Cinema in One Take

The Cannes Film Festival 2026 line-up is here, and it feels like something is shifting. Fewer Hollywood titles, a surge in war stories, and a Competition shaped by global auteurs, with Japanese and Spanish films featuring prominently this year.

Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab unpack the key themes, including a growing global crossover between Europe and Asia, both in casting and direction, and a notable contingent of emerging female directors in Competition.

Plus early Palme d’Or contenders, and what this year’s selection says about where cinema is heading.

From Almodóvar to Zvyagintsev, this your guide to films at Cannes.

Full line-up: Festival de Cannes official website

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On this week’s Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab explore what audiences really want from cinema — from AI-generated performances to timeless movie magic.

They begin with the rise of AI in film, from the failure (for now) of virtual influencer Tilly Norwood to the ethics of recreating Val Kilmer on screen, and ask whether audiences are ready for artificial stars.

Then, as French classic Amélie returns to cinemas for its 25th anniversary, they debate whether its romantic vision of Paris would still resonate today — or if modern audiences want something more real.

Plus, Kaleem's deep dive into The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, and whether spoilers and controversy are shaping how films are marketed.

And finally, Emma reports from the British Film Institute on a centenary celebration dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, exploring how her legacy is being re-evaluated.

A lively, unfiltered conversation on AI in film, classic cinema, film controversy, and Hollywood history — all in one take.

Join us next on April 9 for immediate reaction to the Cannes 2026 line up announcement!

Tilly Norwood music video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7V2Biy3omw

Kaleem's The Drama review in print is here

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A film very few people have seen is already causing outrage.

On this week’s Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab dive into the backlash surrounding The Drama after a leaked plot twist set the internet off. Is the twist genuinely in poor taste, and has it also provided exactly the kind of controversy modern film marketing thrives on?

They also discuss the darker side of visibility, as actor Barry Keoghan opens up about the effects of online abuse about his appearance.

Plus: are series festivals like Series Mania and Canneseries actually worth it — or is television best left on the sofa?

And in what they’ve been watching: Orwell 2+2=5  and the North Macedonian coming-of-age gem, DJ Ahmet.

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Ryan Gosling heads into space (with exceptional knitwear) in Project Hail Mary — a rare original sci-fi that’s already shaping up to be one of 2026’s biggest hits. 

Film experts Emma Jones and Kaleem Aftab ask whether Hollywood might finally be rediscovering its appetite for risk. Is this a genuine shift away from franchise dominance — or just a one-off?

And they look beyond Hollywood to the global box office, from India’s record-breaking Dhurandhar: The Revenge to China’s post–Ne Zha 2 landscape, and why South Korea continues to set the cultural pace.

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In this Oscar special episode of Cinema in One Take, Emma Jones joins from Los Angeles hours after the ceremony while Kaleem Aftab watches from across the Atlantic — and together they unpack one of the more intriguing Academy Awards in recent years.

From Paul Thomas Anderson finally winning Best Picture and Best Director for One Battle After Another to the electrifying reaction when Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for Sinners, the pair discuss the biggest wins, the surprise moments and the speeches that really landed.

Emma reports back from a packed Hollywood viewing party near the site of the very first Oscars, where cheers for Sinners revealed the difference between what audiences love and what the Academy ultimately rewards.

They also talk about the night’s standout speeches — including Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s historic cinematography win, Jessie Buckley’s emotional Best Actress moment, and the political undercurrents surrounding the documentary winner Mr. Nobody Against Putin.

Plus: Korean cinema’s growing global influence, why the International Feature category remains one of the Oscars’ strongest line-ups — and the most important Hollywood tradition of the night… Michael B. Jordan celebrating at an In-N-Out Burger.