Wolf Cub Film Club

Wolf & Cub, who happen to be father and son, review top class films from around the world together. They're both filmmakers, Steve Thomas (Wolf) is a documentary maker & film school senior lecturer, while Danny Thomas (Cub) is also an actor and a writer. They review two films per episode, each recommended by the other, & discuss connecting themes as well as their own experiences on & off set. From opposite sides of the globe, between Australia & Germany. Season one comprises predominantly documentaries with the occasional narrative thrown in for good measure, a few shared memories & some inevitable banter about football. Episodes fortnightly! Launching in September. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode wolf & cub dive into 2 Netflix documentaries,'Pelé' (2021) a homage to possibly the greatest footballer in history directed by Ben Nicholas & David Tryhorn & 'Dick Johnson is Dead' (2020) a hybrid doco directed by Kirsten Johnson as she helps her father prepare for the end of his life. In examining the films, cub is compelled to share a story about his close encounter with Pelé & wolf shares his thoughts on transparency in filmmaking. So load up on sweets from the candy bar & make yourselves comfortable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Wolf & Cub take a look at two music documentaries. First up it's 'Beastie Boys Story' (2020) a live doco experience Directed by Spike Jonze where the two remaining members Michael Diamond & Adam Horovitz share the story of the band & their 40 year friendship. Followed by 'Amy' (2015) Directed by Asif Kapadia, an intimate portrait of the life & career of Amy Winehouse. In discussing the films Wolf finds a newfound appreciation for the Beastie Boys & Cub draws from some of his own experiences in bands. Grab yourselves a glass of red & a pack of maltesers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolf & Cub roam the animal kingdom this week with two documentaries focused on animals & our relationships with them. First up it's 'My Octopus Teacher' (2020) directed by Pippa Ehrlich & James Reed which follows the journey of filmmaker Craig Foster as he forges an unusual bond with an octopus in a South African kelp forest. Next up is 'Kedi' (2016) directed by Ceyda Torun a profile of the ancient city of Istanbul, its people & its cats... Wolf & Cub share their own experience coming face to face with a giant sting ray & fond memories of their family cat named George. Hold onto your tickets stubs & enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolf & Cub dissect two films this week with a medical theme. First up it's 'Sound of Metal' (2019) a narrative directed by Darius Marder about a heavy-metal drummer whose life is thrown into free-fall when he begins to lose his hearing. Next up is 'The English Surgeon' a documentary directed by Geoffrey Smith about the life of a neurosurgeon & the overwhelming dilemmas he continually faces. So find your row number, seat, sit back & relax. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolf & Cub take a look at two documentaries centred around masculinity and personal growth. First up is 'Free Solo' (2018) directed by Jimmy Chin & Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi about rock climber Alex Honnold's attempt to become the first person to climb El Capitan, a giant rock face in Yosemite National Park without ropes. Next up is 'The Work' (2017) directed by Jairus McLeary & Gethin Aldous where 3 men from the outside join inmates on the inside at Folsom Prison for 4 days of group therapy. In their chat about the films Wolf & Cub talk compromise in relationships & fatherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolf & Cub take a look at two documentaries that use interesting narrative devices. First up it's 'Misha & the Wolves' (2021) directed by Sam Hobkinson, the tale of a woman whose holocaust memoir took the world by storm, but a fallout with her publisher - who turned detective - revealed an audacious deception created to hide a darker truth. Next up it's 'Stories we tell' (2012) directed by Sarah Polley, a film that excavates layers of myth and memory to find an elusive family truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode wolf & cub change it up & look at the body of work from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. In 2010 Panahi was convicted by Iran’s Islamic republic of “making propaganda against the system” & placed under house arrest. He faced a 20 year ban on writing scripts, directing films, giving interviews or leaving the country. His films are a social critique & include ‘This is not a film’ (2011) ‘Taxi’ (2015) ‘Offside’ (2006) & ‘The Mirror’ (1997). A scene in Taxi reminds wolf & cub of a time when they scrambled to rescue a bunch of gold fish that spilled across the kitchen floor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the final episode for season one, Wolf & Cub have chosen narrative films from Europe & Australia. First up Cub has selected the Danish film 'Another Round' (2020) about four high school teachers who consume alcohol on a daily basis to see how it affects their social and professional lives. Next up Wolf has chosen the Australian film 'The Tracker' (2002) about a police officer leading an expedition to find an aboriginal fugitive. The film stars the iconic David Gulpilil & is a timely chance for Wolf & Cub to pay tribute to him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.