Nakedcapitalism iconNakedcapitalismOct 1, 2026 ~3 min source read

The Fun of Curating the Sunday Morning Movie for Naked Capitalism

A longtime moderator explains how he assembles the Sunday Morning Movie and Bonus sections from freely available video and audio, who he has in mind when choosing material, and how readers can engage with the feature.

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Selections aim to serve a diverse, inquisitive readership: philosophy, cinema, music albums, animation, and unusual or archival items appear alongside short ‘Bonus’ picks.

The curator relies on reader feedback and comments to refine choices and asks readers to support the site via the Tip Jar to sustain the feature.

Sample recent items include a 1978 Ingmar Bergman conversation, a Finnegans Wake audiobook excerpt, a Bessie Smith documentary, and features on unconventional TV preachers.

# Overview

Semper Loquitur, a long-running Naked Capitalism moderator and active commenter, describes how he created and now curates the Sunday Morning Movie and Bonus sections. The idea began when he noticed a large library of free films and audio on YouTube and proposed a weekly feature to Yves, who approved the plan. The posts aim to give readers a varied, high-quality set of media to start their Sundays.

# How selections are chosen

Selection follows a simple guiding principle: Naked Capitalism attracts a wide range of informed, curious readers who like to think differently. That leads the curator to favor variety over narrow specialization. Regular categories include:

  • Philosophy and interviews
  • Film and cinema (classic and overlooked pieces)
  • Full music albums across multiple genres
  • Animation and short-form oddities
  • Archival or conversational material (e.g., filmmaker interviews)

Reader reaction and long-term observation of audience preferences inform topic choices. The curator also uses a refined YouTube algorithm to avoid low-quality results and surface better material.

# Format and recurring features

Each Sunday post presents one or more main films or media items plus a Bonus section. The Bonus section grew as the curator found more suitable content and realized there was more material than a single slot could hold. The posts link to freely available videos and audio, such as YouTube uploads and audiobooks, keeping the selection accessible.

# Examples of recent items

The curator lists specific examples to indicate the range he pursues:

  • A 1978 televised conversation with director Ingmar Bergman, hosted by Melvyn Bragg.
  • An audiobook excerpt: Finnegans Wake, Book I Chapter 1 by James Joyce.
  • Blues (documentary/feature material).
  • Segments on unconventional or ''crazy'' TV preachers.

These items illustrate the mix of highbrow interviews, literary readings, music history, and culturally curious clips the posts often include.

# Reader engagement and funding

The curator also asks readers to support Naked Capitalism via the Tip Jar. He frames donations as necessary to keep the site and its features running and encourages readers to give according to their means.

# Tone and intent

The post emphasizes accessibility and pleasure: bringing quality and unexpected media to an engaged, literate audience. It avoids narrow curation in favor of a broad palette so different aesthetic tastes can find something of interest.

# Closing note

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