The latest episode of the Culture Gabfest features a range of engaging discussions on contemporary films and literature. Panelists Steve Metcalf, Nadira Goffe, and Laura Miller dive into various topics, including the film The Secret Agent, the new prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and an unconventional teaching method employed by a UPenn professor.
In the opening segment, Dana Stevens joins the panel to explore the intricate themes and dreamlike imagery of Kleber Mendonça Filho‘s film, The Secret Agent. Set in the politically charged atmosphere of 1970s Recife, Brazil, the film features a captivating performance by Wagner Moura. The narrative weaves together elements of political thriller and magical realism, offering viewers a thought-provoking look at life under dictatorship.
The conversation then shifts to the highly anticipated prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is based on George R.R. Martin‘s expansive fantasy universe. Set a century before the original Game of Thrones series, this new production promises a grounded and surprisingly humorous take on the lore of Westeros, departing from the dragons and epic battles that characterized its predecessor.
The panel further discusses an article titled “Gluttons for Punishment,” authored by Lila Shapiro for Vulture. It highlights the efforts of Justin McDaniel, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who employs unconventional and sometimes extreme methods to motivate his students to complete their reading assignments. This approach has sparked conversations about innovative teaching techniques in higher education.
For subscribers of Slate Plus, there is an exclusive bonus episode where the panel discusses the art of wood stacking, inspired by Laura Miller’s recent piece, “The Art of the Holzhausen.”
As part of their recommendations, Nadira Goffe endorses melancholic shoegaze pop albums from Scandinavian artists, including Goodbyehouse by Snuggle and Big City Life by Smerz. Laura Miller recommends the novels of Robert Jackson Bennett, particularly the Shadow of the Leviathan series, while Steve Metcalf highlights the Substack essay “The Wall Looks Permanent Until It Falls Down” by Adam Bonica, which examines American exceptionalism. Dana adds a recommendation for Pictures of Ghosts, a documentary by Kleber Mendonça Filho that further explores Recife in the 1970s.
Listeners can access the episode through various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. The Culture Gabfest continues to be a valuable source of insightful commentary on cultural events and trends, featuring a mix of highbrow and popular topics.
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