09/17/21
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
06/04/21
THIS WEEK: END THE LONG-SHORT WEEK WITH LGBTQ-CENTERED FILMS, SHOWS, MUSIC AND BOOKS.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞Youtube Billie Eilish - LOST CAUSE
☞Letterboxd CRUELLA
☞TikTok #PrideAnthems
☞Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞Netflix LUCIFER
☞Twitter McLovin
PS WEEKLY ツ
Life & Culture
It’s somehow June already. Which marks not just the start of summer, but also the start of Pride month! Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime all have dedicated pages on their platforms to celebrate Pride, highlighting LGBTQ+ creators, actors, producers, writers and filmmakers. OutFest is also hosting a five-day digital festival in celebration of Pride month called Outfronts. Beginning today until Tuesday June 8, viewers will be able to access free panel discussions featuring creators and talent from several beloved LGBTQ+ programs available on television today, including GENERA+ION, RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, and THE WILDS. Please go enjoy all of it, and DM me on @picturestart on IG with your favorites.
Last month, Owen Hurcum became the world’s first non-binary mayor. They were overwhelmingly elected mayor of Bangor, Wales last year and took office on May 10. Oh, and at 23, they are also the youngest mayor to ever lead Wales. For Pride month, Owen encourages people to remember that “the world is still targeting LGBTQ+ people” and “as much as we can and should celebrate ourselves, we need to be using Pride as a platform to force change.”
And finally, my two favorite TikToks from this week. This video is from one of the creators I get most excited to see on my FYP. Max simply shares his take on adulthood and life but does it in the most hilariously relatable way. I highly recommend checking his page out but warn you that you could easily spend much more time there than you might plan to. And this one is very earnest but documents a quote from an episode of MODERN FAMILY. I haven’t seen too much of the show but this was honestly touching.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
Film
I still remember the chills I had the first time I watched HAPPY TOGETHER 春光乍泄 (trailer here). In this emotionally raw, gorgeously stylized Wong Kar-wai film, a couple (portrayed by Hong Kong icons Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Leslie Chueng Kwok Wing) travels through Argentina as they go through a turbulent cycle of falling more deeply in love, breaking up, making up, infatuation and doubt. Set against the cusp of the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, this heart-wrenching, feverish story captures the angst of an LGBTQ couple unsure of what their future holds. You may remember this film as one of Wong Kar-wai’s most influential work, or part of the New Queer Cinema movement in the 90s. Both are true, but I mostly love it for its pioneering style of visual storytelling, the powerful performances by two legendary actors, and the complexity and intensity of its portrayal of the LGBTQ community (at a time when Hollywood’s representation was minimal and problematic—at best). So, go watch already!
“Not every love story is a romance.” There are so many things I love about THE HALF OF IT (trailer here), the charming queer romcom directed by Alice Wu. In this refreshing take on CYRANO DE BERGERAC, a shy and studious Chinese-American girl (and possibly one of the only Asian kids in her small suburban town) is asked by a sweet and not-so-sophisticated classmate to help him write love letters for a beautiful popular girl. No problem—until she finds out that perhaps these love letters really do come from her heart. As a romcom, this coming-of-age story subverts many typical tropes, and focuses instead on love on all fronts—romance, sexuality questioning, friendship, family, and self-love. What I appreciate most about this coming-of-age film is the way it portrays the story of an immigrant girl without relying on an “other-ing” the narrative; yes, it is about a queer Asian-American girl, but it’s also a story about growth and self-discovery. Watch on Netflix!
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
TV
If you enjoyed our first Pride month tiny history lesson on Instagram but haven’t yet watched POSE(trailer here), I’m telling you to drop what you’re doing and get hip. The show and its fictional characters are strongly inspired by the Black queer community that created ballroom and its houses in 1970s New York. The show is just as much about dancing and fun as it is about chosen family. I also want to add that POSE is not the first depiction of ballroom I have ever seen but it is one of my favorites because the cast and crew really reflect the community they are representing—and not only does the show have one of the most diverse casts that I have ever seen on TV, but it also has an equally diverse team working behind the camera. Anyway, I am now a stan of the entire cast and I am absolutely devastated that the finale is airing this Sunday June 6th—tune in!
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Theater
Next Tuesday at 6pm ET, the Vineyard Theatre is presenting the final installment of its Spring Gala conversation series. This installment is between Michael R. Jackson (who wrote the recent hit A STRANGE LOOP) and John Cameron Mitchell, and the two will discuss creating shows that have changed the way LGBTQ+ stories are represented on stage (among other things). I would watch both of these two men talk about pretty much anything, all day long, so I’m incredibly excited to see what happens when they come together!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
Book
THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta is one of the most heartwarming coming-of-age stories I’ve read in a long time. Loosely based on the author’s own life and written in verse, the novel introduces us to Michael, a gay, mixed-race teen living in London, on his journey to embrace his identity. As he struggles to figure out where he belongs, he joins his campus’ Drag Society and thus his persona, The Black Flamingo, is born. I loved reading about a life so different from my own, told with incredible honesty and vulnerability. Atta is deftly able to pull from his own experiences to portray Michael’s intersecting values and multifaceted identities. Through this lens, we’re able to explore the complicated layers that make Michael who he is, and push us to make these same considerations about who we are.
—Marisa Harris, Executive Assistant
Music
Amaarae is a queer Alte/Afropop artist born in New York City and raised between Atlanta and Accra, Ghana. Her sound is hard to place as it’s an eclectic blend of airy Pop, Afro rhythms and smooth R&B. She floats on each track, singing in a hushed falsetto like she’s telling us a secret. And though she is private about her sexuality she is still very intentional, titling one of her early songs FLUID and featuring LGBTQ+ dancers, drag queens and pole dancers. Her latest album THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW is even more transparent in its sexual expression—on her track FANCY she whispers “I like it when you call me zaddy” on the hook— alluding to her being butch. So while pride should be every single day, this pride month I’m practically begging you all to check out this pioneering queer artist in one of the fastest growing spaces in music. My stand out tracks from the project are: JUMPING SHIP, SAD GURLZ LUV MONEY,and LEAVE ME ALONE.
Also, in celebration of Pride and with the help of some friends—I put together a playlist to showcase the talent of artists in our community. The entire playlist is straight heat, if I do say so myself. Plus, it’s open for collaboration, so please enjoy, share, and add to it!
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Short Films
New York City’s LGBTQ+ film festival, NewFest, is teaming up with Vimeo for a third consecutive year of its Shorts Showcase. Available to stream for just $12, the digital event features five short films, and your ticket also gives you access to an exclusive roundtable Q&A with the filmmakers. I haven’t gotten a chance to check it out yet, but the film I’m most excited for is CLUB QUARANTINE, which documents how four friends’ IG page created on the first day of the pandemic lockdown got turned into a “Nightly-Online-Queer-Dance-Party with over 70,000 followers from all corners of the world.”
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
05/21/21
THIS WEEK: CROCS, A FEEL-GOOD HORSE MOVIE, AND LAUGH OF-LOUD FILM COMMENTARY FROM LINDY WEST.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Friends: The Reunion: Trailer
☞ Letterboxd THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
☞ TikTok #FilmmakersofTikTok
☞ Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞ Netflix WHO KILLED SARA
☞ Twitter KNIVES OUT 2
PS WEEKLY ツ
LIFE & CULTURE
Crocs’ newest partnership just makes good, practical sense. What goes with the comfiest, most practical slipper out there? Ranch dressing, obviously. The company teamed up with Hidden Valley Ranch to bring the public the shoe we never knew we needed. Honestly, it has been nothing short of beautiful to watch Crocs go from being the butt of every joke to somehow being cool. The shoes are without a doubt pretty ugly (in my opinion! Please don’t come after me, crocs lovers), but years of seeing people wear them ironically—plus collaborations with pop culture icons like Bad Bunny, Post Malone, Justin Bieber, Chinatown Market—has worn me down. If you’re in a similar boat and want to cop Crocs’ latest collab, the shoes are dropping later this year on its website.
If you ever dreamt of controlling objects with just your mind, having words appear on a page after merely thinking them, your dreams might be inching closer to reality. Nature just published a report detailing a new system that allows a computer to translate words that a paralyzed man simply thinks. According to the researchers, “our study participant, whose hand was paralysed from spinal cord injury, achieved typing speeds of 90 characters per minute with 94.1% raw accuracy online, and greater than 99% accuracy offline with a general-purpose autocorrect.” This study shows a big upgrade from the last one with a similar goal, which only managed about 25 characters per minute. Huge advances, even if the tech has only been tested with one person so far.
And in AR news that feels a little bit closer to reality, Snap came out with a new version of their Spectacles. This is its fourth generation of the product, which you might remember launching back in September 2016 to a lukewarm reception. But what’s different about this new version is that the first three were pretty much glasses with a camera attached to them, while this version actually generates virtual images over the world that the user is seeing. Another difference? They’re not being sold. The new glasses are now only available for developers. Snap is making the product available for people who already make AR effects in Snapchat, in order for them to test those lenses.
I’m gifting you all with three TikToks this week, because I think we all deserve it. This one depicts both peace and chaos in a small village. This one features a beautiful sausage dog and his extremely relatable walking pace. And this one brings to light a curious theory that should immediately be developed into an animated series. Okay, see you next week.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
GUEST CURATED BY THE BRILLIANT MINDS AT
FILMMAKER
In 2018, we were fortunate to meet Nirav Bhakta when we judged the HBO APA Visionaries competition. Then in 2019, we nominated him for the CBS Leadership Pipeline Challenge, and not only was he selected for the inaugural class, he was one of three directors to advance to the finals!
Nirav is a filmmaker with goals of telling stories of the South Asian diaspora. He’s resourceful, unapologetic and bold as an individual. There was no doubt in our minds why his HBO APA Visionaries-winning short “Halwa” (co-directed with Gayatri Bajpai) stood out or why his sophomore short “Thank You, Come Again” leaves you stunned by the end. A true multi-hyphenate (actor-writer-filmmaker), Nirav approaches his work with honesty, courage, and clarity of vision, and we cannot wait to see what he will make in the future!
—Michelle K. Sugihara, Executive Director, CAPE
*Check this space every week during the month of May for a spotlight on an inspiring AAPI creative you need to know. Curated with love by our friends at CAPE. That’s short for Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, and org that champions diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment and media. Learn more about their work here.
FILM
While many of us tend to associate Sundance with darker and more indie-feeling fare, I had the pleasure of seeing Euros Lyn’s heartwarming DREAM HORSE (trailer here) at Sundance 2020, and it’s now out for everyone to watch! Based on a true story, the film is about a group of neighbors in a small Welsh town who decide to invest in a race horse. While the film has a relatively predictable sports-movie structure, I still found myself getting teary as the horse begins to win races and climb the ranks—and the racing sequences are gorgeously shot, too. If horses aren’t your thing, the film is also anchored by the ever-likeable Toni Collette and Damian Lewis. And it’s only rated PG, so it’s a great family quar watch!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
TV
STARTUP (trailer here) just dropped on Netflix last week and I am entirely obsessed. The show is about startups and crypto but unlike most of the tech stories we know, it’s not set in Silicon Valley, but instead the heat of Miami. The location is not the only atypical thing about the show. It’s about a female founder, played by Otmara Marrero, who puts her all into creating a new form of crypto and desperately needs funding to launch. She stumbles into an unlikely partnership with Adam Brody's character, who’s the son of a money launderer, and Edi Gathegi’s character, who’s a Haitian drug lord, to fund her business. Whether you’re just here for the Dogecoin memes or really invested in Bitcoin and the recent market manipulation speculations about Elon Musk, STARTUP is a must see.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
THEATER
This week on Broadway’s Best Plays, you can stream THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, Wendy Wasserstein’s timeless comedy about three middle-aged sisters reuniting at a birthday dinner. Wasserstein excels at writing imperfect, relatable women and awkward social gatherings—so if you’ve been missing dinner-party small talk, this one’s for you! The cast of the reading includes Kathryn Hahn, Jason Alexander, Kathryn Newton, and Lisa Edelstein, and all proceeds go to The Actor’s Fund.
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
BOOKS
Apologies if this actually belongs in the theater section, but one of my favorite institutions in the whole world, the Drama Book Shop, is reopening! This treasure trove of a bookstore was home to every play script you could possibly imagine, plus a plethora of nonfiction books about the arts. The store closed in 2019 due to financial issues, but it was swiftly bought by a group of New York theater heavy hitters, including Jeffrey Seller, James L. Nederlander, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Tommy Kail. It will now be opening in its new location, on 39th St. and 8th Ave, and will also have a café. So, if you find yourself in Times Square but don’t want to, y’know, actually be in Times Square, this is a great spot to hide out. They’ve created a “shopping reservation” system to limit the number of customers during Covid times, so be sure to book a spot in advance!
—Julia Hammer, Director of Production
If you’ve missed being able to watch movies with friends, I have the book for you. SHIT, ACTUALLY is written by the incredibly hilarious and sarcastic Lindy West, who you may recognize from her first book, SHRILL (which went on to inspire the Hulu series of the same name starring Aidy Bryant). SHIT, ACTUALLY is a collection of essays reviewing popular movies from THE FUGITIVE to TWILIGHT to TITANIC and everything in between, all featuring Lindy’s signature sense of humor. While this book truly had me laughing aloud, I also really appreciated that Lindy made every effort to comment on, and call out, the societal structures such as sexism, gender norms, racism, and homophobia, to name a few, that appear in our favorite classics. I highly recommend listening to this in audiobook format, read by the author herself, to get the full effect of feeling like you’re watching and commenting on each movie with a friend.
—Marisa Harris, Executive Assistant
PODCAST
Pineapple Street Studios’ new podcast STAY AWAY FROM MATTHEW MAGILL recounts the series of serendipitous events that led award-winning journalist Eric Mennel on a five- year journey to investigate the life of Matthew MaGill, a mysterious man who died alone in the Florida forest.
During his final years, MaGill told wondrous tales of a life filled with adventure, but due to his circumstances everyone doubted the veracity of his stories, writing him off as a fraud. That all changed when a box filled with proof of his incredible life was uncovered upon his death. This box contained records of everything—from his marriage to a famous Broadway star to his decision to go into hiding after a law enforcement raid. But what makes this podcast stand out in the marketplace is the powerful way that Mennel’s exploration of McGill prompts an exploration of his own life and his relationships with his family.
—Lucy Putnam, Creative Executive
MUSIC
With new festival dates being added literally every day this month, I want to spotlight an artist who I would pay top dollar to see live. Jayda G is a Canadian DJ and producer based in the UK, who has been making incredible strides this year with her Grammy-nominated single BOTH OF US. She’s been making music in the dance space since 2016, but has only recently been able to cross over to a more mainstream audience. Her recent sound is a representation of her eclectic tastes, drawing inspiration from soul, classic, disco, and house—creating a world of dance that is so infectious that it only makes sense that she will be doing endless festivals this summer and beyond. I recommend listening to BOTH OF US, ALL I NEED- DJ-KICKS, or her remix of COOL by Dua Lipa.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
05/14/21
THIS WEEK: DIGITAL TIPPING, CATNIP FOR THEATER NERDS, AND WFH JAMS TO GET YOU THROUGH NEXT WEEK.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube J. Cole Freestyles
☞ Letterboxd THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES
☞ TikTok #IWorkAtTheBank
☞ Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞ Netflix JUPITER’S LEGACY
☞ Twitter The CDC
PS WEEKLY ツ
LIFE & CULTURE
Have you ever loved a meme so much you wished you could somehow compensate whoever came up with the original Tweet? Well, now you can, with Twitter’s introduction of a Tip Jar (for a limited subset of creators on the platform). The just-released feature (still being beta tested) allows users to send money to fellow tweeters using PayPal, Venmo, Patreon, Cash App, or Bandcamp. Twitter called it the “first step in our work to create new ways for people to receive and show support on Twitter–with money.”
I’ve written a lot here about the heated competition brewing in the podcast space. And this Friday, I’m back to report that things are (potentially) about to get even more heated with another cook entering the kitchen. Netflix is apparently dipping its toe in the audio space with a feature called “N-Plus”. According to a reporter at Protocol who was prompted with a survey on the platform, “Netflix queried people in a survey about a wide range of features and content, including podcasts, user-generated playlists, how-tos and more.” In regards to the content itself, it looks like it might be largely IP-based, as the survey described N-Plus as a “future online space where you can learn more about Netflix shows and things related to them.” Personally, when I am into a show I like to eat up all the content that I can get related to it—and then some—so I’m vocally registering my support to make this idea real, stat.
In news that happened off the internet this week, according to Variety, Jaden Smith is evolving his I Love You vegan food truck into a restaurant, where LA’s homeless population can eat for free, following the “buy one give one” model of a TOMS or Warby Parker. He says: “It’s for homeless people to get free food...but if you’re not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food’s worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.” Feels like a really cool way to extend that social impact model from retail to the food space, where arguably, people have the greatest, most fundamental need.
And finally, two of the best pieces of content I came across on TikTok this week: This video unexpectedly explores the thought process behind the creation of the analog clock and this crowd-created videoshows just how far the internet will go to troll a random dude.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
GUEST CURATED BY THE BRILLIANT MINDS AT
FILMMAKER
Trust me when I say this: You never know what gems you’ll find at a local community film festival.Kiel McNaughton is an incredible filmmaker of Māori, Chinese, and Scottish descent in the local New Zealand film scene. I caught his first feature, THE LEGEND OF BARON TO’A, at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival a few years ago, and it blew me away. Set in an Aotearoa cul-de-sac, the film stars Uli Latukefu (Young Rock) as a young Tongan man returning home to confront his father’s legacy. For a small film, the action and stunt work are incredible. But more importantly, Kiel is able to really capture John Argall’s script and bring to life the heart and humor (universal, but quite Kiwi!)—honestly, it was so much fun. (And yes, it’s available on most platforms in the US to rent/buy—so go support!)
—Jes Vu, Manager, Communications/Consulting, CAPE
*Check this space every week during the month of May for a spotlight on an inspiring AAPI creative you need to know. Curated with love by our friends at CAPE. That’s short for Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, and org that champions diversity by educating, connecting, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment and media. Learn more about their work here.
FILM
If you just can’t get enough of Black cowboy culture (a.k.a. the yeehaw agenda) like me, you’ll absolutely love CONCRETE COWBOY (trailer here). The movie follows the life of Cole, played by Caleb McLaughlin (whom I absolutely adore), as he’s sent away by his mom to stay with his father (Idris Alba) in North Philadelphia. Upon his arrival it's pretty clear that his dad wasn’t expecting company—and literally has Cole share a room with his favorite horse. Cole quickly learns that it's not just his father who’s horse-obsessed—it's the entire town. And they will go to extreme lengths to preserve their rights to keep their horse. What really makes the film cool is the fact that it’s based on the novel GHETTO COWBOY by Greg Neri, which is actually inspired by the entirely real Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club—a horse-riding community in inner-city Philadelphia. The film takes representation to another level by also including real-life members from the Riding Club in the production.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
TV
PBS is currently five episodes into the eight-part docu-series PHILLY D.A. (trailer here), about the first term of Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner. There’s no better time to catch up, as Krasner, a lifelong civil rights attorney who unexpectedly won the D.A. seat in a landslide 2017 election, faces a reelection challenge in the Democratic primary on May 18. I know that “PBS” and “municipal government” might not scream entertainment, but PHILLY D.A. is dramatic as hell—and informative, too.
Krasner pledged to change the culture of Philly’s criminal justice system but has met resistance from his new colleagues: the prosecutors and police officers he’s spent his entire career criticizing. The filmmakers (Ted Passon, Yoni Brook, and Nicola Salazar) provide a comprehensive look at the past and present of the Philadelphia D.A.’s office, taking time to profile the many people that make city government run. It’s like watching a chemical reaction in real time, a practical experiment in how change in government can happen.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
THEATER
Musical theater nerds rejoice, for MCC Theater’s MISCAST gala is back! The annual gala and showcase features Broadway stars performing songs that they would traditionally never have the chance to play, often because of the character’s gender—i.e. Gavin Creel and Aaron Tveit’s iconic performance of Take Me or Leave Me from RENT. This year’s performers include Billy Porter, Idina Menzel, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Melissa Barrera, and you can stream it all on MCC’s website starting May 16!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
BOOK
Most people know Alison Bechdel as the inventor of The Bechdel Test, but hopefully some of you are also familiar with her debut graphic memoir, FUN HOME. Bechdel is back this week with her third graphic memoir, THE SECRET TO SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH. The book chronicles Bechdel’s complicated lifelong “journey of fitness,” from Jane Fonda videos and HIIT to spin classes and skiing (both Alpine and Nordic). The book is in no way an exercise manual—it’s an exploration of Bechdel’s relationship with her body and the role fitness plays in that relationship— something I’m sure many of us grappled with this year while we were locked in our houses.
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
MUSIC
Say what you will about working from home, but it’s taught me a few important lessons about my productivity style. Most importantly, that I work so much better with music playing in my space. And recently I’ve been able to pinpoint exactly what kind of music really soothes, and encourages me to zone in. I’d describe this music as melodic, repetitive and simple house, which brings me to my rec for this week, Park Hye Jin.
The South Korean-born DJ, producer, rapper and singer literally owns the simplistic house sound, which some others call K-House. In her first EP, IF U WANT IT, she effortlessly blends soft beats with repetitive lyrics and loops, creating a light dreamy world and cementing herself in the house music space. Her second EP, HOW CAN I, is a roller coaster of emotions, and I can appreciate that she’s experimenting with darker energy and sounds, but still includes repetition as a central theme. Here’s hoping I get to see her do her thing in person soon, but until then I will continue looping these EPs while I work from the solace of my bedroom.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
Speaking of WFH-jams, I urge you to tune in to young artist Tobi Lou. The Spotify gods recommended him to me while I was driving and vibing to SZA and Smino, the latter of whom Tobi has collaborated with. As I was nodding along to his laid-back beats and chill tempo, I also felt myself grinning at his lyrics. “I don’t think I’m ready, no, not for that jelly, my honey like Winnie the Pooh.” (DARLIN’). And from his hilarious and relatable song, SKIN CARE TUTORIAL 2020: ”I'm irrational, I'm too passionate, I don't give a f----, I just popped a zip. Mirror on the wall, who the baddest b-----? Oh yeah right that's me, how could I forget?” How can you not smile at that inversion of traditional pop bravado?His tunes, chill as they are, are shots of serotonin and energy to an otherwise chaotic day. I also highly recommend watching his music videos for SKIN CARE and DARLIN’. Like his music, his video aesthetic is the perfect blend of nostalgic and whimsical themes wrapped in either energetic or soothing lo-fi beats. Let’s give this young artist some hype and love!
—Shuyu Cao, Executive Assistant
05/07/21
THIS WEEK: ICYM THESE FILMS, CONSIDER THIS YOUR SECOND CHANCE.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Stranger Things 4
☞ Letterboxd THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES
☞ TikTok #MentalHealthAwareness
☞ Spotify YOUR POWER – Billie Eilish
☞ Netflix THE CIRCLE
☞ Twitter Floyd Mayweather
PS WEEKLY ツ
LIFE & CULTURE
This first week of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a good time to remind ourselves that while Asian Americans are often grouped into a monolithic block, there are a number of different ethnicities that make up the larger community. CNN breaks down the complexity and history of the catch-all term, and it’s an interesting read that gives context to the celebrations this month. Also, if history is the kind of thing you’re into, get excited, because our Tiny History Lessons on Instagram are back—check ‘em out every Wednesday this month!
On the news front, fast food chain Panda Express announced its new $10M fund to support AAPI community organizations. The company shared that it kicked off the fund with a $1.5 million pledge to AAPI organizations dedicated to offering critical aid, as well as promoting cultural understanding and acceptance. In an Instagram post sharing info about the new five-year initiative, Panda Express detailed that “as a proud American-born company founded by Chinese immigrants, we are celebrating our multicultural heritage all month long.”
If you’d like to contribute on your own, we’ve got a few ideas. Our friends at CAPE put together this list of community-based orgs in LA specifically that we can all support, but I recommend checking out community organizations in whatever neighborhood you’re a part of, too.
If you watch one video on TikTok this week, make it this one. Creator @spoiledmel tackles mental health in a way that’s very relatable for anyone who spends time on social media. So, probably all of us. And this video depicts an elite level of life that I am now striving to achieve one day.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist\
FILM
Somehow no one has written about MINARI (trailer here) yet in this newsletter, so I’m on the job! I’m not going to ask what’s taken you so long to see Lee Isaac Chung’s beautiful and intimate family drama, but if for some reason you haven’t yet seen it, now is the time. While the film’s subject matter – a Korean-American family moves to Arkansas to start a farm – might sound small, MINARI is a sweeping emotional tale about a family trying to find success, which means something different to each family member. The film, I should mention, is also hilarious–the younger son (Alan Kim, awards season superstar) and his grandmother (Yuh-Jung Youn) square off in a number of laugh-out-loud moments. I don’t think it’s streaming for free anywhere just yet but I encourage you to splurge on the rental—I promise it's worth it!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
At a time when solid romantic comedies are hard to come by, if you somehow missed Netflix’s ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE (trailer here) stop what you’re doing immediately—unless you’re in the middle of watching MINARI, of course—and treat yourself to this delightful exploration of lifelong friendship-turned-romance between Ali Wong and Randall Park. In addition to co-writing the screenplay, the talented duo exudes an irresistible on-screen chemistry reminiscent of the performance style pioneered by rom com OGs Doris Day and Rock Hudson. And, if that’s not enough, the Nahnatchka Khan-directed film offers a lengthy celebrity cameo that’s nothing short of magnificent!
—Kauveh Khozein Carrera, Creative Executive
Do you remember the last time you watched a soul-rocking film, just sitting there with chills? THE WHITE TIGER (trailer here) is the last film that left me feeling that way. Based on the 2008 Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, THE WHITE TIGER is a gritty drama that subverts the normal “rags to riches'' tale with a darkly comedic tone and a textured satirical commentary. The story follows Balram Halwai as he narrates his life coming from the rural town of Laxmangarh and from a low-caste lineage, to becoming a successful entrepreneur. I thought director Ramin Bahrani (CHOP SHOP) did an incredible job exploring the deep divide between the haves and have-nots, and the complexity of the human experience set against a system of corruption and generational injustice — all with such a darkly humorous tone that he manages to sidestep the pitfalls of exploiting trauma and tragedy. The film also features a powerful performance from Adarsh Gourav, who blew me away with his range and versatility.
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
THEATER
The National Asian American Theater Company, or NAATCO, was founded in 1989 with a focus on presenting both “classic” European and American plays and newer work, all with entirely Asian American casts. It also works with Asian American theater artists to develop and workshop new material. This month, it’s holding a benefit reading of OUR TOWN to raise money for the organization. It’s taking place for one night only on May 19—get your tickets and support this inspiring group!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
BOOK
I was so excited to see this week’s news that Greta Lee will be adapting Cathy Park Hong’s book MINOR FEELINGS, which was one of the standout nonfiction books of last year. The winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award, MINOR FEELINGS is a collection of essays in which Hong primarily grapples with her racial identity, but discusses everything from her complicated feelings about her upper-middle-class upbringing to her life-changing discovery of Richard Pryor’s work. Today, Hong’s work feels even more like necessary reading than it did a year ago, but that means now is your perfect chance to check it out.
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
MUSIC
This week I want to enthusiastically recommend the budding talent of singer-songwriter Joyce Wrice, who just released her debut album, OVERGROWN. I absolutely adore the album and her whole presence. Born to a Japanese mother and an African American father, she’s a California native raised in Chula Vista, just south of San Diego. Joyce grew up singing and was inspired to write the album by a mixture of her feelings and experiences from 2018 to 2019.
The album is giving real Y2K energy. Her singing reminds me a lot of an early Aaliyah, Amerie, or Mya—just really soulful, sultry and moody R&B. I think she really stands out from the kind of R&B artists we're seeing today who tend to lean a little more alternative, Joyce gives us authentic soul. My stand-out tracks from the project: On One (feat. Freddie Gibbs), Must be Nice (feat. Masego), and So So Sick.
—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
When I first came to the U.S. as a high schooler, I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. Growing up in China, I started listening to English songs as a way to learn the language, but eventually fell in love with the art and craft of it, and started writing my own songs. But within a year, I had the realization that I probably would never make it as a singer-songwriter here in America—the biggest reason being that I simply did not see or know of any Asian artists who had made it big here. That was back in 2011.
Anyway, the whole point of me telling this personal story that no one asked for is this: It is now 2021 and a lot has changed. In the past years, more and more talented AAPI musicians have made a splash. In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, I asked some friends to help me start building out a playlist on Spotify to highlight musicians in our community, and I want to share it with you all.
Here it is, in all its diverse and interesting glory. Some of my personal favorite artists on this list include Audrey Luna, Yaeji, Peggy Gou, Raveena… but listen all the way through, because there’s something for everyone here.
And side note: The playlist is open for collab ;)
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
FILMMAKERS
When I watched LINGUA FRANCA (trailer here), I was instantly mesmerized by Isabel Sandoval’s powerful storytelling. The film was released at Venice Days last year and thrust Isabel into the international spotlight. The film, acquired by Ava DuVernay’s Array, can be found on Netflix. It’s a delicate portrayal of Olivia, an undocumented Filipino trans woman who works as a live-in caregiver to the elderly Olga in Brooklyn. When Olivia falls for Olga’s hotheaded grandson Alex, she teeters between pursuing her heart and using him as a pathway to documented immigration status.
Off the recognition from LINGUA FRANCA, Isabel is developing her fourth feature, a 16th century drama with surreal elements, as well as developing an original pilot at FX. You can also watch her breathtaking poetic short film, “SHANGRI-LA” which was commissioned by Miu Miu Women’s Tales as part of their series exploring femininity in the 21st century.
—Shuyu Cao, Executive Assistant
I recently read a mind-blowing profile (which you can check out here if you happen to be fluent in Chinese) on Esther Eng 伍锦霞, an early LGBTQ+ icon, and Hollywood’s first Chinese-American female filmmaker who challenged the boundaries of race, language, culture and gender. Born in San Francisco in 1919, Esther directed her first feature at the age of 22. Throughout the years, she directed five films in Hong Kong and four films in the U.S., including IT’S A WOMEN’S WORLD in 1939, an ambitious project that follows 36 female characters, "all of whom occupy different social positions to highlight the harsh reality of living as a woman in modern society.” In 1941, Esther released GOLDEN STATE GIRLS, an immigrant saga following a fraught father-daughter relationship through the years. (Fun fact: Bruce Lee had his screen debut playing an infant girl in this title!) After WWII, Esther established her own Chinese-language filmmaking company, Silver Light, and produced two major motion pictures, including BACK STREET (1948), an adaptation of Fannie Hurst’s 1931 title but reset in a Chinese-American community, and MAD LOVE MAD FIRE (1949), which explored an interracial relationship. As an openly lesbian director/writer/producer, Esther was noted by press as having a striking gender presentation—she dressed in men’s attire and was open about her relationships with women. A trailblazer in all ways, Esther left the film industry in the ‘50s and ended up owning five Chinese restaurants in New York, which were a roaring success for 20 years.
With the exception of two films, most of Esther’s film reels have been lost to history—and the lack of mainstream exposure has largely left her legacy obscured. In the words of veteran film critic Law Kar, “If Eng had worked in the film industry today, she could have easily been seen as a champion of transnational filmmaking, feminist filmmaking, or antiwar filmmaking.” I’m disappointed I had never heard about Esther before, but I’m happy to be able to share her legacy with you now. I’ll just leave you with one, iconic quote from Esther: When asked about why she ventured into an industry she knew almost nothing about, she answered: "It just came to me, I don’t know why. I just went ahead and I wasn’t afraid of anything.”
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
04/30/21
THIS WEEK: BIG PODCAST NEWS, A HISTORICAL FIRST, PLUS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR THE SCI-FI-BOOK-DEVOURING TEEN IN YOU.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Billie Eilish - Your Power
☞ Letterboxd THE FATHER
☞ TikTok Don’t Be Surprised…
☞ Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞ Netflix SHADOW AND BONE
☞ Twitter Aaron Rogers
PS WEEKLY ツ
LIFE & CULTURE
Remember last week, when I told you about Apple’s big plans to launch paid subscription podcasts? Well, this week, Spotify pulled the ultimate tech-company move and said: “We’ll copy that, thanks.” Creators using Spotify can now make episodes “subscriber-only” and release them on the platform. This will be completely free to creators for the next two years, and then in spring 2023, Spotify will start taking a 5% cut—which is much lower than the 30% of podcast subscription fees Apple will be collecting in subscribers’ first years. I guess there’s a strategic benefit to going second...
How much would you pay for a meme? Nothing? Hm, okay. What if it’s a really famous OG meme? Well, an NFT of the now-classic photo of a toddler looking knowingly at a camera as a house is engulfed in flames just sold for $430,000. The subject of the meme, Zoe Roth, is now a senior in college, and it’s safe to say she won’t be struggling under the load of student loan debt, after she graduates. After someone floated the idea of creating an NFT to her, she did a little research and spoke with a few other OG meme subjects (who you might know as Overly Attached Girlfriend and Bad Luck Brian) and ultimately decided to hold a 24-hour auction. Along with a whole lot of cash, Zoe says that auctioning the NFT gave her back “some sort of control, some sort of agency in the whole process.” Which is a pretty cool outcome, when you think about the fact that we’ve all just been freely using her face to make our jokes for two decades now, without her consent.
If you didn’t watch the Oscars last Sunday, you’re not alone. At all. The telecast, which saw 10.4 million viewers, fell 55% from last year’s viewership–which was already a record-low. And somehow, this new low was still ABC’s “strongest primetime telecast of the year.”
This week, my TikToks recs are actually centered around static photos. Check out this video, which takes us through a handful of the most gripping photographs taken in history. And then, if anyone can explain how google maps managed to catch this super-bunny flexing for the camera, please let me know.
Also, I take my job as your resident Gen Z whisperer very seriously—and that includes sharing the latest in jargon with you. Behold, “cheugy.” The next time you want to describe a chevron-print “Live, Laugh, Love” pillow or anything you’d find on the bottom shelf at Homegoods that you might have previously called "basic," well, take this bit of slang for a test drive. And if you’d like a little more insight on the etymology of Gen Z’s newest contribution to the English language, Taylor Lorenz documented it on Thursday for the New York Times, here.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
TV
Calling all fantasy lovers! Did anyone else have a phase where you couldn’t get your hands on enough young-adult fantasy/dystopian/science-fiction book series? Well, the best-selling Girsha trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, both written by Leigh Bardugo, is now a series: SHADOW AND BONE on Netflix! This 8-episode series combines the storylines of both best-selling book series. In this magical world, we follow a young woman, Alina, as she discovers her power to summon light and hopefully save her war-torn country. Meanwhile, we also follow a group of mismatched but uniquely skilled young thieves as they attempt to pull off an impossible heist. These storylines ultimately intertwine and, my oh my, I am loving it. 16-year-old me who picked up SHADOW AND BONE on a whim would be screaming! This series is a load of fun—and honestly, who couldn’t use a little more magic, angst, and romance in their lives right about now?
—Erin Harris, Development Assistant
THEATER
One of my favorite original musicals of the past few years is a small chamber piece called MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET. Following the romance of a cabaret singer and his songwriting partner (both men) in the 1960s, the play watches the two write a new hit cabaret act while hiding their illicit affair—tricky when all of the songs are about each other. The show’s writer and composer, Mark Sonnenblick, has crafted songs that feel straight out of the Great American Songbook. But don’t let that fool you. Sonnenblick is one of the most versatile and exciting young composers working today. I almost forgot: The reason I’m writing all this is because the Signature Theatre in Virginia is putting on a streaming version of the show over the next two months. Buy your tickets here!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
BOOK
I am eagerly awaiting next week’s release of SECOND PLACE, the latest novel by Rachel Cusk. Cusk is best known for her OUTLINE trilogy, a series of autofictional novels in which an observant and biting narrator travels through European cities and comments on the people she encounters. I realize that pitch makes the books sound kind of boring but I promise they’re excellent. Anyway, I’m excited for Cusk’s latest novel because, unlike the OUTLINE trilogy, it stays put. The book is said to follow a family whose lives are upended by the arrival of a guest artist and his girlfriend, who have come to stay in their guest cabin (the titular Second Place). I’ve avoided reading any spoilers beyond that simple logline but hopefully it’s enough to whet your appetite!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
SHORT FILM
If you haven’t already, you should check out the live-action short Oscar winner TWO DISTANT STRANGERS, streaming on Netflix. Written and co-directed by Travon Free, the short manipulates tropes of both the time-loop genre and the racism-being-solved-by-friendship genre in a story of a young Black man (Joey Bada$$), who is trapped in a loop in which he is killed by police every day. Go watch. Also, fun fact: As an EP on the movie, Kevin Durant now has an Academy Award in addition to his MVP and Larry O’Brien trophies.
I also need to recommend a documentary short that didn’t win on Sunday: DO NOT SPLIT. Available to stream on Vimeo here, the short captures protests in Hong Kong in fall 2019 with footage directly from the streets amidst clashes between police and protesters. Interviews set against the backdrop of tear gas and Molotov cocktails convey the protestors’ ideals and political goals. You can find it where all of the nominees are streaming here.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
MUSIC
I’m super biased when it comes to all things Doja Cat but it’s undeniable that the “Moo” star has come a long way since her viral hit. Her latest single, “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, showcases both performers’ talent, front and center. Sonically, the song is a lot like her hit “Say So”, very disco and light, but the video is what really sets it apart.
“Kiss Me More” is a literal out-of-this world production, taking place in a video game where Doja and SZA are giants on an all-women planet and Alex Landi plays the part of an Earthling astronaut discovering their world. Everything is pretty, soft, pink, and stereotypically female, but there’s a twist in the imagery—it’s actually a nod to Homer’s Odyssey and the two women are really sirens. The video ends with SZA and Doja Cat on their couch making fun of Landi’s character, saying “What’s the name of the planet? E-A-R-T-H?”
I, like so many other fans, am feeling well fed after this song and video, but I also can’t wait for this summer when Doja Cat’s much anticipated album, “Planet Her” finally drops.
— Eden Bekele, Digital Associate
HISTORICAL HIGHS & LOWS
This week we witnessed a moment that deserves a step back. On Wednesday night, at the State of the Union address, we watched as the Vice President and the Speaker of the House—both women—met behind the dais on the house floor to hear Biden's speech to congress.
This was the first time in our almost 255-year history that the image wasn't a familiar one. It was the first time in our history that there were more women than men on that dais.
When I marched in Washington in January of 2016, I saw a woman holding a sign that said "How are we still having to protest this shit?" She was easily in her 60s. The repetitive nature of any resistance movement is meant to exhaust the revolutionary. Turning over thousands of years of patriarchy isn't going to happen overnight or over a generation. So, I don't look at that podium this week with rose-colored glasses. I still ask myself: How could it have possibly taken us this long to get here? And, how many years might pass before it happens again?
But first, we celebrate and cherish the win. And then, in the words of Beyoncé, we get in formation.
Because if you ask me when there will be enough women on the podium? Well, to paraphrase the Notorious RBG: When it's all women.
—Shayne Fiske Goldner, EVP Physical Production
On Monday, India broke the world record for daily coronavirus infections for the fifth day in a row, reporting almost 353,000 new cases. It’s the worst surge in the world and comes after India successfully kept the virus at bay in the first year of the pandemic. What makes things even more bleak is that while India is one of the world’s top producers of the vaccine, less than ten percent of its population are vaccinated. If you can contribute financially, Give India and Alapio are great places to start, to donate oxygen, food, and medical care to impacted families.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
04/23/21
THIS WEEK: OSCARS, DOCUSERIES, AND CUSTOMERS AT THE WAWA
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube Earth Day 2021 Doodle
☞ Letterboxd NOBODY
☞ TikTok #EarthDay
☞ Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞ Netflix THE CIRCLE
☞ Twitter #EarthDay
PS WEEKLY ツ
LIFE & CULTURE
It seems like Apple finally got tired of being outspent and seeing their market share in podcasting get gobbled up by competitors. Enter: a new way for podcasters to make bank. The company is calling it Apple Podcast Subscriptions, “a global marketplace for listeners to discover premium subscriptions offered by their favorite creators alongside millions of free shows on Apple Podcasts.” Starting in May, podcast creators will be able to set pricing for podcast subscriptions, with monthly or annual billing options, along with the tools to offer free trials and sample episodes. Apple is reportedly keeping 30% of podcast subscription fees in subscribers’ first year, and then 15% in years after that.
In other Apple versus Spotify news, Apple released information about its royalties breakdown for the first time, in a letter to artists. The biggest takeaway? It paid artists an average of one cent per stream for individual paid plans last year. This is apparently about double what Spotify pays artists, which is one-third to one-half penny per stream. All I know is that all still pales in comparison to the $0.50 to $0.55 artists used to get from every CD sale.
Choreographer JaQuel Knight is making the phrase “dance credit” a thing. He just launched a company with ambitions of copyrighting dance moves. You’ve probably seen his work, from Beyonce’s instantly recognizable “Single Ladies” dance, to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” video. According to Variety, the company “will operate in the same way a music publisher does where it will broker licensing deals and protect IP, except rather than copyright music Knight Choreography & Music Publishing will oversee the rights to Knight’s dance moves.” Pretty cool, if the USPTO is down.
Currently, the sound “I am hopeful, yes I am, hopeful for today” is stuck in my head on a never ending loop thanks to TikTok’s latest trend. The videos poke fun at the “where are they now?” character updates that we often see in movies based on a true story, with the song “Hope” by Twista (the song played over exactly such a scene at the end of COACH CARTER) playing in the background. And, unsurprisingly, TikTok creators have absolutely hilarious takes on the song. Creator DL Lee truly kicked off the trend, with this video, which is worth watching for the grandma character alone. And this rendition legitimately made my jaw drop. I will leave you with this group of puppies taking on the trend, and urge you to browse through the TikTok sound if you’re looking to waste 20-40 minutes of your day laughing.
Besides this trend, and specifically the hot dog video, my favorite ‘Toks of the week were this seamless loop that feels like a whole short film, and this compilation of strangers teaching strangers their favorite dance moves. What a week in content, guys.
—Darlene Kenney, Digital Strategist
In the world of soccer (or football, if you came of age in Europe post-1970), a weirdly cinematic tale of greed, super-secret plans, and rich corporations trying to squash the little guy but being smacked down by the people unfolded over the course of 48 hours this week. I'm of course talking about the Super League. You can read the whole sordid tale here, and I'll look forward to watching the inevitable mini doc in a few months.
Also, on the great "do you need a mask outside debate" the New York Times comes through with a useful 2/3 rule.
—Neha Gandhi, EVP Digital & Strategy
FILM
IT’S OSCAR WEEKEND BAYBEEEE! TBH I’m a little bummed that we won’t get to see everyone’s Zoom backgrounds like we have for the previous awards shows, but I’m looking forward to seeing the nominees gathered together. And don’t forget to tune into the preshow so that you can hear HUSAVIK performed in all its glory…
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
Editor's Note: In case you, like me, don’t have cable and won’t be watching live, all is not lost. We’ll be tweeting, IG storying, and TikToking the highlights of the show in real time, on @picturestart. Follow along if you’re into that sort of thing.
TV
I spent the night of 420 binging the new docuseries on Hulu, SASQUATCH, which premiered this past Tuesday. Hailing from director Joshua Rofe (LORENA), this thrilling, mysterious and sensationalistic three-parter follows investigative journalist David Holthouse as he tries to uncover the truth behind a triple homicide that may or may not have happened in 1993 — and may or may not involve the mythical creature Sasquatch, a.k.a. Bigfoot, on a marijuanna farm in Northern California’s Emerald Triangle. What starts off as a potential hunt for this mythical creature quickly turns into an investigation into some more mundane and darker violence surrounding one of the most impenetrable parts of the country—a lucrative hub for marijuanna cultivation and distribution, and a place full of violence, lawlessness and racism. What especially gripped me was the way the creators dive in with an open mind, not knowing if they will ever uncover an answer. Does Sasquatch really exist, and what really happened on these marijuanna farms? (Some) answers lay ahead...
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
This weekend, I’m looking forward to starting HBO’s new limited series, MARE OF EASTTOWN. The first episode premiered last Sunday, and while many are (rightfully) fixating on Kate Winslet’s stirring performance as a small-town Pennsylvania detective investigating a murder, Twitter is in a frenzy over the inspiration for the costumes on the show. Executive producer and series director Craig Zobel told Philly Voice, "Our costume designer [Meghan Kasperlik] would constantly be texting me pictures from the Wawa convenience store, just of people in the line.” The show’s stellar reviews have placed a particular emphasis on its moody atmosphere and distinct setting, so let this be a lesson in authenticity and world-building to all of us: Anything short of an ethnographic field study in the Wawa check-out line simply will not cut it.
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant
THEATER
This week’s latest offering from National Theatre At Home truly feels like it was made in a petri dish for me: a new production of Romeo & Juliet starring Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley. I’ve already set aside my Friday night to watch this filmed production—which manages to clock in at under 90 minutes, by the way (a true feat, since the play is usually 3 hours long.) The stills I’ve seen boast a rave-like masquerade ball, Jessie Buckley singing, and a sneaker-clad Romeo. A true dream!!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
BOOK
Since I’ve already written about every book Patrick Radden Keefe has published, I can’t NOT mention his latest, EMPIRE OF PAIN: THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE SACKLER DYNASTY. Lots of ink has already been spilled discussing the greed and misdeeds of the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma. What makes Keefe’s book different from the others that have come before it is his access to the court documents that have become public in the last couple of years, revealing just how unwilling the family is to take any meaningful responsibility for the opioid crisis. As the New York Times said in its review, “this book will make your blood boil.”
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
PODCAST
This morning, a friend recommended Apple’s new podcast, The Line (also available on Spotify)...and as of this evening, I have already finished the four episodes currently out. This podcast tells the story of former Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who was charged with war crimes in 2018 after being accused by his fellow SEALs. From never-before-heard interviews with Gallagher to the trial itself, this series prompts a fascinating conversation about the psychology of heroism as well as how our society understands morality.
—Lucy Putnam, Creative Executive
04/16/21
THIS WEEK: AN ODE TO THE ARCLIGHT, PLUS ROBOT PIZZA DELIVERY AND MIND-CONTROL MONKEYS.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube F9 - Official Trailer 2
☞ Letterboxd SHIVA BABY
☞ TikTok #2018vs2021
☞ Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞ Netflix THUNDER FORCE
☞ Twitter Ticketmaster
PS WEEKLY ツ
LIFE & CULTURE
This week, once again, we're reeling from senseless violence all over the country. Daunte Wright, a 20-year old father was shot by a police officer during a routine traffic stop last Sunday. On Thursday, graphic and heartbreaking bodycam footage was released of 13-year-old Adam Toledo being killed by a Chicago police officer after the seventh grader put his (empty) hands in the air. And later that same day, a former FedEx employee stormed a company facility in Indianapolis and killed eight people, injuring seven others. It's hard to process the collective grief we're all feeling right now, but I'm pushing myself to take action in the face of feeling helpless—and angry. If you're looking to do the same, consider donating to the ACLU Illinois, which is fighting for police accountability, or to Daunte's family, or to Chicago Freedom Schoolto support protestors on the ground. Or, join the fight for gun safety being led by Everytown. Or do your own research and put your money and time to work in the best way you can. But do something.
—Neha Gandhi, EVP Digital & Strategy
Domino’s has always been at the forefront of technology, as far as pizza chains go. I remember being absolutely enthralled by its pizza tracker in the seventh grade—to the point where my Friday nights would fully revolve around it. Okay, so I wasn’t the coolest middle schooler. But, the whole experience felt very high tech for 2008. That’s why I wasn’t too surprised when the news dropped that the company is testing out a pizza delivery robot vehicle. Really think about that though. Pizza! Delivered by robot! The future is upon us, people. The currently Houston, TX-only experience includes updated texts of the robots’ whereabouts and a specific code that customers use to get their order from the robot. According to the company, this robot is the “first completely autonomous, human-free on-road delivery vehicle to receive regulatory approval from the US Department of Transportation last year.”
In other tech news, Coinbase is now the first major cryptocurrency company to list its shares on the public market. It closed its first day of trading with a fully diluted market cap of $85.8B. For a little context, that’s about the same as what Airbnb was worth on the day of its IPO—and what Tesla was worth last January. This all means that cryptocurrency is making its way even more concretely into the mainstream.
Also, related but different: Neuralink shared a video in which a monkey plays a game of pong, solely with his mind. He does so with the help of a chip called a “link” that was previously implanted in his brain. Woah. If you want to know more, this TikTok does a great job of explaining just how wild this technology is.
And on the subject of Toks, one of the best ones I saw this past week was this uplighting video where a highway full of cars helps make way for an ambulance, and another was this explanation of the loud car noises you inevitably hear in any given parking garage (surprise! It’s not a car).
—Darlene Kenney, Marketing Assistant
FILM
News of the ArcLight permanently closing its doors broke film lovers’ hearts this week. It’s tough for those living outside of LA to understand why this loss is hitting film nerds so hard, especially since there are multiple ArcLight locations across the country. But if you’ve ever had an opportunity to watch a movie at the Cinerama Dome, then you know exactly why this loss hurts. Forget that the instantly recognizable landmark is the only concrete geodesic dome in the world, or that it was one of only three theaters on the planet that showed movies in 3-projector format, or even that it’s in Hollywood, the very heart of the industry. The reason I will personally mourn the loss of the ArcLight Hollywood is because there is no other place in the whole wide world where you can end up in an unannounced Q&A with Robert Zemeckis, have an hour-long conversation about DPs with an usher clocking out for the night, draw for hours sitting cross-legged in front of real wardrobe and props from a movie you grew up watching and can recite word-for-word, watch a movie sitting next to Paul Thomas Anderson, or attend a midnight screening surrounded by three hundred people who are vibrating from excitement, just like you.
The Dome will probably (hopefully) be rescued before anyone even thinks about tearing it down, and there will be other movie theaters that care about giving moviegoers the best experience possible, but today we mourn this loss. ArcLight Cinerama Dome, you were church for film nerds like me; a sanctuary for transplants chasing dreams. Goodbye, old friend. And to the rest of you—I’ll see you at the Tarantino-led Empire Records-style protest to Save the Dome!
—Sonia Pineda, Associate Manager, Physical Production
TV
I feel compelled to highlight THEM, Amazon’s latest offering from Little Marvin and multi-hyphenate producer Lena Waithe. This inventive mesh of historical fare and heightened genre boasts excellent acting and top-notch production value while rightfully stirring controversy over its use of violence. I’m thankful for the thoughtful debate that has been brewing since the show’s release.. It’s certainly giving Hollywood a lot to think about when it comes to dramatizing POC suffering—and while I’m still forming my own opinion as I watch past the pilot episode, I’d encourage everyone to read up on how viewers are reacting to this one.
—Kauveh Khozein Carrera, Creative Executive
THEATER
The latest installment of the Old Vic’s In Camera series is a presentation of their original musical adaptation of THE LORAX. Featuring gorgeous puppetry and catchy new songs, this is theater for young audiences as its finest—and a great way to keep any children in your life occupied for a couple of hours. The story of the Lorax’s battle to save the Truffula trees will be free for students around the world to stream on Earth Day (April 22), and tickets are also available for streamed performances through the weekend.
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
BOOK
This week, I want to highlight Morgan Jerkins’ remarkable new book CAUL BABY. The story centers on the mysterious Melancon family of Harlem, all of whom are born with an extra layer of skin (caul) that has healing properties. The Melancon women sell pieces of their skin to women who struggle with pregnancy (mostly wealthy white women), but it comes at a price. The youngest, adopted member of the Melancon family longs to break free from their restrictive and abusive lifestyle, and help other Black women rather than their white clientele. The novel is a beautiful, heartbreaking exploration of the commodification and exploitation of Black bodies, and Jerkins weaves the elements of magical realism into an incredibly grounded and emotional narrative. I highly recommend checking it out!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
PODCAST
Audiochuck’s new podcast OC SWINGERS tells the story of Dr. Grant Robicheaux, an orthopedic surgeon and reality star dubbed Orange County's Most Eligible Bachelor. More specifically, this series investigates events leading up to Robicheaux and his girlfriend's 2018 arrest for unlawful possession of guns, illegal substances, and a number of incriminating photos and videos, in addition to rape allegaions. This one’s a bingeable peek behind the curtain of OC’s shiny veneer.
—Lucy Putnam, Creative Executive
SHORT FILM
In anticipation of the Oscars, The New York Times published a decade-by-decade history of the short film and its place in the awards ceremony. The piece is fun and informative and includes links to a variety of shorts dating back to the ‘30s. I recommend scrolling through the full history, but if you want to jump straight to the action, check out BEN & ME and THE ABSENT-MINDED WAITER. Paving the way for RATATOUILLE, Disney’s animated BEN & ME from 1953 suggests that Ben Franklin’s accomplishments are actually attributable to a friendly mouse named Amos. The slightly lower concept 1977 short THE ABSENT-MINDED WAITER stars Steve Martin as, yes, an absent-minded waiter. Neither film took home the statue, but both are worth your time.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
A profile of the multi-media artist/fashion designer/makeup artist/musician/internet beauty icon MLMA just came out on HighSnobiety, and I want to take this opportunity to celebrate one of my personal favorite multi-hyphenates. MLMA stands for Me Love Me A Lot, and the namesake already says a lot about the South Korea-born artist. She charms fans with her unique style, her “I do what I want” energy, and her multimedia work. She first wowed the internet with her creative short-form images and videos, and her “wavy brow style” that eventually went viral and started a whole trend back in 2017. Currently, she’s the creative director/designer of SKOOT apparel, and fans of her designs include Billie Eilish and Rico Nasty. She also sells her own makeup products, releases music, and does collabs in the most MLMA style possible (like this KFC x Crocs collab). Unafraid to push boundaries and experiment with all forms of media, she’s a constant inspiration. Go check out the profile and delve into her work. You’ll see what I mean.
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
04/09/21
This week: A meditation on Yahoo Answers and a heavy dose of nostalgic viewing/listening.
TRENDS THIS WEEK
☞ Youtube World’s Largest Explosion!
☞ Letterboxd GODZILLA VS KONG
☞ TikTok #springvibes
☞ Spotify Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
☞ Netflix WHAT LIES BELOW
☞ Twitter #DescribeYourDayWithABookTitle
Life & Culture
The iconic website Yahoo! Answers is taking its curtain call after 16 years of informing, inspiring, entertaining, and sometimes confusing us. It was the platform that dared to ask the question: What if we let strangers on the internet answer other strangers’ darkest, most personal questions? The resulting site gave us deeply relatable reading. Kind souls like Brandon. Questions that people came across a decade ago and still remember. And of course, some profoundly philosophical responses. Have I used the site in the past decade? No. But, am I still mourning this loss? Yes. Yes, I am. And to make matters worse, the site is completely shutting down next month. People are comparing this to the burning of the Great Library of Alexandria. Wayback Machine, you’re our only hope, now. If you want to take a look back at some of the best Yahoo! Answers has to offer, The Verge compiled a great selection.
Following in the footsteps of TikTok and Snapchat, Pinterest just launched a Creator Fund. The image sharing platform set aside $500,000 to pay influencers who create content, starting with just eight users who come from underrepresented backgrounds. It also revealed plans to expand the program to include 10 more creators in the coming months. Smart move. And it makes more and more sense, when I read news like this, that nearly 30 percent of kids today want to be a YouTube creator above all else. In more social media news, TikTok is testing a ‘Playlists’ feature, which will allow users to group videos into collections based on themes. And finally, Bloomberg revealed that Twitter was recently in discussions to buy buzzy audio app Clubhouse for around $4 billion. That, by the way, is 133x what the company reportedly paid for Vine, nine years ago.
And of course, I couldn’t leave you without my two favorite TikToks of the week. Thisskit about getting vaccinatedgenuinely made my week better, and this video of a dadaccompanying his daughter on a datealmost puts the movie theater date scene in Cheaper By The Dozen 2 to shame (I hope you know which scene I’m talking about here…).—Darlene Kenney, Marketing Assistant
Film
I don’t know about y’all, but I feel like we’re really starting to feel the COVID lag in TV programming. That’s why I recently decided to treat myself to the thousandth viewing of HEARTBREAKERS, an iconic film for the gays which somehow never achieved the mainstream success it undisputedly deserves. Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, and Gene Hackman all flex strong comedic muscles with pitch-perfect chutzpah in a 2001 gem that feels surprisingly timely with its “scam the rich” narrative. And, with a bittersweet cherry on top, the David Mirkin-directed film is also Anne Bancroft’s final live-action feature credit. I couldn’t decide on a favorite quote to share with you here, so instead, why don’t you just watch it and tell me yours!
—Kauveh Khozein Carrera, Creative Executive
Theater
The Williamstown Theater Festival is (kinda) up and running this summer! It will be presenting three shows entirely outdoors, starting with “Outside on Main: Solo Plays by Black Playwrights,” a series curated by SLAVE PLAY director Robert O’Hara. The season also features the world premiere of ROW, a musical about a woman who attempted to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean; and an immersive walking-or-driving production called ALIEN/NATION. If you find yourself in Massachusetts this July or August, check it out!
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
Book
I’m incredibly excited to dig into Rachel Kushner’s new book of essays, THE HARD CROWD. While Kushner is best known for her fiction (THE FLAMETHROWERS and THE MARS ROOM), she is equally prolific as a prose writer. Her essays in this book discuss everything from her love of motorcycles and antique muscle cars to prison reform and Palestinian refugees, often coming back to Kushner’s childhood in 1970s and ’80s San Francisco. Her writing is poetic but not self-indulgent, and her observations are incisive without passing too much judgement.
—Julia Hammer, Creative Executive
Short Film
RELIC, a suite of four short films by British artist Larry Achiampong, is now streaming on the Criterion Channel. The shorts contemplate colonialism and the African diaspora with a slight sci-fi bent. The series, which follows a “traveller”—a young Black boy outfitted in a spacesuit—as he traverses empty landscapes, is fairly light on plot but big on cinematics. The young protagonist’s exploration is backed by a lyrical letter read by an anonymous narrator and a mesmerizing, pulsating electronic score. These elements coalesce to create a moving piece of visual poetry. And, if you don’t have Criterion, I still recommend browsing Achiampong’s works on his website.
—Nolan Russell, Executive Assistant
Music
Swifties, rejoice. The first of Taylor Swift’s six re-recorded albums, FEARLESS (TAYLOR’S VERSION), is finally out. After Taylor's former record label Big Machine Records sold the master recordings of her first six albums to Scooter Braun in June 2019, Taylor vowed to re-record them as soon as she was contractually eligible in November 2020. And that she did! This move not only allows Taylor to retain complete ownership of her diaristic life’s work, but to exercise full control of licensing her iconic hits in commercials, movies, TV shows, etc (she’s already brilliantly flexed this point in the rollout of her re-recordings, with the use of LOVE STORY (TAYLOR’S VERSION) in this Ryan-Reynolds-directed Match.com commercial, and most recently with a snippet of WILDEST DREAMS (TAYLOR’S VERSION) in the trailer for Dreamworks’s SPIRIT UNTAMED).
This reissue of Taylor’s first GRAMMY-winning record includes new renditions of beloved country pop hits like YOU BELONG WITH ME and LOVE STORY, as well as six brand new songs “from the vault” — songs she recorded but ultimately scrapped when first putting FEARLESS out in 2008. The vault tracks include collaborations with Maren Morris and Keith Urban that have been produced by Taylor’s most recent collaborators on FOLKLORE and EVERMORE, Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. It’s a thrilling, creative approach to reinterpreting the past, so check it out this weekend if you’re feeling particularly nostalgic for angsty teen love songs. Personally speaking, I am equal parts terrified and stoked to see what songs Taylor has lying around in the vault for RED…Jake Gyllenhaal, you’ve been warned.
—Neal Mulani, Development Assistant