10/01/21
It all begins with an idea.
This week: Complex, captivating female characters; two wildly different shows about class—one from Sweden and one from South Korea; and two musical recs you really don’t want to skip.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
Youtube YOUTUBE'S MOST VIEWED VIDEOS
Letterboxd DUNE
TikTok #MyStory
Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI
Netflix SQUID GAME
Twitter #PodcastDay
Life & Culture
On the off chance that any of you have ever dreamed of paying for your movie tickets with Dogecoin, I’m here to tell you that it looks like your wish will be granted by AMC. The company’s CEO tweeted out a poll asking his followers if the company should “explore accepting Dogecoin” in addition to the more mainstream forms of crypto that it already has plans to accept. Over 140K users voted, with 74% saying yes. Adam Aron responded by saying “it’s clear that you think AMC should accept Dogecoin. Now we need to figure out how to do that. Stay tuned!”
As a college student in the mid-to-late 2010s, I can attest that vaping was an absolute epidemic among students. I knew so many people who were hopelessly addicted to their Juuls. The tiny vapes, initially meant to be a replacement for traditional cigarette smoking, were simply everywhere. But it looks like things might be turning around. While vaping is still pretty popular, the FDA’s bet that forcing Juul to drop the fruity flavors would lower usage among young people seems to be paying off. According to The New York Times, 11.3 percent of high school students reported this year that they currently vape. This is down from 19.6 percent in 2020 and 27.5 percent in 2019. In light of these new survey results, the CEO of nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids argues that the FDA should take a further step and “eliminate all flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol-flavored products,” which are now still available to consumers in a sort-of loophole, as disposable flavored vapes are still on the market.
And of course, my two favorite TikToks from the past week: This one captures an otter narrowly escaping a seemingly-hungry orca whale, and this one shows off the skills of two very tiny amphibians (I think they are lizards, but if someone knows for sure, please feel free to reply and correct me).
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
GUEST CURATED BY THE BRILLIANT MINDS AT
Artist to Know
Painter Lucía Vidales tends to blur the line between abstraction and figuration, and it’s imbued with the history of Mexico, where she lives and works.
She’s particularly interested in the physical, emotional and spiritual implications of the body—which she uses to explore the ongoing impact of colonialism in Latin America. In the works she’s presenting on Platform this month, she integrates elements of Mesoamerican religion and mythology and its impact on present-day Mexico—in particular, the fertility goddess Coatlicue and Xipe Totec, the Aztec god of regeneration, which you may be able to see references to.
I also love how she titles her artworks (The Dead and the Living, Piss and Tears, among others) — sometimes with historical references, sometimes with humor. I always find it to be a fun exercise to follow the clues an artist provides into their intentions for a given work, and that’s exactly what these titles feel like to me. Check her out, and have a crack at deciphering those clues while you’re at it!
—Richard Thayer, Director of Marketing, PLATFORM
Lucía Vidales
Punta, remate, fin y cabo, 2021
Oil, acrylic and encaustic on canvas
28.0 × 24.0 inches
$4500 (Available through October 31st)
Film
This past weekend, I watched the 1994 film CHUNGKING EXPRESS (trailer here) by iconic Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai—in a movie theater. The double-pronged film follows two police officers who are both getting over exes. In their breakup processes, they each meet a mysterious new woman who changes the course of their lives. The cinematography, sound design, and production design in the film are oh-so-beautiful and dynamic, letting WKW’s directorial style really shine in this story of lovesickness, chance encounters, and the surprising interconnectedness of us all. Also, hats off to WKW for writing two strong female protagonists who are flawed but also charming, complex, and captivating. The heroine Faye is what I’d call “chaotic good” and might just be my favorite take on the “gamine” who’s fickle and sneaky, but all in the name of a good time. If you’re in the LA area and want to see it in theaters, the American Cinematheque is screening the film with new 35mm restorations this Friday (10/1) at the Los Feliz 3!
—Aimee Pham, Production & Development Intern
In 2000, Congress passed the Child Citizenship Act which granted automatic citizenship to children adopted by United States citizens—but left out adoptees who were already legal adults by the time the bill was passed. In other words, many adoptees who had grown up in America and knew no other life, could be deported tomorrow to a country they had no ties to. In BLUE BAYOU (trailer here), writer-director-producer Justin Chon doesn't shy away from painting this pained image for us. Antonio LeBlanc (Justin Chon) is a soon-to-be father who faces deportation after an encounter with a local police. The sad drip of inevitability permeates the entire film as we experience a deep feeling of helplessness in the face of a system that only protects certain groups of people. Justin, Alicia Vikander, and newcomer Sydney Kowalske all deliver powerful, wounded, and intelligent performances. So go hit up your local theaters this weekend and experience this beautiful film on screen!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
TV
SNABBA CASH (trailer here), translated to Fast or Easy Cash, is a Swedish show on Netflix that simply hasn’t gotten enough attention. The series is based on a book (with the same name) from 2006 by Jens Lapidus, a Swedish criminal defense lawyer. Set mainly in the projects outside Stockholm, the show draws parallels between the start-up/tech world and the mob in a really interesting way. The story, which ultimately centers around class, follows a young single mom of Middle Eastern descent who’s desperate to get her tech business off the ground and gets entangled with drug money from her brother-in-law. What sets this show apart from many other Nordic shows is the diversity of the cast—and absolutely incredible performances from Alexander Abdallah and Even Ahmad.
—Martina Lund, VP Marketing & Media Design
SQUID GAME (trailer here) is the new show that seems to have the Internet in a chokehold. Released less than two weeks ago on Netflix, the story is a South Korean survival drama written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The show follows 456 people who are invited to risk their lives playing childhood games in exchange for a shot at a massive cash prize. It tackles major themes like class conflict and egoism, shown throughout the games as contestants are continuously tested on what they’re willing to do to others to further their own chances. The show has been reported by Netflix to be on track to being the most watched non-English speaking show ever, which is promising news for those of us hoping for a Season 2.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Dance
With my one free afternoon in New York this weekend, I’m choosing to see choreographer Bill T. Jones’ new piece DEEP BLUE SEA. While I have long been an admirer of Jones’ work (ahem, SPRING AWAKENING), I’ve never had the opportunity to see Jones actually perform in one of his pieces. He performs here for the first time in 15 years, with a cast of 100 dancers and community members, in a work inspired by both Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and Moby Dick. I’m not entirely sure how Jones and his company will blend those two pieces together, but I am very excited to find out!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Short Film
I haven’t been able to get Sudarshan Suresh’s MIZARU (trailer here) out of my head since I saw it last year, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of the best shorts I’ve ever seen. Set in Mumbai on Valentine’s Day, MIZARU takes place in one fluid shot as a young couple finds themselves targeted by a vigilante group, also known as the “moral police,” for engaging in some PDA in the park. Staging a short in a single take is always a risky proposition, but the hyperrealistic performances and smooth camera blocking elicit a palpable sense of dread that I haven’t felt since watching WHIPLASH for the first time. A number of supporting characters show up throughout the film as well, including members of a recreational yoga group, a duo of police officers who pass through to see what all the commotion is about, and another unlucky couple that finds themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. As Sudarshan Suresh lets these side characters stroll in and out of this harrowing confrontation, you can’t help but notice the utter apathy—both on a social and bureaucratic level—that precipitates this insidious vigilantism. Yet, MIZARU never veers into ham-fisted territory under Suresh’s assured hand, making for a smartly observed social thriller that packs a real punch. After an incredibly successful festival run including Telluride, Brussels, and Palm Springs ShortFest (where it picked up a Special Mention for Best of the Festival), MIZARU is finally available to stream on the Criterion Channel, or to rent on Vimeo.
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
Music
Listen, if you haven't listened to H.E.R, this is me not-so-casually begging you to do so immediately. H.E.R is a four-time Grammy winner who’s truly one of my favorite artists of this decade. She garnered a lot of recent attention for the original song “Fight For You” on the incredible oscar-nominated film JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH. But her entire catalogue is spectacular. I have finally come down from the high of seeing her in concert at the Hollywood Bowl last month, and it truly solidified my love for her. She performed with the LA Philharmonic, paid her respects to the Black lives lost to police brutality, recognized the year we have all had amidst an ongoing pandemic, and even brought out Daniel Caesar and helped a couple get engaged to a rendition of “Best Part.” And to top it all off, she played a total of five instruments during the concert. I'm truly in awe of her skill and musicality, and I will be the first to buy tickets to any future tours. Also, did I mention she's only 24? Her most recent album “Back of My Mind” was released in June of this year—go stream it now!
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
I've spent many an hour crying to Sufjan Stevens songs. I even referenced him in my honors thesis. But today, there’s no better reason to talk about Sufjan's latest work than the fact that it's entirely movie-centric. His new album “A Beginner's Mind,” made in collaboration with fellow indie singer-songwriter Angelo De Augustine, ruminates on films the pair watched together as an intended respite from writing. The variety of films discussed is eclectic, from ALL ABOUT EVE to BRING IT ON AGAIN. Even RETURN TO OZ, a nightmare-inducing staple from my childhood, makes an appearance. The whole thing works beautifully because Sufjan's music—dreamy, baroque balladry filled with themes like innocence, loss, spirituality, and love—has a tendency to stir emotions and memories and leave you with a sense of aching nostalgia and introspection. If you're looking for something to listen to and something to watch this week, this could be the perfect twofer solution.
—Alicia Devereaux, Executive Assistant
09/24/21
It all begins with an idea.
This week: Art, sex, laughs, and a warm blanket of literary magic. Plus, “an absolutely batshit, giallo-inspired trip of an original horror film.” And a Fugees reunion (!!).
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞Youtube Coldplay x BTS - My Universe
☞Letterboxd MALIGNANT
☞TikTok #TheAssignment
☞Spotify Shivers - Ed Sheeran
☞Netflix SQUID GAME
☞Twitter #BritneyVsSpears
First off, you have 48 more hours to enter to win a free getaway to spend four nights in a magical tree house in the Dominican Republic (yes, travel for two, and all your food and drinks are included). You work hard, and you deserve a vacation. → Enter Here
Life & Culture
Filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, widely hailed as the godfather of modern Black cinema, died this week, at the age of 89. If you’re looking to watch some of his work this weekend in memory, start with second film and biggest hit, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. Which, by the way, he not only wrote, directed, and starred in—but he also raised the financing to produce.
We’re also mourning the loss of Willie Garson, who lost his battle with cancer this week, at 57. He acted in 75 films over the course of his career—and was beloved for his role as Stanford Blatch in SEX & THE CITY. I’m going to honor him by rewatching Season 3’s “No Ifs, Ands or Butts,” which is one of the best Stanford episodes of all. Because in case you forgot, Stanford is the one who introduced Carrie and Aiden. And he’s also the one who convinced Carrie to go to therapy in Season 2. And is one of the few people who called her out for being so self-obsessed all the freaking time.
And then, a few things I read this week that I wanted to pass on:
Vulture’s review of last week’s Lil Nax X album release makes the case that he deserves a better industry to support him. This part stuck with me: “It is so rare to see Black gay men living in their truth at the top of Billboard charts that we’ve had to run defense throughout what should’ve been a peaceful rollout. Even in triumph, there’s a fight.”
Slate draws parallels between the race to the bottom that was the past 10 years of digital media clickbait—and what’s going on at Netflix right now. The heart of the argument: “Clickbait works—at least when users first encounter it. And once an algorithm sees something working, it’s going hell-for-leather to replicate those results as much as possible.”
—Neha Gandhi, EVP Digital & Strategy
My screen time has been blissfully limited this week, but this dad living his best life made me very happy. And I also found this incredible face actor, Mare Kell on IG, who had me scroll allll the way back in her feed. Here, she’s face acting how different celebrities would meet your dog on the street—enjoy! And know that there are many more treasures to be found in her feed.
—Martina Lund, VP Marketing & Media Design
GUEST CURATED BY THE BRILLIANT MINDS AT
Artist to Know
In my humble opinion, there are few artists cooler than Wendy Cabrera Rubio. Her art has been exhibited in some of the world’s best museums and galleries, like the Museo Jumex and anonymous gallery. She uses pop cultural references—riffing on objects like old Disney film posters—to comment on the politics of the frenzied world we live in today. Paint and canvas don’t interest her; she’s an artist who uses materials like felt and velvet, and whose works sometimes stretch outside the four sides of a rectangle. Her vibrant and beautiful work is completely relevant to the world today, and she operates outside all of the norms.
Wendy also lives in Mexico City, one of the most exciting cities for contemporary art today. She even put together a guide—available in both English and Spanish—of insider spots she loves in CDMX. Trust, you won’t find any well-tread tourist spots like tHe Frida Kahlo house here. Instead, you’ll find recs for what Wendy calls the “very, very, very south” of Mexico City to get the best drinks and cured meats. Enjoy!
—Bettina Huang, GM and Head of Platform
Wendy Cabrera Rubio
Health for the Americas, 2021
Hand-stitched synthetic felt, on velvet, on stretcher
27.0 × 18.5 × 1.5 inches
$2500 (available through September 30th)
Film
James Wan’s MALIGNANT (trailer here) has been out for a couple of weeks and it’s an absolutely batshit, giallo-inspired trip of an original horror film. Based on a story that James Wan and actress Ingrid Bisu (Wan’s wife) came up with, the film follows a woman named Madison (Annabelle Wallis) who has haunting visions of people being murdered by a monstrous apparition named Gabriel. Madison soon realizes these murders are happening in real life, and may have a connection to her troubled past. I don’t want to give too much away but I will say this: I cannot remember the last time I had this much fun watching a movie. With hilarious, jaw-dropping body horror (pulled off by contortionist Marina Mazepa) and a third-act twist that had me and my friends quite literally hooting and hollering, this one is a must-see for anyone who’s able to suspend disbelief and tolerate gore. If that’s you, consider this your sign to run to your local theater or check it out on HBOMax before it’s removed in early October.
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
TV
The third season of SEX EDUCATION just dropped and I have been feeling so fed. The British teen dramedy follows the lives of the students, staff, and parents at Moordale Secondary School as they deal with all kinds of personal stuff—but mainly, their sex lives. The main character, Otis Milburn, is an awkward teen whose mother happens to be a sex therapist (by the way, she’s amazing and I wish every school in the country had someone like her around). In the first season Otis and his friend Maeve create a sex therapy business to help his hormonally charged classmates. In the latest season, the school is kind of flipped on its head, thanks to a new headteacher (played brilliantly by GIRLS’ Jemima Kirke). We see Otis come out of his shell and hit a stride in his own sex life, and we get deeper look in the lives of some of the other students like his best friend Eric (my personal fave) who is a gay first-gen Nigerian student navigating a new relationship and what it means to be queer in his home culture. I truly love this show because of the diversity of experiences, and of characters, and the rawness with which it tackles some really complicated issues. If you haven’t yet, go watch now, on Netflix.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
The New Yorker TV critic Emily Nussbaum recently took to Twitter to lament the fact that the second season of THE OTHER TWO wasn’t receiving more buzz. Well, I’m here to take up her cause! Sarah Schneider and Chris Kelly’s half-hour comedy takes a leap in its new season, which continues to follow Brooke and Cary Dubek, the overshadowed older siblings of teenage sensation Chase Dreams, as they struggle to build legitimate and rewarding careers of their own. The writing is funnier and more incisive than ever in its mockery of celebrity culture and the entertainment industry, and it’s matched by hilarious performances from leads Heléne Yorke and Drew Tarver (not to mention Molly Shannon, Ken Marino, and Wanda Sykes in supporting roles). It’s truly so funny—I watched episode 7, in which Cary shadows a nurse as research for an acting role, late at night and woke up my roommate with my cackling. As of this week, all episodes of the second season are now available to stream on HBO Max.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Book
I’m excited to dive into folklore scholar Maria Tatar’s new book, THE HEROINE WITH 1,001 FACES. In the book, Tatar takes aim at Joseph Campbell’s seminal text THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, in which he unpacks the structures and symbols of “the hero’s journey” and other fundamental myths and stories. Campbell claims that there were three purposes for women in these foundational stories: “one, to give us life; two, to be the one who receives us in death; and three, to inspire our spiritual, poetic realization.” Tatar, finally, is calling bullshit. She doesn’t attack Campbell’s analysis outright, but rather labels it incomplete. Tatar looks at characters from Jo March to Wonder Woman, forming her own list of characteristics that define a heroine. I can’t wait to start reading and learn more about what she’s found!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Podcast
As the leaves change and we head into fall and back-to-school season, I’m hankering for that academic feeling of sitting amongst classic tomes with the scent of leather and a gently crackling fire in the air. If you’re in the same boat, I have to recommend episode 15 of the Paris Review podcast titled “Memory, Rich Memory.” Let Salmon Rushdie read you the beautifully written letter of apology from Dylan Thomas to his editor. Feel the educated intrigue as poet Sharon Olds identifies the sexual solution to America’s singles problem. Allow yourself to be haunted, disconcerted, and perhaps even triggered by Alexandra Kleeman’s story “Fairy Tale—which, trust me, is anything but. And ponder the value of a memory as Devendra Banhart reads the legend of “The Woe Shirt.” This is adult story time and will leave you feeling richer of mind and spirit. It takes me back to the university days of enjoying literature for its own sake—which feels very much missing from adult life. And even if you’re listening on a 99-degree LA day, go ahead and pour a glass of hot cocoa or red wine, and throw a wool blanket by your feet to complete the effect.
—Emmanuelle Stahler, VP Audio
Music
On Wednesday, the Fugees threw a surprise pop-up concert at Pier 17 NYC to announce a reunion tour. Yes, you read that correctly. Wyclef Jean, Pras, and the iconic Lauryn Hill haven’t performed together in over 15 years, and the split between Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill was painful—both personally and professionally—and the kind of thing you don’t expect anyone to come back from. I, personally, am hype, but a lot of fans are feeling skeptical. But it seems to really be happening. Anyway, I love them, I really love Lauryn, and this will be amazing.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
FINALLY, Hatchie is back! Last week, the Australian dreampop artist released her first single in over two years. And it’s good. If you're sad about summer coming to an end, "This Enchanted" might be what you need to fool yourself into thinking it's still August. It's the ideal song for all things easy and fun, from driving with the windows down with friends to jamming alone in your room. It's shoegaze you can dance to. I only pray this means there's a new album on the way...
—Alicia Devereaux, Executive Assistant
Theater
I’m incredibly eager to see Playwrights Horizon’s first show of the off-Broadway season, Aleshea Harris’ WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN. The piece is billed as a “play-pageant-ritual-homegoing celebration,” to acknowledge and honor the deaths of Black Americans as a result of racialized violence. The piece is a mish-mash of scenes, songs, sketches, and dance intended to create a “space for catharsis, reflection, cleansing, and healing.” And audience members are encouraged to participate in the rituals led by the performers onstage. I find it interesting that Playwrights Horizon has noted on their website: “The play was created for a Black audience, but all are welcome. The intention of the play is to create a space for as many Black-identifying audience members as possible.” I appreciate how upfront the theatermakers are about the intentions of their piece, and I hope they achieve those intentions with full houses every night!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
09/17/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Steven Spielberg’s WEST SIDE STORY
☞ Letterboxd THE CARD COUNTER
☞ TikTok #LatinxCreated
☞ Spotify PEPAS - Farruko
☞ Netflix AN UNFINISHED LIFE
☞ Twitter #HispanicHeritageMonth
Life & Culture
Kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month, Barbie just announced a year-long partnership with Latinitas, a bilingual education nonprofit that works to empower girls in media and tech spaces. The project, which Mattel is calling the “Barbie Dream Gap Project,” will address the very real problem that “starting at age five, many girls begin to develop self-limiting beliefs and think they're not as smart and capable as boys.” The company is funding a research program with NYU that’s meant to dig deeper in this issue. Additionally, this month it introduced two new dolls in the Barbie universe, inspired by Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz and Dominican-American author Julia Alvarez, respectively.
If you’re like me and don’t like going to restaurants and businesses unless you’ve fully vetted them on Yelp first, I’m here to tell you that the platform is going to help you do even better this month. The company partnered with Momento Latino to highlight Latinx-owned businesses in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Users will be able to use the new feature to identify Latinx-owned restaurants and businesses while they navigate the website and app. Because we all know that regrams and hashtags are great, but supporting the people and businesses in a community with your $$ is the best way to make meaningful change quickly.
Also! My favorite TikTok I saw this week: this girl’s dad casually joins in on the live music when they go out for dinner and the resulting moment honestly looks like pure joy.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
One word: chaos. Two words: mind blown. WILD TALES (trailer here) is one of my all time favorite films. It’s a story about human behaviour and what happens when people are pushed to their limits. Unexpected, adrenaline-pumping, and funny, you basically get six movies in one with WILD TALES as its an anthology of short stories. Written and directed by Argentinian director Damián Szifron, who reportedly wrote the movie while taking a bath (or a couple), it absolutely transports you to another world. (Literally, he said “I’d write one story a night in the bath, then another, then 15 or 20…”) Def check it out.
—Martina Lund, VP Marketing & Media Design
I saw LA CIÉNAGA (trailer here) a few months ago and have not stopped thinking about it since. Director Lucrecia Martel creates an extremely unique mood that immediately sucks you in. The film is set in Argentina and transports you into the dark and hazy summer days spent by a group of families in La Cienega, which translates in English to “the swamp.” Although the story is heavy and bleak, Martel’s intensely beautiful cinematography provides an entrancing balance. Check this one out if you’re looking to be lifted out of this world with no warning. You’ll love it if you also liked AMERICAN HONEY or CALL ME BY YOUR NAME.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
TV
I’ve been a fan of Rosa Salazar ever since seeing her in ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL and UNDONE, so I was excited when I saw that she plays the lead in BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR (trailer here), created by Nick Antosca (THE ACT). In this trippy, lurid horror-satire show, Rosa plays an up-and-coming filmmaker who heads to Hollywood with big dreams in the early ‘90s but quickly finds herself wronged by a powerful producer. Seeking revenge, she looks to a mystical witch to help her place a curse (which, of course, comes at a high personal price). Rosa delivers an impressive performance in this strange limited series, carrying a project that is filled with self-conscious weirdness. She’s an actress who’s clearly intentional in taking on roles that are committed to imaginative oddities, and she brings refreshing and nuanced layers to those roles. That said, this is not a show for everyone—which is made abundantly clear after (slight spoiler alert!!) we see Salazar’s character vomit out a kitten at the end of the first episode—but if you want to catch a show that is surreal and scary but satirically funny, this should be your weekend watch!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
Music
My favorite thing right now is the collaboration between international pop star Rosalía and rising star Tokishca on a new dembow anthem. Dembow is a genre that originated in Jamaica but is now extremely popular in the Dominican Republic. Its main element is a simple and bouncy rhythm. I’m especially excited about this particular dembow collaboration because Tokishca is actually pretty controversial at home, since the dembow genre is historically very male dominated and naturally being a woman in this space has not been easy. But Tokishca has been absolutely killing it. Her collaboration with Rosalía feels like a new beginning for her—and an incredible moment for Latinx women artists. The song is titled LINDA and let me tell you it is everything—from the bouncy rhythm to the music video that features so many women.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
One of my favorite fresh voices that’s come to the top of my playlist recently is Omar Apollo. Dubbed as “the blue-haired, gender-rebellious, Mexican American Prince” by the LA times, Omar is an up-and-comer whose 2020 mini-album “Apolonio” surprised me with its playful genre-shifts, sensual riffs, and great features including Kali Uchis and Bootsy Collins. Born in Indiana to immigrant parents from Guadalajara, Omar taught himself guitar and uploaded his first single to Soundcloud in 2017 . Since then, he’s captivated pop fans with his wide range of musical abilities, bicultural cool, vulnerability, and distinct style. His music is reflective of his journey as a DIY artist, as well as his identity as a first-generation Mexican American—on the track “Dos Uno Neuve,” he recounts his parents’ journey to come to the U.S. and his current life as a musician based in L.A. So if you haven’t checked out his work, stream “Apolonio” this weekend!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
Filmmaker
After winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2017 with A FANTASTIC WOMAN (trailer here), Chilean director Sebastián Lelio has been relatively quiet. His last feature was the 2018 English-language remake of his 2013 film GLORIA (trailer here), but he’s set to release an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel THE WONDER starring Florence Pugh next year for Netflix. Ahead of that release, I recommend checking out his pair of 2017 films: the Oscar-winning A FANTASTIC WOMAN and DISOBEDIENCE (trailer here). Starring Daniela Vega, A FANTASTIC WOMAN follows a transgender woman in Santiago as she grieves the death of her boyfriend. Lelio adorns this story of loss with fantastical flourishes that heighten Vega’s emotional performance. DISOBEDIENCE, Lelio’s first English-language feature, stars Rachel Weisz as a woman returning to the Orthodox Jewish community that she was forced to leave after she was found kissing her close childhood friend, played by Rachel McAdams. When the two reunite, passions flare again, and the two must decide what they now want, both from each other and their communities. Lelio’s direction and the Rachels’ lead performances build a pregnant tension that lasts for the entire film.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
09/10/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube DON’T LOOK UP
☞ Letterboxd SHANG-CHI
☞ TikTok #summerrecap
☞ Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
☞ Netflix CLICKBAIT
☞ Twitter MATRIX
Life & Culture
Blues Clues’ ever-recognizable Steve is back—with over 60 million views across Twitter and Instagram this week. In a video posted by Nick Jr., Steve acknowledges that when he up and left the kids’ show for college, it was “kind of abrupt.” He also talks about how life has been hard but he’s proud of all of his old friends, and many people were like “yeah Steve, it has been hard”. Of course the viral moment resulted in hilarious takes and memes, (this one and this one particularly got me) that point out how wild it is that we’re at a point in society where Steve from Blues Clues needs to step in and give us emotional closure. Regardless, I am always here for a throwback from my childhood, and this one clearly struck a chord with a ton of people. Thanks, Steve—for everything.
El Salvador became the first country to adopt bitcoin as an official currency this week. On Monday, President Nayib Bukele tweeted that the country just bought another 200 bitcoin, which brings El Salvador’s total holdings to 400 bitcoin, or around $20.9 million. Citizens can now sign up for the new wallet app called Chivo (and see a fresh $30 for signing up), or use one of the bitcoin ATMs that the government has started installing across the country. While the currency fell up to 20% after the change, it doesn’t look like that volatility is going to deter adoption. This week, Ukraine also passed a law making bitcoin legal—and regulating it.
And, of course, two of my favorite videos from this week. This one, shining a light on the inner monologue of a dog when he does a certain trick, is something special. And, this one, from a very talented 3D artist is unexpected and trippy. I recommend checking out a few other videos on the latter’s page—they are very unique.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
If you haven’t seen Destin Daniel Cretton’s SHANG-CHI (trailer here) yet, I’m making it my personal mission to convince you to right that wrong.. Let’s get the obvious arguments out of the way, upfront: First, it features our first Asian-American Marvel standalone hero. Second, it smashed box-office records in the pandemic era, surpassing $100 million in domestic ticket sales alone. But my love for this film goes much deeper than that. Simu Liu brings to life a lovable and humane hero in SHANG-CHI. The film offers textured characters, grounded and established relationships, and gorgeous set pieces and action sequences that pay homage to Chinese culture. And as a snobby Chinese film-lover, I am especially critical when it comes to the latter. But this film elegantly takes inspiration from Wuxi-inspired Chinese martial arts tradition in a way that is very much justified by the story. Oh and athe rest of the cast of SHANG-CHI? Tony Leung as the complex antagonis—a conflicted husband, failing father and a ruthless leader; Meng’er Zhang as the badass sister who won’t stay in the shadow; Awkwafina as the down-to-earth and loyal best friend; Michelle Yeoh as the wise guardian…every one of them shines through. So grab your friends and family, hit up your local theater and enjoy the ride!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
TV
Last week, the adult animated comedy series Q-FORCE (trailer here) debuted on Netflix. It’s a fun spin on the self-serious tropes of the spy/action-thriller genre, and the twenty-minute long episodes make it the perfect candidate for some breezy, weeknight binge-watching. The series follows a down-on-his-luck secret agent, Agent Mary, who starts his own group of queer superspies (the Queer Force a.k.a. Q-Force) to prove himself and earn the approval of the American Intelligence Agency: the show’s fictional take on the CIA. Featuring some impressive, vibrant action animation and a slew of amusing references to both broader pop culture and queer life in Los Angeles, Q-FORCE’s storylines range from outlandish global missions to a noir-inspired episode about a missing twink titled “WeHo Confidential.” While some have criticized the show's depiction of queer stereotypes as dated, I actually think it shows a self-awareness that sidesteps the usual pitfalls of queer representation in media.
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
You probably all already know that AMERICAN CRIME STORY: IMPEACHMENT (trailer here) premiered on FX this week. Ryan Murphy's take on the Clinton presidency is just as pulpy as you might expect, and (or but, depending on your POV) it’s also just as entertaining as you’d expect. Maybe the freshest aspect of the series is the BOMBSHELL approach of recounting its central scandal through the eyes of the women involved. Episode 1 hones in on Linda Tripp (Sarah Paulson) and Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein); they're both in need of something when they first meet at the Pentagon, and they hope to get it from each other. Whether or not you'll get what you're looking for while watching IMPEACHMENT kind of hinges on the Ryan Murphy of it all. While the series affords quite a bit of empathy to its characters (Lewinsky is a producer on the series), they are still characters—based on real people with real trauma, but done-up in scrunchies and shoulder pads and presented with a bit of a wink. If sensationalism leaves you feeling icky, avoid. But if you're game for a slightly messy retelling of one of America's greatest "-gates"—fat suits, wigs and all—then dig in.
—Alicia Devereaux, Executive Assistant
Theater
I’m using HADESTOWN’s reopening this week as an opportunity to shout from the rooftops: This is the best new musical I’ve seen in years. For those who aren’t familiar, HADESTOWN is based on folk musician Anaïs Mitchell’s 2010 concept album of the same name. Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin have taken the album and turned it into a full-blown folk opera based on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth. Chavkin’s staging is boisterous and inventive, with the Hades character eerily reminiscent of a recent U.S. president (though Anaïs Mitchell wrote the character long before that man was in office!). Mitchell’s songs range from joyful to haunting—I recently listened to the whole cast recording on a long drive and went on a full emotional roller coaster. If you find yourself in New York this year and want to see a musical, this should be the one, I promise!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Ahead of the 20th anniversary of September 11th, I wanted to recommend COME FROM AWAY (trailer here). A filmed version of this Broadway one-act musical, written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, is hitting Apple TV+ this weekend. We know what happened to those planes that crashed on 9/11, but what about every other flight that took off that day? This musical follows the very real story of 7,000 passengers and pilots who were grounded and taken in by the small town of Gander, Newfoundland. The local citizens’ hospitality fostered lasting relationships, love, and hope in the midst of tragedy. And while honoring the lives lost during this tragedy, we can never forget the aftershocks—the xenophobia and racism that shook up America (with its ripple effects very much being felt to this day). And while the set and staging is minimalistic, the performances of these actors is what set this musical apart. It’s such a warm hug of a show to watch, showcasing simple human kindness and light found in the darkest times.
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
Podcast
Hyperpop icon Charli XCX has a podcast, and it's great. CHARLI XCX’S BEST SONG EVER follows Charli's quest to find...well, the "best song ever," with help from a wide range of guests including Christine and the Queens, Addison Rae, Mark Ronson, and on the fourth episode, comedian and “baiter” extraordinaire, Ziwe. This is basically a match made in heaven; in a lot of ways, both artists have built careers and personas out of satire, constantly deconstructing the spaces they're in. Not to mention, they're both hilarious and I could literally listen to them read an instruction manual and still enjoy it. Make your next closet cleanout much more bearable with this one—you won’t regret it.
—Alicia Devereaux, Executive Assistant
08/27/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube I bought every weird ad I saw for a month
☞ Letterboxd THE GREEN KNIGHT
☞ TikTok #ScienceTok
☞ Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
☞ Netflix SWEET GIRL
☞ Twitter #NationalDogDay
Life & Culture
In today’s news of trends that lasted for a day… if your IG feed’s comment sections are flooded with “nah he tweaking” and you have no idea what to do with this, you’re not alone. The comment was initially left by Lil Nas X on an IG post reporting that Tony Hawk put out a limited edition of skateboards with his own blood infused (they sold out immediately). As you might remember, earlier this year, when Lil Nas X collaborated with MSCHF and Nike and dropped "Satan Shoes" with a tiny drop of blood infused, he was met with backlash. Upon the popularity of Tony Hawk’s blood skateboard, Lil Nas X took to Twitter to ask: Maybe the issue wasn’t with the blood at all? Well, I guess no one, probably not even Lil Nas X, really expected his “nah he tweaking” comment to pop off like it did, and now the 22-year-old rapper is using this surge of (additional) popularity to promote his upcoming album MONTERO…as he should.
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
Americans apparently listened and took note when Bong Joon Ho told us at the Golden Globes, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” back in early 2020. According to Netflix, 97 percent of its American subscribers “have watched a non-English title in the last year.” And, overall, the company reported that “non-English-language viewing in the U.S. has increased by 71 percent since 2019.” If you’re looking for some quality foreign-language titles, start with QUO VADIS, AÏDA? and LUPIN. And then move on to THE GRANDMASTER, MY HAPPY FAMILY, and A SILENT VOICE.
Get your serotonin here! My two favorite Toks of the week include this one that introduces us to the sweetest baby making a valiant effort to bring home her favorite snack from the grocery store, and, this one that breaks down how perhaps the coolest clouds I've ever seen came to be.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
CANDYMAN (trailer here) hits theatres this weekend and I could not be more excited. This supernatural horror film comes 30 years after Candyman '92 (which you should totally watch if you haven't already). It stars the immensely talented Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Teyonah Parris. Yahya plays an artist who becomes obsessed with the story of Candyman. Directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Jordan Peele, Candyman is sure to have a delicious blend of slasher horror and lore intertwined with commentary on race, gentrification, and class. I know I can’t be the only one who did a deep dive into horror films during the pandemic—and I’m just so excited to see one in a movie theater again! This release has been delayed for over a year, so I encourage you to take a look at the trailer to build up some excitement for it after all the stops and starts. (The rendition of Destiny's Child "Say My name" is iconic). Happy watching and remember, do not say his name in the mirror 5 times.
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
Amazon Prime's CINDERELLA, starring Camilla Cabello, comes out just around the corner on September 3rd. If you've seen the trailers but don't recognize Nicholas Galitzine—the actor playing Ella's love interest, Prince Robert—then I highly recommend checking out a little film from 2016 called HANDSOME DEVIL (trailer here). In it, Galitzine plays Conor Masters, a popular star athlete at an Irish boarding school where rugby is practically religion. When artsy loner Ned Roche (Fionn O'Shea) is forced to share a room with Conor, the two form an unlikely friendship. It's a sweet, hidden gem of a movie about toxic masculinity, self-expression, sexuality, and great music. The killer soundtrack—chock-full of ‘80s and ‘90s punk, indie rock, and Britpop—is reason enough to watch; but if you need further enticement, Andrew Scott's role as an unorthodox English teacher who takes Ned and Connor under his wing should do the trick (FLEABAG fans are guaranteed to swoon).
—Alicia Devereaux, Executive Assistant
TV
After Netflix debuted THE CHAIR (trailer here), a new series starring Sandra Oh as the freshly appointed chair of a college English department, I checked in with my older brother, a professor himself, to see if he had checked it out. His response: “Yah already binged it / It’s good.” With that enthusiastic stamp of approval, I dove in and can confidently confirm that it is good. Oh’s character, Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, must course-correct her spiraling department at the fictional Pembroke University while caring for her daughter and navigating a maybe-romance with a fellow professor. The show, co-created by Amanda Peet and Harvard Ph.D-turned-screenwriter Annie Julia Wyman, touches on topical themes around campus politics, generational conflict, and bias inside purportedly progressive spaces, but it primarily operates as a workplace-slash-romantic comedy. Charming as ever, Oh anchors the show both comedically and emotionally, convincingly portraying a person trying her hardest to push the people around her forward for the better.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Theater
While Whitney White’s SEMBLANCE completes its in-person run this weekend, you can still stream the self-described “filmed theatrical experience” through October 24th. The piece is a series of monologues about the Black feminine experience. The perspectives of each monologue—which are all performed by Nikiya Mathis—range from that of a politician to a Sweetgreen employee to a woman getting her nails done. White challenges the audience to consider what they see—and what they assume—when they encounter each of these types of women. Check it out in person this weekend in New York, or online here!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Music
Can you imagine a snippet of your vocals going viral on someone else's song and then having to fight fans on the internet to prove that it’s actually you? Well, this is exactly what happened to singer songwriter Fousheé. The artist recorded a track with popular drill artist Sleepy Hallow and the song went viral on…you guessed it, TikTok. Fousheé revealed herself as the singer and eventually put out a full-length version titled DEEP END. The song currently has almost 200 million streams on Spotify, and while the rest of her discography is lesser known, Fousheé is undoubtedly on her way to superfame. Her first album, TIME MACHINE, is a unique blend of genres that she calls “sometimes alt-soul, but always the truth.” Additionally, she just announced she’ll be going on tour with James Blake, yes you read that right THE James Blake, this fall, and I can’t wait to see what opportunities this brings her. My personal favorites on TIME MACHINE are CLAP FOR HIM, MY SLIME and ENJOY THE SILENCE. Add all three to your weekend playlist!
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
I don’t know who tuned in to Kanye West’s ‘Donda' listening party in Chicago last night, or woke up to the various reactions to it… but I’m here to share instead the upcoming ‘Donda’ Stem Player. In addition to dropping his 10th studio album, Kanye is releasing a new music gadget that will reportedly let you “customize any song.” The device is developed through Yeezy’s tech brand together with electronics company Kano, and it looks exactly like what you’d expect out of a Yeezy device (I can’t explain it…but here’s a pic of it on their website). According to the product description, you can “control vocals, drums, bass, and samples; isolate parts, add effects, and split any songs into stems” with the device. What fascinates me the most is the idea of allowing fans to directly manipulate music—maybe even for those who otherwise wouldn’t use a Digital Audio Workstation. It’s certainly a cool concept, so I am excited to see how it actually plays out!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
08/20/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube ETERNALS (final trailer)
☞ Letterboxd THE SUICIDE SQUAD
☞ TikTok #Smiling
☞ Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
☞ Netflix OUTER BANKS
☞ Twitter Only Fans
Life & Culture
Question of the week: does Uber charge more if your phone isn’t charged? Internet discourse suggests, maybe. A Twitter user shared that her Uber pricing (which is typically $25-$30) went up to $81 when her phone was at 18%, and prices then dropped down once her phone was charged to 25%. And, while there’s not concrete proof that Uber is purposely capitalizing on user’s desperation when their phone battery is waning, according to Forbes, the app can track what user’s phone battery percentage is, and through research, the company has found that users are willing to pay more if their phone is dying. Which makes sense! With all of that being said, though, Uber has denied that battery level plays a factor in pricing. And, as someone whose phone is genuinely always under 15%, I really hope there’s no truth to the speculations.
Thanks to the success of Moderna’s and Pfizer’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna is starting trials for an mRNA-based HIV vaccine this week. Exciting! The shots will use some of the same technology that Moderna used to craft the COVID-19 vaccines and, as this Twitter user pointed out, it’s a full circle moment, as research for HIV vaccines actually helped further the research that made the COVID-19 vaccine a reality.
And finally, I’m giving you three TikTok videos this week, because there’s this trend where people simply share videos that make them smile and of course I would like to share that with you. A few of my favorite versions of the trend so far are this playful elephant, this cute old man dancing with a younger version of himself, and this tennis player who shares his professional athlete perks with a ball boy when it starts to rain.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
Today, I’d like to flash back with a vintage rec of a film that has stayed with me over the years. One of those movies that I think about...a lot. I’m talking about LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (trailer here). A family of six of the most different individuals goes on a road-trip mission to help seven-year-old Olive live out her dream of competing in a “little miss” pageant. The film is beautiful, uncomfortable and simultaneously heart-warming and heartbreaking. The genius dialogue is what really takes it to the next level. The monologue about suffering trumping happiness—I think about it quite literally every other day. Plus, the film features stellar performances by Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, and Alan Arkin.
Check this one out if you want to see a great performance by Steve Carell before everyone realized he could be a “serious” actor. You’ll love it if you also liked FORREST GUMP or MATILDA. You can watch it for free on Tubi!
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
TV
WHAT IF..? (trailer here) is the new animated anthology series from Marvel that answers that exact question, based on the beloved comic started in the late ‘70s . What if Peggy Carter had become Captain America? What if T’Challa had become Star Lord? What if there was a slight change to titular moments in the timelines of our iconic heroes? Each half hour episode crams a film's worth of action and it’s a lot of fun to watch. Plus, most of the characters are voiced by the actors who played them in the live action films. The bottom line: Don’t start your Marvel journey here, if you’re not already a fan. But if you are a fan, it’s got all the elements you’re probably looking for, to get you from here to November’s premiere of ETERNALS.
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
Comedy
Last weekend, I went to a comedy show that began at 10:30 PM. Going in, I was genuinely afraid I’d fall asleep before the show started, but fortunately a hilarious set from Carmen Christopher kept me wide awake. I hadn’t heard of the stand-up comedian before, so I looked up his work and found his half-hour STREET SPECIAL (trailer here), released earlier this year. In the special, Christopher drags a speaker around New York City, performing stand-up for anyone within earshot. The results are…mixed. Many “audience members” recoil at his intentionally mediocre material, frequently berating him and asking him to leave. Christopher perseveres through the rejection, determined to find a laugh. Stream the special on Peacock to see if Christopher ever manages to bring joy to the streets of New York. And, if you’re in LA, he has another live show on Monday as well, because surely I’ve convinced you to go check him out by now.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Theater
It’s been a minute since I plugged The Old Vic’s In Camera series, one of my favorite pandemic theater innovations. The latest installment is a theatrical adaptation of the 1987 film BAGDAD CAFÉ (yes, I recognize the irony of filming a play that was based on a movie). Emma Rice and the Wise Children Company have created a magic-and-music-filled interpretation of the story of two women who meet at a truck-stop diner, finding solace in each other’s friendship as they both struggle with toxic marriages. It’s a feel-good tale that will definitely leave you smiling at your computer/TV screen!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Book
When I first learned that my favorite sci-fi novel, THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM by Liu Cixin (the first installment in the REMEMBRANCE OF THE EARTH’S PAST trilogy) is being adapted into a Netflix series, I felt excited but also conflicted. Excited because the series hails from GAME OF THRONES alumni David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, but conflicted because what mortal can do this epic sci-fi trilogy justice? The story is rooted in Chinese history, spans the globe, and is steeped in grandeur—it basically defies adaptation. But then! Yesterday, it was announced that Netflix has tapped Oscar-nominated Hong Kong director Derek Tsang (BETTER DAYS) for this task, and I breathed easy. Because he’s exactly the right filmmaker to tell this complex story.
With that gripping backstory in mind, let me give you the actual rec here. THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM became the first Asian novel ever to win a Hugo Award for Best Novel, and was nominated for the Nebula Award. It navigates between China’s Cultural Revolution and a near-future where an alien civilization on the brink of destruction plans to invade Earth. Facing down a much more advanced civilization, different camps start to form on Earth, with some worshiping the superior beings, and some desperately trying to fight… and the question remains: What is our place in the Universe? Here’s the thing though. That logline doesn’t do the trilogy justice, but I don’t have nearly enough words here, and also, spoilers. So, just trust me/David Benioff and D.B. Weiss/Netflix on this one. Oh, and Obama too—he’s a fan of the book as well! ;)
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
Video Game
At the beginning of the summer one of the most recognizable names in gaming teamed up with one of Ibiza's most celebrated party institutions to…launch a record label? Not what I expected when I heard Grand Theft Auto's Rockstar Games and CircoLoco had teamed up, but it does seem like a natural next step in the music and gaming industries' growing convergence. It’s also no secret that GTA has had an interest in electronic music, as just last year it launched a virtual underground club in the game, featuring an incredible roster of DJs as residents. Additionally, the GTA team announced that it will be soundtracking the Los Santos Tuners update with music entirely from its record label, with world-class DJs like Moodymann, Channel Tres, and Gangsta Boo releasing new music through the label. Personally, I love how these music integrations are seamlessly embedded in the game and its storylines. For example, Moodymann is now a GTA character named Kenny who offers players guidance—and is also a music fan with a mix, which is where all this exclusive content from the new label will live. Can’t wait to see where this collaboration goes next...
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Music
I found the album you'll be listening to during these last, delicious weeks of summer. Rainbow Child by Lion Babe, the soul funk duo, is 23 minutes of perfection. I want my whole life to be narrated in the falsetto that starts the first track, "Rainbows," featuring none other than Ghostface Killah. Listen to "Frida Kahlo" while getting ready for a pool party — I guarantee instant fun. Body roll into "Get Up" featuring Trinidad James and you'll find that nothing and no one will be killing your vibes this August. In Lion Babe’s own words, this album "explores all of the depths that we experience when we have changed but reminds us to always embrace it all. The pain, beauty, fear and love. Acceptance of life in its totality brings true radiance inside and out." With so much uncertainty in the world and such a difficult couple years behind us (and perhaps ahead of us as well), may we all look inside to feel a little brighter.
—C.Taj, Head of Business & Legal Affairs, Esq./Certified Baddie
It’s been a big week of discussion for posthumous music releases, a topic that leaves many music fans divided. Sure, the idea of getting to hear new music from your favorite late artist is sick, but on the other hand it feels wrong to be listening to songs that they didn’t intend to share. One of my favorite late artists of this decade, Pop Smoke, has been on the top 10 Billboard charts almost every month of this year. And while it's amazing that a legacy of his music is being built posthumously, there are many ethical questions floating around, like who retains creative control of his music, and whether his estate has the artist's best interests in mind. Amidst all of this discussion, a lot of artists are becoming more explicit in banning posthumous music release in their wills, and some artists like Anderson Paak are even taking it a step further. The singer/songwriter recently posted an image on instagram of his new tattoo that reads “please don’t release any posthumous albums or songs with my name attached. those were just demos and never intended to be heard by the public.”
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
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
08/06/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Hot Ones - Matt Damon
☞ Letterboxd THE GREEN KNIGHT
☞ TikTok #ThrowbackSongs
☞ Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
☞ Netflix OUTER BANKS
☞ Twitter Messi
Life & Culture
As someone who cannot get enough of 90s nostalgia, I’m here to inform you that thanks to Twitter user @vikrum5000, Kid Pix is back. Yes, I’m talking about the OG computer game that simply lets you draw on your desktop. I can also attest that it is just as good of a waste of time as it was back in the day (maybe even better today, because we all need the break more). Check out the software here, but fair warning that you should consider muting the sound on your computer before clicking over.
Rihanna joined the billionaires club this week, apparently. She’s now the wealthiest female musician in the world. Most of this comes out of her makeup and lingerie companies, with $1.4B out of her total $1.7B valuation coming from Fenty Beauty. And while she hasn’t released new music in over five years now, her ninth album is reportedly somewhere on the horizon.
The Olympics wrap up this weekend, and to be honest with you all, I have not watched one second of it in real time this year, mainly because I am so out of practice with appointment television, but also because I do not have cable. But I have been eating up many of the heartwarming stories that come out of the games. The latest one that fully brought a tear to my eyes came from shot put gold medalist Ryan Crouser, who beat his own Olympic record three times during the competition. When he won, he held up a handwritten sign reading “Grandpa, we did it, 2020 Olympic champion!” honoring his grandfather who passed away last month, the person who introduced him to the sport. Crouser and his grandpa Larry communicated through letters after Larry lost his hearing, and Crouser wrote this one final note to him a few days before the competition began.
But wipe away your tears for a minute, because it’s time for my two favorite TikToks of the week. This one depicts a guy doing a flip that will for sure blow your mind, and this one might help you recover from the former with some appreciation of nature.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
While back in my Pennsylvania hometown last weekend, I went to Phoenixville’s Colonial Theater, originally built in 1903, to see David Lowery’s THE GREEN KNIGHT (trailer here). It proved an appropriate fit—I felt transported in time by both the theater’s early twentieth-century interior and the movie’s medieval trappings. The film stars Dev Patel as Sir Gawain, a young and insecure Knight of the Round Table. If you wanted to nitpick, you could tell me that I couldn’t technically have been transported “in time” by the movie because Arthurian legend isn’t actually a historical period, but please don’t nitpick! In the role, Patel alternates between unwarranted confidence and outright fear as he journeys across a fantastical, green-and-orange-hued English countryside to secure his place in legend. I emphatically recommend if you like your movies dreamy, hazy, and messy.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Video Game
Louis Vuitton—yes, I’m talking about the luxury fashion house—has launched a new video game app to celebrate its 200-year anniversary. The app is literally called “Louis: The Game.” and while the premise and title are simple, I think the game is fire because it tells the real coming-of-age story of the designer himself. The teenage Louis Vuitton, who was a trunk-maker’s apprentice in the 1850s, left his hometown and traveled for two years on foot to get to Paris, where he founded his luxury fashion brand, which would eventually become the wildly successful luxury conglomerate LVMH. In the game, players follow the brand's mascot to collect as many monogram candles as possible and each of the candles unlocks a postcard that reveals something about the brand's history. On top of all of this they’ve also created a beautiful visual world that also includes free collectable NFTs for users to discover. This is likely just the beginning of a long year filled with celebrations of the brand. Next up: a documentary titled LOOKING FOR LOUIS, that will be out in December of this year.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Theater
Broadway is back (sorta)! Antoinette Nwandu’s PASS OVER began previews this past Wednesday, August 4. An overly simplistic logline for Nwandu’s play would be “Waiting for Godot meets Black Lives Matter,” but it’s much richer and more complex than that. It follows two young Black men as they meander through Chicago, encountering both an eerily friendly white stranger and a more overtly ominous white police officer. I’m really looking forward to seeing the play when I’m next in New York, most notably because Nwandu has decided to radically alter the play’s ending for this production. Mild spoilers ahead: In previous productions, the play ended with the cop killing Moses. But in the wake of the last eighteen months, Nwandu has chosen to write a new ending that is full of joy and humanity. You can read all about that decision in her recent Vulture profile, and be sure to see the play itself if you’re in New York this fall!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Books
I’m halfway through Alexandra Kleeman’s new novel SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN and thus far, it’s about as fun as a dystopian novel about droughts, wildfires, and capitalist brainwashing can be. The middle-aged protagonist, Patrick, has moved out to Los Angeles to work as a Production Assistant on a shoddy adaptation of his only successful novel. And out in Cali, the only thing running more rampant than the wildfires, Patrick quickly finds, is the proliferation of WAT-R, a water substitute that everyone drinks, bathes in, and uses to fill their pools—you know, the important stuff. I haven’t read far enough into the book to spoil what happens next, but the book is certainly more plot-driven than Kleeman’s previous novel YOU TOO CAN HAVE A BODY LIKE MINE, which I also recommend… perfect for your end-of-summer, Covid-friendly, lazy outdoor reading afternoons!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Andrea Bartz’s twisty mystery WE WERE NEVER HERE came out this week. The book follows two friends, Emily and Kristen, on a backpacking trip in Chile, where they’re having the time of their lives...until a body turns up. The surprising and foundational plot twist: This actually isn’t the first time the two women have been entangled in a murder while traveling, and the novel explores the aftermath of the incident and the unraveling relationship between the two women. The story is juicy, well written, and littered with some truly excellent similes. And of course, it was chosen for Reese Witherspoon’s book club this month. Which, if you haven’t heard, is part of Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, now valued at $900M.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
07/30/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Suni Lee Wins Gold
☞ Letterboxd OLD
☞ TikTok #EverydayOlympics
☞ Spotify STAY - The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
☞ Netflix ALL AMERICAN
☞ Twitter Snapchat
Life & Culture
With extreme weather getting even more extreme due to climate change, I personally am always happy when engineers come out with solutions to problems that make climate change worse. The latest in green tech? An alternative to window air conditioners. According to Fast Company, “the number of air conditioners is poised to surge, both because the planet is getting hotter and a growing number of people in developing countries can finally afford the technology.” One estimate says that by 2050 there could be about 5.6 billion air conditioners in use, which is up A LOT from about 1.6 billion now. So, Gradient, a SF-based company, is creating an AC that will reduce the carbon footprint by 75%. Users will be able to install the products themselves, and the company wants it to be the “most efficient technology accessible to more people” and eventually be priced similarly to the cheapest ACs on the market.
In other changing-the-world-for-the-better news, Simone Biles stood up for herself and prioritized her mental health over competing to win an Olympic medal this week. As a survivor, a fighter, and all-around GOAT, she did something powerful for herself, but probably also for the millions of athletes who look up to her and admire her tenacity, her success, and her courage. I also want to share with you all an interesting post I saw on Facebook this week that compares Simone's experience with that of Kerri Strug's in the 1996 Olympic games. Kerri was competing in the vault portion of the events, landed wrong and severely injured her foot. But, she still continued on and completed the vault again, further injuring herself but securing the gold medal for her team, in a moment that went absolutely viral at the time. Kerri was branded an Olympic hero, but now, many people are questioning what our standards for sports heroism should be. I think that Simone and Kerri are both very brave for their choices, and this 25-year-comparison shows how far we have come in what we choose to prioritize—and how we think about what strength and grit look like.
Before I share my favorite TikToks of the week, I want to talk for a second about ownership, creation, and credit on the platform. The creator of the viral Savage dance, Keara Wilson, is taking steps to secure the copyright to her dance moves. This comes after professional choreographer JaQuel Knight’s partnership with Logitech, which partly focuses on helping 10 BIPOC creators secure copyright for viral dances they’ve created. And all of this follows a strike by many Black creators on the platform, in an effort to get credit for their creations.
And of course, the two TikToks I hope will improve your weekend, just a little bit: This dog fully proves that pets love animals too, and this user contemplates our society by asking the question we all want answers to. I also feel obligated to inform you that, thanks to the entire series being added on Netflix, TWILIGHT is still alive and thriving on all corners of the internet, especially TikTok. Here is my personal favorite take of the moment. Lionsgate’s official account has of course joined the fun as well.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
This week I’m recommending a music festival-themed double feature. HBO’s new documentary WOODSTOCK 99: PEACE, LOVE, AND RAGE (trailer here) chronicles the disastrous 1999 reboot of Woodstock. Through interviews with the festival’s organizers, performers from that year, and cultural commentators, the documentary argues that the violence and destruction that erupted in Rome, NY, were the direct result of an event structured to tap into white male rage. If you’re a Fred Durst apologist, you can look forward to seeing intelligent people (sort of) defend Fred Durst.
The perfect chaser to the horror of Woodstock ‘99 is SUMMER OF SOUL (trailer here), Questlove’s hit documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Archival footage of the festival shows a celebration of Black music and culture with awesome performances by icons like Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, and Nina Simone. Interviews with attendees of the festival describe the event as rapturous, even mythical, and that experience is apparent from the recordings. If given the choice to travel back in time to either Woodstock ‘99 or the Harlem Cultural Festival, I’d have to go with Harlem–but if Sugar Ray had made it to Woodstock ‘99, I might have a different answer.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
TV
Okay listen. I know that none of you need me to tell you about OUTER BANKS (trailer here). It’s advertised every time you turn on Netflix and it completely took TikTok by storm last summer. But I’m just here to remind you that the second season drops this weekend! The story follows a group of teens living in a beach town searching for $400M of gold. I binged the entire first season last summer and it was truly the fun escapism that I needed while I quarantined in my childhood home. The show packs a surprising amount of heart, friendship, and romance in the first season. Personally I’m stoked to dive back into this world because this series feels like the definition of summer.
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
If you are not on board with THE WHITE LOTUS (trailer here) yet, I highly recommend you catch up before the fourth episode drops on Sunday. Yes, this is the second time we’re recommending it here, but now that we’re a few episodes in, we’ve got more that we need to talk about. The show itself starts with a mysterious dead body, before introducing us to the vacationers and staff whose lives intertwine during one week at a pristine Hawaaian resort. Yes, the cast is stacked, starring Jennifer Coolidge, Murray Bartlett, Natasha Rothwell, Connie Britton, and Sydney Sweeney. And the acting is amazing. But what makes the show so brilliant is the slow layering of plot twists and humor as we get to know the intricate characters. It is really weird and fresh and I find myself unable to do any sort of multitasking while watching.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Podcast
I’ve recently been making my way through LOLITA PODCAST, a detailed examination of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel LOLITA and the many ways it has been interpreted in media and culture since its publication in 1955. I recommend the pod whether you love, hate, or have never read LOLITA—it uses the novel as a launchpad for a thoroughly researched examination of the sexualization of girls in media, and it’s eye-opening. The material can be heavy, but writer and comedian Jamie Loftus proves a more-than-capable host for it, weaving lighter comedic asides into insightful cultural criticism. And if you prefer the Sunday funnies to Nabokov, Loftus is also currently airing a new podcast called AACK! CAST, an investigation of the Cathy comics.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
07/23/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Sha'Carri Richardson & Kanye West | Beats Studio Buds
☞ Letterboxd FEAR STREET: 1666
☞ TikTok #OlympicSpirit
☞ Spotify Måneskin - Beggin’
☞ Netflix TWILIGHT
☞ Twitter DUNE
Life & Culture
Sha'Carri Richardson will not be competing in this year’s Olympics (which had a tepid kick-off this week amidst rising infection rates in Japan, with no spectators in the stands, and broadcasting in the middle of the night, West Coast time). Everything about that sucks, and doesn’t make total sense to me. But no matter, she’s still finding interesting ways to shape culture. Beats’ powerful and poignant new commercial depicts Sha’Carri preparing for a run, and promotes Kanye West’s upcoming album DONDA with new track “No Child Left Behind.” This is Kanye’s 10th album, and he was supposed to drop it last night after a listening party in Atlanta, accompanied by a digital live-stream of the event on Apple Music. DONDA, named after Kanye’s mom, is a follow up to his 2019 gospel album JESUS IS KING.
HBO Max is putting some of its most Gen-Z-forward content on Snapchat. For free. Users can now use Snapchat’s “Snap Minis” feature, which allows Snapchatters to watch full-length episodes simultaneously with friends. Available titles include GOSSIP GIRL, EUPHORIA, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY and GAME OF THRONES. According to Variety, “HBO Max is the first major streamer to build a Snap Mini co-viewing experience to bring full-length episodes to Snapchat.” To me, this is an interesting idea because bringing co-watching content to a space where users are already interacting with each other seems much more intuitive compared to a traditional streaming platform, where users are used to insulated experiences. Plus, the Gen Z-heavy Snap audience is probably the least likely to already be paying for a service like HBO Max, so the efforts probably pays for itself in user acquisition benefits.
And finally, an easy way to improve your weekend vibes is to simply take a few moments to enjoy these lovely bears chilling in a river, doing as bears do. And if that’s too wholesome for you, check out this camel channeling Donkey from SHREK with his family of horses instead.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
I felt like I saw LUCA (trailer here) everywhere for weeks — on the trending list on Letterboxd, in the most popular TikTok sounds, even on the massive billboard directly on top of our office building. However, I put off watching it for whatever reason...I guess I just wasn’t ready to be uplifted by a 95-min Pixar movie quite yet. But anyway, I watched it and of course loved it and am here to talk you into doing the same. Set in a gorgeous coastal town in Italy, the film follows Luca, a young, curious sea monster and his fearless new friend Alberto as the two are introduced to a whole new world. It’s sweet, it’s colorful, it has a great soundtrack. But what makes the film so special is the beautiful depiction of friendship, adventure, and finding oneself. It has the heart, adventure, and stakes of all Pixar classics (almost rivaling my personal favorite Pixar movie RATATOUILLE.) And if my words have not swayed you, check out A. O. Scott’s piece in the New York Times aptly titled “Calamari by Your Name” and I promise you you’ll be convinced.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
TV
Forgive me for waiting this long to recommend the second season of Tim Robinson’s sketch show I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE (trailer here), which came out July 6th on Netflix. I took my time watching, savoring the six hilarious 15-minute episodes as much as I could. If you haven’t seen the first season, what are you waiting for? Go watch! The title hints at the show’s loose theme: sketches in which someone behaves inappropriately in a common social situation. The new installment is just as absurd as the first season, and stills from the show have already begun to saturate my timeline (“I don’t even want to be around anymore” and “I don’t know what any of this shit is, and I’m fucking scared” have made frequent appearances). There’s no better way to enjoy your fri day night.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Theater
One of my favorite plays of the last decade, Sarah DeLappe’s THE WOLVES, is available to stream for the next three weeks! Told during the daily warm-ups of a high school girls soccer team, the play is a hilarious and heartbreaking chronicle of female competition, ambition, and friendship. DeLappe has a pitch-perfect ear for teen dialogue, which director Lila Neugebauer and the stellar young cast bring to life with flair. Check it out here for free until August 15.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Short Film
I might be bending the rules by categorizing a Converse ad as a “short film,” but Tyler, The Creator directed a funny spot for them this week that unfolds like a Tim Robinson sketch (see my TV rec above). Tim Meadows carries the short, playing a character refusing to accept expulsion from the “Really Cool Converse Club,” whose membership apparently includes Vince Staples and Bill Walton. Watch the spot here, and trust that I wasn’t paid by Converse to write this (though I’m open to receiving payment )...
And I’m going to continue to bend the rules by sneaking in additional recommendations that aren’t shorts of any kind: Tyler and Vince have both released new albums in the past month that should be soundtracking the rest of your summer!
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
07/16/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube DEADPOOL AND KORG REACT
☞ Letterboxd BLACK WIDOW
☞ TikTok #DateNight
☞ Spotify Måneskin - Beggin’
☞ Netflix VIRGIN RIVER
☞ Twitter #MyBrag
Life & Culture
ROADRUNNER, a new documentary film chronicling the life of Anthony Bourdain comes out this week. I will definitely be heading to the theaters to watch. But there’s one troubling wrinkle in the whole thing:, In order to provide the audience with exactly the right audio for the story he wanted to tell, filmmaker Morgan Neville used artificial intelligence to manufacture a version of Bourdain’s voice. The computer-made audio is used to narrate an emotional email that Bourdain sent to a friend toward the end of his life, discussing the idea of happiness. While I fully understand the filmmaker’s choice to find a way to bring this heavy email to life, it’s sort of eerie. It reminds me of the trend of creating holograms of famous musicians in order to put on shows for fans. I get the idea behind it, but it’s weird. The filmmaker himself told The New Yorker, “If you watch the film, other than that line you mentioned, you probably don’t know what the other lines are that were spoken by the A.I., and you’re not going to know...We can have a documentary-ethics panel about it later.”
Also worthy of a panel discussion: Gen Z fav Olivia Rodrigo hit the White House this week in order to convince young people to get vaccinated. Press Secretary Jen Psaki described it as an effort to “meet people where they are”. While this moment has of course brought us jokes, rom com pitches, and a plethora of internet opinions, it feels important and potentially impactful. Because according to the CDC, only about 42 percent of people 18 to 24 have been fully vaccinated. That's compared with nearly 60% of all adults in the United States. And, with L.A. County now requiring masks indoors again due to a recent spike in cases, we can only hope that efforts like Olivia’s are successful.
And finally, if you’re looking for an uplifting story to cap a long week, check out this article documenting “the pool’s oldest lifeguard,” Joshua Vick. The 36-year-old found himself unemployed after the pandemic, and took a job working for his local pool, which he fondly calls “a dream come true.”
If that doesn’t lift your spirits, go ahead and watch this TikTok showing off the most ideal form of protection from bugs, or this one that’s hard to explain but an extremely accurate reaction to a burglar.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
I watched Steven Soderbergh’s new crime thriller NO SUDDEN MOVE (trailer here) last weekend with a couple friends and one of my friend’s parents. (Side note: it’s a perfect parent watch.) Fast-paced and stylish, the movie is propelled by the deceit and back stabbings expected from a good heist-gone-wrong movie. For the parents, it has 1950s Detroit period setting and costumes as well as historical background in the “smog conspiracy” litigated by the US DOJ in 1969. I had no idea what this conspiracy was before watching, but my friend’s dad was very excited to recognize the events. If you want to brush up, Vox has a detailed explainer (in short, the Detroit automakers colluded to prevent the implementation of emissions-reducing technology, and it’s just as corrupt and horrific as you think it is). Every role features your favorite actor, too – Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro are supported by Brendan Fraser, Julia Fox, Ray Liotta…the list goes on.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
TV
Our entire TV team has been patiently awaiting the pilot of THE WHITE LOTUS (trailer here). And boy, were we not disappointed. The first episode of this social satire introduces us to the wealthy mismatched hotel guests and even quirkier hotel staff at the White Lotus hotel in Hawaii. As these entitled rich folks embark on their tropical getaway, they're brought closer to the soap, tension, and conversations surrounding race, class, and privilege. Because at the end of the day, vacation really does bring out the worst in people. Also, I’ll watch anything Jennifer Coolidge and Natasha Rothwell are in. They're hilarious and I'm obsessed. P.S., they teased a murder mystery plot...and who doesn't love a whodunnit?
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
After scouring the internet for content to commemorate LEGALLY BLONDE’s 20th anniversary, I was left feeling very nostalgic for the heady days of the early 2000s, when Steve Madden sandals and tube tops were a thing, and “chick flicks” were plentiful. FWIW, I am not a fan of the phrase but don’t know how else to describe the genre that spans SHE’S THE MAN, WHITE CHICKS, FREAKY FRIDAY, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, MAID IN MANHATTAN...you get me. But I have to say, Netflix’s NEVER HAVE I EVER (trailer here) has really scratched that itch for me. The show’s second season dropped on Thursday, and after watching the first episode, I can happily report that this season is just as juicy, relatable, and second-hand-embarrassment-inducing as the first. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan masterfully plays the lead role of Devi and is a huge part of what makes the show so fun. If you’re looking for a laugh alongside a rollercoaster of emotions, definitely dive into Devi’s drama-filled world this weekend.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Theater
All fans of I MAY DESTROY YOU should head over to my favorite platform, National Theatre at Home, to check out the newly released tape of Michaela Coel’s one-woman show CHEWING GUM DREAMS. The play, which Coel first debuted in 2012, was the inspiration for her first show, CHEWING GUM. It’s a delightful piece about a fourteen-year-old girl named Tracey navigating all the usual pitfalls of adolescence–sex, friendship, bullying (though she’s the bully in most cases). In Coel’s usual style, the show is equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious, and makes for great summer evening viewing!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Book
The narrator of Katie Kitamura’s new novel INTIMACIES observes her world with an emotional detachment that, paradoxically, draws the reader in. The unnamed character has recently moved to the Hague to work as an interpreter, and is quickly assigned to the trial of a West African dictator responsible for a major genocide. As the dictator takes a liking to her, the interpreter is able to analyze her feelings about the situation with an impressive level of questioning and self-awareness, just like she does when her boyfriend disappears for several months to visit his ex-wife. To call the novel a mood piece would be unfair to Kitamura’s skill as a writer, but it certainly leaves you feeling, well, moody.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
06/25/21
It all begins with an idea.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Conan Says Farewell
☞ Letterboxd LUCA
☞ TikTok #roadtrip
☞ Spotify good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo
☞ Netflix Manifest
☞ Twitter Tyler, the Creator
Life & Culture
After seeing this TikTok on my feed, I was reminded that yes, the summer Olympics are still happening this year. The creator, @fitswithlogs, introduces us to the five new sports that were added to the Olympics for the first time (surfing, sport climbing, skateboarding, karate, and baseball/softball), and the women we can expect to see dominating. The TikTok, along with the excitement of Sha’Carri Richardson’s 100-meter Olympic trial win this week, made me remember how much I loved watching the Olympics as a kid, and genuinely look forward to watching this summer. However, on the flip side, there’s still a pandemic going on. As Tokyo resident Yurié explained on TikTok, the majority of locals are opposed to the Tokyo Olympics carrying on as planned. And as the NYT documented on Wednesday, just 7 percent of Japanese residents are vaccinated, and the country experienced a new surge in Covid cases just last month. The games will, however, have many more restrictions than usual. Olympic attendees must wear masks and take temperature checks. They will not be allowed to touch other fans, cheer loudly, high-five each other, or get autographs from athletes. I know there’s a lot of revenue at stake here—both for local businesses, the travel and hospitality industry, the athletes, and the IOC—but is the risk really worth it?
Not to state the obvious, but the way we get content is changing—and so is the way people get paid for making that content. And as advertising goes mobile and young consumers get savvier, it’s getting pricier and pricier to market to the youngest generation. Take Gen Z’s favorite app, TikTok (as of last August, TikTok reports that 45% of its users are under 18 and there’s a total of over 100 million US users on the app). The platform was previously charging up to $1.5 million per day for its “TopView” ads—the ones users see as soon as they open the app. Now, that astronomical rate is bumping up to a staggering $2 million per day by the end of this year.
With all of this TikTok talk, I of course have to share two of my favorite creations from this week. Flash mobs are apparently back, people. And I personally am not mad about it. Also, this creator shared a divided disagreement she’s having with her mom while driving. I’m on the mother’s side, but please reply back with your thoughts on this important issue.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
I can finally recommend this speechlessly beautiful film to you because I CARRY YOU WITH ME (trailer here) is at last getting a theatrical release this Friday! Directed by Heidi Ewing (you can find a little rec of her in this week’s Filmmaker Section!), I CARRY YOU WITH ME premiered at Sundance in 2020 and tells the true story of an undocumented gay couple from Mexico, as they attempt to pursue the promise of social and economic freedoms in New York City. Long-time documentary filmmaker Heidi Ewing employs an innovative hybrid storytelling format unlike anything I’ve seen in recent years, blurring the lines of “narrative” and “non-scripted,” urging us to remember the reality taking place off-screen. The intimate cinematography by DP Juan Pablo Ramirez brings a sensitive naturalism to this poignant and intensely intimate story, and incredible performances by Armando Espitia and Christian Vazquez brought me to tears—more than once.
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
As I was leaving Ralph’s the other day, I noticed a couple standing at the Redbox machine, deliberating over what movie to rent. It struck me as a great idea—renting a movie is such a fun event compared to opening a laptop and streaming it. So, I went home and rented THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS (trailer here)—albeit on a streaming device—and it did not disappoint! Released last month, Robert Machoian’s marriage drama feels and sounds like a horror movie. Clayne Crawford mesmerizes and terrifies as David, a man struggling to mend his marriage and keep his family of four kids together. The film introduces a threat of violence that simmers throughout and is kept at bay only by conversation. The men in the movie know how to talk, using sophisticated language that appears on the surface to be aimed at conflict resolution—but ultimately just serves to mask some intense underlying rage. It’s still playing in six theaters and is available to rent via PVOD (not yet available at the Redbox machine!). Go check it out!
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
TV
I grew up following my mom around the kitchen. As a Black woman from Louisiana, the food that she would cook— catfish, red beans & rice, gumbo, shrimp etouffee—was all what she learned to make growing up, and each recipe holds a ton of cultural significance. So, I had the time of my life watching the Netflix docuseries HIGH ON THE HOG (trailer here). This series takes our host Stephen Satterfield (chef, food writer, and former sommelier) to Africa and back to America, exploring how African cuisine influences so much of American cuisine today. The series allows space to explore and express Black joy through food while still recognizing the harrowing past of our ancestors. As Stephen mentions in the first episode as he explores different countries and regions in Africa, “It was strange to come home to a place I’ve never been.” A sentence I know a ton of Black Americans, myself included, can relate to. For all of my fellow food lovers, if you’re looking to watch something that will make your mouth water and tug at your heartstrings, this one's for you.
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
Theater
This is the final week for you to catch The New Group’s streamed production of WAITING FOR GODOT starring Ethan Hawke and John Leguizamo! While some recent digital theater productions have gravitated toward filming actors on a stage, the characters in this GODOT all speak directly into the camera, sometimes even manhandling it as they grasp for control. Watching the characters speak into a digital void is eerie and oddly fitting for both the material and the present moment.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Book
SONGS IN URSA MAJOR by Emma Brodie is the sort of book that you can read in one sitting (and I mean that as a compliment!). It’s a sweeping love story inspired by the real-life romance between Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. That’s not to say it’s overly frothy – writer Emma Brodie explores themes of addiction (again drawn from Taylor’s real life) and mental illness. It’s the perfect summer read, both for fans of the 1970s music scene and for anyone who likes stories about heartbreak (and if you think that’s a spoiler, have you really never heard of Carly Simon??).
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Editor’s Note: Joni Mitchell’s seminal album, BLUE, turned 50 this week, and this roundup of musicians speaking about their favorite songs on the album is fantastic. The submission from James Taylor is a highlight and adds a little more color around their relationship too—whether or not it’s revisionist history, only Joni can say.
Short Film
It has been brought to my attention by my friends, boyfriend and even my mother that I am one of those people who can’t help but try and figure out what happens next when I’m watching a movie (a.k.a. Talk through the entire thing). Fine. It’s just that I need to be completely on the edge of my seat in order to shut up and say nothing— and that’s why my rec for this week is a crime thriller short that had my mouth clenched shut the entire time: PIGFACE. The three-minute short, written and directed by John Paul Lopez and produced by Elara Pictures, follows a woman who desperately needs her friends’ help with her dirty work, but can’t seem to spit out what it is she’s done. It’s fast paced (yes even for three minutes of content), gritty, and the ending left me begging to see more.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Music
Dare I say that pop punk…is back? The 14-year-old in me is living, seeing such a resurgence of the genre all over TikTok, but what I’m most excited about right now is Willow Smith's two-song EP LIPSTICK/T R A N S P A R E N T S O U L, which is giving very Y2K pop-punk vibes.
Both songs are absolute fire, but I must say T R A N S P A R E N T S O U L is the one for me. The song reminds me a lot of Paramore and Blink 182, which makes total sense because the latter’s drummer, Travis Barker, is credited on the song. The track uses familiar chords and hard-hitting percussion in true pop punk fashion, but what really nails the genre are the lyrics. Willow comes straight out of the gate with an attitude, digging into how people around her can be fake. You can really tell that she’s genuine about navigating her sound and who she is—which just makes me love her and these songs even more.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Filmmaker
Am I doing a double-rec of Heidi this week? Yes. Because if you don’t know her yet, you absolutely need to. You might be familiar with her 2006 Documentary JESUS CAMP (trailer here), which she co-directed with Rachel Grady. It follows a group of kids at a Christian summer camp where they are being taught that they “can take back America for Christ.” This eye-opening, jaw-dropping documentary premiered at Tribeca 2006 and was nominated for best documentary feature at the Oscars that year. Heidi’s other critically-acclaimed credits include THE BOYS OF BARAKA (trailer here), ONE OF US (trailer here), and DETROPIA (trailer here). Most recently, her incredible docu-series LOVE FRAUD (trailer here) debuted on SHOWTIME, and it’s one of the most binge-worthy docu-series I’ve seen. It follows the search for one man, Richard Scott Smith, who over the past 20 years used the internet and his dubious charms to prey upon unsuspecting women looking for love—conning them out of both their money and dignity. The story unravels in real time as Smith's victims band together to seek sweet revenge by turning to a bounty hunter when they feel the justice system has failed them. And of course, you have to watch her narrative debut I CARRY YOU WITH ME, which is releasing theatrically today!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
06/18/21
It all begins with an idea.
THIS WEEK: ROM-COMS, AND DRAMEDIES, AND SHAKESPEARE (OH MY!).
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube LUMBERJACK - Tyler, The Creator
☞ Letterboxd IN THE HEIGHTS
☞ TikTok #creativityforgood
☞ Spotify good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo
☞ Netflix Manifest
☞ Twitter #Bennifer
Life & Culture
Darlene is taking a well-deserved vacation this week and we miss her terribly. While she’s Instagramming her way through a hiker’s paradise, I’m attempting to fill her v. large, v. cool shoes. Here’s what’s on my radar:
“Emotion Recognition” technology is coming our way, and it’s terrifying. The Guardian first reported this in May, but there’s been a lot of recent buzz about a bit of tech from a company called Taigusys, which is already being used by a handful of Chinese corporations to monitor employees, supposedly detecting not just their facial expressions but the emotions underlying them—and going so far as to promise it can differentiate a genuine smile from a fake one. It’s Big Brother on a whole other level, and critics say the tech is based on a whole bunch of pseudoscience and stereotyping and is extremely inaccurate, not to mention unethical. But companies are still using it, and “emotion recognition” is projected to be a $36B industry by 2023, so our dystopian future is closer than we all might think.
In less terrible news, Snapchat finally pulled its “speed” filter, which clocks the speed you’re moving at, and has been linked to a bunch of reckless driving incidents. Teens have gotten into accidents trying get selfies going above 100 mph, and have caused injuries, death, and yielded a few different lawsuits. And finally, as of yesterday, Snap confirmed that it’s removing the feature. Better late than never, I suppose.
This week, there’s been a lot of conversation about the lack of Afro-Latinx representation in IN THE HEIGHTS’ version of Washington Heights. It’s a complicated issue that’s wrapped up in a history of colorism in Hollywood (and writ large across many cultures, globally). Lin-Manuel apologized and promised to do better. Rita Morena stepped in to defend him in a way that felt dismissive of the legitimate concerns of Black people who were speaking up. Ultimately, she apologized as well. But what’s more interesting to me is what happens next. Monica Castillo dug into the idea in greater depth on NPR, and makes the point succinctly and smartly: “IN THE HEIGHTS wasn't going to solve decades of media exclusion and centuries of colorism, but perhaps it can start a movement towards a diversity that is actually inclusive.”
And to close on a promising note, Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19) officially became a federal holiday as of President Biden’s signing that legislation into law on Thursday. He called it one of the “greatest honors of his presidency” to commemorate the end of slavery in this way. For a little more context on Juneteenth and its history, check out this quick and excellent TikTok from @taylorcassidyj.
—Neha Gandhi, EVP, Digital & Strategy
Don’t worry. We wouldn’t leave you without a fine TikTok buffet—this week I’m offering you the earwax girl, a bear in the ceiling, grandma being too pure, random teachers and last but not least, the lady with... “more bees than usual”. Enjoy my friends.
—Martina Lund, VP, Marketing & Media Design
Film
To keep the queer recs coming for Pride Month, I thought I’d highlight a little gem of a film that largely went by unnoticed when it was released last year: DATING AMBER (trailer)! Directed by David Freyne, this coming-of-age dramedy is set in the mid-90s and follows two closeted teens, Eddie and Amber, struggling to get by under the stifling heteronormativity of their rural town in Ireland. In order to keep their family and schoolmates from speculating about their sexuality, they make a pact to stage a relationship together. While the premise of DATING AMBER is fairly straightforward, the central performances from Fionn O’Shea (Eddie) and Lola Petticrew (Amber) are what made this film a standout to me; they bring uproarious laughs and quiet moments of self-discovery to a beautiful friendship that evolves in the wake of their fake relationship. And most strikingly, the sequences where Eddie and Amber sneak away to Dublin to explore queer nightlife together feel like lightning in a bottle; it’s nostalgic, exhilarating and authentic to the experience of many queer youth yearning for life beyond the confines of their provincial origins. Check it out on HBO Max this weekend if you’re looking for a fun, moving, queer coming-of-age film!
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
TV
In the pilot of STARSTRUCK (trailer here), Jessie (played by the show’s creator Rose Matafeo), begrudgingly celebrates New Year’s Eve with her best friend, and ends up sleeping with a man she meets in a nightclub bathroom—only to learn the next morning that he’s mega-famous movie star Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel). The rest of the six-episode rom-com chronicles their chance encounters and uncertain attempts to reunite. It’s not a will-they-won’t-they so much as a desperate why-won’t-they. Although they’re obviously interested in each other, personal hang-ups prevent both characters from seriously trying to make things work. The series is at its best in the moments when it explores these vulnerabilities—a highlight for me is a monologue delivered by Matafeo’s character, a late-20’s New Zealander living in London, which perfectly expresses the loneliness that can come with being young in a city. And if all that still isn’t enough for you, the show is also very funny. Check it out on HBO Max!
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Book
Amanda Montell’s new non-fiction book, CULTISH, is the perfect summer read if you’re looking for something intellectual but not dry, and introspective but not too navel-gaze-y. The book is an exploration of the cultish phenomena that we unwittingly encounter every day. Montell, a linguistics scholar and journalist, unpacks both the psychology and the linguistic patterns that cult-like groups use to lure people in and make them feel like part of a community. From SoulCycle and Peleton to Heaven’s Gate and Jonestown, Montell indicts these cults and communities without criticizing those who fall under their spell. Great reading for anyone tempted to rewatch THE VOW.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Podcast
I’m using my PS Weekly debut to recommend an oldie but goodie that’s very much worth your time. BUBBLE, by the guys at Maximum Fun, is one of my favorite fiction podcasts of all time. It notably strays from the sort of earnest thrillers we so often see in the scripted space and gives us some quirky gore that feels like an ADULT SWIM romp in audio. And that makes a ton of sense given that writer/creator Jordan Morris’ credits include stints on Comedy Central as well as Comedy Bang! Bang! On TV.
BUBBLE is the story of badass monster killer Morgan, who grew up outside the safe city bounds of FAIRHAVEN, a kind of hipster Utopia created by a Jeff Bezos-type (played out to his most dangerous conclusion). She puts her skills to monetizable use by joining HUNTR, a highly competitive app for those helping keep the city streets safe and doing it with style. The dialogue is sharp, the insights are witty, and don’t worry—there’s a mysterious backstory too. Enjoy!
—Emmanuelle Stahler, VP, Audio
Theatre
I am so excited to be able to start writing about live theatre again, even if it means most readers can’t actually attend (sorry in advance…). Right now, I’m incredibly excited for The Public Theater’s upcoming Shakespeare in the Park production of MERRY WIVES by Jocelyn Bioh, an adaptation of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR set in the West African immigrant community of South Harlem. The best news (other than the fact that it’s only 90 minutes long) is that this year, due to Covid safety measures, there will be no in-person line for tickets! While I cherish my memories of lining up at 7 a.m. for tickets in the past, I’m very okay using the lottery app instead, this summer.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Music
Not to sound like every other person who’s obsessed with Tyler, The Creator but yes, Tyler just blessed us with a new single, LUMBERJACK. It all started last week when a series of billboards popped up around LA with the phrase “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” and a number that you won’t regret calling (try calling it, seriously!). And then on Monday, Tyler released this incredible video, SIDE STREET… giving us Confused Boy Summer energy. (Haha jk.. unless?) Two days later, because the man never disappoints, he gave us LUMBERJACK. If you haven’t yet seen the music video, go do that now. Directed by Wolf Haley (one of Tyler’s many alter egos), the video is visually-stunning, conceptually unique, and stylistically beautiful. So, what’s next? I’m just holding my breath to see what this rapper/musical artist/fashion icon/designer/visual artist/producer/comedian will bless us with..!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
06/11/21
It all begins with an idea.
THIS WEEK: IT’S FINALLY IN THE HEIGHTS WEEKEND!
TRENDS:
☞Youtube Lorde - Solar Power
☞Letterboxd BO BURNHAM INSIDE
☞TikTok #adultswim
☞Spotify good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo
☞Netflix SWEET TOOTH
☞Twitter Doja Cat
Life & Culture
If you’ve been on TikTok this past week, you have most likely encountered at least one take on the new (and also old) Adult Swim trend. The platform’s newest movement is a tribute to Adult Swim’s bumps that often play between TV shows and commercials. What makes these videos so special is the fact that each video shows off the unique personality of its creator. The one thread that ties each video together is the Adult Swim logo that’s revealed at the end of each video, to tremendous nostalgic effect For me, it brings up a feeling of a past era, when I spent my nights watching whatever was on one of my three favorite TV channels at the moment, with commercials, without a phone or laptop to distract me from the TV screen. Check out my favorite versions of the trend here!
In more futuristic news, Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, Blue Origin, is launching its first crewed flight next month. And, the soon-to-be-former Amazon CEO will be on it. As CNN put it, he will be “the first of the billionaire space tycoons to experience a ride aboard the rocket technology that he's poured millions into developing”. Bezos is taking his brother with him, along with the lucky (and wealthy) winner of an auction that’s currently going on, which is currently set at $2.8 million. The whole flight will take just 11 minutes, going up to 68 miles above the Earth.
And finally, I have an educational TikTok for you all today! Sean Szolek-Van Valkenburgh, who prides himself on reading all terms and conditions he comes across, breaks down TikTok’s new privacy policy. One of the more alarming takeaways is the fact that the company is most likely collecting faceprint and voiceprint data from its users. And on a lighter note, if you’re still down to use the app, creator Jasmine Deyanna explains a unique bird ritual that she discovered from a nature documentary, in the most hilarious way.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
Even though I haven’t actually seen IN THE HEIGHTS (trailer here) yet, I feel VERY confident recommending it as your must-watch film of the weekend. Based on Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical and directed by the immensely talented Jon M. Chu, it’s a love letter to the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City and the families who have lived there for generations. The film grapples with issues like gentrification and immigration policy, but it’s primarily a feel-good celebration of the immigrant and first-generation American experience, and the power of following your dreams. The music will be stuck in your head for weeks (which is a good thing, I promise!)
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
I did catch IN THE HEIGHTS at an early screening a couple weeks ago, and it’s killing me that I haven’t been able to gush about it with anyone until now. I’m not ashamed to say that I started cry-laughing during the first number and didn’t stop until the post-credit scene (yes, you should definitely hang through the credits for a treat). I can’t explain the overflow of emotions I felt, seeing the all-Latinx cast bursting into the streets of Washington Heights in song and dance. I strongly recommend watching this one in a theater, if you feel comfortable with it. It’s exactly what the theatrical experience is made for, IMO—sharing laughs and tears with a community around you. Go enjoy it!
—Shuyu Cao, Executive Assistant
[WATCH HERE]
TV
After a four-year hiatus, MASTER OF NONE (trailer here) returned with a stunning Season 3 that focuses on Denise (played by Lena Waithe, who’s also a writer on the show), a supporting character in the previous two seasons. A radically progressive departure from its previous seasons starring Aziz Ansari, which had much more of a comedic undertone, Season 3 follows the relationship of Denise and her wife Alicia (played by Naomi Ackie) in a breathtakingly intimate examination. A nod to classic arthouse cinema, this season is beautifully filmed in a 4:30 aspect ratio, and doesn’t shy away from long, wide and static shots. I found myself swept up in the nuanced writing, the powerful performances, and the introspective depiction of love. So if you want to check out something gorgeous that gets you in your feelings after, go watch on Netflix!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
My favorite gentleman thief has returned for the second part of Season 1 of LUPIN, so I will be binging all of it in one evening (tonight), as I had done with the entirety of the first (disappointingly short) half. I remember watching it during the height of the pandemic—a time when it was extremely satisfying to watch the suave and cool Omar Sy slip out of the trickiest situations with dazzling style and ease. But in part 2, will this laid-back and calm man take a more offensive stance as he pursues his enemy with the added pressure of keeping his family safe and together?
—Shuyu Cao, Executive Assistant
Theater
Heather Christian is one of the coolest composer/performers working in musical theater today. And for the rest of the month, you can catch a film adaptation of her “musical séance” ANIMAL WISDOM. I know it sounds hyperbolic, but this piece is truly the coolest thing I have watched during the entire pandemic. Christian performs a fusion of blues, gospel, and folk music as she walks the audience through her family's history of talking with ghosts. She talks about the ghosts that have most profoundly impacted her life, often channeling them in her performance. It's a spooky, thrilling, and inspiring performance that is unlike anything I've ever seen. If you’re going to watch only one piece of digital theatre this month (or even this year), I really recommend you make it this one!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Book
Sinéad O’Connor is making a return to the public eye, with her memoir REMEMBERINGS, published last week, and new music to be released later this year. And I honestly could not be more excited. O’Connor provides her own perspective on her life and career, including the fame that came with the success of “Nothing Compares 2 U” and the vitriol she faced after her SNL performance and the incident with the photograph of the pope. Like FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS, O’Connor’s book offers a chance for us to reassess the way we’ve treated female pop stars in the past—especially in the media. If you want to try a sample (that will undoubtedly make you rethink what you think you know about O’Connor) before committing to the whole book, this recent New York Times profile should do the trick.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Short Film:
I was lucky enough to catch a special screening of KISS OF THE RABBIT GOD two years ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. This beautiful short, written and directed by Andrew Thomas Huang, is a confession and a love letter to the queer Asian community. It blurs the line of fantasy and reality as it portrays an ordinary restaurant worker’s extraordinary sexual awakening. Andrew looked to his own Chinese heritage as an inspiration for this gorgeous film—the legend that inspired this fictional narrative short is the story of Tu’er Shen 兔儿神 (The Rabbit God), a Qing dynasty mythical god who was a Fujianese soldier executed for professing his love to another man, but ordained as the patron deity of gay love after the ruler of the underworld decided that his crime was one of love. At a time when Asian queerness receives little visibility on screen and Asian male bodies are constantly stigamized or devalued, Andrew set out to portray a story that, in his own words, “enriched our collective imagination of what queer Asian male love, sex and intimacy could aspire to be.”
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
Filmmaker
HACKS has been the talk of the town, so I wanted to give a special shoutout to Desiree Akhavan, a PS fave who directed a few episodes of the show. She’s the creator of The Bisexual, an inspiring take on female sexuality that’s also a total riot, defying all narrative expectations of what a queer female story looks like in 2018. Imagine that a lesbian, in a loving relationship, decides to break up with her girlfriend so that she can date men. This wasn’t Desiree’s coming out story, but it was inspired by the uncomfortable feeling of in-betweeness that she experienced when she came out bisexual. I also loved her witty coming-of-age film, THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST where Chloë Grace Moretz plays a gay teen forced to attend gay conversion-therapy camp. In a world where teenagers are so tightly defined by the boxes adults create for them, the teens in this film are equal parts hilarious and gut-wrenchingly vulnerable.
--Shuyu Cao, Executive Assistant
I first watched Andrew Ahn’s work when I saw his stunning short DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY), which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and won Grand Jury Award Outstanding Narrative Short Film at Outfest. This subtle and beautiful short follows a closeted Korean-American who goes home to attend his nephew’s ‘Dol’ (first birthday), and finds himself yearning for a life just out of reach. In his own words, Andrew made this film as a way to come out to his parents, as he cast his real family in the short and had to show the finished film to them afterward. Following Dol, Andrew directed his feature debut SPA NIGHT, which was an official selection of 2016 Sundance’s Film Festival. This sensual and gorgeously filmed narrative feature follows a young Korean-American (played by Joe Seo) who works to reconcile his sexual desires with his obligations to his immigrant family, as he navigates the underground world of gay hookups in Korean spas in LA. Andrew has also directed episodes of FX’s PRIDE, HBO Max’s GENERA+ION and Netflix’s GENTEFIED. Oh, and did I mention I also just found out we went to the same college? What more could you possibly need by way of a strong recommendation to check out his work?
—MImi Li