123: Bullfighting, John Hamm and more Touch of Evil
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The Alexei Sayle Podcast dives into a rich tapestry of cultural critique, personal memory, and political awareness, anchored by a deep dive into Orson Welles' 1958 film *Touch of Evil*. Host Alexei Sayle and guest Talal Karkuti explore the film’s groundbreaking single-take opening, its thematic parallels to bullfighting as a metaphor for moral collapse, and its influence on Hitchcock’s *Psycho*. Sayle reflects on his own childhood, recalling delivering newspapers on a bent scooter and working at a co-op that once was Balfour News—ironically named after the infamous declaration. The conversation turns urgent with a passionate defense of the Co-op’s ethical stance, especially its ban on Israeli goods, and the power of consumer choices in resisting complicity in the Gaza genocide. A standout moment comes when Sayle proposes the dartboard as a new symbol of Palestinian resistance—complete with darts representing the Nakba—turning satire into political art. The episode also critiques modern car design, the romanticization of bullfighting, and the absurdity of celebrity culture, culminating in a hilarious pitch for a mini-golf showdown between Sayle and Nigel. Throughout, the podcast blends humor, history, and radical empathy, urging listeners to see everyday choices—from supermarket shopping to film viewing—as acts of resistance.
The Co-op deserves public support for its ethical stance, including banning Israeli goods and selling Palestinian products.
Orson Welles' *Touch of Evil* uses bullfighting as a metaphor: corrupt cop Quinlan is the bull, Vargas the matador, and the film is a 'death of a thousand wounds' to systemic corruption.
The 1958 film’s single-take opening scene was filmed until sunrise because the border guard kept messing up his lines—Welles refused to replace him, fearing it would destroy him.
Use the dartboard as a symbol of Palestinian liberation: darts in 19, 4, and 8 commemorate the Nakba, and the board should fire darts outward like missiles.
Car design has become bland due to safety and aerodynamics—modern SUVs are more dangerous to pedestrians than sleeker models.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening: The Co-op Omission and Consumer Ethics
“I feel absolutely gutted. I was tempted to commit seppuku, you know, to eviscerate myself with a dagger because of not mentioning the co-op. It's unforgivable.”
Touch of Evil: The Bullfight Metaphor and Film Craft
“What remains clear in any version is the way Wells approaches his tale as a metaphorical bullfight. With his corrupt cop, Quinlan, a grotesque and heavyset antagonist standing in for the bull.”
The Politics of Shopping and the Dartboard Symbol
“If they ban watermelons, do you know what we can turn to next? The dartboard. Ha! The dartboard is the symbol of Palestine.”
Personal History: Scooters, Work, and Identity
Sayle shares childhood memories of delivering newspapers on a bent scooter, working at Balfour News (named after the Balfour Declaration), and the irony of the Co-op occupying that space. He reflects on how identity, class, and history are embedded in everyday places.
Cultural Critique: Cars, Bullfighting, and Power
The hosts discuss how modern car design has become homogenized due to safety and aerodynamics. They also critique the romanticization of bullfighting, calling it a ritual sacrifice with ancient roots but now a corporatized spectacle that glorifies violence.
“If they ban watermelons, do you know what we can turn to next? The dartboard. Ha! The dartboard is the symbol of Palestine.”
“What remains clear in any version is the way Wells approaches his tale as a metaphorical bullfight. With his corrupt cop, Quinlan, a grotesque and heavyset antagonist standing in for the bull.”
“I feel absolutely gutted. I was tempted to commit seppuku, you know, to eviscerate myself with a dagger because of not mentioning the co -op. It's”
Host
Guest
co-op
organization
alexei sayle
person
talal karkuti
person
orson welles
person
john hamm
person
charlton heston
person
dartboard
other
balfour news
other
fargo
other
camden market
place
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