Loud Murmurs

Hello Everyone,We will no longer be updating Loud Murmurs. Due to some very personal changes that happened recently, we decided to pull the plug on Loud Murmurs and sincerely hope that everyone can respect our decision. Given the sudden nature of this announcement, we will keep our RSS feed up for another week. If you like a certain episode, feel free to download it onto your own devices within this timeframe. We ask that you respect our decision to shut down the podcast and not repost our content anywhere. In addition to shutting down our RSS feed, we will delete our social media presence in the coming weeks. Our Patreon and Aifadian will be closed as well. We want to thank you for all of your time and support in the past 4 years. We couldn’t have done it without you. While this podcast will no longer exist, our obsessions with  movies and TV shows remain. The Internet is big: in the vast universe that is millennials-making-podcasts, watch out for a similar frequency out there. When you do, catch it. Always,

In our annual holiday special, our four hosts (minus Diaodiao) and our editor Joshua look back on our favorite LMM episodes, as well as TV shows and movies that made us laugh, made us think, and got us through the year. 2:47 Afra’s favorite: time travel trilogy (part I, II, III)4:07 Ina’s favorite: ‘Sound of Metal’ (part I and II) and a window into the deaf and hard of hearing community (and their representation in pop culture, e.g. The Bachelor) 8:20 Joshua’s favorite: ’Shang Chi’ (episode here)11:57 Juan’s favorite: We are all 'Minari' 21:48 Afra discusses ‘Spencer’36:25 Ina discusses her favorite shows of the year: ‘Succession’ (worry not, we are making an episode on it)，HBO's ‘Sex Life of College Girls’ and the girls’ authentic friendship; wholesomeness of ‘Great British Bake-off’; ‘Ted Lasso’; ‘Hospital Playlist’ (embracing the urban friendships that have become family)41:52 Joshua discusses his favorite from this year: creating characters and writing your own plot with TTRPG48:15 Juan and

[Episode theme]Loud Murmurs is finally boarding the Dune train. We invited interpreter William White and our listener and ecology PhD Luojun Yang to join the four hosts. We dive into a couple of themes, like the significance of imagining a feudalistic society in the far far future, the technological developments of a post-Butlerian Jihad world, the socio-historical background of Frank Hubert’s novel, spice harvesting and our relationship with natural resources, the white savior complex and colonialism embedded in the book and movie, and last but not least, why we want to see more characters like Jessica. This episode is brought to you by NEIWAI, a lifestyle brand that aspires to create lingerie & loungewear that free wearers' bodies and minds. NEIWAI celebrates women everywhere and strives to be a constant companion on every adventure in their life – in every precious moment. Our hosts are users of their products and we talk about our experience in the middle of this episode. Use our code LMM20 for 2

[Episode theme]Who's the real bad art friend? Well, it depends on who you ask. Our hosts each share their own perspectives on the hottest Internet discourse and dive into a myriad of related topics.  [Timecode]2:57 what is the NYT Magazine’s “Who is the Bad Art Friend” really about6:30 Diaodiao’s perspective: it’s about the power dynamics behind an act of kindness11:00 Afra’s perspective: the story highlights the gap between the societal impact and the literary nature of a work of fiction; Sonya Larson’s “The Kindest” portrays highly imperfect characters’ stories. 14:00 Ina's perspective: her bias against Dawn (a white female author) influenced her viewpoint and reading experience, but ultimately agrees donating a kidney is the ultimate act of kindness-18:00 Juan’s perspective: this is a story about beating someone when they’re already down, stresses Dawn’s identity as a yet-to-be-published author and Larson’s identity as a writer; Larson’s prejudice and othering of Dawn shouldn’t be excused by the

This episode is brought to you by 7or9 heels — an innovative brand that’s dedicated to making more comfortable high heels for women. Our podcast was invited to participate in their brand campaign with the theme “from pain to joy.” In this episode, we discuss the feminist awakening of female protagonists — specifically Harley Quinn and Black Widow. In the context of Hollywood’s movie-making industrial complex, paired with the awakening of the female consciousness, these two have evolved and became beloved characters that suit the female audience’s requirements. From the design of their storylines to their motives, to the clothes they wear when fighting — everything reflects the current gender dynamics, and we dive right into this discourse. Listen till the end for an Easter egg about our hosts’ fashion ideals. Our EditorValerie Support UsPlease consider supporting us on Patreon (in USD, suitable for listeners who live in the U.S.): https://www.patreon.com/loudmurmurs. Please consider supporting us on Patreon (

[Episode theme]In this episode, we talk about the latest Marvel blockbuster, “Shang-Chi: legend of the ten rings.” At the time of publishing, Shang-Chi has become the first pandemic film to gross over $200M at the box office. We dive deep into what we love and appreciate about this film — the various styles of fight scenes, Tony Leung, care paid to language and dialect. And where we find the movie to be falling short — the ambiguity of Taluo, the tired narratives when it comes to womanhood, motherhood, and a woman’s role in the marriage. [Timecode]1:19 — Guest intro and first impressions 8:00 — How Marvel creates an “anti-hero” the audience loves (Wenwu) 15: 00 — Are the Chinese dialogue and dialects in this film legit?26: 24 — The references of Wuxia style in this film, and a smart appropriating of Chinese fantasy elements  32: 21 — Awkwafina is the first female Asian character whose main use is to be a getaway driver (we dig) 34: 11 — Is the story of Taluo holding up under scrutiny? What are the weaknesses

In this ambitious three-part series, we want to talk about time travel through some of our favorites ---- Tenet, Loki, and Interstellar. As viewers, we experience movies frame by frame; as human beings, we experience time through the relentless one-way time arrow. Through subverting our familiar narrative structures and disrupting causality, time travel can raise important questions about the universe we live in and its physical rules.Time Code1:45 Our second category of time travel stories, as presented in Loki 4:45 The quantum mechanics behind the multiverse theory, which contrary to popular belief, has more to do with Schrödinger's than Rick Sanchez9:26 What is the Tesseract stolen by Loki? Why can it help Loki travel through time and space?14:23 The existential philosophical question raised by Loki in the multiverse narrative: What makes a Loki Loki, and what makes me me?25:08 Loki’s redemption arc makes for a perfect multiverse story31:44 "Time" under the capitalist system and "nownes

In this ambitious three-part series, we want to talk about time travel through some of our favorites ---- Tenet, Loki, and Interstellar. As viewers, we experience movies frame by frame; as human beings, we experience time through the relentless one-way time arrow. Through subverting our familiar narrative structures and disrupting causality, time travel can raise important questions about the universe we live in and its physical rules.Time Code2:07 A cool anecdote about Chien-Shiung Wu, the female Chinese-American particle and experimental physicist7:14 Our third category of time travel stories, as presented in Interstellar 11:16 Fascinating understandings of time and space that came from the elegant principles of Special Relativity19:00 "High-dimensional creatures" in pop culture and in religion21:10 The inherent tragedy in time -- Eternalism vs. Presentism26:48 The sincerity and fragility of "Interstellar" -- is Sci-fi telling us to be more afraid to face our own vulnerabilities than exp

In this ambitious three-part series, we want to talk about time travel through some of our favorites ---- Tenet, Loki, and Interstellar. As viewers, we experience movies frame by frame; as human beings, we experience time through the relentless one-way time arrow. Through subverting our familiar narrative structures and disrupting causality, time travel can raise important questions about the universe we live in and its physical rules.Time Code1:43 So what is “philosophy of physics”?4:35 Time travel as a genre, and our first category of time travel stories as represented in Tenet 7:19 The logic of "traveling through time" and "changing the past"12:23 The Closed Time Loop in Tenet16:47 "bUt wHat aBouT FReE WiLl"22:10 The symmetry of Protagonist’s journey and Time Reversal Symmetry ---- where did the Arrow of Time come from anyways? ?Our GuestShelly Shi - Ph.D. candidate in UCSD, with research interest in Philosophy of PhysicsEdited ByValerie ChenSupport UsPlease consider supportin

[Episode theme]We talk about Netflix’s “The Chair” with two female professors, about the show’s portrayal of female allyship, discrimination against faculty of color, the debate over free speech on the American campus, and why we think the show missed the mark. [Timecode]2:00 Our first impression of the show3:40 What is it like to be a mother and a college professor in the show vs IRL6:20 In just six episodes, this show attempts to capture the complexity of contemporary U.S. campus politics 10:30 Our issues: an over-simplistic portrayal of students demands, an unrealistic solution to Yaz’s stalling career 13:20 Anachronism in the plotline: some depictions are outdated18:30 Entering one room filled with whiteness — our PTSD and imposter syndrome24:45 Why is Bill the most authentic, and the fullest character in a show about Ji-yoon? Why do we keep loving and forgiving “Bills”?29:05 Ji-Yoon obsession with perfectionism and assimilation reveals our society’s double standard towards scholars of color 34:30 Ji-Yoon

[Episode theme]RGB has left us for a year. At this moment, when the Texas abortion law diminishes her political legacy, we re-upload this episode we recorded the second day she passed away. In this episode, we looked back at Ginsberg’s life, as well as the many landmark cases she participated in. We know history is composed of light and shade, the future is blur and fragile. But people like Ginsburg paddled through the countercurrent. And we want to make her struggle more visible. [Content]-How we learned of RBG’s death and how we processed the news-What RBG means to each of us personally -Ginsburg’s greatest contributions to women’s rights -Why the soft-spoken justice became an unlikely pop culture icon in her last years-How did the 2018 documentary R.B.G and the 2019 film “On the Basis of Sex” tell her story?-Why is her death politically significant? What does it mean for our future in the U.S. [Be our sponsor]Please consider supporting us on Patreon (in USD, suitable for listeners who live in the U.S.): ht

[Episode theme]This episode is a part of “RM conquers the podcast universe series”, a series by ten Chinese podcasts, each taking one episode from the latest season of Rick and Morty. In this episode, we discussed the 8th episode of Season 5 of “Rick and Morty.” This episode reveals the history between Rick and his dear friend Birdperson. In this “Inception” parody, Rick dives into Birdperson’s memory to rescue his consciousness. We talked about the epitome of the characters, and why we are so underwhelmed by season 5 overall, which is stacked with predictable tropes and a derivative of previous seasons.[Timecode]2:50 Our first reactions 5:34 A summary of episode 87:07 Birdperson vs. Klara in Klara and the Sun9:58 Birdperson as a manifestation of classic heroism20:26 Why is Season 5 underwhelming to long-term RM fans? Too many old tropes?23:58 Are we abusing the usage of nihilism? 27:00 Sci-fi as a genre represents backward ideologies toward race over time30:35 The Southparkanization of RM - from an apolitica

On August 13, 2021, Britney Spears' father, Jamie Spears, announced that he is stepping aside as Britney Spears’ conservator. This news comes after a social media movement known under the hashtag #FreeBritney. According to her testimony to a Los Angeles judge, Britney Spears has been drugged, compelled to work against her will, and prevented from removing her birth control device under the conservatorship. In the meantime, she was able to release four albums, hold a global tour, and run a successful Las Vegas residency for four years. How did a world-renowned superstar become a prisoner of a structure set up by her family to protect her? In this episode, we reflect on Britney’s career, what we owe her as a society that tolerated casual misogyny and ignored her pleas for help. We also ask ourselves the uncomfortable question: how many more young women are currently left in the prison of society's cruel and omnipresent scrutiny? What role are we playing in this? 02:00 - Introduction to “Framing Britne

In this episode, our hosts Izzy, Diaodiao and Ina, joined by our guest Alex Lawyer, dive into HBO’s new limited series, “Mare of Easttown.” We dissect character arcs and plot points to dig deeper into the real story: the story of a blue-collar mostly-white community that’s plagued by the opioid crisis.  What we discussed2:27 First impressions, potential spoiler warning 05:30 What makes this show a good thriller? Entertaining plot points, can spur in-depth discussions around social issues, and framing the thriller within familial and community relationships8:57 The show is actually a career-oriented show that focuses on Mare, her role as detective and the glue that brings the town together14:09 The deeper social issue: how the opioid crisis impacted Easttown15:43 Society’s reaction/policies to the opioid crisis, progressing from “war on drugs” to seeing it as a public health issue 22:25 “Hillbilly Elegy”, “Tight Rope”, and social darwinism27:58 Opioid crisis in China 32:54 There’s no real “big bad” in this sho

In this episode, we talk about film "In the Heights" — a film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2008 Tony Award-winning musical — with our friends from podcast 城市罐头. We mused on a few galactic questions: What exactly is gentrification? Why should we care, and how do we understand it in a Chinese context? Is commercializing the culture of a community the way to protect it? Why does this film feel lacking in 2021? 02:53 Introduction to the film 07:21 What is gentrification, and why should we pay attention to it?14:00 Why is gentrification considered as a “foreign” concept to Chinese people?19:58 Gentrification in the context of Chinese urban development25:03 For a community struggling with gentrification, is commercializing its culture a feasible solution? 33:05 “Selective blackouts” and environmental racism38:55 How do you design a good community? Can you? 45:56 Is getting out of the ethnic enclave a symbol of progress? 48:15 The common pitfall of films adapted from musicals54:50 Casting contro

Chinese pop star Kris Wu is facing a #MeToo storm, after 18-year-old Du Meizhu accused him of pressuring young women into having sex. Wu has denied the accusations but he the accusations have triggered widespread public outcry. In light of this news, we want to re-share our earlier episode about the 2019 movie “Bombshell” and two books that started the “MeToo movement” around the world.The week we recorded this episode, the verdict of the Weinstein trial had just come out and some say it is ushering in a new legal era in how we treat sexual harassment cases. We want to use “Bombshell” as a way into talking about what has changed, what hasn’t and what we can do to empower each other and push back against the logic (and normalization) of sexual harassment in career settings. Links：https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-storieshttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/08/books/review/she-said-jodi-kantor-megan-twohey.htmlhttps://www.newyor

[Episode theme]This is a special episode. Afra went to the two-week-long Shanghai International Film Festival and talks to our friends Xiaoran and Yaqin about their experiences. In 2021, the success of this event alone feels like a rare victory for Chinese cinephiles.[Timecode]2:28 Why did we go to the Shanghai International Film Festival? 7:50 The cinephile community in Shanghai 16:10 How do hardcore movie lovers make the most out of these festivals? 27:25 Why do we still need film festivals? The human connections created through a shared love of cinema are irreplaceable.39:04 Our favorite films at this year’s SIFF.51:28 Is SIFF accessible to people with disabilities? How can it improve?[Guest introduction]Chen Xiaoran: Founder of DirecTubeYu Yaqin: Film critic [Audio editor]Josh Ogden-Davis [Highlights]Taking you on a journey through audio to the 2021 Shanghai International Film Festival.[Be our sponsor]Please consider supporting us on Patreon (in USD, suitable for listeners who live in the U.S.): https://w

In light of the recent re-screening of Lord of the Rings, we chatted with physicist Cheng Yangyang and LOTR superfan Wenjin about this classic work that we had the privilege to grow up with. We talked about the exiled human king, re-examined the orcs, and mused on the revenge of the ents. We also talked about how the work inspired us, and how we, as diasporas, see ourselves in the wandering steps of Aragorn’s self-inflicted exile -- the act of “dying just a little”.2:44 Our first experience with LOTR10:29 Resetting myself after the apocalyptic 2020 by re-watching LOTR20:15 Is it still worth it to talk about race in LOTR in 2021?35:38 The Isengard flood and the revenge of nature41:10 Aragorn - the orphan raised on a foreign land50:00 The 2021 rescreening and the icy 1-star reviewsOur GuestsCheng Yangyang (@yangyang_cheng): Particle physicist, writer, and postdoctoral fellow at Yale Law School.Wenjin (@norloth): Host of the podcast "托尔金的树叶", illustrator, and LOTR superfan.Links & ResourcesSome of

[Episode theme]This episode is the edited version of Afra and Izzy’s interview with Xiaochu, screenwriter of the popular Chinese wuxia fantasy “Word of Honor.” We talked about why the show is well-received outside China, her experience studying and trying to make it as a producer in the movie industry in LA, and her understanding of the characters Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing. There’s also a Q&A with three fans of the show at the end and Xiaochu’s special English message to fans overseas. Listen till the end! [Timecode]1:38 How do you feel about the popularity of “Word of Honor” overseas? Did you expect this? 5:54 Xiaochu originally wanted to become a producer and studied film in Los Angeles. What made you decide to go back to China after graduation?8:39 Why does this show appeal to so many women? How do the two main characters challenge gender norms?11:08 Xiaochu’s thought process for writing the in-depth character profile for Zhou Zishu in the early stages of writing the show  12:36 Xiaochu talks about the

“Cruella” is Disney’s latest live-action release where a beloved old movie gets a brand new life, starring two crowd-favorite Emmas: Emma Stone and Emma Thompson. Izzy and Diaodiao saw the movie together in the theater, and they dive into the themes of the movie, the complicated history of Disney villains, and the problematic elements in the movie that made us cringe (queerbaiting alert!) 【Timecodes】3:52 “Cruella” is way more awesome when watched in theaters and with friends 7:39 Disney villains: the moral and societal values they represent 9:29 Who is Cruella (old and new)17:00-17:52 SPOILERS19:02 Cruella as a punk icon and fashion icon 25:36-26:07 What’s Cruella rebelling against? SPOILERS28:55 The commodification of Disney villains 29:38 Queerness and queer baiting in Disney movies 31:27-31:39 SKIP FOR SPOILERS【Audio editor】Joshua Odgen Davis 【Be our sponsor】Please consider supporting us on Patreon (in USD, suitable for listeners who live in the U.S.) or Patreon 's Chinese equivalent (in RMB)【Links &a