ARTS / BOOKS / FASHiON / CREATiVE WRiTiNG / GAMiNG / TV / FiLM / VERA VERA
386
VENUE
2
editorial We are going to start this issue of Venue on a serious note, because we simply cannot ignore what is happening over in Ukraine. Our hearts go out to all those affected by what’s happened; there is much to feel scared and distraught about. In what has felt like a whirlwind few weeks, the Venue team has been busy putting together our content for this issue, and, in all honesty, it has been difficult to continue with Venue as normal. Considering this, you’ll notice that a few of our articles address artistic responses to the situation, but in addition we’d also like to publicise the following link. If you are looking to help, we recommend donating whatever you can, via https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal. At Venue, we want to make sure we include discussion about the more serious and upsetting events in the world, with conversation about the arts, which have, and continue to be, a form of escapism, and a place of solace in times of hardship. With this in mind, here’s a brief overview of what to expect from Venue 386. If you haven’t already heard, the sex survey is being published alongside this issue, so it was only fitting to make sure we explored some of the hot and heavy goings on in the art world. In film, we have a comprehensive list of all the best sex scenes cinema has to offer. Likewise, on page 4 , there’s a brief timeline of erotic art that covers historical obsession with the nude. If you’re at all prudish, it might be best to look away (just this once). As always, we wish you all the best with your studies. Enjoy Venue 386! Elizabeth, Hamilton & Molly
Photo: Samuel Baxter (from L to R, Deputy Editor Hamilton, Venue Editor Elizabeth and Deputy Editor Molly)
Section Editors: Arts - Jack Warren
Music - Tom manning
Books - Louise Collins
Gaming - Holly Jackson
Fashion - Zorsha Taylor-Suich
Film - Laura Patterson
Creative Writing - Izzy Murphy
TV - Ben Smith
Front Cover Art by Edward Fasey, Model: Rosie Hastings
contents Arts ................................................................... 4 Books ................................................................ 7 Fashion ............................................................ 10 Creative Writing ............................................ 14 Music ................................................................ 17 Gaming ............................................................. 20 Film .................................................................. 24 TV ..................................................................... 27 Vera Venue ..................................................... 31
3
4 Exploring Art and Eroticism: A timeline
Arts
Lily Boag A visual expression of physical passion
suggested that this couple could even
and sensuality, art has always been a
be Rembrandt himself, with his lover
means for creative sexual exploration.
Hendrickje Stoffels.
Sexual
desire
is
inherent
to
the
2. Ten Scenes of Lovemaking:
artistic value of sexual pleasure. 3. In Bed, the Kiss: Created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892, and displayed in the Tate, In
human condition, being the glorified
A handscroll painting by the artist
Bed, The Kiss portrays two women in
performance of the natural naked
Katsukawa Shun’ei, made during the
bed, holding each other in their arms,
body. Throughout history, our hunger
Edo period in Japan, this piece can
and embracing in a kiss. It is a beautiful
for depictions of human sexuality and
be found on display in the British
prejudice-free depiction of intimacy and
eroticised bodies has been reflected
Museum. A type of erotic Japanese
desire, a post-impressionist snapshot of
within the art world. Here are some of
Shunga art, often created as woodblock
a passionate moment. The painting is
the pieces that stand out within the art
prints, illustrations, and paintings, the
considered by the artist as the height
and eroticism timeline.
term Shunga in Japanese translates to
of pleasurable delight, capturing love’s
1. The French Bed:
‘spring’, a Japanese euphemism for sex.
tenderness in warm shades of red and
On display in the Rijksmuseum in
Representing idealised contemporary
yellow, surrounded by a softer pallet of
Amsterdam, Rembrandt’s ‘The French
urban life, varying widely in its portrayal
grey, green, and blue.
Bed’ created in 1646 is an etching and
of sexuality, this Japanese Shunga art
drypoint print which depicts a semi-
depicts luxurious sexual scenes and
clothed couple passionately making
graphic depictions of sexual intercourse
love in a four-poster bed. It is
in colourful detail, demonstrating the
Arts
25 to create a beautiful, arousing, and
deep sexual desire, is unmistakable.
Created by Egon Schiele, an Austrian
erotic depiction of two women in love
Especially considering that this piece
expressionist figurative painter who
embracing. It is an example of sublime
was made by one of the most sexual
found inspiration in the bedroom, this
pornography, made from gouache,
artists of all time. An erotic motif,
piece dates to 1915, and is on display in
watercolour, and graphite on paper.
this graphite on paper drawing is a
4. Two Women Embracing:
the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest.
5. The Kiss:
playful and experimental portrayal of
A surrealist illustration created by
sensuality, depicting in moments of
of sexual dreams, Schiele’s work is
Picasso in 1967, this piece is on display
unbroken line, a bearded man kissing a
known for its raw sexuality as the artist
in the Tate, London. Open mouths and
young woman.
became popular for creating multiple
twisting tongues, while this piece does
nude
piece,
not appear explicitly pornographic,
however, Schiele uses warm colours
the intensity of this kiss, driven by
self-portraits.
In
this
Artists: Kiarna Whiteley (Left), Lily Boag (Right)
Influenced by Gustav Klimt’s paintings
6 Is postmodernity dead?
arts
By Jack Warren
Postmodernity has to be one of the
And for us edgy artsy students with
single most misunderstood, confusing, and widely thrown around words of the 21st century. Anyone who does a humanities degree will give you the
our postmodern surrealist meme humour and general confusion about the current state of the world, we are likely the best candidates to truly take postmodern art
life in its composition. Multimedia, intermedia, appropriation, recycling, and contradiction. In some senses we are desensitised to this as our lives contain
stock answer quotation from Lyotard that
onboard as a genuine tool to question our
these elements in the form of our media
postmodernism is an ‘incredulity towards
material surroundings.
consumption. But perhaps this enables
metanarrtives’. Whatever that means… Anyway, postmodernism has become its own metanarrative, and the art world
We live in an increasingly fast, bright, and complex system that is imploding inward, projecting itself onto the past
us to better understand the work of the likes Damien Hurst or Tracey Emin, works that are canonised in the realms of
has been actively building upon this
and present. Objects and images are
pretention, division and, confusion. When
metanarrative since its conception. Meaning maybe it was dead from the moment it was actualised, undergoing a
lost references to things we don’t even understand anymore. Memes are a crucial example of the strange balance between
we are alienated from understanding the everyday, perhaps we can seek refuge in its abstraction into the sceptic and ironic.
living death (as Baudrillard might say) for the confusion of the display itself in.
the absurd and relatable. So, what defines
Postmodernity then, for better or for worse, is not quite dead yet.
postmodern
that
we
can
understand
from
daily
art? Well, for starters it uses things
Art in Wartime: Ukraine’s artists respond By Elizabeth Woor War has often produced some of the most recognised pieces of artwork in the world. Simultaneously, war often leads to the mass destruction of art. The initial statement of this article might come as no surprise. Maybe it’s even obvious that this would be the case. After all, many of us would associate art with pain or hardship in some form. However, art in wartime means more than just capturing the fighting. Art in war time has the ability to become an incredibly powerful tool of protest, inspiring others to join resistance movements. It can be an escape from the difficulties being faced, helping to increase morale of a nation. It even has the ability to become some of the most important propaganda in the course of history. In Ukraine, artists and Museums are using their work to present an incredibly defiant stance against the Russian invasion. One artist who has gained considerable media attention for his refusal to stop the opening of his solo show is Volo Bevza. His exhibition, titled ‘Soft Image’ was due to open as Russian
forces edged closer to the border of Ukraine. Despite this, Bevza was determined for the show to go ahead, stating that he saw the exhibit as “a kind of protest against Russian aggression… spreading panic, misinformation, disorientation, and fear is at the core of the Russian hybrid war against Ukraine. So, we thought we’ll just continue doing our job, as small and unimportant it may seem to be.” Although the artist was eventually forced to shut the exhibition as citizens were urged to stay inside, his determination is a testament to how the creative community views their position of resistance in times of major distress. Further afield, where artists still have access to material, and most importantly, safe spaces to put on shows, Ukrainian artists have been raising awareness and encouraging others to show empathy. On March 5th, Ukrainian artists led an organised ‘paper planes’ protest at the Guggenheim Gallery in New York City. Lika Volk, one of the artists involved, stated that the message behind the planes was to “show people what it feels like when danger comes from the sky.” Museums, filled with items of national pride and history, come with a
unique set of challenges when faced with the impending fear of invasion. They hold literal links to the past. Destroy these and can a country still feel connected to their past, and thus their idenitity? As the director of the The Mystetskyi Arsenal (one of the most significant museums In Ukraine) said during an interview with the BBC, ““We are facing not just an attack on Ukraine but an attack on our culture.” Like many other workers within the cultural industry, she made the decision to stay in Ukraine to help protect the objects within her institution. Others did not have the time, staff or choice to do the same. The race to safeguard objects of importance is difficult, and already there are reports of Russian forces destroying 25 works made by the celebrated Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko in the town of Ivankiv. More works will be burnt, vandalised, or stolen. Yet, it’s almost certain that the spirit of creativity will continue to flourish. Imagination can never be destroyed and, if Ukrainian artists have taught us anything so far, the visual arts will continue to stay alive.
Editor: JAck Warren
7
BOOKS
The Art of Fanfiction by Izzy Millen
I’ve been a fanfiction devotee since I was a teenager. After a friend introduced me to this magical, world-expanding universe, I’ve been obsessed. I’d consume as much as possible on the bus to and from college every day (easy to read loads if your bus ride is an hour) and when I got a bit braver, started uploading my own oneshots onto popular sites, interacting with other writers, and obsessing over their work. Fanfiction gets unfairly dunked on and always has been. I remember being told it wasn’t a “proper” form of literature, it didn’t allow itself for creativity, it was lazy because you’re “stealing” authors’ original characters and settings to make something of your own. Although I think these concerns do have an element of validity to them, it’s near impossible for any writer to develop without dabbling in fanfiction at some point. Afterall, isn’t Paradise Lost just a fanfiction of The Fall of Man from the Bible in poetical form? And The Faerie Queene a retelling of the end of Virgil’s Aeneid?
If I hadn’t had fanfiction, I definitely wouldn’t have been as skilled at writing as I am today. I know I am no bestselling writer, and I won’t make a career out of writing my silly little drabbles. But fanfiction, with its preconstructed elements and characters that already exist, create the perfect ground for writers to practise. It is not lazy, you are creating new scenarios, moving aspects of characters and coming up with original scenarios. You fill out missing scenes, letting your imagination guide you into forming something creative which requires just as much work as writing. Because isn’t creating anything valuable
It gave me the groundwork to write, but also helped me spot lazy tropes and learn not to use them. It helped me think about alternative endings and how to fill in the gaps. It helped me develop my imagination and my skills in a space of community. Fanfiction is its own artform – inherently valuable, requiring skill, and bringing people together.
Photo: Unsplash
“this magical, worldexpanding universe”
Sapphic Book Recommendations by Amy Crawford
As someone looking to read about queer women, it’s easy to assume there is a lack of sapphic books on the market. Even worse, you may be convinced the books that are out there are poorly written, depressing or a horrible, soul-crushing combination of the two. Don’t allow yourself to be swept up in this discourse and miss out on the incredible - often own voice - wlw literature out there because of misconceptions about sapphic literature as a whole. Here are three recommendations of brilliantly written books by queer women about queer women.
1. The Color Purple Fair warning- this book covers extremely disturbing content, particularly in terms of sexual violence and racism. Alice Walker’s award-winning epistolary novel immerses us in the life of Celie,
an African American teenager living in rural Georgia in the early 1900s who is surrounded by men who abuse her. We watch her world shift as she finds women who refuse to submit to this abuse and fight for their happiness. One of these women is Shug, whose love for Celie is central to the development of Celie’s own self-worth as she becomes a queer Black woman in a world which seeks only to erase her.
2. Disobedience Disobedience focusses jointly on Jewish doctrine and the lives of the two women navigating life in a close-knit Orthodox Jewish community after the death of their Rabbi. The two women have very differing relationships with the doctrine and how it impacts on expression or concealment of their sexualities. Ronit is disobedience personified,
itching to provoke, while Esti chooses a path of compromise and continued sacrifice. Both are valid and insightful approaches to life that Naomi Alderman navigates with sensitivity.
3. Fingersmith If you are looking for a mind-blowing book, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters certainly fits the bill. It’s Dickensian in style and is full of plot twists without coming across as contrived. This dark and twisting narrative about orphans and thieves, gentlewomen and deception, is underlined by the budding romance between Sue and Maud which, despite the richly imagined chaos around them, seems unshakeable.
8
books
Romance Books and Sex Representation By Libby Hargreaves Sex: defined for so long, by most, as a penetrative act between a man and woman. Books push the boundaries of this restrictive, reductive definition, and open reader’s minds to a wide range of sexual experiences- both healthy and unhealthy. Books have the power to educate and misinform, so the representation of sex within them is important- especially in romance novels, which many read for the steamy action. Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient strikes the perfect balance between tension and smut. Stella Lane’s autism can make sex difficult in a world designed by and for neurotypicals, so when a handsome male escort takes the time to listen, learn and fulfil her needs (in more ways than one) she (and Hoang’s neurodivergent readers) feels seen. The importance of breaking convention in terms of sexual representation is extended to those who do not feel sexual attraction in Oseman’s
Loveless, a journey of self-exploration for a “fanfic-obsessed romantic” who had never experienced a non-fictional crush. Both these novels, though on opposite ends of the spice scale, convey the same message through their representation of sex: the importance of communication.
“Books have the power to educate and misinform” Authors don’t always get it right, with the likes of Call Me By Your Name having a reputation (especially with the rise of BookTok) for queer representation: “I began to feel we were not even two men, just two beings”. Though a sentiment many readers who’ve had difficulty coming to terms with their queer
Sex Representation in Romance Books
identity could empathise with, it felt hollow in its contribution to the romanticising of criminal activity in ‘subversive’ sexual representation: “it seemed there was absolutely no difference in age between us, just two men kissing”. The paedophilic, predatorial nature of the relationship is completely overlooked by many, who cling to the rare shameless gay sexual representation. Understandably so, as most LGBTQ+ representation in romance novels takes a modest approach- it is a rarity to find a healthy dose of queer smut, especially between two women or non-binary folks. Romance books reveal the ordinarily veiled indulgence of sexual connection: women orgasm without shame, disabled folks are sexy, queer people find love. There is more than a sexual fantasy between the pages of a great romance novel: there is truth.
Photo: Unsplash
By Robyn Johnson Sex representation in novels may feel like a modern addition to literature. However, there’s plenty of examples of classics in which sex scenes feature, or even where sex plays a dominant role in the plot line. The earliest example in English literature is Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, published in 1748 by John Cleland. A fictional tale of fifteen-year-old Fanny Hill, the two-part novel is an autobiographical tale of Fanny’s experiences as a sex worker. Whilst not a traditional romantic novel, it can certainly be argued that Cleland romanticises prostitution. Cleland doesn’t downplay these experiences - Fanny’s sexual encounters are described in vivid detail, which may come as a surprise for its early publication date. The novel is without a doubt vulgar yet adds a crucial insight into sex work and life in the 16th century. Delta of Venus by Anais Nin features a collection of fifteen short erotica stories, published in 1977 (although mostly written in the 1940’s for a private erotica collector). The novel could be described as the classic to E. L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey. Nin has been described as creating her own ‘language of the senses’ through her depictions of sexual experiences and encounters within the novel. It presents a progressive take on sex representation, placing female pleasure and desire at the centre, Nin’s focus was orientated around
“women’s language, seeing sexual experience from a woman’s point of view”. In these examples, sex representation in literature certainly holds importance for its progressivity, and plot development. More recent examples of sex representation in novels include the popular series Fifty Shades of Grey. The plot revolves around sex without much focus on any accompanying narrative. Within the series, sex feels like it holds too much influence, to the point where the novel has been criticized for being shallow and poorly written. In this example sex representation doesn’t add depth. The same can be said for Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton, with a focus on sexual representation across the series. Although both novel series should be celebrated for their representation of sexual experiences and diversity within these experiences, it can feel that overt and constant references to sex diminish the plot, often seeming unnecessary.
BOOKS
9
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath by sienna norris
I’m sure you’ve heard of The Bell Jar, or Sylvia Plath. If you haven’t then I highly recommend you get Googling. The Bell Jar was originally published under a pseudonym in 1963, the same year Plath unfortunately ended her life, but the novel and her legacy lives on. Without giving too much away, The Bell Jar chronicles the mental health battle protagonist, Esther Greenwood, experiences. It’s a very intimate look into depression and suicide as readers follow the chronicles of Esther’s mental breakdown. Being published in the early sixties, the topics were very taboo, but there are so many people that struggle with mental illness, including me. I suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder which can sometimes be accompanied with depression. I first began to read the book when I started struggling mentally, and I couldn’t han-
dle how relatable it was. A few years later, after experiencing somewhat of a mental breakdown myself, I returned to it, falling in love with the novel and Plath’s work as a whole. Many people read The Bell Jar as a critique of society’s treatment towards women, more specifically mentally ill women, during the 1950s. You may know Sylvia Plath as Ted Hughes’ first wife, or as the writer who put her head in an oven, but she’s so much more. A lot of the events that take place in The Bell Jar seem to reflect some of Plath’s life, perhaps explaining why it’s such a classic - Plath wrote what she knew and that reflected onto her readers. Plath suffered with depression most of her life, attempting suicide numerous times, before tragically succeeding after she separated from Ted Hughes. She died at the age of 30, leaving two young
children. I feel that knowing the author’s story is so crucial to understanding the concept of the book. The Bell Jar’s opening line is, “I was supposed to be having the time of my life”, which I’m sure many of us can relate to, especially those in their twenties. I know this is a clichè, but it truly is ahead of its time, and so was Plath, very subtly. This isn’t a review of The Bell Jar but a strong recommendation. “To the person in the bell jar, blank and stopped dead as a baby, the world itself is a bad dream.”
Photo: Unsplash
EDITOR: Louise Collins
Fashion
10
Fashion’s response to the ukraine conflict by sienna norris
Photo: Wikimedia Commons By now, everyone is aware of the heart-wrenching events taking place in Ukraine. There is an overwhelming helplessness when watching Russia’s attempts of control from the sidelines. These past few weeks have also seen numerous Fashion Weeks taking place, and it has caused designers and big names in the industry to help Ukraine as much as possible. One of the biggest responses throughout Fashion Week was Balenciaga’s autumn and winter show in Paris. Creative Director, Demna Gvasalia, completely rearranged the show into models walking through extreme weather conditions. Some of them even held trash bags as seen to represent those fleeing Ukraine with just a bag of belongings. A refugee himself, Gvasalia fled his home country, Georgia, at age 12. He took to Instagram to say how the show was “a dedication to fearlessness, to resistance, and to the victory of love and peace”. In an interview following the show, he stated that “we cannot take weapons and go fight there, but we can use our
voices”. Another notable moment at Paris Fashion Week was Budapest designer brand Nanushka’s presentation. To show their support, they played Ukraine’s national anthem and severed business ties with Russia, like a number of other brands. These kinds of responses are not limited to Paris. In Milan, Giorgio Armani decided to present his show without any music to show respect for those suffering in Ukraine. Additionally, during New York Fashion Week, Kyiv designer Svitlana Bevza closed her show by projecting her native flag for everyone to see. Perhaps the responses with the most exposure are those from the models of Fashion Week. Mica Argañaraz revealed she would donate all of her earnings to Ukrainian organisations, with Gigi Hadid following suit, as well as donating to Palestine. Other models have vowed to donate some of their Fashion Week earnings too, and many attendees of shows wore the colours of the Ukrainian flag to show their support.
A notable number of fashion brands have cut Russia off following Putin’s invasion. Marks & Spencer’s, ASOS, John Lewis, H&M are all examples. The fashion industry is not the only one changing its relationship with Russia – oil, agriculture, technology, automobile, and numerous other industries have completely excluded Russia from trading to present a no-tolerance policy for war crimes. Arguably the biggest event in fashion was the support from all corners of Fashion Week. This inevitably impacts other people to do the same. Demna Gvasalia could not have put it better, saying that brands using their voices can have a great effect. The severity of the attacks in Ukraine has prompted immense solidarity amongst onlookers. Many neighbouring countries in Europe have opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict polluting their homes. But what is most inspiring is the strength Ukrainians are showing to the world.
11
Fashion
The Looks of paris fashion week by lily boag
Photo: Unsplash Vario u s A-list c e lebrities were s p o t t e d a t t h e fashion extra v a g a n z a t h a t w a s Paris Fashi o n We e k . F r o m t h e end of Febru a r y t o t h e b e g i n ning of Marc h , l u x u r i o u s f a s h i o n brands such a s Di o r, C ha ne l a nd Valen t in o to Lo u i s Vu i t t o n , B a l m ain, and Saint L a u r e n t i n t r o d u c ed their dram a ti c fa l l c o l l e c ti o ns . F ro n t row a n d s a u n t e r i n g t h e fashion show s i n the i r o w n e ns emb les , the s t a r- s t u d d e d g u e s t l ist drew our a t t e n t i o n . I n a n attempt to st a nd o u t fr o m the crowd , they c o nve ye d the i r un iq ue fashio n s t y l e s a n d p romoted their c o nne c ti o ns wi th wellestabl i she d de s i gne r s. Re a l i t y s t a r a n d S K I M S founder Kim K a r d a s h i a n m a d e a high fashio n s ta te m e nt by a p p earin g at the B a l e n c i a g a F a l l a n d Winter show i n a d a r i n g r u n w ay look. In th e f r o n t r o w, K a rdashian
dressed in a yellow caution-ta p e catsuit, with Balenciaga-tap e d handbag and pumps. Releasi n g the behind-the-scenes bei n g wrap p ed in t o h er cus t om out f it before the show, Kim paired t h e look wit h a s leek b acked h airs t y le and dark shades. Other celebr i t y guests made an appearance in t h e Balenciaga show too. Walking t h e runway was high-fashion mod e l Bella Hadid, while further in t h e crowd was Euphoria actress a n d rising Gen-Z fashion icon Ale x a Demie. Declaring to the streets o f Paris t h at s h e will n o t g ive up her style because she is expectin g , pop-musician and fashion ic o n Rihanna revealed her pregna n t belly in black maternity linger i e d urin g h er d ramat ic en t ranc e in t o t h e Dior s h o w. Wearin g a kn ee-len g t h lace-lin ed s h e er d res s , a b lack leat h er t ren c h coat, knee-high pointed-to e d boots, layered silver necklace s ,
dark red lips, and a half up-do, Rihanna stunned onlookers with her sexy street style. Meanwhile, looking pretty in pink was E u p h o r i a s t a r a n d S p i d e r- M a n : N o Wa y H o m e a c t r e s s Z e n d a y a , appearing elegant and chic at the Valen tin o w om en sw ear sh ow. S h e wore a bright fuchsia tailored suit. Leaving ‘Le Bar des Pres’ w as m od el Hailey Bieb er, w h o wore a tight fitted silk pink dress w ith k n ee- h ig h b lac k b oots. The current trend taken from P a r i s F a s h i o n We e k h a s b e e n t h a t making a fashion statement is a must. Whether it be through Kim K ar d ash ian ’s d r am atic sh ow s t o p p e r a p p r o a c h , t o R i h a n n a ’s bold and confident street style e n t r a n c e , t o Z e n d a y a ’s f l i r t a t i o n with vibrant colour – the aim is th e c atc h ev er y on e’s atten tion until you’re all the talk of Paris and the fashion world.
12
Fashion
Spring Closet essentials by eve o’donoghue Spring is relief. Taking a breath after being submerged in the inky, winter sea. Winter’s blues, blacks, and grey, pinstripe and sequins, melt off our skin when it is just about warm enough. As much layering fur in the winter is a survival instinct, so is shedding it. The spring is emerging from the depths, returning to life, and leaving the worn-out skin behind. Spring is rebirth. Premature shedding, revealing the spring florals, lace, blue denim, and bare limbs, may bring about second glances from
stuffy couples, feeling the chill as their little dog sweats in a teeny boiler suit. But there’s no shame in dressing in full bloom before the trees are green. As someone who struggles with seasonal depression, as soon as I can trick myself into the early impressions of a warm, summer glow, I will. Donning sunset pinks, yellows, and orange or white monochromatic looks treats my outlook as well as any pill. The knots in my shoulders begin to untangle when they can be exposed without goosebumps. As the world around us is
reborn, we too reawaken to the innate beauty around us and within ourselves. When we decorate our bodies in prints and colours that demand to be heard, we reaffirm our place in the cycle of things. We step out from the permanent winter night into a fresh spring morning in flowing skirts and crop tops. And with that comes the acceptance that though this vibrancy is finite, this does not limit its power within the moment. Using the first chillabandoning spring day to wear something bright and sleeveless is part of the awareness that this
Photo: Unsplash
EditOR: Zorsha Taylor Suich
14
creative writing
Why You Should Always Listen To Your Partner In The Morning By Seb Lloyd
I dreamt that I saw the end of the world. There wasn’t a particular moment, I knew the world was ending. Dumb and asking myself how scared I am. Not out of lucidity, in a fastest-way-out-for-fear-of-painfuldeath kind of way. Then I’m in a bunker, and I have a really nice car with white leather seats and a green bonnet. But I know I won’t see it for 5 years. I think I own the bunker but I’m not sure. ‘You guys want a cup of tea or something?’ but we can’t, obviously. I feel stupid now. “It’s going to torrentially rain.” I say. As people pour into my FLOOD bunker. Social embarrassment is still a thing during Armageddon and is possibly worse for fear of bathos. Being A Twat Hoping Opportunity to Save dignity will come. But obviously it may not, as the end is nigh, judgement will come, lake of fire, pain etc. And some people look at me but most just carry on carrying their mothers’ pearls or their rations or their children or something because obviously. I know I’m hosting but it’s a bunker not a cocktail party. I prepare myself for ranting about prophecies, but most people just get comfy and chat. Someone I’m sitting with starts ranting, but it’s about people defining themselves by their race. I feel uncomfortable because he’s talking about condescension and ‘uncontacted tribes’, but also because I didn’t expect that to be the first big debate, but I guess he has a lot on his mind. Then I think about Elephants in rooms and how some government initiative is probably cryogenically freezing an Elephant right now, For the Ark. I doubt what’s was worth talking about, so I find some oatcakes and expect people
to be really needy about food, but everyone seems to have loads in their bags. Some people across the room from me get out some big pickles and I feel envious. The rooms are concrete and rectangular with a central area covered by a wide lattice rug. I pinch the plastic of a second oatcake packet and feel a twinge of embarrassment for having such a big bunker and no chess boards or crayons. I draw a floor plan and take a seat while some time passes. Then we speak about the end of the world while it rains, finally. We think it’s ‘the final rain’ because we knew there was going to be a flood. When you know there’s going to be a flood, rain feels immeasurably important, but it just rains for a long while, and it’s relieving to be inside, out of the cold. We had to join the Noah’s-Ark-but-for-cars and I’ve never had anything biblical in my dreams before, or a car. I’d forgotten I wouldn’t see it for 5 years. I’m imagining this was announced over a tannoy that we could hear from all the different districts. Over rain the size of puppies and kittens like we’d never seen. I’m thinking this up now, that wasn’t in there. By the time we leave my eyes are square because everything’s square in bunkers, especially the light. I’m all dazed and can’t put faces to names. So many people are deep in conversation, talking about how loud the birds are. I think about doves and olives and if migrants exist when everyone’s a refugee. If the only land we’ll find will be former mountains. If we’ll make visible lines to remember where our borders were. How long until we make an Interstellar-style mega wave and the last people left alive are Point Break anachronisms on the final and ultimate ride. Whooping into the water thinking they’re right over LA, when really the lines were guesswork and they’re out in the unnamed ocean, dying happily. That wasn’t in there either. I didn’t mean to wake you up. Good morning.
creative writing
15
Something Worth Sticking To By Synnne Solbrekken
Between a parent and a child, the common denominator is love. But is love a skill we have naturally? Do our parents instinctively know how to love us? Or were they taught? I think the answer is both. Love is a natural phenomenon. Every person is capable of loving something or someone. But just because we have the aptitude doesn’t mean we naturally possess the skill. I would say that love is a biological ability we have but a behavioural skill we acquire. I’m not saying there’s a right or wrong way to love someone. Because we all have baggage, we do the best we can with the tools we’re given. What I’m saying is that there are certain tools that are less damaging in the maintenance of our emotional machinery. You might say my dad was given a hammer while my mother was given a screwdriver. 2 very different tools and, as it turns out, not all that compatible. As children, we fail to see how we’re affected by our parents’ tinkering of our machinery. It’s only when we grow up and attain a certain amount of self-awareness that we start to see. And when we do, we may see that the unconditional love, the: ‘I do something nice for you to show you I care, expecting nothing in return’ kind of love, is really: ‘I put you in this world so you owe it to me to be how I want you to be’ or ‘I provide this for you expecting you to obey me in return’ or rather I nurture you as the extension of myself rather than the separate individual you actually are’. The point is a child is a person of their own and deserves to be treated as such. A child doesn’t automatically owe their parents anything. What they give someone, their parents included, is what they choose to give. So, if you’d ask me what I would do differently as a parent, I’d say: it’s not that I’d love my children differently than my parents loved me. I’d show them how to love differently. When you ask people my age that question, I’d expect vastly different answers. I, myself, have trouble being specific. I know what I don’t want to do, but I also don’t know what I would want to do.
All I know is that the truest kind of love is unconditional. In any relationship, but especially between parents and their children. It’s not necessarily unconditional by nature because love is partly taught. Our parents set an example for us to follow. Even if that meant showing their children that love is something you have to earn. It doesn’t have to be a good example, it’s still going to be the one we instinctively follow. Although awareness and knowledge can break generational patterns, human beings are creatures of habit and what we know is what feels safe and comfortable. So, what we’ve been taught is what we’ll most likely stick to. That’s why I want to give my children something worth sticking to.
Photo: Unsplash
16
creative writing
Don’t Fall
By Izzy Murphy Look at them. All just walking around. Getting on with their lives. I bet they don’t know what it’s like. I mean, some of them, maybe, but it can’t be this bad. If it was this bad, they wouldn’t be down there, walking around, getting on with their lives. If it was this bad, they would be up here, with me. But no one is with me. I am alone. I chose the right building this time. It’s taken me a while, but I think I’ve got it now. The last building, I was too high up, and no one noticed. Someone pointed me out as though I was a statue, but they didn’t see me. They didn’t really see me. They never really see me. The first time, the roof was too low, I fractured my ankle, broke a few ribs, nothing major. I had to tell them I was ‘admiring the view and slipped’. You can’t tell the doctors you jumped, they send you to the psych ward, and that’s always such a faff, such a set back. So you have to find the right height of your chosen building. Too high, and you chicken out. The people are too small and you don’t want to make such a splatter. Such a mess. But too low, and the best you get is a broken something. A fractured something. No long standing result. Just sympathy. And sympathy isn’t enough. Apparently nothing is. So this is how it normally goes: The wind picks up, your heart does a little backflip, close your eyes and breathe. Deeply. Someone spots you, they point, maybe it’s a kid. You call it traumatising, I call it character building. Strangers, people who don’t know you, they start shouting. Stupid things like, “What are you doing?” “Are you okay?!” “Don’t do it!” blah blah blah. By now someone has probably called the police. They won’t get here in time, but it’s their job to try. Someone shouts, “You don’t want to do this!” Oh, what do you know? More and more people gather at the base of the building, the sirens blare in the distance. That’s such a cliche isn’t it? Sirens blaring.
When it comes to it, like actually doing it, it’s not as dramatic. There’s no big jump. It’s not like bungee jumping. No one is cheering you on. You’re not coming back up. No. With this, it’s a lot less theatrical. The actual act, that is. Kind of like skydiving. You just sort of lean out. That’s it. With this, all you have to do is lean forward far enough, and gravity takes care of the rest for you. Some places have railings so you don’t want to pick that building. They’re so much of a bother to get around, it’s not worth the hassle. You don’t want to awkwardly clamber over. Or worse, try and jump it. No. It’s not a jump. It’s fall. You lean forward, and you just: fall.
Photo: Unsplash
EDITOR: Izzy murphy
Music
17
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
nme awards 2022 By tom manning
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
18
Music
By tom manning
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Music life: “We’re starting off in Bristol! Bella and I are from Somerset so it’ll be a weird kind of homecoming show. It’s our first tour in quite a while although we’ve done the odd festival since lockdown so we’re feeling super excited. I don’t think we can believe it’s finally happening as it’s been rescheduled so many times! I think it will be quite euphoric playing songs from the second record live and some for the first time. We’re revisiting quite a few places so it will feel like meeting quite a few old friends.” At this point, Alice turned the camera around to show me that she was sitting in the band’s practise room preparing for their first pre-production set ready for their tour. Given how Alice had mentioned the band were working on their third album, I asked if we could
19 expect any teasers in the track list at any of their sets to which I received a playful laugh. “Maybe…it’s like what we were saying earlier, it’s super important to explore and understand what the tracks are like live so finally going on tour feels like the perfect place to maybe test a few of them out and see what the reactions are.”
Sex, drugs, rock n roll: Rockstars through the ages by Tabi fielding Ever since Ian Dury released his single Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll in 1977, sex and drugs have been associated with the production of rock music. However, is the term still relevant to the rock industry in 2022? The “King of Rock and Roll”, Elvis Presley entered the music scene just as tv’s were becoming more common across America and England. Elvis received an immense amount of publicity and interest, being cited as the first person to add overt sex to music, and be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. Although he still maintained a cleancut appearance like most 1950’s singers, his provocative presence perhaps was the real reason he was labelled a rockstar. Nicknamed Elvis-the-Pelvis, his captivating, sexual dance moves carried a new sense of revolt and rebellion against previous generations and musicians. Unconsciously, he was becoming a rockstar, enticing an emotional response from his audience. The 1960’s ushered in liberalised attitudes about sex, bands such as the Rolling Stones prioritised femininity within their music to target a market of young girls. Then came the 1970’s and 80’s where the rocker style blurred genders with men wearing their hair long and embracing their sexuality. Towards the end of the 20th century, heavy drug use became more associated with the genre of music following the drug related deaths of many rock musicians. The result of this was both creative and destructive. Cocaine was frequently taken by rockstars such as David bowie, who’s addiction reached a new high when he released station to station. Though in a paranoid state whilst recording most of the album, critics argue that it sent Bowie’s work down exciting, new paths.
Rock music as a genre is still very much a thing in 2022, however the term “rockstar” may not be so relevant anymore. Over time the excitement around sex and drugs has faded as musicians have become increasingly at risk of public scrutiny because of social media. There may be benefits of drug taking however, as singer Harry styles announced that he took mushrooms at Shangri-La studios in Malibu, founded by The Band back in the 1970’s. Could the hallucinogenic effect of drugs lead musicians to create more inventive rock music sounds/styles? Or perhaps the industry has become bland and market focused, leaving real creativity and self-expression in the past?
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
EDITOR: Tom manning
20
Gaming
Elden Ring: Is it Worth Buying? By Holly Jackson reheated boss fights from the previous games undercut the impact. Although many of them are remixed and situated in different contexts, they are all blatant nods to what came before.” Moreover, many players have stated that some of these bosses are nearly impossible to beat as they aren’t matched to the players’ level (there are a lot of guides providing information on how to get past them). In spite of this, I have seen users describe Elden Ring as “phenomenal” and “everything you could hope for” on online forums. The feedback is nearly all positive, and it has been described as a masterpiece, so it seems that Elden Ring is absolutely worth every penny if it’s the type of game you enjoy playing. The game offers players between around 60-80 hours of gameplay, if you’re focusing on its key objectives, but it could potentially take a lot longer if you stray from the beaten track and keep you occupied for plenty of time, so you’ll undoubtedly get your money’s worth from it. As well as its visuals and vast open-world, Elden Ring has also been praised for its beautiful soundtrack. However, players using older consoles may want to think twice before purchasing Elden Ring, especially Xbox
Photo: wikimedia commons
Photo: wikimedia commons
Elden Ring is a new third person action fantasy role-play game which has been likened to its predecessor Dark Souls. Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, its trailer certainly boasts some impressive settings, and it also has mostly glowing reviews. The game is available on Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation5 as well as Xbox Series. But is it worth spending £49.99 on? Fextra Life summarises the narrative, stating “Legend has it that the ring holds unimaginable power “that which commanded the stars, giving life its fullest brilliance” and that the ring has been destroyed by something or someone. This then leads to the destruction and decay of the world, the sky burning, and brings parallels to the collapsing sun of the Souls universe.” The comparison to Dark Souls is a common theme in the discussions surrounding Elden Ring, and has become a point of criticism in some ways. PC Gamer highlights how the ‘Bosses’ are remarkably similar to those in Dark Souls, describing how “The
One users (unfortunately this includes myself) as it has been criticised as possibly being the worst version of the game. Tech Radar explains that “the differences between visual quality and overall detail is stark. The Xbox One is like a PC on the lowest settings, paring back environmental shadows, grass density, and ambient occlusion.” As well as this, characters and items further away suffer from appearing slowly due to their frame rate. So, if you own an Xbox One and don’t want to compromise on the visual aspect of a game, Elden Ring sadly may not be the game for you. This is disappointing - I was really excited to purchase the game but I’d love to experience it in its full glory. All facts considered, I would suggest giving Elden Ring a go if you’re looking for a new open-world game to try, especially if you have a newer console - everyone seems to be raving about it and there doesn’t appear to be any major downfalls! Despite its criticism on Xbox One, I am still very tempted to buy it and experience it for myself, as it looks absolutely stunning and overall sounds like a great, exciting new game that might take me out of my comfort zone.
gaming
21
Forspoken to Be Delayed – Will it Be Worth the Wait? By HOLLY jACKSON Photo: Unsplash
Forspoken has been heralded as an ambitious role-player game by Square Enix. They describe how “Forspoken follows the journey of Frey, a young New Yorker transported to the beautiful and cruel land of Athia. In search of a way home, Frey must use her newfound magical abilities to traverse sprawling landscapes and battle monstrous creatures.” Initially set for release in May, the title has now been pushed back to 11th October this year, to allow developer Luminous Productions to “focus all of [their] efforts on polishing the game.” It will be available on PC and PlayStation 5. The question is, will it live up to our expectations? The production team are aiming for the “highest quality visuals ever”, which is a bold goal to reach for. However, the visuals in the trailer alone are seriously impressive, offering some beautiful scenery, so if they can achieve this for the whole game, it will absolutely be worth it. I was very impressed by the settings showcased in the trailer, although I must say the characters’ faces threw me off a little because they look so realistic. The team are also aiming for Forspoken to be a game that can be played for years, so we can only hope that it lives up to this – I’m certainly happy to wait longer if it does makes it more worthwhile. Game delays do make me a little nervous though, I must admit. After waiting eagerly for Cyberpunk 2077, which was delayed three times, once it was released, I took one look at the reviews and decided it wasn’t worth purchasing. The game launch was somewhat of a disaster, with many declaring the game as being unplayable. Initially it too boasted an amazing trailer, and certainly looked like it was headed for success, but nonetheless, it disappointed. When it comes to game delays, there isn’t an awful lot we can do except, well, wait. We can only keep our fingers crossed that the developers of Forspoken will successfully deliver, and so far, it appears that they will. Although game delays can be disappointing, I personally would much rather just wait as long as necessary, than buy a game which has been rushed and discover it’s a flop afterwards.
“Initially set for release in May, the title has now been pushed back to October.”
Photo: Unsplash
22 Escape Room Shenanigans
gaming
By Laura Patterson
Escape Rooms are fun - each one you go to is a unique experience. Many of my favourite memories have taken place in them. I’d like to share a few. Of all the places, my first escape room experience was actually in Budapest. On our stay, my friends and I googled things to do in the city, and this was what popped up. After trundling on many trams and getting a little bit lost in the outskirts of the city, we buzzed the intercom to a random block building. After gaining access, we were given directions to walk downstairs into a basement. The setting felt like we had entered a homicidal maniac’s lair. Things didn’t help when the host handed clipboards to us, asking us to sign a form agreeing not to hold him liable if we got panic attacks during the game (slightly concerning). Despite the initial start, we had so much fun playing the game! It was Harry Potter themed and used lots of props that honoured the film – think portkeys and wands! All in all, we appreciated this random Hungarian man’s creativity and effort into designing the game. My second escape room was in my hometown with some friends of mine from sixth-form college. The theme this time was ‘Armageddon’, which featured a live actor mad scientist putting his drama school experience to good use. Together, we had to stop an asteroid attack – however my friends and I thought it would be funny to get very drunk on cheap cocktails right before the game. As a result, we were horrifically useless and acted like caged up monkeys. The only success was being a source of entertainment to the people running the game. They even gave us an extra ten minutes to finish the game out of pity. My most recent experience of escape rooms was an interesting one. The invitation was thrown upon me when meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time. The premise of this game was to work together in a heist to rob a bank. Not only did the escape room test my intelligence when solving a puzzle, but I had the added stress of making a good first impression on my boyfriend’s family. Thankfully, it didn’t end in tears and was really bonding, but I did have the tendency to snatch things from my boyfriend’s little brother in the heat of the moment! I don’t really remember the details of each code and lock I had to hack in these escape rooms. What I do remember is the company and the fun I had along the way. Whether it’s a board game, or something more energetic, games bring people together. I look forward to trying the escape rooms out in Norwich with the people I’ve grown close to me here.
Photo: Pixabay
Editor: Holly Jackson
24 FILM Hot and Heavy vs Cringe and Crude – The Best and Worst cinematic sex-scenes By Louise Collins We all know the feeling of watching a film with our family only to be ambushed by a sex scene. We hide behind our hands, avoiding eye contact with everyone until it passes. I’ve had my fair share of wanting to disappear into the abyss whilst watching a movie with my mam. However, sometimes, you’ve got to recognise them for what they are, and sometimes, they’re bad. Other times, well, they know how to get an audience engaged. Honourable mentions: Dylan O’Brien in The First Time had me going feral when I saw it. Atonement 100% belongs in the hot and heavy category, with the iconic green dress, and the rising tension between Robbie and Cecilia. However, it’s interrupted in the worst possible way, making it very
awkward. Easy A’s fake-sex scene also belongs here. Worst: 365 Days was one, painfully long sex montage with uncomfortable facial expressions, and a plot eroticising a terrifying kidnapping situation. 50 Shades of Grey is horrific with its power dynamic issues and abusive portrayal of BDSM. The After series. This fanfiction turned film series also romanticises a toxic relationship and the sex scenes are shocking. The facial expressions are laughable, the moans are forced, and it’s unbelievable that Tessa is having that much fun two seconds after Hardin sticks it in. Now, the good bit: Always Be My Maybe has the pair making out and feverishly stripping off their clothes as they move upstairs to the bedroom.
The Notebook’s iconic rain-kiss scene precedes the frenzied removal of clothes, before panning to Rachel McAdams in nothing but her pearls. I definitely simp. Lastly, Two Night Stand. What starts off as painfully embarrassing turns into some breath-taking shots – literally. It encourages a healthy dialogue between sexual partners, before turning into a top tier sex montage. The shots of hands gripping the headboard? Hot damn. It’s safe to say there’s a fair share of awful sex scenes out there, and I’ve barely scratched the surface. But it’s also clear that there are some magnificent scenes that absolutely know how to get the audience feeling a little somethingsomething. You’ve just got to come out from behind your hands.
How portrayals of East Asian women in film have shaped real life social perceptions by Adelaide Cannell
It’s no revelation that our digitalising world plays an ever-increasing role in how we perceive and understand society and the relationships within it. We have been reminded of this influence in recent years, sparked by movements such as Black Lives Matter, which drew our attention to Western news biases in depicting interactions between white and non-white citizens across the globe, often in favour of systematic, racist narratives and white hegemony. Likewise, you haven’t got to look far before realising the ridiculous media bias in demonising depictions of Hispanic citizens within right wing orientated, Republican news outlets in America, specifically under the Trump presidency. I want to draw the conversation towards portrayals of a less-commonly dissected discussion: how Western, often American Hollywood, on-screen portrayals and stereotyping of East Asian women through the decades
have been tied up with wider social politics and cultural stigmas. From the left-behind lover to the sexualised, seductive temptress, many film depictions reduce the female East Asian identity into a narrow vacuum: one that often benefits a western and fetishized male fantasy of innocence and passivity or of a sexual, deviant figure – deviant, of course, without being too deviant. Examples of the former can be noted in early American operas and films, such as the character of Cio Cio San in the 1904 opera Madame Butterfly, a Japanese woman who commits suicide after she is abandoned by her white lover. Meanwhile, Lucy Liu’s 2000’s Charlie’s Angels depiction of Alex Munday, a hyper-competent secret agent who teases men with her sexual power. These depictions fall into two recognised archetypes: the ‘Lotus Blossom’, denoting the quiet passivity of a ‘desirable’ figure, and the ‘Dragon
Lady’ – an Asian spin-off of the traditional femme fatale, if you will. While the Dragon Lady can easily hide behind an image of progression from the Lotus Blossom; depicting the independent, kick-ass ‘strong, deceitful and domineering’ woman, the hyper-sexualisation of these characters mean their portrayals remain problematic. A recent example that proves that stereotypes of East Asian women do not exist in an isolated, impact-less vacuum is the Atlanta Spa shootings in March 2021, which left six Asian American women dead, followed by a testimony from the gunman confessing to an ‘Asian fetish’ related sex addiction, denoting his actions to ‘eliminating temptation’. Sociology professor at Loyola Marymount University, Nadia Kim, recently wrote in a recent public seminar that the fact that six of his victims were East Asian American women fits into a sad
FILM
25
pattern of sexually objectifying such women and stereotyping them as meek. In a report by Stop AAPI Hate in 2021, there were about 3,800 reports of hate incidents across the country since March 2020, with women reporting hate incidents 2.3 times more than men. Much anti-Asian violence is also rooted in part in U.S. millenarianism. While wars wreaked havoc in Korea, Japan and Vietnam over the past decades, local women were forced to go into prostitution as a means of survival. Subsequently, we see this depicted on-screen: such as in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987), where a Vietnamese sex worker solicits soldiers with the infamous lines ‘Me so horny’ and ‘Me love you long time’. As a result, these generalizations can lead to fetishization or “Yellow Fever”, denoting how men sexually objectify Asian women. It is these racist and misogynistic depictions which often lead to violence against Asian women. Portrayals in more recent depictions suggest a Photo: Unsplash determined development in American East Asian storytelling, especially concerning female characters. These women are now the protagonists, not the side characters. More contemporary examples include Saving Faces which portrays the Asian American experience while exploring issues mother-daughter culture clashes with closeted lesbian love. Meanwhile The Farewell (2019) also depicts cross-cultural contentions between American-Chinese raised Gen-Z and traditional Chinese values of stoicism and ‘saving face’, while portraying the clash between traditional Asian collectivist values with Western American Individualistic values. Such films, most impactfully, offer its international audiences a more enlightened, human insight into the complex human experiences shared by East Asian individuals. Meanwhile, the 2019 rom-com Always be my Maybe attempts to dissolve stereotypes of Asian American characters traditionally limited to academic achievement, portraying complex contemporary family and romantic relations, depicting Sasha as creating success working in the arts industry (as opposed to the STEM field stereotypically associated with Asian Americans), while Marcus, depicted as not making it past high school, dedicates time to becoming his father’s caregiver. This develops from the birthplace of East Asian on-screen presence which not only reinforced harmful and dehumanising stereotypes and stigmas, but even where the limited exposure often saw characters played by western actors through ‘Yellow-facing’, or East Asian actors having to buy into Western-constructed stereotypes within their own portrayals. We remain on a developing trajectory still today, with portrayals in no way free of historically built-in stigmas and stereotypes, but where we catch glimpses of an ever-increasing effort at recognising and changing these harmful portrayals. May these mediums continue to grant East Asian characters ever-more realistic depictions of the complexities of the true human experience.
Robert Pattinson’s Filmography By Lily Boag Strolling down the magical hallways of Hogwarts as handsome Hufflepuff Cedric Digory, to sparkling in the sunlight as heart-throb vampire Edward Cullen, Robert Pattinson has successfully leaped between big budget blockbuster productions. These have included Harry Potter and Twilight, alongside notable art-house indie films. Spotlighted for his incredible acting capabilities, taking on versatile roles and collaborating with visionary directors that have led him towards building a fascinating career in film, Robert Pattinson has been ranked as one of the highest-paid actors in the world, unafraid to take on a new challenge. Whether or not you were on Team Edward in the time of fantasy love triangles, everybody who’s anybody in 2022 is on Team Pattinson. Becoming the newest superhit superhero, now is the perfect time for us to celebrate and reflect on some of Pattinson’s astonishing performances and film credentials from indie-brilliance to Hollywood-hits. 1. The Batman (2022) Brandishing the bat suit for the big screen and stalking the dark streets of Gotham City, Pattinson has undoubtedly entered a new era within his acting career playing billionaire-orphan Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves’ dark and edgy DC flick The Batman as he physically embodies Nirvana’s Something in the Way.
26
FILM
2. The Lighthouse (2019) Starring alongside Willem Dafoe in Robert Eggers’ disorienting black and white psychological thriller The Lighthouse, which follows two lighthouse keepers who descend into madness after being stranded alone on an island during a storm, Pattinson delivers one of his best dramatic performances in this production which premiered at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. 3. Tenet (2020) A time-bending sci-fi action-thriller directed and written by Christopher Nolan, Pattinson plays a British spy who assists a CIA operative in saving the world by preventing objects that can be manipulated by the inversion of time from being used as war weapons in the future. 4. Good Time (2017) A multi-award nominated crime thriller directed and written by the Safdie brothers, Good Time features Pattinson as a con artist and bank robber who is anxiously determined to get his mentally handicapped brother out of prison. 5. The King (2019) A Shakespearean drama Netflix adaptation, The King stars Pattinson sporting a blonde wig and a French accent while playing the Dauphin of France as a sociopathic madman determined to defeat Timothee Chalamet’s Henry V.
Music in Films By Lily Boag The effect of music in film can be both powerful and subtle. Close your eyes and the story can continue. From originally composed orchestral scores to carefully selected soundtracks, music shapes the cinematic visuals that play across our film screens. Music can create a rhythm to a scene or direct our emotional responses - channelling excitement, fear, or a thrill. It has the ability to change our interpretation of events as we witness them unfold. It guides the audience, manipulates our perception, and drives us closer to the plot and characters by eliciting emotions deep from within us. It plays an essential role in the storytelling, commenting on the action, illustrating movement, establishing the setting, depicting the passing of time, or creating a sense of fantasy or the unreal. From terrifying build ups to masterpieces of colour, for decades music composition has been essential to cinematic success. Massively contributing to film pop culture, music scores and soundtracks have become as iconic as the films
themselves, with the ability to capture magnificence, from Marty McFly driving the DeLorean, the great white shark approaching in Jaws, to the incredible dinosaurs of Jurassic Park. While the directors and actors who stand in the spotlight of these blockbuster Hollywood hits have become household names, it’s time to reveal the names behind the music, exploring the top composers and conductors in film history. Beginning with John Williams, a winner of five Oscars having composed for some of the most popular films of all time, his notable works include Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977), Indiana Jones (1981), E.T. (1982), Schindler’s List (1993), Jurassic Park (1993), and the magical theme that was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001). Dominating twentyfirst century Hollywood film music is Hans Zimmer, whose dramatical music style can be found in The Lion King (1995), Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), Inception (2010), The Dark Knight (2008), 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Kung Fu Panda (2008). However, my personal favourites include Thomas Newman, who composed the heart-wrenching Main Title piano motif for Finding Nemo (2003), and the magical melody ‘Define Dancing’ from his dreamlike score for Pixar masterpiece WALL-E (2008), and Michael Giacchino, the mastermind behind the instrumental composition of ‘Married Life’ which brings audiences to tears as part of the opening Carl and Ellie montage in Up (2009). Meanwhile, Howard Shore’s iconic work on The Lord of the Rings (2001) through his composition of ‘The Shire’ always inspires adventure, alongside Alan Silvestri’s euphoric and electrifying Main Title for Back to the Future (1985). Music can encourage you to sit on the edge of your seat, gasp in shock-horror, and cry into your popcorn. It can make your heart race. It can make it impossible to look away.
EDITOR: Laura patterson
TV
27
Photo: Unsplash
28
TV
TV
29
EDITOR: Benjamin Smith
WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH VENUE? WE ARE LOOKING FOR: WRITERS ARTISTS CONTACT US AT: @CONCRETEUEA OR VISIT HTTPS:CONCRETE-ONLINE.CO.UK/GETINVOLVED/ TO FIND OUT MORE
VERA VENUE tHE BITTER-SWEET REALITY OF A COVID-GRADUATION
31
From Pepper, 22 Q.“I’m about to graduate at the end of April and I’m absolutely gutted. I feel like Covid stole so much of my uni experience and am still angry about that, and just not ready to move onto the big wide world. How do I prepare myself to leave uni?” Hello Pepper! Your message hits A . very close to home. While my Uni experience wasn’t anywhere near as disrupted by Covid as it was for some of my friends, I definitely felt the impact of it. When I got the email announcing that my graduation was cancelled, I surprised myself with how upset I was. What’s truly important to you is made very clear when it starts getting taken away! Your anger is entirely justified, but it’s a difficult one to deal with as there is no one person to be angry towards. Make sure you channel it in a healthy way and get it out of your system so that it doesn’t bounce around inside you, making you feel horrible. There is no step by step guide for preparing to leave University, but here are some things that could help you to feel a bit more optimistic about the whole
thing. Write down things you will and won’t miss about Uni. It might seem slightly counterintuitive to count up the things you will miss, but the goal of this exercise isn’t to pretend that you’re not sad about this chapter of your life ending– you are completely entitled to be, and that shouldn’t be pushed to the side. The aim of doing this is to reveal to you that there is always a balance in these things. Every experience will have positives and negatives, but sometimes we can idolise things and only see the positives. By being realistic about both sides of the coin, you’ll hopefully feel like you can view the whole thing with a bit more clarity. Talk to friends in similar positions. A problem shared is a problem halved. It’s not even enough to say you’re not
About Vera: Maja Anushka is this year’s Vera, Concrete’s Features Editor, and on the MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism course. As well as being almost as nosy as she is empathetic, Maja has almost a decade’s experience of making YouTube videos which have covered topics such as mental illness, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, relationships, body dysmorphia, and self-esteem. Her goal for Vera Venue is to promote self-love, mental wellbeing, and healthy relationships, and create a space where people can see that they are not alone.
Photo: Unsplash going through this alone– you’re going through the exact same thing as thousands of other people across the country. Your friends are most likely feeling shades of the same thing. Chat to them about those fears and anxieties and you’ll make yourself and your pals feel heaps better. Create things to look forward to. Uni ending is always going to be a sad time but it also means lots more opportunity to go for trips, visit friends, or just get some good proper rest. Make some plans for the end of the semester that will keep your mind active and not thinking too much about what you’ve left behind and instead on all of the excitement that is to come.
Photo: Unsplash
32 VERA VENUE The perks and pitfalls of potential polyamory From j, 22 Q.
Drawing: Biff Pearson “My partner (S) and I have been going out for three years,
since coming to uni. We’ve always had a semi-open relationship, in that we’re both comfortable with the other getting off with someone at a party or club. In summer S asked me if we could properly open up our relationship so she could explore her bisexuality. We set down some ground rules, basically agreeing to extend what we were already doing. We explicitly agreed that we weren’t interested in polyamory. For a while nothing happened, and then I slept with some random person after meeting them at a bar. That weekend S travelled to visit one of her old mates and when she came back let me know that they’d ended up having sex. Since then I’ve slept with three other people, all of which were one night stands. Every month or so, S and her friend travel to see each other and each time they’ve had sex. They’re constantly messaging, exchanging actual letters, and S has even brought her to visit her parents (who obviously don’t know the situation). I’m getting jealous and confused. S assures me that it’s just a mate that she sometimes hooks up with and that there’s nothing romantic there. Am I wrong to feel this way, or have I accidently stumbled into a polyamorous relationship?” Hi J! Thanks for writing in and A. giving so much detail on this complex situation! Off the bat, you’re never ever wrong to feel a certain way. We can’t help how we react to things, and no matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’ the issue may seem to anyone else or even to ourselves, pretending that you’re not hurt or confused is only going to lead to more trouble down the road. Our emotions can only be displaced, never removed completely. Anything you bury or subdue will inevitably come up somewhere else. You’ll be having a minor disagreement with a friend and suddenly all of these other emotions will start coming up, or you’ll start to feel angry at yourself and not understand why. Best to face your feelings head on and not diminish them as silly or wrong. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that neither me or you can
guess or ‘crack’ how your girlfriend feels about her friend– only she can know her true feelings. However, what is clear to me from your message is that she has a deep emotional connection to this person. Visiting on a monthly basis, meeting family members, and communicating frequently clearly show that they have a close bond, and on top of that they’ve continued to sleep together. Personally, I think the main components of a relationship are exactly those two things: an emotional and physical connection, so I would say that the two of them are, by now, probably quite romantically involved. At the very least, she’s developing a close sexual relationship with someone who is outside of your relationship, which you stated was outside of your boundaries. For that reason, a proper, in-depth conversation needs to be had. If she is falling for someone new,
one reason she might be denying it is because of you saying you don’t want to be polyamorous– making an already tricky chat even harder. I’d recommend sitting her down and telling her to be brutally honest, and doing the same yourself. If either of you are hiding certain details or leaving things unsaid, the conversation is likely to just keep going round and round in circles without anyone actually being honest. I really hope that whatever the outcome, you can both agree on a situation that makes everyone involved feel respected and levelled with. None of you deserve any heartbreak or confusion. And if you do end up in a polyamorous relationship, make sure that the honest and open communication not only continues, but takes the forefront of everyone’s priorities.
