One of the greatest classics in English literature and the “most beloved” Jane Austen novel is back on screen in a new film version that mines the deep seam of humour in the novel. These activities and offer your students a new vision of marriage in the 19th century upper-class England and fit perfectly with … Continue reading ““Emma”: a New Austen Film”
The Visionary Honours is a new kind of awards ceremony: one that singles out art, media and entertainment that fosters social change and debate. The awards were created in 2019 by the Visionary Arts Foundation, which helps 16-29-year-olds get a foothold in the creative industries in the UK, encouraging them in their ambition to influence … Continue reading “Positive Vision”
Irish author Eoin Colfer imagined Artemis Fowl as a 12-year-old James Bond villain in a battle with the fairy underworld. The eight books starring the teen criminal mastermind have millions of fans, and there is now a film version directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film release was delayed by lockdown and was finally released directly … Continue reading “My Name is Artemis, Artemis Fowl”
As the race to the White House is about to resume after the pandemic , Jon Stewart’s latest movie — released on 1 July in France — takes you behind the scenes to help you decipher a political campaign. Setting the movie in Wisconsin, and using (wry) humour, Stewart wants people to realise politics is … Continue reading “Irresistible: U.S. Politics on Film”
Originally, Artemis Fowl was the first of eight fantasy novels by Irish author Eoin Colfer. It was adapted for the cinema by Kenneth Branagh and finally released on Disney+ after being delayed by lockdown. It features first-time actors as well as experienced and even very experienced actors like Judi Dench who plays the part of … Continue reading “Artemis Fowl: Teen Bond Villain”
Jon Stewart honed the art of satire on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. Now he’s left the presenting to Trevor Noah, he has turned his satire on the U.S. political system and its finances in a new film, Irresistible. It stars Steve Carrell as a political strategist for the Democratic Party who persuades an ex-Marine … Continue reading “The “Irresistible” Election Machine”
A new BBC film tells the true story of one man’s experience of being told that after 50 years he no longer had the right to live in the UK. They are known as the Windrush Generation: people who were born in British colonies who were invited to come and help Britain rebuild after WWII. … Continue reading “The Human Face of the Windrush Scandal”
Watch this scene from Artemis Fowl.
1964 was the height of the Swinging Sixties in the UK. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were topping the charts. But their music was barely played on the radio. So Ronan O’Rahilly decided to start Radio Caroline, a “pirate” radio station on a ship in the North Sea. All the British radio stations were … Continue reading “Pirate Radio Pioneer Dies”
Judy Garland was a child singing star and a global star of stage and screen. Her starring role in The Wizard of Oz at 17 made her a household name. A new film stars Renée Zellweger playing Garland in the final year in her short life, when stardom and the Hollywood studio system had taken … Continue reading “Judy Garland”