Nina Menkes on BRAINWASHED: SEX-CAMERA-POWER and Jenny Seagrove on LOCAL HERO

04/22/25 • 58 min

This episode of Kermode on Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 15 May 2023, marking the 80th edition of MK3D.

In Part 1 of the show, Mark is joined by acclaimed filmmaker Nina Menkes, who discusses her provocative documentary BRAINWASHED: SEX-CAMERA-POWER exploring the male gaze in cinema and its real-world impact. Nina also shares her unexpected guilty pleasure – THE EXORCIST– and explains why she sees it as a feminist film.

Mark also speaks to actress Jenny Seagrove about the heart-warming film LOCAL HERO, which returned to select UK cinemas to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2023.

Sit back and enjoy Part 1 of this MK3D show, recorded live at the BFI Southbank.

Thanks for listening!

People mentioned in this episode:

Nina Menkes

Sanjeev Bhaskar

William Friedkin

Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Burton

Francis Ford Coppola

Jenny Seagrove

Celia Johnson

David Lean

Little Richard

Films, plays and TV series mentioned in this episode:

Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power

The Exorcist

Unforgotten

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

The Offer

Local Hero

The Guardian

The Exorcist (Stage Play)

Brief Encounter

The Girl Can’t Help It

Little Richard: I Am Everything

Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Kermode on Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 15 May 2023, marking the 80th edition of MK3D.

Mark also speaks to actress Jenny Seagrove about the heart-warming film LOCAL HERO, which returned to select UK cinemas to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2023.

Sit back and enjoy Part 1 of this MK3D show, recorded live at the BFI Southbank.

Thanks for listening!

People mentioned in this episode:

Nina Menkes

Sanjeev Bhaskar

William Friedkin

Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Burton

Francis Ford Coppola

Jenny Seagrove

Celia Johnson

David Lean

Little Richard

Films, plays and TV series mentioned in this episode:

Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power

The Exorcist

Unforgotten

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

The Offer

Local Hero

The Guardian

The Exorcist (Stage Play)

Brief Encounter

The Girl Can’t Help It

Little Richard: I Am Everything

Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Charlie Brooker on BLACK MIRROR, and Emilíana Torrini on THE EXTRAORDINARY MISS FLOWER

This episode of Kermode on Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 7 April 2025.

In Part 2 of this MK3D show, Mark is joined by Icelandic singer-songwriter Emilíana Torrini, who talks about her performance in THE EXTRAORDINARY MISS FLOWER, directed by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard. Emilíana is accompanied on stage by her collaborator Simon Byrt for a special live performance from the film.

Then, Charlie Brooker takes to the stage to talk about the return of BLACK MIRROR for its much-anticipated seventh season — expect dark humour, razor-sharp commentary, and a few surprises.

Sit back and enjoy Part 2 of this MK3D show recorded live at the BFI Southbank.

Thanks for listening!

People mentioned in this episode:

Val Kilmer

Tom Cruise

Richard Loncraine

Tom Conti

Noddy Holder

Margy Kinmonth

Kate Winslet

Dziga Vertov

Sasha Nathwani

Deba Hekmat

Shakyra Dowling

Peter Bradshaw

Bill Forsyth

Matt Damon

Ben Affleck

Robin Williams

Jack Nicholson

Chloe Zhao

Emiliana Torrini

Iain Forsyth

Jane Pollard

Charlie Brooker

Films, plays and tv series mentioned in this episode:

Heat

Tombstone

Top Gun Maverick

Final Reckoning

Slade in Flame

Lee

Man With a Movie Camera

Last Swim

Sound of Metal

The Rider

Star Wars

Good Will Hunting

The Extraordinary Miss Flower

Black Mirror

———————

The opening title sequence of Kermode on Film uses quotes from:

Mary Poppins, directed by Robert Stevenson and distributed by Walt Disney Motion Pictures – quote featuring Julie Andrews.

Nope, written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele, and distributed by Universal Studios – quote featuring Keke Palmer.

Withnail & I, written and directed by Bruce Robinson, and distributed by HandMade Films – quote featuring Richard E Grant.

The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty and directed by William Friedkin, distributed by Warner Brothers – quote featuring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair.

We love these films. We urge you to seek them out, and watch them, again and again.

They are masterpieces!

Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production.

Cover photo by Julie Edwards.

This episode was edited by Alex Archbold Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Sanjeev Bhaskar on UNFORGOTTEN, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF and more

This episode of Kermode on Film was recorded live at the BFI Southbank on 15 May 2023, marking the 80th edition of MK3D.

This is Part 2 of that show, in which Mark Kermode is joined by the brilliant Sanjeev Bhaskar to talk about his role in the acclaimed drama series Unforgotten, reflecting on its emotional depth and his experience working with a stellar cast.

They also dive into the classic film Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, discussing its intense performances, sharp dialogue, and why it remains so powerful decades after its release.

Sit back and enjoy Part 2 of this MK3D show, recorded live at the BFI Southbank.

Part 1 of this MK3D was uploaded last week, featuring Nina Menkes on Brainwashed and Jenny Seagrove on Local Hero.

Thanks for listening!

People mentioned in this episode:

Nina Menkes

Sanjeev Bhaskar

William Friedkin

Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Burton

Francis Ford Coppola

Jenny Seagrove

Celia Johnson

David Lean

Little Richard

Films, plays and TV series mentioned in this episode:

Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power

The Exorcist

Unforgotten

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

The Offer

Local Hero

The Guardian

The Exorcist (Stage Play)

Brief Encounter

The Girl Can’t Help It

Little Richard: I Am Everything

Little Richard: The King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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