Show Notes
The gang at Philosophy in Film embarks on a wild ride with Sean Baker's Palme d'Or-winning dark comedy, Anora. This episode explores the intricate narrative of Anora Mikheeva, a Brooklyn-based sex worker portrayed by Mikey Madison, whose impulsive marriage to Vanya Zakharov, the son of a Russian oligarch, leads to unforeseen challenges when his family intervenes. Craig reveals his impulsivity as he proposes with Producer's Notes (7:39), setting the stage for Alain's 4-carat Beauclair Synopsis (22:18), where he lays out the twists and turns of Anora's high-stakes journey. Chris then steers Philosopher's Corner (37:50), examining the transactional and emotional dynamics at play, and what they reveal about power, autonomy, and human connection. The Round Table (49:04) dives into Baker's sharp social critique while wrestling with the film's treatment of morally murky characters. Then, in Reviews (1:37:56) and Mailbag (1:50:26), we sort through listener thoughts and reactions before cashing out for the night. As always, we discuss the philosophical and non-philosophical aspects of the movie—because in a world of high rollers and low morals, nothing comes without a cost. Featured Beer: Easy Lover Blonde Ale by Manual Labour Beer Co. (Sherwood Park, Alberta) Sponsor this episode: Magic Mind - www.magicmind.com/pif20 Use CODE: PIF20 at checkout to receive 20% off any 1-time purchase, or 48% off your first subscription!
More from Philosophy In Film
This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang enters the glass-walled world of Alex Garland's 2014 sci-fi thriller, Ex Machina. When programmer Caleb is invited to the secluded estate of enigmatic tech mogul Nathan, he finds himself enlisted to evaluate Ava, an advanced artificial intelligence whose apparent consciousness raises questions that become increasingly difficult to contain. Before long, the experiment turns toward bigger questions about intelligence, desire, creation, and who exactly is testing whom. Alain delivers a streamlined Beauclair Synopsis (8:38), setting the stage before Chris enters Philosopher's Corner (16:57) to examine the film's questions about consciousness and artificial intelligence. The Round Table (31:03) puts Ava through three lenses: the Turing Test, the Pygmalion myth, and the darker possibilities of AI, including what it might want from us and what goals it might pursue on its own. Reviews (86:17) follow before Craig steps into the spotlight with Producer's Notes (92:06), while Mailbag (98:38) then closes the doors on the experiment. As always, we explore the philosophical and non-philosophical aspects of the film, because the question isn't just whether AI can think, but what happens when it starts thinking about us. 🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - I/O New England IPA by Town Square Brewing Co. (Edmonton, AB)
Episode 107: The Odyssey This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang sets sail with Christopher Nolan's ambitious retelling of The Odyssey, breathing new life into Homer's timeless epic of monsters, memory, and the long road home. After the fall of Troy, the cunning Odysseus embarks on a perilous journey across unfamiliar seas, where every island, temptation, and trial tests not only his resolve, but the very man he hopes to become before returning to Ithaca. Craig hoists the sails with Producer's Notes (10:45), while Alain charts the voyage with the Beauclair Synopsis (21:13), navigating a course through gods, monsters, shipwrecks, and impossible choices. In Philosopher's Corner (56:58), Chris charts the course from nostos, the Greek ideal of homecoming, to the modern notion of nostalgia, revealing why the journey home has always been about more than distance. The gang then gathers at the Round Table (1:01:44), where myth, history, and humanity collide before Reviews (1:54:14) and Mailbag (2:03:35) guide us safely back to shore. As always, we explore the philosophical and non-philosophical aspects of the film, because every voyage changes the traveller, but only a few lead us home. 🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - Pyrrhic Victory by Small Gods Brewing Co. X Field House Brewing Co. (Sidney, BC)
Episode 106: Dogville This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang steps onto the chalk-lined streets of Lars von Trier's provocative 2003 drama, Dogville. When the mysterious Grace arrives seeking refuge from a pair of gangsters, the isolated mountain town reluctantly offers her shelter. But as hospitality gives way to exploitation, kindness slowly curdles into cruelty, revealing just how thin the line between virtue and self-interest can be. Craig draws the map with Producer's Notes (11:54), while Alain walks the bare stage for the Beauclair Synopsis (19:23), guiding us through Dogville's quiet descent from generosity to moral collapse. In Philosopher's Corner (43:35), Chris shines a light on Immanuel Kant's notion of radical evil, asking what happens when ordinary people gradually learn to justify the unjustifiable. The gang then gathers at the Round Table (57:01), where every line in the sand is up for debate before Reviews (1:48:23) pulls back the curtain for one final look. As always, we explore the philosophical and non-philosophical aspects of the film, because sometimes the darkest places are the ones that seem the most welcoming. 🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - Saints and Sinners IPA by Dog Island Brewing (Slave Lake, AB)
Episode 105 - Back to the Future Great Scott! This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang travels back in time to 1985 with Robert Zemeckis' beloved sci-fi adventure classic, Back to the Future. When Marty McFly is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric Doc Brown, he quickly discovers that history is far easier to disrupt than repair. Craig kicks things off, generating 1.21 gigawatts of Producer's Notes (5:21), while Alain fires up the DeLorean for the Beauclair Synopsis (19:28). In Philosopher's Corner (37:42), Chris engages the flux capacitor to navigate the film's famously tangled family tree. The gang then convenes at the Round Table (51:05), where timelines intersect, paradoxes emerge, and nobody can quite agree on the rules. Reviews (1:26:33) and Mailbag (1:37:34) bring us safely back to the present, wrapping up the episode before the timeline can drift any further. As always, we explore the philosophical and non-philosophical aspects of the film, because where we're going, we don't need…roads. Come visit us at https://philosophyinfilm.ca/! 🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - "Why Don't You Make Like A Tree And Get Outta Here" NZ Cascade Pale Ale by Backcountry Brewing (Squamish, BC)