Debate | Issue 7 | Student Life by Debate Magazine

DEBATE ISSUE 07| MAY 2017

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CONTENTS Pg 4 Editor’s Letter Pg 5 Letters To The Editor

Pg 12 The Truth About International Students in New Zealand Pg 16 Cool Shit

Pg 6 Prez Sez Pg 7 My Weekend Pg 8 Is Free Speech Under Attack in New Zealand Universities? Pg 11 Courageous, Hard-Working Young Person Proves There’s No Damn Problem

Pg 26 Go Fuck Yourself Pg 28 I Love Uni Pg 30 Best Study Cafés in Auckland

Pg 17 Jacinda Ardern’s Message To Students

Pg 32 Reviews

Pg 18 Unfiltered Chat with Wasted Students

Pg 34 Recipe

Pg 22 From Film Class to Fandom

Pg 35 Puzzle time!

Pg 24 Barista Struggles

C O V E R I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y H O P E M C C O N N E L L

EDITOR Julie Cleaver debate@aut.ac.nz SUB - EDITOR Grace Hood-Edwards DESIGNER Ramina Rai rrai@aut.ac.nz

CONTRIBUTORS Abigail Johnson, Cordelia Huxtable, Dayna Patel, Ekta Dahiya, Hope McConnell, James Howe, Jannah Hibberd, Kieran Bennett, Laine Yeager, Micah Fyers, Sarah Pollok, Shawn Cleaver, Simran Singh ADVERTISING Harriet Smythe hsmythe@aut.ac.nz

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Editor’s Letter Like people’s feelings towards Donald Trump and coriander, most students either love or hate going to uni. Some weirdos, like me, absolutely live for studying. We love the feeling we get when we learn about new things almost as much as talking about it later with friends over coffee. However, others can’t wait to leave university. They want to make money, get eight hours of sleep a night, and have down time that isn’t tainted by the phrase “I should be studying.” And the haters actually do have a point. Being a student can be difficult. Working reasonable part-time hours doesn’t always cover people’s crazy Auckland living expenses, meaning many have to work more than AUT’s recommended 15 hours per week limit. I’m personally working 40 hours a week and studying a postgraduate degree full-time, so life can be busy. And often the stress of trying to juggle work, study, and general life commitments can take a toll on people’s mental health.

In a 2014 report by The New Zealand Union of Students’ Association, it found that the number of counselling sessions among university students increased by nearly a quarter between 2009 and 2014. This could be seen as a good thing, as more people are seeking help, but coupled with the other statistics, like the rapidly rising number of people with mental illnesses, the statistic starts to look more sinister. Additionally, many international students struggle with mental health issues while in New Zealand. This can be caused by homesickness, pressure from parents, or more worryingly, abuse. An investigation into this issue can be found on page 12. But of course, being a student isn’t all bad. Going to university is the perfect time to explore coffee shops, get drunk without people thinking you’re sad, plan your future, and speak your mind on campus (or is it?). These are all topics that will be discussed in this brilliant issue. Have a great, non-stressful two weeks! Julie

Letters to the Editor Hello team,

Dear Julie,

I was just reading though the diversity magazine and I came across the article titled “It kind of saved me in a way”. The article is good and it gives insights into the young spiritual minds on campus. I actually skipped the first page to read through the article and was surprised to see no representation from the ‘atheism/no religion’ side, as the group might have a significant population on campus. But later on I went back to the first page to realise this was a study to “understand more about different religions”.

I must admit that I was surprised, but not pleasantly, by the recent article on Scientology in your magazine. As a longstanding Scientologist of some 40 years and an academic researcher, I wasn’t impressed with the author’s attempt at an exposé, which to be honest is somewhat old hat. Rather than approaching it in a positive frame of mind, the writer appears to have had an obvious intent not to examine anything without a preconceived opinion.

I feel it would be wonderful, maybe in a future edition, to see what goes through the minds of students who identify themselves as atheists, when asked to give a short essay on the spiritual aspect of their lives. Being an international student and an atheist, I would be more than happy to contribute, if my writing is up to standard. But in case if you feel that would invoke controversy then leave the matter. Regards, Joseph

Hi, Just wanted to send a quick message to say how great your magazine is. I’m not a student at AUT, but often try to pick up a copy as Debate has such good content.

Having studied many works of L. Ron Hubbard and done several excellent life improvement courses among other things, I can categorically say that I have not only found them workable, but useful and practical in everyday life. It has helped me in myriads of ways and particularly of late the Study Technology, which has enabled me to reach a far better understanding of difficult academic texts and other study material than I otherwise would have. Some better research would have shown that the philosophy is rooted in texts such as The Vedas and that the tenets of the duality of mind and body are echoed in many philosophers including Deleuze and Bergson of note. Scientology also funds many successful help and humanitarian based campaigns across the world, such as The World Literacy, Say No to Drugs, Youth for Human Rights, not to mention the Volunteer Ministers who have provided aid and assistance to many disaster zones since 9/11. I write simply to provide some balance to what otherwise gives a somewhat skewed and biased view. My advice to anyone who really wants to know more would be to ‘find out for yourself’ and go and read a book by L. Ron Hubbard. D.B.

Your recent issue “Diversity” was a great read – thank you. Kind regards, Graeme

At Debate we value freedom of speech and believe every AUT student and staff member has the right to be heard. If you would like your opinion featured in the letters to the editor section, email us at debate@aut.ac.nz. Note: the letter may be edited slightly to correct grammatical errors and enhance flow.

Prez Sez

Urshula Ansell

Design & Creative Technologies Faculty Representative

Kinanti Desyanandini

Kia ora guys,

Huzzah hello!

It’s been a while since you have heard from me. I’ve been trying to introduce the entire Student Representative team earlier on in the year rather than at the end.

My name is Kinanti or Kina (yeah, like the shellfish) and I’m your DCT Faculty Representative this year. You might have seen me doing campus tours during orientation, groggily running to 8am lectures, or maybe taking sneaky naps on campus between lectures (pro tip: drink coffee and take a 20 minute power nap while you wait for the coffee to kick in. This will give you double power up).

This time of year is crazy for assessments, I know the pain. Please make sure you are looking after yourself as much as possible and make sure you manage your time wisely over the next few weeks. You will be needing every minute. So update time: the parking petition and recommendations were given to AUT on the 2nd of May. They will respond to us within four to six weeks. I will post the response on social media when I have it, so keep an eye out. Also, the faculty representatives have presented on every faculty board, and I presented on the Learning and Teaching board. Plus we made the AUT council aware of how we want our lectures to be recorded. This is now being looked into. The things the uni has to figure out is the cost, capacity and how it would work across the different schools, as every faculty has their own way of doing things. I will continue to follow this up with my team. In regards to online submissions, for those of us who are still having to print assignments and put it in the box, I have talked with Learning and Teaching board about this. The result was that a working group has been put together to look at changing the policies in place and how to make this happen consistently across the uni. This is a very positive step forward and I will update you all when it is in place and we have won. Please email me about any of this issues or anything else you would like us to put forward. Urshula x

Anyway, I’ve whipped up a Facebook group for DCT students so you can have your say and know what’s going on. So go ahead and click that join group button over at facebook.com/groups/dctataut. Also, feel free to email dctfacultyrep@aut.ac.nz if you want to talk to me about something. I promise I’ll click that notification ASAP. I’m a massive believer in being good, genuine, and giving things a go, so I plan on making more wholesomely awesome events, like DIY Day, where you take home your own plant in a jar for free! The aim of the game is mainly so DCT students can connect better with one another, no matter the major or minor. So you can have great mates in Engineering and Design and Math and… well, you get the idea. Of course I’m also happy to advocate for improvements in your degree, from facilities, like getting more computers in labs, to lecture requests. Just flick an email through or fill in the Facebook group form. Or have a hearty yarn with me over at the SRC office behind AuSM (hint: it’s above the gym). I’m off to Cologne, Germany in the second semester for a student exchange, but I plan on coming back, so I’ll pass on any feedback given to me to the DCT rep for second semester. Much love, Kina

MY WEEKEND

By Abigail Johnson | Illustations by Dayna Patel I’ve noticed a trend lately, in the Sunday mags and the like, of rich Remuera women taking the time out to describe to us mere mortals what they get up to in a given weekend. Usually it involves yoga, a morning jog, and brunch at SPQR. When I read these, part of me thinks you do you, ladies, but a bigger part thinks screw you wealthy bastards. Here’s your slightly more attainable student version.

Friday Night

Saturday Morning

Saturday Night

You’re considering going to that Friday night Bikram Yoga class everyone’s talking about, but your uni mates invite you out drinking on K’ Road instead. You resist at first, because you’ve got to make your Studylink allowance last until Tuesday, but then you remember how much debt you’re anyway, so you say fuck it.

At 6am you go for a morning jog to the loo, to get rid of the remnants of last night, whichever way they present themselves.

You drop by the family home for dinner. The whole time you hide your lingering hangover, and they hide their disappointment. Simple pleasures.

You’ve slept until 1pm, then decide to go for breakfast. You swing by the gas station for a refreshing blue Powerade!

By midnight you’re super sweaty, and you twerk your way into a downward dog – so you pretty much went to the class.

Sunday Morning

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday Night

You’re flat broke, so decide to go for a $6 coffee at one of Metro’s Top 50 cafés, and catch up with the aforementioned uni mates.

You remember the group project that’s due next week, and realise no one’s gotten in touch with anyone. Of course, none of the people you’re paired up with are your drinking buddies, so you send them awkwardly formal emails.

You’re full of anxiety about the group project, but you’ve got your flatmate’s Netflix password, so you spend the night watching Orange Is The New Black, and wondering how the weekend went so quickly.

IS FREE SPEECH UNDER AT TACK IN NEW ZEAL AND UNIVERSITIES? By James Howe | Illustration by Hope McConnell

“Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.” Those are words that are found in the New Zealand Bill Of Rights Act 1990. They clearly state an individual’s right to freely express their views on any issue. Free speech is a hallmark of any democracy. It is embedded in constitutions and laws that represent the rights of people to speak up for what they believe in and allow them to voice their opinions on issues regardless of how unpopular their views may be. Many, however, believe that their right to free speech is increasingly being suppressed. In recent years, we have seen the emergence of several polarising figures that speak and represent their views that are decried by groups within society. Events in the United States have shown the lengths activists groups are willing to go to in order to shut down someone’s right to speak freely. Conservative speaker Milo Yiannopoulos’ appearance at the University of California, Berkeley, was subjected to violent protests with over $100,000 worth of damage done to property. Ann Coulter, another conservative

the University legitimately could not protect her, or simply did not want to support her right to speak freely. Yiannopoulos and Coulter are branded as ‘Nazi’s’, ‘fascists’ and ‘racists’ by these activist groups as a way of seemingly justifying their lack of tolerance and violent opposition to them. In response to the perceived intolerance of groups on college campuses in America, John Etchemendy, a former Provost at Stanford University, declared in his speech entitled ‘The Threat From Within’ that: “Over the years, I have watched a growing intolerance at universities in this country. Not intolerance along racial or ethnic or gender lines, there we have made laudable progress, rather, a kind of intellectual intolerance, a political one-sidedness, that is the antithesis of what universities should stand for.” This issue is not solely contained in America, though. In February Spiked released its annual statistics about free speech at universities in the United Kingdom. In the survey, it was found that 63.5 percent of UK universities now actively censor speakers and certain types of speech through regulations and rules . These regulations are seen by many as a suppression of free

speaker, experienced the same opposition, resulting in the cancellation of her speech at UC Berkeley after threats to her safety meant the University did not want to host the event. Free speech proponents from both sides of the political spectrum questioned whether

speech and a suppression on the freely exchange ideas. It could be argued that university campuses have a right to protect students from people with ‘dangerous’ rhetoric and protect them from what has become known as ‘hate speech’.

“So rather than tackling the idea head-on and letting the best ideas come to the surface, by suppressing them, you actually create a sense of drama and a sense that this is something taboo.”

In New Zealand the concept of ‘hate speech’ has now become a central factor for debate on the free speech issue. Earlier this year, Dame Susan Devoy from the Human Rights Commission stated that, “Whilst I believe in freedom of speech, hate speech isn’t free speech.” However, the term ‘hate speech’ is one that is ambiguous and hard to define, with confusion as to where the line should be drawn between a genuine discussion and ‘hate speech’. In an interview with Debate, Professor Paul Moon stated that, “I would be grateful if she [Devoy] could define what constitutes hate speech and give a clear line in the sand as to what is and isn’t hate speech, of course it can’t be done because one person’s hate speech may be one person’s earnestly held opinion.” Professor Paul Moon, a lecturer at AUT, recently released an open letter signed by 27 prominent New Zealanders,

In regards to controversial speakers on campus, Professor Moon expressed his belief that, “If you start suppressing people and cancelling and banning them, which is what is happening to certain speakers, then you don’t get rid of the ideas, all you do is you cause them to mutate and emerge in a different form. So rather than tackling the idea head-on and letting the best ideas come to the surface, by suppressing them, you actually create a sense of drama and a sense that this is something taboo.” When asked about social groups at New Zealand universities, with regards to the prioritising of racial, cultural and gender identity over intellectual diversity, Professor Moon responded that all forms of diversity are important, but also said, “If you want diversity you can’t then treat it like a smorgasbord and pick and choose which pieces of diversity you want, which you don’t cause as soon as you start excluding them you’re acting in contrary direction to the whole purpose of

including Don Brash and Tariana Turia, in which he stated his belief that free speech is under attack at universities in New Zealand. He is a staunch defender of people’s right to freely express their beliefs and views no matter how controversial they are, believing that debating the issues is better than silencing opposing views. In the letter Moon condemned the “forceful silencing of dissenting or unpopular views”. One of the most recent examples of this “forceful silencing” involved the Auckland University European Students Association (AUESA). While many contend that their motives were not genuine and they represented an alt-right style of trolling, the suppression of their right to free speech at O’Week was slated by some in the media as a form of bullying, with the unnamed leader of the group saying he had received threats of violence.

diversity.” Regarding the feedback received to his open letter, Moon said that, “Well over 99 percent are extremely enthusiastic about it, there would be about perhaps half a percent that don’t want free speech, people who either are either scared or ignorant and the best way they have to addressing an opinion that is different from theirs is to shut it down.” Overall Professor Moon believes that despite the threats to free speech taking place in New Zealand and around the world, AUT is a university that is very strong on free speech. “I know lots of other colleagues at other universities that have looked on AUT fairly enviously because they have a very good record overall when it comes to freedom of speech.”

Courageous, Hard-Working Young Person Proves There’s No Damn Problem By Kieran Bennett

Auckland-based 24-year-old Patrick Hannington has a clear message for anyone his age looking to take that first step into the property market. You and your personal inadequacies are the real problem and the only reason you don’t have a house already is because you’re an awful person. Hannington, freshly graduated from university with no debt and a full honours degree, recently purchased his first property in Onehunga for a “small sum” of around $800,000. He said that while many people his age would balk at the idea of owning their own home at 24, most people simply lacked the conviction. Speaking to Debate, Hannington said perhaps the most gruelling part of the experience was saving for his deposit, where he had to give up all sustenance for the past four years. “Not a crumb, not a single piece of avocado. I looked at my budget, saw that ‘food’ was a huge portion,

so I just got rid of it.” He also went on to say that he was genuinely surprised that many people his age were railing so hard against a stacked system that by any international standard is monumentally fucked up. “Admittedly I am now a walking husk of a person that has not felt joy in years and I routinely piss blood, but I do own a home.” Property investors, real estate agents, black-eyed monsters that feed on despair and terrible newspapers are celebrating Hannington’s success as a sure sign that there are no problems with the Auckland property market. Chairman of the Association For Black-Eyed Monsters That Feed On Despair, Jonathan Brubeck, said that Hannington’s willingness to physically and mentally destroy himself was “encouraging”. “When you have an entire generation of young people whose self-worth is tied into a completely unattainable dream, it’s, well, it’s really special.”

He also added that he and every other soul sucking pit of misery hoped student loans would no longer be interest free in the future. “We’re big believers in not only putting the boot in while someone’s down, but also taking big steamy dumps on them.” However, some have criticised the celebration of Hannington’s success as the glorification of a broken system and a symptom of a society that prizes hard work and material gain well over personal health. Those people are weak losers and we did not approach them for comment. Hannington, meanwhile, is enjoying the chance to not only pick his own curtains, but also decide which of his kidneys he would like to keep. “There’s nothing quite like having nearly all of your income disappear into a giant black hole of debt to really give you a sense of freedom. I mean, I’ll be in debt till the day I die, but it’s not like the bottom’s ever fallen out of the housing market due to over-valued mortgages or anything.”

The

TRUTH about I N T E R N AT I O N A L STUDENTS

Julie Cleaver talks to the police, university workers, and international students about human rights abuses and suicide in New Zealand. Illustration by Hope McConnell.

Eric Eklund was 28 when he moved from Sweden to New Zealand to study engineering at Auckland University. Just after he began his course on March 18, 2010, he was found dead. The coroner said it was self-inflicted. Eric Eklund’s case is tragic, however not isolated. According to industry insiders, several international students have killed themselves while studying in New Zealand. Although the exact number of deaths is unknown by literally everyone that should know – including the police, Central Government, the coroner’s office, and almost every university in the country – the trend has been noticed by several people in the international student circle.

if it’s a serious case then it can take a lot of time and resource.” Walkinton said depression amongst international students is rife and occasionally there are suicides. “Yes, unfortunately, tragically, yes, it does happen.” After a student dies, Walkinton is responsible for supporting that person’s family and friends. She also liaises with police and immigration authorities to help arrange the formalities of death. “So I work in amongst those parties to try and make it as smooth as possible, that way the [family and friends] are not having to deal with that kind of stuff.”

Rebecca Walkinton is one of those people. As an international student advisor at Auckland University, Walkinton and her two colleagues are responsible for

For Walkinton, the aftermath of student death is the “worst part of her job”. She could not comment on how many suicides there have been at Auckland University,

looking after around 6,000 foreign students every year. That number seems pretty disproportionate, and when I asked her if they needed more staff she laughed and said, “Always… The big thing from international student support is that if there is an issue – and probably the main issue that we do have is mental health – is that

but did say that international students are more likely to die by drowning or car accidents than taking their own lives. “Coming up to semester break is always quite nerve-wracking for me because that’s when they’re out travelling and that’s when things can happen.”

“At first when I came here I know no one and I had to sit quietly in my room. I was pretty sad. I call my dad and I cry in front of him, but I am getting used to it now.”

The Asian Liaison Officer for the Police Force, Jessica Phuang, is another observer of this sad phenomenon. She said over the years there have been suicide cases, but exactly how many students have taken their own lives still needs to be investigated. Phuang told me that for some international students, New Zealand is not as idyllic as it looks in the promo-videos. This is because many get taken advantage of by landlords and/or employers, become victims of scams, and sometimes get raped or abused – mostly by members of their own cultural community. To combat these issues, Phuang created an initiative that teaches international students how to stay safe while in the country. She said so far 94 student ambassadors from 37 different schools take part in the International Student Ambassador Programme. However, Phuang said more culturally sensitive initiatives like her one are needed in order to protect international students in New Zealand. “How much support do we have for them in New Zealand? Do they get looked after in their first two weeks in the country?” asked Phuang. Mallik Gadipudi, 26, has experienced the negative side of student life in New Zealand firsthand. Gadipudi came to New Zealand from India in 2015 to complete a master’s degree in business. He needed work immediately to pay for his ridiculously expensive Auckland rent, so within the first two weeks of his stay he applied for around 400 jobs. From that he

only got two or three calls back, and the people mostly just asked him if he was a resident and legally allowed to work. (Side note: international students can work for up to 20 hours in New Zealand.) Gadipudi was loaning money from everyone he knew and was totally desperate for cash, so he asked members of his own cultural community for help. They managed to find him a position at a restaurant, but this job only paid $5 an hour, around $10 under the country’s minimum wage. “I tried telling them this is not the minimum wage and this is not the law, but they said this is how things work in restaurants.”

was telling him, ‘My son is about to sleep, it’s 1am!’.”

To make enough to survive, Gadipudi said he worked for five to eight hours a day, six days a week. “I was just meeting my needs. I was keeping aside an extra $5 or $6 a week to make sure I could recharge my mobile phone. So it’s tough.”

Jong-udomsub said being in a foreign country with a new language and culture can be difficult to adjust to, which is understandable. Most universities have support services that can help people deal with these emotions, but for more serious matters, such as legal and human rights breaches, ICL lecturer Saurav Satyal said it’s the government’s responsibility to step up.

Additionally, staff members from an international school in Auckland’s CBD, ICL Business School, believe racism within the country is a problem that some students encounter. Ahmed Junia, an exinternational student who is now working at ICL, said for him the prejudice began the moment he stepped foot in New Zealand, as he was questioned at the airport for five hours for having a “Palestinian passport”. “It was really shocking for me and I was telling the officer, ‘By the way I have a valid visa,’ and he was like, ‘Yeah, I am sorry about that, but I know you are from the Middle East so I have to do my work.’ And I

ICL staff, Phuang and Walkinton said some students fall into episodes of deep depression due to the universal feeling of homesickness. Thai student Duangkamol Jong-udomsub knows this emotion well and said when she initially came to New Zealand she felt extremely alone. “At first when I came here I know no one and I had to sit quietly in my room. I was pretty sad. I call my dad and I cry in front of him, but I am getting used to it now.”

“New Zealand has a duty of care towards everyone who is in New Zealand… We all have support systems in schools, but once they go out, then it has to be the government’s responsibility and the nation’s responsibility.” Satyal and other ICL staff members said the government needs to create more resources for international students to use. “Then there would be consistency in the

type of information that we provided. We would know that the students are getting the most accurate and up-to-date information on all issues,” said ICL’s academic manager, Corinna Chin. Chin said short videos about New Zealand culture, student’s rights and other crucial information would be ideal. She recommended a student pack containing booklets and even a sim card for all international students coming to the country. Chin also said the visa application process evaluates mental health: “So if there is a mental health issue, it has either been hidden prior to them arriving here or it’s something that manifests once they are here with all the pressures they experience.” However, Darren Calder, the Immigration New Zealand Area Manager, told me in an email that only students staying in the country for 12 months or longer are required to state whether they have suffered from a psychological or psychiatric disorder “as not to impose undue costs on New Zealand’s public health system”. Yet there were 125,000 international students enrolled in New Zealand in 2015, some of

which stayed for a shorter period than 12 months, therefore many students are entering the country without prior mental health checks.

Despite this hint at future progress, it is extremely difficult to address a problem when no statistical data is being gathered on it. The problems with this system are obvious, and Claire Douglas from the Ministry of Education said the agency is currently leading a government-wide proposal called the “International Student Wellbeing Strategy”. If approved, this plan would focus on improving the mental and economic wellbeing of students while also ensuring they get quality education and feel included. Douglas said the strategy is in “an early phase of stakeholder consultation”.

Despite this hint at future progress, it is extremely difficult to address a problem when no statistical data is being gathered on it. Auckland University wrote in an email that they do not hold information about international student suicides, which is puzzling, considering their international student advisor Rebecca Walkinton said this is a problem that does happen. One would therefore think gathering data on such a major problem would be fundamental. At Auckland University’s Engineering Department, on asking if anyone remembered Eric Eklund, the receptionist said, “Oh, is that the one from the business building?” But that turned out to be another case. So instead, she took down Eric’s information and went out back to ask the engineering staff. After a few minutes she returned and said no one was willing to talk about him. “Sorry we can’t talk about our students,” she said, “it’s to protect them.” But in order to really protect these students, Jessica Phuang from the Police Force said more statistical data is needed. “Everything I know is anecdotal, so if you find anything, let me know.”

If you or anyone you know is at risk, here is where you can find help. City Campus: (09) 921 9992, South Campus: (09) 921 999, North Campus: (09) 921 9998, Urgent enquires: (09) 921 9999 ext 8888 Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7), Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (available 24/7), Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)

Attention Coffee Lovers! Mojo has hooked readers up big time this week with an epic coffee pack, valued at $100. It comes with three different types of coffee, a cute keepcup, and a fancy green plunger. To win this epic prize, draw your version of a student starter pack, like our fabulous illustrator Hope McConnell has drawn on the front cover, and then send it in to our Facebook page. Make sure you include your name and campus in the message as well.

Debate Magazine (/ausmdebate)

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Jacinda Ardern’s Message to Students Julie Cleaver Labour’s Deputy Leader, its youngest Member of Parliament, and the Mount Albert MP loves to take the piss out of herself. She was born in Hamilton, but her father’s career in the Police Force led her to many no-name towns across the country, including Murupara. When she asked the AUT audience if anyone had heard of Murupara, I only saw one person put their hand up. She was surprised someone had heard of it at all. Spending her early years in a place inundated with gangs, poverty and social inequality sparked an early passion for justice and compassion in young Jacinda. “I didn’t realise at the time, but that’s where my interest in politics really began.” After Murupara, her family moved to Morrinsville, where she spent the majority of her years growing up. “The town’s motto used to be ‘A Great Place to Stop Over’, which is basically like saying ‘a town that you go to and then quickly leave to go somewhere else’,” she joked, garnering a great response from the chuckling Auckland audience.

A self-proclaimed “over-sharer”, Ardern told the crowd about her various fears and insecurities. Her brutal honesty made it nearly impossible not to like her. She said growing up in sparsely populated places often made her slip into a “small town mentality”, which prohibited her from thinking she could achieve great things. “I limited myself. I think that’s a Kiwi thing – not backing yourself. There’s definitely a difference between what people would like to do and what they think they can do. It’s really sad.” The reason she knew almost all Kiwis suffer from a lack of self-belief is when she saw Helen Clarke doubt herself. She said after someone called Clarke asking her to apply to be the leader of the United Nations Development Programme – a role she eventually landed – Clarke was unsure whether she had enough experience in the field. “Someone said, ‘But Helen, you led a country!’ So if even she can get insecure, I can’t imagine how the rest of us feel,” Ardern remarked, reassuringly. However, it’s obvious Ardern overcame her fears, as she has achieved many

exceptional things in her 36 years of existence. When she was first elected into parliament in 2008, she was only 28-years-old, making her the youngest MP at the time. While in parliament, she passionately supported the Marriage Equality Bill, environmental laws, and social justice. She accredits her success in politics to always showing up to events and most importantly, volunteering. If she hadn’t volunteered for politicians, soup kitchens, or organisations, she said she would have never met the people she did and gotten where she is today. “In fact, I don’t know any MP in Labour who hasn’t volunteered with us first.” Ardern was wise, casual and charismatic. Her face was kind and her words relatable. Her main take home points were: always show your face at events, volunteer wherever you can, and believe in yourself. Simple statements, but when shown how effective they can be, they’re definitely not words to be taken lightly. Check out Careerhub’s website for more info about inspiring speakers on campus.

Unfiltered Chat WITH WASTED STUDENTS Shawn Cleaver interviewed drunk uni students about their hopes for the country, marriage, and North Korea. Photography by Micah Fyers.

TAZ

Ex-criminology student

To do what? You know… sneak around and people wouldn’t notice you. Why? No idea, it would just be fucking awesome!

What do you study? I was studying criminology to be a cop, but I have diabetes type one so they won’t let me. That’s literally why I quit my degree.

What would you do as PM if your laws stuck? Aww fuck me. I’d make drinking... free, and make any discriminatory remarks punishable by something equally as...

But don’t cops slam donuts all the time? I wish I could mate.

Discriminatory? Yeah... like if you’re racist, you have to serve as a slave for a day or some shit like that.

Okay, if you could have one skill or attribute, what would it be? Ooh – I’d like to be more fucking stealthy aye.

One message to the world? Alcohol is best.

HARLEY

Studies graphic design and web development Are you going to get married? Who knows. Maybe one day I’ll find my future ex-wife. If you could gain one skill or attribute, what would it be? Ooh shit… teleportation. Why? Because I’d love to be here, there, and everywhere without taking the fucking time to drive!

What do you want people to say about you at your 50th birthday? He was sick...[Also] damn he was good at teleporting! What would you do if you were PM for a day and your laws stuck? Probably legalise pot, and stop the harsh taxing of drivers, like registration and all that. Cars don’t magically disappear off the computer system. I understand warrants, the car’s got to be safe, but registrationis stupid. ACC bro – they’re fucked. What’s your one message to the whole world? Just fucking relax aye.

ARISHMA

Studied teaching

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one skill or attribute, what would it be? To ride a bike. How can you not ride a bike?! I just can’t balance myself on a bike. What do you want people to say about you on your 50th birthday? That I brought magic into their lives. Like Moana. I am Moana. Don’t ask me to sing it. If you were PM for a day and your laws stuck, what would you do? GIVE TEACHERS A PAYRISE! PLEASE!

CHRISTIAN (LEFT) AND MAX

What do you want people to say about you on your 50th birthday? Well as morbid as it sounds death is not foreign to me, I have been close many times. So I’ve thought about this, and I want people to speak highly of me. To say, “Christian was a good guy, Christian taught me something.”

Are you going to get married? Too many variables to the question. If I find that person where settling down and having kids is necessary, then yeah! But if not and I’m just a hoe all my life than that’s the way it is.

Where is your life heading? Aww ask a couple of actors that? Either to fame or down the fucking gutter. Eventually to get to a point where I can pass my knowledge on. To become a teacher– it’s so beneficial.

Both studying drama

Studied marketing and HR Are you going to get married? Well... this rig could be an issue. Hopefully someone sees through this and into my personality. (Referring to his friends) If you ask these cunts, they’ll say next week. What do you want people to say about you on your 50th birthday? A pretty good guy, respected as a bit of a prick sometimes. Unapologetic. Message to the world? Ahh fuck put on the spot... don’t vote Trump? His mate: It’s a bit late for that isn’t it cuz?

MR WHITEMAN (LEFT) AND DANIEL Said they were students, later admitted they weren’t and just wanted to get involved

Are you going to get married? Depends on how fucking sexy

Message to the world? Fuck her right in the pussy.

the bitch is! You wouldn’t marry someone fucking ugly. What a waste of your fucking time. Marriage will last if you can meet in the middle.

Relationship goals.

What do you want people to say about you on your 50th birthday? How much I can boogie on the D-floor bro. I can boogie pretty hard, it just depends on how much the boogie comes out.

Why South Korea? Because North Korea is a cunt.

If you were PM for a day and your laws stuck, what would you do? I’d bomb South Korea.

So why bomb South Korea? Because… the opposite.

JAMES

Studying accounting

point in my life it has been there. But you know, I can be straight up with you guys.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one skill or attribute, what would it be? Fucking like, sociability. Yeah I’d like to talk to people better than I do now.

If you were PM for a day and your laws stuck, what would you do? I feel like I couldn’t change shit in a day. Like, it’s got to go through all those processes. But if I could change something in a day… fuck… I’d give free education man. Education is like, fucking paramount. I’d make that shit free like Germany and Switzerland and shit.

You seem to be doing a great job already? Yeah but I’m pissed bro. When I’m sober I’m a bit awkward.

Message to the world? Not all dreams can come true, but if you work hard, the most important ones can.

Has this been going on for a while? Yeah, like permanent. Well, up to this

Where is your life headed? South Auckland. It’s where my life started, it’s where it’s going to end.

Accounting? Are you big on maths? Yeah bro I actually did engineering at AUT.

From Fandom To Film Director Grace Hood-Edwards sat down with Harriett Maire, a young director on the rise, to talk AUT, representation on screen, and how it feels to have a massive fan base in the States.

“The problem is that to be a prodigy you have to be young, and I feel like I’ve missed that,” Harriett Maire says, as we mourn our status as ordinary humans in a dimly lit café in Britomart. I wouldn’t, however, say that Harriett is normal – in fact, she’s quite the opposite.

cringe. It’s hard not to notice her eyes light up when I mention ANNA, a film Harriett created for her final year project. She says ANNA was “the only real thing that I was super proud of from university. It was like everything else was okay, but was helping me create ANNA. ANNA was the pinnacle of university for me.”

Graduating in 2015, Harriett studied a Bachelor of Communication Studies at AUT, specialising in Television and Screen Production. “It got better as it went along, because it got more specific. I really appreciate the way AUT is laid out,” she remarks. “You can understand really quickly whether something’s your cup of tea or not.”

The short film went on to win the award for ‘Best Acting’ at the Women’s Independent Film Festival in 2016, and won the ‘Jury Choice Award’ at the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase. “Just today in Canada it was played in Toronto as part of a disability festival over there,” she remembers as I prompted her about it. “It being accepted into a festival that celebrates diversity and disability was really important to me.”

Harriett chose AUT because of its good balance between theory and practical work. She says she was “allowed to mess around with the camera and really fuck up right from the word go. Which was great!” She pulls a face, as she remembers past projects. “Some of the films I made at uni were really atrocious, like really embarrassing. But I was given a chance to shoot and go out and make mistakes and learn from them.” However, not every film she made during university made her

Harriett’s production follows a young woman, on the autistic spectrum, whose routine is unexpectedly interrupted when someone takes her seat on the bus. Harriett and ANNA’s lead, Geneva Norman, worked closely with Autism New Zealand to ensure they understood, to the best of their ability, what a person may be feeling in such a situation and to ensure an accurate and respectful portrayal of Anna’s condition. “It affects her, but it doesn’t define her,” Harriett asserts. “You can identify with parts of her before you realise that there’s something deeper going on for her then maybe there is for you as the viewer. It brings you closer to

her, rather than alienating her as a disabled person.” We find that Harriett and I both share a passion for representation in film. “I want to tell stories about humanity. I think that filmmaking is all about reflecting humanity and critiquing it. I think it’s really important for everyone to grow up seeing someone that they can identify with on screen. I don’t think that happens enough.” She tells me she is currently writing a short film about her friendship with her best friend, which showcases the everyday yet often taboo trivialities of womanhood, such as not wearing makeup or menstrual bleeding. She says lack of representation on screen “really winds me up as a filmmaker, and as someone who watches a lot of content. Like why can’t I see me? I’m a Type 1 Diabetic. I’ve never seen a Type 1 Diabetic on screen.”

somewhere in the world I exist. That’s already a gift.” It is not the first time, however, that international attention has been on Harriett. In 2014, she was one of the stars of the web series Nothing Much To Do, a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Created by The Candle Wasters, Nothing Much To Do was a surprise sensation, gaining over four million views on YouTube, and an avid fan base. Harriett played the heroine, Beatrice, and is still grateful for the experience and the people it led her to meet. She told me of a moment when she was in the U.S. where she announced online that she would be in Central Park at this hour if any of the fans wanted to show up to meet her, and around 40 fans actually came – one even driving from Ohio. “It was incredible,” Harriett says. “It was crazy. It got very exciting. I’d never been involved in a fandom before, so it was really, really weird that the first fandom I’d experienced was one that was about me. It was very, very odd.”

“I’d never been

However, the screen has always been part of her life. Her father, Renaud Maire, is a cinematographer who came to New Zealand on a boat from Belgium when he was 16, and worked his way up through the National Film Unit – learning English as he went. “Growing up visiting sets, it’s difficult not to get the bug. Seeing Dad on set… seeing that whole process of constructing real life in a film is a very exciting process.”

involved in a fandom

before, so it was really, really weird that the first fandom I’d experienced was one that was about me.”

Harriett’s mother got her into drama lessons when she was 10-years-old to try and cure her of her blushing problem. “I think that directors that have experience acting are gonna be better performance directors. Because they understand what it’s like to be on the other side of things. It’s the same the other way too.” Harriett is currently a director at the production company Film Construction, a job that ANNA and a year-long internship helped her land. Last year she was made aware of a competition hosted by NASA and the Houston Cinema Arts Society called Cinespace. Film Construction gave her and the film’s producer and composer, Ferris Bradley, a month off to shoot the film – the timeframe of the competition. Out of over 900 applicants, Harriett’s and Ferris Bradley’s Lani’s Space was shortlisted to the final 15 and judged by Richard Linklater, the award-winning director of Boyhood and School of Rock. “Richard Linklater has seen it. I just can’t comprehend that. It doesn’t compute that he knows that

Her theatre training, or perhaps some personal effervescence, shines through our discussion. She gesticulates with her hands, punctuating and illustrating important points. She is fluent, yet measured. Her answers are eloquent and almost immediate, yet she occasionally pauses infinitesimally to find the perfect word to express her thoughts.

“I’ve always wanted to direct, because I’ve come from that background and I’ve had that acting side. But the more I act and the more I direct the more I realise I’m meant to be behind the camera. I only like playing characters that are similar to me, because it’s easy and you can just kinda be a bit dorky and pull a few finger guns and you’ve kind of got it.” She naturally pulls the finger guns out to demonstrate them, pulling a face. “Doing a serious role takes a lot of work and I’m too scared – I’m not brave enough to be an actress, really. But I know how to get actors to that point. That’s something I’m really working on. I like helping brave actors get to that point. It’s a nice feeling.” It’s heartening to see a young director speak so passionately in regards to their work, and inspiring to see an AUT graduate do so well after their degree. No matter what she says, there is something special about Harriett – and she’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Enjoy your peppermint soy latte heated to 52 degrees, you twat By Laine Yeager | Photo by Ekta Dahiya I’ve been working as a barista for almost three years and the rudeness of some customers never ceases to amaze me. From unappreciative, swearing teenagers, to grumpy elders, I’ve seen it all. Anybody out there a barista? Can ya’ll relate? Sit down, chill out, sip on your coffee – I’m about to list some things that irritate all baristas.

Asking: “Is your coffee any good?” Firstly, if the barista wasn’t any good, then they probably wouldn’t be working there. Personally, I wouldn’t keep dragging myself out of bed at 6am to go to work and make bad coffee. You notice those consumers who come in, aching for a good coffee before they plunge into they’re working day, and all I can think of is, “I hope I make them a terrible coffee.” You see they need a good coffee so you do what you’re supposed to do and provide them with a great one!

Complicated drink requests

“I’ll have a soy decaf mochaccino with two sweeteners.” I kid you not, this was an actual request I had. Here’s a general rule, if your order takes more than 15 seconds to say and or explain, then it’s probably best to make it for yourself at home.

Their previous coffee experience was bad, so they think you will be too They’re already assuming that you’re going to mess up their order because they’ve been burned by a previous coffee service in the past. But people need to have trust in trying new baristas/

coffee shops. Don’t treat us like your ex who left a bad taste in your mouth, we may turn out to be your new go-to, if you give us a chance.

Not opening with a greeting We aren’t your push-button filter machines, so don’t treat us like we’re invisible. You don’t have to be super bubbly or awkward, but a simple greeting or nice manners can improve your mood and create a nice atmosphere.

“You look young, so you’re just some uni kid.” Just because we are coffee servers and cater to what people specifically want, that does not mean were doing some crappy service job that we secretly despise. The majority of baristas take pride in their service and providing a coffee fix for their community. Also, many of the regular customers actually become your friends and sometimes it’s their word of mouth that can bring you more business.

Complaining that your drink was made incorrectly, but then refusing offers to fix it I’m sure it’s the same in many workplaces: accidents happen, especially during a rush. The majority of us will happily remake your order if it’s wrong, but what doesn’t do anyone any favours is saying your drink is messed up, but that you don’t have the time to wait for a new one. Yet, miraculously, you have the time to harp on about how wrong your order was. Let us fix the problem! Complaining and not wanting a solution, especially in front of people, makes you look like a bit of a plonker.

By Cordelia Huxtable About 10 years ago, when I was living and studying in Dunedin, my flatmates and I decided it was time to go and buy our first sex toys. Our closest (and probably only) sex store was Peaches and Cream. We hovered outside the store for a few moments, before pushing past the R18 sign and going inside. We were guided by a wonderfully open assistant, dressed in a kilt and black leather corset, through aisles of costumes, porn and giant dildos and over to the vibrator section. This was an ultimately positive experience, but if I could go back, I’d tell myself the crucial things I now know about the importance of materials, lube and types of toys. So, this article is for past me, and anyone else who is interested in buying their first sex toy, or expanding their collection. Material is everything Pay attention to the material your toy is made of. The best, body-safe material is 100% silicone. Body-safe means that it’s hypo-allergenic and non-porous: it won’t leech any chemicals, absorb body fluids or bacteria. It doesn’t show signs of wear, lasts a long time, won’t smell funny or discolour and it warms and moulds to your body. The downside is that silicone can be expensive. Cheaper toys tend to be made out of soft plastic or jelly rubber. Soft plastic (elastomer, TPR and TPE) and jelly rubber is absorbent so must be washed thoroughly and can take on smells, change colour and show wear. Since it’s porous, if you’re sharing it between people it’s best to use with a condom (even after cleaning it), because it can transmit bacteria. Jelly rubber toys contain like phthalates, a chemical used to soften plastics, and are not recommended to put inside your body.

Hard materials are all non-porous and body safe: stainless steel, glass, acrylic and hard plastic. These materials can have a nice weight to them (particularly steel and glass) and hold body heat for a while. Hard plastic is the most affordable, found on a range of vibrators. Lube is your friend Lube makes everything easier: stroking and sliding, penetrating, increasing sensitivity and pleasure. The three main bases for lubes are silicone, water and oil. Silicone lube is slippery, lasts forever and doesn’t get sticky. However, if you have a silicone toy, then don’t use a silicone lube. Oil based lubes are thicker, and best for penisonly masturbating. Vaginas don’t tend to like oil (although some people swear by coconut oil as a vagina friendly alternative!). Importantly, oil interacts with latex, making condoms ineffective. Oil lubes also can’t be used with silicon sex toys. Water-based lubes are compatible with everything: condoms, bodies and all sex toys! They’re not as thick or durable as oil or silicone, but are easily refreshed with a few drops of water (or spit). Water based lubes tend to be simply made with few ingredients, which is great for people with allergies. Steer clear from lubes with glycerin in them. Glycerin isn’t a great substance to be putting into our bodies, and most supermarketbought lubes contain it. Buy a good quality water-based lube from a sex toy store, or online. What kind of toy? There are insertables: dildos and vibrators for the vagina and prostate massagers, plugs, beads and vibrators for the butt. There are external toys for clitoral stimulation, like

vibrating bullets and magic wands. There are things to put in or around your penis, such as cock rings or masturbation sleeves. There are toys for people transitioning/ transitioned from one gender to another like strokers for trans men to jerk off with. And there are toys you can wear to fuck other people, like strap-ons (with or without harnesses). Then there are the endless amount of toys for sensation and bondage; nipple clamps, floggers whips and paddles, blindfolds, gags, collars, hoods, electro-stimulation, spreader bars, and handcuffs. The intersections between sex and technology is where the most exciting work is coming out of now, and essentially, if there’s something you’re craving, you’re likely to find it. My advice: Google what intrigues you. Where to buy? Once you’ve figured out what you’d like to buy, research it. You can find reviews easily on blogs and YouTube videos. My favourite sex toy review blog is Hey Ephiphora. It’s hilarious, informative and in-depth. But, it’s a U.S. blog, so where to actually buy the toys in New Zealand? I recommend two retailers: D.Vice (online store only) and Peaches and Cream (for the walk-in and ask questions experience). Both of these retailers have a wide range of products and D.Vice also makes their own toys, which tend to be cheaper than the luxury toys. My friend and sex educator Kate McCombs succinctly says: “Sex toys and lubes are tools, and we are tool-using primates. Why not use all the tools at our disposal to make our lives easier and more pleasurable?” I love this, and wholeheartedly agree. You deserve all the pleasure, and the tools that allow you to find it. Go fuck yourself!

I LOVE UNI AUT graduate Jannah Hibberd reflects on her time as a broke but happy uni student.

The title of this article is definitely not something you hear from a student around the stressful months of June and November. Nor at the end of January, when every student suddenly remembers to sort out their student loans and has to sit through a 45 minute call wait time as Brooke Fraser’s whole album plays. And don’t get me started on the 8am classes! But these three words were swirling around my mind as the end of my uni career drew near. Don’t get me wrong, there were some rough times at uni, too. Like when it all began with that horrible sinking feeling of loneliness, as I waved goodbye to my parents, driving down the long driveway, and they headed back to Wellington. I was left alone to look for a flat in Auckland, what I used to call Poo City (original, I know). Or, when I was so poor and hungry that I had to (on more than one occasion) wait for my flatmates to go to sleep to sneak into the kitchen and heat up a small bowl of their frozen veggies to eat, because hey, who cares about broccoli? And also having to remember to go to the toilet at uni because there was never any toilet paper at the flat.

However, when my three years of uni life came to a sudden end, I couldn’t help but focus on all the awesome things about the experience. Like: • The free money from the government to study and live – it’s a miracle! • Discounts on heaps of stuff, my favourite including student fries for $1.40. • Pity from most adults because they remember the hardships of being a student, and this pity often comes with free coffee, meals or home supplies (thanks for the toilet paper cousin Aimee!). • The amount of epic people you get to meet who are all so diverse with so much talent and zest for life. You will never again be in a place with so many different people, from different backgrounds, and all looking for a good time and a friend. • To be treated like an adult but without all the responsibilities of one. • The ridiculous holidays that seem to come more frequent than your meals and last longer than the Hop Card register line. • The freedom to choose whether to get up for class in the morning or not! • The opportunities that uni provides. Once I got a fully paid trip to Japan because I read and replied to one of the 100 emails we receive a day from teachers. • Sweet AUT services, like the free doctor and nurses. Seriously, that’s such a good deal. So for me the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Uni was one heck of a ride, full of hard times, adventurerous times, crap times, funny times, times at the hospital, late nights at uni times, great party times and finding awesome friends times! It was sad for me to jump off this ride, because to be honest, it felt like jumping off the Superman ride at Movie World and onto a lawn mower that straps you in from eight to five everyday, for five days a week. So from a graduate student’s point of view (with the struggle of not being too cheesy) enjoy the rest of your uni life! Be glad if you have some time left, as that means more time to actually decide what to do with your life. Seize the day and enjoy that sleep in a little more, giggle with glee at the business people who can only wear navy, eat that third pie cause your young body can handle it, and lie in Albert Park looking up at the blue sky, knowing that life is sweet.

BEST IN S T U DY CAFÉS

AU C K LAND

L’affare 5/4/5/3

This lofty Newmarket gem has spaciousness in spades and speedy wifi, but it comes at the cost of Newmarket priced parking and the fact that, well, it’s in Newmarket. It’s ideal for long work days if you’re on the East side.

Mojo

4/4/4/3

Which Mojo you ask? Any of them. With three locations in the City Centre alone, Mojo is a reliable source of charging plugs, wifi and reasonable coffee. Perfect for students who are at the mercy of public transport and want somewhere close by.

Holm

5/5/5/5 Otherwise known as the Supreme Winner; lightning fast wifi, K’ Road vibes, beautiful food, massive tables, wicked coffee. You want it, Holm’s got it.

Ceremony 4/5/5/5

Sarah Pollok visited all the coolest coffee places in the city and decided these are the best ones for sitting with your laptop and getting shit done. They are graded out of five based on their:

WORKABILIT Y/ COFFEE/WIFI/VIBE.

Want to be productive and hipster? Ceremony Company has you covered with cheeky wifi and vibes for days. If you’re able to get one of their limited seats, don’t be surprised if the mix of good coffee and tunes from their record player makes you want to quit your day job and become a barista.

Billy

Biskit

Crave

4/5/4/4

5/5/5/5

5/4/5/5

A good café in the Domain? You better believe it. With Domain views, decent internet and rad coffee, Newmarket’s newest addition is a great spot to smash

Got a lot of work? Biskit is the place. Tucked in between the galleries and bookstores of Parnell Rise, its corner location and massive glass windows

Getting sick of the big smoke? Escape the city grind at Crave in Kingsland. Free parking, comfortable couches, great wifi, heathy menu and community based

out some study. It’s not the place for those who prefer a silent study spot, though – Billy rocks its playlist loud.

make it the perfect location, rain or shine. Premium flight coffee, fast internet and staff who are happy for you to waste away the hours on just one coffee.

vibes await you.

Remedy Coffee

The Shelf

The Botanist

This classic joint is a hub for students and travelling bohemians alike. Situated on the corner of Queen Street, it’s the perfect spot for both productively hiding away and people watching. A hop skip and jump from university, Remedy has you sussed with plenty of charging ports, internet, impressive sandwich offerings and pretty decent coffee.

Want to download all six seasons of Game of Thrones? Or stream music like nobody’s business? Data demons can head on down to The Shelf, squeeze into their cramped fit out on High Street and enjoy the fastest internet in Auckland.

Got a hangover and an assignment due the next day? Give your body and your mind some love by hitting up The Botanist. It has fast wifi, beaut’ coffee and a menu full of only healthy things. However, lingering workers be warned, the moment your plate is empty you’ll feel the judgemental eyes of a waiter ready to move you along.

5/3/5/5

5/5/5/5

4/4/5/4

Reviews

G E T OUT

DA M N .

Hor ro r

Ke nd r i c k La m a r

Reviewed by James Howe

Reviewed by Simran Singh

Get Out, the directorial debut for Jordan Peele, is winning praise all over the internet. But does it really live up to the hype? The short answer is yes. Critics have described Get Out as a horror/comedy film. At first these elements may not sound like a combination that would work, but Peele pulls this off with many well-constructed characters that all play important parts within the story. The comedic elements are balanced against the suspense and horror, and this blend of two cinematic styles drive the story in a unique direction. The basic premise of the film is about an interracial couple (a black man and a white woman) who visit the woman’s parents. Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya) is nervous about meeting Rose’s (Allison Williams) family, because he doesn’t know how they will react to their daughter dating a black man. Throughout conversations with her family, Chris feels like they are making strange comments about his skin colour, thereby making race a central issue. As the film progresses these comments take a darker turn, as more is revealed about the family’s intentions. There are many obvious political themes throughout the film, but they do not over-power the plot. Some online commentators have stated that it is a criticism of liberals who try to be allies of racial movements while behaving in contrast to their words. Others point to it as a criticism of the ‘Missing White Women Syndrome’, where missing people who are not white women fail to get the same level of media attention.

I’m lost in the chill, upbeat symphony of ‘LOVE.’ as I type this. You don’t have to be a Kendrick Lamar fan to fall in love with this damn awesome album. I could barely spell his first name until Spotify introduced me to ‘LOYALTY.’, which I like for more than the fact that Rihanna spits a fireball of a rap in it.

With many twists in the story, the only let down is the ending, as the themes throughout could have been used more effectively to cement a final point. The ending feels anticlimactic and may leave more questions than answers, however it doesn’t take away from this film being an interesting critique of America by Jordan Peele.

My personal favorite rap would have to be the one in “FEAR”, although “DNA” competes neck-to-neck. The song ‘LUST.’ follows Lamar’s same kickback theme, with a promiscuous touch to it. Although this is the one song I ended up removing from my playlist because every time Lamar begged “let me put the head in” it sounded like a desperate pedophile whispering in my ear creepily. But I do appreciate that every tune in this album brings a distinct vibe and no two songs sound the same. Roping in artists like Zacari and U2 definitely acted as a magic wand, as their falsettos gave certain songs a spark of individuality. The flawlessly crude raps in this album are based on Kendrick’s opinions of glory and guilt, wealth and fate, and life and death, which he incorporates with several bible verses. His faith in “Yeshua” and concern for Black Israelites is a prominent topic in the songs. Additionally, the album follows a philosophical theme as Kendrick tells the story of his life in America from childhood to the Trump-era. The relaxed, catchy beats make me understand why all the songs in this album are titled in capitals: it’s a low-key warning that these songs will be very prominently stuck in your head all day. All the hype prior to the album’s release is well deserved.

TH E PI L L

MUC H ADO ABOUT N OTHIN G

Roma ntic Co medy

P re s e n t e d by t h e Po p -u p G lo b e Qu e e n ’ s C o m p a ny

Reviewed by Laine Yeager

Reviewed by Julie Cleaver

Scrolling quite mindlessly through Netflix’s film options, my flatmate and I eventually chose The Pill because of its title. I suppose it was the fact that we we’re two girls, so we found the name intriguing, and therefore decided to watch it for the next hour and twenty-three minutes. But in hindsight, this was a poor decision.

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous to see a Shakespearean play I don’t know the plot of. Old English can be confusing as heck, but these performers pulled it off, making the story relatable and relatively easy for thou to understand.

This film could be viewed as a budget romantic comedy, providing an insight into the dangers and repercussions of a one night stand. However, there was not much comedy nor romance to be seen: in the absence of comedy, the act of cringing was replaced. Fred (Noah Bean) seeks to escape his dull, routine but loving girlfriend’s grasp while she is away on a work trip. Fred hooks up with Mindy (Racheal Boston), a quirky yet spaghetti-brained woman. After having unprotected sex with Mindy, Fred unwisely presumes that Mindy is on the pill, when in fact she is not. If the act of sex was supposed to be the romance factor in the film, it failed miserably. The entire movie then consists of Fred trying to get Mindy to swallow the morning after pill, meanwhile texting his girlfriend in an ‘I miss you’, ‘I’m such a good boyfriend’ like manner. Soon we figure out that Mindy is a compulsive liar. It is her combination of irritable behaviours that keep the flow of the film going. There may be a couple of lessons to be learnt from this film, like firstly, wouldn’t it just be better to break up with your partner rather than cheat? Watching the way Fred hid his one night stand from his girlfriend was appalling. Secondly, safe sex is pretty darn important! Unprotected sex, especially with a stranger, is a no-go. And apparently, a film about it is a no-go as well.

Much Ado About Nothing is sort of an olden-day romantic comedy, centred on the daughter of a nobleman, Hero, and a solider who comes to stay at her mansion, Claudio. It also follows the witty, hateful/romantic relationship between Beatrice, Hero’s sassy cousin, and Benedick, a large, goofy solider with a soft heart. And of course it’s Shakespeare, so there’s plenty of mischief and mishap to keep things interesting. The comedy is originally set in Italy, however this version moved to the South Pacific, meaning many Pacific elements, including song, dance, and dress, were incorporated into the production. This was a beautiful cross-cultural touch, and the Pacific performances were some of the most engaging parts of the show. Overall the acting and music was exceptional. Benedick, played by Semu Filipo, had a spectacular singing voice and brilliant comedic timing, making him a clear crowd favourite. Kieran Mortell, whose character seemed completely focused on riling up the crowd, was another standout. He had so much energy I felt exhausted just looking at him. Beatrice was played by Jacque Drew, who was good, except for the fact that she failed to put on a British accent like the rest of the crew. Her harsh North American voice sounded extremely out of place. My main gripe with this show is how cold the theatre was. I knew it would be, so I layered up with every winter item I own, but still, sitting inside that outdoor structure on a 0.3 degree night was painful. Yet despite the frosty weather, the theatre was full – a testament to how good the play is. The standing ovation was well deserved.

D I Y KO F TA B U R G E R S These quick, easy and cheap koftas are perfect for students on a budget. They take 30 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to cook and the recipe serves eight.

Ingredients •

1kg lamb mince

•

2 onions, coarsely grated

•

1 garlic bulb, broken into cloves and finely

chopped or grated

•

6 tbsp garam masala

•

1 bunch of coriander, chopped (optional)

•

1 tbsp chilli sauce, plus extra to serve

•

8 pita breads

•

4 tomatoes, sliced

•

Half a red cabbage, shredded

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1 red onion, sliced (optional)

•

Small pot plain yogurt

Method 1. Tip the mince into a large bowl (use a clean washingup bowl if you don’t have anything big enough) with all the other burger ingredients and a good pinch of salt. Roll up your sleeves, get your hands into the mix and squelch everything together through your fingers until completely mixed. Pat the mix into 16 small burgers. These may now be frozen for up to 1 month or chilled up to a day ahead. 2. To cook, heat grill to its highest setting and lay the burgers in a single layer on a baking tray (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how big your tray is). Grill on the highest shelf for 5-6 mins on each side until browned and cooked through. Pile burgers onto a platter and serve with all the accompaniments, so everyone can construct their own sandwich.

Check out more recipes at www.bbcgoodfood.com

STUDENT LYF WORDFIND

Loan Noodles Wasted Assignment Lecture

Booze Books Rent Poverty Fun

Degree University Readings Poor Technology

Parties Study Graduation Achieve Learn

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