Iridescence: Recent Episodes
Jeremy Hsing & Raylene Factora
Iridescence is defined as “showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.” Film and TV allow you to experience stories from different perspectives than your own, which can expand your worldview and allow you to live your life in a much more fulfilling and profound way. They transcend cultural/social barriers and finds a universality in the personal, thus expressing an iridescence. Iridescence is a Film & TV review podcast hosted by Ray and Jeremy, two UCLA undergrads passionate about storytelling. Follow our instagram @iridescencepodcast
BONUS EPISODE: Composed by Chris Asperin for the film Iridescence created by Jeremy Hsing
Learn more about the film by checking out iridescencefilm.com or by following @iridescenceshortfilm on Instagram
Topics covered include: how disability is defined, intersectionality in disability representation, when you should seek professional help for ADHD, and why there is stigma on disabilities in media and society
Topics covered include: If we felt American growing up, our hope for the future of America, and the importance of ethnic studies classes in disrupting the white-centric lens of history
Interviewers: Madeline Goore + Jeremy Hsing // Interviewee: Raylene Factora
Topics covered include: Why mental health statistics are increasing, the importance of overcoming shame, and how to be mental health ally
Interviewer: Jeremy Hsing // Interviewees: Jenna Signorelli, Grace Fang
Topics covered include: Why it's important to have AAPI representation in media, examples of authentically inclusive AAPI content, what the Japanese saying "Shikata ga Aru" means to Christina, and the type of stories that Tiffany wants to tell
Interviewer: Jeremy Hsing // Interviewees: Christina Campbell, Tiffany Hue
Topics covered include: If stories need to have mainstream appeal to evoke change, examples of storytelling that had a profound impact on society, if stories can stand the test of time, and how our perception of storytelling has change as we get older
Interviewer: Jeremy Hsing
Interviewee: Patrick Zhang, April Peng
Topics covered include: Our relationships with our parents, how the rise of Asian hate crimes and rhetoric has affected us, and what Iridescence means to us
Interviewer: Madeline Goore
Interviewees: Jessika Wang, Angelina Hue, Rachel Kho
Topics covered include: where the idea came from, what the story means to Jeremy, the process of filmmaking, as well as the goal of the project
Interviewer: Madeline Goore // Interviewee: Jeremy Hsing
Topic's covered include: Luca’s mainstream appeal, the film’s experimental animation style, and how it ranks in the Pixar lexicon. This episode also features a bonus mini-rant from Jeremy about the plot holes in the film.
Topics covered include: Jeremy's obsession with Bo Burnham, how Bo's comedy special deviates from conventional stand-up, and more of why Jeremy is obsessed with Bo Burnham.
Topics covered include: How the show contrasts the rest of the superhero lexicon, Jeremy and Raylene having random enthusiastic bursts of passion for the show's usage of intentional violence, and a reflection on the quietude of the show's diverse cast of characters. This episode also features a bonus mini-rant from Jeremy about Bo Burnham in anticipation for our next podcast on his new comedy special.
Topics covered include: Jeremy's roommate calling him out for not knowing the names of the characters to Avatar, how the film fits within the Southeast Asian community, Jeremy's obsession with the word Kumandra, and how Raya could be for young girls what Mulan was for Ray
Topics covered include: Jeremy and Ray's opinions on all of the Oscar nominees and winners, diversity in the Academy and Hollywood, the award ceremony's ending controversy and Paddington 2's excellence (unrelated to Oscars).
Topics covered include: Emerald Fennell’s mix of romantic comedy tropes with complex #MeToo narratives, Carey Mulligan’s career-defining performance, Oscar buzz, and the film’s polarizing ending.
Topics covered include: The film’s unique sound-design, Riz Ahmed’s performance, the film’s portrayal of deaf culture, as well as the film’s Oscar nominations
Topics covered include: How Fred Hampton lived, the deliberately accurate cinematography, Deborah Johnson’s quiet resolve, the film’s Oscar nominations, and the message is both timeless and timely for today.
Topics covered include: the movie’s deliberately slow pacing, Chloe Zhao’s beautiful exploration of the American landscape, the film’s use of nonprofessional actors, how the nomad life is meant for some people, Chloe Zhao’s impact on the AAPI community, and how the film is relevant to our lives.
Topics covered include: Kemp Power’s emotionally poignant screenplay, Regina King’s assured directorial debut, the deliberate look of the film in service of the story, how each character adds a compelling perspective to the black experience, why the medium of storytelling is so effective to exposing its audience to complex issues, and how the film is relevant with the Black Lives Matter movement of today.
Topics covered include: The breathtaking cinematography that reflected a semi auto-biographical lens, how Emile Mosseri's melancholic score captured the immigrant experience, Ray's obsession with Steven Yeun, how the film explored the dichotomy between the American Dream and stark reality, why the Golden Globes controversy reinforces the white male gaze as a cinematic language, how Minari ranks among the A24 banner, and why Minari was so personally resonating to both of us.
Topics covered include: How the animation made New York a character, how Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross collaborated with the filmmakers to create an unconventional score, why 22 was originally written to be the central character, the profound theme of existentialism, if kids are able to comprehend the message, the beautiful ambiguity of the ending, how Soul showed the depth of Black identity without making a story solely on the Black experience, and how Soul affected us personally from a mental health perspective.
Welcome to Iridescence, a movie review podcast hosted by two current UCLA undergrads who share a passion for storytelling. Iridescence is defined as “showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.” Film allows you to do just that. By experiencing stories from different perspectives than your own, you can expand your worldview and live your life in a much more fulfilling and profound way. The best movies transcend cultural/social barriers and find a universality in the personal, thus expressing an iridescence. With this show, we’re planning on releasing bi-weekly podcast episodes discussing TV shows and movies, as well as quick takes on media content on our Tik Tok account. Follow all our socials @iridescencepodcast and stay tuned!