Farran Smith Nehme
@selfstyledsiren.bsky.social
Film critic; NSFC, NYFCC. Bylines at Criterion, Sight & Sound, Noir City, my own Substack, and wherever fine film geeks are found.
https://selfstyledsiren.substack.com/
https://selfstyledsiren.substack.com/
Pinned
It was such a pleasure to write the essay for Criterion's 4K+Blu Ray of CAPTAIN BLOOD, a movie I dearly love. And for friends who love commentaries, note that this has one from Curtiz biographer (and fount of knowledge) Alan K. Rode @thetallcinephile.bsky.social www.criterion.com/films/29013-...
Reposted by Farran Smith Nehme
New pod: Finally, some REAL DATA behind the insane rise in media coverage of film fest standing ovations. And does the applause eventually translate into dollars?? With researcher @stephenfollows.com. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/1lKe...
Do Standing Ovations at Film Festivals Mean Anything? The Town Investigates.
open.spotify.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
New pod: Finally, some REAL DATA behind the insane rise in media coverage of film fest standing ovations. And does the applause eventually translate into dollars?? With researcher @stephenfollows.com. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/1lKe...
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Roy Scheider with Bob Fosse on the set of All That Jazz, 1979
The still photographer on the set was Josh Weiner.
The still photographer on the set was Josh Weiner.
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Roy Scheider with Bob Fosse on the set of All That Jazz, 1979
The still photographer on the set was Josh Weiner.
The still photographer on the set was Josh Weiner.
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Celebrating Ann Reinking on her birthday with this astonishing Jack Mitchell photo. Annie was elegant, intelligent, hilarious, bawdy, ferocious, silly, empathetic, and deep as the ocean. 💔💜
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Celebrating Ann Reinking on her birthday with this astonishing Jack Mitchell photo. Annie was elegant, intelligent, hilarious, bawdy, ferocious, silly, empathetic, and deep as the ocean. 💔💜
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"Weather foul. Reading, as Somerset M. said is a disease. Found paperback by Romain Gary called White Dog. Brilliantly evocative. He writes with great facility. Wish I could. Every word I write I suspect the next day. Talked to Elizabeth. Very self-sufficient. Brittle."
Happy centenary Mr. Burton.
Happy centenary Mr. Burton.
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
"Weather foul. Reading, as Somerset M. said is a disease. Found paperback by Romain Gary called White Dog. Brilliantly evocative. He writes with great facility. Wish I could. Every word I write I suspect the next day. Talked to Elizabeth. Very self-sufficient. Brittle."
Happy centenary Mr. Burton.
Happy centenary Mr. Burton.
Everyone should totally watch Deception! It is fabulous!
I have such an urge to watch the whole thing now
November 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Everyone should totally watch Deception! It is fabulous!
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One of the Great Dressing-Gown Performances! Also, some manic cat-petting (the cat itself seems remarkably unfazed, so presumably enjoyed it). #Deception
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
One of the Great Dressing-Gown Performances! Also, some manic cat-petting (the cat itself seems remarkably unfazed, so presumably enjoyed it). #Deception
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"What the hell do you think spies are?...They're just a bunch of seedy, squalid bastards like me."
Born today, Richard Burton. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965).
Born today, Richard Burton. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965).
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 PM
"What the hell do you think spies are?...They're just a bunch of seedy, squalid bastards like me."
Born today, Richard Burton. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965).
Born today, Richard Burton. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965).
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I *adore* it too. More "hot psychotic Uncle Claude" — Alexander Hollenius ordering dinner in DECEPTION. For over seven minutes.
When they finished the first read-through, Bette Davis said, as drily as only Bette Davis could, "That's quite a part you've got there, Claudie." vimeo.com/135303791
When they finished the first read-through, Bette Davis said, as drily as only Bette Davis could, "That's quite a part you've got there, Claudie." vimeo.com/135303791
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
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not the smallest atom stirs or lives on matter, but has its cunning duplicate in mind.
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
not the smallest atom stirs or lives on matter, but has its cunning duplicate in mind.
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November 9, 2025 at 2:32 AM
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40 men Trump sent to CECOT tell the NYT they were beaten, tortured, and sexually assaulted. The details are worse than you can imagine.
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
‘You Are All Terrorists’: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
40 men Trump sent to CECOT tell the NYT they were beaten, tortured, and sexually assaulted. The details are worse than you can imagine.
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
We can’t let them get away with this. Miller and the other architects of this sadism need to go to prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/w...
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Margaret Rutherford winning the Oscar with added acting clips is now my second video with more than 100k views 🥳
youtu.be/Id9IUwQ1WwM
youtu.be/Id9IUwQ1WwM
Margaret Rutherford wins Best Supporting Actress Oscar - with Clips!
YouTube video by Fritz and the Oscars
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Margaret Rutherford winning the Oscar with added acting clips is now my second video with more than 100k views 🥳
youtu.be/Id9IUwQ1WwM
youtu.be/Id9IUwQ1WwM
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Reposted by Farran Smith Nehme
November 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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Cheers all, another Friday then? I’m listening to She’s A Rainbow by The Rolling Stones, I hope whatever you’re up to life’s a bit brighter, better and hopeful x
#BskyBeer
#BskyBeer
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Cheers all, another Friday then? I’m listening to She’s A Rainbow by The Rolling Stones, I hope whatever you’re up to life’s a bit brighter, better and hopeful x
#BskyBeer
#BskyBeer
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olivia reingold absolutely furious to see someone that people like
November 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
olivia reingold absolutely furious to see someone that people like
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Farran Smith Nehme @selfstyledsiren.bsky.social introducing the silent film Saxophone Suzy at AFI Silver — opening night of their 2025 Classic Film Weekend!
November 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Farran Smith Nehme @selfstyledsiren.bsky.social introducing the silent film Saxophone Suzy at AFI Silver — opening night of their 2025 Classic Film Weekend!
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Keats’ House, partially concealed by mellow fruitfulness.
November 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Keats’ House, partially concealed by mellow fruitfulness.
Reposted by Farran Smith Nehme
Obscure Shatner of the day: 1973's PIONEER WOMAN, w/ Shatner, Joanna Pettet, a very young Helen Hunt & David Janssen! Directed by Buzz Kulik (SHAMUS)!
m.ok.ru/video/741546...
m.ok.ru/video/741546...
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Obscure Shatner of the day: 1973's PIONEER WOMAN, w/ Shatner, Joanna Pettet, a very young Helen Hunt & David Janssen! Directed by Buzz Kulik (SHAMUS)!
m.ok.ru/video/741546...
m.ok.ru/video/741546...
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Once again I am asking commenters making some variation of “you deserve this” to remember that Trump supporters are only 37% of the adult population; that several areas of Alabama went heavily for Harris, and that those areas by and large are the ones suffering most from the White House’s policies.
Via Anna Barrett: Alabamians could see major surges in the cost of Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans without enhanced tax credits for ACA premiums, which lie at the center of the federal government shutdown. https://ow.ly/IzP850XnvyG
November 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Once again I am asking commenters making some variation of “you deserve this” to remember that Trump supporters are only 37% of the adult population; that several areas of Alabama went heavily for Harris, and that those areas by and large are the ones suffering most from the White House’s policies.
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Good morning! AI is being force-fed to you by a handful of billionaires who will lose a bunch of money if they fail to convince you that you need it. You do not need it 🫶
November 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Good morning! AI is being force-fed to you by a handful of billionaires who will lose a bunch of money if they fail to convince you that you need it. You do not need it 🫶
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"D'you do double entry, dear?
Kindly tell me, if so."
"I do double entry, dear.
But in the morning, no."
Cole Porter, everyone
("But in the Morning, No" from Du Barry Was a Lady, 1939)
Kindly tell me, if so."
"I do double entry, dear.
But in the morning, no."
Cole Porter, everyone
("But in the Morning, No" from Du Barry Was a Lady, 1939)
November 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
"D'you do double entry, dear?
Kindly tell me, if so."
"I do double entry, dear.
But in the morning, no."
Cole Porter, everyone
("But in the Morning, No" from Du Barry Was a Lady, 1939)
Kindly tell me, if so."
"I do double entry, dear.
But in the morning, no."
Cole Porter, everyone
("But in the Morning, No" from Du Barry Was a Lady, 1939)
Reposted by Farran Smith Nehme
They may look like house cats, but sand cats are fearless predators! Our sand cats both now live in the brand-new TLC Foundation Small Cat Hideaway.
Over 800 gallons of sandy substrate were spread through their habitats for the cats to enjoy digging and playing in!
📷: Male Simba by keeper Brooke
Over 800 gallons of sandy substrate were spread through their habitats for the cats to enjoy digging and playing in!
📷: Male Simba by keeper Brooke
October 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
They may look like house cats, but sand cats are fearless predators! Our sand cats both now live in the brand-new TLC Foundation Small Cat Hideaway.
Over 800 gallons of sandy substrate were spread through their habitats for the cats to enjoy digging and playing in!
📷: Male Simba by keeper Brooke
Over 800 gallons of sandy substrate were spread through their habitats for the cats to enjoy digging and playing in!
📷: Male Simba by keeper Brooke
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Not a fan of Sliwa but I admire that he’s a genuine weirdo who’s gonna go home to his 17 cats and get a good nights sleep and enjoy living in New York for the next four years while Cuomo is snapping 12 pencils in his hands every five seconds and won’t have a moment of inner peace
November 5, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Not a fan of Sliwa but I admire that he’s a genuine weirdo who’s gonna go home to his 17 cats and get a good nights sleep and enjoy living in New York for the next four years while Cuomo is snapping 12 pencils in his hands every five seconds and won’t have a moment of inner peace
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I think mayor-elect Mamdani is the greatest promoter of NYC food culture since Anthony Bourdain.
A busy first day as your Mayor-elect: early morning interviews, transition announcements and meetings. More to say on all of it tomorrow.
But a highlight was lunch with my Congresswoman @aoc.bsky.social at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights.
But a highlight was lunch with my Congresswoman @aoc.bsky.social at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights.
November 6, 2025 at 3:34 AM
I think mayor-elect Mamdani is the greatest promoter of NYC food culture since Anthony Bourdain.