When: Friday 5th December 2025 – 8pm till 9:30pm

Hosted by: WMIP Analytic Film Group

We meet regularly online (once every couple of months) and bring analytic thinking to discussions on a range of films. Group members suggest film and at the end of each session we draw the title for our next session. Films are introduced by the proposer who invites the group members into an exploration from a psychological perspective

This film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video £3.49, Paramount +- free with subscription, Apple TV £3.49, Rakuten TV £3.99, Sky store £3.49.

The Substance is a satirical body-horror underpinned by feminist critique. The film examines  the obsession with female beauty and youth, the invisibility of ageing women, and the  voracious consumption of women’s bodies in Hollywood’s star system.

From a psychoanalytic perspective the film explores amongst other territories that of the doppelganger where psychic splits are manifest in two women for one body. Well-worn misogyny lays open the door to the destructive impact of projected and internalised body hatred.

THE SUBSTANCE

Starring: Faye Dunaway, Jack Nicholson et al.

Released on June 20th 1974, Chinatown received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, cinematography and performances of Dunaway and Nicholson.

Wayne D. McGinnis drew parallels between Chinatown and Sophocles Oedipus Rex, arguing that both works share a “wasteland motif’ wherein a central figure exploits the societal situation to gain power and ultimately becoming the source of deeper societal corruption. The subject of many psychoanalytic papers this film has been described as a dream like narrative where the detective follows leads that ultimately uncover the unconscious origins of what is darkest and most taboo in psyche.

Booking is required

 Please email laurachaisty19@gmail.com to register your details by Friday 5th December

Joining instructions will be sent out just after 5pm on the day.

For up to date information about the film group, sign up, or to be included on the WhatsApp group, email Laura Chaisty or text on 07588777163.

This is a FREE event open to WMIP members only

 For more information about joining us, please visit  https://wmip.org/join-us/