PSYCHOCINEMATIC

Episode 48: Drop Dead Fred and ”Imaginary Friend Syndrome” with Ariadne Giousmas

TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Drop Dead Fred was a movie most millenials grew up with in their childhood, to the chagrin of their parents. But did we realise as youngsters that this silly slapstick comedy starring Young Ones’ Rik Mayall was actually a deep meditation on childhood trauma, arrested development, and narcissistic parenting? Join Steph and special guest Ariadne Giousmas as they dissect a hallmark film from their childhood and whether it passes or fails the Psychocinematic test (the Answer May Shock You!) Did you ever have an imaginary friend? Please tell us in the comments or in that Apple Podcasts review you’re about to submit!
Content warning: childhood neglect, abuse and abandonment, complex PTSD, relationship abuse, violence.
Follow Ariadne @BobbinsofBrisbane on instagram!
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com. Join our PATREON to support us and get sikkkk benefits and bonus content! And check out our NEW WEBSITE!!!
 
REFERENCES
Should They Watch It Podcast's episode on Drop Dead Fred
26 Years On, Drop Dead Fred Is Way Darker Than You Remember Growing Up with Help From \"Drop Dead Fred\"
Drop Dead Fred – The Cult Classic Rife with Hypocrisy - Poplurker.com
Cult Classics: ‘Drop Dead Fred’ is More Than Just an Imaginary Friend – Black Girl Nerds
Things In Drop Dead Fred Only Adults Notice
POP PSYCH CAN`T BRING `DEAD FRED` TO LIFE – Chicago Tribune
Drop Dead Fred: Looking Back On A Cult Classic | Den of Geek
Drop Dead Fred: imaginary friend or mental breakdown? | bloggy balboa
Why Drop Dead Fred Is an Underrated Gem
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Episode 47: Married At First Sight & the brutal reality of Reality TV with Clare Verrall

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Welcome back to a brand new season of Psychocinematic Podcast! We kick off this year with a bang as Steph interviews Clare Verrall, who was a participant of Season 2 of Married At First Sight Australia. Clare talks about her experiences during and the impact of it after, including her mental health journey, gaining a ADHD & ASD diagnosis, and her fantastic work fostering rescue dogs and as a dog behaviourist and trainer. 
If you had icky feelings about Married at First Sight (or MAFS) get ready for them to be validated in spades - or if you didn't, get ready to have them!! (pls check the content warning!!) Clare is a very efficient talker so follow along with the transcript or use your app to slow  the pace down if you need!
CONTENT WARNING: Suicide and suicidal ideation, self harm, domestic abuse & violence, bullying & harrassment, negligence, animal abuse & neglect, we mention Nasser's name. 
HOTLINES: Lifeline: 131114 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
MAKE SURE you follow Clare on instagram @clareverrall and her cute puppas @dutchy_and_hodor. Follow her canine rescue @wildwoodanimalrescue and her highly rated dog training business @wildwooddogtraining if you could do with some puppy schooling!
Watch Clare's season of MAFS here if you must (actually it IS worth it just for Dutchy) and see her appearance on Channel 7's Sunday Night here (MUST watch). And to find out how to complain about something on TV (channel your inner Karen), go to the Australian Communications and Media Authority I'll join you.
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Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Episode 45: Falling for Christmas- Lindsay is back! And so are outrageous representations of amnesia (with Emily & Heather McIntyre)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
It’s our 3rd annual Christmas film episode ready for your lucky listening ears! Today we have a Psychocinematic first - a sister duo joining us, Emily & Heather McIntyre! Steph, Emily and Heather discuss the iconic new Netflix Christmas film charting Lindsay Lohan’s comeback - Falling for Christmas! Think we won’t have enough content to overanalyse in this one? THINK AGAIN!
Join us as we try to make sense of the films depiction of amnesia, why little Avy is constantly smiling, and why there are so many cheques.
CONTENT WARNING: Major physical accident, acquired brain injury, memory loss, loss of parent.
Follow Emily @ramblingravioli on Twitter, Insta and Tiktok!
Follow Heather @heatherey on Twitter, Insta and HeartbreakHeather on Tiktok - and check her and Niall Horan’s special relationship here.
See our Christmas Rom Com Bingo grid here to follow along with us!
References:
Netflix and Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Falling for Christmas’ Allegory (one of the funniest articles I’ve read in a while)
Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Falling for Christmas’ is Proof of Hollywood’s Dehumanizing Effects | Frieze
Netflix’s Falling For Christmas Has A Brilliant Mean Girls Nod, And It Was Apparently Lindsay Lohan’s Idea | Cinemablend
Falling For Christmas ticks every box in the Netflix algorithm (stylist.co.uk)
Netflix's Falling For Christmas: “Every single thought I had while watching Lindsay Lohan's festive romcom”
'Falling For Christmas' Review: Lindsay Lohan Makes a Cozy Comeback to Rom-Coms - Marvelous Geeks Media
Memories aren't made of this: amnesia at the movies - PMC (nih.gov)
'Falling For Christmas' And Why Rom-Coms Keep Using Amnesia | Cracked.com
Lindsay Lohan's Falling for Christmas on Netflix is cute. Amnesia isn't - Pehal News
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Episode 44: Bojack Horseman the cartoon horse teaches us everything about mental illness (with Annie Ware)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Join Steph and her oldest friend, the gorgeously insightful Annie Ware, as they dissect as much of the psychological meaning behind Netflix's iconic animated series Bojack Horseman, created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Lisa Hanawalt. Can a series centring on a toxic male cartoon horse really convey a plethora of mental illnesses with a level of nuance and realism we've not seen before? Find out as we managed to tackle all (most) of its themes in 90 minutes!
 
Follow Annie on @fancyfreshpups on Instagram, to see her incredible grooming work (and the goodest doggos).
 
CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, childhood abuse, alcoholism, self harm behaviour, dementia, death, death anxiety/existentialism
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
REFERENCES:
The Creator of 'Bojack Horseman' on How He Deals With Anxiety | GQ
Lisa Hanawalt, the Artist Behind TV’s Richly Emotional Cartoon Comedies “BoJack Horseman” and “Tuca & Bertie” | The New Yorker
Paul F. Tompkins (Voted #3 Ep of 2011) - The Mental Illness Happy Hour
My Mental Health: How BoJack Horseman helped me accept being on anti-depressants
BoJack Horseman is its own harshest critic - The Verge
The Death of Sarah Lynn Reveals More of Bojack Horseman's True Colors
Let’s Talk About Sarah Lynn. The most misunderstood character in… | by Karin Cho | Follow Your Heart | Medium
Bojack Horseman: Angela Diaz Secretly Causes Bojack's Power Abuses
IGN: Why Bojack Horseman is One of the Best Portrayals of Mental Illness
'Bojack Horseman' and the Nuances of Mental Health Depiction
Bojack Horseman and Mental Health
BoJack Horseman: 10 Real Life Issues The Show Deals With And How It Addresses Them
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
 
Music Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Editor: Steph Fornasier

Episode 43: Hannah Diviney talks Latecomers, disability advocacy and serious plans to take over the world

TRANSCRIPT HERE
In an incredible first for Psychocinematic, we interview an actor who stars in the media we are talking about! Hannah Diviney talks to Steph about the brand new show Latecomers on SBS TV, created by and starring disabled actors. 
Hannah plays the lead role of Sarah alongside Angus Thompson who plays Frank, and tells us all about how she got involved, what it's like being part of groundbreaking disability representation, and her experience calling out mega popstars for their ableist lyrics. Hannah is a powerhouse; a dynamic and brilliant disability advocate, wise beyond her 23 years, and it was such a delight to interview her. 
Watch Latecomers on SBS TV on Saturday 3rd of December at 8.30pm or catch it on SBS On Demand!!
Follow Hannah and her amazing work on her website, check out her important female led publication Missing Perspectives, and follow her on Twitter @hannah_diviney and Instagram @hannahthewildflower 
AND HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES on the 3rd of December- which is, and should be, every day, really. 
CONTENT WARNING: Sex, discussion of ableism
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
Music Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

Episode 42: ADHD is being Everything Everywhere All At Once (with Jordan Bastian)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Jordan Bastian, film and artistic genius, joins Steph as we tackle the chaotic wonder that is Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), by eccentrically amazing duo Daniels. Does the film not just depict undiagnosed adult ADHD, but embody what it’s like to live with it? Does it hold up as an indie form of the wave of immigrant American intergenerational trauma films (e.g. Turning Red)? And is it okay to laugh at Hot Dog fingers?
 
Follow Jordan Bastian and her incredible designs on insta here and purchase via Society6! And go and see SISSY in cinemas today!
 
CW: Trauma, intergenerational trauma, body shaming, brief mention of suicide.
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram,  Twitter and Tiktok! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content!
 
REFERENCES:
How ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Helps to Heal Generational Trauma - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Everything Everywhere All at Once review – nothing nowhere over a long period of time | Film | The Guardian
Everything Everywhere All At Once Ending Explained (collider.com)
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Review: It’s Messy, and Glorious - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Everything Everywhere All At Once Movie Review: If Insanity Was An Insanely Beautiful Film; The Real Multiverse Of Madness (koimoi.com)
Everything Everywhere All At Once's Real Meaning Explained (screenrant.com)
The Essential Explanation of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE - Colossus (filmcolossus.com)
Everything Everywhere: What Does the Everything Bagel Mean? | Den of Geek
Everything Everywhere All At Once review: Multiverse sci-fi adventure | New Scientist
The Daniels on the ADHD theory of "Everything Everywhere All at Once," paper cuts and butts | Salon.com
Everything Everywhere All At Once Takes Viewers on a Journey Inside the Multiverses of a Neurodivergent Mind - Respect Ability
I am everything, everywhere, all at once | by Sally Turbitt | Medium
Everything Everywhere All At Once: An Interview With Directing Duo Daniels : Short Wave : NPR
Reel Thoughts: On feeling nothing after watching ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and performative representation Reel Thoughts: Good acting can’t fix ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once' (dailynorthwestern.com)
 
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
 
Music Michael Watson
Artwork: Bronte Poynts
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier

Episode 41: Darren Aronofsky loves a Mental Illness Movie - Part 2. Black Swan (with Ash Roberts)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
 
Our second focus on the auteur who loves to lightly and heavily traumatise us, Darren Aronofksy- is a deep swan dive into 2010's Black Swan starring Natalie Portman. Joining us is Ash Roberts*, Hot Girl's Theory Podcasts' other half! Ash shares her history of, in her words her 'spicy mental health cocktail', and how her experience of Autism and Bipolar Disorder has parallels with Nina (Natalie Portman)'s experience in the film. 
Listen to Hot Girls Theory here: HOT GIRL'S THEORY PODCAST (hotgirlstheory.com)
Follow Ash on insta here! And Hot Girls Theory on insta here!
*Apologies as Steph introduce her as Ash Robertson not Roberts (and Ash is too kind to correct me!)
CONTENT WARNING: Self harm and suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, disordered eating, psychosis, drug use, physical violence.
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and for your September fees to go to MINUS18!
REFERENCES:
See Steph's deep dive into Frances Farmer's autobiography "Will There Really Be A Morning" on Instagram highlights
'Black Swan's' psychological spin - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com
Virgin and Whore in Black Swan | HuffPost Entertainment
Interesting Movie Theory: What Is Going On Between Nina And Her Mom In 'Black Swan'? (slashfilm.com)
'Black Swan': Psychiatrists Diagnose Ballerina's Descent - ABC News (go.com)
"Black Swan": Mental Health Conditions Of Ballet Dancers (mindingtherapy.com)
Movies 4 - Psychology of a Psychotic Break - Black Swan (psychedonlife.com)
Movies in the Classroom: Black Swan | aapp.org

Episode 39: Looking for Alibrandi and life as an Italian immigrant family in 1960’s Australia (With Frank Fornasier)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
Steph is the luckiest daughter to be able to interview her retired engineer father, Frank (or Franco) Fornasier, on the podcast today, as they reflect on the film and play Looking for Alibrandi (2000 and 2022 respectively). Frank tells Steph what it was like growing up in Brisbane as an Italian boy with an extremely religious mother, and tyrannical unaffectionate father. Topics include religion, early immigration days, and wine that tastes like pus.
This episode is dedicated to Luigia Fornasier, aka Nonnie (14/11/17 - 13/4/2010). We still miss your food and sloppy cheek kisses.
CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, domestic abuse and violence including child and gendered abuse, racial and cultural slurs and racist events, discussion of religion and catholocism.
(Hotline numbers: Lifeline 131114, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732)
References:
LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI - Belvoir St Theatre
Looking for Alibrandi (film) - Wikipedia
The rise and fall of troubled Aussie star Matthew Newton
Franco Fornasier’s memory 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and for your September fees to go to MINUS18!
 
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
Host: Stephanie Fornasier
Cohost, music and artwork: Michael Watson
Editor: Nicholas Fornasier
 

Episode 38: Darren Aronofsky loves a Mental Illness Movie - Part 1. Requiem for A Dream (with Nic Fornasier)

TRANSCRIPT HERE
Our first foray into the Darren Aronofsky Mental Illness Universe, today we have the editing genius and dead-pan-ly funny Nic Fornasier to talk about the slap in the face that is REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000). Join us as Nic takes us throw what he relates to in the film (and what he absolutely does not relate to), how it compares to other ‘Don’t do drugs!’ films of the 2000’s, and whether Darren Aronofsky’s style of filmmaking is genius or film school 101. Also is method acting good or bad?
 
CONTENT WARNING: This one is a doozy. Drug use, substance addiction, sexual assault, rape, sex shaming, body horror, cancer, medical abuse and trauma, elder abuse, ableism, diet culture, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
 
Follow Nic on instagram  @4nic8r (mainly for slightly puerile humour) but more importantly check out his website here for his incredible portfolio of work!
Also here is that video with Maz giving birth to our beloved family dog Lote. 
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com and JOIN OUR PATREON for SO MUCH exclusive content and for your September fees to go to MINUS18!
REFERENCES:
An Oral History of ‘Requiem for a Dream’ (ESSENTIAL READING)
Requiem for a Dream: An Analysis. A film based on the novel of the same… | by Fatema Taher | Medium
Requiem for a Dream at 20: Aronofsky's nightmare still haunts 
Why is no one talking about Jared Leto’s history of paedophilia and predatory behaviour? - SCREENSHOT 
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Jared Leto 
Jared Leto Was Never The Same After Requiem For A Dream 
Marlon Wayans Didn't Shower to Get Role in 'Requiem For a Dream' 
Totally Fucked Up: REQUIEM FOR A DREAM | Birth.Movies.Death. (birthmoviesdeath.com)
Shouting but not saying much—Requiem for a Dream - World Socialist Web Site (wsws.org)
Hate To Be The One To Tell You But ‘Requiem For A Dream’ Is A Bad Movie | by John DeVore | Humungus | Medium
F This Movie!: Sh!#ting on the Classics: Requiem for a Dream
'Requiem': An Overdose of Tricks  By Stephen Hunter Washington Post Staff Writer

Episode 37: Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey and the psychology of abusive cults (with Merowyn Olaver)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 
For Psychocinematic’s first foray into the documentary film, Steph discusses the Netflix documentary Keep Sweet Pray and Obey, with the inspiring (and multitasking) Merowyn Olaver, a nurse, writer, mental health & domestic violence advocate, breast cancer previvor, AND a mother as well.
Steph and Merowyn discuss the psychology of religion, how it differs from that of cults or cult-like structures, and of childhood sexual abuse and trafficking. We reflect on how this is explored in the doco with regard to the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints, whether it is conveyed respectfully to the survivors, and where it perhaps goes wrong. Merowyn, who has been a front line worker during the Covid pandemic, is an absolute delight and should have her own podcast!
CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse and rape, including of children, domestic abuse and violence, religious trauma.
Convince Merowyn to make her own podcast (she has time, right?) by following her on instagram @nurse.merowyn and explore her amazing publications on her linktree. And donate to her LIPTEMBER page here: https://www.liptember.com.au/nursemerowyn !!
 
Follow Psychocinematic on Instagram and Twitter! or join our Facebook Group! Email us at psychocinematicpodcast@gmail.com for suggestions or if you’d like to be a guest! Join our Patreon here for lots of past, new and upcoming bonus content!
REFERENCES:
The Psychology Behind Cults | Discover Magazine
Understanding Cults: The Basics | Psychology Today
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CULT EXPERIENCE - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Wikipedia
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints | Southern Poverty Law Center
 
NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!
Editor: Nic Fornasier, Music: Michael Watson, Artwork: Bronte Poynts