Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by former UMass students, Ceeb Kennedy and Brian Licata! Both students graduated in the spring of 2025, having participated in the Film Studies program. In this episode, Ceeb and Brian take a closer look into the works of Luca Guadagnino, specifically "I Am Love (2009)," "A Bigger Splash (2015)," and "Call Me by Your Name (2017)." Take a listen!
Hosted/Produced by Chloe Mills and Conrad Johnson // Edited by Chloe Mills // Team: Maggie Belanger, Ev Fuss
Theme by Conrad Johnson
Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by the team's new co-host, Conrad Johnson! This episode looks at interviews with the cast and production team of the Monty Python series, reviewing techniques and unique stylistic choices in order to maintain a certain comedic style while keeping a low budget. Take a listen!
Hosted/Produced by Chloe Mills // Edited by Conrad Johnson
Theme by Conrad Johnson
Today, UMassterclass is featuring a special episode with the team's own Gabby Mosher!
The Romantic Comedy: a movie that appeals mostly to women. Exploring love and romance by utilizing humor, this genre is often overlooked by the film industry. Gabby talks about this overlooked genre from a feminist perspective, exploring how the romantic comedy can both adhere to gender norms as well as empower women.
Hosted by Gabrielle Mosher / Written and Researched by Gabrielle Mosher & Kaliska Wiley | Edited by Ryan Gies | Theme music by Ryan Gies
Originally produced Spring 2023.
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MMFF with UMassterclass! In this episode, host Rianna Jakson talks to Co-Director Daniel Pope on the meaning of this year's theme, "Before After" and each transformative film of the program! Listen to Rianna speak with director Ishtar Yasin Gutiérrez (My Lost Country / Baladi Aldaia, 2022) and award-winning director/cinematographer David Siev (dir. Bad Axe, 2022).
Featuring the voices of Nefeli Forni Zervoudaki, Kathy Roberts Forde, Daniel Pope, Emma Pildes & Tia Lessin (The Janes, 2022), David Siev & Rosie Walunas (Bad Axe, 2022), Danielle Deadwyler (Till, 2022) (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon).
All events are free and open to the public! To participate in the festival, go to: https://blogs.umass.edu/mmff/
The 30th annual Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival is curated by Daniel Pope and Nefeli Forni Zervoudaki and presented by the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Barbara Zecchi, Director.
This year’s theme also explores experiences in the wake of pivotal moments when the “after” has not yet arrived. Films this season address the global pandemic, reproductive rights, racial justice, migration, and war, as well as personal relationships, transformations, and victories. From intimate stories to historical upheavals, from heroic struggles to unforeseen joys, this season features documentary films, narrative features, and series spanning stories from Hungary, South Korea, Uganda, United States, Ukraine, Italy, Israel, Denmark, Chile, Iraq, and Cambodia. The festival hosts six filmmakers present for post-screening discussions. Screenings are accompanied by critical introductions by scholars and filmmakers.
With gratitude to the interns of the MMFF30.
Hosted by Rianna Jakson | Edited by Rianna Jakson | Podcast theme by Ryan Gies | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
Welcome to UMassterclass, the official, award-winning podcast of the Film Studies program at UMass Amherst!
Get a taste of what the show is like, meet every member of the team, and learn more about the origins of UMassterclass!
Hosted by Rianna Jakson & Kiefer Callewaert | Edited by Ryan Gies | Theme Music by Ryan Gies | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this special episode, host Rianna Jakson discusses Pretty Little Liars (showrunner I. Marlene King) and Deep Red (or, Profondo russo) (1975, dir. Dario Argento). This episode was produced through Professor Daniel Pope's Film Writing & Criticism Course of Fall 2022.
Celebrating International Teach Music Week (March 20-26), listen to Rianna take in-depth look at how the music of the hit teen drama series, Pretty Little Liars, was crafted, what defines the music of the Giallo film genre and how they are connected!
With guests Carl Clements, Nefeli Forni, & Briana Hodge. Featuring the works of Michael Suby, an American tv and film score producer and music producer.
Hosted/Edited/Produced by Rianna Jakson | Introduction by Rianna Jakson | Podcast Art by Jacky Celestino | Theme Music by Ryan Gies
First special episode of the new year!
Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by the team’s very own Kaliska Wiley! This special was produced through Professor Daniel Pope’s Film Writing and Criticism course, where students study films from an array of genres, periods in film history, international cinemas, and underrepresented voices. In a podcast workshop, Wiley and her friend, Andrew Bove, take a look at two vastly different comedies: King of Hearts (1966) and The Jerk (1979). Between these two movies they call their parents’ favorites, they chat about how to define comedy, madness, & theatrical clowning. Let’s take a listen! Happy Valentine’s day!
Hosted/Edited/Produced by Kaliska Wiley & Andrew Bove | Introduced by Rianna Jakson | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino | Theme music by Ryan Gies
Welcome to season 3! In their special debut extra for Halloween, hosts Rianna Jakson and Kiefer Callewaert examine the inspirations lifted from classical mythology and literature between The Batman (dir. Matt Reeves) and Se7en (David Fincher). What motivates the "day of reckoning" in each story? How is punishment dealt? How does Michael Giacchino draw on a classical prayer to transform and embellish character's themes? With special guest Joseph Torres!
Hosted by Rianna Jakson & Kiefer Callewaert | Edited by Rianna Jakson & Ryan Gies | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino | Podcast music by Quentin Callewaert
In this second part of season 2 episode 3, hosts Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko turn to The Green Knight (dir. David Lowery) to continue their discussion on what it means to truly live, how the film relates to an ever-changing, collective definition of a meaningful life, and more! With special guests Edson Oda and Professor Daniel Pope!
Hosted by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko and Joseph Torres | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino | Podcast music by Quentin Callewaert
In this first part of season 2 episode 3, hosts Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko talk about Nine Days (dir. Edson Oda) and delve into its existentialist themes like what does it mean to live a meaningful life? They also discuss the film’s cultural relevance to the social movements of today, and more. With special guests Edson Oda and Professor Daniel Pope!
Hosted by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino | Podcast music by Quentin Callewaert
Happy second week of this year's MMFF! In this podcast extra, host Emily Ko talks to Guest Curator Laura McGough, Assistant Curator Nefeli Forni, and Co-Director Daniel Pope about this year's theme (Indigeneities), the virtual format, and the history and future of the festival!
To participate in the festival, go to: https://blogs.umass.edu/mmff2022/
To watch last week's live Q&A with filmmaker Danis Goulet, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCCs9FLMjSg
Hosted by Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko | Podcast theme by Quentin Callewaert | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this second part of season 2 episode 2, host Emily Ko talks about Chloé Zhao’s The Rider and Nomadland. She discusses the cowboy identity, feminist filmmaking, nomadic living, and more! With special guests Professor Robin Blaetz and J.D. Swerzenski.
Hosted/edited/produced by Emily Ko | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this first part of season 2 episode 2, host Emily Ko talks about Chloé Zhao’s filmmaking journey, as well as her first feature film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me. She discusses the film’s contemplative portrayal of life on Pine Ridge, the importance of film as a medium, The Eternals, and more! With special guests Professor Robin Blaetz and Christian Buckley.
Hosted/edited/produced by Emily Ko | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this podcast extra, host Emily Ko interviews Nefeli Forni, coordinator of the 80 Years of Xanadu: Legacies of Citizen Kane conference that is taking place on December 3. Nefeli invites faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students from UMass Amherst and the Five Colleges to submit their academic paper, creative project, or video essay on Citizen Kane. She also talks about coordinating this conference, the kinds of work that she would like to see, and her personal connection to Citizen Kane!
The deadline for abstracts is Friday, October 29.
For more information (and the link to the abstracts submission form), go to: https://www.umass.edu/film/citizenkane80event
If you have any questions about the conference, please email nforni@umass.edu
Hosted/edited/produced by Emily Ko | Theme Music by Corey Shaya | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
Last episode of the summer! In this guest episode, host Ben Sepinuck gives an overview of the Best Picture nominees of the 2021 Academy Awards. He talks about films like Judas and the Black Messiah, Minari, Nomadland, and more! This amazing episode also won Best in Competition at the 2020-2021 Michael S. Roif Awards!
Please check out: www.explaintheasterisk.org/
Music in Ben's episode: Tumblin Down (cdk Mix) by Analog By Nature (c) copyright 2012 Licensed under a Creative Commons Noncommercial Sampling Plus license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/cdk/35847 Ft: Kirkoid
Featured episode hosted/edited/produced by Ben Sepinuck | Introduced by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko | Theme Music by Corey Shaya | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this special episode, host Emily Ko talks about The Shape of Water (dir. Guillermo Del Toro). This episode is part of Emily's Made Me Cry podcast where she talks about films that made her and many other people cry. She discusses the 2018 Oscars, how The Shape of Water moves audiences through its filmmaking, and some of the criticism that this film received.
Aisha Harris's article on The Shape of Water winning Best Picture at the 2018 Oscars: https://slate.com/culture/2018/03/the-shape-of-waters-best-picture-win-is-middle-of-the-road.html
Guillermo Del Toro's quote "It’s a movie that tells you that the racism, classism, sexual mores, everything that was alive in ‘62, is all alive now" from: https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film/guillermo-del-toro-on-the-deeper-meaning-in-the-shape-of-water-1.699621
Alexandre Desplat's quote from: https://deadline.com/2017/12/the-shape-of-water-alexandre-desplat-oscars-interview-1202220056/
Featured episode hosted/edited/produced by Emily Ko | Introduced by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko | Theme Music by Corey Shaya | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this episode, hosts Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko talk with undergraduate teaching assistants from different film classes. They discuss the TAing experience, the content of the courses, and much more!
These interviews were recorded during the Spring 2021 semester. Due to the virtual nature of these interviews, there are some variations in audio quality. Thank you for your patience!
Hosted by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Joseph Torres and Emily Ko | Theme Music by Corey Shaya | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
First guest episode ever! Today, UMassterclass is featuring Hannah Chan's episode on Minari (dir. Lee Isaac Chung) and Burning (dir. Lee Chang-Dong) from her podcast, Asian Film Express. She talks about the Golden Globes, Asian representation, Steven Yeun, and more!
Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org
Anti-Asian Violence Resources: https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co
Featured episode hosted/edited/produced by Hannah Chan | Introduced by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko | Theme Music by Corey Shaya | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
In this first full episode of season 2, hosts Emily Ko and Jacky Celestino discuss One Night in Miami (dir. Regina King) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (dir. George C. Wolfe). Their analysis looks at how the films’ technical elements underscore the confines of racial disparities that the characters face. They compare Sam Cooke and Malcom X’s relationship with that of Ma Rainey and Levee’s to further explore intersecting themes of liberation, activism, and art.
Hosted by Emily Ko and Jacky Celestino | Edited by Emily Ko | Theme Music by Corey Shaya | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
This bonus episode features three mini episodes created by students from Professor Olga Gershenson’s Fall 2020 Jewish Humor course. Some students discuss The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, focusing on the Catskills and Lenny Bruce’s influence on comedy. Other students talk about the portrayal of Schmidt’s mother in New Girl. Hosts Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko talk with Professor Gershenson to learn more about the assignment.
Background music in the New Girl episode is “Bossa Antigua” by Kevin MacLeod. Link to song: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3454-bossa-antigua Link to license: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/standard-license
Hosted by Jacky Celestino and Emily Ko | Edited by Emily Ko and Joseph Torres | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino
