Soundtracking with Edith Bowman

It's a Thunderbolts* special on our latest episode of Soundtracking, as first director Jake Schreier and then composers Son Lux join us to discuss the music of the latest installment of the MCU franchise. Thunderbolts* tells the story of an unconventional team of Marvel antiheroes - Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker - who embark on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts - while, of course, attempting to save the world in the process.

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

It's bonus episode time again, as writer / director Gareth Edwards joins us to discuss his riotously entertaining action thriller, Havoc, which is currently the number one film on Netflix. Starring Tom Hardy, it tells the story of a hard-nosed detective, who must fight his way through the criminal underworld to save a politician's estranged son. Havoc is scored by Aria Prayogi, who has worked with Gareth on numerous occasions and very kindly responded immediately when producer Ben reached out to him on Instagram, desperately seeking an example from his unreleased score to Apostle. Thank you Aria! 

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

As we like to do as often as possible on Soundtracking, we are celebrating an independent film this week, as first directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard and then musicians Emiliana Torrini and SImon Byrt join Edith to discuss their collaboration on an esoteric gem, The Extraordinary Miss Flower. This picture is quite hard to describe, if we're honest, but was basically inspired by behind-the-scenes friend of the show, Zoe, who discovered a suitcase full of her late mother Geraldine's letters, which suggested that Geraldine had led a much more exotic and, well, extraordinary life than Zoe could have possibly imagined. This in turn inspired an album's worth of songs from Emiliana, co-written and produced by Simon, which form the backbone of this movie - directed by Iain and Jane. 

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are friends of the show, but have never been on together. So it's an absolute delight to welcome Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goranssen to discuss their collaboration on Ryan's new film, Sinners. Starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, it tells the story of twin brothers who return to their hometown, only to be confronted by a supernatural evil.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Kevin Macdonald, who joins us to discuss his extraordinary documentary, One To One: John & Yoko. Set in the period between 1971-73 when the pair lived in a tiny apartment New York's Greenwich Village, it revolves around the footage of their One To One benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, which was, remarkably, the only significant live performance of John's after he left the Beatles. We also get plenty of never-before-seen video of their time in the Village and a truly insightful series of telephone conversations. One To One was made with the blessing of the Lennon estate - with Sean Ono Lennon overseeing the remastering of the audio, which was only salvageable thanks to developments in technology. 

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Edith is joined by now fewer than EIGHT people involved with the hit show, as Ben Stiller, creator Dan Erickson and actors Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Dichen Lachman & Gwendoline Christie share their insights in front of an audience. We also have a separate chat with Ben, which is more focussed on the music. 

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are writer/director Christopher Andrews and composer Hannah Peel, who join Edith to discuss their collaboration on Christopher's dark, debut feature, Bring Them Down. Counting Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan and Nora-Jane Noone among its excellent cast, it tells the story of a family of Irish sheepherders who are dealing with various conflicts, not least a local rivalry. Bring Them Down is available to watch now exclusively on MUBI - and if you don't have it already, there's currently a 7 day free trial on offer.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

We celebrate our 500th episode in the company of Stephen and Philip - but also friends of the show and you, with many wonderful contributions reflecting upon our mutual love of film score and music. In addition to messages from listeners, we hear from Hans ZImmer, Ben Wheatley, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and Daniel Pemberton.

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are director Barry Levinson and producer Irwin Winkler, who join us separately to discuss their collaboration on The Alto Knights. Starring Robert De Niro in two roles, The Alto Knights tells the story of two young friends who rise through the ranks of the New York mafia, only to have a reckoning in later life. as their paths diverge.

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking in what has been an exceedingly busy period are Hans Zimmer and Paul Dugdale, who join me to discuss their collaboration on the documentary, Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert. Featuring conversations with Billie Eilish, Finneas, Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Marr, Pharrell Williams, Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, it also sees Hans conduct some of his most memorable work with musicians from around the world in Dubai. To find out where you can watch it in the cinema, head to hanszimmerfilm.com - but be quick as there is a limited screening window in the UK

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Our latest episode of Soundtracking sees a return to the podcast of Steven Soderbergh, who joins us to discuss his spy thriller, Black Bag. Counting Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender among its excellent cast, Black Bag tells the story of an intelligence agent whose husband is assigned to investigate her when she is suspected of espionage. Black Bag is scored by friend of the show David Holmes, and we also play a clip of him talking about working with Steven when he appeared on the podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is composer Bear McCreary, who joins us to discuss his career ahead of his Themes And Variations Tour, which kicks off at Indigo 02 on April 18th before heading around Europe and the US. Bear has compiled an extraordinary body of work across film, TV and video gaming, including Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, The Walking Dead and God Of War.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Karan Kandhari and Paul Banks of Interpol fame, who join Edith to discuss their collaboration on Karan's brilliant black comedy, Sister Midnight. Set in Mumbai, it tells the story of a woman whose unhappy arranged marriage spirals into darkness as she morphs into a ruthless, feral force within the confines of their relationship.

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

In an interview we posted a few months back on our Youtube channel, Soundracking Extra, Sean discusses his incredible film, including the decision to include Take That. And it indeed feels like The Greatest Day to share it with you in podcast form. Huge congratualations to Sean and his team.

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Eric Newman and Robert De Niro, who join us to discuss Bob's starring role in Eric's new Netflix show, Zero Day,. which is available to stream in full now. Featuring a great ensemble cast, it stars Bob as a former president charged with investigating a devastating cyber attack. We also dip into the archives to share a great story from Martin Scorsese about temping Taxi Driver.

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Eric Vetro, one of Hollywood's premier vocal coaches who's worked on the likes of Elvis, A Complete Unknown, Wicked and Maria, to name just some of many. As you know, we like to shine a spotlight on those people who don't necessarily get the wider acclaim they deserve when it comes to their importance to the filmmaking process. And Eric is one of those people, so it was fascinating to get a little insight into his role, and how it changes from person to person, project to project.

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Daniel Blumberg, who might, by the time you're listening to this, have picked up a BAFTA for his incredible score to The Brutalist. It's Friday morning as we record this, so who knows what Sunday will bring (or indeed Oscar Night)? Regardless, Daniel has done an extraordinary job of providing the sonic backdrop to what is truly an extraordinary film. Edith was lucky enough to speak to writer / director Brady Corbett and one of his leads, Guy Pearce, a few weeks back, so do listen to that if you haven't already. Both go into great detail about the nuances of Daniel's work. But who better to really dive deep with than the man himself? 

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

We have such a treat for you on our latest episode, as we bring you the conversation Edith had awith writer, director and star of A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg,  in the latest of our Soundtracking Everyman Film Clubs. Also featuring a brilliant turn by Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain tells the story of two cousins who visit Poland to honour their family's history, but encounter all manner of personal complications along the way.

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

We have another of our Soundtracking Everyman Film Club shows for you today, which we thought we'd share as a bonus episode to mark the extraordinary recognition the musical drama Emilia Perez has received. Landing a whopping 13 Oscar nominations, Emilia Perez tells the story of a Mexican lawyer who is offered an unusual job of helping a notorious cartel boss retire and transition into living as a woman. Edith was lucky enough to be joined at Everyman Broadgate by writer / director Jacques Audiard, Zoe Saldana - who plays the lawyer, Rita - and Clement Ducol and Camille, who collaborated on the music. Since Jacques doesn't speak great English, we also had translator Sophie on stage, so thank you in advance for you patience as first he gives his answers and then she relays them to us.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is composer Gary Yershon, who joins us to reflect up 3 decades of collaborations with Mike Leigh, and more specifically Mike's latest movie, Hard Truths. Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, and David Webber, the plot follows the plight of a depressed and nay-saying woman and the relationship with her jovial sister Chantelle. Gary is absolutely fascinating on Mike's process when it comes to both filmmaking and music - so this is well worth a listen.

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Jason Reitman, director and co-writer of Saturday Night. The story follows producer Lorne Michaels and a team of writers, comedians and crew as they prepare for the 1975 premier of Saturday Night, which of course became Saturday Night Live. Remarkably, and in keeping with the spirit of the show, composer Jon Batiste wrote much of the score live at the end of shooting each day.

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Brady Corbet and Guy Pearce, respectively director and star of multi-award winning film, The Brutalist. In it, Adrien Brody plays a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and emigrates to the United States, where he struggles to achieve the American Dream until a wealthy client changes his life. The cast also features Felicity Jones, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird and Alessandro Nivola. The Brutalist is scored by Daniel Blumberg - and both Brady and Guy talk about its remarkable intricacies at length.

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is James Mangold - a returning hero - who joins us to discuss his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. And, as a bonus, we also have a wee chat with Monica Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez in the movie, in what's a simply divine performance. Starring Timothee Chalomet, A Complete Unknown follows Dylan's early success until his notorious and controversial use of electronic instruments at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Pablo Larrain, who returns to the podcast to discuss the release of his stunning biopic, Maria. Starring Angelena Jolie as Maria Callas, it follows the seven days before the opera singer's death in 1977 Paris as she reflects upon her life and career. 

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

Our latest guests in yet another bonus episode of Soundtracking are director John Crowley, writer Nick Payne and leading lady Florence Pugh, who joined Edith for a special Q&A to discuss their new film, We Live In Time, which is on general release now. In a beautiful, funny meditation on life, death, relationships and parenthood - among many other universal themes - Florence stars alongside Andrew Garfield as we follow a relationship over the course of a decade in non-linear fashion.

Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2025

Our latest guests on an exceedingly busy period for Soundtracking are Robert Eggers and Chris Columbus, respectively the writer/ / director and producer of Nosferatu. A remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name, the film stars Bill Skarsgård as the titular character, with Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney and Willem Dafoe among the cast.

Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2024

The final of our pre-Christmas gifts to you is composer Kris Bowers, who joins us primarily to discuss his work on the beautiful Dreamworks animation, The Wild Robot. Edith also gets into her love of Bridgerton and Green Book

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

Following Edith's chat with Will Ferrell and Harper Steele, the second of our Christmas Soundtracking offerings to you sees the wonderful Cynthia Erivo return to Soundtracking to discuss her performance as Elpheba Thropp in Wicked. We spoke to director John Chu and composer Stephen Schwartz around release, but we're delighted to have got a little time with Cynthia, who is absolutely magnificent in this role.

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

First things first: many apologies to Rafael Marmor, producer of Will & Harper, who Edith's producer Ben criminally fails to namecheck in his script to this live show at Everyman Broadgate with Will Ferrell, Harper Steele ... and RAFAEL MARMOR!!!! This is the first of a festive bundle of chats about film and music. And, boy, is it a goodie: as Edith labelled it in the shared folder where we store all our recordings for the podcast. this is the 'actual' Will Ferrell and Harper Steele. Yes, the actual Will Ferrell and Harper Steele joined Edith in front of an audience at Everyman Broadgate to discuss their beautiful documentary, Will & Harper, alongside producer Rafael.

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2024

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Barry Jenkins and Lin Manuel Miranda, who join us to discuss their work on Mufasa, which serves as both a sequel and a prequel to the 2019 remake of the 1994 classic. Set after the events of the original, it sees Rifiki the Mandril recount Mufasa's origin story to Simba's daughter Kiara, with a little help from Timon and Pumbaa. We follow a young orphaned Mufasa as he befriends the prince Taka and is adopted by Taka's family.

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2024

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Sam Yates, Tom Bateman and Daisy Ridley - respectively the director, writer and star of the neo-noir thriller, Magpie. In an idea originally developed by Daisy before husband Tom penned the script, it tells the story of a wife left at home with a newborn baby while her husband accompanies their daughter to a film set, where she is shooting with a famous actress. Suffice to say, plenty of twists and turns ensue.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

We are so excited to bring you our latest bonus episode of Soundtracking, as two of our favourties Luca Guadagnino and Daniel Craig join Edith to discuss Luca's glorious new film, Queer. Based on a novella by William S Burroughs, it tells the story of Lee who, after fleeing from a drug bust in New Orleans, wanders around Mexico City';s clubs and becomes infatuated with a discharged American navy serviceman. Queer is scored by friends of the show, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2024

As promised, it's a double dose of Soundtracking to start your week following our episode on Black Doves with Keira Knightley and Joe Barton. Now it's the turn of Zoe Saldaña, star of another Netflix vehicle, Emilia Pérez. Written and directed by Jacques Audiard, the film tells the story of a feared cartel leader who enlists a lawyer to help her disappear and achieve her dream of transitioning into a woman. Its all singing, all dancing, and quite unlike anything you're likely to have seen - with original songs written by Camille and a score provided by Clément Ducol.

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024

Keira Knightly and Joe Barton join Edith to discuss Joe's thrilling take on the espionage genre for Netflix, Black Doves. Keira stars (alongside Ben Wishaw's assassin, Sam) as Helen, the wife of a senior politician, who exploits her relationship with her husband to leak state secrets to a mysterious organisation call the Black Doves. As well as some great needle-drops, Black Doves is scored by friend of the show, Martin Phipps

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024

We have a Kneecap bonus episode for you on our latest episode of Soundtracking, as writer director Rich Peppiatt, composer Mikey J and the three band-members and stars of the film join Edith to discuss their brilliant comedy drama. Based largely on truth, it tells the story of the Republican, Irish speaking hip-hop band as they establish themselves on the Belfast music scene.

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2024

Our latest episode of Soundtracking sees a return to the podcast for director Edward Berger and composer Volker Bertelmann to discuss their new film, Conclave. Stariing Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini, the story sees a Cardinal organize a papal to elect the next pop and finds himself investigating secrets and scandals about each candidate. As we'll hear, Edward and Volker struggled more with this score than the Oscar winning one for their previous collaboration, All Quiet On The Western Front. But they got there in the end

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2024

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are director John M Chu and composer and lyricist Stephen Schwarz, who join me to discuss John's take on Stephen's classic stage show, Wicked. Set in the Land of Oz, largely before Dorothy's arrival from Kansas, it follows the story of Elphaba beginning her path to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with her classmate Galinda, who becomes Glinda the Good. Cythia Erivo and Ariana Grande are knockout as the leads!

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

In yet another bonus episode - boy, are we busy - we're bringing you a Soundtracking Everyman Film Club, recorded live at Screen on the Green in Islington, north London. This time, director Ian Bonhôte and composer Ilan Eshkeri join Edith to discuss their collaboration on Ian and Peter Ettedgui's beautiful documentary Superman: The Christopher Reeve Story.

Transcribed - Published: 23 November 2024

Bit of a legend alert for you, as our latest guest on Soundtracking is none other than Ridley Scott, who, of course joins me to discuss Gladiator IISet 20 years after the original, it stars Paul Mescal - and that's all what we'll say about the plot. We think you have a fair idea of what it's all about ...

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2024

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel, who joins Edith to discuss his directorial debut, The Piano Lesson, which he also co-wrote and will be available to stream on Netflix on 22nd November. Based on the play by August Wilson, The Piano Lesson is set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of The Great Depression, and follows the lives of the Charles family and a precious heirloom, the family piano. It's got a fabulous cast including Samuel L Jackson, Malcolm's brother John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, and a great composer at the helm in the form of Alexandre Desplat.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024

We've been spoiling you on Soundtracking recently with plenty of bonus episodes, and we have another one for you today in the shape of the legend that is Steve McQueen. Steve joined Edith in front of an audience at Screen On The Green in Islington, London, as part of our Soundtracking Everyman film club to discuss his new film, Blitz. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Weller, Kathy Burke and 9 year old Elliott Heffernan in his first acting role, the film follows a defiant young boy who goes on an adventure in London during World War II - only to find himself in mortal peril amid the Blitz while his mother searches for him.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2024

We're bringing you another of our Soundtracking Everyman Film Club's today, recorded in front of an audience at Everyman King's Cross. The guests on this occasion are Sir Ian McKellen and Anand Tucker, star and director of Patrick Marber's The Critic. Based on a novel by Anthony Quinn, The Critic tells the story of a powerful theatre critic in 1930s London who gets embroiled in a tangled web of deceit and murder.

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2024

We have bonus episodes coming at you thick and fast on Soundtracking, as Laurent Bouzereau joins Edith to discuss his Disney Plus documentary, The Music Of John Williams. Featuring interviews with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Chris Martin, Seth McFarlane and Kate Capshaw, Laurent's film casts a shining light on the career of a true cinematic legend - who has not only scored countless classic movies, but also provided a sonic backdrop to our own lives.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

We have a bonus episode of Soundtracking for you today, as none other than Hugh Grant joins Edith to discuss his brilliantly creepy performance as the sadistic Mr Reed in Scott Beck and Bryan Woods's horror thriller, Heretic. Heretic tells the story of two young female Mormons who turn up at Mr Reed's house in an attempt to convert him. What ensues is a twisted game of cat and mouse, chillingly marshalled by Hugh.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2024

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Cillian Murphy and Tim Mielants, who join Edith to discuss their new film, Small Things Like These. Based on the novel by Claire Keegan, Small Things Like These tells the story of Bill Furlong, a coal worker who makes a discovery at a local convent which forces him to confront secrets in an Irish town. As well as starring, Cillian also produced the film, which was directed by Tim. The score, meanwhile, was provided by Senjan Jansen, who was kind enough to furnish us with a couple of his as yet unreleased cues. Thanks a million, Senjan!

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2024

We have another of our Soundtracking Everyman Film Clubs for you in our latest episode, as Alfonso Cuaron and Finneas O'Connell joined Edith in front of an audience to discuss Alfsoso's new series for Apple TV, Disclaimer. Starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, Disclaimer tells the story of a famed documentarian who discovers she's a prominent character in a novel that reveals a secret from her past she has tried to keep hidden. Finneas provided the score having befriended Alfonso in a Milan nightclub while on tour with his sister, Billie Elish.

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2024

Our latest episode of Soundtracking sees a welcome return for friend of the show, Hildur Guðnadóttir. Hildur joins Edith to discuss her stunning score for Joker Folie A Deux, following Joaquin Phoenix's recent turn in which we focussed more on the musical numbers.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2024

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Josh Greenbaum, director of the beautiful Netflix documentary, Will & Harper. The film follows friends of 30 years Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as they take a road trip across America, following Harper's transition to a woman in 2022.

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2024

We have Hollywood royalty in the house for this bonus episode of Soundtracking, as none other than Joaquin Phoenix joins Edith to discuss his breathtaking performance in Joker: Folie a Deux. Joaquin stars alongside Lady Gaga, who plays Joker obsessive and love of his life, Harley Quinn, and also excels in her role.

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2024

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Megan Park, writer and director of whipcrack smart comedy, My Old Ass. We don't want to say too much about the plot, but it basically involves an 18 year old girl meeting her older self having taken magic mushrooms, forcing her to reassess where she's at in life in the most profound of ways. Megan has delivered not only an exceedingly moving film, but also and exceedingly funny one.

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2024