Monocle 24: The Cinema Show

Pack your bags! We’re taking a ride across the US to visit some of the locations behind the country’s film history. In Dallas, we take a seat in the cinema where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested shortly after the death of president John F Kennedy. Plus: how superheroes give voice to American cultural fears and the new documentary that questions popular perceptions of genetically modified food.

Come waltz with us in Vienna! Alexei Korolyov discovers how the city’s rich history of classical music gave rise to the modern film score.

Setting sail on the blue waters of the Mediterranean, we explore the real-life locations behind some of our favourite films. Malta’s film commission explains how the tiny nation has acted as a stand-in for just about everywhere, we take a tour of Italy’s most cinematic coastline and we examine the extraordinary story behind the stunning 1958 film ‘Bonjour Tristesse’.

With its exposed brick walls, custom red chairs and lush indoor greenery, New York’s Metrograph cinema is one of the world’s most beautifully designed independent picturehouses. We take a seat with founder and designer Alexander Olch.

The designers of the opening sequence of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ explain the importance of handcrafted originality in the digital age. Plus: ‘Slack Bay’ director Bruno Dumont takes us to the French coast with Juliette Binoche and we touch down in Vienna to rediscover the city’s favourite film.

Miljen Kreka Kljakovic has undertaken some fairly ambitious projects during his decades-long career as a production designer. He’s recreated Venice in Luxembourg and Mecca in Iran. We pay a visit to his workshop to find out how the magic is made.

Miranda Richardson and Brian Cox reveal what they learnt about the concept of leadership while playing the UK’s first couple in the new film, ‘Churchill’. Plus: director Nick Broomfield discusses his new documentary exploring another side of the legendary performer, Whitney Houston, and our top five reasons to revisit Adam West’s feature film version of ‘Batman’.

The nest of houses beneath the famous Hollywood sign is one of the best places to view the popular landmark. But some residents of the Hollywoodland neighbourhood are going to extraordinary lengths to ban tourists – with some even calling for the sign to be removed. Plus: we find out why one of Argentina’s favourite film festivals has erupted in street protests and Italian fashion designer Massimo Alba guides us through his favourite cinematic location in the Bay of Naples.

Welcome to The Cinema Show’s bite-size spin-off: Action! Each week we’ll meet the makers behind all facets of the cinema-going experience. In this premiere episode we discover the secret to perfecting Australia’s favourite movie-time snack, the ice cream choc-top.

Director Patty Jenkins was given an enormous challenge when she took on the blockbuster adaptation of superhero staple Wonder Woman. We ask whether it was worth the long wait. Plus: a special look at the handcrafted side of movie-making with poster designer Sam Smith and meet the curators of London’s ArchFilmFestival.

Among the renowned film-makers taking a seat inside the Palais du Festival at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival this year is Michael Haneke. We speak to Toby Jones, the star of his latest film, ‘Happy End’, whose past credits range from the Harry Potter and Captain America franchises to Oliver Stone’s political drama ‘W.’ Plus: why Roger Moore will be remembered as one of the screen’s great action stars.

The 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival got off to tense start as participants and audiences clashed over whether streaming giants ought to be allowed to compete. We assess the arguments. Plus: how Warner Bros got ‘King Arthur’ so terribly wrong and why the world’s most famous giant ape is taking on the Broadway musical.

As the creative force behind such films as ‘Swimming Pool’, ‘8 Women’ and ‘Young and Beautiful’, François Ozon has become one of the most respected and versatile directors working today. In this special extended interview the French filmmaker discusses his passion for the craft and how his new film, ‘Frantz’, touches upon some surprising parallels with Europe’s current political machinations.

Director William Oldroyd and actress Florence Pugh discuss gripping new drama ‘Lady Macbeth’ and 50 years after the disastrous release of ‘Valley of the Dolls’, we look back at the soapy drama and assess the legacy of Sharon Tate. Plus: Kitty Green, director of documentary ‘Casting JonBenet’, reflects on our cultural obsession with true crime.

The selection at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival suggests that 2017’s festival season is likely to be dominated by political films. We take a look at the titles that are capturing attention with ‘New Republic’ magazine’s Alex Shephard. Plus: the new documentary recalling the incredible life of actress-turned-inventor Hedy Lamarr and director Katel Quillévéré discusses her new film ‘Heal the Living’.

Tom of Finland is one of the world’s most prolific erotic artists. We speak to film-maker Dome Karukoski about his new film recalling the difficult private life of the man behind the moniker, Touko Laaksonen. Plus: Un Certain Regard winner Juho Kuosmanen on his new film ‘The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki’ and why Hollywood is heading to Europe for blockbuster musical scores.

Why do so many grand old theatres fall into disrepair? ‘ArchDaily’ editor James Taylor-Foster and architects Jason Flanagan and Takero Shimazaki share the secrets to gently updating a picture palace for the modern age.

Director Raoul Peck draws upon the original text of James Baldwin to create the sensational Oscar-nominated documentary ‘I Am Not Your Negro’. In this special extended interview, Ben Rylan discusses the film with Peck while examining Baldwin’s extraordinary words.

After a string of failed reboots and remakes Paramount Pictures has a new CEO. But while March’s box-office returns hit a billion-dollar all-time record, some studio bosses are questioning whether audience appetites for franchise films are fading. We assess the evidence. Plus: a lesson in film criticism from David Stratton and a tribute to no one’s favourite superhero, Condorman.

A special screening at the Barbican in London aims to present the great French film-maker Henri-Georges Clouzot’s unfinished film ‘The Inferno’ as it might have been; we speak to its director, Serge Bromberg. Plus: Vienna’s unluckiest address and how Brazil’s ‘Aquarius’ director Kleber Mendonça Filho became a reluctant but popular political symbol.