Izzy Custodio never expected her obsession with film history to become a career. Before she founded the YouTube channel Be Kind Rewind, the writer and creator’s deep dives on Old Hollywood divas were just her hobby—how she spent her free time while pursuing a degree in international relations. But for the past eight years, Custodio has become YouTube’s go-to source for in-depth video essays on film history and its reflection on society.
Be Kind Rewind episodes explore the intricacies of awards seasons past and present, from legendary Best Actress races to deep dives into Hollywood turning points. While it might seem like one could only scratch the surface of topics like #OscarsSoWhite or the Hollywood Blacklist in a 40-minute video essay, Custodio seamlessly weaves historical context and commentary into her case studies. As with all the best video essays, Custodio’s personal touch—asides highlighting performance decisions as specific as a Margot Channing hair swoop—tips BKR essays over the edge from interesting to fascinating. As the creator tells Marie Claire, her videos “describe the kind of cinephile I am. I love movies, and this is how I love them, and this is why I love them.”
