Make Time for This - GSPN's Podcast for Pop Culture and Other Things · GSPN, Blue Wire

The chaotic and sexy Passages, and what the ratings controversy that surrounds Ira Sachs' film says about US censorship

·1 hr 18 min·7 clips

Andrew argues the NC-17 rating for Passages is pure homophobia, sparking a heated debate on US censorship.

Adam and Andrew open with a wide-ranging pre-roll chat about seasonal darkness, Italian pasta, and their affection for filmmaker Ira Sachs, whom Adam describes as having been a blind spot before seeing Passages. The conversation then centers on the film's three leads. Franz Rogowski, who is Andrew's season ticket holder actor, is described as one of the most compelling performers working today, known from Christian Petzold's Transit and Phoenix and from his work with Terrence Malick. Ben Whishaw is praised as reliably excellent and underrated in how consistently he picks interesting projects. Adele Exarchopoulos, best known for Blue is the Warmest Color, is celebrated for her return to form in a more recent series of international films. The hosts discuss Tomas as a character: a narcissist who is genuinely compelling to be around, which explains why both Martin and Agathe find themselves pulled back despite clear evidence that Tomas operates without consistent empathy or regard for how his impulsiveness affects others. The ratings controversy is discussed: the MPAA initially gave Passages an NC-17 rating for explicit sexual content, which Mubi, the film's U.S. distributor, refused to accept, releasing the film unrated instead. The hosts discuss what this says about American vs. European standards for cinema, noting that European audiences and critics were largely unmoved by the content that triggered the MPAA. The episode includes a Christian Petzold book giveaway offer for listeners who leave reviews. The tone is cinephile-deep and conversational. The audience is art cinema enthusiasts and fans of character-driven European film.

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