Shows
Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsIdiocracyIn this post-US election episode, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva are talking about the 2006 Mike Judge comedy film, Idiocracy, called by some 'a documentary' and others (ie. Masha) 'the worst film I've ever seen'.
This film imagines a future in which intelligence has been bred out of the human race, with chaotic social and political consequences. In our discussion, we critique the use of stereotypes and depiction of lower social-economic classes in terms of stupidity and hedonism, and how this might impact our discourse on Trump's election victory.
We look at the satire on a...
2024-11-131h 03Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsSociety of the SnowIn Episode 24 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva are discussing Society of the Snow [La Sociedad de la Nieve], the 2023 film dramatizing the events of the Uruguayan plane crash of 1972 and the subsequent survival of 18 victims in the Andes. We also make comparisons with the 1993 film Alive.
Our themes include surviving in inhospitable landscapes, including reliance on anthropophagy, the consumption of the flesh of the dead. We discuss the responsibilities of rescue services and the survival strategies of the individuals.
We talk about human resilience, teamwork, friendship betw...
2024-10-161h 08Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsThe End We Start FromIn Episode 23 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva are discussing the 2023 film, The End We Start From, starring Jodie Comer.
Our discussion explores flooding and the climate crisis, and how prevalent these issues already are, especially in the global south, but also worsening in Europe and some parts of Britain. We talk crisis response, prevention, and the need for more beavers.
We look at the depiction of motherhood, family, and women's friendships. We talk about societal responsibility, the role of the state, and abnegating responsibility.
Le...
2024-09-231h 09
Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs3 Body ProblemIn Episode 16 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva are discussing the mind-bending physics-filled Netflix Drama, 3 Body Problem.
In this episode, we look at the depiction of Mao's China and the Cultural Revolution, and the Chinese novel on which the show is based. We mention articles from The Guardian, New York Times, and Radio Free Asia.
We discuss the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life and communicating across the universe, including the Fermi Paradox and everything Clare knows about science from The Infinite Monkey Cage podcast.
We've done ou...
2024-04-211h 30Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsThe SocietyIn Episode 10 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva are discussing Netflix drama The Society.
CW: please be aware that this episode makes reference to suicide and domestic abuse.
In its single season, this is a drama that covers all aspects of how best a society should be organized and led, without resorting to a state-of-nature post-apocalyptic scenario. Instead, The Society takes place in (possibly) a parallel-universe version of a small American town, where everyone other than the senior high-schoolers seem to have disappeared. Furthermore, there is no longe...
2024-01-211h 03Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindIn Episode 9 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva are welcoming 2024 with a deep dive into Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, on its 20th anniversary.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of memory for individuals and communities, and how these are impacted by social media, fake news, and whether or not the echo-chamber effect is affecting our attitude to history.
We talk medical ethics, whistle-blowing, informed consent, and unscrupulous medical practitioners.
Focussing on Joel and Clementine's relationship, we consider the idealization of relationships in th...
2024-01-071h 03Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsThe Children of MenIn Episode 8 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva discuss The Children of Men, both the 1992 novel by PD James and the 2006 film starring Clive Owen.
In this episode, we explore the speculative concept of both book and film, in which the human race has long since ceased to be able to have children. Each version imagines differently the consequent development of the society of the UK, its morality, its attitude to outsiders, and how people might react to such a drawn out apocalypse.
Please be aware that th...
2023-12-171h 14Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsThe Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesIn Episode 7 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva explore the world of the Hunger Games, through the lens of the prequel novel and latest film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Along with their discussion of the character of Coriolanus Snow and his relationships, they assess the purpose of the Hunger Games, the analysis of human nature, the role of class, post-apocalyptic authoritarianism, and why you should always carry a snake.
Clare and Masha apologize for the unavoidable lateness of this episode owing to illness. Regular listeners...
2023-12-031h 22
Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsBarbieIn episode 4 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva discuss the depictions of society in the Barbie film, why Barbieland is a dystopia, the lens on our own society, the patriarchy, and using comedy for social commentary. Oh, and to sum up the film in Masha's words: 'feminism, innit'.
2023-10-201h 21Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsYears and YearsIn Episode 3 on Years and Years, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva explore the frighteningly prescient view of British society offered by this amazing 2019 BBC drama.
2023-10-061h 33Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsFight ClubIn Episode 2 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva discuss Fight Club through the lens of satire, considering themes of gender, capitalism, consumerism, and masculine violence.
2023-09-221h 10Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current AffairsThe Last of UsIn Episode 1 of Dystopian Fiction Has Been Moved to Current Affairs, a Being Society podcast, Clare Coombe and Masha Yakovleva discuss season 1 of The Last of Us and its post-apocalyptic view of a society wracked by a fungal pandemic.
2023-09-081h 20