Welcome back for another episode of The Russians. Today we talk about Paul Verhoeven’s latest movie, Benedetta, and what unites Verhoeven and Todd Solondz. We also get into Philip K. Dick and how starting a religious cult is the only answer to the problems plaguing society right now.
Great episode! Finally, I'm a subscriber. I had to lend a credit card for that.... I hope, Substack will become more open to other forms of payment in the future. Anyway, glad to finally being able to check out all the other content. Keep it up!
After watching the film then listening I think I agree with your take on it Benedetta as allegory for Verhoeven themselves.
What surprised me about the film, after watching a glut of crappy media the past ~2 years is how gory the film was in spots. Refreshing to be reminded that the medium can still shock.
You guys are into a wonderful topic area--religion as politics--politics as religion/crisis of meaning in our lives/power and faith--please keep finding a way to examine these issues more--if nothing else you audience might explode/expand dramatically!
Great episode! Finally, I'm a subscriber. I had to lend a credit card for that.... I hope, Substack will become more open to other forms of payment in the future. Anyway, glad to finally being able to check out all the other content. Keep it up!
After watching the film then listening I think I agree with your take on it Benedetta as allegory for Verhoeven themselves.
What surprised me about the film, after watching a glut of crappy media the past ~2 years is how gory the film was in spots. Refreshing to be reminded that the medium can still shock.
You guys are into a wonderful topic area--religion as politics--politics as religion/crisis of meaning in our lives/power and faith--please keep finding a way to examine these issues more--if nothing else you audience might explode/expand dramatically!
I'd never heard of Todd Solondz until just now and I consider myself a film buff. Which of his movies do you recommend watching first?