The Art of Film with Ian Nathan

The writer and critic examines the many layers of the world of film-making, exploring styles, themes, eras, genres, studios and partnerships, and the many sensibilities that shaped cinema from its beginnings to today. He begins with a look at the British film-making partnership of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the unique style they brought to the string of successful features through the 1940s, including The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, A Matter of Life and Death, Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes.

The critic looks at the output of Ealing Studios, which produced black comedies including Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Ladykillers. While the studios has had various peaks and troughs, it still exists today and its more recent films include Shaun of the Dead, and it is also home to Andy Serkis's Imaginarium motion-capture studio.

In the 80s, away from endless slasher movies, horror found a new lease of life, as directors broke the rules and added style to genre traditions.

Explore how filmmakers have depicted war, from the style they choose to ways they expand our understanding of the nature of war and humanity

Ian Nathan continues his exploration of cinema with a look at comedy, parody and satire, beginning with the early days of on-screen comedy with the silent actors who took vaudeville slapstick to the next level, including Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. As silent film gave way to talkies, films found new ways to keep the laughs coming, with stars like Groucho Marx bringing his famous one-liners to the screen in Duck Soup, and Peter Sellers excelling in satire in titles like I'm All Right, Jack and Two Way Stretch.

Ian takes a look at biopic, examining the different ways in which film has presented the real-life stories of significant figures. From Laurence Olivier's Shakespearean portrayal of Richard III to Robert Downey Jr's acclaimed role as Charlie Chaplin, and even stretching into the current decade with Kristen Stewart's take on Diana, Princess of Wales in 2021's Spencer.