In a unique weekly podcast, Edith Bowman sits down with a variety of film directors, actors, producers and composers to talk about the music that inspired them and how they use music in their films, from their current release to key moments in their career. The music chosen by our guests is woven into the interview and used alongside clips from their films.
Episode 251: John Krasinski & Marco Beltrami On The Music Of A Quiet Place
Jun 19, 2021
Show notes
It's becoming a bit of a thing, here on Soundtracking, having two guests for the price of one. But Edith is really pleased to welcome John Krasinski and Marco Beltrami to the podcast, given that A Quiet Place Part II was the first film she went to see in the cinema after the most recent lockdown.
Written and directed by John, and scored by Marco, the film tells the story of a family forced to navigate a world inhabited by blind aliens with heightened hearing. Best not make much noise, it's safe to say!
Episode 250: Florian Zeller Discusses The Father
Jun 11, 2021
Show notes
Edith spoke to our latest guest on Soundtracking in the midst of our very first lockdown - not only when we were considerably more uncertain about things than we are today, but also before we knew what an extraordinary impact his film was going to have on lovers of cinema.
Since chatting to Florian Zeller, his directorial debut The Father has had all manner of critical acclaim and recognition, including the award for best adapted screenplay (from Florian's own play) and best actor for Anthony Hopkins at this year's Oscars. Now we're not going to lie, there's not a huge amount of music in The Father, so we don't talk about it at great length, instead focussing on the very skillful way he tells a very challenging story. And we're also going to suggest that if you haven't seen it yet, DON'T LISTEN, because it really is one of those films best watched with as little foreknowledge as possible, and he gives a fair few trade secrets away.
Episode 248: Craig Gillespie & Emma Stone On The Music Of Cruella
Jun 04, 2021
Show notes
It's another double header for you on this week's Soundtracking, with a director and one of his leading ladies joining me to discuss their spin on one of Disney's most iconic villains. Craig Gillespie and Emma Stone have, quite simply, created a fabulous Cruella De Vil. Effectively a prequel to the original animated classic, Cruella also stars Emma Thompson and Mark Strong among many other fine actors, and tells the story of Estella Miller, a fashion designer making her way in 1970s punk London who eventually becomes the titular baddie. As well as featuring over 50 songs, the film is scored by our dear friend Nicholas Britell, who complimented the deluge of needle drops with what he told us was his first rock-driven score.
Episode 247: Junkie XL On The Music Of Justice League & Godzilla Vs Kong
May 28, 2021
Show notes
Our latest guest on Soundtracking is a composer returning for a second visit, having scored pretty much every blockbuster to hit our screens in recent weeks. The work of Tom Holkenborg - or Junkie XL, if you prefer - can currently be heard in the epic Snyder Cut of Justice League, Godzilla vs Kong, and the riotous Netflix Zombie heist flick Army Of The Dead, which hadn't been released at time of recording. He was on BRILLIANT form - so we hope you enjoy the chat and, of course, his music as much as we do.
Episode 247: Nicholas Britell On The Music Of The Underground Railroad
May 21, 2021
Show notes
Our latest guest on Soundtracking is one our our faves - a supremely talented composer and all-round top fella, returning to the podcast for a third time.
As ever, Nicholas Britell's services are in high demand - and he's been keeping pretty busy during the pandemic and beyond Not only has he scored Barry Jenkins's new Amazon Prime series, The Underground Railroad, but he's also penned the music for Cruella and the forthcoming season 3 of Succession among other things. As always, you'll hear plenty of Nicholas's music sprinkled throughout, illustrating the discussion.
Episode 246: Julie Taymor & Elliot Goldenthal On The Music Of The Glorias
May 15, 2021
Show notes
Our latest guests on Soundtracking are writer / director Julie Taymor and her partner both romantically and creatively, the composer Elliot Goldenthal.
Julia and Elliot joined Edith to discuss The Glorias, a remarkable film about the life of journalist and political activist, Gloria Steinem, with different actors playing her in the various phases of her life. It's a device that allows Julie all manner of scope for narrative fun and games, and elicits fine performances from leading ladies Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Lulu Wilson and Ryan Kiera Armstrong. They also reflect upon Elliot's Oscar-winning score for Frida, which Julie directed.
Episode 245: Amelia Warner On The Music Of Wild Mountain Thyme
May 07, 2021
Show notes
Our latest guest on Soundtracking is a rare thing in this business: a female composer. Huzzah! Amelia Warner is relatively new to the game, but is definitely making waves, having provided the scores for Mary Shelley and the brilliant BBC short, Leading Lady Parts. Her latest offering is Wild Mountain Thyme. Written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, Wild Mountain Thyme is a comedic family drama set in Ireland starring Amelia's husband Jamie Dornan, Emily Blunt and Mad Men's Jon Hamm. Her score beautifully combines sweeping orchestration and traditional Irish music tropes, and you'll hear plenty of it throughout the course of the interview.
Episode 244: Dustin O'Halloran & Volker Bertelmann On The Music Of Ammonite
May 01, 2021
Show notes
Our guests on this latest episode of Soundtracking are successful musicians in their own right who - not for the first time - have teamed up to deliver a stunning movie score.
Dustin O'Halloran and Volker Bertelmann first worked together on Garth Edwards's Lion. They've since brought us the music to The Old Guard, The Art Of Racing In The Rain, A Christmas Carol and, most recently, Francis Lee's Ammonite - which is available digitally but will also have a selected cinema release in the UK from 17th May. They are properly lovely fellas, and exceedingly talented to boot. Enjoy!
Episode 243: Emerald Fennell & Carey Mulligan On The Music Of Promising Young Woman
Apr 23, 2021
Show notes
Our guests on this week's Soundtracking are a couple of ladies eyeing success at the Academy Awards on Sunday evening.
Emerald Fennell and Carey Mulligan have combined to great effect on the former's directorial debut, Promising Young Woman, which she also wrote. Nominated for 5 Oscars - including best picture, director and actor - Promising Young Woman tells the story of Cassie, a med school dropout seeking to avenge the death of her best friend, who was a victim of rape. By turns extremely funny, dark, and provocative, it also has a banging soundtrack and a fine score by Anthony Willis.
Episode 242: Kevin Macdonald & Chloe Zhao
Apr 17, 2021
Show notes
We've cheated a bit this week - as one of our guests doesn't really talk about music at all. But given her film Nomadland has just won a sackful of BAFTAs and is nominated for six Oscars too, we thought we'd cut Chloe Zhao a little slack.
To be honest, Edith just wanted to share the interview with you, so much does she love the film - which stars Frances McDormand as a woman who becomes 'houseless' and travels America following the death of her husband.
We're also joined by Kevin Macdonald to discuss his new movie, The Mauritanian. Starring Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahman and Benedict Cumberbatch, The Mauritanian is based on the 2015 memoir Guantánamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who was held for fourteen years without charge in Guantanamo. It's scored by relative newcomer, Tom Hodge, and you'll hear examples of his music throughout the conversation.
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