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Month: November 2013

Polari Mission

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Arts.

Jez Dolan and Joe Richardson have developed a project to save Polari, an endangered language used in the gay community, which can be seen in their exhibition at the John Ryland’s Deansgate library. Ella Dix-Nagra catches up with Jez, one half of the project’s founders.

 

What exactly are the origins of Polari?

It’s a double edged sword; it’s about disguise but also about identification. I first heard it in a 1960s radio program called ‘Round the Horne’ which featured two very camp out-of-work actors, who spoke partly in Polari. It’s always been used by people who are oppressed, and can be traced back to the 16th century to thieves’ cant, a secret underground language thieves used as a disguise.

 

So does Polari have origins in other dialects?

Definitely. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, London was the biggest cultural melting pot in the world. Polari was influenced by Romani gypsies, Italian travelling circus people, busking street traders, Yiddish, prostitute slang, thieve slang – all these kinds of things. A group called the Mollies were really important; they were around in the early 18th century and were a group of self-identified homosexual men. They would dress up in fancy costumes, shriek about and meet up in ‘molly houses’ where they would perform rituals. And it obviously involved sex, but importantly it was about establishing a cultural identity.

 

Is this when the gay community adopted Polari?

There was no such thing as the gay community then – homosexuality wasn’t understood as a concept. At the exhibition we’ve got a song sheet from 1707, which would have been handed out to the public. It’s about four men who were caught fraternising together, were very nastily condemned for it and then killed themselves. They are mixed with the criminal underclass and are picking up this language.

 

At what point did Polari reach its height in use?

Probably the 1930’s to when Round the Horne was being aired. It was the most popular radio program in 1967, but once your Aunty Carol understood what was being said it lost its point to a degree. The rise of the gay political movement in England in the 1960s influenced its decreased usage, as anything camp was deemed unnecessary and self-oppressive.

 

The Polari exhibition is described as ‘visual artwork, digital interventions, and personal stories.’

As Polari was a performed thing, the cannon of literature is very slim. We have the only copy of the Polari bible at the exhibition, which we did a three hour long reading of for the Manchester Weekender. We also had a day called ‘the Symposium’ with a mixture of guest speakers. This included presentations from Professor Paul Baker (who wrote his PhD on Polari) and an archivist from the John Ryland’s library.

 

How did you present the archival material that you found?

As an artist, that’s what I’m interested in – taking archival material, creating new work from it and giving it another life. When we made the performance piece, it was using words from the 1707 song sheet and music composed in 2013. Hopefully we will re-do the performance piece next year.

 

What does the Polari iPhone app involve?

It’s basically the largest dictionary that exists for Polari.

 

What would you like to see from this project? Would you like to see a Polari revival?

I think Polari is not about reviving it. The bigger point is that people suggest there is no such thing as gay culture, and I would argue to the hills about that because there definitely is. So my interest is more about exploring it for its inherently camp qualities, its linguistic interest and also as an important piece of gay heritage.

Turner Prize ‘13: Tino Seghal

Written by Jasper Llewellyn on . Posted in Arts.

Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is awarded each year to a contemporary artist under 50, living, working or born in Britain, who is judged to have put on the best exhibition of the last 12 months. Previous winners include Gilbert & George, Antony Gormley, Grayson Perry, Jeremy Deller and Damien Hirst. This year’s shortlist showcases artists whose work spans live encounters (Tino Seghal), film (Laure Prouvost), sculpture (David Shrigley), drawing and painting (Lynette Yiadom-Boakye).

In the run up to the Turner Prize being announced on December 2 four Arts & Culture contributors give introductions to the four nominees of 2013. This week Jasper Llewellyn introduces Tino Seghal…

Five years ago, the choice to nominate an artist such as Tino Seghal for the Turner Prize would’ve caused an uproar. However, Seghal’s appearance on the 2013 shortlist alongside others such as David Shrigley and Laure Prouvost demonstrates a growing acceptance and popularity in performance-based works. Seghal himself resents being described as a “performance artist”, saying that he creates “constructed situations” that encourage the audience to be active participants as opposed to passive spectators. Over the past 15 years, famous art galleries from all over the world (including MoMA New York, Tate Modern and the Peggy Guggenheim) have commissioned Seghal to create new works, most of which have received a very positive reception. However, despite all this, Seghal’s work is very practically problematic due to what Tate Modern’s performance curator Catherine Wood describes as Seghal’s “insistence on the immateriality of the work”. This essentially means that it doesn’t actually physically exist. That’s right, the work is only really documented in the viewer’s memory. The British-German artist’s portfolio of work includes pieces such as 2005’s “This Is So Contemporary” which involved museum guards surrounding the gallery-goers before beginning to dance, and his 2010 work “This Progress” at the Guggenheim Museum in New York which involved the removal of all the paintings from the gallery and the groups of participants being guided by people ranging from children to the elderly. Seghal’s work really does illustrate the emergence of an exciting new trend of performance within visual art and above all, his work really does get you thinking. Don’t miss next week’s article on David Shrigley the next Turner Prize 2013 nominee.-

Editor’s picks: winter reads

Written by Esmé Clifford Astbury on . Posted in Books.

Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay

Set in the Canadian North, Late Nights on Air follows an unconventional group of characters, who, each fleeing complicated lives of their own, end up working at a small radio station in Yellowknife. Forces beyond their control are set in motion when they embark on a canoe trip into the Arctic, which will leave them – and the reader – with an enduring sense of wonder and loss.

Grimm Tales for Young and Old by Philip Pullman

In Grimm Tales for Young and Old, Philip Pullman masterfully reworks the famous fairy tales collected almost 200 years ago by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse

Perhaps Hesse’s most autobiographical work, Steppenwolf is centred on reclusive intellectual Harry Haller as he struggles to reconcile the wild wolf and the rational man inside him. This is the story of a tortured soul’s journey to liberation.

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

Doctor Zhivago chronicles the life and loves of a doctor and poet during the Russian Revolution. This is at once an unflinching account of the Revolution and a love story.

Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Brontë

Wuthering Heights is the ultimate tale of love and revenge, set in the wild Yorkshire moors – the perfect book for a blustery winter night.

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

Set in a parallel universe, Northern Lights follows Lyra Belacqua as she journeys to the Arctic in pursuit of her friend, Roger Parslow, and her uncle, Lord Asriel, who has been conducting experiments on a strange substance called ‘dust’.

The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory

No winter would be complete without a good tale of Tudor court intrigue, and who better to tell it than Philippa Gregory? The Virgin’s Lover deals with the early days of Elizabeth I’s rule, as she faces the threat of a French invasion and becomes entangled with the convicted traitor Robert Dudley.

Top 5: Cereal Scenes

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Film.

5. Matilda (1996)

Picture the scene, you’re a child-prodigy aching to unleash your talent to the world, but instead are stuck in a house under strick orders from your crook of a father. Bidding adieu to her sorrows, Matilda sits down to a bowl of the aptly-named cheerios and staring intently at her spoon discovers her ability to control the world with her mind.

4. Toy Story (1995)

More cereal of the ‘O’ variety but this time the  multi-coloured kind. At the depths of his despair, Woody plunges his singed forehead into a bowl of days-old cereal found in the depths of Sid’s bedroom. Will he ever see the light of day again? Who knows, but at least he won’t starve to death.

3. Hurt Locker (2008)

Jeremy Renner’s William James feels the weight of suburbia bearing down on him, as he returns from bomb disposal in Iraq only to be met by an infantry of cereal in his grocery store. It is unclear which cereal he eventually picks – maybe Honey Troops.

2.  Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)

Probably the most violent use of cereal on the list, Vernita Green hides a gun in a box of the American cereal Kaboom, hoping to use it against The Bride. It doesn’t pay off and The Bride gets the upper hand, throwing a knife straight into her chest. Which is useless really; you eat cereal with a spoon.

1. The Road to Wellville (1994)

So none of us have actually since this movie, but apparently in 1994 someone decided to make a biopic of Kellogg’s, casting Anthony Hopkins as the cereal maker. The film didn’t receive a-maize-ing reviews and its box office performance was equally flakey. But it is basically Cornflakes: The Movie, so its our number one.

 

Simon Singh: The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets

Written by James Jackman on . Posted in Books.

Your new book is entitled The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets. What made you decide to base it on the famous yellow family?

It’s really hard to find ideas for books. If you worked on a newspaper, you’d not just find one story every day, but two stories every day. When you’re writing books, you’re just looking for a brilliant story every three or four years. I was looking for something to write about and I saw an episode of The Simpsons entitled “The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace”. In this episode, there is an equation which relates to Fermat’s last theorem, which is what I based my first book on. When I saw that on The Simpsons, I realised that there was somebody there who really understood maths and had deliberately put some high-level maths in the background.

So when I realised that there is maths in The Simpsons, it’s a great idea for a book and I couldn’t not write about it. It’s just such a gift – you spend all your life looking for stories like this.

So it’s something you can really run away with?

Yeah, you just know that people love The Simpsons, people who read my books love maths, so it’s a perfect combination.

The thing about this book though is that it is just a complete surprise, nobody would think there’s maths in The Simpsons. So, not only is it a great combination, it’s a shocking combination. I’ve been thinking about this book for eight years and I’ve hardly come across anybody who’s been aware of these mathematical elements. So, in general, people are blown away by this idea.

Who do you think this book is mainly going to appeal to?

It will appeal to grown-ups who are curious about maths and are looking for a way in. In this book, you have Homer and Lisa holding your hand and taking you through the mathematics.

It will really appeal to a wide audience; I’ve given talks recently about the book which have had real enthusiasm. An article I wrote [about the book] for the BBC got one million hits in a day, so it’s clearly a popular topic. I think people are excited by the juxtaposition of major pop culture with a difficult subject.

Finally, who is your favourite character?

I think my favourite character is Apu. When I was a kid, watching TV 40 years ago, there were no Asian people on TV. Apu may have been the first Asian on American TV. He deserves some kudos for that and also he is a mathematician, so that’s another reason of why I’m very fond of him.

Classics digested: Sense and Sensibility

Written by Elizabeth Mitchell on . Posted in Books.

WHO is the author?

Jane Austen has become one of the most revered English authors, soon to make her debut appearance on the ten pound note. With followers so dedicated that they are known as ‘Janeites’, her six finished novels have been adapted into many films, and have served as inspiration for sequels and modern day retellings. Born in 1775, she grew up in her father’s parsonage and spent most of her life living with her family in the capacity of a sister and an aunt. Her work received the attention of her peers (the Prince Regent asked Austen to dedicate Emma to him), but financial issues shrouded her life. Austen died aged 41, and her last two novels were published posthumously.

WHAT is it about?

First published in 1811 under the pseudonym ‘A Lady’, Sense and Sensibility tells the story of the Dashwood sisters. Forced to move out of their home after their father’s death, reserved Elinor and headstrong Marianne make their new life in a Devonshire cottage. The novel focuses on the romantic entanglements both sisters find themselves in – cue the entry of Edward Ferrars (sensible and loyal), Colonel Brandon (strong and silent type) and John Wiloughby (mysterious rogue). Full of love, deceit, heartbreak, hope and near-death experiences, Sense and Sensibility examines the high society life of Georgian London, the banality of the chattering classes and the necessity of impressing your mother-in-law. The reader is left to ponder whether sense or sensibility will rule the day.

WHY should you read it?

Often overlooked for its famous sister novel, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility offers just as much wit and even more fools. By turns hysterically funny and painfully romantic, it is a perfectly crafted piece of fiction. You cannot help but fall in love with the good characters, hate the evil ones and snigger at the buffoons. Austen’s analysis of society is unparalleled and a source of inspiration to many contemporary authors. Although the most recent modernised version by Joanna Trollope is humorous and insightful, it is not a patch on the original.

Classic quote

“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”

Preview: American Hustle

Written by Angus Harrison on . Posted in Film.

Ensemble casts are a blessing in disguise. For every The Royal Tenenbaums there is an Oceans Thirteen, for every The Towering Inferno there is a Movie 43. American Hustle is certainly setting the bar high with an ensemble cast that includes no less than Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jeremy Renner and my personal favourite – Louis CK. Not bad? Well wait till you hear the story.

As the seventies became the eighties, con man Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and his cunning mistress Sydney Prosser (Adams) are pushed into the world of the Jersey mafia by FBI Richie DiMaso (Cooper). It is going to get complicated, and no doubt explosive, and at some point Jennifer Lawrence is going to get involved.

What could go wrong? Well, the worry with a film like this is that it all goes a bit Gangster Squad. The genre we are trading in here is built in memory to the extent that it can quickly tailspin into cliché. The trailer looks fantastic and electric, but we have to hope that director David O Russell and writer Eric Singer have given us space to breathe between glossy sex, hyper-violence and slow motion disco scenes. In fact, the trailer reminded me most of Boogie Nights. It is flashy, neon and covered in hairspray but appears to suggest a sinister thread running through it. The party and the hangover. Boogie Nights does a fantastic job of this, precisely because the time is taken to show the characters and vapid, insecure, vulnerable, comic and tragic.

Early reports of American Hustle are optimistic suggesting it is at least attempting to pull off a similar. Indie Wire were lucky enough to see the first six minutes of the movie, at this years’ AFI Fest. They reported that the scene was both funny and volatile, showcasing glorious group dynamics between Cooper, Bale and Adams. Initial reports from other sources have suggested similar things – that the film will begin with a fast paced and humorous tone before seguing into darker, more personal territory in its second half.

There are many reasons to will this film to work: The collective cast, the scale and intent of the trailer, the chance of genuinely funny dialogue – oh and God knows Robert De Niro needs redemption (again), this time after The Family. Hopefully, we won’t be disappointed. Sometimes, when the right stars align, we can expect a genuine piece of art.

 

Release Date: 20th December 

Beards: the real winter warmer

Written by Jack Metcalfe on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Having failed to commit to a clean shave for the past three and a half years, I may not be the most impartial commentator on the subject of men’s facial hair. However, you may have noticed that the temperature in Manchester is starting to get a bit chilly – and what better way to deal with a cold chin than leaving it to its own devices in developing a luscious thatch of hair? At this point, I should state that I do realise there may be some unfortunate gents reading this for whom growing a beard is merely a pipe dream. Don’t worry, guys: it was just never meant to be. However, if a distinctly sleazy, pubescent moustache is attainable, November is as good a time as any to try it.

There are more than just purely practical reasons for this epilation-dodging adventure. Let’s face it: beards look really rather tasty if looked after properly. I’ve seen many fine beards around campus, but I’ve also noted a fair few unfortunate, scraggly attempts. Therefore, for those of you who haven’t tried this kind of project before, you’ll need to take note of a few important pointers.

Make sure you have an electronic beard trimmer with an array of different grades for the purposes of experimentation. Treat your beard like you would your own child. It needs frequent attention and affection, meaning lots of visits to your local mirror. You will quickly learn, if you haven’t already, that different patches of hair on different parts of your chin, neck and cheeks grow at varying viscosity and at different velocities. This gives you an opportunity to be an artist of sorts – and with make-up an option that many men would not contemplate, a beard is the perfect chance to take your face into your own hands. I can guarantee that you will soon notice various love interests attempting to snuggle up to your furry face in order to share in the warmth and satisfaction of your accomplishment.

I’m under no illusions: you definitely shouldn’t be taking merely my word for it. According to the French poet, novelist, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker Jean Cocteau, “There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This period does not last. He returns headlong to his beard.” Would you question the words of a French poet, novelist, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker? I don’t think you would.

There is an important lesson to take away from all of this. A beard could be the start of something special for some of you. It is not a fashion trend, subject to the whims of “what’s hot” and “what’s not”: rather, it is a lifestyle choice that will benefit both yourself and your loved ones.

However, for many of you it could just be a depressingly emphatic confirmation of a depleted testosterone reserve.

Top 5 male beauty products

Written by Jake Pummintr on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

All images: Writer’s own

1. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Scrub for Men – £21

This scrub leaves your skin feeling buffed and beautiful. Its apricot kernels eliminate dead skin and remnants of rough facial hair. Whilst the general rule is that scrubs should be used sporadically, this is not too harsh meaning you can give your face the daily clean it probably requires, being a student…

 

2. Label M Volume Mousse – £12.95

Rather than spending ages perfecting your quiff, side-parting or out-of-bed look (yes, we are aware this requires effort, contrary to what you would have us believe), simply work the mousse through damp hair before drying. It gives the hair an easily mouldable texture and only a touch-up of wax is necessary.

 

3. Kiehl’s Squadron Shaving Cream – £15

 

Being half Asian, my facial hair tends to resemble Mulan’s Father’s beard somewhat. Whilst this works for other people, it really doesn’t for myself so I have to shave everyday. If you are like me, the benefits of this cream are twofold: you can achieve a quick and successful dry-shave, whilst also being far less messy than typical shaving gels.

 

4. Signature scent(s) – Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford – £78

A collection of two or three signature scents really is a must-have for every modern gentleman. We all have that one friend who smells of B.O. and just as you associate him/her with an unpleasant musk, you could be the guy who always smells great. It really does go a long way…

 

5. Garnier Under-eye Roll-on – £10.49

Following most nights out comes the inevitable rush to the nine a.m. lecture in Sam Alex the morning after. If you have missed your window for getting washed, then this roll-on is a godsend. Use on the under-eyes to give the impression of a long night’s slumber, even if everything else screams drunken regret.

Bwana Devil – Lessons From the Third Dimension

Written by Angus Harrison on . Posted in Film.

From the multitude of posters advertising Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity, there is one quote that always sticks with me, long after the bus has pulled away. The Telegraph, instead of praising direction or performance, remark on the “glorious realised 3D”. Something about that phrasing, “glorious realised”, fascinates me. How do we understand the true realisation, limits and possibilities of this form of cinema? What defines good 3D and bad 3D?

66 years ago, this very week, United Artists released Arch Oboler’s Bwana Devil. The movie was an huge event; set in British Uganda, railway workers find construction interrupted by a pair of man-eating lions, it is then up to British overseer Jack Hayward to capture and kill the lions. Much like Cuarón, Oboler was was attempted to take a thrilling story, set in an unforgivable environment, and amplify the viewing experience using groundbreaking technology. Only difference being that Bwana Devil was the first 3D feature film ever released. It was a commercially driven creation, in the light of waning box office sales, many thought that 3D ‘natural vision’ was just the gimmick to bring audiences back into the theatres. Following the release of Bwana Devil a decade long fascination with the process began. Many more 3D movies were released in this period, opting for full on spectacle they ranged in title from ‘House of Wax’ to ‘Robot Monster’. Seats were filled, but many of the end results were clumsy. The ‘golden era’ of 3D gradually declined. It was pulpy and excessive, but audiences outgrew it.

Unlike Gravity which is currently sitting on 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews of Bwana Devil weren’t too kind. One critic wrote “It is the worst movie in my rather faltering memory, and my hangover from it was so painful that I immediately went to see a two-dimensional movie for relief.” So does that mean we have learnt our lesson? Well not necessarily. Take 2010’s Clash of the Titans, of which the director Louis Leterrier eventually said “It was absolutely horrible, the 3D. Nothing was working, it was just a gimmick to steal money from the audience.”

Many contemporary film makers are equally sceptical of the form. Even blockbuster behemoths like Michael Bay and Christopher Nolan have spoken out against the form, the latter famously declining down the request to have Inception shot in 3D. In fact most people I watch movies with respond similarly, that they think 3D is annoying and exploitative, only existing to charge extra for making you wear silly glasses. Yet Gravity seems to have distilled a mood amongst those who value the technique. Essentially that it is not for every film, and what’s more it isn’t the reserve of action movies or cartoons. In fact, last years most critically acclaimed use of 3D was Life of Pi, a movie that (much like Avatar) built dimensional environments and landscapes – rather than throwing random objects at the audience now and again.

It seems unlikely that 3D will die out in the same way it did in the 1950s. Yet it order to ensure its longevity it seems crucial that filmmakers value it is a tool for depth, rather than a flashy gimmick. Arch Oboler certainly thought it would last and fittingly, given the interstellar nature of 3D’s latest proponent, he said, “One doesn’t need much imagination, to state a simple truth: that a motion picture and television world of 3-Dimension is as certain as the fact that someday the sun will fission and fusion and implode on itself”.

 

The man bag: a dying breed?

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Image:insideology.files.wordpress.com

It was the accessory that saw Indiana Jones through a whole array of compromising situations, including a Lost Ark and a Temple of Doom, but has the man bag finally had its day?  I say yes.  Now when I’m talking about man bags, I’m not literally talking about any bag owned by a man, I’m talking about the bag that most often goes by the alias of ‘satchel’ or ‘messenger’, typically measuring 30x40cm with a strap to be worn across the body.  For years it was the classic bag of choice for gents of all ages, but of recent its popularity has been on the decline.

Although it may seem a bold statement, I am going to throw it out there anyway, the man bag is not only pointless, it’s over.  It’s the ‘I’m not as comfortable or convenient as a backpack, not as large or handy as a holdall’ bag that for years has left males across the length and breadth of the country with a shoulder only one extra book away from near dislocation and a trip to the local A&E.

If you are to do a quick delve into times past, the satchel first made its foray onto the bag-scene way back in the 17th Century, and so if we are to argue a fair case, it has stood the test of time and helped countless members of the Oxbridge Alumni to transport books from A to B.  But in a world governed by the ‘survival of the fittest’, is it not time for this particular breed of accessory to die out in favour of its more practical predecessors?

Image: asos.com

You see we all know backpacks are the more comfortable option; distributing the weight of items across the shoulders equally, whilst we too know that when avoiding luggage charges and packing whole weeks’ worth of clothes into your carry on flight allowance only the holdall will do.  So where I ask, does the satchel now fit in with necessities of everyday life? Well to tell you simply, it doesn’t, and with that I urge all of you to abandon your satchel….there’s a whole world of Herschel’s, Eastpak’s and Jansport’s out there just waiting for you to take the step and make the change.

The ‘Jew’niversity experience

Written by Sophie Lipton on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Being Jewish is such a diverse term. One could be religious, cultural or even an atheist- it’s that broad. This may be why it is so hard to explain what it means to be Jewish, especially to some students who have never met another Jewish person in their lives. I want to explain that being Jewish may add another aspect to my university lifestyle, but it in no way stops me enjoying the classic student experience. So how does one deal with the questions which may have answers that are hard to explain? Since  becoming a student, here are the top three questions I have come across.

 

1)    So you’re Jewish…. What does that actually mean?”

First of all, explaining to people at University you’re Jewish can sometimes be daunting. I felt I had extra baggage to unpack, because telling people about faith can often open a whole can of worms. Luckily, I was not faced with anti-Semitism. I still remember telling one of my friends about my religion on the first day of University. The reaction I got was “cool. So does that mean you pray three times a day?”  To me I thought this was hilarious, because I don’t even go to synagogue (Jewish place of worship) once a month, let alone three times a day. After explaining that no, praying three times a day was not on my freshers agenda and that Judaism was different for everyone, I was determined to show my new friends that the priorities of Jewish students didn’t always revolve around prayer, but could be more of a social notion. My friends were amazing and accepted that my Judaism was part of my personality, taking me for who I was.

Similarly, previous secretary for Jsoc (Jewish Society) Lindsey Briggs also received a positive response to her Judaism. She states “I was really scared that everyone was going to define me by my faith. However, I was so wrong and I’ve never felt more comfortable with my identity in my halls”.

It’s fun explaining the diversity of Judaism to others, and I like to teach people about how I define myself as a Jew. However, this question cannot be summed up in a simple sentence. People have written extensive literature on this topic, and understanding some of the concepts can be a little tricky. As a result, it can sometimes be a challenge to explain Jewish life.

At University, being Jewish to me is attending an array of events. Friday night dinners are weekly occurrences which celebrate Shabbat (a festival which marks the end of a week). It’s a good way to unwind from a hectic schedule and just reflect upon the past days with good company and food. Whether this be with fifty or five people, atmosphere can be remarkable. Additionally, any excuse to celebrate a Jewish festival is always recognised, where activities range from prayer to parties. Jewish socials do not always revolve around praying, which I think is a general impression people get from faith groups. Of course, there is an element of prayer, but events also offer much more such as clubbing, pub quizzes and there is even a Jewish football team.

 

2)    Are all your friends Jewish?

A lot of my friendship group is not Jewish, but it just so happens that I live with the ones who are. I don’t categorize my ‘Jewish friends’ and my ‘non-Jewish friends’. I take everyone as an individual and we all go out together. My best friends are not defined by religion and I’m open to their cultures as I know they are open to mine. We have similarities which act as the foundations for our friendship. The difference is, with my Jewish friends the foundation may also be a religious bonding. I didn’t plan to live with other Jewish people, and we are not living with each other just because of our religion. It’s not intentional and I don’t know how it happens. Maybe it’s the fact we are a minority group and tend to stick together. Maybe it’s the fact we have a shared history. Or maybe it’s the fact we have similar cultural backgrounds. I really don’t know. I’m guessing it is a mixture of the three.

 

3)    How do all Jewish people know all other Jewish people?

This of course is not completely true! However, if, like me you grew up in North London where a predominance of Jewish people live, then one cannot help but be drawn into the ‘Jewish bubble’. Through youth groups, synagogue and even schools these bonds form. I suppose to the outside it is strange that I would have 50 plus mutual friends on Facebook with a Jewish person I have randomly bumped into in a club. The “oh do you know (insert Jewish friends name here)” game can sometimes go on for hours. It’s hard to explain how concentrated the British Jewish population is. This question was asked to me so much in fresher’s week, and my flat mates couldn’t understand how I knew so many people when term had not even begun.

 

So, there are my answers. There is no denying that my university experience has a Jewish dimension, but there are many sides to my identity. I am not just categorised as a Jewish student; all my friends see me for who I am, and I see them for who they are. I have made sure I am not completely defined to my religion even though it is an important part of my identity.

These blurred lines

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Androgyny is a trend that has always interested me: challenging and resetting traditional gender stereotypes. In basic terms, ‘Androgyny’ means a male with female features or a woman with male features. In fashion, however, it can simply mean blurring the lines between genders. The androgynous trend, most commonly for women, hones in on the boyish silhouette with overlarge coats and straight leg trousers.

Androgyny is rife on the catwalk for both men and women’s fashion with labels such as Burberry, YSL, Topman Design and a huge majority of other fashion designers in both High Fashion and High-Street showing off the trend. Often androgyny is labelled and marketed as ‘metrosexual’ for males. In 2011 H&M launched a unisex clothing line for the Fashion Against AIDS campaign “This edition is a unisex collection to point out that the HIV/AIDS message is as important for young women as for young men.” – Ann-Sofie Johansson, Head of Design at H&M. Another fashion brand well known for the androgyny trend is The Kooples, encouraging mix-matching clothes and showing how their individual styles complement each other.

Androgyny today is largely conventional after well-known artists like David Bowie, Boy George, Prince, and Annie Lennox challenged what was ‘normal’ in the 1970s leading to elaborate cross- gender wardrobes in the 1980s. During the 1990s, Marilyn Manson also reinforced the culture by appearing genderless on the album cover ‘Mechanical Animals’.

Zara ‘Pictures’ show an adaption of the androgynous trend by Roy on the Street.  A one-size-up jacket to ooze mannish tailoring over a basic top are the key items to pull of this trend.  Notably, for this style it is vital that you get a straight-cut set of trousers! Pair with tights and brogues, and you will have this look down.

Jacket: 79.99 GBP. Crop T-Shirt: 15.99 GBP Both Zara.

Image: JayeKayeTV

Andrej Pejic has walked the catwalk for both Gaultier and Marc Jacobs.However, unusually, he models as a woman, taking androgyny quite literally.

Image: sol-sol-stree.tmblr.com

2013 Seoul Fashion Week. The purity of a white coat should never be underestimated- especially on a guy. The unusual sight of a man in tights (not in the ballet) is actually one of the best outfit ensembles I have seen- he looks effortlessly stylish!

Top 5: Male Shoes

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.


Image: highsnobiety.com

1. Clarks Desert Boots – £79

The most gentlemanly shoe on the list, Clarks Desert boots are the longstanding gem in the male footwear halls of fame – comfortable, versatile and very suave. Suede doesn’t seem ideal given Manchester’s weather conditions, but the leather versions make a smart alternative.

   
Image: ordershoe.co.uk

2. Nike Air Max Thea –  £85

 I know what you’re thinking: Air Max have been rinsed by just about everyone on campus. It seems like every other set of feet you see is clad in a pair, though most of the wearers probably hadn’t heard of them ‘til uni. The Thea’s, though, are the lesser-seen, but much sleeker version.


Image: Schuch.co.uk
3. Puma Suede Classic – £55

Puma is the underdog in the branded sports shoe stakes, but the suede classics have made plenty of appearances on well-dressed students all over Manchester. With a wide range of colours on offer, you’re spoilt for choice.


Image: newmarketsports.com
4. Reebok Classic – £45

Reebok Classics are pretty basic, but they do the job. I’d avoid the white pair unless you’re emulating the yob look, but investing in the black would be a sound choice. Just £45 from Sports Direct: you can’t go wrong, can you?

Image: scorpioshoes.com
5  Dr Martens 1461 – £90

Possibly not everyone’s cup of tea, these DMs are made for the more tailored gent. Built to last, you couldn’t ask for a sturdier shoe. Think less of the ‘This is England’ look, and more of a ‘nonchalant academic’ vibe.

 

Top 5: Storms on screen

Written by Tom Bruce on . Posted in Film.

 Our good nation weathered quite a storm a fortnight ago, but it’s not over yet. Get ready to batten down the proverbial hatches once more because this list features some of the worst weather ever seen on the silver screen.

 

5. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

One of the more believable and well-acted disaster movies of recent years, TDAT warns us of the dangers of our continued pollution. Most terrifying moment: Huge tornados tearing through LA whip a billboard down a street and take out a news man, live on air. Talk about frontline reporting!

 

4. Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs (2009)

Flint Lockwood’s ‘Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator’ saves the town of Swallow Falls from economic crisis by making it rain…cheeseburgers. Soon the weather turns nasty as a spaghetti twister creates buffet-ing winds. Buffet? Anyone?

 

3. Romeo and Juliet (1996)

Pathetic fallacy at its best. Mercutio condemns the Capulets and Montagues to pestilence and despair as a thunderous storm signals the sudden turn from comedy to tragedy.

 

2.

The vast Persian navy is punished by the cruel Greek seas, a sneak preview of the welcome they can expect when they meet the Spartans.

 

 

Strictly speaking this is not an actual storm, but it’s inspired by the 7th Egyptian plague – a biblical downpour of hail and fire- so it still counts.     The morbidly inventive Dr. Phibes uses an ice spewing death machine to murder Dr.Hedgepath. You can’t get much more cold-blooded than that.

Review: Gravity

Written by Lloyd Hammett on . Posted in Film.

While veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) are on a routine space walk their shuttle is destroyed leaving them alone to survive the emptiness of space.

The comparisons will be made, and rightly so, to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, due to the meticulous attempts of realism within the absoluteness of space. In Gravity there is a film so technically brilliant that Kubrick could only begin to comprehend the leaps that Alfonso Cuarón has taken since 1968. Cuarón has developed from what Kubrick began showing space in its realism, not only in its vastness but its emptiness and its ferocity.

The film opens with a spectacular shot highlighting the nothingness of space and the insignificance we hold within it as the blackness envelopes our earth. The chaos of space is also to be marveled at early in the film as the camera movement sends us on an unreadable journey as the space shuttle collapses and our characters are flung tumbling out of control into the blackness. There is nothing for us to hold onto and the disorientation of space only grows throughout the film. The commitment of Cuarón and his team in depicting space is shown in the exquisite sequences, whether at a merciless speed or a near stand still. It is a technical masterpiece that immerses you within its world often filming from a first person point of view to show the perplexity of outer space. It is a testament to modern technology that such an experience can be created, and the way that it is harnessed is sure to be inspirational to future filmmakers.

Alfonso Cuarón’s use of 3D shows how exceptional the technology can be when employed in the right circumstances. It is the depth of the picture that really contributes to the understanding of the limitlessness of space in what is a visually mesmerising work. The 3D of Gravity is essential to the film, as you need to be engulfed by the surroundings; the flat screen is not enough to create the illusion of never ending space. There is also no obstruction of the 3D to the cinematography of the film with the tantalising beauty of Earth constantly radiating in the background as a constant reminder of home. This is not a film to be experienced anywhere other than at the cinema, as the beauty and magnitude can only be transcribed across the big screen.

The narrative is linear without the need to go off course, as there is enough within the immediate fear of the impossibility of surviving in space to create continuous tension. The need within Hollywood to create action and overly complicated plots is often detrimental to any character development, ending in largely soulless films. By stripping the plot down to its believable minimum in this way Cuarón creates a much more intimate character led sci-fi. There is cohesion between the technical brilliance ever present in a sci-fi film, alongside the basics of character understanding in a drama that has become all but extinct in recent years.

George Clooney practically plays himself in this film as the charming veteran whose smooth and calming voice is there to bring Sandra Bullock’s up tight and nervy amateur to her survival senses. Sandra Bullock is outstanding throughout the film as Dr. Stone, and is toned down to the bare bones of the helplessness of this character. The tenderness that she plays the role is what makes the performance and constantly pangs at you for her survival, especially as her character grows. Sandra Bullock manages to embody the isolation and loneliness of space that is pivotal to the way Cuarón wants to display it. With a film so heavily based on CGI (although you couldn’t tell) the physical and emotional performance of both Clooney and Bullock is something to marvel at.

In Gravity Alfonso Cuarón has shown true genius, unfolding a film that spectacularly breaks technical boundaries, as well as holding together the purity of its ideals.

Contrary Corner: There’s no need for speed

Written by Suraj Vara on . Posted in Film.

I recently watched a trailer for the new Need for Speed film to be released early next year, and in short the film was simply a compilation of supercars being totalled. The new film stars Aaron Paul, known to many as ‘Breaking Bad’ meth cook Jesse Pinkman, who, fresh from jail, seeks revenge on the man who put him there; how original!

The thing is, I’ve realised that Need for Speed isn’t going to be rubbish because it’s a film based on a video game, which are often shitty (save Mortal Kombat which is so bad, it’s rather good), it’s because it’s a car film. There’s no denying that car films in the recent past have been just about the cars.

I understand the stupidity of what I’m saying: “Why watch a car film if you don’t like cars?” Yes I do like cars but I also like films, and what’s the point of a film about cars if there isn’t much film lurking under the bonnet?

Long gone are the days of Gone in 60 Seconds where the thrill of the heist was just as exciting as the ‘67 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 named Eleanor; the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am we lovingly knew as KITT; or the iconic Minis from The Italian Job. These cars were icons because of what they gave to the narrative. Today, car films have just become a primitive, destruction derby of pimped up supercars where, essentially, directors all drop their pants and compare who’s got the biggest- budget.

Let’s take the Fast and Furious series. It started out pretty well with a good-ish storyline using cars as tools to aid a detective story. Comparing that to now where the film is about a bunch of tools using cars to do something ridiculous, like tow a two tonne safe around the streets of Rio and, somehow, pull the ol’ switcharoo under a bridge!

What’s even worse is the fact that Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, the original cop-criminal double team, are now joined by steroid-pumped Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson as a CIA elite to try and make things more interesting; nuts to anyone who thinks a man that dedicated to his law enforcement job would capture the bad guy and then let him go so they can become best mates in the next film!

If that wasn’t enough, Fast and Furious 6 closes with a cut scene into one of the crew’s future/past in Tokyo, where Jason Statham enters to set up “Fast meets Transporter” to create… Every other film Jason Statham has ever made.

And it doesn’t stop there! The Knight Rider series was recently rebooted with KITT as a polymorph Shelby GT 500 which can transform into an SUV with guns and extra power; notably it was quickly cancelled again. Logically speaking, I wouldn’t want my crime fighting car to have to transform into something else just to get the extra horses out of the engine when I’m in a pinch!

So what are car films today? Well after sacrificing the clever finesse of the classics (cars and films that is), it seems they’re running on empty.

Review: Thor: The Dark World

Written by Nicole Rankine on . Posted in Film.

Walking out of the cinema, I had the realisation that Thor’s second outing was perhaps a contender for being the ‘marmite’ of modern cinema. Evident from the occasional excited fist-pumps of some cinema-goers combined with the few uninterested faces of the clock-watchers. I am afraid to say that I was in fact part of the latter group. Having found the first instalment a rather fun comic book romp, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in its sequel.  This was due to my belief that the film offered little else but forced romantic subplots and a whole lot of visual brilliance and noise, thus, leaving little room for much (if any) character development.

The sequel takes place during the aftermath of the events that happened within The Avengers, with Loki (Tom Hiddleston) confined within Asgard’s dungeon and Jane (Natalie Portman) still longing to be in the arms of her heroic muscle man, since his two year absence. The films ‘focal’ plot, however, sees the introduction to Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) as the vengeful leader of a primordial race seeking to destroy the Nine Realms. Despite playing the films primal antagonist, Christopher Eccleston is frustratingly underused, with Chris Hemsworth’s chiselled torso possibly receiving more screen time. This leaves the plotline lacking the depth that was achieved in the first movie, where Tom Hiddeston skilfully managed to portray an antagonist, who was sympathetic and even likeable. However, even Loki’s character begins to lose his edge in the sequel, as the film’s creators can’t seem to decide on whether to make him a villain or not. Despite this, it is Hiddleston and Hemsworth’s palpable chemistry and charismatic performances that create the film’s most interesting, emotional and even laugh out loud comedic scenes.

In contrast to Thor and Loki’s relationship, the continued pairing of Hemsworth and Portman’s characters is another weakness of the movie. The lack of chemistry between the two makes their relationship hard to care for, whilst often detracting attention the main plotline. Despite taking up a lot of screen time, neither character seems to develop during their romance. This is especially obvious in the character of Jane, whom seems to have no interesting character traits of her own. This lack of independence transforms her character into a formulaic ‘damsel in distress’ and makes her a difficult character to like or relate to.

It is likely the visuals and sound effects of the film that the audience members will enjoy most. This is demonstrated by a scene presenting an invasion of Asgard complete with futuristic aircrafts flying, shooting and blowing up amid an attractively designed cityscape, slightly reminiscent of Star Wars. Yet, even more visually spectacular was a sequence showing the destruction of London. The fact that the battle scenes were held within Greenwich was also somewhat a more refreshing setting than the standard battlefield of upstate New York. Despite the cinematographic brilliance, these action sequences can sometimes go on for far too long, again allowing less screen time to focus on any character development.

Tash on!

Written by Scarlett Whittell on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Ahh Movember. A hilarious month, with an equally hilarious name. It all started in 2003 with thirty ‘Mo Bros’ in Melbourne, Australia. Now the moustache-movement is global, raising awareness of prostate and testicular cancer all around the world.

Before the arrival of Movember, I thought growing a moustache was a straight-forward affair. I assumed it came naturally to men, like breathing … or thinking about women 18 times a day. Then I heard about the ‘ghost moustache’. You know the one, it looks like their top lip is a bit dusty. This month we must be particularly mindful of these fellas. Make sure to closely inspect their face before questioning their participation. You don’t want to offend them, that’s thirty days of hard work right there.

Those with a thicker tash face a different problem. How to shape one’s facial hair? It’s an important decision, after all you’ve got to live with it for a full month. To help out I’ve done a bit of moustache research (don’t laugh). Here are my three favourites:

 

1. Handlebars

The classic choice for those with a fast rate of growth. Whoever came up with the idea is a genius. A hairy pair of bicycle handlebars on your face? Impressive… and hilarious.

 

2. French

Without doubt, this is my favourite. Unfortunately I haven’t seen anyone donning a thin curly tash around Manchester yet, but I am still hopeful. This design requires a little dedication and a small tub of moustache wax – those perfect curls don’t come naturally. But it’s a small price to pay for the greatest moustache in town.

 

3. “The Broom”

Or as professionals in the field call it, ‘the broustache’. This also requires special equipment, this time it’s a moustache comb. I dream of the day I see a man whip out a small comb to groom his upper lip. Please boys, invest.

I must admit, a lip-full of wirey locks doesn’t get me going (I’m more of a light stubble sort-of-gal). However I have no time for girls whining about Movember.

My opinion? Suck it up girls, and tash on.

 

Chris Payne raises money for Movember

Movember is the growing of moustaches during November to raise awareness of prostate cancer. The goal of Movember is to “change the face of men’s health.” If you would like to donate to such a worthy cause please see here:  http://uk.movember.com/mospace/3404869.

Career Corner: Dan Poole

Written by Moya Crockett on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Dan graduated from the University of Manchester in 2003, with a BA(Hons) in English and American Studies. He currently works as a sub-editor and writer at Monocle, a global affairs and lifestyle magazine.

What are your main responsibilities in your current role?

As you might guess from my job title, my roles are sub-editing and writing for Monocle magazine, as well as acting as editorial manager for the advertorials that appear in the mag.

Did you know what you wanted to do when you left uni?

It wasn’t until after I graduated from Manchester that I decided I wanted to go into journalism, so I didn’t go down the route of writing for the student paper while I was at uni as you are (sensibly) advised to try and do. Instead I had to start pretty much from scratch, which meant sending out emails to shedloads of newspapers and magazines to apply for work experience.

How did your career progress after graduation?

After a few work experience posts at various publications – the Hereford Times, Matlock Mercury, The Times, FHM – I wound up at the Independent in 2004 on what was then the Sunday Review. I ended up staying there for around nine months as, essentially, a freelance intern: not getting a salary but working full-time and getting paid here and there for articles and interviews that I did. I was fortunate to be able to live with relatives in London and so pay very little rent!

From there, a full-time position came up within the company for an editorial assistant on a selection of student magazines that the Independent used to produce. I applied and got the job. I stayed in that department for five years, progressing to the position of student editor.

After that, I moved to Sydney for three years, where I spent most of my time working for FHM Australia, eventually becoming deputy editor. I came back to the UK in April 2012 and worked as a freelance sub-editor at various publications for six months, then started my current role in November of that year.

How has your degree helped you in your career?

My qualification got me what proved to be those vital work-experience roles; my degree was all people really had to go on from my CV. Having to write essays that were structured and spelt properly also set me on the way to putting together decent articles.

What would you say has been your greatest achievement to date?

I’m not sure that meeting and interviewing Dave Grohl really counts as an achievement but it’s certainly one of the highlights; a press trip to the Arctic wasn’t bad either. However, before I start sounding like a self-satisfied arse, I think my real achievement has been managing to stay gainfully employed in an industry that has been gradually shrinking the whole time I’ve been in it.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a similar career route?

Make sure you’re completely committed to the idea: the aforementioned shrinking nature of the print media industry means getting a job is as hard as it’s ever been. Also: be prepared to work ridiculous hours for pay that doesn’t always reflect the effort you’re putting in. Read every day and write something – anything – every day; if you haven’t got time, every other day. It’s the only way you’ll get better. Email every single publication going asking for work experience and take anything you’re offered. Don’t just accept positions from the magazine you want to edit one day because it’s all helpful. And don’t try to be overly wordy or clever on your CV; keep it simple and let your achievements do the talking. When you do get a placement, make the most of it. Be keen without being over the top and treat every task you’re given like your life depends on doing it to the best of your ability. And don’t get it into your head that doing something quickly is impressive: far better to take some time over it and get it right. Be friendly, be professional and make tea – should a job ever come up, you want to be remembered fondly.

What qualities do you need to succeed in journalism?

Be able to spell. It might sound obvious but the number of interns I’ve come across who can’t string a decent sentence together, put a semi-colon in the right place or know the difference between “its” and “it’s” is staggering and slightly terrifying. Either they don’t know the right way of doing it or they don’t really care; if you’re either of those types of people, choose a different industry.

With thanks to Rosie Haynes at the University of Manchester Alumni Association. 

For careers advice, visit careers.manchester.ac.uk.