Film reviews, festival conversations and special interviews with Yi Wang (Queer East) and Richard Mowe (French Film Festival UK).

Episode Overview

In this November edition of the Cinetopia Radio Show and Podcast, Amanda is joined by contributors Emma and Mariana for a packed episode of reviews and festival conversations.

We begin with Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer’s new Hollywood character story starring George Clooney, before diving into Edgar Wright’s adrenaline-fuelled The Running Man, Yorgos Lanthimos’s wonderfully deranged Bugonia, and Rian Johnson’s latest Benoit Blanc mystery, Wake Up Dead Man.

We also feature two interviews:
• Yi Wang, Director of the Queer East Film Festival, speaking about this year’s programme.
• Richard Mowe, Director of the French Film Festival UK, discussing the festival’s history and its 2025 highlights.

Plus, a reminder to explore Cinetopia Recommends — our weekly guide to film events and opportunities across Scotland — and Cinetopia Connect, our free digital platform for screenings, jobs and community listings.

[00:00] Introduction
Amanda welcomes listeners, introduces contributors Emma and Mariana, and sets up the films and interviews featured in this month’s episode.

[03:40] Jay Kelly — dir. Noah Baumbach (co-written by Emily Mortimer)
A Hollywood character story starring George Clooney as a man confronting the public version of himself — glossy, charming and tinged with self-reflection.

[19:24] The Running Man — dir. Edgar Wright
A high-energy, near-future chase thriller faithful to Stephen King’s novel, full of commentary on surveillance, spectacle and the machinery of entertainment.

[31:20] Bugonia — dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
A ferocious conspiracy satire starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Wild, uncomfortable, brutally funny — Lanthimos back in sharp form.

[42:43] Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — dir. Rian Johnson Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc, but Josh O’Connor absolutely steals the show in the third instalment of Rian Johnson’s cult mystery franchise.

[56:09] Interview: Yi Wang — Director, Queer East Film Festival
Veronica Buccino speaks with Yi Wang about this year’s Queer East On The Road programme.

[01:23:45] Interview: Richard Mowe — Director, French Film Festival UK - Richard Mowe reflects on the festival’s history and its 2025 highlights.