08/13/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube alterations - Emma Chamberlain
☞ Letterboxd THE SUICIDE SQUAD
☞ TikTok #Spanglish
☞ Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
☞ Netflix THE KISSING BOOTH 3
☞ Twitter Britney
Life & Culture
On the heels of a documentary, a viral #FreeBritney movement, and a rare court appearance by Britney Spears, her father, Jamie Spears, has finally agreed to step down from the conservatorship he has overseen for 13 years. The decision was announced in a legal response yesterday, which said that while he is the “unremitting target of unjustified attacks” from Britney’s fans, he will be working with Britney’s new attorney on “an orderly transition to a new conservator.” Matthew Rosengart, Britney’s attorney, called the decision a “vindication for Britney.” In practicality, it’s a small step in the direction of giving her back the freedom and agency we all deserve.
In other news regarding the internet coming together to do good, Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” has hit an eye-popping 1B+ views on YouTube. Thanks for this feat go to everyone who engaged in ”Rickrolling” of any kind in the past decade and a half. This is, of course, the wide-spread internet prank that entails pranking friends and followers by linking the music video in unexpected places.
If you find yourself wanting to do a deep dive on pretty much anything ‘90s or ‘00s pop culture, let me stop you right there and instead direct you to @hellotefi on TikTok, who has most likely already done the work for you. Now, when I am on TikTok, I usually swipe through my FYP instead of my following tab, because I’m usually looking for that spontaneous, viral content that I share with you all every week. But Tefi is one creator who I purposely seek out on the platform, because of her undeniably fun storytelling. Most of her recent content focuses on iconic Hollywood relationships and drama, which are her bread and butter for a reason. But, she’s got range—I also loved her hometown confession crowd-sourced series. I warn you, though, you’ll fall down a rabbit hole on this one.
And of course, I couldn’t leave you without my two favorite videos from this week! This one has been circulating the internet for a while—it’s an inside look at Greta Gerwing directing a scene from LADY BIRD, and it is so special and beautiful. And I am sharing this calming ocean video as well, to hopefully bring you peace if you’ve had as hectic of a week as I have.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
Second and final call, you guys! Go watch PIG (trailer here) ASAP. It’s a new independent film about a truffle hunter who seeks revenge on the people who stole his beloved truffle hunting pig. I don’t want to tell you much beyond that, other than the very important detail that the truffle hunter is played by Nicolas Cage, who gives his best performance in years. I am not a huge fan of the revenge-movie subgenre, but filmmaker Michael Sarnoski is so deft at subverting the genre that I’ve found myself recommending the film all week to anyone who will listen. Also, it’s a very tight 92 minutes, and who doesn’t love that?!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
This week, I saw ANNETTE (trailer here), the new movie from director Leos Carax, featuring music by pop duo Sparks. Full disclosure: This is one of the most bizarre movies I’ve ever seen. It’s a musical about a celebrity couple (Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard) whose relationship strains after the birth of their daughter, Annette. Straightforward enough, sure, but the dialogue is almost entirely sung, and rather than cast a child actor for the role of Annette, Carax boldly opted to use a wooden puppet. On top of that, there’s a ghost, a Super Bowl halftime show parody, and a fourth-wall-breaking opening number on Santa Monica Boulevard (look closely to spot local Persian restaurant Naan Hut in the background—love you, Naan Hut!). If you’re willing to lean in, the weirdness guarantees that you’ll never anticipate where the movie will take you next. ANNETTE is currently in theaters and will stream on Amazon Prime beginning August 20.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
TV
I am here to urge you to plop onto your couch immediately and watch RESERVATION DOGS (trailer here). This new, soon-to-be hit series comes from the minds of Stelrin Harjo and Taika Waititi. It’s a comedy following four teens as they navigate life in a small Oklahoma town. We open with them stealing a chip truck (yes you read that right) and performing small (definitely criminal) acts to save money and escape rural life, desperate to create an exciting future for themselves. Criminal activity aside, honestly, who can’t relate to that? Along with their antics, there are beautiful moments of heart and friendship, especially when they honor their friend who passed the year prior. But even more importantly, this show is a coming-of-age story created by and starring Indigenous folks. And as a bonus, there are so many cinematic references, just like the title, in the series. So please, in honor of the show, go ̶s̶t̶e̶a̶l̶ borrow a friend's Hulu password and tune in!
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
Netflix has finally added the last two seasons of HUNTER X HUNTER (trailer here) to its platform and I am living. The show was adapted from the original 1998 Japanese manga series, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. It follows Gon, a young orphaned boy who goes on an epic quest to find his father, once he realizes that he might still be alive., But first, he must follow in his footsteps by becoming a professional hunter. Hunters are these dope warriors who go on missions to keep humanity safe, but one can only become a hunter by obtaining a license. Truly one of my favorite anime, HUNTER X HUNTER has everything from amazing friendships to intense battles. Also, it skips the typical romantic interest, which I love. This allows for the female characters on the show to be dynamic and self-reliant and for the focus to truly be the friendships forged on Gon’s journey to become a hunter and to find his father. I seriously recommend watching even (and especially!) if you’re a first-time anime viewer.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Theater
For their 2021-2022 season, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is offering a hybrid model: You can opt to attend in-person in New York or livestream. Its first production, Arturo Luís Soria’s NI MI MADRE, begins performances this weekend. The piece is a solo show in which Soria explores his relationship with his mother Bete by playing her onstage. In the theater’s own words, the piece “explores the intersection between queerness and Latinidad, while laying bare the secrets, memories, fears, and celebrations of being an immigrant and first-generation American.” I’m excited to see how this model plays out, particularly for those of us who can’t visit New York nearly as often as we’d like!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Music
Huge news in the music world: VP of A&R at RCA records, Tunji Balogun is headed to Def Jam to take over as CEO. Why is this news? Tunji has probably signed some of your favorite artists today— Bryson Tiller, SZA, Khalid, Childish Gambino, Normani and many, many, many more. I am so excited to see him take over at Def Jam—and can’t wait to see what he builds in this next chapter of the iconic hip hop label. They also recently announced that Snoop Dogg will be taking over as Executive Creative and Strategic Consultant, which is in line with the label's non-traditional history of artists taking on leadership roles at the company.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate