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Films for Today

Jimmy Bernasconi | 2XXFM

Hosted by Jimmy Bernasconi (‘Sacred Cinema’, ABC Radio), ‘Films for Today’ explores how the art of cinema can help us understand the social, cultural and political issues that currently trouble us. Each week, Jimmy selects a seminal film and contemplates its profound insights into the most pressing challenges of our time. For questions or enquiries about the show, you can reach Jimmy at contact@jimmybernasconi.com or on Instagram by searching ‘filmsfortoday’.

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  • 24 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 29 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • Saturday · 29 min

    Do you know how to chill? | "A Summer's Tale" (1996)

    In light of recent discussions about the burden of (supposed) human intelligence, this week's episode contemplates the impact of optimisation tactics in the search for love through the lens of Éric Rohmer's 1996 realist romance, A Summer's Tale. Contact us via email at contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • September 13 · 29 min

    Will AI kill us all? | "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991)

    As the development of AI continues to accelerate, this week's episode attempts to identify the deeper roots of humanity's proclivity for self-endangerment via automation by reference to James Cameron's iconic sci-fi action film, Terminator 2: Judgment Day. We also briefly discuss: Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2026) d. Gore Verbinski Bugonia (2025) d. Yorgos Lanthimos Contact us via email at contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • September 6 · 29 min

    Sbould you get divorced? | "Is This Thing On?" (2025)

    Following recent discussions about the art of articulating feelings and emotions in adult relationships, this week's episode centres on Bradley Cooper's recent dramedy, Is This Thing On?, in contemplating the symbolic qualities of stand-up comedy and divorce. Contact us via email at contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • August 30 · 29 min

    Where is God? | "Through a Glass Darkly" (1961)

    Featuring a couple of rather obscure symbols and plot points that films discussed in previous weeks have also used, Ingmar Bergman's 1961 existential drama is at the centre of today's conversation as we contemplate the concept of God's hiddenness. We also briefly discuss: The Exorcist (1973) Contact us via email at contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • August 23 · 29 min

    How far-reaching is everyday irresponsibility? | The Ice Storm (1997)

    This week's episode consolidates on recent discussions about the symbolism of house design and ignoring looming psychological baggage by examining such ideas through the lens of Ang Lee's 1997 suburban drama, The Ice Storm. We also briefly discuss: The End of Oak Street (2026) d. David Robert Mitchell Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • August 16 · 29 min

    What is the true value of the soul? | "Angel Heart" (1987)

    After we examined a different Alan Parker film also focused on the soul a few week's ago, this week's episode centres on his 1987 crime thriller, Angel Heart, and carries on last week's discussion on living in ignorance of the darker, yet immediately apparent, aspects of human existence. Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • August 9 · 29 min

    Should we fear "the end"? | "The Life of Chuck" (2024)

    Following some recent (rather austere) contemplations on the idea of passing things forward through time, this week's episode takes the conversation into slightly more poetic territory in examining Mike Flanagan's recent profound sci-fi drama, The Life of Chuck. We also briefly discuss: Backrooms (2026) d. Kane Parsons Contact Us: Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • August 2 · 29 min

    Are we destined to be cheated? | "Touki Bouki" (1973)

    Following last week's (unrelated) discussions about the concept of deception and films with identical bookends, this week's episode had to centre on Djibril Diop Mambéty's 1973 Senegalese film, Touki Bouki (also known as Journey of the Hyena). Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • July 12 · 29 min

    What is the future of AI filmmaking? | OMNI “HYPERPHANTASIA” International AI Film Festival w/ Aryeh Sternberg & Travis Rice

    In this week's episode, we sit down with the with the founders of the OMNI International AI Film Festival, to discuss all the pressing issues central to current debates concerning AI filmmaking, from intellectual property protection to the democratisation of art-making. We also briefly discuss: A Face Only a Mother Could Love (2026) d. Robert Gaudette Guardians of the Burrow (2026) d. Jodie Heenan Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • June 21 · 29 min

    Is life invariably predictable? | "The Commitments" (1991) d. Alan Parker

    Following last week's discussions about the elusiveness of certain political ideas, this week's episode contemplates the tension between the experience of socioeconomics versus something more transcendent, through the lens of Alan Parker's 1991 comedy, The Commitments. Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • June 14 · 29 min

    How should we conserve? | WALL·E (2008) d. Andrew Stanton

    Films for Today returns this week with a refreshed discussion about the seemingly thin line between progressivism and conservatism through an examination of Pixar's 2008 dystopian satire, WALL·E . Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • April 12 · 29 min

    Can you outgrow evil? | "Forbidden Planet" (1956) d. Fred M. Wilcox

    In consolidating on last week's discussions, specifically those about the colossal consequences of an un-integrated shadow, this week's episode dives deeper into the themes and aesthetics of 1950s science fiction cinema through the lens of Fred M. Wilcox's Forbidden Planet. We also briefly discuss: Dr. Strangelove (1964) d. Stanley Kubrick Akira (1988) Katsuhiro Otomo Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • April 5 · 29 min

    What does it take to be a real man? | "Little Shop of Horrors" (1986) d. Frank Oz

    In light of the ongoing cultural conversation regarding the crisis of masculinity, this week's episode builds on last week's discussion about 'nice guys' and violence by examining Frank Oz's 1986 dark comedy musical, Little Shop of Horrors. We also briefly discuss: Oppenheimer (2023) d. Christopher Nolan Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • March 29 · 29 min

    Is violence ever justifiable? | "Tyrannosaur" (2011) d. Paddy Considine

    Following last week's discussions on the complexities of applied piety, this week's episode contemplates the apparent limits on human grace and forgiveness through the lens of Paddy Considine's 2011 drama, Tyrannosaur. Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

  • March 22 · 29 min

    What is the truest form of love? | "Breaking the Waves" (1996) d. Lars von Trier

    Following last week's contemplations about the inevitably communal aspect of moral life, this week's episode contemplates the inevitable difficulties of piously living for others in its examination of Lars von Trier's 1996 drama, Breaking the Waves. We also briefly discuss: The Sacrifice (1986) d. Andrei Tarkovsky The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) d. Peter Jackson Project Hail Mary (2026) d. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com

Showing 1–20 of 24 episodes