Review: A Pacifist’s Guide To The War On Cancer by Complicite Associates and National Theatre [19/10/16]

Of all the topics musicals haven’t yet covered, the deep, dark and controversial issue of cancer is probably near the bottom of the list. But if you’re thinking A Pacifist’s Guide To The War On Cancer is going to be a Hallmark weepfest, think again. One doesn’t usually associate Complicite’s work with musicals. It’s no wonder then that A Pacifist’s Guide is surprising in that it actually follows the … Continue reading Review: A Pacifist’s Guide To The War On Cancer by Complicite Associates and National Theatre [19/10/16]

[#KERBis4] Celebrating 4 Years of KERB

London’s leading food market popup KERB turned 4 yesterday! We went down to the celebration at the West Handyside Canopy, just behind KERB King’s Cross’ usual location at Granary Square. The party was absolutely packed when we got there, with tons of people and a brass band blaring out covers of pop songs, along with fairgames for (drunk) people to participate in. Of course, KERB … Continue reading [#KERBis4] Celebrating 4 Years of KERB

London Film Festival 2016: The Wedding Ring dir. Rahmatou Keïta

In this rare film from Niger, and a female directed film at that, Rahmatou Keïta has crafted a fresh, honest look at a different side of Africa. In The Wedding Ring, you won’t find the Western stereotypes of starving children and violence, rather, a quiet look at Nigerien culture through the eyes of a young girl. The Wedding Ring stars Magaajyia Silberfeld as Tiyaa, a young woman … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: The Wedding Ring dir. Rahmatou Keïta

London Film Festival 2016: Magnus dir. Benjamin Ree (+Interview!)

Magnus Carlsen is a chess prodigy, specifically speaking, becoming a World Champion in 2013 at the age of 22. I’m no chess expert myself, but I’ve always associated chess with old fogeys in the park taking forever to make their next move, and not dapper young men with crowds cheering for them as they enter the arena. Benjamin Ree’s Magnus seeks to change the view of chess. … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: Magnus dir. Benjamin Ree (+Interview!)

London Film Festival 2016: Lion dir. Garth Davis

Lion, originally titled A Long Way Home, is one of the latest films from the Weinstein Company, and is based off a book by Saroo Brierley. Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman headline this ‘based on a true story’ film. Lion follows Saroo’s life, lost from his family in India at the age of five and adopted by an Australian family, and later on reuniting with his real family using Google Earth, … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: Lion dir. Garth Davis

Review: Family by The Second Breakfast Company [12/10/16]

The Second Breakfast Company, still fresh in the local theatre scene, aims to revive a large and undiscovered canon of local texts and reestablish their relevance for a contemporary audience. Well, they’ve done a commendable job of it. This performance took me on a journey through the highs and lows of seventy-odd years of family politics, with bold directing choices that left me on the … Continue reading Review: Family by The Second Breakfast Company [12/10/16]

London Film Festival 2016: The Tower dir. Keith Maitland

1 August 1966 is a date that will stay with you long after viewing this documentary. Tower’s release marks the 50th anniversary following one of the worst mass shootings in American history. The deed was done by ex-Marine Charles Whitman, who took control over the school clocktower at the University of Texas, armed with ammunition and guns and shot 49 people, before being shot dead by the … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: The Tower dir. Keith Maitland

London Film Festival 2016:We Are X dir. Stephen Kijak (+Interview)

X Japan is probably one of the biggest bands you’ve never heard of. And no wonder, as you’d probably only know of them if you happen to be into the J-rock scene. We Are X is here to change that, and shines a light on the quirky, weird and wonderful people that make up X Japan. We Are X opens on X Japan’s Madison Square Garden gig in … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016:We Are X dir. Stephen Kijak (+Interview)

London Film Festival 2016: David Lynch: The Art Life dir. Jon Nguyen (+Interview!)

David Lynch is probably one of the most intriguing directors of the time, with a career of spectacular films that defy interpretation and continue to fascinate even today. His last film (Inland Empire) was last made in 2008, and the one before that in 2001 (Mulholland Drive). To feed Lynch fever then, one can only turn to documentaries and interviews such as this one. As … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: David Lynch: The Art Life dir. Jon Nguyen (+Interview!)

London Film Festival 2016: Letters From Baghdad dir. Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum

In a decidedly non-traditional documentary, we’re introduced to 20th century heroine Gertrude Bell, sometimes known as the female Lawrence of Arabia. Born in 1868, Bell was a woman of many talents, dabbling in archaeology, travels to the Middle East, cartologist and explorer, who was integral to policy-making and could be said to be key to the creation of the modern Middle East. This isn’t the … Continue reading London Film Festival 2016: Letters From Baghdad dir. Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum