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Year: 2012

Book Club special: Best books of 2012

Written by Phoebe Chambre on . Posted in Books.

When Book Club asked friends, readers, contributors for their favourite book of the year, we opened the floor not just to books released in 2012 but any book you might have read this year – not because there was a shortage of great books released this year (not that at all), but because with the millions of wonderful books written every year other than 2012 why would you ever confine your reading list to only the latest releases? So take a look at our admittedly subjective and far from comprehensive (aren’t all book lists?) Best of 2012, and get compiling your 2013 must-reads:

Joelle Jefferis, 20, social anthropology, Game of Thrones (1996), or A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin
Epic in length and epic in nature. The TV adaption can never match this brilliant fantasy series, George RR Martin has probably created a more complete world than the one I am meant to be inhabiting in the daytime, and, even better, his world has got dragons.

Agnes Chambre, 20, philosophy: The City’s Son by Tom Pollock, (2012)
A debut fantasy novel that came out earlier this year to some impressive acclaim. I’m not an avid fantasy reader (obviously excepting Harry Potter) but the story’s familiar London setting, captured perfectly by the author, draws you in and grounds fantastical riffs on the grind of city living.

Will Westerman, 20, philosophy: East of Eden by John Steinbeck, (1952)
The subtlety and delicacy with which Steinbeck sculpts new depths for his characters, both in strengths and often fatal weaknesses, is something that makes you marvel in wonder at a man so honed in his craft. A staggering feat of grandiose imagination allegorical and yet so utterly pertinent to the everyday lives we live as people; a book which should be deemed essential reading for anyone who seeks an understanding of what it is to be human.

Phoebe Chambre, 23, music student and Books editor: a two-way tie between Hot Pink by Adam Levin (2012) and The Pale King by David Foster Wallace (2011)
This was a really tough decision (and I also want to name-check Your Voice in My Head by Emma Forrest (2011) and No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July (2007) both of which you should read), but I have to include The Pale King, the incomplete posthumously published novel by David Foster Wallace which I got around to reading this year, as it’s the last work we have from the author after his tragic, unexpected death in 2008 – the last piece in an incomplete puzzle. Whilst it is by no means my favourite DFW book it is still heads and heads and shoulders and shoulders above most (any) other thing that you might read. And Hot Pink actually came out this year, the first thing I had read by Adam Levin; a beautiful book that I read almost whole.

Phillipa Moran, 19, social anthropology, The Other Hand by Chris Cleave, (2008)
Something in the blurb drew me to this book – that it didn’t fulfil its usual function of describing the novel intrigued me. It just said “Once you’ve read it, you’ll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don’t tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds”. So I can’t go into great detail, but I can tell you that it is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories I’ve read in a while. It will definitely make you think differently about certain things…

You Say: What’s wrong with a fantasy?

Written by Frideswide ONeill on . Posted in Lifestyle.

With the new wave of feminism trickling in to almost every article and TV program I’ve seen recently, I noticed that men seem to be getting a lot of stick about the effect that porn has on them. It’s often claimed that it encourages them to treat women in degrading manners and to have false expectations about what ‘real’ women are like in bed. I’m not here to argue whether this is true or not (although the amount of ‘happy couples’ around seems to suggest that it must be a slight exaggeration). Instead, I want to point out that, as a result of watching too many romantic films, girls can have deluded expectations of men in just the same way.

Take the classic romance in ‘The Notebook’; the guy waits for her for seven years, writes to her every day for a year with no reply and still manages to profess his undying love whilst she is considering marrying someone else. What guy would ever do that? Films like this encourage us to think it’s legitimate to complain about the fact that your boyfriend isn’t perfect. They give us false expectations of men as fully co-operative, eternally understanding and unerringly devoted specimens. But they’re just not (sorry guys) and I think that most of us know this perfectly well. So when writers claim that men’s expectations of women are born out of porn, I think they really underestimate men. Can’t we give them a little more credit? I’m sure they can tell the difference between a porn star and their girlfriend (and if they can’t they probably won’t have a girlfriend for much longer) just as we can tell the difference between Edward Cullen and a real man.

So while you’re wondering why he doesn’t say ‘I love you’ with as much ardor as Jack does to Rose while the Titanic is plunging into the abyss, he might be wondering why you don’t think putting your legs behind your head is a comfortable position. But most probably we’ll both know that these are fantasies and what’s wrong with a fantasy? I say we should indulge our fantasies. So girls, let’s go and watch the new James Bond film and complain about the fact that no boys we know look, speak, act and most probably make love quite as well as Daniel Craig. And boys, while we’re out you can all go and watch some good healthy porn.

TOP 10 Films of 2012

Written by Nihal Tharoor-Menon on . Posted in Film.

From innocent young love to superhero destruction. From hitmen of the future to operatives of the past. From post-war America, through the troubled-eyes of veterans to the wide-eyes of restless youth. Hollywood gave us a year of refreshing contrast, and though it’s not over yet, myself and The Mancunion Film Section contributors have painstakingly devised for you the definitive, indisputable list of the best films of the 2012.*

10. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2

It does pain me to include this but I suppose if you are an unfortunate enough soul to be captivated by the Twilight saga, this final conclusion (thank the lord), I am sure proved a fitting and emotionally satisfying climax. My co-Film Editor Sophie James does assure me that it is an engrossing tale of love, light and redemption…drenched in a thick cheesy sentiment that will leave your arteries begging for mercy.

9. On The Road

A rather diversely received film, many argued that Kerouac’s streams of consciousness, by nature, could not be put to film. While this may well be true I feel Walter Salles delivers an authentic and faithful production of this iconic novel of the 20th century. All the more enriched by a great ensemble cast, most especially in Viggo Mortensen’s Old Bull Lee and Garrett Hedlund who commendably grasped the enigmatic legend of Dean Moriarty.

8. Avengers

Joss Whedon achieved the seemingly impossible with Avengers. He not only managed to meld a bunch of blockbuster characters into a coherent film but actually made it a damn good one at that. Spectacular action was expected, and achieved, but the real star of the show was Whedon’s zippy dialogue. This is what made Avengers not only the best action film of the year but also one of the funniest.  Dylan Wiggan

7. Amour

Far more than a token ‘foreign’ film to add colour to this Hollywood-heavy list (though it certainly serves such purpose) Amour is a engrossing tale of the twilight years of a elderly Parisian couple. Poignant and an unflinching in the face of its rather tender subject matter, Director Michael Haneke creates an engrossing story out of the bleak end which awaits us all.

6. Argo

Argo is Affleck’s third film as a director, and definitely his finest. It follows the so-ridiculous-you- can-barely-believe-it true story of how the CIA created a fake Sci-Fi film, Argo, in order to get escapees past Iranian border control. Yet this film is no ordinary hostage story. Argo takes a slower pace than your typical Hollywood heist, helping to build it to a conclusion of almost unbearable tension, whilst being interjected with moments of comic brilliance in the form of Alan Arkin and John Goodman. The result, a highly engrossing political thriller. Rebecca Williams

5.The Master

Sometimes baffling but always compelling, Paul Thomas Anderson’s follow up to There Will Be Blood is not the contentious Scientology critique that was predicted. Instead, it is so much more – a woozy, disorientating and brilliant exploration of post-war America and the nature of faith. Joaquin Phoenix puts in a magnetic performance as a WWII vet whose frenetic life often resembles a fever dream, and who finds a possible kindred spirit in Philip Seymour Hoffman’s titular Master. A film you itch to re-watch from the moment the end credits roll. Alex Larkinson

4. Searching for Sugarman

Documentary filmmaking at its best, Director Malik Bendjelloul delves into the shrouded history of folk artist Rodriguez who fell tragically short of the American Dream, but whose music found an unexpected home in apartheid South Africa. Beautiful and compelling with a wonderful twist, Sugarman is a delightful reminder that a big budget is by no means necessary to create a highly entertaining and engrossing film.

3. The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan’s follow up to The Dark Knight may not have eclipsed its predecessor but it was confirmation of Nolan’s brilliance in reinventing Batman into a more dark and sophisticated series of films. Heath Ledger’s presence is sorely missed but that does not take away from the adrenaline filled spectacle Nolan gives his audience. A fitting conclusion to the indisputable king of the Batman sagas. Joshua Brown

2. Skyfall

Skyfall went far, far beyond most expectations. We were treated to a plethora of memorable performances, most notably of all by Dame Judi Dench, who provided us with a handkerchief-soaking au revoir and re-instated our belief that Bond has the power to move. Daniel Craig has won us over, and stood out alongside his on-screen nemesis Javier Bardem in some enthralling action sequences and chilling verbal exchanges. Roll on the next installment!  Alex Morrison

1. Moonrise Kingdom

Quirky. Whimsical. Offbeat. All words which could describe the latest offering from Wes Anderson. Yet it would be a disservice to a film which has more heart that quirk, more wit than whimsy, and is offbeat in a way that makes this tale of young love and adventure thoroughly refreshing. The supporting cast, including Bruce Willis, Ed Norton and Tilda Swinton, are all great, but it is the two child leads who really impress, and who make Moonrise Kingdom quite possibly the funniest and most entertaining film of the year.  Alex Larkinson

*list based largely on hearsay, conjecture and deeply biased views

Top 5 books you wouldn’t want to be seen reading on the Magic Bus

Written by Joelle Jefferis on . Posted in Books.

Books are for everyone and the vast variety of genres reflects the diversity of humankind. At the Books section we understand it takes all shapes, sizes and fonts to make a library, but the person sitting next to you on the bus may not be so forgiving. Here are a few books that may be better enjoyed in the comfort of your own home, if you want to avoid strange looks and backseat judgement:

1. 50 Shades of Grey – E. L. James (2011)
The controversy factor of this book has been more than well-documented; its popularity was the best advertisement Kindles ever had. Amazon should pay royalties. Everyone knows why you’re reading this, and it’s not for the quality of the writing. Whipping out 50 Shades may seem like the perfect antidote to a hard day of lectures but, even if you can take the vicarious blushing, remember it’s not that dissimilar from the guy next to you pulling out Nuts.

2. Once More with Feeling – Victoria Coren and Charlie Skelton (2002)
Less well known than 50 Shades, it is not the title that triggers associations with this book, but the cover. It is an account of the authors’ attempt to create their own porn film, and its cover displays a bold cartoon of a naked couple ‘frolicking’. Needless to say, Once More will garner more than a few raised eyebrows on the bus. It is a brave student who reads this book in public. Go on, we dare you.

3. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus – John Gray (1992)
You’re having relationship troubles then? Reading self-help books like this ‘90s classic in public is the literary equivalent of changing your Facebook relationship status to “it’s complicated”.

4. Fantasy novels
By which I mean a Terry Pratchett cover stands out a mile. As a devout fantasist it hurts me to put this on the list but however much the media likes to tell us ‘geek chic’ is in, the endorsement does not extend to the reading material beyond the fake glasses. Be proud of the nerd status a Pratchett brands you with, or cower in the face of superficial stigmatism and read it on your Kindle.

5. Celebrity ‘auto’-biographies
Need we say more? These are basically just Heat or OK annuals. They may be styled and spray-tanned to look like books, but literature it is not.

Comic artists assemble

Written by Tobias Weinald on . Posted in Books.

It began in March 2010 when some students posted a thread in the Manchester University Japanimation Society (MUJS) forum about finding like-minded people interested in the creation of comic art. What began as an enthusiastic group of just three was almost fated to die instantly, as several organisational problems came together to lead to the group’s shutdown within only a year.

However in September 2011, a young architecture student named Archontia Manolakelli came to the university; she says, “I was always interested in comic arts, and when I found out about this society, I was very disappointed that they weren’t active anymore.” There was life in the old dog yet, it turns out.

“Just before Christmas I received a message that the group was about to reopen and was looked for a secretary, so I applied right away”, she says. Since the thread was still in the Japanimation Society, a lot of the new members brought their anime and manga backgrounds on board, which had a huge impact. Now it’s 2012, and Archontia is President of the collective, which now has over 100 members.

So what’s it all about? Besides the basics – drawing lessons on characters, objects, expressions, and perspective, the focus is also on the wider aspects of comic creation. The actual lesson plan includes storyboarding, writing, using computers and tablets and a basic introduction to formats, panels and pacing. The collective is also present on several conventions and exhibitions, like this year’s London Expo.

There also stands the social aspect, as Archontia points out: “We want to release the creativity of our members by showing them ways to express themselves. We encourage everyone to interact with each other and share their knowledge.”

“Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or technique”, says Jevgenija “Jay” Maramzina, who is the only original member still part of the group today. “Besides our regular lessons we occasionally let members teach about certain subjects. We try to keep things flexible as we believe everyone can learn from anyone here”, agrees Nicholas Wilshaw, age 20, chemistry and management student, who is, besides Jay, one of the collective’s Vice Presidents.

The society restarted on these innovative concepts, which came to fruition with the Art Anthology Vol 1., an anthology published this summer made up of the artworks and comics from several members. Jay remembers, “We already had the idea back in 2011, but bringing together the material and finding a publisher took time.” And it’s for a good cause as all the gains from the book will go to charity. . In the end we were able to self-publish with the website lulu.com, it was perfect for the Collective because we weren’t interested in a profit or going through an agency. Archontia makes it clear: “The whole point of the book was to bring together the skill and passion of everyone involved. Profit is not what this is about.”

So what are the plans for the future, besides more books, of course? Archontia is ever-optimistic, “my aim for the group is to exchange knowledge and showing that the expression of imagination still has its place in the modern world. I also encourage the members to bind in long term friendships and cooperations, especially as some of us consider professional careers in the comic industry.”
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Check out the Manchester University Comic Collective’s Art Anthology Vol.1, which is available on http://www.lulu.com/gb/en/shop/jevgenija-maramzina-and-archontia-manolakelli-and-vincent-jung-and-shophia-syddall/manchester-university-comic-collective-art-anthology-vol1/paperback/product-20453313.html for only £4.00. Support your university’s talent!
MUCC on facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/108726279145245
MUCC on deviantart: http://mucomiccollective.deviantart.com

Review: ‘David’

Written by Daniel Davis on . Posted in Film.

Tucked away in the basement, the Cornerhouse’s intimate third screen hosted the last of five films celebrating the Manchester contingent of the Jewish Film Festival. To a full cinema (of, in fact, only about 30!), Joel Fendelmen’s David, the story of a young Muslim boy in Brooklyn mistaken for a Jew, highlighted the struggle to come to terms with your own culture and identity when growing up surrounded by religion.

Main character Daud, played by newcomer Muatasem Mishal, befriends a group of Jewish boys after being inclined to return a Torah left behind in a park. The development of these friendships form the main body of this film, and considering this to be Mishal’s first feature role, the delivery and authenticity of the relationships created are generally good, especially with the aid of Binyomin Shtaynberger, who plays the leader of the pack, Yoav.

For many, through its gaze into young friendships, this film will undoubtedly be perceived as very sweet, although personally I felt it verged towards being a bit saccharine at times. Though with most of the film dependent on the dialogue between children who, for many, have never appeared in front of a camera before, avoiding this was of course incredibly difficult.

There were indeed some awkward deliveries, but with that also some laugh out loud moments too. Likewise, there were times when Fendelman was truly able to bridge the cultural divide between Brooklyn’s Jewish and Muslim communities, aided by his ability to illustrate the many similarities between the two.

The interactions between Daud and his father, an Imam and thus a pillar of the community, also provides an affecting portrayal of father-son relationships, especially against the backdrop of its religious context. The shift in his approach towards his son, and also in many ways his daughter, form some of the best parts of this film, and actor Maz Jobrani fulfils his role gracefully and tastefully.

That this film has accumulated a number of awards, including the Audience Award at the 2011 Brooklyn Film Festival, speaks a lot about this fairly rookie cast, not least Jobrani. Noam Weinberg’s role as the Yeshiva teacher also comes across authentically and offers a wonderful insight into Jewish culture, traditions and history. The audience is introduced into this fascinating culture along with Daud.

This film no doubt has its strengths, yet this wasn’t enough to ignore its weaknesses. Some of the characters were certainly underdeveloped, especially that of Daud’s sister, played by Dina Shihabi. Perhaps though, in a film reliant on a young and inexperienced cast, there is scope to look beyond this.

Put together, the film was pretty engaging throughout. I won’t be rushing to see it again though, and I am unsure as to whether I wholeheartedly endorse the critical praise or the awards it has received.

I wasn’t brave enough to air these views in the post-film discussion – in fact we made our excuses and snuck out as soon as the film finished. It definitely had its moments but in all, for me, it lacked the “tug on your heartstrings” sentiment that it definitely sought to construct.

Mamma Mia! Here we go again…

Written by Sophie James on . Posted in Film.

Tis the season to be jolly and what better way than to have a good sing song? There may well be loads of good films out this Christmas, but Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables, is sure to be the film highlight of the year.

Whether you’re proud to admit it or not, we all have a favourite musical and it’s the film industry that we have to thank (or blame) for that. Countless actors have been unable to resist the charms of the musical, stepping up to the microphone to showcase their inner Judie Garlands. From Pierce Brosnan to Alan Rickman, Renee Zellweger to Nicole Kidman – they’ve all had a go. Even Marlon Brando proved himself to be a singing sensation, banishing none other than Frank Sinatra from the limelight in Guys and Dolls (was there anything that man couldn’t do?!)

All joking aside, this is a prestigious genre. Many musicals have gone on to receive not only great commercial but critical success. Robert Wise’s epic The Sound of Music tackled subjects as varied as nuns misbehaving to the rise of the Nazis and did so with great gusto.  Winning five Oscars and being nominated for four more, it also went on to knock Gone With the Wind off the top spot, becoming the highest grossing film to that date. Similar success stories have included Bob Fosse’s Cabaret. Winning eight Oscars, including best actress for the one and only Liza Minelli, this was not a film to be messed with, tackling equally challenging subjects with similar musical ingenuity. Then came Mamma Mia!. Whilst being the most talked about and laughed about (poor Colin!) film in a long time; the film’s celebration of Greece, abs and disco flares, shot Mamma Mia! to super stardom, becoming the most commercially successful film in the UK since Titanic.

Yes, Tom Hooper has a lot to live up to, but that doesn’t mean his latest film won’t maintain the musical’s prestigious reputation within the film industry. First off, his choice of musical isn’t bad. Les Misérables has so far been left untouched by directors and filmmakers, perhaps because it happens to be the longest-running musical of all time (no pressure then, Hooper!) Not sure you’re familiar with it? Two words: Susan Boyle.

But if there’s anyone who’s going to give it a good go it’s Tom Hooper. Being quite the Oscar winner himself, with his last film The King’s Speech winning four Academy Awards back in 2010, the only way has to be up. Teaming up once again with casting director Nina Gold, Hooper has produced a great cast with incredible voices. A-listers such as Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway are acting and singing alongside the likes of Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen to bring the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s beautiful and seminal novel to cinematic life.

Not wishing to stop there, Hooper has secured this film’s place in cinematic history as being the first musical to have purely live singing performances on the soundtrack. There’ll be no miming or auto tuning in this one – what you see will be what they heard 100 takes later during filming, live on set. This will not only reveal the true singing talents of the cast, but showcase Hooper’s incredible vision as a director. Start spreading the news! There’s a place for Les Misérables somewhere and it’s at next year’s Academy Awards…or perhaps that’s just a dream I dreamed.

Joaquin Phoenix – the attention seeker

Written by Suraj Vara on . Posted in Film.

Joaquin Phoenix, star of the new independent film The Master, has recently found criticism and acclaim by stating that the Oscars are “Bullshit”. In the midst of awards season where many actors, directors and producers are looking to appeal to audiences for votes, Phoenix would rather disassociate himself from what he described as “The worst tasting carrot he’s ever tasted in his life.”

Is this his clever ploy to place himself in the centre of a voting frenzy after having missed out on two academy awards for past roles?

Beginning his acting career in Los Angeles at the age of 8, he followed the footsteps of his older brother, River, who had played in the adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Stand by Me (1986), crime drama Running on Empty (1988), and even had a cameo role as a young Indiana Jones in The last Crusade. Joaquin and River were both together on the night that River tragically died following a drug overdose in a Los Angeles club; he was 23.

In the maturity of his acting career, Joaquin demonstrated his dedication to the sincerity of his characters and personal beliefs while working on set. He embraced many bodily alterations for his roles such as losing or gaining weight and changing the colour of his complexion. Due to his strict vegan upbringing, Phoenix specifically requests that no animal products are used in his costumes and so in the 2000 film Gladiator, all leather was made out of synthetic materials to fulfil Phoenix’s request. He had also recorded an entire album and used his own vocals for his role as country music legend, Johnny Cash, in Walk the Line.

One of the biggest shocks of Phoenix’s career, however, was the announcement of his retirement in 2008, shortly after the release of Two Lovers. Phoenix had been on a promotional tour taking television interviews, the most notable of which was on the Late Show with David Letterman, which can still be seen on Youtube. Phoenix ambled out on stage, with a remarkable resemblance to Zach Galifianakis, and proceeded to proffer single word answers and stern looks in response to questions and playful banter. The interview appeared to be a comical play on stage, especially when Phoenix announced that his resignation from acting was to pursue a career in hip hop and rap music; the crowd burst into fits of laughter. Unfortunately, Phoenix was not amused and replied “What the fuck? What have you got the audience on, are you pumping nitrous gas in here or something?” Phoenix continued to be disinterested in his own career, claiming not to have seen the film he was there to promote, and sticking his chewing gum under Letterman’s desk.

Thankfully, Phoenix’s outrageous career move was a hoax to benefit a mock documentary he had been making with his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck. The Mockumentary, entitled I’m Still Here, was aimed to explore the relationship between celebrities, the media and spectators. Spending two years on filming, I’m Still Here features some incredible footage of Phoenix assaulting a heckler during a performance, as well as a large portion of his Letterman interview.

Joaquin, having returned to acting, is now touring to promote The Master, which was released in cinemas on the 2nd of November, and will be followed by the release of his next film, Nightingale, in 2013.

Tommy Fish issues new statement on societies funding scandal

Written by Richard Crook on . Posted in News.

Tommy Fish, Activities Officer for the Students’ Union, has issued a new statement regarding the societies funding scandal. He previously issued a short statement apologising for e-mailing societies telling them they ‘needed’ to attend Demo2012 if they wanted more funding. The e-mail gained national coverage, with stories emerging in other student newspapers and the Daily Mail. You can see The Mancunion’s story here: https://mancunion.com/2012/11/19/backlash-union-rewards-societies-supporting-demo2012/

Tommy Fish’s new statement in full:

First and foremost, this story should never have got beyond The Mancunion. I wrote a stupid email, I backtracked, corrected it, and apologised unreservedly. End of story. There was no ‘bribery’ as the Daily Mail put it. It’s not as if I was standing there with a bag of cash for societies that took part in the Demo. Secondly, the Mail’s references to ‘taxpayer’s money’ are completely misinformed. Do your research before you write that nonsense.

I fully take the blame for this and the rest of the Union and the Exec should be left alone. If anyone has something to say, say it to me. For that reason I emailed the writer in question to say that he was remarkably light on me, and too harsh on my peers.

I apologise once more if it seemed like I was trying to impose my political views on others. It is for that reason I immediately released the statement essentially telling societies to ignore my email. I am very proud to be an elected officer here, and FROM the start I have always said that my door is open for societies to come in and make suggestions on how things should run. Many have been doing so and the outcome has always been friendly and productive. Changes are being made so now is the time to get your views across, so as ever, pay me a visit or send me an email with opinions. I want societies to dictate how they are run, rather than have a system imposed upon them.

In terms of the Demo itself, politically what I did was wrong, but from a moral viewpoint I’m afraid I cannot back down and let the media give me a kicking for something I wholeheartedly believe in. Young people in this country are facing a bleak future and I’m not just talking about students, I mean school kids and unemployed 15-25 year olds (which currently sit at 1 in 5 out of us). Tuition fees have tripled, leading to a fall in the number of students, which in turn has led to the death of Fallowfield.  This used to be the most vibrant student town in the country, and it is now a pathetic shadow of its former self. EMA is no more, housing conditions are getting worse: rents are rocketing, house ownership taken for granted by our parents seems a pipe dream for this generation, child poverty is on the rise, all the while pay and bonuses for top Executives went up by 27% last year.

Am I concerned about this? Do I think that students should protest?  Do I think University of Manchester students should protest? Yes! I think they owe it to themselves and to their generation to let politicians and fat cats know what they think. What else should they do? Sit back, watch the X-Factor and celebrate the rise in poverty and inequality? Students have always protested against social injustice and wars.  They are the conscience of society.

A DEMO DIVIDED

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in News.

NUS President Liam Burns was booed and pelted with eggs and fruit as #Demo2012 was marred by in-fighting and disillusionment.

Burns – one of a number of speakers who took to the stage in Kennington Park – was rushed off by security as members of the crowd pushed their way on to the stage and encouraged protesters to head back to Parliament.

Campaigns and Citizenship Officer at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, Khalil Secker condemned those who took to the stage. “It’s so divisive to our movement,”he said. “I think their actions do have a habit of putting people off left wing politics or student politics in general and that is destructive.”

The President himself laughed off the incident, joking on Twitter his “egg dodging is pretty fierce.”

Many protesters were angered at the route the NUS leadership decided to take for the demo and showed their frustration on the march. With “NUS shame on you, where the fuck have you brought us to,” proving to be a popular chant.

In a move challenging the authority of the NUS alternative student protest organisation National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts have announced a march on December 5 and called for continued action.

NCAFC organiser Michael Chessum said in a press release, also printed in The Guardian, “Whatever the turnout [on November 21], a single demonstration will not be enough to challenge the government’s agenda.

“We need to make the demo the start of an on going campaign.

“That is why we are supporting the call for a national day of action involving students and workers at schools, colleges and universities across the country on 5 December.”

The NCAFC is backed by several high profile figures within the student movement, including NUS higher education committee member Luke Durigan, LSE Students’ Union general secretary Alex Peters-Day and Sara Moon, Sheffield University’s Students’ Union Development Officer.

University of Leeds student David Lewsey said: “I think it’s a fucking shambles. They marched us away from the centre of London, away from anywhere of any political significance.

“We’re standing in the rain in the middle of nowhere.”

Approximately 3-4,000 people turned up, from as far away as Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh, including around 150 from Manchester universities. The NUS originally predicted 10,000 protesters would attend.

Marching under the banner “Educate, Employ, Empower,” the demonstration, supposedly against rising fees and education cuts, followed a heavily criticised route through south London and culminated with a rally in Kennington Park, near Surrey County Cricket Club’s ground, The Oval.

Some students felt a radical minority spoilt the demonstration.

“I feel today has been completely undermined by a bunch of anarchists kicking Liam Burns off the stage,” said University of York student Patrick Evans. “Now all today will be remembered for is the day the student movement turned in on itself rather than as the day we took a stand against the government.

“I just don’t understand what good they thought they were doing.

“I think that was worse than Millbank in terms of making students look bad, it made us look like divided idiots, which frankly, we were.”

Speaking to The Mancunion, NUS Black Students’ Officer Aaron Kiely said, “There are no plans for more demonstrations at the moment, but I don’t think one every two years is enough.”

The march on Wednesday started at Temple tube station in central London and briefly passed by Westminster, where a small group of protesters locked arms and sat down, trying to prevent people crossing south of the River Thames. Protest leaders quickly told marchers to ignore the group and continue as planned.

Sam Rae, from University of Sheffield, did not agree with clogging up the bridge, “If you stand outside Parliament, it’s a very confrontational act as this symbol of the politicians who you’re angry at are right in front of you.

“I’m a bit upset but I suppose this was always going to hap¬pen.”

Others felt the final location of the rally was a poor choice.

Sebastian Chowdhury, Further Education representative for the NUS from Manchester College said: “Given the weather conditions today, maybe in hindsight Parliament would have been a better choice.”

Owen Holland, a PhD student from the University of Cambridge, said, “Whilst it’s good that the NUS leadership organised and called for this demo they didn’t need to take us to a park in Kennington.”

Compared to the violent student protests two years ago, the demonstration was peaceful, with only a few scuffles with police near Westminster when protesters tried to break out of the designated area.

Police said they acted here because it was a breach of the Section 12 agreement that defined the route and area the protest could legally occupy.

The historical significance of Kennington Park, the site of a major protest in the nineteenth century, appeared lost on many students.
The protest failed to garner major national media cover¬age.

The University of Manchester, the largest student body in the country, originally booked eight coaches to take students to the protest in London, but failed to sell enough tickets and only took three coaches, including some Manchester Metropolitan students.

Nick Pringle, General Secretary at University of Manchester Students’ Union described the demonstration as a success, adding, “The really important thing is that we don’t lose momentum and we take this back on to our campuses.”

Semester Abroad: Australia

Written by Zara Zubeidi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

What made you want to study over the other side of the world?

I have always loved to travel and I thought that studying abroad would be a great experience to see other parts of the world – whilst still having the support of the university and loans etc.  Also, in my course (Social Anthropology and Linguistics) I have learnt a lot about Indigenous populations so it was amazing to study in a place that is so rich with aboriginal history.

 Did you find university life different out there?

The classes and tutorials seemed a lot more personal. There were about 10-15 people in tutorials and I had the same tutor for both Anthropology classes so I got to know her well.  In one of my classes we had the ‘rule’ that whichever pair was presenting in the tutorial also had to provide snacks for the class-which was great! I found there were a lot more smaller assignments so that I constantly had work to do and hand it in, but I actually preferred that as it meant that there wasn’t the panic of 100% essays and exams at the end of the term.

 How difficult was it to adapt to their culture?

It wasn’t too hard adapting to the culture; it was basically like Manchester in the summer time with everyone studying/sunbathing on the university campus. I have also travelled quite a lot since I was young so it wasn’t such a culture shock compared to other places.  Everyone was very friendly – particularity when they heard the British accent!

 What was the nightlife like?

The nightlife was quite different to the UK, it made me realize how much we go out and drink!  There were some good big clubs in the city but most had cover charges. My favorite was one called Cloudland that had a big waterfall inside and felt like you were in a jungle. There was a salsa night ever Thursday which was very fun and something I wouldn’t usually go to back home!  Generally though I tended to stick to the more casual and cheap pub nights closer to the university, one place in particular – the ‘RE’ had live bands and $2 drinks on a Wednesday and was always packed with students.

What was the highlight of your semester abroad?

I think just generally having the experience of studying in a different country, and obviously the sunshine was amazing; we had a pool at our house – not something you are going to find in Fallowfield!  Also I got to meet so many different people and from all different places, for example I lived with an American, a South African and an Australian.

 Any regrets?

Thankfully no regrets!  I know it sounds corny but it really was so amazing.

Online dating: part 2

Written by Lucy Gardner on . Posted in Lifestyle.

This week I have found out that the perils of online dating are not only stranger danger and graphic messages. Oh no. The truth is that while at university, nobody is safe from ‘Fraping.’ It turns out that the online dating site is just another on which your flat mates can publically humiliate you. The embarrassment doesn’t stop there either. The emails have continued and their arrivals have been far from discreet. Most of my fellow Geographers now know that I am in search of virtual love, put it that way.

We have all committed a ‘Frape’ and we have all fallen victim to one too. Unattended laptops and unlocked rooms prove to be way too tempting not to tamper with. People, posing as you, will change your gender to ‘male’ and declare your undying and forbidden love for your friend’s 60 year old dad – tagging him and everything. The world of online romance is no exception. Thanks to others, I have already been blocked twice and appear to be engaged in a long conversation with a twenty five year old woman, who is a few sandwiches short of a picnic basket and hard to get away from. Even when I returned to my room and broke the news that I was into men and men only, she did not give up. Worse still, a guy from Salford who is actually pretty cute, is now under the impression that I am a young offender fresh out of the institution, looking for love in the form of him. Poor guy.

Now, there is also the small issue of the aforementioned, SERIOUSLY EMBARRASSING emails. Admittedly, I could have turned them off, but what I didn’t realise is that I would receive a minimum of twenty a day. I did not expect to be informed every single time someone looked at my profile. I pulled out my phone in a lecture, only for multiple emails to pop up very loudly and in clear sight of the row behind me. If you were on that row, please retract all judgments. Pretty, pretty please. If you were on the 142 bus and witnessed this too, I implore you to do the same.

The conclusion to week two? Sorry readers, I’m afraid that I have yet to secure a date. If my flat mates have anything to do with it, I won’t even be able to get one. Anyway, the truth is, I’m still too ashamed of my online dater status to actually go on a real, face to face date with any of the ‘admirers’ who have ‘hearted’ me. Perhaps I should start turning my phone on ‘silent’… or perhaps I should just stick to eye contact as opposed to winking emoticons and flirty first conversations at the bar, as opposed to on my Mac.  We’ll see…

Top 5: Iconic fashion films

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

1) Clueless – 1995

The 1995 hit sensation Clueless embodies everything we love about the ’90s. From miniskirts to knee high socks, Cher and Dionne quickly became fashion icons for teenage girls everywhere. Seeing the current return of ’90s trends it we will remember to pay homage to the film that started it all.

Photo: ofwoodsandwords.com

2) Breakfast at Tiffany’s – 1961

Nobody demonstrates the significance of the LBD better than Holly Golightly in the 1961 classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Designed by Hubert de Givenchy, the beautifully effective simple cuts and lines of Hepburn’s dresses are reinvented in every scene through the use of tiaras and chunky pearl necklaces. The film is a masterclass on the importance of accessories.

Photo: allmoviephoto.com

3) Factory Girl – 2006

Epitomising signature styles of the 1960s, Edie Sedgwick, may only have had ’15 minutes of fame’ but in the words of Dior’s Galliano ‘her style and image influenced a whole generation.’ Her pixie cut introduced us to the world of androgyny in a decade of liberation of women.

Photo: fact.co.uk

4) The Artist – 2011

No words are needed to compliment the dazzling designs of the 1920s costumes in this silent film. Costume designer Mark Bridges cleverly plays with the black-and-white motif showing us that cut can be more important than colour. The film leaves us pining to be able to pull off the cloche hat as perfectly as Bérénice Bejolt.

Photo: themoviebinge.com

5) The Devil Wears Prada – 2006

The clue is in the title, this film lets us into the cut-throat world of the fashion industry – and makes us long for it even more! With an outrageous amount of 1 million dollars spent on costumes alone, the film exhibits how the right clothes can transform you from a frump to a fashionista.

Must See This Week In Theatre: 3rd December-10th December

Written by Josephine Lane on . Posted in Theatre.

The Lion King

 

The musical that surely needs no introduction, The Lion King finally comes to Manchester after its 13th year at the Lyseum Theatre, London. The production is said to be one of the most visually stunning of our time, so get down to the Palace and join the Circle of Life!

 

Runs until March 13th 2012 at the Palace Theatre

Tickets £22.50-£75

 

 

Arabian Nights

The Library Theatre Company’s Christmas show this year is the infamous tale of Arabian Nights. The classic story of a thousand and one stories is staged in the round and promises to be visually stunning!

 Runs from 30th November until 12th January 2013 at the Lowry Theatre

Tickets £14.50-£20

 

 

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

A musical based on the Bing Crosby film classic, following the success of the record-breaking, sell-out run of 2009. A spectacle that’ll warm any Scrooge-like heart, White Christmas promises to deliver ‘lots of laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written’.

 Runs from the 30th November to 5th December

Tickets £24-£45

 

 

Peter Pan

The Bolton Octagon’s family festive show this year is the timeless classic we all know and love: Peter Pan. With a talented cast of actor-musicians playing originally composed music, the show is sure to bring out the child in all of us!

 Runs until 12th January 2013 at the Bolton Octagon

Tickets £9.50-£22

AlunaGeorge

Written by Jessica Cusack on . Posted in Music.

21st November 2012, Deaf Institute

8/10

I was unsure of what to expect upon arriving at the Deaf Institute to see AlunaGeorge perform the Manchester leg of their first tour. The warm-up by a DJ named S-Type – who I would seriously recommend – set the tone for the sounds on display for the evening: electronic-pop infused R&B.

Visually, Aluna Francis and George Reid tick all the boxes and it’s easy to see why their videos have a slightly fashion-y edge. As the rather stunning female vocalist, Aluna naturally took centre stage, accompanied by her mile-long legs and grinding dance moves, while George stood at his decks to her right, pulling some pretty slick moves himself and providing the shimmering beats beneath the sweetly squeaky vocals.

Entertaining a crowd of already die-hard fans (including one guy who thought he was Aluna) meant that there were whoops of glee at the start of every song, but the duo still impressed those of us who didn’t know their music inside out. Their famous track ‘You Know You Like It’ was met with expected joy, while the infectiously catchy hook of ‘Your Drums, Your Love’ was sung out from the crowd louder than it was on stage. They entertained us with an unexpected version of Montell Jordan’s ‘This is How We Do It’, which forced those at the back who weren’t already dancing to get on their feet, while my absolute favourite XX-esque ‘Watching Over You’ added a more melancholic edge to an otherwise high-energy set.

AlunaGeorge are, if predictions are correct, set to be one of the best emerging talents of 2012, and judging by this gig it’s not hard to see why their fun, accessible and most importantly unpretentious take on electro-pop would be rejected by a larger audience. The only selfishly indulgent downside to this inevitable popularity is the ticket prices for their next live show will be much more that the seven quid I paid in this instance.

 

 

The Vaccines

Written by Melissa Blanche on . Posted in Music.

21st November 2012, Apollo

9/10

You know you’re gonna have a great night when you’re surrounded by hundreds of sweaty people, guys shouting “let’s go fucking mental” and Mancunians singing “oh Manchester is wonderful”, before the concert has even started. And yes, they did go fucking mental, and yes, it was a great night.

But it was a long wait before the Vaccines actually came on stage, on this 21st of November at the Apollo. No less than three supporting bands to keep us waiting. First, a synth and guitar duo called Pale. Quite nice. Then a girls grunge and bluesy duo, on drums and guitar, called Deep Valley. Pretty uninteresting. Then DIIV’s very hectic set. You know the concert won’t be boring when you already have to fight for your life during the supporting act. I’m not sure if people really loved the band or were just getting mega excited as the time for the Vaccines concert was getting closer. In any case, DIIV, and their dark/rock/shoegaze/highly instrumental music, probably deserved such enthusiasm.

So by the time the Vaccines finally arrived on stage, at 9:45, the audience was fully warmed up. They played half songs from their new album Come of Age and half songs from their first one. You might think both albums are totally unoriginal but you could hardly say they’re crap.  At least they sure can make people jump. ‘Wetsuit’ was the biggest success. People didn’t seem too sure whether to wave, jump, sing or shout so they just ended up doing all of these things at once. Mosh pits were the rule for all the other songs. But fortunately for the people on the seats, the Vaccines’s also the kind of band that you can enjoy quietly. The pit was full of teenagers wearing Vaccines t-shirts. “Wow there’s a lot of people” said the singer. It was indeed really packed. Manchester’s Apollo may be pretty ugly but it is the perfect size for this kind of band. Because you might not exactly think so when you listen to their sad introspective songs but these guys are stadium material. And, no matter how loud Justin Young sings “I’m no teenage icon”, he just keeps proving he is one.

Liars

Written by Melissa Blanche on . Posted in Music.

21st October 2012, Sound Control

7/10

A Liars gig is not something you can invite all of your friends to. This band is much too weird. A mix of rock, dance, punk and madness. Their show at Sound Control, in the beautiful, graffiti-adorned New Wakefield Street, left no doubt about that.

They chose a very weird support band, for a start. The guy is called The Haxan Cloak. I guess the word coming closest to describing his music would be “noise”. A dark creepy video is playing on the side of the stage, electronic sounds fill the space, most people are pretty motionless. This whole gig looks like a contemporary art exhibition. Or some kind of avant-garde club night for drug dealers. At least it’s original. You’re dead exhausted by the end of it. Totally prepared for Liars’ own kind of weirdness.

You can’t totally hate Liars. The singer’s crazy and his hair’s a mess. It makes people enthusiastic. Not that there were many people that night though.  The first songs were all electronic. Then they got the drums in. Later they played some more guitar-based songs, which were actually really good. Their encore songs, ‘The Other Side of Mt Heart Attack’ and ‘Broken Witch’, were particularly good too. But on the whole, it was far from a rock concert. It wasn’t about beautiful vocals either. Most of the time, the singer Angus Andrew sounds like he doesn’t know shit about singing. That’s not really what they’re looking for. He’s much cooler when he yells or dances around in a drunken way. When a more downbeat kind of song kicks off and you realize that he can actually sing, it’s quite a nice revelation though. Anyway their music is far from conventional beauty. It’s experimental, it’s noisy, it’s varied, it’s fun.

First Aid Kit

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Music.

22nd November 2012, HMV Ritz

8/10

The lovely Söderberg sisters, Johanna and Klara, played HMV Ritz as part of their biggest sell-out tour to date. Formed in 2007, First Aid Kit came into the limelight off the back off their latest album The Lion’s Roar. First Aid Kit’s music is centered around their impressive vocal talent and reflects what they feel to be the timeless and truthful qualities of uncommercialised folk music.

Through jokes and a conversational style, the Swedish duo instantly formed a connection with the audience. ‘Hard Believer’ hits hard their atheistic tendencies, dedicated to Richard Dawkins: “I see you’ve got your bible your delusion imagery”. The sisters also dedicated ‘Our Own Pretty Ways’ from their first album to feminist punk band Pussy Riot as a mark of solidarity, which several members of the crowd seemed to appreciate as they continued to shout ‘Pussy Riot!’ throughout the gig. The band then announced: “we’re going to abandon modern technology” for their song ‘Ghost Town’. The unplugged version boasted their beautiful harmonies, creating an enchanting and dreamy, almost spiritual, aura that encompassed the whole venue. However, the mood of ‘I Met Up With the King’ completely contrasted.

The energetic and lively punk thrashings of the band led them to vigorous head banging, and the song ended with a snippet from The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’ as a dedication to Jack White, who got the band noticed. ‘Emmylou’ was the most energetic, crowd-pleasing song in the set, and the majority of the room was singing along. ‘Emmylou’, a song about singing, lists the bands musical influences, which are more explicitly shown in their covers of Fever Ray’s ‘When I Grow Up’ and Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘America’. Despite minor technical fault with the keyboard, the gig was highly successful and there felt almost a sense of euphoria in the air afterwards. Their pure, unadulterated music was a delight to witness.

Imagine Dragons

Written by Harry Cooke on . Posted in Music.

16th November 2012, Ruby Lounge

8/10

One could be mistaken for believing that like the dragon, Imagine Dragons possess magical qualities too. In less than a year since the release of their EP, Continued Silence, they have enjoyed peek-time slots on American chat shows and received nominations from MTV and Billboard alike. Or perhaps they are the latest band to come off the Vegas’ musical conveyer belt, such as their desert-born contemporaries, The Killers. Away from the glitz and glamour of American television, Imagine Dragons find themselves in a hideaway bar on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, a far cry from the Jay Leno show. What would possess a band to seek out Manchester’s basement dives as a location to stage a gig? The answer is simple; this was the conclusion of their maiden European tour to promote their debut album, Night Visions.

Imagine Dragons have cited influences ranging from polar-opposites such as hip-hop and folk to an affinity for peculiar instrumental synth. But the most telling influence resonated behind every note; every bang of a drum, the onstage demeanour of the frontman, and that was stadium rock.

As the band appeared from behind the velvet curtain that separated the stage, the assembled crowd were already in good spirits and good spirits were likewise being consumed. A fellow on his friends shoulder took the opportunity to ‘moon’ the audience behind him. The band introduced themselves with the tried and tested crowd pleaser, It’s time. Every song is accompanied with lively hooks, punishing drumming and delivered with echoed vocals that created the most grandiose display the Ruby Lounge may have ever encountered. As the band got into their stride, lead singer Dan Reynolds, took the opportunity to stray away from his own personal free standing drum and let his boyish vigour take control as he began fist-pumping and pogoing in reaction to the instantly recognisable Radioactive. The underlying techno beat gave the audience all the more reason to let loose and imitate the frontman in pogoing and arm waving. In reaction Reynolds perched himself on the crowd barrier, looming over the crowd with his back arched and head twisted as held himself up using the ceiling for the following song Hear me.

The band paused, allowing Reynolds to compliment the crowd that evening, praising the city and sentimentally conceding that playing there that night made him ‘‘feel closer to home’’. Before returning to his singing, he tested the crowd’s football allegiances asking them who they support before asking “What do you guys do on a Friday night? I play FIFA’’, that was met with a series of hollers from the crowd. The band concluded the evening with the slow tempo, crowd swaying groovy rhythm of Demons. Imagine Dragons had the audience under their spell throughout the night and it certainly hadn’t diminished by the time they left the stage, as there was an eruption of ‘‘we want more! we want more!’’ and the thing is, we did.

Alabama Shakes

Written by Sophie Wozencraft on . Posted in Music.

12th November 2012,  Academy 1

8/10

Instantly noticing the incredibly mixed demographic, I was reminded of how Alabama Shakes’ music successfully combines the blues styles of 50s and 60s America with the driving rock styles of the more present day. Regardless of the audience’s diversity, however, when the band made their way on stage, the room united with torrents of cheers and expectation.

A non-album track opened, coming as a slight surprise, but when they launched into the slide guitar intro of ‘Hang Loose’, the audience soon erupted into rhythmic sways and smiles of recognition, filling the room with a laid back enjoyment and shared delight for this head-bobbing music, which was sustained throughout the set. The single ‘Hold On’ then followed which elicited more cheers and dancing from the captivated crowd.

However, as the set went on, more upbeat, vocal-driven album tracks such as ‘I Found You’ and ‘Be Mine’ were interspersed with some unfamiliar songs that took on a more rock ‘n’ roll feel. These showed off the shredding guitar solos of their captivating front woman, Brittany, driving both the charismatic and infectiously passionate lead singer, and consequently the crowd, into a frenzy, making the room buzz with atmosphere. In between these high-octane tunes sat a few poignant laments, such as ‘Boys & Girls’, ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘You Ain’t Alone’, intoxicating the audience with the delicate, vulnerable passion of Brittany’s rough and raw voice that is heard less in the punchy and vivacious, attitude-flaunting tracks.

When their inevitable encore started with the drummer setting his cymbals alight, the pulsing drums and cool guitar lines of ‘I Ain’t The Same’ drove the crowd into their familiar hoots and cheers, with the evening ending with a fast paced rock ‘n’ roll number, ‘Heat Lightnin’’, leaving everyone in an afterglow of nostalgic splendour.