The blog for hip + arty urban adventurers. Uncovering things to do and places to go in London and beyond. Visit the main site at a www.theculturalexpose.co.uk and click here to join the mailing list...
Organiser Sean Flowerdrew might just be realising his dream - making The London International Ska Festival an annual affair. Now in its 3rd year and picking up momentum as it goes, the event has outgrown its Clapham venue and moved to pastures new, north of the river, perfectly filling the gapping hole the 23 year hiatus of the music has left behind.
Like the past two years, there are a huge variety of acts playing, most notably Neville Staple of The Specials fame (pictured). There’s also Jamaican Reggae trio The Pioneers, Dandy Livingstone (the writer and original performer of A Message to You, Rudy) as well as DJ sets from Dreadzone Sound System and Gaz Mayall, resident head honcho at Gaz’s Rockin Blues club night in the capital. The Ska punk era is certainly having a mini revival of late, perhaps as a result of Shane Meadow’s This is England drama (in all its forms)? Or maybe it’s just because there is nothing quite like a good old skank to Ska and 2 Tone?
Whatever the reason, its a great opportunity to dust off the braces, Doc Martins and Ben Shermans and head to Islington Assembly Hall for 2012’s instalment of this 4 day music shindig. The egalitarian organisers have taken the past year’s suggestions into account and made the festival even more affordable, which means the economic downturn won’t keep you away. Now that’s the kind of party we like and one we hope returns every year. (Words: Laura Thornley)
We may be slowly entering yet another noisy blockbuster season but it is fair to say that these last couple of weeks have been extremely generous to the tastes of indie film lovers in London. First, at the London Independent Film Festival, they got the chance to discover the raw talents of first- and second-time directors in films that will probably not receive commercial distribution -  now, they’ll have the opportunity to get a distinctive taste of the most famous independent film festival in the world.
The major role of the Sundance Film Festival in the elevation of the status of the contemporary American independent cinema cannot be argued. Now for the first time, the 35 year old film festival will travel outside the US. From April 26-29, the Sundance London Film and Music Festival will take place at the O2, showcasing 14 feature-length and eight short films from the 2012 fest along with numerous special events.
Staying true to the indie spirit, the selected films are not afraid to tackle important and sometimes difficult subjects. Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbushâs documentary Finding North unveils the human stories behind the shocking statistic that one in six Americans doesnât get enough to eat on a regular basis, while Harmony presents the views and actions of visionaries who try to find solutions to the global environmental crisis. The film will have its worldwide theatrical premiere screening at the festival and it will be introduced by the Prince of Wales who narrates the film.
Moving on to fiction, Russo-Youngâs Nobody Walks (with a script co-written by Lena Dunham, the creator of the new critically lauded HBO series Girls) shows how fragile the seemingly idyllic life of an open-minded family is, when they take a young artist into their home. A more joyful outcome can be found in Colin Trevorrowâs Safety Not Guaranteed (pictured) that employs the lovable quirky humour that has become a staple of indie films to tell the story of three journalists who are sent to investigate a personal advertisement in a newspaper from someone who is seeking a partner for time travel.
As the title of the festival suggests though, this is a celebration not just of films but also of music. The strong connection between those two arts can be found in the music documentaries, Placebo: Coming Up For Air and Sing Me The Songs That Say I Love You â A Concert for Kate McGarrigle, which will be followed by intimate gigs from Martha and Rufus Wainwright. The craft of matching music to moving images will also be the subject of a discussion between the Sundance Institute President & Founder Robert Redford and legendary musician and record producer T-Bone Burnett with the famous writer and avid music lover Nick Hornby moderating the conversation. It is more difficult to make a film connection to the gig of the trip-hop pioneer Tricky but just the fact that it will find him reuniting with Martina Topley-Bird to perform the classic album Maxinquaye in its entirety is enough to make it one of the festivalâs highlights.
So from documentary to fiction, comedy to drama, trip hop to folk, Sundance London will have something for everyone. Not to be missed. Â (Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)
In case you hadn’t noticed, films are sort of a big thing in London right now. Pop-up mania spread from clothes to food to film sometime in late 2010, and came to a head last year, with fly-by-night cinemas popping up wherever they liked - in cemeteries, under flyovers, amongst the creative heartlands of Hackney Wick. It’s been the cool thing to do for a while now, but all too often, the films are very safe, almost boringly so: great if all you want from your movies is a rose-tinted trip down memory lane, not so great for exposing the plethora of interesting and challenging films out there.
So thank God for the London Independent Film Festival, now in its 9th year and still going strong. The premise is simple: a platform for first- and second-time filmmakers to showcase low-budget work that otherwise wouldn’t get shown due to the difficulty of distribution. For many it’s the only chance they have for exposure, and the schedule is jam-packed with names you wouldn’t have heard of. But that’s part of the beauty of it – you choose films because the plot sounds interesting, not because of the star-studded cast.
Plus, with most screenings being short films, themes ranging from sci-fi to horror to documentary, and free entry (apart from a few feature-length films which charge a minimum £2 for the pleasure) chances are, something will appeal like the award-winning Dimensions: A Line, A Loop, A Tangle of Threads (pictured). So before you head down to the multiplex for the latest release, check out the offerings at ROXY Bar & ScreenorShortwave Cinemaand see if you can’t get your film fix there instead. (Words: Jane Duru)
The London Independent Film Festival runs 12 – 23 April. For more info, visit www.londonindependent.org
In a year that even Hollywood bowed before the exquisite artistry of French Cinema –with The Artist receiving five Oscars and legendary filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen delivering their own cinematic love letters to Paris - the Rendez-vous with French Cinema should not be missed by any self-respecting film lover. From March 21st to 24th, this charmingly titled fest will showcase eight eagerly awaited French films in four of the most loved film venues in London: Ciné Lumière, Curzon Soho, Curzon Mayfair and The Clapham Picture House.
Keeping in line with the currently popular theme of nostalgia, the opening film of the festival follows the romantic adventures of a mother and a daughter from Paris in the sixties to London’s modern days. Directed by Christophe Honoré with an all-star international cast that includes French idol Catherine Deneuve , Parks and Recreation alumni Paul Schneider and Czech director Milos Forman, Beloved sways through romance and drama with the characters intermittently bursting into songs.
Two other highlights of the festival also revolve around the idea of l’amour fou. Goodbye First Love, which has already been screened in some of the biggest film festivals in the world, tells a heartfelt tale of teenage love, while Delicacy is a romantic dramedy about a workaholic widow who is courted by a Swedish co-worker, starring the always lovable Audrey Tautou.
Moving away from romantic films, there is Olivier Marchal’s (creator of the hit TV cop drama Braquo) intense gangster film with the apt title A Gang Story. Finally, parents and children alike will definitely be enchanted by Tales of the Night, the latest film from celebrated French animator Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress).
Add to this eclectic mixture of films, some exciting Q&A sessions with A-list talents such as Deneuve and A Prophet’s wonderful star Tahar Rahim, as well as a number of intriguing after screening events like a Norman nautical party, and you have five genuinely “jours de fête” as our Gallic friends would say. (Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)
For more info about screenings, visit the links below:
One of my favourite things about the capital is the great selection of free things to do. Seriously - they are everywhere, from museums, live music and sport to even educational events and the chance to take part in lively discussions. So for those interested in the latter, you’ll be glad to hear the London School of Economics is organising its acclaimed literary festival for a fourth year running.
Taking place from Wednesday, February 29th until Saturday, March 3rd, this year’s theme “Relating Cultures” offers students and the general public a chance to take part in sessions on a wide range of topics from the use of chavs in literature, the portrayal of terrorism in films, workshops on how to get that novel you’ve been beavering away at published, to the life and work of Charles Dickens, the importance of poetry in people’s lives and more, with events running all week throughout the day.
There are even events for children to inspire them to pick up a pen and get creative (or maybe just keep them occupied so you can have some peace and quiet).
Expect a fantastic line-up of speakers made up of varied authors, publishers and experts in their respective fields too. So whether you have an interest in literature, social sciences or just the world around you, you’ll find something that’s worthwhile, pocket-friendly and will leave you with plenty of food for thought. All events are open to all, but a ticket is required which are available from the LSE website. (Words: Lucy Palmer)
Gone are the days when you would hear the words ‘TV serials’, and automatically think of one-dimensional characters and dodgy storylines often involving at least one miracle resurrection. Yes, sadly the soap opera days are a far, soft focus away from the dynamic TV storytelling we are now used to. The likes of Twin Peaks, 24 and The Wire have all made for a film-like experience on our domestic boxes. But naturally, this hasn’t just happened in the US, and proof of this is the Institut Francais’s London Paris TV Festival.
Totally Serialized showcases episodes from the best of what the two countries have to offer. For the UK that means Death In Paradise, Misfits (all-nighter) and This is England ‘88 (naturally) plus Q&A with the cast. The French proffer their star-studded Platane (Vincent Cassel and Monica Belluci) and Braquo, amongst others. There will also be industry talks about how to write for TV and Q&A sessions following the screenings. The event promises to be a real first, dedicated to a newly revamped genre that often looks like and surpasses its film counterparts. And if that doesn’t sway you, then get yourself down there in the name of EU relations. Your countries need you! (Words: Laura Thornley)
The London Paris TV Festival takes place January 19-22. Click here for more info.
With a programme that includes everything from ‘web-based storytelling’ to ‘projection mapping in the fourth dimension’, onedotzero_adventures in motion sounds like a festival from the future. But you may be surprised to learn that this annual showcase of cutting edge moving image and digital culture from across the globe is celebrating its 15th birthday.
As in years past, the emphasis at onedotzero is firmly on creativity and innovation. There’ll be an exciting and eclectic mix of interactive film screenings, experimental installations, live audio visual performance, talks and workshops, plus a symposium presented by graduates of Cascade, onedotzero’s multi-disciplinary education platform. Early career efforts by some of the freshest filmmakers around today - such as Where the Wild Things Are director Spike Jonze and groundbreaking video artist Chris Cunningham - have previously featured in the festival so keep your eyes peeled for new talent!
The best work at onedotzero succeeds in blurring the boundaries between art and design, gaming and entertainment. We can’t wait to check out Plasticity, a giant artificial human brain and ‘participatory sonic experience’, created from a vast web of LED lights, speakers and microphones, distributed around the entrance to the BFI’s atrium. Younger visitors will have a blast designing their own MouthOff™ app cartoons at the Sprites Family Workshop. And don’t miss Future Cities, a selection of short live action and animation films depicting beautiful, strange and sometimes scary visions of the fate which could befall our hyper urbanised world. (Words: Rachel Segal Hamilton)
onedotzero runs from 23-27 November 2011 at BFI Southbank. Click here for more info.
Bells will be rung across the UK to mark the first day of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of Work No. 1197: All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes, by Turner Prize-winning artist and musician Martin Creed. (Photo: Chris Watt)
Since the democratisation of all things technological, the SLR has been available to anyone with a few hundred quid spare and some free time to get snapping. Wannabe Edward Weston’s and snap happy Goldin’s are popping up all over the place, recognisable only by the dazzling flash of light and then gone. Sadly the public arena has never made much concession for the budding photographer until Shirley Read, author and photography lecturer, prompted her students, Emma and Kit, to fill the proverbial gap and arrange the first amateur photography festival in London.
While Photomonth rolls on in East, this inaugural event take place in South London at The Crypt in Borough on October 28th and 29th and features an exhibition that promises to showcase hot talent and provide the opportunity to buy some prints in the process. Entry is recession friendly (that’s FREE to you) and supported by a host of industry pros including Frui, Zoom in Photography and Photofusion. Shirley Read will be putting her expert stamp on who really is the one to watch and offering out prizes to the top dogs. The public will also get a chance to vote for their favourite in the f/factor competition. It’s for one weekend only, so make it a date. (Words: Laura Thornley)
[stextbox id=”custom”]The London Photo Festival takes place October 28th and 29th. For more info visit www.londonphotofestival.org[/stextbox]
Comics have always been the number one reading material of choice amongst the fantasy fanatic. A combination of admirable pop-artistry, adventure and intrigue - occasional soft porn - and sci-fi has made for an exhilarating adventure into the world of the imagination. And this, coupled with ingenious illustration, makes fans glad the word/picture ratio is generously weighted towards the latter.
So The Comics Passion festival comes none too soon as a celebration of the genre. Organised by the Institut Francais in association with Comica Festival, the event brings together artists from France, America, Britain and Belgium to share and discuss their unique practice. In a weekend whirl-wind of colour, paper and pens, festival punters will be given the chance to witness talks by artists including Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Jean-Claude Mézières (Valérian and Laureline), China Miéville (Kraken), Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler’s Wife), and try out their illustration skills in a drawing session with Bastien Vivès (The Taste of Chlorine) and Benoît Sokal (Canardo).
Headlining events also include a screening of Barbarella, the inspirational 60’s cult-classic starring Jane Fonda, and of course there’s a fancy-dress disco, where festival goers will get the chance to strut their cosmic stuff dressed as their favourite comic book hero.
So I imagine the serious graphic novel nuts will be suited to the nines - but if you simply fancy something else to tickle your fantasy taste buds (and no costume required), the overall programme should be nothing less than fun. (Words: Sian Goldby)
[stextbox id=”custom”]The Festival runs 7-9th October and for more info visit theInstitut Francais website[/stextbox]
