Favourite local podcast

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Favourite local podcast

1. Bikini Drive-In
2. Barking Dog
3. 8-way tie

Olivia Norquay turned her love for horror movies and books into an in-depth analysis with guests on the podcast Bikini Drive-In. The podcast gives a feminist perspective of famous horror films. 

Each episode takes a critical look at a different movie, ranging from George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) to Ari Aster’s Midsommar (2019). 

By combining screen and media studies, arts criticism and women and gender studies, this podcast gives listeners something to think about when watching horror movies. 

She begins each podcast with a quick summary before discussing the film. 

“I always have a guest on the show,” Norquay says. “It’s cool to talk about these movies I have seen hundreds of times before and get a different perspective on them.” 

Taking inspiration from other podcasts like The Faculty of Horror hosted by Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West and books like House of Psychotic Women by Kier-La Janisse, Norquay finds herself loving the idea of having discussions and doing research related to horror films. 

“I think it is cool to basically do a book report every week,” Norquay says. 

Although horror is not the genre for everyone, Norquay believes there is merit to it.

“I feel like it gets a bad reputation for being superficial, silly, violent or (not) having anything substantial within it. Most horrors are very political and very important,” she says. 

Bikini Drive-In started its run as a radio show on CKUW and still airs there on Sunday afternoons. Since the pandemic began, the show has also found a home on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

“I appreciate how supportive the horror and film communities have been of the show. Horror can be an intimidating genre to get into, but CKUW, Stylus Magazine, Cinematheque and The Garrick have been really supportive,” Norquay says. 

Right now, Norquay is recording the podcast from home, but when it is safe to do so, she looks forward to hosting more live events and discussions.

Editorial note: Olivia Norquay is The Uniter’s business manager. While we don’t count votes cast for The Uniter in the Uniter 30, readers are free to cast votes for Uniter staff and their work.

Published in Volume 75, Number 12 of The Uniter (December 3, 2020)

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