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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.

Ep1110: IndieSeen: Friendship and Cannes-dor

Ep1110: IndieSeen: Friendship and Cannes-dor

Ian, Sujewa, and Jeff welcome back actor/filmmaker Raphael Sbarge for a look at two huge recent showbiz events: the release of A24's hit comedy, Friendship (starring Raphael, Paul Rudd, and Tim Robinson), and the recently wrapped Cannes Film Festival!

First up, Raphael talks about how he got involved with Andrew DeYoung's insightful, disturbing, and laugh-out-loud debut film--and what it was like making the movie. The guys also talk about the history of A24 as a genre powerhouse, and the potential turning point Friendship represents.

Next, our esteemed guest gives viewers an inside look at what it's like to attend the Cannes Film Festival for the first (and hopefully not last) time. From the rigorous, whirlwind schedule to red carpets and multi-million-dollar accessories to the secret coin of the cocktail party realm--this gossip-free-yet-delicious inside scoop will put you right in the thick of the glamorous hustle and bustle!

Plus: Sujewa talks about the launch of his 53 Spaceships GoFundMe (back it via the link below!) and we get a sneak peek at two of Raphael's upcoming projects--a short film called Loving Day, and the Palme d'Or-nominated History of Sound, directed by Oliver Hermanus and co-starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor!

Subscribe, like, and comment on Kicking the Seat here on YouTube, and check us out at:

Show Links

  • Watch the Friendship (2025) trailer.

  • Watch Earth's Mightiest Critics' live roundtable review of Friendship:

  • Catch up with last month's episode, which featured a review of Woody Allen's Stardust Memories and some initial thoughts on Cannes!

  • Subscribe to Raphael's smash hit podcast Inside the Arthouse with Greg Laemmle!

  • As mentioned in the show, Raphael will next appear in the HBO Max series, Task! Watch the trailer here!

  • Support Sujewa's new film project, 53 Spaceships, the latest adventure of Cosmic Disco Detective Rene!

  • Check out Sujewa's latest podcast venture, This Arthouse Life!

  • Watch Sujewa's latest film, Cosmic Disco Detective Rene for free on YouTube!

  • Rent The Secret Society for Slow Romance (the predecessor to Cosmic Disco Detective Rene).

  • Follow Sujewa on X.

  • Check out all the episodes in our “IndieSeen” Playlist!

Ep1111: Bring Her Back (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1111: Bring Her Back (2025) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1109: Class of '95: Mallrats - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1109: Class of '95: Mallrats - Live Roundtable Review