Ep 160: Talking modern romance, consent and character with Susanna Fogel, director of Cat Person

Girls On Film

Returning to the pod is director Susanna Fogel to talk to Anna Smith about her riveting new feature Cat Person starring the brilliant Emilia Jones, best known for her lead role in Oscar-winning film CODA. Emilia plays Margot - a young, single, and seemingly self-possessed woman who meets Robert, played by Succession’s Nicholas Braun. The film, inspired by Kristen Roupenian’s viral New Yorker short story of the same name, explores issues around dating and consent as we follow Margot in her fledgling relationship with Robert. Susanna Fogel shares how the team brought the story to the big screen, and how she hopes it will provoke discussion around issues such as consent and dating. Also returning to the pod in this episode is Ellen E Jones, film critic, broadcaster and writer who offers her insight into Cat Person and the cinematic language used in the film. Anna and Ellen delve into the representation and perspectives of both Margot and Robert, but also Margot’s mother Kelly (Hope Davis) and Margot’s lecturer and mentor played by Isabella Rossellini. Ellen’s new book 'Screen Deep: How film and TV can solve racism and save the world' is out in February 2024. CAT PERSON is in UK & Ireland cinemas from Friday 27th October 2023 Other films mentioned in this episode include: Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power, Nina Menkes 2022 Blade Runner, Ridley Scott 1982 Winner, Susanna Fogel tbc Star Wars, 1977–2019 Barbie, Greta Gerwig 2023 Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki 2001 Zola, Janicza Bravo 2020 How to Have Sex, Molly Manning Walker 2023 Booksmart, Olivia Wilde 2019 Television mentioned in this episode include: Succession, 2018–2023 You can hear Emilia Jones on CODA in Girls On Film episodes 90 and 108, and Susanna Fogel on her film A Small Light in Girls On Film episode 154. Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Producer: Lydia Scott Audio editor: Emma Butt Intern: Charlotte Matheson House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with STUDIOCANAL. © HLA Agency