Cinema in One Take

Cinema in One Take is where the on-screen world meets the real world. Hosted by film experts and world cinema lovers, Kaleem Aftab and Emma Jones, this podcast brings you sharp, engaging discussions on the latest international movie news, from Hollywood to Bollywood, passing Nollywood on the way. Each week, they cover the vast array of world cinema, diving into new releases, industry shifts, and the stories behind the headlines.

Cinema in One Take is a tv podcast hosted by Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab, with 33 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab hosts Cinema in One Take, a tv show with 33 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #40

  The Big Screen Is Back! But Can Independent Film Survive?

  Aug 14, 202625 min

  Cinema is having a blockbuster summer. The Odyssey and Spider-Man are smashing records, surprise hits such as Backrooms and Obsession are pulling younger audiences into cinemas, and the box office comeback we've been predicting finally seems to have arrived. So why is it still so difficult to make money from independent film? After producer Marco Perego — behind some of this year's most acclaimed indie films like Fjord — said at Locarno that you shouldn't get into independent cinema for the money, we ask whether the traditional routes for discovering and selling indie films are still working. Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab look at what's driving audiences back to the big screen, whether a new generation of young movie stars is emerging, and what the blockbuster boom really means for the rest of the film industry. Plus, Emma recommends watching Maite Alberdi's extraordinary documentary A Child of My Own, while Kaleem discusses Hyper: The Stevie Hyper D Story — and his unexpected personal connection to the film. Join the conversation on our Substack and social channels. cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us on Instagram: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #39

  What Does the Venice Line-Up Say About the Future of Film Festivals? Plus Musk V Nolan

  Jul 24, 202623 min

  The Venice 2026 line-up is here—and, as with Cannes, a pattern seems to be emerging. Are Hollywood studios moving away from the world's biggest film festivals? Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab give their first reaction to the Venice Official Selection, which includes Danny Boyle's Ink, Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine, Florian Zeller's Bunker, Primetime starring Robert Pattinson, and Lee Chang-dong's long-awaited return Possible Love. They ask whether Venice is still the launchpad for Oscar contenders, why Netflix and many of the major US studios appear to be sitting this year out, and what this could mean for the future of film festivals, not to mention the famous Venice red carpet this year. Could Venice's documentary section, which includes the Oasis film, Don't Look Back in Anger, and Alex Gibney's new film Musk, actually be the biggest headliners? Plus, Elon Musk announces that Grok will create its own AI version of The Odyssey in response to Christopher Nolan's blockbuster, prompting a wider discussion about historical accuracy, colour-conscious casting and whether AI can ever compete with filmmaking craft. Finally, Emma and Kaleem recommend two films worth seeking out: the acclaimed British coming-of-age drama Ish and the darkly comic thriller Bad Apples, starring Saoirse Ronan. View the full Venice 2026 Official Selection here: La Biennale di Venezia – Official Line-up Which films are you most excited to see at Venice? Join the conversation on our Substack and social channels. cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us on Instagram: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #38

  The Odyssey Review | Is Christopher Nolan's Epic His Greatest Film Yet?

  Jul 19, 202626 min

  Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is finally here, and Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab are, for once, in agreement about something: that it's a masterpiece. In this week's episode of Cinema in One Take, we review Nolan's ambitious adaptation of Homer's epic, discussing why it works so brilliantly as both an intimate character study and a spectacular cinematic experience. We debate whether it's Nolan's greatest film, unpack Matt Damon's performance as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway's powerful Penelope, Samantha Morton's unforgettable Cersei, and whether Tom Holland delivers one of the strongest performances of his career, yes, even above Peter Parker. We also explore the film's themes of war, homecoming, sacrifice and empire, discuss its breathtaking IMAX visuals, and ask where The Odyssey now sits among Christopher Nolan's remarkable filmography. Plus, Kaleem reflects on his return to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival after almost two years away from festival life—and an unexpected meeting with Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright. In this episode: • Our spoiler-light review of The Odyssey • Is this Christopher Nolan's finest film? • Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and Samantha Morton • A film that reflects modernity through an ancient epic • Returning to Karlovy Vary • An unexpected evening with Jeffrey Wright We'd love to hear your thoughts after you've seen The Odyssey. Join the conversation on our Substack and social channels. cinemainonetake.substack.com Follow us on Instagram: @aftabamon @emmapjones1

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #37

  Are Influencer Screenings Losing Their Influence? The Odyssey, Moana & Supergirl

  Jul 12, 202629 min

  For years, Hollywood has increasingly relied on influencers to help launch its biggest films. But is that strategy still working? This week on Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab explore whether influencer screenings are still shaping opinion after two very different blockbuster releases. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey largely avoided dedicated influencer screenings, while Disney's live-action Moana embraced them – and both have sparked fascinating conversations about who really influences audiences today. Also, the latest revelations about Supergirl, as reports of studio interference raise questions about test screenings, creative control and whether Hollywood has become too risk-averse, and whether they're relying too much on the opinion of others rather than the director making it. Joining us from the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Kaleem explains why one of Europe's great festivals has left him far more optimistic about the future of cinema than he expected. We also discuss the Europa Cinemas Label winner, Miroslav Terzić's 3 Weeks After, along with Lucas Dhont's Coward and The Dreamed Adventurer, all showing at the festival. 🎬 In this episode: • Are influencer screenings still shaping opinion? • Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey and the influencer debate • Disney's Moana and the limits of social media buzz • What Supergirl reveals about Hollywood's studio system • Why Karlovy Vary has restored Kaleem's faith in film festivals • Europa Cinemas Label winner 3 Weeks After

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #36

  Has A24 Lost Its Cool? AI Backlash, Backrooms & Supergirl

  Jul 5, 202632 min

  This week on Cinema in One Take, we're asking whether independent cinema's coolest studio has made its biggest mistake yet. A24 has announced a $75 million partnership with Google DeepMind, prompting a fierce backlash from filmmakers and fans. Is the criticism justified, or is AI simply becoming another filmmaking tool that studios can't afford to ignore? We also discuss the extended theatrical release of Backrooms and whether audiences will return for more of the viral horror phenomenon, while Kaleem gives his verdict on Supergirl—and explains why the latest DC blockbuster failed to take flight for him (or the wider box office) And in What We're Watching, we recommend A Matter of Life and Death, the inventive Saudi romantic comedy-horror from Anas Ba-Tḥaf and Sarah Taibah, and explore why YouTube creators are increasingly making the leap to feature films.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Cinema in One Take. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.