In this episode of Film Swap, we explore the idea of “dropping out” through two very different but unexpectedly connected films: Nicholas Roeg’s Castaway (1986) and Matt Ross’s Captain Fantastic (2016). Both films centre on characters who reject modern life in favour of isolation, self-sufficiency, and alternative ways of living — but crucially, they take other people with them.

Starting with Roeg’s under-seen Castaway, based on a real-life experiment, we discuss the uneasy dynamics between Oliver Reed and Amanda Donohoe as two strangers retreat to a remote island with radically different expectations of intimacy, purpose, and freedom. The film becomes less a survival story than a study of desire, power, and the fragility of shared escape.

In the second half, we turn to Captain Fantastic, starring Viggo Mortensen as a fiercely principled father raising his children outside conventional society. When tragedy forces the family back into the world they’ve rejected, the film raises complex questions about ideals, responsibility, education, and whether independence can ever be imposed without consequence.

Along the way, we connect both films to themes explored previously on the podcast — including Bergman’s Summer with Monika — and reflect on why stories of withdrawal, self-reliance, and alternative living remain so compelling.

Films discussed:

Castaway (1986), dir. Nicholas Roeg

Captain Fantastic (2016), dir. Matt Ross

Brought to you by those funky film gurus at the Film Swap Podcast — your calm oasis for fun and thoughtful film discussion.

Article and Video about Lucy Irvine: https://psyche.co/videos/for-lucy-surviving-on-a-remote-island-was-hard-but-returning-was-harder

Lucy Irvine on BBC's Desert Island Discs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009mhjg

Film Swap on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/elv4x

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It’s been a tough year, so the Film Swap podcast is doing what cinema does best — bringing people together. In this special Feel Good Film Festival episode, we’re joined by returning guests Brad McDermott and David Blakeslee to share four films that lift the spirits without ignoring the world.

From classic Hollywood warmth and impeccably crafted mystery, to acts of radical generosity and a road trip that sparks an awakening of empathy, these films remind us why cinema still matters. We discuss what “feel good” really means, how kindness can be quietly subversive, and why comfort films don’t have to be shallow or sentimental.

Featured films include The Shop Around the Corner, Death on the Nile (1978), The Motorcycle Diaries, and Babette’s Feast — stories shaped by human connection, moral clarity, and moments of grace.

A holiday-season conversation about compassion, community, and why sometimes the most restorative films are the ones that believe in people.

Visit Brad McDermott on the web: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrbradmcd?i...letterboxd: https://boxd.it/jpwFBrad's portfolio at Artgalleria: https://www.artgalleria.com/folio/art...David Blakeslee's Criterion Reflections podcast:https://criterioncast.com/category/po...

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Filmmaker Ken Williams joins us in this episode of Film Swap, as we tuck into two extraordinary food-centric films that explore how cooking brings people together: Juzo Itami’s joyful ramen romp Tampopo and Michael Sarnoski’s soulful drama Pig, starring Nicolas Cage.

We dig into the craft, care, and human connection at the heart of both stories — from Tampopo’s playful food adventures and ramen mentorship to Pig’s heartfelt exploration of memory, flavour, and the quiet power of a shared meal.

Join us as we celebrate food as cinema’s most delicious storytelling tool, swap favourite moments, and discover why these very different films make such a satisfying double bill.

A warm, thoughtful conversation about nourishment, creativity, and the dishes that stay with us long after the credits roll.

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