Go beyond the algorithm! Film Swap is the podcast for curious and adventurous film lovers. In every episode, David and Jonathan — along with special guests — swap films on fascinating themes and dive into film history, cult cinema, lost classics, and the hidden gems that deserve more love. Calm, thoughtful, and fun discussions for anyone who wants to dig deeper and find their next favourite film.
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LATEST EPISODE
We’re joined by David Blakeslee of the Criterion Reflections podcast to explore paranoia, power, and political corruption in two landmark works of European cinema
We begin with Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970), directed by Elio Petri—a surreal, biting satire that examines how authority can warp the individual psyche. When a high-ranking police official commits a crime to prove his own immunity, the film becomes a disturbing study of ego, control, and the seductive nature of unchecked power.
In the second half, we turn to Z (1969), directed by Costa-Gavras—a gripping political thriller that shifts the focus from individual corruption to systemic failure. Based on real events, Z exposes how institutions can manipulate truth, resist accountability, and ultimately protect themselves at all costs.
Together, these films trace a chilling progression: from the corruption of a single individual to the resilience of corruption within the system itself. Along the way, we discuss themes of justice, institutional trust, political violence, and the uneasy tension between scepticism and belief in the structures that govern society.
Available from 26th March 17:00 GMT
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