Cinema in One Take

Are Nolan and Cameron the Last Bankable Directors? Plus Toy Story 5, Venice & Welsh Cinema 19.06.2026 28m

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has broken BFI IMAX ticket sales records a month before release or before any reviews, raising a fascinating question: are Nolan and Avatar's James Cameron the last truly bankable directors in cinema? This week, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab debate Nolan's unique relationship with audiences, and how many other directors could inspire those sales. Or is the box office also excitement about the topic of the film itself? Staying with Greek myths, Emma explores the release of Welsh-language drama Effi o Blaenau, originally inspired by the Greek tragedy Iphigenia at Aulis via an acclaimed bok, Iphigenia in Splott, and what a new wave of Welsh and Irish language filmmaking says about the confidence of Celtic cinema. The pair also look ahead to the Venice Film Festival, discussing whether Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning will be there, the prospect of Tom Cruise going to the Lido for Digger, and how important the Venice red carpet is for publicising a film. Plus: Emma reviews Toy Story 5, Pixar's examination of childhood, screens and technology — and Kaleem makes the case for Toy Story as the greatest film franchise ever made. For more from us, subscribe for free or follow us: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us on Instagram: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day and the Nadav Lapid Controversy 12.06.2026 28m

Steven Spielberg's long-awaited new alien epic Disclosure Day has finally landed. Is it his best film in 20 years, or a frustrating missed opportunity? Cinema in One Take's Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab disagree about what Hollywood's legendary director has created. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid and his withdrawal from FIDMarseille after calls for a boycott if he attended, because his previous film Yes received money from the Israel Film Fund. Should filmmakers be judged by the actions of their governments - even when they're highly critical of them? Plus, Kaleem pays a personal tribute to Marjane Satrapi, the acclaimed director of Persepolis, who died last week, and Emma watched Dreams of Violets, the first fully AI-generated feature to premiere at a major film festival, in this case, Tribeca. You can find Kaleem's Substack on Marjane Satrapi, and all of their articles, here: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

Backrooms, Martin Scorsese and YouTube's Hollywood Takeover 04.06.2026 22m

What happens when YouTubers start making some of the biggest films in the world? This week on Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab dive into the extraordinary success of Backrooms and Obsession, two breakout hits from directors who built huge audiences online before stepping behind the camera. What took Hollywood so long to recognise the talent pipeline? They also tackle the Tribeca-premiering Dreams of Violets by Ash Koosha to Martin Scorsese's latest AI venture, and ask when technology opens doors for filmmakers, and when it starts replacing people. Plus, why are family films still more likely to feature a talking animal than a woman over 60 in a leading role? ( Not to mention a man called Chris) Emma unpacks the latest industry figures and what they reveal about who Hollywood still thinks can sell a movie. And, in new releases, Kaleem recommends The Little Sister, the latest film from Hafsia Herzi, a moving coming-of-age drama that explores faith, identity and sexuality in contemporary Paris.

Fjord Wins the Palme d’Or: Inside the Cannes 2026 Awards 25.05.2026 22m

Our final Cannes Film Festival wrap-up is here! In this episode of Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones reports back from the Croisette after a whirlwind fortnight at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, while Kaleem Aftab joins to unpack the winners, surprises, controversies and biggest talking points from this year’s Palme d’Or race. They discuss why Christian Mungiu’s Fjord emerged as the festival’s major winner, how films like Minotaur, Fatherland and La Bola Negra were also this year's big winners, and whether Cannes 2026 marked a shift away from easy ideological certainties in contemporary cinema. The conversation also explores: Why critics appeared divided over Fjord The growing prominence of LGBTQ stories at Cannes Why so many of this year’s prize winners were epic-length films The emotional impact of Coward and A Man of His Time The strongest discoveries from Un Certain Regard, including Every Time, Ben’Imana and Elephants in the Fog Breakout cinema from Rwanda, Nepal and the Central African Republic, including Congo Boy The British success of Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning The devastating Iranian documentary Rehearsals for a Revolution And why some of the festival’s most exciting films may have existed outside the main competition entirely Plus: the Palm Dog winner La Perra, Cannes audience reactions, world cinema discoveries, and which films could now become major players in the Oscar conversation. Sign up for our updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

Cannes 2026: The Palme d’Or Race Is Wide Open 22.05.2026 13m

The Palme d’Or race at the Cannes Film Festival is becoming more unpredictable by the day as the festival enters its final stages. Emma Jones speaks to Kaleem Aftab from Cannes, to talk about the icy family drama Fjord starring Sebastian Stan, the politically charged Russian thriller Minotaur, and the visually stunning World War I love story Coward. They also explore one of the festival’s biggest emerging themes: the remarkable number of LGBTQ+ stories this year, from Japanese romance dramas to queer wartime love stories and buzzy late-night festival title Jim Queen. Sign up for our updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

The Mood at Cannes 2026: Monsters, Mafia and Missing Movie Stars 19.05.2026 22m

AI children. Korean monsters. Missing Hollywood stars. And Jacob Elordi as Bond? In this Cannes dispatch, Emma Jones reports from the Film Festival as she and Kaleem Aftab break down some of the festival’s biggest premieres — from Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Sheep in the Box to Na Hong-jin’s bonkers sci-fi feature Hope, James Gray’s mafia thriller Paper Tiger, and Léa Seydoux’s acclaimed turn in Gentle Monster. They also ask: Is Cannes losing its Hollywood glamour? Why are critics so split this year? Are genre films now dominating competition? The growing buzz around breakout title Club Kid Plus: Javier Bardem in The Beloved, Scarlett Johansson’s absence hits Cannes hard, and Emma wonders if two French actors could walk away with major prizes. Sign up for our updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

Is Cannes Less Glamorous? Plus Fatherland, Farhadi & Festival Fatigue 16.05.2026 14m

Emma Jones joins Kaleem Aftab from the Cannes Film Festival to unpack the films, politics, and glamour (as well as the growing exhaustion) at Cannes 2026. They discuss the strong early reaction to Pavel Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, why critics are divided over Asghar Farhadi’s Parallel Tales, Sandra Hüller’s latest performance, Isabelle Huppert in Parisian meta-fiction mode, and whether Cannes critics have become too impatient with slow films. Plus: the death of the legendary Cannes villa party, shrinking festival budgets, Women in Film events and why the festival feels less decadent — but perhaps more revealing — than ever before.” Sign up for our updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

The First Days of Cannes, the Fight for Cinema Culture and Concert Films 14.05.2026 18m

Day one at Cannes and already the big question is: what kind of festival is Cannes becoming? Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab break down an opening night dominated by Jane Fonda, nostalgia, political carefulness, and the idea that Hollywood studios no longer need the Cannes Croisette to launch a film. They discuss the first Competition reactions, why subtler world cinema may be have a moment with Koji Fukada's Nagi Notes, and whether Cannes is finally getting better at telling stories about women over 50 in A Woman's Life. Plus: Demi Moore on AI, Park Chan-wook as jury president, Billie Eilish concert films, and why Iron Maiden fans might understand modern cinema culture better than executives do. From auteur cinema to heavy metal fandom — this is Cannes in One Take. Sign up for our updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

AI Panic, Cannes Jury Predictions and a 'Sexy Film About Trees' 08.05.2026 23m

This week Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab discuss the growing controversy around AI in filmmaking as Kaleem’s produced feature 'Memory of Princess Mumbi', made with generative AI, begins its international release following an award-winning festival run. From generative AI and visual effects to the Oscars’ new guidance on AI eligibility, they ask where the ethical lines around artificial intelligence in cinema now sit — and whether the industry is reacting to the technology itself, or the fear surrounding it. Plus: the Cannes Film Festival jury takes shape under president Park Chan-wook, but apparently without actor Jacob Elordi. Emma and Kaleem predict what kinds of films this year’s jury could reward. And, could the The Odyssey face a box office challenge from the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and why is Emma recommending a “sexy film about trees,” otherwise known as Silent Friend, the hypnotic new film from Ildikó Enyedi. Sign up for our updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

What The Devil Wears Prada 2 Gets Right About Journalism Now 01.05.2026 24m

In this episode of Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab use The Devil Wears Prada 2 to ask what’s happened to journalism in the age of clicks, algorithms, and tech power? Arguing the film is often more about journalism than fashion, they explore how cultural journalism is being reshaped, from shrinking editorial budgets to influencers and platform-driven taste. Plus why style still matters on screen, from the original The Devil Wears Prada to La Dolce Vita (and even Zoolander.) And as they prepare for the Cannes Film Festival, they also reflect on access, embargoes, and the realities of covering global cinema today.

'Michael': Critics Hate It. Fans Love It — And We Get Why 23.04.2026 32m

Critics hate it. Fans seem set to love it. Michael, the biopic of Michael Jackson, has been met with some of the harshest reviews in recent memory, but it could still become one of the biggest musical biopics ever made. In this episode of Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab are joined by journalist and critic Patrick Heidmann, to ask a simple question: if the reviews are so negative… why did they enjoy watching it? From tightly controlled press access to the film’s controversial omissions, they explore the gap between critics and audiences, and examine whether unconscious bias plays a role in the reception of films about Black artists, especially one who reshaped global pop culture. Sign up for our weekly updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1 @patrickheidmann

Cinemas Have an Ads Problem — And Will Cannes Have a Star Problem? 18.04.2026 22m

Are cinemas putting audiences off before the film even begins? This week on Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab respond to Sony’s Tom Rothman, who has urged cinemas to shorten the bloated pre-show of ads and trailers before films start, and ask whether the pre-cinema experience itself is part of the problem of getting audiences in? Then it’s to Cannes 2026, where the line up for other sidebars, Director's Fortnight and Critic's Week have been unveiled: can world cinema stars really replace Hollywood at this year's festival, and what does a less “sellable” lineup mean for film buzz and journalists on the ground? Especially when CinemaCon in the USA is generating headlines from Spielberg's Disclosure Day, Nolan's The Odyssey and Toy Story 5 - films that might have been at the festival. Plus, a lively debate over Christan Petzold's Miroirs No. 3, and Sundance winner The New West, also known as East of Wall, a striking docu-fiction set on an American horse ranch. Connected to that story - watch the trailer for Riley Keough and Gina Gammell's War Pony Our Substack on Cannes 2026 not chasing studio spectacle is here Sign up for our weekly updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

Cannes 2026: Less Hollywood, More War — What’s Changed? 10.04.2026 32m

The Cannes Film Festival 2026 line-up is here, and it feels like something is shifting. Fewer Hollywood titles, a surge in war stories, and a Competition shaped by global auteurs, with Japanese and Spanish films featuring prominently this year. Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab unpack the key themes, including a growing global crossover between Europe and Asia, both in casting and direction, and a notable contingent of emerging female directors in Competition. Plus early Palme d’Or contenders, and what this year’s selection says about where cinema is heading. From Almodóvar to Zvyagintsev, this your guide to films at Cannes. Full line-up: Festival de Cannes official website Sign up for weekly updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

Amélie at 25: Do We Still Believe in Movie Magic? ( Plus AI Actors & 'The Drama') 04.04.2026 29m

On this week’s Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab explore what audiences really want from cinema — from AI-generated performances to timeless movie magic. They begin with the rise of AI in film, from the failure (for now) of virtual influencer Tilly Norwood to the ethics of recreating Val Kilmer on screen, and ask whether audiences are ready for artificial stars. Then, as French classic Amélie returns to cinemas for its 25th anniversary, they debate whether its romantic vision of Paris would still resonate today — or if modern audiences want something more real. Plus, Kaleem's deep dive into The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, and whether spoilers and controversy are shaping how films are marketed. And finally, Emma reports from the British Film Institute on a centenary celebration dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, exploring how her legacy is being re-evaluated. A lively, unfiltered conversation on AI in film, classic cinema, film controversy, and Hollywood history — all in one take. Join us next on April 9 for immediate reaction to the Cannes 2026 line up announcement! Tilly Norwood music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7V2Biy3omw Kaleem's The Drama review in print is here Sign up for weekly updates: cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

The Drama about the Drama and and the Cost of Visibility 28.03.2026 24m

A film very few people have seen is already causing outrage. On this week’s Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab dive into the backlash surrounding The Drama after a leaked plot twist set the internet off. Is the twist genuinely in poor taste, and has it also provided exactly the kind of controversy modern film marketing thrives on? They also discuss the darker side of visibility, as actor Barry Keoghan opens up about the effects of online abuse about his appearance. Plus: are series festivals like Series Mania and Canneseries actually worth it — or is television best left on the sofa? And in what they’ve been watching: Orwell 2+2=5 and the North Macedonian coming-of-age gem, DJ Ahmet. Find us on Instagram/Facebook: @aftabamon @emmapjones1 Subscribe for free or weekly updates and written articles: https://cinemainonetake.substack.com/

Project Hail Mary’s $140m Stellar Opening: Are Original Blockbusters Back? 23.03.2026 22m

Ryan Gosling heads into space (with exceptional knitwear) in Project Hail Mary — a rare original sci-fi that’s already shaping up to be one of 2026’s biggest hits. Film experts Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab ask whether Hollywood might finally be rediscovering its appetite for risk. Is this a genuine shift away from franchise dominance — or just a one-off? And they look beyond Hollywood to the global box office, from India’s record-breaking Dhurandhar: The Revenge to China’s post–Ne Zha 2 landscape, and why South Korea continues to set the cultural pace. Follow Kaleem and Emma on Instagram: @aftabamon @emmapjones1 Follow Cinema in One Take on Substack

Oscars 2026: Michael B. Jordan’s moment, PTA’s long-awaited win… and burgers at In-N-Out 17.03.2026 23m

In this Oscar special episode of Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones joins from Los Angeles hours after the ceremony while Kaleem Aftab watches from across the Atlantic — and together they unpack one of the more intriguing Academy Awards in recent years. From Paul Thomas Anderson finally winning Best Picture and Best Director for One Battle After Another to the electrifying reaction when Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for Sinners, the pair discuss the biggest wins, the surprise moments and the speeches that really landed. Emma reports back from a packed Hollywood viewing party near the site of the very first Oscars, where cheers for Sinners revealed the difference between what audiences love and what the Academy ultimately rewards. They also talk about the night’s standout speeches — including Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s historic cinematography win, Jessie Buckley’s emotional Best Actress moment, and the political undercurrents surrounding the documentary winner Mr. Nobody Against Putin. Plus: Korean cinema’s growing global influence, why the International Feature category remains one of the Oscars’ strongest line-ups — and the most important Hollywood tradition of the night… Michael B. Jordan celebrating at an In-N-Out Burger.

Timothée Chalamet’s Oscars Gaffe, The Bride! Debate & Why Best Actress Nominees Are Getting Older 12.03.2026 34m

With the Oscars fast approaching, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab dive into the strange theatre of awards-season campaigning — where one off-the-cuff comment can suddenly dominate the conversation. This week they unpack Timothée Chalamet’s opera and ballet gaffe, and ask whether Oscar races are increasingly decided by narrative, momentum and campaign drama rather than the performances themselves. Emma also brings a fascinating Oscars statistic into the discussion: the average age of Best Actress nominees and winners has risen from 27 in the 1940s to 47 today. What’s behind that shift — and does it really reflect progress for women in the film industry? In their weekly review segment, they also tackle Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. While many critics have dismissed the film, they defend the feminist retelling of the Frankenstein myth. And they discuss why Barbra Streisand receiving an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes feels long overdue. A one-take conversation about cinema, awards politics and the stories shaping world cinema right now.

Claes Bang on 'The Great Arch', Berlin Festival Turmoil & Why European Cinema Matters 11.03.2026 23m

Danish actor Claes Bang ( The Square, Dracula, Bad Sisters) joins Cinema in One Take to discuss his new French film The Great Arch, by Stephane Demoustier, playing the uncompromising architect behind one of Paris’s most striking landmarks. Speaking with hosts Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab, Bang reflects on portraying a fiercely principled creative figure, what the AI future holds for cinema, and why he believes European cinema remains creatively vibrant. He also shares his thoughts on the turmoil surrounding this year’s Berlin Film Festival. The Great Arch is screening at the Institut français London from March 11 2026.

Cinema in One Take — Oscars Fatigue, a César Surprise, Berlinale Politics and Welsh language cinema 06.03.2026 32m

With Oscars 2026 approaching, film critics Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab ask whether awards season has simply become too long. From the Golden Globes to the Academy Awards, they debate whether audiences still watch the Oscars — and why this year’s race feels unusually unpredictable. They also head to the César Awards, where American director Richard Linklater won Best Director for Nouvelle Vague, his tribute to Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave. What does it mean when an American filmmaker wins France’s biggest film prize? Plus: a Berlinale update as Tricia Tuttle receives strong backing from the film industry, and Emma champions the Welsh-language film Effie o Blaenau, which premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival, along with Gaelic language titles, sparking a wider conversation about minority-language cinema across Europe. Expect lively debate, thoughtful film chat, and a celebration of world cinema in all its languages.