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Devon and I met in high school (Deerfield Academy), and we’re both movie lovers hoping to break into the filmmaking industry one day. We decided to launch our passion project, Criterion & Chill, a podcast where we discuss great movies from any decade and any country.
We started by releasing episodes on two of our favorite movies – for Devon, it was Federico Fellini’s “Nights of Cabiria” (1957), and for me, it was Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” (2012).
Our second episode on “The Master” is now available through our linktree (collection of links to various platforms)!!
(Note: the following “FAQs” represent ideas Devon and I have discussed, but I (Nadia) am composing the answers because this is a post from my personal blog. I believe that I am largely speaking for both of us here, but Devon might not agree with every word/claim verbatim, and that’s okay! Please take this “FAQ” section as a casual, informative section.)
Q: What makes Criterion & Chill different from other movie podcasts? Why should I listen?
A: We bring a unique edge as young film lovers who are enthusiastic about appreciating films from all eras and cultures. A lot of currently active movie podcasts focus on very new releases. Many of them share opinions on fresh theatrical releases, which means there’s a lot of discussions around movies from the 2020s. Devon and I believe in the power and importance of diving into the rich history of movies, ranging from its birthdate in the late 1800s to the present day! We also find a lot of value in digging into non-American/non-English-language films, which reveal the full extent of creatives at work around the globe who have contributed to the amazing arsenal of films we have at our fingertips today. Above all, we focus on excellent films, AKA the types of films that are in or should be in the Criterion Collection.
Q: What is the Criterion Collection?
A: In the Criterion Collection’s own words – “Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements.”
The Criterion Collection is a home-video company that distributes and restores great films from cinema history and also new releases (there is a substantial amount of movies from the 2010s!) It is known among the cinephile world as the “Hall of Fame” for great movies. Devon and I are most interested in movies of this type – movies that elevate the art form of cinema, movies that challenge us and evoke emotions from us, movies that are meticulously crafted by visionaries. We think that directors are extremely important in crafting movies, so we will often talk about directors’ filmographies and their styles/philosophies.
Q: How can I (a listener) be featured on a podcast episode?
A: We answer listener questions in the beginning of episodes!! Ask us anything related to movies, the podcast, or how we watch/feel about movies. Ask us about our movie hot takes!!
Email us at criterionandchillpod@gmail.com, or direct message us on instagram. If you know us personally, just reach out to us! We also have plans to invite guests who are knowledgeable about movies to discuss some movies with us. We will generally reach out to potential guests first, but if you are interested in being considered, contact through one of the means above and we can start a conversation!
Q: How can I support the podcast?
A: Right now, what will help most is spreading the word. Follow us on podcast platforms (Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts), social media (Instagram, Letterboxd), turn on notifications for our new releases, and recommend our podcast to your friends/acquaintances who like movies!!
If you want to contribute to us directly, your help will be much appreciated. You can help us hire an audio editor, promote our episodes, and also support content creators (Devon and me). Please contact us at criterionandchillpod@gmail.com!
Nadia Jo 