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Shock Value

Mark Kermode and Ellen E Jones ask if we still go to the movies to be shocked. They talk to Dame Helen Mirren and Malcolm McDowell about cult shocker Caligula.

Mark Kermode and Ellen E Jones ask if we still go to the movies to be shocked.

As Caligula: The Ultimate Cut hits cinemas, Mark talks to stars of the notorious cult classic, Dame Helen Mirren and Malcolm McDowell. They discuss the film's long journey to the new version, and what it was really like on set of one of independent cinemas most controversial productions.

Ellen examines what shock value means in the digital age and how shocking cinema has evolved over cinema's history. She speaks to film critic Virginie Selavy about how critical and audience perception of 'shocking' content has evolved from Tod Browning's Freaks to the cinema of Lar Von Trier, and if audiences really are harder to shock. Ellen then talks to comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait about his transgressive films, which are favourites of John Waters, and how an increasingly bizarre political landscape has affected his filmmaking.

Producer: Jane Long
A Prospect Street production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Available now

42 minutes

Last on

Tue 13 Aug 2024 11:00

Broadcasts

  • Fri 9 Aug 2024 19:15
  • Tue 13 Aug 2024 11:00

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