Ben from Fed Square's Open Air Program

·56 min·5 clips

Ben McCarthy reveals how Fed Square's free open-air cinema program showcases adventurous films for cinephiles in Melbourne.

The episode features an interview with Ben McCarthy, the film programmer for Federation Square's Open Air program in Melbourne. Ben introduces his role, which involves curating outdoor cinema and video art for the square's big screen. He explains that the screen is designed as a visual backdrop to create an ambient environment, unlike commercial screens like Times Square. The conversation focuses on two February programs: In Defense of Satire, which just concluded, and Silent Cinema with live scores, running from February 16th to 20th. For the satire program, Ben selected four films from the 1960s to 1990s—Dr. Strangelove, Network, This Is Spinal Tap, and The Player—to explore political, media, music, and film industry absurdities. He discusses how these films offer escapism while prompting reflection on current events. The silent cinema program includes five films, such as The Fall of the House of Usher and The General, each with live musical scores from artists like DJs and a bluegrass band. Ben details the curation process, which involves collaborating with musicians to match films with their styles and emotional connections. He emphasizes creating experiences that feel uniquely Melbourne, leveraging the city's live music history. The episode also touches on broader programming themes, like balancing escapism with relevance and considering public tolerance for older films. Ben shares insights into past events, like Halloween screenings of Psycho and Jaws, and upcoming activities at Fed Square, including the Afro-Caribbean Carnival. Throughout, the host and Ben explore the artistic intent behind public screen use and the role of satire in processing cultural anxiety.

As heard by us

A loose, thoughtful conversation about programming classic satire for a public audience.

Ben McCarthy talks through Fed Square's free open-air cinema program with a focus on In Defense of Satire, tracing its line from Dr Strangelove and the Cold War into television, music, and 1990s film culture.

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Why you'd press play

You can hear classic satire move from a bedroom projector to Federation Square, with programmer Ben McCarthy tracing the route.

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