In short
Podcast Episode Summary: The Treat - "Eddington" Director Ari Aster
Podcast Overview Title: The Treatment Description: The Treatment delves into compelling conversations about creative inspiration, featuring influential figures across entertainment, fashion, sports, and the arts. It explores the contributions of tastemakers who shape popular culture.
Episode Details Episode Title: The Treat: "Eddington" Director Ari Aster Episode Description: Ari Aster discusses his latest film, *Eddington*, alongside a reflection on the 2024 French film *Misericordia*, directed by Alain Garodi. Aster highlights the unique storytelling and themes present in both films.
Key Themes and Discussions
Introduction
- Host: Elvis Mitchell introduces Ari Aster, emphasizing his ability to explore dark themes in a unique and focused manner.
Ari Aster's Filmography
- Known for films such as:
- *Midsommar*
- *Hereditary*
- *Eddington* (features Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone)
Discussion of *Misericordia*
- Director: Alain Garodi (also known for *Stranger by the Lake*).
- Overview:
- Described as a "funny, simple, kind of pure film about longing."
- Begins with a mystery element, transitioning into an allegorical fable.
- Comparison to *Stranger by the Lake*:
- *Stranger by the Lake* is set in a single location, while *Misericordia* takes place in a small village with returned sites.
- Both films center around themes of desire and longing.
Key Insights About *Misericordia*
- Theme of Longing:
- Portrays characters infatuated with a seemingly unremarkable figure.
- Aster finds humor in the characters' deep infatuation, which seems initially improbable.
- Tone and Style:
- While discussing the film, Aster highlights its comedic elements and brilliance, emphasizing that it is entertaining and thought-provoking.
Conclusion
- The episode encapsulates Aster's admiration for *Misericordia*, showcasing his ability to draw connections between different films and their thematic depth.
Production Credits
- Produced by: Rebecca Mooney
- Mixed by: Katie Gilchrist
- Accessibility: The Treat's archive can be found at [kcrw.com/thetreat](http://kcrw.com/thetreat) or on the new KCRW app.
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This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, focusing on the key discussions surrounding Ari Aster's work and his appreciation for *Misericordia*, offering insights into themes of longing and desire in contemporary cinema.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00This is The Treat. I'm Elvis Mitchell. Director Ari Aster doesn't just shine a light into dark corners. He puts them center stage with a spotlight. As with his latest film, Eddington. His treat, a 2024 French film that's a spinning toy.
0:21I'm Ari Aster and this is The Treat.
0:32There's a film that came out recently. It came out in France last year and was released in the States this year called Misericordia by Alain Garodi, who made Stranger by the Lake, which is a perfect film if people haven't seen it. One of the great films of the century. And Misericordia, I think, is just as good and is just a really funny, simple, kind of pure film about longing.
1:16It kind of begins as something of like a Chabralian mystery that is pretty grounded. And by the end, it becomes like, you know, a fable. And it's kind of working like strictly as allegory.
1:47Stranger by the Lake is one location. We never leave it. And Misericordia is this small village. And we keep returning to a few sites in that small village. But both films are very clean in that way. And they're both about longing and desire. And there's something almost like teorama about Misericordia, but again, but funny in that everybody kind of is longing for this one guy. And what's kind of wonderful about it is how unremarkable that guy is here. And at first you're almost thinking like, okay, what are these people up to? Because there's no chance that they actually are really this infatuated.
2:27But they are.
2:36I'm making it sound like work. It's really, really funny. It's really fun. And it's brilliant.
2:53Director Ari Aster on the 2024 French film Misericordeur, directed by Alain Grady. The Treat is produced by Rebecca Mooney and mixed by Katie Gilchrist. Find a treasure trove of The Treat at the archive, kcrw.com slash thetreat, or on the new KCRW app. I'm Elvis Mitchell. It's The Treat.
3:34you
From the publisher
Director Ari Aster’s films often go in unpredictable directions. That’s apparent in his works including Midsommar, Hereditary, and his latest, Eddington, which stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone. For his treat, he pays homage to a 2024 French film that is more than meets the eye.