Altmania

Ryan and Esteban explore the works of director Robert Altman, examining the context of his films, how they speak to the current moment, and look at his wider circle of proteges and influences. Currently covering the films of Jonathan Demme.
Ryan and Esteban explore the works of director Robert Altman, examining the context of his films, how they speak to the current moment, and look at his wider circle of proteges and influences. Currently covering the films of Jonathan Demme.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes



Jun 18, 2025
Black Mama, White Mama (1973)
Jun 18, 2025
Jun 18, 2025
1 hr 49 min
If you're thinking about my MAMA, it don't matter if she's black or white, ooh! In this case, we get the best of both worlds when Altmania returns to close out our final Demme / Viola screenplay collaboration, and one final another production from the Philippines. This time around, Jonathan Demme gets a story by credit, and his buddy Joe uses a pseudonym for the screenwriter. Originally called WOMEN IN CHAINS, we take a look at BLACK MAMA WHITE MAMA; a movie that is full of a lot of funny moments and is pretty tame by exploitation standards of the time. We get into Pam Grier's incredible stories of her life and acting career, that combined with exploitation genre stuff, women's empowerment, the radical attitudes of blaxploitation, Roger Corman buying up Ingmar Bergman films that get huge in the United States, Demme selling this script for $500, we gush over Sid Haig's great acting, and then we talk about this fun ass movie! Sound good???Follow Altmania:https://altmaniapod.comThe World of Robert Altman | Esteban Noel**NEW!!!** Demme CompendiumSupport us on Patreon:https://patreon.com/altmania
Jun 18, 2025
1 hr 49 min



Jun 11, 2025
The Hot Box (1972)
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 11, 2025
1 hr 39 min
A fresh, piping hot episode of Altmania straight out of the Hot Box. We're looking at another Jonathan Demme-penned, Joe Viola-directed film from New World Pictures - 1972's THE HOT BOX. We discuss Corman's core (no pun intended) mission for filmmaking: boobs and action. The ways he allowed filmmakers to imbue exploitation films with serious, real-life stuff while attempting to gel it with that entertainment factor. We chat about the New World crew heading out to the Philippines for a bunch of productions (another of which we'll talk about next week), throwing stones at rats, corrupt governments, guns on planes. Then we talk about this funny little film, its sometimes tonal imabalances; and ultimately how, more often than not, it tends to speak on the right side of history and about violence against imperial oppression - thanks in part to Jonathan Demme at the typewriter.Follow Altmania:https://altmaniapod.comThe World of Robert Altman | Esteban Noel**NEW!!!** Demme CompendiumSupport us on Patreon:https://patreon.com/altmania
Jun 11, 2025
1 hr 39 min



Jun 4, 2025
Angels Hard as They Come (1971)
Jun 4, 2025
Jun 4, 2025
1 hr 44 min
We're soooo back, folks - it's time to kick off the Demme deep-dive! We re-introduce ourselves and talk about one cool thing we've both been up to, before officially kicking off our new series on the life, times, and art of one JONATHAN DEMME. We talk about his early upbringing in Long Island, NY - his immediate love for cinema and writing, his father's work as a writer, his mother's encouragement to log his films in diaries, before the family moves down to Miami, FL and his whole life changes. Jumping between his passion as a veterinarian and film scholar, we slowly track his life leading up to working as a publicist for United Artists, before he meets the Big Kahuna himself, Roger Corman. We get into Corman's Hollywood success story, how he, Demme, and Joe Viola strike up a deal that leads us to ANGELS HARD AS THEY COME - his first written feature and production credit.
Follow Altmania:https://altmaniapod.comhttps://estebannoel.com
Support us on Patreon:https://patreon.com/altmania
Jun 4, 2025
1 hr 44 min



May 23, 2025
A Conversation with Robert Reed Altman
May 23, 2025
May 23, 2025
1 hr 6 min
We're very happy to have gotten to sit down with cinematographer and son of Robert Altman -- Robert Reed "Bobby" Altman. He shares with us stories of joining his dad on the production of Nashville, his early life travelling the world with his family, joining the camera department and working on everything from the Popeye set in Malta, to working on the art department for Quintet and 3 Women, OC and Stiggs stories of King Sunny Ade, working on Trixie and Return Engagement with Alan Rudolph, Altman and Demme's friendship. There was just so many awesome stories and we're glad we could be there to hear them and then record them for you to also hear! Love to all the bobbleheads out there, we'll return on JUNE 4TH to kick off our new series doing a deep-dive on the works of Jonathan Demme. Until then, stay cool, love one another.Follow Robert Reed Altman:https://robertreedaltmandp.com/Follow Altmania:https://altmaniapod.comhttps://estebannoel.comSupport us on Patreon:https://patreon.com/altmaniaUse the code DEMME for 25% off your first month!
May 23, 2025
1 hr 6 min



May 16, 2025
UNLOCKED: Return Engagement (1983)
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
2 hr 28 min
We're taking a short break to prepare for our Jonathan Demme series, for now, enjoy this unlocked episode from our Patreon feed. If you like what you hear, consider subscribing with our discount code DEMME to get 25% off your first month! ----------------------------------------We're checking out Alan Rudolph's first and only documentary feature, following the Los Angeles stop of the Timothy Leary // G. Gordon Liddy debate tour. We get into the current state of the world, where we're at now, before we jump into the deep end on the FBI, CIA, Nixon, MKultra, watergate, Iran Contra, counterculture movements, and all of that jazz. Plus we learn that Gordon Liddy was one crazy ass white boy.
You can watch Return Engagement right here!Articles mentioned, further reading, etc.AFI CATALOG | Return EngagementAlan Rudolph interviews in VeritéDallas '63: The First Deep State Revolt Against the White House | Peter Dale ScottLost' films found 3: Alan Rudolph's 'Return Engagement' | Media FunhouseOperation Mind Control - Researcher's Edition | Walter BowartTimothy Leary | Harvard Dept. of PsychologyThe Watergate FilesThe Timothy Leary Project | Jennifer UlrichWhite hand society : the psychedelic partnership of Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg | Peter Conners
May 16, 2025
2 hr 28 min



May 8, 2025
Finalen Rudolph
May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
2 hr 17 min
We always hate to say goodbye... but we must close this chapter of the podcast and officially send off our Alan Rudolph series out to the beautiful blue ocean. We honor the man himself talking about what we learned looking at all of these movies he made, what he and Altman showed us about American filmmaking, read some choice quotes from the man himself, his top 10 favorite movies. AND... we announce our upcoming subject for the next season, before we hand out some Bob awards for these final 10 Rudolph movies, our ranked list of them, and what we're looking for in the next series.From both of us hosts, thank you to everyone who's listened to us ramble about movies for these 20+ episodes, whether you're a new listener or a day-oner, we appreciate having you around. Thank you to everyone in our discord for keeping the conversation going and for anyone that went and watched even one Alan Rudolph movie from our discussions let alone all of them. And thank you to all of our guests who we'll list below, but the biggest thanks of all goes to our pal Jason Miller who really got the fire cooking on this season, who got us so psyched about a guy that made some seriously unparalleled movies right under the radar of the Hollywood machine, thanks Jason! And to all of our other guests - Thank you so much to…VALERIE KEATON, PETER RALEIGH, ESME HOLDEN, CHRIS WOODWARD, AARON CASIAS, ETAN WEISFOGEL, JANE ALTOIDS, JORDAN FISH, GIGI, IAN RHINE, JAKE SERWIN - and our guests who couldn't quite make it in ANNABEL JESSICA GOLDSMITH and TORREY PAQUETTE, we'll catch you again next time.
See you all in June for Series 4 of Altmania!Follow Altmania:altmaniapod.comestebannoel.comSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmania
May 8, 2025
2 hr 17 min



May 2, 2025
Ray Meets Helen (2017) w/ Sōd Casty for Me
May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025
2 hr 33 min
Alan Rudolph returns from his 15-year hiatus from filmmaking with a paintbrush in his hand a copy of premiere pro to bring us RAY MEETS HELEN. Joining us are two Clint Eastwood experts, Jake and Ian from Sōd Casty for Me, to help us talk about what would end up being Sondra Locke's final film, green screen, digital filmmaking, and the growing list of the things that baffled us about this movie. If you're a big Rudolph-head and you love this movie, we're so sorry for this one, but its still a lot of fun to listen to - lots of laughs to be had. We love you bobbleheads, stay tuned for the finale next week, you can write into our mailbag if you'd like us to answer any questions or just read a comment from you on that episode!Follow Sōd Casty for Me:podcastyforme.compatreon.com/podcastyformeFollow Altmania:LinktreeEsteban Noel - Short StoriesAltman / Rudolph ArchiveSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmaniaMusic:American Sunset - Jack AdkinsAudrey - John Andrews & the YawnsCalifornia - Drug Cabin
May 2, 2025
2 hr 33 min



Apr 26, 2025
The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)
Apr 26, 2025
Apr 26, 2025
2 hr 5 min
Whatever happened to toothpaste flavored toothpaste... this week we're hanging out with the ghost of Denis Leary in Alan Rudolph's THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS. A movie about a guy that is so scared of being a cuckold that he runs away from his wife to mow the lawn. We get into what drew Rudolph to this script, how we miss his signature curveball to help what is otherwise a simple midlife crisis movie, read some wise words from Rudolph on the state of filmmaking in the 2000s, Campbell Scott and Hope Davis' great acting, kids throwing up, Dennis Leary telling you to murder your wife, and a whole lot more. Don't forget to write into our mailbag for the upcoming Rudolph finale!!Follow Altmania:LinktreeRead Este's writingAltman / Rudolph ArchiveSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmania
Apr 26, 2025
2 hr 5 min



Apr 18, 2025
Investigating Sex (2001) w/ Gigi
Apr 18, 2025
Apr 18, 2025
2 hr 13 min
Get out your pipes and magnifying glasses, Sherlock HOLES is on the case. This week we're joined by our good friend Detective Gigi to look into these matters on Alan Rudolph's INVESTIGATING SEX, aka INTIMATE AFFAIRS. We get into the film's setting, its depiction of real surrealist artists and intellectuals, Andre Breton, post-WWI artists and philosophers, their bankrolling by the upper class, the characters' posturing and the women they've hired to transcribe their arcane discussions, incel behavior, sex demons, and how this film speaks not just to the 2020s, but to 2001 and the 1920s. Also, don't forget to WRITE INTO THE MAILBAG, we'll answer all of your questions when we wrap up on Alan Rudolph in a few weeks.
Hi Femme article mentioned in the episodeHyper-femininity, Transaction and ‘Showgirls’ with Carlee Gomes
Follow Gigi:TwitterBlueskyConversation w/ Karthik PuruFollow Altmania:LinktreeSubscribe to Este's WritingAltman / Rudolph ArchiveSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmania
Apr 18, 2025
2 hr 13 min



Apr 11, 2025
Trixie (2000)
Apr 11, 2025
Apr 11, 2025
2 hr 19 min
Altmania, the only show hosted by TWO private defectives. We get into the new trailer for PTA's One Battle After Another, before we jump over to the critical fallout from Breakfast of Champions, Rudolph vs Disney (and critics), Y2K, Alan Rudolph's election-inspired script for Trixie, liars and truthers, cheeked up Dermot Mulroney (not Dylan McDermott), Mancow Nathan Lane, and so much more... only on ALTMANIA. Oh, and WRITE IN TO OUR FINALE EPISODE MAILBAG, ask us anything you want!!Follow our friend Annabelle, who couldn't make it for this episode:twitter.com/themoderns_Our Man Gregory La CavaFollow Altmania:LinktreeRead Este's writing!Altman / Rudolph ArchiveSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmania
Apr 11, 2025
2 hr 19 min



Apr 4, 2025
Breakfast of Champions (1999)
Apr 4, 2025
Apr 4, 2025
2 hr 27 min
In 1973, Kurt Vonnegut releases his much awaited follow up to Slaughterhouse-Five. Just one year later, off the tails of Buffalo Bill and the Indians, Robert Altman tasks Alan Rudolph with writing him a script based on this book, Breakfast of Champions. His one direction being, "don't follow the book", advice that would be echoed by Kurt Vonnegut himself. The project slowly fizzles away into the dustbin... until 1999. This week we're talking Alan Rudolph's BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS, starring Bruce Willis as Dwayne Hoover. We take a trip to Alan-Town to talk about the new Choose Me 4K, this film's recent 4K restoration, then we get into Vonnegut talk, how this film and the book find common ground, car dealers in the Bush era, late capitalism and the "self-made" owner class, and also a lot of joking around!Write in to the mailbag for our finale episode!Follow Altmania:Linktreeestebannoel.comAltman / Rudolph archiveSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmania
Apr 4, 2025
2 hr 27 min



Mar 28, 2025
Afterglow (1997) w/ Jordan Fish
Mar 28, 2025
Mar 28, 2025
1 hr 50 min
Bonjour à tous! Joining us this week, in the strange and alienating city that is Alan Rudolph's montreal, is our friend, a filmmaker, co-host of To the White Sea - Jordan Fish! We have a lengthy discussion on Alan Rudolph's 1997 film AFTERGLOW, its characters estranged from their roots, People Magazine's 1992 Sexiest Man Alive Nick Nolte and his gruff handsomeness, Julie Christie, love triangles, how funny it is when someone is horny, Altman's budget tricks for his buddy Alan, unspoken truths, withheld secrets, a whole lot more on ALTMANIA: FRIENDS OF BOB!Follow Jordan Fish / To the White Sea:To the White Sea - a Coen brothers study grouphttps://twitter.com/tothewhiteseahttps://twitter.com/jwordfishJordan's DSA NYC ad (mentioned in the episode)Follow Altmania:LinktreeEsteban Noel (Este's writing)Altman / Rudolph ArchiveSupport us on Patreon:patreon.com/altmania
Mar 28, 2025
1 hr 50 min
God bless, peace and love, hugs and kisses

