The Big Jubilee Read

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 13 April 2022 > Celebrate

Do some armchair travelling with the Big Jubilee Read: a list of 70 books, ten for each decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s record-breaking reign. As befits its head, the authors and settings range all over the Commonwealth: representing 31 countries on six continents. It includes eight Nobel Literature Laureates, and a lot of Booker Prize … Continue reading “The Big Jubilee Read”

The Power of the Dog

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 14 March 2022 > What's On

Ever since Jane Campion burst onto the world stage with an Oscar for The Piano, she has shown a deft capacity to depict buttoned up, repressed emotions. The Power of the Dog, nominated for 12 Oscars, is no exception. The Netflix new-generation Western stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plomens as Montana ranching brothers Phil and … Continue reading “The Power of the Dog”

Teaching with Films: Belfast

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 14 March 2022 > Webpicks

The trailer and the featurette for Belfast are both used in our Ready-to-use resource on the film. Trailer Featurette

Branagh’s Belfast

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 14 March 2022 > Ready to Use

Belfast is the story of nine-year-old Buddy growing up in the Northern Irish capital in a friendly, working-class community until the Troubles brutally disrupt his life in 1969. The film and these activities will help the students discover more about the Northern Irish conflict and its human consequences. It is actor-director Kenneth Branagh‘s most personal film … Continue reading “Branagh’s Belfast”

In the Streets of Belfast

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 04 March 2022 > What's On

Belfast is actor-director Kenneth Branagh‘s most personal film yet. It’s the story of nine-year-old Buddy growing up in Belfast in a friendly, working-class community until the Troubles brutally disrupt his life in 1969. Belfast is set in 1969, when what were called “the Troubles” went from protests to violent riots in the space of a … Continue reading “In the Streets of Belfast”

Animal Farm Audio Book

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 26 November 2021 > Webpicks

If you’re studying Animal Farm with your LLCER 1e students, check out the complete and unabridged audio book of Orwell’s allegory on the BBC Sounds site. You can easily find extracts to play for pupils or for them to listen to in preparation. Free to stream.

West Side Story 2021

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 24 November 2021 > Ready to Use

Sixty years after Robert Wise’s award-winning movie, Steven Spielberg’s much awaited remake of West Side Story aims at a much more authentic portrayal of the Puerto Rican protagonists in this Romeo and Juliet-inspired tale of star-crossed lovers in NYC.  We here offer one worksheet but two articles of different levels (B1, B2) so you can … Continue reading “West Side Story 2021”

Go West!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 20 November 2021 > What's On

We’re all used to disclaimers at the end of movies saying, “This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.” The new Netflix twist on a western, The Harder They Fall, turns that on its head, opening the film with the disclaimer, “While the … Continue reading “Go West!”

“West Side Story” is Back!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 18 November 2021 > What's On

West Side Story – the stage musical and the film – is already a classic. Steven Spielberg wants to make it a more authentic classic for the 21st century. After many delays due to COVID, it’s finally arriving in cinemas. The Bernstein-Sondheim musical was an immediate hit on Broadway in 1957. When Robert Wise adapted … Continue reading ““West Side Story” is Back!”

In Conversation with Kenneth Branagh

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 13 October 2021 > Webpicks

If you are studying Much Ado About Nothing with your LLCER students, or anything about the Troubles in Northern Ireland, you’ll want to download this long-form interview with actor-director Kenneth Branagh from BBC Radio 4. In the first of a new series called This Cultural Life, presenter John Wilson had a 45-minute conversation with Branagh … Continue reading “In Conversation with Kenneth Branagh”