Istanbul is home to some great filmmakers who speak truth to power, though the Turkish state is less and less willing to let them. Host Rico Gagliano talks with two of the best—Emin Alper (Burning Days, 2022) and Özcan Alper (Autumn, 2008)—about making art with a censor over your shoulder. He also takes a tour of Istanbul's historic cinemas and is there to witness a dark day in Turkish politics.
Part travelogue, part deep-dive storytelling, the latest season sees host Rico Gagliano jet off to Ireland, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Istanbul to learn about their cultures through the lens of cinema. Season 8’s guests include actors Gael García Bernal (Amores Perros, 2000) and Fiona Shaw (Hot Milk, 2025), writer/directors Rich Peppiatt (Kneecap, 2024), Evan Goldberg (The Studio, 2025), and Halina Reijn (Babygirl, 2024), producer Ed Guiney (Poor Things, 2023), production designer Eugenio Caballero (Roma, 2018), and a host of other filmmakers, programmers, academics, cinema owners, critics, tour guides, and festival directors.
Listen to episode five below or wherever you get your podcasts: