Sandra Wollner on The Trouble With Being Born, 2020’s Most Controversial Film (Movie Squad Podcast #38)

Content Warning: This episode involves the discussion of a movie that explores themes of sexual abuse and incest.

On the latest episode of the Movie Squad podcast, hosts Simon Miraudo and Tristan Fidler present an interview with Austrian writer-director Sandra Wollner, whose latest feature, The Trouble With Being Born, easily takes the crown of 2020’s Most Controversial Film. Originally scheduled to play the Melbourne International Film Festival earlier this year, it was uninvited after a media storm brewed around the sci-fi flick’s explosive themes; a move that earned the festival criticism in return. The picture—about a not-too-futuristic scenario in which android replicas of our loved ones are created for extremely questionable purposes—is nonetheless getting a national cinema release in Australia on 3 December. It also plays the Revelation Perth International Film Festival from 9 December. Before you see The Trouble With Being Born for yourself and make up your own mind, listen to Simon’s chat with Sandra, who talks about the roiling scandal, the lengths she went to protect the 10-year-old star of the film (including the use of a pseudonym and a silicon mask to protect her identity) and the real meaning behind her dream-like drama.

Find out more about The Trouble With Being Born‘s screenings at RevFest here.

Theme music by Eddie Electric. Logo by Stage Left Design. Production assistance from Eddie Curtis and Chris Webb.

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