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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Ep206: Fu Tien-Yu's Fertile Imagination

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast brings you a delightful conversation about an even more delightful film, My Egg Boy! Writer/director Fu Tien-Yu is visiting Chicago this week from Taiwan for the U.S. premiere of her brain-tickling, heart-tugging rom-com/fantasy.

Ian sat down with Fu Tien-Yu to talk about her creative process, the very personal issues that compelled her to make the movie, and how one of Taiwan's biggest director's helped her in life and on the film.

Ian interviews MY EGG BOY writer/director Fu Tien-Yu (Photo: Sophia Wong Boccio)

If you're in Chicago, you won't want to miss My Egg Boy's big night tomorrow, when Fu Tien-Yu comes to the AMC River East for a one-time-only screening and Q&A, as part of Asian Pop-Up Cinema's blockbuster fourth season. For tickets and more information, check out asianpopupcinema.org/tickets.

Also, Ian recommends Pat "The Uber Critic" McDonald's written interview on HollywoodChicago.com with the filmmaker (which is just as distinct and enjoyable as this audio conversation), and shares some info about the translators who helped make this episode possible.

Episode 206 will scramble your soul and leave you with a sunny(side) disposition!

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Ep207: The RAW, Sunken Place

Ep205: The Key of "Yikes!"