The Next Reel Film Podcast

We continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Lynne Ramsay’s 1999 film ‘Ratcatcher.’ How does she do right out of the gate? We loved ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin.’ Do we see hints at what Ramsay does there in this earlier film? And what does this film say about coming of age in Glasgow 1973? Tune in to find out!

Show Notes

“Goodbye, Snowball.”

With several short films under her belt, Lynne Ramsay got her first feature film made and released in 1999. The film tells the tale of a young boy growing up in a poor neighborhood during a period in Scotland when the binmen were on strike, leaving thousands of pounds of garbage lying in the streets, yards, and roads. Growing up a child in Glasgow, Scotland, in the 70s, it makes sense that Ramsay would start with what she knows. What she created was a realistic depiction of childhood at this time that feels authentic and honest. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Coming of Age Debuts series with Ramsay’s third film, 1999’s Ratcatcher.

Here’s some of what we discuss in our Ratcatcher conversation.

We set the conversation up with some history about Glasgow in the 70s, just to get a better sense of these strikes and how it affected people. We also talk about the housing issues there at the time.

The children performing in this film, notably young William Eadie, are outstanding. They never strike a false note and make use feel as if we’re growing up in this period with them. And what’s great about the parents’ performances is that they feel like extensions of these kids. We see them as nothing more than big kids who really have no way out of this cycle they’re in.

There are themes of guilt, friendship, sexual development, freedom, and escape. How are these various themes depicted in the film? What’s Ramsay trying to say?

And what about the animals? Rats, mice, cats, dogs. We share our thoughts on them.

It’s a strong film right out of the gate for Ramsay. We have a great conversation about her and the film so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.


Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
Connect With Us:
Shop & Stream:

Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.