Ken Loach returns to his social realism roots for I, Daniel Blake, which won the Palme d’or at Cannes 2016. The film is based on interviews with unemployed and homeless people and puts a human face on recent changes in the benefits system in the U.K. it centres on Daniel and Katie. Daniel has worked … Continue reading “I, Daniel Blake by Ken Loach”
It’s been nine years since the final book in the Harry Potter series, five since the final film. There have been the exhibitions and theme parks to keep fans busy in the meantime, but now Harry Potter is really back with a vengeance! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is not strictly speaking an eighth … Continue reading “Harry’s Back!”
The Théâtre de la Ville in Paris is turning all New York for a mini-season and particularly the weekend of 8-9 October. The Théâtre de la Ville has pioneered an exchange with the Brooklyn Acadamy of Music, a cutting-edge performance venue in the super-trendy borough of New York. The Paris end of it runs till … Continue reading “Paris-New York Weekend”
Tim Burton’s latest film is being hailed as his best in twenty years. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children could have been written for the director who has always had a fascination for misfits, from Edward Scissorhands to Ed Wood or Corpse Bride. The film is based on the best selling American novel by Ransom … Continue reading “Tim Burton: Gloriously Peculiar”
The 27th edition of the Dinard British Film Festival marks the triumph of Sing Street. The film swept the board with wins in four categories: – The Golden Hitchcock Jury Grand Price Cine + – Hitchcock for Best screenplay, by Allianz – Hitchcock of the Audience Premiere – La règle du jeu Heartbeat Hitchcock. Sing … Continue reading “And the winner is…”
To accompany the Oscar Wilde exhibition now on at the Petit Palais in Paris, the Sorbonne is offering a free MOOC about Oscar Wilde, in French, from October 26. The online course is taught by English Literature professor Pascal Aquien. It will consist of six sessions, each with six 10-minute parts. They will start out … Continue reading “Oscar Wilde: Online Learning”
Every year, the BBC National Short Story Award contains some real gems of short fiction — and you can download the audio versions to listen to at leisure. Previous awards have been given to both unknown authors and well-established ones. This year, all five authors on the shortlist are women. Their stories have protagonists ranging … Continue reading “National Short Story Award to Listen to and Keep”
From 28 September to 2 October, Dinard will celebrate the 27th edition of its British Film Festival. This year, the jury will be headed by French director Claude Lelouch who will personally award the Golden Hitchcock. There are six films in competition and a whole host of homages and premieres, to catch the best new … Continue reading “Dinard British Film Festival”
This movie is about an under-recognized piece of America’s past. Set during the Civil War, it tells the true story of Newton Knight, a poor farmer from Mississippi who led a revolt against the Confederacy and created a state where black and white people could live together: the Free State of Jones. Newton Knight, played … Continue reading “Free State of Jones: Fighting for Freedom”
Michael Moore’s new documentary film has a typically tongue-in-cheek title, Where to Invade Next. Moore decides that since the U.S.A. has a propensity for invading other countries it should do so for the right reasons. He sets off in search of countries that have things to teach the U.S.A. Michael Moore is that rare (or … Continue reading “Michael Moore: Where to Invade Next”