S2E8: Calm Night w/Isaiah Evanson

Writer, Substacker, and friend of the pod Isaiah Evanson joins us at The Black Ibis Social Club this week. The three of us have a great conversation about one of my favorite movies The Island, our personal faith and interest in the Orthodox Church, and a lot of the political nonsense going on in our damaged world. So once again, brew yourself a dark cup of coffee, maybe drip a splash of whiskey in there, and enjoy another episode of the best culture and lit podcast on Substack.Black Ibis Social Club is a listener-supported publication. To receive new episodes and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this Episode:* We start off with a bit of ranting against all of the obscene nonsense going on in the political sphere.* I share my love of the Soviet era post-punk band Kino and the tragic death of their frontman Viktor Tsoi. For all readers and listeners, I recommend you give Kino a listen and also read up a bit on Viktor Tsoi. The song below is a great introduction. For people interested in punk/post-punk history reading about Joanna Stingray, who she is and what she did is interesting.* * We chat about one of my favorite movies, Ostrov aka The Island, a film starring the late Russian musician Pyotr Mamonov that I believe captures the essence of Eastern Orthodoxy and is a great example of the possibility of and value of creating contemporary Christian art. The Island is not a movie just for Orthodox Christians, but a movie that has tremendous value to everyone, both religious and non-believers. It also has the most believable and realistic portrayal of demonic possession on film. * The Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware. An introduction to Orthodox spirituality written for a Western audience. A fantastic book that I recommend as the first stop for anyone interested in Orthodoxy. * Laurus by Eugene Vodlazkin: A recent novel, international bestseller, and prime example of great literature inspired and about the Christian faith. A must read.“Fifteenth-century Russia It is a time of plague and pestilence, and a young healer, skilled in the art of herbs and remedies, finds himself overcome with grief and guilt when he fails to save the one he holds closest to his heart. Leaving behind his village, his possessions and his name, he sets out on a quest for redemption, penniless and alone. But this is no ordinary journey: wandering across plague-ridden Europe, offering his healing powers to all in need, he travels through ages and countries, encountering a rich tapestry of wayfarers along the way. Accosted by highwaymen, lynched in Yugoslavia and washed overboard at sea, he eventually reaches Jerusalem, only to find his greatest challenge is yet to come.”* The Great Beauty. The 2014 Italian film, my favorite of all time, and a movie that speaks to me at a deep existential and religious level, unlike any other film I’ve ever watched. One of the most beautiful movies of all time. Amazing. Currently Reading:* The Ghosts of Tieros Kol by Lisa Kuznak. I got myself an early copy and Lisa Kuznak will be joining us to chat about her new novel the week it’s released. I’m not going to say much more until the official episode drops. If you enjoy The Black Ibis Social Club please take the time to like, follow, and comment on here and also across multiple platforms. You can listen to The Black Ibis Social Club on every major platform and also use the RSS feed to listen on any and all podcast streaming apps. In order to keep this up and continue to provide some of the best content on this side of Substack we need to get the word out far and wide, so please like, share, subscribe not only here but on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music. If you enjoy these conversations and are excited about all the excellent stuff planned for the future take the time and share a link as far and wide as possible.To those who go to bed, good dreams, good night… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blackibissocialclub.substack.com/subscribe