Black Girl Film Club
Black Girl Film Club is a podcast that creates a space for black girls to watch and discuss movies. Hosts Britney and Ashley analyze films and the film industry from their unique, often underrepresented perspective. New episodes are released twice a month.
Episodes
In the Studio With: Hedda (2025) feat. This Feels Bi
Hope you've been having a happy Pride month listeners! In this episode we welcomed Amanda and Erin from the podcast This Feels Bi to talk about Hedda (2025) dir. Nia DaCosta.
In this episode, we talk to Amanda and Erin about queer coded movies, sexuality as gossip, Hedda and stereotypical bi representation, and the power dynamics within relationships. 🗣️ We love you Nia DaCosta!! Come on the show
In the Studio With: Poetic Justice (1993) feat. Thomas Golianopoulos
We welcomed author and journalist Thomas Golianopoulos to the studio to talk Singleton's sophomore effort, Poetic Justice (1993) and Golianopoulos' biographical work, The Life of Singleton: From Boyz in the Hood to Snowfall.
After exploding on to the scene with his directorial debut, Boyz in the Hood (1991`), John Singleton approached his second film with new perspective on a familiar setting — S
In the Studio With: Losing Ground (1982) feat. Jada Trabue of Vi5isonary Pictures
We welcomed Jada Trabue in the studio to talk about her production company, Vi5ionary Pictures, and the inspiration behind her movie pick, Losing Ground (1982) dir. Kathleen Collins!
Losing Ground was only the second feature film directed by a Black woman since 1922's A Woman's Error dir. Tressie Souders — in the film, uptight philosophy professor Sara clashes with her artist husband Victor when
Episode 132: The Good Son (1993)
If I let you go, do you think that you can fly?
It's time for another movie on kids with extraordinarily bad vibes, this time 90s style in The Good Son (1993). The Good Son stars Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood as Henry and Mark, two cousins who reunite after a tragedy and become friendly before Henry starts exhibiting dangerous and violent behavior.
In this episode: Britney tells us once agai
Episode 131: The Bad Seed (1956)
Have you considered that the kid has bad vibes??
This week, we're putting on our intellectual hats and talking parenting, the theory of nature vs nurture, and 1950s anxieties in The Bad Seed (1956) dir. Mervyn LeRoy and starring Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack, and Evelyn Varden. Based on the 1954 novel, The Bad Seed follows 8 year old Rhoda who is suspected of murder after a classmate goes missing
Episode 130: Eve's Bayou (1997)
We continue our celebration of Black women directors with Kasi Lemmons' feature debut, Eve's Bayou (1997), a story that examines truth and memory against the backdrop of an all Black bayou town in the early 1960s.
In this episode, we talk through Kasi's inspirations for the story and intergenerational trauma and other hallmarks of the Southern Gothic genre.
Our recommendations: Cuties (2020)
Su
Episode 129: On Becoming A Guinea Fowl (2025)
Happy Black History Month and happy anniversary to us! 🖤🖤🖤
This month we're giving a spotlight to Black female directors, starting with Rungano Nyoni's On Becoming A Guinea Fowl (2025), a film that explores family secrets and complicit silence against the backdrop of a funeral.
In this episode, we talk grief as a performance, women who protect bad men, and the shared experiences of family gathe
Episode 128: The Apartment (1960)
Two things make up the meaning of Christmas: career advancement and extramarital affairs!
For our last episode of 2025, we watched The Apartment (1960), directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Lemmon plays C.C. "Bud" Baxter, a middleman at an insurance company who allows his superiors to use his apartment to conduct extramarital affairs while falling in love with F
Episode 127: Misery (1990)
Welcome to another cock-a-doodie episode of Black Girl Film Club! As the weather gets colder, we take on stan culture, fandom and unhinged devotion in Misery (1990), directed by Rob Reiner and starring James Caan and Kathy Bates.
In this episode: Stephen King's experiences with fan backlash and substance abuse, King's vast influence on the horror genre, Kathy Bates' star making turn as Annie, the
Episode 126: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
Welcome to primetime, bitch!
We're joined by longtime friend of the show, Davalyn, to discuss A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors! Directed by Chuck Russell and starring Patricia Arquette, Heather Langenkamp, Craig Wasson, and Robert Englund, NOES3 sees a group of kids team up to fight the dream demon and a rescue a friend.
#1 horror experts Dee and Britney give a breakdown of the franch
In the Studio With: The Virgin Suicides (1999) feat. Maya Williams
We welcomed Maya Williams (ey/they/she) back to the show to discuss their new chapbook of poetry, Feminine Morbidity, along with Sofia Coppola's 1999 feature debut, The Virgin Suicides.
Based on Jefferey Eugenides' 1991 novel, this film follows the Lisbon sisters and their parents who are reeling after the youngest sister, Cecelia, takes her own life.
In this episode: mental health portrayals i
Episode 125: The Craft (1996)
Light as a feather, stiff as a board 🪶
On this episode of Black Girl Film Club, we invited Lauren from Fashion Grunge to have a long overdue conversation about The Craft (1997), directed by Andrew Fleming and starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True.
Witches and spells and boys, oh my! In this episode: fashion as storytelling being the Only Black Girl; Rochelle did n
Rough Cut 29: Highest 2 Lowest (2025)
Surprise! We're back with a brand new Rough Cut, this time on Highest 2 Lowest (2025), Spike Lee and Denzel Washington's 5th collaboration and their first in 19 years. Highest 2 Lowest is a remake of the 1963 Akira Kurosawa film High and Low — both movies follow a rich businessman who deliberates paying the ransom when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped.
Highest 2 Lowest also stars A$ap Rocky, Jeff
Episode 124: Never Been Kissed (1999)
We're not Josie Grossie anymore!!
High school is still hell in Never Been Kissed (1999) directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, LeeLee Sobieski, and Molly Shannon.
In this episode: a look at the real story that inspired the movie and the ethics of adults secretly mixing in with teens; what high school was like in the ancient days of the early 2000s; recovering fro
Episode 123: She's All That 1999)
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains 😌
Class is now in session, Black Girl Film Club listeners! We're going back to high school with 90s classic (and Britney's personal favorite), She's All That (1999) directed by Robert Iscove and starring Freddie Prinze Jr, Rachel Leigh Cook, Matthew Lillard, and Paul Walker and featuring Kieran Culkin, Clea Duvall, Usher Raymond, Lil Kim, Gabrielle Uni
Episode 122: Fall (2022)
We're back to talk friendship, betrayal, and extreme hobbies...this time, above ground!
In Fall (2022), recently widowed Becky and her friend Hunter become stranded after climbing a 2,000 ft decommissioned tv tower to spread her husband's ashes. Fall is directed by Scott Mann and stars Graces Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardener, Mason Gooding, and Jeffery Dean Morgan.
In this episode: our collec
Episode 121: The Descent (2005)
🎵
What about your friends?
Will they stand their ground?
Will they let you down again?
🎵
We're looking at friendship dynamics and betrayal in The Descent (2005), directed by Neil Marshall and starring Shauna Macdonald, Natalia Mendoza, and Alex Reid. The Descent follows 6 women who become stranded in a uncharted cave system and have to survive cannibals and each other. If you can't fight togethe
Episode 120: But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
1, 2, 3, 4! This is a movie that we adore! 📣🏳️🌈
We're going on another trip — this time to New Directions in Jamie Babbit's But I'm a Cheerleader (1999). A satirical look at the horrors of conversion therapy, But I'm a Cheerleader follows Megan (Natasha Lyonne), an All-American cheerleader who's sent to a local rehab camp to learn about to be a Happy Heterosexual™ when her friends and family sus
Episode 119: Fire Island (2022)
Happy Pride, film club listeners! 🏳️🌈
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single podcast in possession of 2 microphones, must be in want of a of good ass movie. But enough hetero nonsense! In this episode we take a trip to Fire Island (2022) directed by Andrew Ahn and starring Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, and Margaret Cho. Fire Island is a modern queer
In the Studio With: You Were Dead Yesterday (2025) feat. Destiny Cox of Wano Studios
For a very special edition of In the Studio With, we have director Destiny Cox with us to talk about her short film You Were Dead Yesterday (2025), an Afro-Gothic take on living through, and surviving a zombie apocalypse.
In addition to directing, Destiny is the co-founder of Wano Studios, a Philadelphia-based production company. During this interview, asked Destiny about the rewards of running h
Episode 118: Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Silencio!
We finally get lost in David Lynch's walking daydream Mulholland Dr. (2001) starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Justin Theroux.
Lynch, as usual, declined to explain the meaning of the film and we here at Black Girl Film Club can little more than offer our musing and interpretations including: the Hollywood machine, the sinister nature of LA, shaping your identity, Ellen Degeneres
Episode 117: Eraserhead (1977)
You guys........we miss David Lynch. A lot.
In part 1 of our David Lynch double feature, we discuss Eraserhead (1977), starring Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Jeanne Bates, and Jack Fisk. In this film, factory worker Henry Cooper becomes a father while living in an industrial wasteland.
Lynch famously called Eraserhead his most spiritual film but, even more famously, declined to explain why. He
Rough Cut 28: Sinners (2025)
Heavy spoilers ahead!
Welcome back to the Rough Cut! Along with literally everybody else in the world, we share our initial reactions of the most talked about movie of the year, Sinners (2025). Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan as twins Smoke and Stack, who return to the Mississippi Delta to open a juke joint and are attacked by vampires in process.
In this extended episo
Episode 116: B.A.P.S. (1997)
BOO YOW! 👸🏾👸🏾
On today's episode, we look back to another 90s Black Movie Classic – B.A.P.S. (1997) directed by Robert Townsend and starring Halle Berry, Natalie Desselle-Reid, and Martin Landau. In this film, Nisi (Berry) and Mickey (Desselle-Reid) make the big jump from Atlanta to L.A. and attempt to make their dreams come true but get caught up in a scam involving an aging multi-millionaire an
Episode 115: One of Them Days
Like phoenixes rising from the littered ashes of Oscars discourse and Russo Brothers slop, we've triumphantly emerged from Cinema Purgatory™ for our 7th year to, once again, fill the internet airwaves with our hot takes on film.
In this week's episode we're talking friendship, heart chakras, and bra money in One of Them Days (2025), directed by Lawrence Lamont and starring Keke Palmer and SZA i
Rough Cut 27: Hot Frosty (2024)
In this edition of the Rough Cut, we talk horny Christmas movies with Netflix's Hot Frosty (2024).
In this episode: more investigations into the Holiday Movie Industrial Complex, Lacy Chabert: Queen of Christmas, snowman nipples, horny old people, and why every Christmas movie is based in trauma (thanks Charles Dickens!).
Our recommendations: Falling For Christmas (2022), The Holdovers (2023),
Rough Cut 26: The Substance (2024)
Remember: You Are One 🧪🍳
On this latest edition of the Rough Cut, we chat about the psychological affects of Hollywood and the anti-aging industry in The Substance (2024) directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.
Also in this episode: aging out of society, the mythology behind "black don't crack," aging on the internet, fertility and trad cottageco
Episode 114: Candyman (1992) featuring Davalyn and The Chocolate Hippie
Sweets for the sweet 🍭🍬
After literal years, we finally confront the Stacy Adams big bad himself, Candyman (1992) directed by Bernard Rose and starring Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, and Kasi Lemmons.
In this episode: our childhood experience with the film; local urban legends and the power of belief; Clive Barker's The Forbidden and Eddie Murphy as the first choice for Daniel Robitaille; smash or
Episode 113: Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! BEETLEJUICE!!
We're summoning the juice demon and bio-exorcism expert in Tim Burton's classic, Beetlejuice (1988) starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and Catherine O'Hara.
In this episode: Beetlejuice's wild journey from page to screen; calypso songs to get possessed to; goth legend Lydia Deetz; the importance of production design; how we'd
Episode 112: The Transfiguration (2016)
We're back with more Black vampires with The Transfiguration (2016), a coming of age tale of Milo, a struggling Brooklyn teen who believes he is a vampire. The Transfiguration was directed by Michael O'Shea and stars Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine, and Aaron Moten.
In this episode: Milo's Vampire Code of Ethics; #TwilightSucks; using movies to scare the hoes; Black writers and the occult; vampirism as
Episode 111: Blade (1998)
Some motherfuckers are always trying to ice-skate uphill ⛸️🩸
We're taking another bite into Black vampires with Blade (1998), the iconic Marvel film directed by Stephen Norrington and starring Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, N'Bushe Wright and Sanaa Lathan!
In this episode: blood raves and dhampirs; The Haunting of Renesmee; real Y2K aesthetics; Marvel 360 deals and our predictions for the long-de
Rough Cut 25: Interview with the Vampire (1994, 2022–)
Ladies and gentleman, madames et monsieurs...welcome to a different kind of Rough Cut. Prepare yourselves, mortals, as we explore two adaptions of Anne Rice's epic tale: Interview with the Vampire (1994) and it's tv adaptation (2022-).
In this episode: the history behind the 1976 novel; Oprah denouncing the dark energy in the first film; Ashley admits she was wrong about Sam Reid; Louis the Bird;
Rough Cut 24: Trap (2024)
Y'all know Black Girl Film Club? That podcast where two Black women talk about movies? Well, the feds heard they got backstage passes to Lady Raven's latest show, so they set up a trap for them. This whole episode is a trap 🪤
This episode has spoilers for M. Night Shyamalan's latest movie Trap (2024), starring Josh Hartnett as a serial killer trying to escape the ultimate trap – a pop star's aren
Episode 110: 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
🎵 We can’t take our eyes off of youuuu 🎵
We watched 90s teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), a retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew!
In this episode, we wonder if Shakespeare's 430 year old play is as misogynistic as it seems on the surface and talk about how 10 Things launched the careers of several actors, the unpopularity or 90s (white) feminism and whether we still h
Rough Cut 23: Longlegs (2024)
🚨This episode is full of spoilers!🚨
Happy birthday to youuuuu!! 🎈 We watched the latest horror du jour: Osgood Perkins' Longlegs (2024), starring Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood, and Nicholas Cage.
In this episode: surprise Blair Underwood, Big Actor™ Nic Cage, evil twin dolls, glam rock, religious trauma in horror movies, and the best Longlegs memes.
Our recommendations: Cure (1997), Zodiac (20
Episode 109: She's the Man (2006)
We're taking it back to English class with a Shakespearean High School!AU: She's The Man (2006), a popular adaption of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
In this episode, we praise our childhood fave Amanda Bynes, reminisce about Old Navy fashions, and look at gender identity and politics of the early 2000s.
If podcasts be the food of love, then play on!
Our recommendations: Get Over It (2001), O (
Episode 108: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
G'day friends! We take a trip down under and discover show girl drag in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) 🪩👠
In this episode, we continue to praise the art of drag and discuss the portrayal of trans women in movies, cis women upholding the patriarchy, stan behavior, and whether or not we would eat a kangaroo.
Our recommendations: Monica (2023), Tangerine (2015), Rafiki (201
Episode 107: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
Happy Pride, everybody! We're finally reviewing a 90s drag classic, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), directed by Beeban Kidron.
In this episode, we go into the use of drag on film, the cultural impact of RuPaul's Drag Race, and Britney picks out her drag name.
Our recommendations: Some Like It Hot (1959) and The Queen (1968)
Support the show with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/bla
Episode 106: Charlie's Angels (2000)
Flip. Your goddamn. Hair.
We revisited classic early 2000s girl power, music video aesthetics, and racism in Charlie's Angels (2000). Other topics: baby feminism, noted scab Drew Barrymore, and went wrong with that reboot.
Our recommendations: Spice World (1997), Death Proof (2007)
Support the show with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub
Check out the rest of our socials at linktr.ee/blackgi
Rough Cut 22: Challengers (2024)
Throuples everywhere: rejoice! We had some thoughts and feelings on Challengers (2024), Zendaya the Brand™, racism in tennis, and what makes the perfect love triangle. Spoilers everywhere!!
Our recommendations: Y tu mamá también (2001), Three Ways (2022), 7 Days in Hell (2015)
Support the show with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub
Check out the rest of our socials at linktr.ee/blackgirlfilm
Episode 105: The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)
We've been sucked into a tv time warp, speeding back in time 1990s but also the 1970s with The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)!
In this episode, we reminiscence about classic sitcoms, and the blissful oblivion of one of tv's most iconic families.
Our recommendations this week: The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), The Addams Family Values (1993)
Support the show with a Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub
C
In the Studio With: Nowhere (1997) feat. Lauren @ Fashion Grunge
On this episode of Black Girl Film Club, we welcome blogger and fellow podcaster Lauren from Fashion Grunge! We get lost in L.A. and dodge Valley Girls, the Atari Gang, and some creepy alien while chatting about 90s culture, movies, and fashion in Gregg Araki's Nowhere (1997), starring James Duval and Rachel True.
Our recommendations: The Doom Generation (1995), KIDS (1995), The Virgin Suicides (
Rough Cut 21: Oscars 2024
On this special edition of the Rough Cut, we're back to talk about this year's Oscars! In this very loose episode, we list a few of our predictions, chat about the Razzie's, a dissect the online uproar over the Barbie nominations.
No recommendations this week! Slide us your recommendations or tell us your your nomination predictions at our email:
💌 blackgirlfilmclub (at) gmail (dot) com
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Episode 104: Earth Mama (2023)
This week, we close out Black History Month with the 2024 BAFTA winning Earth Mama (2023), directed by Savanah Leaf and starring Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander, and Doechii.
In this episode, we continue our discussion on Black womanhood, this time with an expanded conversation on adoption, the struggles of being a young mother looking for a support system, and what the life would be like if America
Episode 103: Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992)
Happy Black History Month and happy 6 years of Black Girl Film Club! ✊🏾🎞️✊🏾
We’re taking the train to Brooklyn with a discussion on Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992), directed by Leslie Harris and starring Ariyan A. Johnson, Ebony Jericho, and Kevin Thigpen.
In this episode, we have a very important question: where are all the Black girl coming of age stories? We also explore the challenges o
Rough Cut 20: May December (2023)
For our final Rough Cut of 2023, we watched May December (2023), directed by Todd Haynes and starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton.
In this episode, we discuss actors making the leap from tv to film, power dynamics in relationships and the audience perception of these relationships, and the real-life case that inspired the movie. May December is streaming now on Netflix.
Episode 102: Deep Cover (1992)
We're wrapping up Noirvember with Deep Cover (1992) directed by Bill Duke and starring Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, Charles Martin Smith, and Victoria Dillard.
In this episode, we discuss modern day copaganda, Laurence's lack of film acting nominations, early 90s racism and more.
This week recommendations: The Fast and the Furious (2001), Under the Silver Lake (2017), The Mighty Quinn (19
Episode 101: Belly (1998)
We kick off #noirvember by traveling back to our childhoods with Belly (1998), a hip hop classic directed by industry legend Hype Williams and starring DMX, Nas, T-Boz, Taral Hicks, and Method Man.
In this episode, we give Hype his well-deserved flowers, discuss if this movie really depicts Black people in a stereotypical light, and reflect on just how influential this movie has been over the las
The Lost Episode: Braindead/Dead Alive (1992)
We dug deep into the BGFC Archives and unearthed something we've been teasing since our very first official release: our pilot episode, recorded in the ancient time of AD 2017. Braindead/Dead Alive (1992) is Peter Jackson's 3rd directorial feature and stars Timothy Balme and Diana Peñalver as two lovers determined to stay alive after the undead take over their New Zealand neighborhood.
Out of all
Rough Cut 19: Bottoms (2023)
**Congrats on the WGA for their deal with the AMPTP — solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and other unions that are fighting for a fair deal.**
In this episode of Black Girl Film Club, we talk about fight clubs, classic teen comedies, and what's next in the queer movie canon in Bottoms (2023), directed by Emma Seligman and starring Rachel Senott, Ayo Edebiri, and Marshawn Lynch.
This week's recommendatio
Rough Cut 18: Freeway (1996) and Freeway II: Confessions of a Trick Baby (1999)
We finally gave in to you, the listeners, and answered a request.
In this episode, we review Freeway (1996), a loose adaptation on Red Riding Hooding directed by Matthew Bright and starring Reese Witherspoon and Kiefer Sutherland and Freeway II: Confessions of a Trick Baby (1999), its Hansel and Gretel-esque sequel directed again by Matthew Bright and starring Natasha Lyonne and Vincent Gallo.
Rough Cut 17: Talk to Me (2023)
We dap up the spirits and give our first impressions on Talk to Me (2023), directed by Danny and Michael Philippou and starring Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jansen, Joe Bird, and Miranda Otto.
This week's recommendations: Sissy (2022), Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975, 2018)
Support your girls with a ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub
Check out the rest of our socials at linktr.ee/blackgirlfilmclub
Rough Cut 16: Rye Lane(2023)
In this brand new Rough Cut, we *finally* give first impressions on the cutest rom-com of the year, Rye Lane (2023) directed by Raine Allen-MIller and starring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah.
In this episode, we discuss British rom-coms, breakups, and being Iconic™.
This week's recommendations: Bringing Up Baby (1938), The Lost City (2022), The Perfect Find (2023), Nick and Norah's Infinite Pla
Rough Cut 15: Barbie (2023)
Hi Barbie! Join us on the Barbieland Disco Dancefloor for the movie event of the year, Barbie (2023) directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera.
In this episode, we talk existential crises, the homoeroticism of the patriarchy, and growing up with Barbie.
This week's recommendation: The Brady Bunch Movie(1995) and Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Check out G
Rough Cut 14: The Little Mermaid (2023)
We're going back under the sea and giving our first impressions of The Little Mermaid (2023), directed by Rob Marshall and starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy.
In this episode, we wonder........just what the hell Disney is doing?
This week's recommendation: Ponyo (2008)
Support your girls with a ko-fi! ko-fi.com/blackgirlfilmclub
Check out the rest of o
In the Studio With: The Doom Generation (1995) feat. Mimi Stringfield
We're back with a bonus episode for Pride Month! For this edition of In the Studio With, we're joined by writer Mimi Stringfield to talk about The Doom Generation (1995), directed by Gregg Araki and starring Rose McGowan, James Duval, and Johnathon Schaech.
In this episode, we talk about Araki's polarizing output and his Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy, love and self discovery on road trip through He
Episode 100: The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995)
It's a party!!! This week, we're celebrating our 100th episode with The Incredibly Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995) directed by Maria Maggenti and starring Nicole Ari Parker and Laurel Holloman.
In this episode we talk about the film's difficult production shoot, first loves, self-discovery in the mid-90s, and the troubles facing queer youth today.
Check out Ashley's Queer Cinema list on Le
Episode 99: The Watermelon Woman (1996)
Happy Pride!
This week, we review groundbreaking piece of modern indie filmmaking, The Watermelon Woman (1996) directed by Cheryl Dunye and starring Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker, and Lisa Marie Bronson. The Watermelon Woman follows Cheryl, a video store clerk and filmmaker, on her search for the identity of a 1930s actress known only as The Watermelon Woman.
This movie is con
In The Studio With: The Secret Life of Bees (2008) feat. Maya Williams
On this special episode, we're joined by poet Maya Williams to discuss depression, Black girlhood, and creating our own eden in The Secret Life of Bees (2008) directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okenedo, and Alicia Keys.
Our recommendations: In the Pockets of Small Gods by Anis Mojgani, The Woman King (2022)
Judas & Suicide, May
Episode 98: The Shape of Water (2017)
It's the second half of Mermay and we're back with a different spin on the human and fish as lovers trope with The Shape of Water (2017) directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.
In this episode, we discuss del Toro's love of Universal Monsters and his religious inspiration, and finding love and
Episode 97: Splash (1984)
Happy Mermay, friends! For absolutely NO reason at all we've decided to find love under the sea with Splash (1984) directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Eugene Levy, and John Candy.
In this episode, we look at Disney's dark ages (aka the 1980s) and the Born Sexy Yesterday trope, marvel at Splash's practical effects, and Britney reveals her love and knowledge of mermaid cul
Episode 96: The Bodyguard (1992)
Secure the perimeter! We're back with part 2 of our Starring Divas theme with 1992's iconic film, The Bodyguard, directed by Mick Jackson and starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston as Rachel, a pop star who falls in love with the bodyguard that's been hired to protect her from a seemingly deranged fan.
In this episode, we talk about the chemistry between Whitney and Kevin, the perils of pop s
In The Studio With: Mississippi Masala (1991) feat. Marya E. Gates
In this episode, we welcome film critic Marya E. Gates to the studio to talk about Mississippi Masala (1991), directed by MIra Nair and starring Sarita Choudhury, Denzel Washington, Roshan Seth, and Sharmila Tagore.
Mississippi Masala tells the story of Mina, and Ugandan-Indian woman whose family has settled in Greenwood, Mississippi after being displaced by General Idi Amin, and her budding roma
Episode 95: Mahogany (1975)
We're back with part 1 of our r&b/pop diva double feature with Mahogany (1975), directed by Berry Gordy and starring THE BOSS, Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, and Anthony Perkins.
In this episode, we dive into this groundbreaking movie and Diana's career as a Supreme, 1970s racism and masculinity, and, of course, fashion.
This week's recommendations: The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Lady Sings th
Episode 94: Triangle Of Sadness (2022)
We're back with part 2 of our 2023 Oscars coverage!
In this episode, we look at the efforts taken to diversify the Oscars in the present day and pick our Big Five before Sunday's award ceremony, before diving into our movie: Ruben Ostlund's Triangle of Sadness (2022), a Best Picture nominee that attempts to make a statement on class, beauty, and equality.
Triangle of Sadness stars Harris Dicki
Episode 93: It Happened One Night (1934)
It's Oscar season here at Black Girl Film Club and we're celebrating the most chaotic night in movies with a look at pre-code Oscar winner It Happened One Night (1934) directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. In this episode, we discover the origins of the Academy Awards and the Hays Code and their impact on the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood and how we view movie
Rough Cut 13: The Black Guy Dies First x Boy Eats Girl (2005)
On this new edition of the Rough Cut, we're doing something a little different: a book review! In this episode, we analyze The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar (Gallery Books, Saga Press) written by Horror Noire's Dr. Robin Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris.
The Black Guy Dies First traces Black horror history from its modern breakthrough with 1968's Spider Baby and N
Episode 92: Boomerang (1992)
We're back with another Black Classic! Today's episode is all about Boomerang (1992) directed by Reginald Hudlin and starring Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, Robin Givens, Martin Lawrence, David Allen Grier, Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt.
Boomerang isn't often counted in the rom-com canon but we're here to give it its due. In this ep, we talk Eddie Murphy's turn as a romantic lead, the perils of relation
Episode 91: House Party (2023)
Five years ago, we here at Black Girl Film Club dropped our first episode on a Black Classic, House Party (1990) and wondered when we'd get another great high school party film. This February, we've come full circle with House Party (2023), directed by Calmatic and starring Tosin Cole, Jacob Latimore, Karen Obilom, Scott Mescudi, and Lebron James. Does this latest installment (and possibly a cover
Episode 90: 2022 Year In Review
We did it, guys. We made it to the end of this heinous year. In this episode, we look back on what is probably the longest year ever recorded and discuss our favorite and least favorite movies of 2022 (featuring some great answers from you, the listeners!).
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Episode 89: Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019)
Ho ho ho! This week on Black Girl Film Club, step under the mistletoe with us as we finally dip our toes into the Holiday TV Movie Industrial Complex with Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019) starring Aisha Dee, Kendrick Sampson, Kimiko Glenn, Jazz Raycole, and Missi Pyle.
In this episode, we investigate the growing popularity of holiday TV movies and their diverse casts (or lack thereof), a
Episode 88: Chicago (2002)
Hotcha! Whoopee! This week on Black Girl Film Club, we're diving into the world of jazz, murder, liquor, and infamy in Chicago (2002), directed by Rob Marshall and starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta Jones, Queen Latifah, Richard Gere, and John C. Reilly.
In this episode, we take another look at the legendary work of Bob Fosse—this time directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall—and explore
Episode 87: All That Jazz (1979)
Five, six, seven, eight…On this week’s episode of Black Girl Film Club, Ashley and Britney are talking the life and legacy of Bob Fosse—we mean Joe Gideon in Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz (1979), directed by Bob Fosse and starring Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Leland Palmer, and Ann Reinking. Your favorite podcast hosts discuss musicals, the legendary Bob Fosse and his impact on dance and the film indu
Episode 86: Creep (2014)
Warning: This film contains some descriptions of sexual assault. We talk about them briefly and give warning during the episode, but feel free to skip those sections (56:00- 1:03:00 in this episode)if necessary!
We're back with some more found footage from deep in the forest! In this episode we discuss Creep (2014) directed by Patrick Brice and starring Brice and Mark Duplass. We take a day trip
Episode 85: Blair Witch (2016)
Hey, come see this! We just happened to find a couple of video tapes in the woods!
On this week’s episode, we discuss Blair Witch (2016) directed by Adam Wingard and starring James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott, Corbin Reid, Valerie Curry, and Wes Robinson. Your favorite twig figures bound in twine—I mean, podcast hosts—discuss the lore of the Blair Witch, the found footage genre,
Episode 84: ATL (2006)
Welcome back to another episode of Black Girl Film Club! We’re hitting the rink again, this time in the Dirty South with the coming of age classic ATL (2006) directed by Chris Robinson and starring T.I., Evan Ross, Lauren London, Keith David, and Big Boi. In this episode, we talk about classic Southern hip hop, growing up under a Confederate legacy, and what it means to really love were you come f
Episode 83: Roll Bounce (2005)
On this week’s episode of Black Girl Film Club, Ashley and Britney are breaking out the roller skates and bell bottoms to watch Roll Bounce (2005), directed by Malcolm D. Lee and starring Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson, Chi McBride, Wesley Jonathan, Jurnee Smollett, Meagan Good and Rick Gonzalez. Your favorite podcast hosts discuss the life at the rink, teen hip hop stars of yore, and the future of t
Rough Cut 12: Nope (2022)
**This Episode is NOT Spoiler Free!**
Howdy there partner! This week on Black Girl Film Club, we welcome back friend of the show, Davalyn, and take in the filth and the spectacle of Jordan Peele's latest film Nope (2022), starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, and Brandon Perea.
Our recommendations this week: The Twilight Zone - A Traveler (S1E4) Animal(2014) , Annihilation (2018), B
Episode 82: Ex Machina (2014)
Black Girl Film Club is back with front-row seats to the robot uprising with this week's pick, Ex Machina (2014) directed by Alex Garland and starring Alicia Vikander, Domnhall Gleeson, Oscar Issac, and Sonoya Mizuno.
In this episode, we discuss what makes a being sentient, misogyny in the tech space, and if society is really ready for the consequences of creating a new life form.
Our recommend
Episode 81: Upgrade (2018)
This week on black Black Girl Film Club, we do a deep dive into the dystopian near future of Upgrade (2018), a cyperpunk revenge tale directed by Leigh Whannell and starring Logan Marshall Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, and Melanie Vallejo.
In this episode, we try to understand what it would be like to live in the kind of world where police drones and implanted identification codes
