Explore every episode of the podcast Wigs and Candles
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 4 - Van Gogh: At Eternity's Gate | 04 May 2025 | 01:05:07 | |
To close their 5th season dedicated to artists and films about their lives, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2018 film Van Gogh: At Eternity’s Gate. Directed by Julien Schnabel and starring Willem Dafoe as Vincent Van Gogh, the movie is a visually arresting and moving depiction of the painter’s last years. In their discussion, Gaby and Andreina discuss the representation of the artist’s imagination and subjectivity in film, Julien Schnabel’s rich directorial approach, and their connection to Van Gogh and his art. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Links and sources: Interview with director Julian Schnabel at the TIFF 2018 John Berger, The Sense of Sight Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Vincent van Gogh | |||
| Episode 3 - Camille Claudel | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:58:01 | |
In this episode, Andreina and Gabriela learn more about the French sculptor Camille Claudel (1864-1943), through two films: Camille Claudel (1988) and Camille Claudel 1915 (2013). An artistic prodigy from a very young age, Claudel gained recognition and acclaim as an artist during her lifetime. However, in the popular imagination, she is most often remembered as Auguste Rodin's lover. Andreina and Gabriela discuss how Camille Claudel is portrayed in the two movies and how her dimension as a female artist and woman in a male-dominated art practice is conveyed: do the films give us a good sense of who she was as an artist? Join us in this third episode of our series of discussions about artists and their art in film. Links and sources: Abstract of article “Camille Claudel: trajectory of a psychosis” The Art Institute of Chicago: Member Lecture: Camille Claudel Camille Claudel through Five Works Camille Claudel, Bust of Rodin August Rodin, Thought (Camille Claudel) | |||
| Episode 6-Ammonite | 22 May 2023 | 01:32:29 | |
In this episode, Andreina and Gabriela discuss the 2020 film Ammonite with a very special guest. Sources & further readings: Article with film’s synopsis prior to release Interview with Kate Winslet on LGBTQ+ Representation and Honouring The History of Mary Anning | |||
| Episode 5 - Emily | 01 May 2023 | 01:12:43 | |
In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2022 film Emily, written and directed by Frances O'Connor in her directorial debut. Emily is a part-fictional portrait of English writer Emily Brontë mostly converting the period of her life before she wrote her novel Wuthering Heights. Gaby and Andreina talk about the cinematic representation of Emily as a historical character, Brontë’s relationship with her equally celebrated siblings, and how the film fits within the period film movie genre. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this show we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources & further readings: Interview with director Frances O’Connor and main cast at the People + Entertainment at TIFF 2022 And because they’re so good, here’s also the Q&A at the TIFF 2022 Film Review from The New York Times | |||
| Episode 4-The Wonder | 19 Apr 2023 | 01:20:32 | |
In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2022 Netflix movie The Wonder, based on the novel of the same name by Irish-Canadian writer Emma Donoghue. Sources & further readings: The Wonder IMDB Page | |||
| Episode 3-Corsage | 27 Mar 2023 | 01:41:06 | |
In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the much-talked-about 2022 Austrian movie Corsage, which depicts a year in the life of Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi. Mixing historical fact with imaginative interpretation, the film is a fascinating portrayal of this beloved Austrian icon, one that remains more a myth than a real person in the general imagination. Gaby and Andreina also welcome a very special guest to talk about Sisi and help separate fact from fiction. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Trigger warning: in this episode, we briefly mention the name of Austrian actor Florian Teichtmeister, who in February 2023 was charged with possession of child pornography. We recorded this discussion prior to this news being reported and we understand if you need to skip this episode. TIFF 2022 Women Directors: Meet Marie Kreutzer – Corsage https://womenandhollywood.com/tiff-2022-women-directors-meet-marie-kreutzer-corsage People +Entertainment weekly TIFF Studio 2022 Q&A on the TIFF 2022 Marie Kreutzer on "Willkommen Österreich" (Interview in german!) | |||
| Episode 2-Far from the Madding Crowd | 06 Mar 2023 | 01:27:34 | |
We rarely find a more determined fictional female character in literature from the late 19th century than Bathsheba Everdeen. Guided by a strong will and a deep-rooted desire to build her path while keeping her full independence, Bathsheba learns the hard way that love and companionship are still not that bad after all. A film full of breathtaking landscapes, a plot with unexpected twists, and a love story to remember, Far from the Madding Crowd made us think about women's leadership in an unusual time and place as well as the hard choices we sometimes get in life. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Carey Mulligan on how she suggested casting Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak Carey Mulligan interview Making of “Far from the madding crowd” Q&A Session with Thomas Vinterberg and Matthias Schoenarts | |||
| Episode 1-The Handmaiden | 20 Feb 2023 | 01:12:13 | |
To open up our third season, Gaby and Andreina discuss the South Korean film The Handmaiden, directed by Park Chan-wook. Acclaimed by critics, this movie is a work of extraordinary vision from beginning to end: cinematography, performances, costume and set design, in addition to an incredibly well-written script–every detail of this film shows the highest ambition and achievement. We hope you enjoy our discussion and fall in love with this movie as much as we did. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Film review by Jia Tolentino on The New Yorker: Short clip - Making of “The Handmaiden”: Interview with Sarah Waters, author of the novel “Fingersmith” | |||
| Episode 7 - The Liberator | 26 Jun 2023 | 01:45:20 | |
The Liberator tells the story, in wide strokes, of Simón Bolívar, the military leader, and most important Venezuelan historical figure. In this episode, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 2013 film with the help of a very special guest. Placing the film in the historical and political context in which it was made, we look at the role of historical films in creating a national identity and memory. Join us as we discuss the relevance of cultural representation on the big screen, the humanisation of a mystified historical figure and the risks of too ambitious screenwriting. Sources: The Liberator Interview with actor Edgar Ramirez | |||
| Jane Eyre | 24 Aug 2022 | 01:47:15 | |
What do you get when you take a pitch-perfect cast, beautiful but expressive cinematography, restraint but character-revealing costumes, and an inspired and poetic direction? The 2011 adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, Jane Eyre! Join us as we discuss the incredible and timeless characters of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester and the way they are portrayed in the film. Adriana–Gaby and Andreina's eldest sister–joins the hosts for an in-person, prosecco-filled discussion fit for a midsummer grand season finale. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Jane Eyre IMDB Page https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229822/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Jane Eyre Featurette | |||
| Harriet | 11 Jul 2022 | 01:18:48 | |
“I’m gonna stand up, take my people with me, together we are going to a brand new home” – so sings Cyntia Erivo in the song “Stand Up,” the Academy Award nominated song for the film Harriet she co-wrote after playing the film’s leading role. In their first review of an American film so far, Andreina and Gabriela discuss the 2019 film Harriet, which tells the story of the abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman. Formerly enslaved, Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849 and then worked for the rest of her life to bring her family and other enslaved people to freedom. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links Harriet Cast and Crew Q&A | TIFF 2019: Interview with Cast: Video of the title song: Rogerebert.com Review: | |||
| Emma vs Emma. | 20 Jun 2022 | 01:33:46 | |
Oh, Emma! Got into trouble again? Set in the early 19th century, this all-time classic has been brought to the big screen in many ways, but which one is your favourite? We couldn’t answer this question easily so we watched two versions and tried to make up our minds! So, tune in to listen to our discussion about Emma and Emma.! Two wonderful films, both true to the original material, but so different from each other. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Emma (1996) IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116191/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 Emma (1996) Making Of Emma (1996) New York Times Review https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/02/movies/so-genteel-so-scheming-so-austen.html Emma. (2020) IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9214832/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_5 Emma. (2020) Q&A Session with Anya Taylor-Joy & director Autumn de Wilde https://youtu.be/QyDhhwDq-S4 | |||
| Episode 2 - Mr. Turner | 17 Jan 2025 | 01:07:27 | |
Gaby and Andreina continue their exploration of art through period film and discuss the film Mr. Turner. Directed by Mike Leigh and starring Timothy Spall as the English romantic painter J. M. W. Turner, the movie tells the story of the painter during the last 50 years of his life when he was at the peak of his artistic abilities. Gaby and Andreina discuss Timothy Spall's portrayal of the painter and how the tone and style of the movie shape our perception of Turner's art. Links and sources: | |||
| Marie Antoinette | 30 May 2022 | 01:10:17 | |
Acclaimed by many as avant garde cinema and derided by others for being too frivolous, Sophia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette,'' from 2006, offers indeed a lot to talk about! Starring an outstanding Kirsten Dunst, this Marie Antoinette is a woman full of passion, motherly love and sense of duty–perhaps a more sympathetic portrayal than we have seen in other films. Either you love the colorful and luscious production design and celebrate the modern touches of pop music and teenage-like parties, or you’re irritated by the immaturity of the king and the superficiality of the story-telling. Which side are you on? ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Marie Antoinette IMDB Page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422720/?ref_=tt_urv Marie Antoinette (The Guardian Review): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/oct/20/drama.romance Marie Antoinette (2006) - The Making of "Marie Antoinette": | |||
| Maurice | 16 May 2022 | 01:18:30 | |
In 1909, same-sex relationships were illegal in Great Britain and the consequences of being “caught” were heavy and, at times, catastrophic. Imagine yourself trapped in that situation of not being able to live your love and passion in freedom–without a doubt, a terrifying, soul-crushing feeling. The 1987 Merchant-Ivory film Maurice, based on the novel by the same name by E. M. Forster, gives us a glimpse into the asphyxiating constraints early 20th-century British society placed on gay people and their aspirations and desires. While not necessarily an audience magnet at the time of its release, this film touched us deeply and drove us to have one of the most whole-hearted discussions we’ve had so far in our podcast series. An impeccable production with stunning performances, Maurice resonates today with an eternal message: follow your heart, follow your true self, for this is the only way to live an honest life. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Maurice IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/?ref_=tt_urv Roger Ebert's Review of Maurice: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/maurice-1987 Maurice (1987) - Conversation with the Filmmakers: https://youtu.be/1bY9cU7goYo | |||
| Portrait of a Lady on Fire | 02 May 2022 | 00:59:22 | |
There is so much about this film that impacted us that we struggled to compact it all in one single conversation: The subtlety of the main love story: a love between equal-leveled minds and opposite characters. The delicacy of the cinematography that works as a piece of art on each frame of the movie. The smartness with which key elements were built in the story: femininity, women in art, working women in the 18th century, sorority among women regardless of their background. The famous “female gaze” and so much more. With Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Céline Sciamma created a film that breaks the mold of the classic period film genre and stands out for itself. A true masterpiece, a feast for the eye and the soul. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Portrait of a Lady on Fire - Cast And Crew Q&A - TIFF 2019 “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” Is More Than a “Manifesto on the Female Gaze” Portrait of a Lady on Fire IMDB Page | |||
| Episode 7 - Bridgerton | 22 Nov 2021 | 01:27:04 | |
What happens when you create a period drama with a young, North American audience in mind? And when you add on one of the most successful Black, female producers in television to helm the show? Bridgerton, that’s what you get! In this episode, we bring a very special guest, our sister Adriana, a mechanical engineer in the sunny Silicon Valley in California who also happens to be a huge TV series lover. With her help, we discuss the influence that Shonda Rhimes had on the production of Bridgerton, the implications of “colour blind” casting, and our impressions of the show’s much-talked-about sex scenes. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this show we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources & further readings: “A Double Hot Take On Bridgerton, Race & Romance” - Refinery29 | |||
| Episode 6-Belle | 08 Nov 2021 | 01:04:01 | |
How many times have you seen a dark-skinned woman wearing a high-society 18th-century dress in history books? How much do you know about the lives of people of colour in the 18th century in England? (at least those who were not enslaved) And here’s one more: how often have you seen a Black woman starring in a period film? With these and a few other challenging questions, we invite you to listen to our conversation about the film “Belle”. Inspired by the real-life story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of an English aristocrat, this movie introduced us to a historical character we knew nothing about and surprised us immensely by the conversation it opened. Not only did we discover a little jewel in recent cinema making, but also it made us aware of the many clichès and false perspectives, we, as women of colour, are ourselves plagued with. A passionate discussion about the story of a woman with a tough destiny, and how present the story still is nowadays. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources & further links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_(2013_film) “A Stitch in Time: Dido Belle” https://youtu.be/GSDDJrlJukM | |||
| Episode 5-Farewell, My Queen | 25 Oct 2021 | 01:07:40 | |
Did you ever wonder what it must have been like for Marie Antoinette when the riots of the French Revolution started to heat up the mood in the country? Did you ever wonder what it must have been like to be in the Versaille Palace and witness the uncertainty among the royals on the verge of free-fall? What happened behind those walls? How did those days pass for those living inside? In the film “Les Adieux a la Reine” or “Farewell, My Queen” you get a good glimpse at this fascinating chapter of history through the eyes of a servant, giving a full new perspective to the story. And this is the topic of our new episode: we review the movie not only focusing on the cast, the main characters, and the stunning production around it but also on how much a film and a story can be modified by the personal touches of the director. We go into a discussion about clichés, men directing female characters, the necessity of nudity, and rumours from the past. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Additional music Concerto for 2 Cellos in G minor, RV 531 Sources & further links Marie Antoinette, by Antonia Fraser Berlinale Press conference | |||
| Episode 4-Sense and Sensibility | 11 Oct 2021 | 01:21:09 | |
Take a Jane Austen classic, a Taiwanese director, a novice screenplay-writer and some of the best actors in England from the early 1990s and voilà! You get an unforgettable film adaptation of one of the most famous love stories in British literature. This award-winning version of Sense & Sensibility stole our hearts many years ago and still today it makes us fall in awe of its humour, its portrayal of female characters and the quality of the production. From the award winning script, to the casting, to some of our favourite scenes, join us as we deep-dive on this classic period film. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Production notes on the DVD | |||
| Cyrano de Bergerac | 27 Sep 2021 | 01:00:52 | |
“A kiss is a secret which takes the lips for the ear.” Pure Poetry that is! And so is the next film we review on this new episode: Cyrano de Bergerac. The 1990 film adaptation of this classic of French literature is one of our all-time favorites, a fast-paced story with no redundancies. Starring Gerard Depardieu in what became his most pivotal performance, a very young and handsome Vincent Perez, and a passionate Anne Brochet—the movie truly honours this hero of romanticism. While reviewing the film, we discovered one stunning performance of one invisible but yet omnipresent star, something that also played a big role in our own lives: la langue française. To discover why, press play, relax and listen while we take you on this trip to France of the late 17th century. And remember: “A great nose may be an index of a great soul” :-) ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(1990_film) https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2327623-cyrano-de-bergerac Production notes from the DVD edition Cyrano - Movie theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgFcEWBUK_U | |||
| Episode 2 - A Room with a View | 13 Sep 2021 | 00:52:29 | |
It’s 1908. Europe is at peace. The upper-middle class is living carefree. You’re now immersed in the setting of a beautiful story about love, romance, society expectations, heart’s desires, and intrigues. You’re watching: “A room with a view”! A timeless movie with a message that still speaks to us and to our hearts, a movie that marked our identity as young girls living in a completely contrasting world yet feeling the same constraints as the characters in the story. Join us on our first deep-dive review of this wonderful film, an absolute classic in the genre, as we go through the cast, the story, why we love it, and what we love in it. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** | |||
| Origins | 06 Sep 2021 | 00:20:49 | |
Why would two Latin American sisters do a podcast about period films, a genre dominated by European films? This is the departing question for this first episode as Gabriela (calling from Germany) and Andreina (connecting from Canada) explore the origins of their obsession. Join us as we reminisce about growing in Maracaibo, Venezuela—the hottest city in the country—and dreaming about far away places both in distance and time. | |||
| Episode 1 - Hilma | 03 Jan 2025 | 00:58:15 | |
In this first episode of the 5th season of Wigs and Candles, Andreina and Gaby discuss the film Hilma, a biographical movie about the Swedish painter Hilma af Klint. Gaby and Andreina talk about Klint's career as a female painter in the 19th and early 20th centuries and her unusual approach to art and spiritual painting, a genre to which she greatly contributed. Touching on themes of what it is to live a creative life and follow your artistic calling and dreams as a woman, Gaby and Andreina open the season with a film that deeply touched their hearts. Links and sources: Art historian Julia Voss on Hilma af Klint | |||
| Coming Soon: Wigs and Candles | 13 Aug 2021 | 00:01:08 | |
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| Episode 3 - Camille Claudel | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:58:01 | |
In this episode, Gaby and Andreina learn more about the French artist Camille Claudel (1864-1943) by watching two films portraying different times in her life: Camille Claudel (1988) and Camille Claudel 1915 (2013). Claudel became one of the most acclaimed sculptors of her time through prodigious ability and drive. However, in popular imagination, she is most often remembered as August Rodin's lover, a secondary character in the history of one of France's greatest artists. Gaby and Andreina discuss how Camille Claudel is portrayed in both films and how the artistic dimension of her life is represented: Do these two films succeed in portraying Claudel in all her dimensions, including as a woman and an artist? Listen to this special episode, the third in our series dedicated to artists and their art in film. Links and sources: Abstract of the article “Camille Claudel: trajectory of a psychosis” The Art Institute of Chicago: Member Lecture: Camille Claudel Camille Claudel through Five Works Camille Claudel, Bust of Rodin August Rodin, Thought (Camille Claudel) | |||
| Episode 6 - Barry Lyndon | 26 Mar 2024 | 01:30:52 | |
To cap off their 4th season, Gaby and Andreina discuss the 1975 Stanley Kubrick film Barry Lyndon. Barry Lyndon Making of | |||
| Episode 5 - Pride and Prejudice | 04 Mar 2024 | 01:55:28 | |
In this episode, Gaby, Andreina, and a special guest, discuss the beloved 2005 Joe Wright adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. One of the most popular adaptions of the novel by Jane Austen, the film remains surprisingly fresh after almost 20 years since it was released. Gaby, Andreina and their guest discuss the movie timelessness, the remarkable cast, and many other fun detours along the way. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Short interview with Keyra Knightley Pride & Prejudice BTS - The Politics of 18th Century Dating (2005) Karolina Żebrowska: I watched every version of "Pride and Prejudice" so you don't have to | |||
| Episode 4 - A Royal Affair | 05 Feb 2024 | 01:38:48 | |
In this episode, Gaby and Andreina finally watch a movie they have been waiting a long time to discuss. Interview with cast + crew on the Berlinale 2012 | |||
| Episode 3 - The Woman King | 08 Jan 2024 | 01:14:53 | |
In this episode, Andreina and Gabriela discuss the 2022 filmThe Woman King. Interview with cast at TIFF 2022 Interview with Viola Davis and Cast Thuso Mbedu in “The Daily Show” with Trevor Noah Lashana Lynch and Thuso Mbedu in Good Morning America | |||
| Episode 2 - Little Women | 18 Dec 2023 | 01:57:24 | |
There’s nothing little in the story of this film nor in the significance of the topics it touches on. Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (2019) is a wonderful, fierce, and modern adaptation of this classic, bringing all the themes that have made it one of the most beloved books of the last 150 years. Centered on the character of Jo March, an aspiring writer, Little Women tells the story of the March sisters, four deeply loving but very different young women, all trying to find their path in life within the restrictions of 1860s American society. Join us as we review Little Women with a special guest and talk about feminism, safe female spaces, pervasive gender roles, how they impact men and women, and much more. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and links: | |||
| Episode 1 - Chevalier | 27 Nov 2023 | 01:27:03 | |
In a baroque opera hall in Paris sometime in the late 1700s, there’s a concert taking place. The audience is hypnotized by the virtuosity of the main violin player and the beauty of the music. And still, the most puzzling fact about the scene is the player’s skin colour: it’s Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, and he’s Black. Born in Guadeloupe to an enslaved African woman and a French aristocrat, Joseph grows up in Paris and enjoys a high-class education. His talent for music can only benefit from this, making him a renowned musician and composer and gaining the favor of Queen Marie Antoinette and her entourage. It sounds as if the boundaries of race and class are diluted in this story. Only to discover that, by crossing a line that seemed unimportant, the colour of the skin is the only thing that suddenly matters. The story of Chevalier is fascinating, and is still hard to believe that it has remained untold for over two centuries. ***Spoiler alert! While reviewing this film, we go through key scenes and may reveal the ending, so be warned of spoilers!*** Sources and other links: Kelvin Harrison Jr. on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Interview with the Cast and crew on the TIFF 2022 by “The Hollywood Reporter” | |||