Behind the Slate

About Behind the Slate

Join host, Aaron Strand, for a historical deep dive into the life and work of cinema's greatest directors. Our mission is to lower the barrier of entry to classic cinema through live screening events, multi-part history series, and interviews. We skip across time, genre, and nationality to explore the greatest and wildest stories from the history of film, and use the lives of these extraordinary artists to examine the broader historical context that shaped their art. Think 'Hardcore History' meets 'You Must Remember This'. Whether you're a hardcore cinephile, a history nerd, or just someone who likes a good story, you'll love these gripping tales about the art and artists that have shaped and defined our modern world! behindtheslatepod.substack.com (https://behindtheslatepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Making the greatest films ever made accessible to all

Category

tv & film · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Oct 2022

Latest episode

26 May 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 77 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   26 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   'Vagabond' Live at Cine 11-20-25

   Host Aaron Strand and French film scholar Dr. Richard Neupert explore the story behind Agnès Varda's film 'Vagabond' in this live interview.

2. 

   1 Apr 2026

   'Possession' Live at Ciné 10-09-25

   Today we dive into a film that is as disturbing as it is relatable and bizarre as it is unforgettable: ‘Possession’ from 1981. We explore the chaotic brilliance of Andrzej Żuławski, his turbulent career, and how his personal life shaped this visceral descent into madness, identity, and emotional collapse. Recorded live at Cine in Athens, GA on 10-09-25, this episode captures the raw energy of the screening and the audience discussion that followed, unpacking the film’s intense performances, shocking imagery, and enduring cult legacy. Follow us on Instagram for updates on upcoming screenings and live recordings! Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.comInstagram: @behindtheslatepodTikTok: Behind the SlateYouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindtheslatepod.substack.com (https://behindtheslatepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   18 Mar 2026

   'The Battle of Algiers' Live at The Tara 2-26-26

   Today we watch one of the greatest war films ever made and the zenith of Italian neo-realism, Gillo Pontecorvo's 'The Battle of Algiers'. I discuss Pontecorvo's incredible backstory of fighting against the fascists in the Italian resistance and the unlikely journey that led him to creating this film with the victorious National Liberation Front of Algeria. After the film we are joined by @itsgothdad who shares his incredible journey from soldier to activist and how watching 'The Battle of Algiers' in his officer training shaped his view of America's Global War on Terror. In 2026, our programming in ATL focuses on 'Films Against Fascism' - a selection of films from around the world that deal with anti-fascist themes and take a stand against authoritarianism. These screenings are presented in partnership with Indivisible ATL. Follow us on instagram for info about our upcoming shows! Email us: behindtheslatepod@gmail.com Instagram: @behindtheslatepod TikTok: @behindtheslatepod YouTube: @behindtheslatepodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindtheslatepod.substack.com (https://behindtheslatepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Inside a recent episode

'Vagabond' Live at Cine 11-20-25

Published 26 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I mean, one of the early reviews said, well, she's not asking why. She just is interested in how. So Varda, all her career, from her very first feature on, she would go out and research things. She was real into Bachelard's philosophy. She followed some of his classes about space and objects. our human relations with our environment and things like that. So she couldn't just walk over and film something. She has to show up there many times, take photos, think about it, talk to the people who live nearby. So she really did discover this problem of young people who were just rootless and meandering. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

401,350,766

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

48 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

35 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

74

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

77

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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