Sitting in the Dark

In this inaugural episode of Cinema Scope, host Andy Nelson is joined by professors Leon Hunt and Chris Hamm to explore the captivating world of wuxia, a Chinese film genre that blends philosophy, action, and legend. They discuss the key elements that define wuxia, such as the chivalrous heroes, period settings, and fantastical elements, as well as the concept of jianghu, a unique world within wuxia stories.
Leon and Chris trace the evolution of wuxia from its roots in early Chinese literature to its influence on other genres, including Hollywood blockbusters. They also highlight notable works like A Touch of Zen, The Bride with White Hair, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, analyzing their contributions to the development and popularity of wuxia cinema.
This engaging and informative episode will deepen your appreciation for the richness and complexity of the wuxia genre, inspiring you to explore more of these captivating films.
Film Sundries
  • (00:00) - Bonus Episode!
  • (02:35) - Welcome to Cinema Scope • Wuxia
  • (03:08) - Our Guests’ Background in Wuxia
  • (06:03) - Why Wuxia?
  • (07:35) - How, Why, and Longevity
  • (11:39) - What Is Wuxia?
  • (17:44) - Writings and History
  • (21:34) - Kung Fu vs. Wuxia
  • (26:13) - Key Characteristics
  • (35:01) - Evolving
  • (37:27) - Come Drink With Me
  • (48:06) - The New One-Armed Swordsman
  • (54:38) - A Touch of Zen
  • (01:00:43) - Swordsman II
  • (01:05:26) - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
  • (01:10:48) - Influences on Other Genres
  • (01:14:14) - Fluctuating Interest
  • (01:15:05) - Wrap Up

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What is Sitting in the Dark?

Sitting in the Dark is a podcast about horror, but not the kind that hides in a single shadow. Each month, hosts Tommy Metz III, Kynan Dias, and Pete Wright pick a theme — an idea, a trope, a nightmare that keeps winding back — and explore it through three films that share its DNA. Sometimes the connections are obvious, sometimes they’re unexpected, and sometimes they lead you deeper into the maze than you expected to go.

One month might bring The Drac Pack, three wildly different takes on cinema’s most famous vampire. Another, a journey through The Bride, the Boy, and the Firetruck, unpacking coded queer horror across decades. We’ve explored maternal terror in Mommy Acts This Way Because She Loves You, broken into the home-invasion subgenre, tiptoed through haunted houses, and stared down both classic monsters and blockbuster franchises.

What ties it all together is a love of horror as a labyrinth — a twisting path where every turn reveals something new about our fears, desires, and cultural obsessions. With smart conversation, dark humor, and a willingness to look behind the curtain (or under the bed), Sitting in the Dark invites you to settle in, turn down the lights, and find out what connects the nightmares.