Four Favorites with James Gray: Armageddon Time, The 400 Blows and the misery of school

“The spirit is filled by cinema; our dreams rendered tangible.” Filmmaker and inspirational-quote master James Gray joins Gemma and Slim to talk about the 1980s New York childhood that underpins his new drama, Armageddon Time , and four films that strongly relate to it—Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows ; Jean Vigo’s Zero for Conduct ; John Cassavetes’ A Woman Under the Influence and Federico Fellini’s Amarcord . Plus: this “salesman for old cinema” on why students should be forced to watch obscure films; the trauma of the classroom; how teachers can change lives; James’s morning ritual for waking his teenagers; American power structures; why cinema is not compatible with angry tweeters; magic sauce; Anthony Hopkins; Times Square in the ’80s; making waves and fitting in. Lists & Links: The Letterboxd list of films mentioned in this episode; Marsh Boy’s list of “ films that are even more damaging to think of than to actually see ”; Ella Kemp’s feature with Aftersun’s Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio Reviews of Two Lovers by Evan and Nathan ; Ad Astra by Levi ; We Own the Night by Ed , Paddy and Francesco ; Armageddon Time by Tony and Oliver ; Killer of Sheep by Graham . Credits: This episode was recorded in Los Angeles, Auckland and Pennsylvania, and edited by Slim . Facts by Jack . Booker: Brian Formo . Transcript by Sophie Shin . Art by Samm . Theme: ‘Vampiros Dancoteque’ by Moniker . The Letterboxd Show is a TAPEDECK production.