpiece, 1994’s A Confucian Confusion. Eli talks about his first time watching this zany comedy and how it reminded him of a lot of college friend groups. Wilson explains why he thinks this is Yang’s true deep cut film, and doubles down on the film’s belief on ‘emotional work’. …

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091. Nick Park & Steve Box: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit 53:05

7M ago53:05

53:05

The classic genres… horror, rom-com, monster film, bunny-comedy? In our preparation for the recently released Vengeance Most Fowl, join us as we cover Nick Park’s 2005 Wallace & Gromit feature, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, co-directed with Steve Box. Eli recounts the experience he had watching this in theaters as a kid. Wilson talks about why stop…

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090. The People's Joker: Interview with Director Vera Drew 32:38

7M ago32:38

32:38

Tune in for a very special episode as Wilson chats with The People’s Joker director, writer, star and editor Vera Drew about her feature film debut! Vera Drew talks about getting into filmmaking, the incredibly collaborative process behind making The People’s Joker, as well as the tough road it took for the film to reach the public. The People’s Jo…

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089. Nick Park: Wallace & Gromit - Original Shorts 1:05:39

7M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

Fancy a little cheese? We jump into the whimsical world of Wallace and Gromit created by Nick Park, and cover three early short films: A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers, and A Close Shave. Eli talks about his childhood love for the series and gives the boys a lesson in stop motion animation. Ben goes existential and talks about how stop-motion br…

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088. Ethan Coen: Drive-away Dolls 35:53

8M ago35:53

35:53

Qualley. Viswanathan. Coen. Cooke. In our second Co-Bros Upkeep, we floor it and review Ethan Coen's new road adventure-comedy, Drive Away Dolls. Find out what we think: does it stack up to Joel's solo outing, The Tragedy of Macbeth? Is Margaret Qualley's accent work tolerable? And is that a banana in your suitcase, or are you just happy to see us?…

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087. SGIFF35 Dispatch (feat. No Other Land, An Unfinished Film, By The Stream, Viet and Nam, and MORE!) 1:37:22

8M ago1:37:22

1:37:22

Ben recently attended the 35th Singapore International Film Festival and watched a whole lot of films, and made a few new friends along the way. Listen in on his thoughts about the films, the festival programme’s overarching themes, and how beauty is a trap!! This episode is generally spoiler-free, spoilers are marked with timestamps below! Links D…

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086. Happyend: Interview with Director Neo Sora 1:10:49

9M ago1:10:49

1:10:49

Join Wilson on this special episode of Deep Cut where he interviews Director Neo Sora about his new film, Happyend. Neo Sora discusses how his first narrative feature came about, his love of Edward Yang, as well as his ongoing pro-Palestine activism on the festival circuit, amongst a host of other things! SPOILER WARNING: We speak briefly about Hap…

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085. Edward Yang: Terrorizers 50:42

9M ago50:42

50:42

Join us as we try to piece together Edward Yang’s most puzzling work, Terrorizers (恐怖分子) . Eli describes the harsher and more abrasive Yang in this 1986 film, Wilson recounts the transcendent feeling of watching a crucial sequence set to The Platter’s Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, and Ben makes links between this film’s ending and Godard’s Breathless. B…

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084. Edward Yang: Taipei Story 1:00:29

9M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Join us as we delve deeper into our series on Taiwanese auteur Edward Yang, as we take a step back to explore one of his earliest features, "Taipei Story" (青梅竹馬) from 1985. In this film, Yang collaborates with his compatriot Hou Hsiao-hsien to portray a city undergoing monumental change. Ben explores the social, cultural, and economic uniqueness of…

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083. Edward Yang: Yi Yi 1:26:09

10M ago1:26:09

1:26:09

We hit our white whale and begin our series on one of the greatest directors of all time, Edward Yang, and one of the greatest films of all time, Yi Yi (一一）. Listen to how this genuine masterpiece has affected each of us as we’ve grown with it. Wilson brings nuggets of wisdom from watching the director’s commentary. Eli talks about how this movie h…

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Deep Cut: A Film Podcast Trailer 1:37

10M ago1:37

1:37

It’s about time, after 3 and a half years we got a brand spankin’ new trailer. If you’re new to Deep Cut, welcome! If you’re a long-time fan, share this with your friends! Deep Cut: A Film Podcast is a director-focused film podcast featuring deep-dive discussions about international, art-house, and independent cinema. Each episode we discuss either…

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082. Luca Guadagnino: I Am Love 48:39

10M ago48:39

48:39

Join us as we reenter the lush and sensual world of Luca Guadagnino and discover “il costo dell'ecstasy” in his 2009 film I Am Love. Wilson savours the intentional mistakes in technique that feel like a part of the world of the film. Eli gives a brief lesson on editing, drawing parallels all the way back to the Eisenstein method of montage. Ben dir…

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081. NYFF62 Dispatch (Anora, Queer, The Shrouds, Eephus) 34:12

11M ago34:12

34:12

Our very own Eli attended the 62nd New York Film Festival this autumn as a bona fide member of the press! Sit alongside Wilson and Ben as they salivate over Eli’s descriptions of waiting in line, chatting with fellow critics, and seeing the hottest upcoming films from Earth’s top directors at the legendary Walter Reade Theater. Daniel Craig, Mikey …

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080. All Shall Be Well: Interview with Director Ray Yeung 56:15

11M ago56:15

56:15

Buckle up Deep Cut fans! This week we have a special preview episode as Wilson got to sit down with director Ray Yeung to preview his new Berlinale premiering film All Shall Be Well, which is opening at Film Forum on September 20. Ray discusses his jump from law to filmmaking, and returning to his native Hong Kong to make films about the lives of o…

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079. Kiyoshi Kurosawa: To The Ends of the Earth 57:05

12M ago57:05

57:05

In this final Kiyoshi Kurosawa episode, Wilson brings to the table one of the latest films from the Japanese auteur; the Uzbekistan set To the Ends of the Earth. Ben draws parallels between this film and the work of Kelly Reichardt, and gives us an education on the importance of Atsuko Maeda and idol group AKB48. Eli zeroes in on Kurosawa’s comment…

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078. Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Tokyo Sonata 59:21

12M ago59:21

59:21

In this episode, we’re laughing and crying to the sweet melodies of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2008 film Tokyo Sonata, and its social commentary on the Japanese nuclear family in the midst of a financial crisis. We explore the film’s construction of a patriarchal nuclear family, discuss Kyoko Koizumi’s unique role as the mother of the family (taking care o…

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077. Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Pulse 56:57

1y ago56:57

56:57

Unlock the forbidden recording room with Wilson, Ben and Eli as the trio unpack Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2001 ghost film Pulse. Eli explains his love for his deep cut pick of a film that breaks its own rules and complicates its horror elements. Wilson zeroes in on his love for Kurosawa’s use of space and production design to bring on a feeling of despair…

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076. Kiyoshi Kurosawa: License to Live 57:53

1y ago57:53

57:53

In the first of our deep cut picks for our Kiyoshi Kurosawa series, Ben introduces the others to Kurosawa’s License to Live (1998) because he really needed to talk to somebody after a stunning ending. Eli digs into the film’s comedic sensibilities, finding similarities with fellow Japanese director Takeshi Kitano, while Wilson finds himself “so sad…

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075. Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Cure 1:15:14

1y ago1:15:14

1:15:14

In this episode, the Deep Cut trio delve into the captivating world of Kiyoshi Kurosawa with his breakout hit, Cure (1997). Tune in to the beginning of a mega series on Kurosawa: director for hire and the master of nightmares. Ben and Wilson find themselves at odds as Ben's annoyance with the film's villain fails to dampen Wilson's thirst for him. …

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074. Luca Guadagnino: Challengers 1:25:50

1y ago1:25:50

1:25:50

Game. Set. Match. The boys tackle the hottest movie of the season and kick off a Luca Guadagnino series with our review of his latest film CHALLENGERS. This episode (recorded pre BRAT) sees Eli comparing Guadagnino to the iconic Charli XCX, Wilson explaining how all roads that lead to Challengers also lead to his own life, and Ben saying he wants t…

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073. 2023 Film and TV in Review 1:37:46

1+ y ago1:37:46

1:37:46

The Oscars may tell us Hollywood’s popular picks, but what about the… Deep Cut picks? Deep Cut’s 2023 in Review is ready to give the last word on yesteryear’s best in motion pictures. Tune in for debates on the year’s biggest hits and hot takes on the year’s shabbiest flops. It all culminates in Wilson, Ben, and Eli’s top three favorites of the yea…

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072. Hirokazu Kore-eda: Monster 45:27

1+ y ago45:27

45:27

We go back to our Deep Cut roots with Kore-eda's latest, but don't call us Monster(s) for skipping out on the previously released Broker! Awarded the Queer Palm at Cannes in 2023, Monster is a return to form (and Japan) for Kore-eda, igniting a sprawling conversation about the film and its connections to his larger ouevre. We debate the film's visu…

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071. Marilou Diaz-Abaya: Moral 1:04:54

1+ y ago1:04:54

1:04:54

Join us for a Deep Cut episode on the exceptional 1982 film Moral from director Marilou Diaz-Abaya. The trio are blown away by the intricate script work and editing within the film, and they finally help coin the acronym GFWTM (Go Fucking Watch This Movie) for Wilson to use in the future. Eli and Ben discuss how Diaz-Abaya and screenwriter Ricky Le…

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070. Kelly Reichardt: Showing Up 38:59

1+ y ago38:59

38:59

Join us as we SHOW UP for Kelly Reichardt’s latest work: Showing Up. Reichardt teams up again with regular collaborator Michelle Williams in their portrait of a grumpy artist. Wilson analyzes the performances of Michelle Williams and Hong Chau, Eli appreciates the film’s humor and subtlety, and Ben is fascinated by the film’s focus on the ordinary.…

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069. Todd Haynes: May December 43:53

1+ y ago43:53

43:53

May you join us this December for a Deep Cutversation on May Deepcutber? Wait, this is confusing... what's NOT confusing is the moral clarity of American director Todd Haynes' latest pressure-cooker drama about the evils of our time. While Eli sees horror lurking beneath the pleasant cinematography of Christopher Blauvelt, Ben ponders the omission …

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068. Frederick Wiseman: Menus-Plaisirs - Les Troisgros 58:43

1+ y ago58:43

58:43

Bon appetit! The DC Trio are in for a treat this week as we savor Frederick Wiseman’s latest documentary, MENUS PLAISIRS - LES TROIGROS, a scrumptious looking film about three French restaurants, and the family that runs it. From the bustling kitchen to the tense moments shared between members of the Troigros dynasty, the trio immerses themselves i…

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067. Marilou Diaz-Abaya: José Rizal 58:42

2y ago58:42

58:42

The DC Trio takes a plunge into a new director and dives into the works of Marilou Diaz-Abaya, one of the leading figures of the second golden age of Filipino cinema. In the first episode, Wilson shares his love for a national cinema that is deeply tied to his roots. What better way to be introduced to Pinoy cinema than through a biopic of one of t…

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066. Mani Ratnam: Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (featuring Thanmye Lagudu) 1:06:48

2y ago1:06:48

1:06:48

With special guest and friend Thanmye Lagudu we come together to crown a new king. Mani Ratnam completes his magnum opus with Ponniyin Selvan: Part II and we're back in the theatre again for more palace intrigue, romantic entanglements, and some of that signature Ratnam flair. Can Ratnam one-up himself with part two? We discuss PS2's visual glow-up…

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065. Egoist @ HKIFF2023: Interview with Director Daishi Matsunaga 25:15

2y ago25:15

25:15

As part of his coverage for HKIFF 2023, Wilson interviews Japanese director Daishi Matsunaga, a day after the Hong Kong premiere of his new film, Egoist. Director Matsunaga talks about the film's moving story, the specific visual language he uses, his thoughts on iPhone footage, and so much more. A massive thank you to dear friend of the pod Fumiko…

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064. HKIFF 2023 Dispatch 1:02:38

2y ago1:02:38

1:02:38

As Cannes wraps up in the South of France, we bring you a dispatch from another festival halfway across the world. An exhausted Wilson joined Ben and Eli in the middle of his festival marathon to dish about the movies he saw at this year’s Hong Kong International Film Festival, and talk about the experience of officially covering a festival for the…

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063. S. S. Rajamouli: RRR 1:07:43

2+ y ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Rise. Roar. Revolt. Review. Here it is. Our long awaited Deep Cut Upkeep episode on the S.S. Rajamouli worldwide phenom RRR, and it’s a doozy. Hear the Deep Cut Trio talk about why Rajamouli’s brand of action filmmaking has entranced audiences, and why Ben and Wilson have this film at the top of their 2022 year end lists, while Eli explains why he …

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062. 2022 Film and TV in Review 2:25:48

2+ y ago2:25:48

2:25:48

Another year has wrapped production, and the production assistants are here to clean up! Just in time for the 2023 Oscars, Ben, Wilson, and Eli mop up the mess left by superheroes and conductors, stop motion shells and Na’vi, interdimensional travelers and cannibals, mourners and partiers. By breaking down the year’s big trends–– directors fictiona…

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061. Miranda July: The Future 51:02

2+ y ago51:02

51:02

We conclude our series on Miranda July's filmography with her divisive sophomore feature, The Future. Tune in for a feisty episode where Ben tries desperately to defend his deep cut choice while Eli and Wilson have their limits tested by July's storytelling tendencies. See the future in our free Patreon, discord server, and all our links @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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060. Miranda July: Me and You and Everyone We Know 59:29

2+ y ago59:29

59:29

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059. Miranda July: Kajillionaire 1:13:10

2+ y ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Deep Cut returns to regularly scheduled programming with the decidedly irregular films of American independent director/writer/actor/multi-hyphenate Miranda July. You might even call them quirky. We begin our series by learning about her long list of artistic endeavours and discuss the connotations of "quirk" in the context of July's films before d…

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