Episode 39 - VSP Director Kansas Bowling and February Releases

Episode 39 - VSP Director Kansas Bowling and February Releases

Author: They Live By Film March 20, 2026 Duration: 2:50:14
Finding the joy in unfettered creativity. A podcast dedicated to bringing awareness and context to movies of any budget, from anywhere, and during any time.

In Episode 39 Eli and I cover the Feburary announcements and determine if this Feb was better than last years. But before all of that, we are joined by one of the most exciting young filmmakers in the US, Kansas Bowling.

I dare you to find anyone under 30 who loves film and loves talking about film as much as Kansas. She's obsessed, and her obsession naturally translates into a rich vocabulary of directors and movements and subgenres and microgenres. She is here to discuss her latest feature, Cuddly Toys, that recently got a VSP release. But, neither Eli or I knew we would be speaking with a true film historian and scholar. 

Kansas was awesome. In addition to discussing her love of Altman, Orson Welles, and many other canonical directors, we also get into her love of St. Jesus Franco. She casually drops F For Fake as a major influence on Cuddly Toys, and gives us a glimpse into what's coming up for her next. Everyone support Cuddly Toys, either with the disc, in one of the upcoming theatrical screenings, or the eventual streaming option.

We will be back around the first of April to discuss the months announcements and a surprise Macabre announcement that has promotions on top of promotions.


Thank you to everyone who listens and please let us know how we can make the show better. Always listening!

A few places to find Kansas online: 
- https://kansas-bowling.com/
- Her Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KansasBowling

Someone's Favorite Productions 
https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

Eli can be found on most socials @eliolsberg, you can also catch his standup show the second Tuesday of every month at the Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood. Also, check out his Letterboxd at https://letterboxd.com/eliolsberg/

Chris is on
Letterboxd at https://letterboxd.com/personalhistory/
IG at personalhistoryoffilm

Celeste de la Cabra can be found on most socials at Celeste de la Cabra but is very active on YT and IG right now. Also, if you're not already spend a few dollars per month supporting Celeste: https://www.patreon.com/CelestedelaCabra

There’s a particular thrill in discovering a film that exists entirely on its own terms, made with raw passion rather than a polished playbook. Punk Vacation: An Unofficial Vinegar Syndrome Podcast from They Live By Film is a deep dive into that exact feeling. This isn't a formal history lesson; it's a conversation about the unpredictable, often overlooked corners of cinema that the Vinegar Syndrome label helps preserve. Each episode finds its focus in the joy of unfettered creativity, whether through reviews of specific films, interviews with the people who make them, or discussions about the contexts that shaped them. The podcast operates on a wonderfully simple premise: great stories and compelling art aren't defined by budget, origin, or era. You'll hear about movies from anywhere and any time, treated with a mix of genuine enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. The hosts approach each title not as mere curiosities but as legitimate works worth understanding and celebrating. Listening to this podcast feels like browsing the shelves of a fantastic video store with friends who are equally excited to talk about what they find, connecting the dots between genres, filmmakers, and film history's hidden pathways. It’s a guide to the wild, the weird, and the wonderfully inventive spirit of independent filmmaking.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Punk Vacation: An Unofficial Vinegar Syndrome Podcast
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