Podcast Summary: "Dear Movies, I Love You"
Episode: Bong Joon Ho & Mickey 17 (2025) featuring Josh Fadem
Release Date: April 1, 2025

Introduction & Setting the Stage

In this episode of "Dear Movies, I Love You," hosts Millie De Chirico and Casey O'Brien delve into the cinematic world of acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon Ho and his latest film, "Mickey 17." Celebrating Bong's unique storytelling and filmmaking prowess, the hosts are joined by guest Josh Fadem, an actor, comedian, and film noir expert, to enrich the discussion with his insights into Asian cinema.

April Fools’ Day Banter

The episode kicks off with Millie and Casey addressing April Fools’ Day, humorously discussing their shared aversion to pranks. Millie shares a personal story about an April Fools’ prank that left her wary of being tricked again:

[02:15] Millie De Chirico: "No. I hate pranks."

Casey echoes this sentiment, recounting a childhood prank involving a fake broken ankle:

[02:37] Casey O'Brien: "One time when I was in grade school, a girl said she broke her ankle... it was a prank."

Film Diaries Segment

Millie’s Film Diary: Millie recounts her experience watching "Olivia" (1983), directed by German filmmaker Uli Lamel. She describes the film as intense and sexually charged, noting its exploration of a young girl's schizophrenic episodes and disturbing murders:

[07:02] Millie De Chirico: "Olivia was wild... a lot of sex. It is kind of like there's some weird murders happening."

Casey’s Film Diary: Casey shares his recent viewings, including:

• "Challengers" (2024) starring Zendaya and Josh O'Connor: Praised for its complex love triangle and engaging soundtrack.
• "Asriel": A dialogue-free film set in a post-apocalyptic future.
• "Wanda" (1970) by Barbara Loden: He describes it as an influential, independent film that delves into themes of purposelessness and societal roles.

[12:57] Casey O'Brien: "Wanda's about a woman who doesn't want to be a mom... she just wanders through life aimlessly."

Main Discussion: Bong Joon Ho & "Mickey 17"

Evolution of Bong Joon Ho: Millie and Casey explore Bong Joon Ho's cinematic journey, highlighting his transition from Korean-centric stories to more globally themed narratives incorporating Western actors and addressing American societal issues.

[18:15] Millie De Chirico: "He makes movies with very big American and Western actors... and then we'll talk also about sort of American issues."

"Mickey 17" Synopsis: Casey provides a comprehensive overview of "Mickey 17," set in 2054. The protagonist, Mickey (played by Robert Pattinson), seeks to escape Earth and a vengeful loan shark by taking on a perilous role as an expendable crew member on a colonization mission to planet Nifheim. The film explores themes of identity, mortality, and the ethical implications of cloning.

[24:35] Casey O'Brien: "It's the year 2054, and Mickey... the only job Mickey can get that will get him off the planet and into space is as an expendable on a ship that's set to colonize the planet Nifheim."

Performance Highlights:

• Robert Pattinson’s Portrayal: Both hosts commend Pattinson’s nuanced performance, emphasizing his ability to convey vulnerability and physical comedy.

  [37:59] Millie De Chirico: "I loved his little voice and his little, I don't know, tics were so cute that I was like, I like him."

• Supporting Cast: Naomi Ackie as Mickey’s girlfriend and Mark Ruffalo as the colony’s leader are noted for their compelling performances, though Casey expresses reservations about Ruffalo’s portrayal of a Trump-like character.

Themes Explored

Masculinity and Identity: The conversation delves into "Mickey 17’s" exploration of masculinity, contrasting Mickey 17’s non-confrontational nature with Mickey 18’s aggressive demeanor. This dichotomy serves as a commentary on traditional male archetypes and the societal expectations placed upon them.

[33:09] Casey O'Brien: "His character is really kind of an interesting example of masculinity. He is not... he doesn't want to... he's not very overly ambitious."

Cloning and Expendability: The ethical dilemmas surrounding cloning and the expendable nature of individuals in corporate or exploratory missions are scrutinized, highlighting the film’s critique of capitalist exploitation.

[48:49] Casey O'Brien: "Mickey 17 is just like such a sensitivo guy... he would never act the way that Mickey 18 acts."

Guest Segment: Josh Fadem on Asian Cinema

Introduction of Josh Fadem: Josh Fadem, known for his expertise in film noir and his work on various projects including "Here Come the Details" podcast, joins the hosts to discuss Kwei Chi Hung, a filmmaker associated with the Shaw Brothers Studio.

Kwei Chi Hung’s Legacy: Josh shares his admiration for Kwei Chi Hung’s inventive and boundary-pushing films, especially "Boxer's Omen" (1983). He emphasizes Hung's willingness to embrace the grotesque and the unconventional, contributing to a distinctive style within Hong Kong cinema.

[54:58] Josh Fadem: "He seems to be the guy amongst the Shaw Brothers directors... he seems to be the guy, as far as the ones I've seen that's not afraid to just get nasty and get weird."

Challenges in Preservation and Appreciation: The discussion touches on the obscurity of Hung’s works despite their creativity, attributing it to limited distribution and the niche appeal of grindhouse and martial arts genres.

[57:24] Josh Fadem: "Not enough people are talking about this guy... trying to get people back on board."

Listener Engagement: Film Advice Column

Listeners are encouraged to send in their film-related questions for advice. The hosts respond to a voicemail querying the perfect pairing of movie and meal ambiance, with hosts sharing personal anecdotes and creative suggestions.

[80:15] Casey O'Brien: "I could watch one of my favorite movies, 'Blue Velvet,' and have a Heineken or Pabst Blue Ribbon... served with an ear-shaped cake."

Employee Picks

Millie’s Recommendation:

• "The Lighthouse" (2019) by Robert Eggers: Praised for its unique performances by Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, immersive location, and atmospheric storytelling.

  [85:24] Millie De Chirico: "I loved Robert Pattinson in 'The Lighthouse.' It was so fucking funny and weird and wild."

Casey’s Recommendation:

• "High Life" (2018) by Claire Denis: Described as a dark, violent, and thought-provoking sci-fi film exploring themes of loneliness and survival in space.

  [86:31] Casey O'Brien: "It's a very interesting, violent, frightening movie and it deals very much with the loneliness and vastness of space."

Closing Remarks

The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage through various platforms, endorse guest Josh Fadem’s projects, and tease future episode ideas, including a potential deep dive into food and film pairings.

[90:28] Casey O'Brien: "This episode was mixed by Tom Bryfogel... Our incredible theme music is by the best band in the entire world, the Softies."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Millie De Chirico on Pranks:

  “No. I hate pranks.”
  [02:15]

• Casey O'Brien on "Wanda":

  “Wanda's about a woman who doesn't want to be a mom... she just wanders through life aimlessly.”
  [12:57]

• Millie De Chirico on Bong Joon Ho's Global Influence:

  “He makes movies with very big American and Western actors... and then we'll talk also about sort of American issues.”
  [18:15]

• Casey O'Brien on Mickey 17's Masculinity Theme:

  “His character is really kind of an interesting example of masculinity. He is not... he doesn't want to... he's not very overly ambitious.”
  [33:09]

• Josh Fadem on Kwei Chi Hung's Innovation:

  “He seems to be the guy amongst the Shaw Brothers directors... he seems to be the guy, as far as the ones I've seen that's not afraid to just get nasty and get weird.”
  [54:58]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the in-depth discussions on Bong Joon Ho’s "Mickey 17," the exploration of Asian cinema with Josh Fadem, and engaging segments like Film Diaries and Employee Picks. Notable quotes are integrated with timestamps to provide clarity and reference points for key insights shared by the hosts and guest.