Lanterns is a miniseries celebrating 10 years of Karyn Kusama's THE INVITATION (2015) with some of the brightest lights in contemporary film criticism and podcasting. Through a hybrid of personal essay and long form interview, host/creator Jim Penola weaves a narrative conversation around the persistent merits and prescient lessons of Kusama's cult masterpiece.

Episode #02 features guests Dom Nero & Adam Volerich, co-hosts of Eye of the Duck. Eye of the Duck is a podcast about movies and the scenes that make them special—what David Lynch calls 'eye of the duck' scenes (a.k.a. the scenes that define the whole).

Dom is a writer and Webby award-winning video editor and Adam is a director and filmmaker.

As seasoned film scholars and storytellers, Dom & Adam bring tremendous insight to THE INVITATION and what it means in 2025. Topics discussed include: the anxiety of being a New Yorker in Los Angeles, the foundational influence of David Lynch on Karyn Kusama, and the relevant virtues of jettisoning politeness in times of strife.

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Lanterns is written, produced, edited, mixed, and hosted by Jim Penola.

Original music by John Penola.

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Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: Invitation2Invitation@gmail.com•••