🎬 Exploring the Criterion Collection, one spine at a time. In each episode, I sit down with film historians, critics, filmmakers, and scholars for in-depth conversations about a single film from the Criterion Collection. I'm Ron, and I guide these expert-driven discussions examining the artistry, cultural significance, and historical context of classic and contemporary cinema. From French New Wave masterpieces to American westerns, from experimental shorts to beloved classics, we unpack what makes these films essential viewing. Whether you're a longtime Criterion collector, a film student, or simply curious about cinema history, Why This Film? offers thoughtful analysis and engaging conversations about the movies that shaped filmmaking. New episodes release 1-2 times monthly. Subscribe to join me for deep dives into the Criterion Collection.
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Signup to Generate a Pitch🎬 Exploring the Criterion Collection, one spine at a time. In each episode, I sit down with film historians, critics, filmmakers, and scholars for in-depth conversations about a single film from the Criterion Collection. I'm Ron, and I guide these expert-driven discussions examining the artistry, cultural significance, and historical context of classic and contemporary cinema.
Recent episodes include "Daisies (1966, Věra Chytilová) with Maggie Hennefeld - Criterion Collection Spine #1157" (11 October 2026, 64 minutes), "Lone Star (1996, John Sayles) with Domino Perez - Criterion Collection Spine #1202" (30 September 2026, 90 minutes), and "Deep Cover (1992, Bill Duke) with Michael B. Gillespie - Criterion Collection Spine #1086" (17 August 2026, 75 minutes).
Why This Film? publishes roughly every two weeks, with episodes averaging 72 minutes across 19 episodes.
Booking probability for Why This Film? is 30%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Why This Film? requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Why This Film?'s contact route on record: verified email.
The strongest fits for Why This Film? are Film & Video. Why This Film? has a tv audience.
Why This Film? is a tv podcast with 19 episodes published.
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Why This Film?
"Cake fights over war." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by Maggie Hennefeld to explore Daisies , Věra Chytilová’s 1966 Czech New Wave film and Criterion Collection Spine #1157. Two young women, both named...
Episode #18
"Blood only means what you let it." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by Domino Perez to explore Lone Star, John Sayles's 1996 neo-western murder mystery and Criterion Collection Spine #1202. A skeleton...
Episode #16
"There was a great moment in the 90s with noir films, and I think Deep Cover should always be a part of that consideration." In this episode of Why This Film? , I'm joined by film scholar Michael B. Gillespie to explore...
Episode #15
"You walk out taking away an awful lot of knowledge of American history that you were never told." In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film scholar Jack Ryan to explore Matewan , John Sayles's 1987...
Episode #13
"It captures an uncanny feeling that relates to grief, that there's something after, the hope we could get more time with someone we love." In this episode of Why This Film?, Film critic Carlos Aguilar joins me to...
Episode #12
<p><b>"It's an incredibly rich film."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film critic and scholar Girish Shambu to explore La cérémonie, Claude Chabrol's 1995 masterpiece and Criterion Collection...
Episode #11
<p><b>"It's a perfectly imperfect film."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by film editor Caleb Tyson to explore Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022), the Academy Award-winning stop-motion feature...
Episode #10
<p><b>"Is our identity predetermined or something we can create?"</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by Michael Repsch, President of Dark Star Pictures, to explore Kagemusha - Akira Kurosawa's...
Episode #9
<p><b>"To me, it's a perfect film."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by assistant director Chris Cook to explore The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Wes Anderson's meticulously crafted family drama and...
Episode #8
<p><b>"I think of it as Saving Private Ryan for thinkers."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by historian, author, and educator Jared Frederick to explore The Thin Red Line (1998), Terrence...
Episode #7
<p><b>“The regular world still has something special for someone who is weird.” </b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by comedian, broadcaster, and Maximum Fun founder Jesse Thorn to explore Pee-wee's...
Episode #6
<p><b>"Otto is Forrest Gump."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by assistant director James Chestnut to dive into Repo Man (1984), Alex Cox's punk-rock, sci-fi, anti-Reagan cult classic that...
Episode #5
<p>"<b>The gun really doesn't mean anything until people start obsessing over it."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, I'm joined by historian and author Brady Crytzer to explore Winchester '73 (1950), Anthony...
Episode #4
<p><b>"It's such an important film in his [Scorsese's] filmography. I'm so happy people are discovering it and Criterion decided to focus on it."</b></p><p>In this episode of Why This Film?, Ron is joined by critic and...
Episode #3
<p>In episode 3 of Why This Film?, Ron is joined by Ciara Moloney to discuss The Breakfast Club, John Hughes's defining 1980s teen film.</p><p>Together, they walk through the film scene by scene, talking about why these...
Episode #2
<p><b>"If retirement means you're in a lovely flat in Paris and your fridge is full of foie gras and champagne - I'm okay with that."</b></p><p>In episode 2 of Why This Film?, Ron discusses Jacques Becker's Touchez pas...
Episode #1
<p>“The past is dead!”</p><p>In the premiere episode of Why This Film?, I sit down with Dr. Dennis Weiss to explore Chris Marker's La Jetée (1962), a groundbreaking French science fiction short film that redefined what...
Recent guests on Why This Film?. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
Managing Director, Globant
double Olympian swimmer, double Commonwealth Games Champion, World Championship Bronze Medalist, motivational speaker, consultant, Gilbert and Cook Private Wealth Management
historian, author, and Reel History co-creator, Pennsylvania State University
host of NPR's Bullseye with Jesse Thorn, Judge John Hodgman, and Jesse, Jordan, Go!, Maximum Fun
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