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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Ep439: Dawn of the NIGHTINGALE w/ Aisling Franciosi!

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast and Keeping it Reel's David Fowlie talk about one of their favorite films of the year, Jennifer Kent's The Nightingale! Set in 1820's Tasmania, the movie follows Clare (Game of Thrones star Aisling Franciosi), an Irish ex-con who navigates dangerous terrain with a tracker named Billy (Baykali Ganambarr) on a quest to take revenge on a band of corrupt British soldiers.

The guys debate The Nightingale's genre roots, marvel at Franciosi's destined-to-be-iconic performance, and wonder about the film's prospects. This controversial work has been the subject of outcries and walk-outs, and is the poster child for trigger warnings. But it's also a moving and memorable tale of survival, conscience, and hope.

As a bonus, Ian talks with Aisling Franciosi about preparing for the role and developing trust with actors who portray the worst kinds of monsters. Also, David got a chance to speak with Ms. Franciosi in May, during The Nightingale's Midwes premiere at the Chicago Critics Film Festival. You can read his interview now at Keeping it Reel!

Lastly, Ian offers a hearty recommendation for Criterion's recently released 1984 Blu-ray. You can watch his breakdown of the special features now on YouTube!

Episode 439 is a podcast best served cold!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 3:30

Aisling Franciosi Interview: 3:30 - 14:51

Intro Ct'd: 14:51 - 17:36

The Nightingale Trailer: 17:36 - 19:46

The Nightingale Discussion: 19:46 - 1:05:58

Outro Music: 1:05:58 - 1:06:14

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Ep440: Late Screening: Oliver Scott's NATURAL BORN KILLERS

Ep438: Brilliant Disguise w/ VIVEIK KALRA!