This month, Emma and Steve discuss the 1998 classic Bulworth. From it's scorching soundtrack to its depiction of South Central LA this is an underrated classic.
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Following the sad death of Keith Barron at the end of 2017 we thought this was an ideal time to re-examine the Dennis Potter plays, Stand up, Nigel Barton and Vote, Vote, Vote For Nigel Barton
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And what would Christmas be without an exposition on the ills of untrammelled capitalism, a discussion of the merits of small town America over the big city and a end so collectivist in nature yet small town in values it melts the hearts of socialists and conservatives alike.
It's a Wonderful Life was not a success on release but it has since become the quintessential Christmas film. Here we discuss why it's endured, what it has to say about the politics of the time it was made and what it still has to say to us now.
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This month we look in depth at two works from Armando Iannucci - The Thick of It and The Death of Stalin. Is he too cynical about politics or not cynical enough?
We also discuss the unfolding dramas of the Westminster Sexual Abuse and Misogyny scandals and fall out of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. At the point the Podcast was recorded many that we now know of have not broken including regarding Kevin Spacey. This is clearly going to run on.
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We all discover just how old and cynical we are now by rewatching Our Friends in the North. Did we really once think that Nicky was a hero? Did we always realise how badly Mary has it? Or have we - like Eddie - become old and stale in our middle age?
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This month, Emma and Steve discuss the contemporary politics of historical fiction - from Poldark to Dunkirk. We also focus on how popular culture is adjusting to the age of Trump, with particular focus on recent Sam Bourne's recent thriller To Kill the President.
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Welcome to The Zeitgeist Tapes. Every month, Professor Steve Fielding and journalist Emma Burnell discuss the collision of politics and popular culture. This month we focus on A Very British Coup. Written in the 1980s, this drama about an elected left wing Labour leader still has much to tell us about today's politics.
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