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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 Noé, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy 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.

Ep888: Spotlight India: BREAKING BARRIERS (2023) Filmmaker Interviews

Ep888: Spotlight India: BREAKING BARRIERS (2023) Filmmaker Interviews

Ian Simmons

In recent months, Ian has spoken with Shashwat Mookherjee, a young filmmaker and Data Science student at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. During their discussions, Shashwat talked about his forthcoming documentary, which he created with the dedicated and very talented members of the IIT Madras BS Film Society.

Now you can watch Breaking Barriers: The IIT Madras Story YouTube. Ian spoke with several members of the production team about their incredible journey. The movie looks at the ways in which IIT Madras broke from institutional traditions by widening the opportunities for students to apply for their widely respected programs--and in the process opened the door to people of all different ages, backgrounds, and education levels to engage with the school's legendarily rigorous courses.

In this very special episode, Ian learns about the film and the filmmakers, including Shashwat and:

  • Shruti Dutta: Writer

  • Susnighdha Saha: Creative Consultant

  • Pranshu Jaiswal: Production Manager

  • Ashwin Hebbar: Production Manager

Please enjoy this eye-opening conversation, and be sure to check out Breaking Barriers next Friday!

Show Links

  • Watch the Breaking Barriers trailer.

  • Watch Breaking Barriers on the IIT Madras BS Film Society YouTube channel!

  • Follow IIT Madras BS Film Society on Instagram.

  • Learn more about IIT Madras on their website: https://www.iitm.ac.in/

  • Watch Shashwat's short films on YouTube (and be sure to subscribe!).

  • Watch Ian and Shashwat's recent interview for the Indian Institute of Technology Madras Film Society about film criticism!

  • And catch up with previous "Spotlight India" episodes.

  • Subscribe to, like, and comment on the Kicking the Seat YouTube channel!

Ep889: SUPERMAN II (1980) Round Table Review

Ep889: SUPERMAN II (1980) Round Table Review
Ep887: There's No Stalgia Like Nostalgia: FLASHDANCE (1983)

Ep887: There's No Stalgia Like Nostalgia: FLASHDANCE (1983)