Movies vs. Capitalism

MOVIES VS. CAPITALISM explores the politics of your favorite films through an anti-capitalist lens. Each episode, hosts Rivka and Frank are joined by a guest for a critical discussion about a film and how it’s obviously a scathing indictment of late-stage capitalism. Examining the crucial intersection between pop culture and politics — and unpacking the ideological messages baked into our favorite movies.

Listen on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
  • TuneIn + Alexa
  • iHeartRadio
  • PlayerFM
  • Listen Notes
  • Podchaser

Episodes

MVC update

Wednesday Jul 17, 2024

Wednesday Jul 17, 2024

MVC will be taking an indefinite hiatus while Frank deals with his back injury - we'll hopefully be back in the next few weeks or months. You can listen to Frank's announcement here.
Love you, comrades. We'll talk to you soon.

Thursday Jul 11, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by historian and co-host of the American Prestige podcast, Daniel Bessner, to discuss Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic, Gremlins 2: The New Batch. They explore the film’s anti-capitalist themes, its self-aware satire of franchised movie sequels, and, naturally, which Gremlin has the best politics.
The Life & Death of Hollywood (Harper’s Magazine)
American Prestige Podcast
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Snowpiercer

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024

Rivka and Frank delve into Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 climate horror thriller, Snowpiercer. They explore how the film's deep Marxist themes make it an ideal choice for discussing class warfare. They also examine the role of collaborators in revolutionary movements, the symbolism of airplanes as reminders of our modern caste system, and why Captain America was the perfect choice to star in this movie. 
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic Gremlins 2: The new batch.
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by MVC all-star Harvey Kaye to discuss Michael Moore’s 2009 documentary Capitalism, A Love Story. They talk about the film’s radicalizing potential, its portrayal of the 2008 financial crisis, what Moore could have done better, and Obama.
🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
Next week’s movie will be Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi action masterpiece Snowpiercer.

Rat Race (w/ Thalia Sablon)

Wednesday Jun 19, 2024

Wednesday Jun 19, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by playwright Thalia Sablon for a conversation about the wild 2001 screwball comedy Rat Race. They discuss how the film's celebrity-packed cast represents a dying culture, the shockingly anti-capitalist character arcs, and how the movie may have been an inspiration for Squid Game. 
Thalia Sablon - Website
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Wednesday Jun 12, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian Kate Willett for a conversation about the 1968 horror classic Rosemary’s Baby. They discuss how the film is an overt metaphor for the domination and control of a woman’s body, Mia Farrow’s incredible performance as a woman being gaslit by her husband and neighbors, and how the film’s generational dynamics mirrored the violent political upheavals in the U.S. during the late ‘60s. 
Kate Willett: Loopholes
 
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2001 comedy Rat Race.
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Never on Sunday (w/ Nomiki Konst)

Wednesday Jun 05, 2024

Wednesday Jun 05, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by investigative reporter, political analyst, and strategist Nomiki Konst  to discuss the 1960 revolutionary comedy Never on Sunday. This hidden gem of a film follows a Greek sex worker who makes her own hours and chooses her clients. The trio delves into the film’s themes of alienation from Western culture, its celebration of the revolutionary spirit of Greek culture, and the writer/director/star Jules Dassin’s history with the Hollywood blacklist. Nomiki also shares insights about her new documentary film Losing Puerto Rico.
Watch Never on Sunday - Full Movie YouTube
Losing Puerto Rico
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 1968 horror classic Rosemary’s Baby. 
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Wednesday May 29, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by professional organizer and agit-prop creator Anthony DePice to discuss Christopher Nolan’s 2008 Batman movie The Dark Knight. Is Joker a master organizer? Where was the Gotham Rec Center? Does Alfred ever get a break? All these questions and more on this black-pilled episode.
For next week's movie, we'll be watching the 1960 comedy Never on a Sunday.
🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism

Whiplash (w/ Kelly Kaufman)

Wednesday May 22, 2024

Wednesday May 22, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian Kelly Kaufman, to discuss the 2014 jazz thriller Whiplash. This film is Damian Chazelle’s breakout feature starring JK Simmons and Miles Teller. They talk about abusive power dynamics in the arts, toxic masculinity and the dangers of perfectionism under capitalism. Frank and Rivka also discuss the recent rants of comedian Jerry Seinfeld against the left and gen z. 
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2007 iconic Batman movie The Dark Knight.
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

Margin Call (w/ David Bruin)

Wednesday May 15, 2024

Wednesday May 15, 2024

Rivka and Frank are joined by theater educator, author, and Executive Artistic Director of Celebration Barn, David Bruin, to discuss the 2011 finance drama Margin Call. The film, which takes place at a fictional investment firm at the start of the 2008 financial crisis, is a fascinating look into the toxic work of finance. They talk about the ins-and-outs of the subprime mortgage crisis, the twisted pathology of finance bros, and how when the ultrarich play games the only losers are the people not playing.
CeasefireToday.com
Celebration Barn
For next week’s movie, we’ll be watching the 2014 jazz drama Whiplash. 
🤝 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝
www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capitalism
MVC donates its ad space to progressive or leftist causes and organizations. If you’re interested in promoting your work, email us at moviesvscapitalism@gmail.com.
Artwork by Rufus Paisley | Theme song by JustBen

© 2023 Movies vs. Capitalism

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125