Dircksey Ed. 1 Vol 5 (BRIGHT) by ECU Student Guild

Issue 1 Volume 5 | BRIGHT

Ed. 1 Vol. 5 | Inside Cover

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the star dies, its eye closes; tired of watching, It flies back to its first bright dream.â&#x20AC;? - Dejan Stojanovic Dircksey Magazine

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Dircksey Team | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Dircksey Team Editor-in-Chief: Elisha Hammond editors@ecuguild.org.au

Lifestyle Editor: Adam Di Tuillo dirckseylifestyle@gmail.com

Arts and Culture Editor: Honey Wilkinson dirckseyartsculture@gmail.com

News Editor: Tiarne Lambert dirckseynews@gmail.com

Flim and Literature Editor: Jessica Checkland dirckseyfilmlit@gmail.com

Marketing & Promotions: Lauren Reed l.reed@ecuguild.org.au

Logo: Sella Winadi The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Dircksey Editor(s), sub-editors/section-editors, Edith Cowan University or the Edith Cowan University Student Guild. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Dircksey articles and other information are up-to-date not and as accurate as possible, Editor(s), as of the time of publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cowan but no responsibilityUniversity can or taken will be taken by the aboveother mentioned entities if an issue accurate of Dircksey has anypublicationâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; errors or omissions contained herein. taken issue omissions

Online print just got better.

pictondiy.com.au

Elisha Hammond @elisha_hammond Jesse Newell @newellcreative Maxine Singh @maxinesingh Neel Goodwin @Kloudkat Teresa Delgado @misutachikin World Star @aboynamedworld Zoe Wolski @zoewolski

COVER ART

CONTRIBUTORS

Adam Di Tuillo Amber Wilkinson Andrew Douglas Christopher Spencer Elisha Hammond Francine Cain Grace Flynn Hamish Paterson Honey Wilkinson Ian Donlan Jessica Checkland Jess Nieuwenhuis Jesse Newell Krishna Aksa Pot Plant House Party Rhys Gardiner Sakidasumi Stephanie Murphy Susanne Hartford Tiarne Lambert Tom Vincent Your Girl Pho

ARTISTS

Ed. 1 Vol. 5 | Contributors

Issue 1 Volume 5 | BRIGHT

Elisha Hammond @elisha_hammond Jesse Chester-Brown @jchesterbrown Jesse Newell @newellcreative World Star @aboynamed world

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Want to write with us or create art? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always looking for new people to join the team. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested email editors@ecuguild.org.au for more information. Or head to our Facebook page for details on our next contributors meeting (all are welcome).

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C CO NT T E EN TS

Contents | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

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In the Know Tiarne Lambert The News in Brief | 8 Team Dircksey Student Calender | 10 Elisha Hammond Editor’s Note | 11

News Stephanie Murphy + Tiarne Lambert The Politcal Gig | 20

Lifestyle Jess Checkland Movin’ the Groove | 25 Adam Di Tullio How to Shop for Gifts | 26 Honey Wilkinson Perth’s Best Chips | 27

Contents | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Christopher Spencer Schindler’s List: 25 Years Later | 44 Hamish Paterson Into the Spiderverse: Finding Your Potential | 46

Creative Corner

Film and Reviews Lit What You Should | 54

Jess Checkland What Netflix Show Should You Watch Next? | 36 Christopher Spencer Why Magic Mike XXL is the Best | 38

Film | 56 Lit | 57

Music | 58 Jess Checkland Your Bright Summer Playlist | 59

Christopher Spencer Disney remakes | 39

Tiarne Lambert Party Time | 21

Jess Checkland Interview with Tom Vincent | 40

Tiarne Lambert AUSPOL Yearbook | 22

Tiarne Lambert The Big Issue | 42

Stephanie Murphy Reading Between the Lines | 24

Andrew Douglas A Brilliant Mind | 43 Dircksey Magazine

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The News in Brief | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

The News

FREEZE THE PAY GAP January 1 Iceland, in a global first, makes it illegal to pay men more than women.

WHITE RHINO DEATH March 19 Sudan, the last male northern white rhino died, meaning the last two remaining members of the species are both females.

A HISTORIC MOMENT April 27 WHEN HARRY MET MEGHAN May 19 Royal Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, an American actress. The newly-weds were given the title Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, became the first NK leader to cross the into South Korea since 1953, to meet with SK President, Moon Jae-in.

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES March 24 After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland Florida, American students held a demonstration in DC for stricter gun laws. This inspired around 800 sister demonstrations around the nation.

TWO WORLDS COLLIDE June 12 Donald Trump met with Kim Jong Un in Singapore to sign a peace summit in the first ever meeting between the two nations.

CAVE RESCUE July 10

SPACE AGE July 25 Researchers discover a body of liquid water beneath an ice lake on Mars.

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After nearly 18 days trapped in a flooded cave, the twelve Thai soccer players and their coach were rescued by expert divers in a complex mission.

DRIVING RIGHTS June 24 For the first time in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, women were given the right to drive in Saudi Arabia.

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BRIDGE COLLAPSE August 14 Part of the Ponte Morandi bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapses, killing 39 people who were driving across.

NEW YEAR, NEW PM August 24 Scott Morrison was named Australia’s 30th Prime Minister after succeeding Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the Liberal Party. This means an Australian PM hasn’t served a full term in over a decade.

GOOD SPORTS August 31 SOUR PATCH September 14 Sewing needles were found in punnets of strawberries at Woolworths, resulting in over 180 copycat needle contaminations across Australia and the arrest of spiteful strawberry supervisor, My Ut Trinh.

INDIA WAVES THE FLAG September 6 After two decades of campaigning to remove the 160-year-old law, homosexuality was decriminalised in India.

TSUNAMI TRAGEDY September 28 Indonesia was hit by a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, killing over 2,100 people, injuring 4,600, and leaving over 600 people missing.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES November 8-25 California was devastated by wildfires that killed 88 people and caused over $10 billion in damages.

The AFL released “The Gender Diversity Policy” to better include trans and non-binary people in the game.

SAUDI JOURNALIST October 2 Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose articles criticized the Saudi Arabian government, was allegedly murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The Saudi government finally confirms his death on October 20, claiming he was strangled during a fistfight.

In Brief Dircksey Magazine

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Study Calendar | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

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Editor’s Note Hey reader! Welcome Tiarne Lambert have back to Dircksey - we’re so joined the gang for the happy you picked us up! first time and Adam Di Tullio is back to give you We hope you’ve had a LIFEstyle tips and tricks. peaceful and loooooong summer break and are So, what else is new busy getting ready for in 2019? We’re bringing the new semester (cries). back themes, baby! This We really aren’t ready to edition is centred around go back. the word ‘bright’ and all things colourful and Our contributors and vibrant. art team have been hard at work creating your To me, the word bright first issue for 2019 - and means so much more how spectacular is it?! than just having brains. We’re so in love with that There are so many intervibrant front cover art. esting things about a person that should be 2019 is shaping up to esteemed. be a year of firsts, especially for our lil team. Issue one is all about It’s my first year at the celebrating the bright Dircksey helm (eek!) but people and things in our more than anything, I’m lives - musicians, artists, excited to be on board to book and films; all the showcase our student’s things that make our incredible work. existence that little bit more brilliant. We’ve also got a new editorial team full of fresh We’ve also got some faces. Honey Wilkinson, new feature sections Jess Checkland and in 2019. Expect to see

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more news analysis, style features, arts and culture content and food reviews paired with some amazing artwork. Of course, there’s one thing that will stay the same in 2019 … This is YOUR magazine, and we want to promote your work. If there’s something you want to write, create, illustrate, or even just see in Dircksey, please send us an email! Dircksey is (and always will be) about showcasing your thoughts and talents. We’re looking forward to hearing all your bright ideas! Happy creating! Elisha Hammond Editor-In-Chief

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! Arts and Culture | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Trigger Warning Our Hypersensitive Society

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Arts and Culture | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

his generation wasn’t born sensitive; it was raised sensitive. Nowadays, anything can be offensive to anyone. Our culture has become so invested in creating a “politically correct” environment, yet for the most part, we only focus on our feelings being hurt. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and feelings, and of course, some people are medically diagnosed as HSPs (Highly Sensitive Person), but as a society, we are responsible for this sensitivity by censoring and shaming unpopular opinions. Being at university has opened my eyes to the world of hypersensitivity. Everything you say can (and will) be rebutted by someone who deems your opinion offensive. Of course, there are some people who have completely absurd opinions, but that’s all they are; just opinions. Then you have the argument “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it.” But does that mean we must filter everything we say in fear of offending a minority? There are seven billion people in the world; you’re bound to have at least one person who disagrees with you.

fer to a group of customers as ‘guys’ - no more “what can I get you guys?” or “have you guys been taken care of?”. We are also not allowed to refer to the elderly as the elderly. Old, senior, elderly … no matter what word you choose, someone will find a negative connotation. Social media platforms are burdened with people attempting to find an issue that does not exist. The rise in technology is partially to blame. We are no longer having these discussions face to face, making it harder to interpret what people actually mean through written text.

“Everything is offensive to someone, but we can’t live our lives walking on eggshells and masking our opinions in fear of offending” Ultimately, the line between facts and opinion becomes blurred. Celebrities are restricted in voicing their opinions for fear of causing offence. People actively search celebrity social media accounts to find ‘triggering’ material that was often posted years before they were famous, resulting in controversy, apology videos, and personal attacks.

or content. Videos can be reported by an individual and removed from any social media platform because of one person’s feelings about the content. This has encouraged other companies to follow suit by introducing policies to accommodate the small minority’s loud voices in the name of political correctness. We are becoming a ‘snowflake society’ where any joke is deemed offensive. Comedians feel the backlash of this in the debate about where many jokes cross the line; apparently, you should only enjoy and write jokes relating to your gender, your race, your demographic, your hair colour, and your social security number. Old films, TV shows, and songs are being resurfaced and rebutted with memes created with the caption “imagine if this was released today,” highlighting just how sensitive our society is becoming. But if we notice how sensitive we are becoming, why aren’t we doing anything to change that? Everything is offensive to someone, but we can’t live our lives walking on eggshells and masking our opinions in fear of offending. We can’t change the opinions of every individual, but we can change the way we receive and react to those opinions.

It is now problematic to use the slang term ‘guys’ to refer to females. ‘Guys’ now implies Or maybe I’m just being hypermales only, and has been lasensitive. belled in terms of sex rather than a group of people. The recent rise in Youtube’s deWords by Jess Checkland monetisation policies has jeopA friend of mine currently ardised ad revenue for creators works in hospitality and told me as their videos are being labelled her boss had made a point that “not suitable for advertisers” beno employee was allowed to re- cause of ‘explicit’ language and/ Dircksey Magazine w 13

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2019 Bright Artists If you haven’t heard the beautiful voice of R&B and Neo Soul singer-songwriter, Ashton Simmonds a.k.a Daniel Caesar I don’t know what planet you’re living on. You need to get this man on your sensual playlist ASAP. Born in 1995 in Ontario Canada, his style has been influenced from his childhood as a gospel singer. You may recognise him from his successful hit ‘Get You,’ as well as other popular songs such as ‘We Find Love’ and ‘Blessed’. I suggest going on YouTube and listening to this man perform acoustic or chucking on those headphones and popping on the 8D audio versions of his songs. Thank me later.

H.E.R

Daniel Caesar

Gabriella Wilson (better known as H.E.R, Having Everything Revealed) is a R&B singer from California who you might recognise from her single ‘Focus’ and her feature on Daniel Caesar’s ‘Best Part’. From her soft, angelic voice to her luscious hair, this 21-year-old is going places. She’s kept things pretty low key in terms of publicity, even though this girl was nominated for 5 Grammy awards. If you haven’t listened to H.E.R yet, you should check out her Tiny Desk Concert on NPR on Youtube. Her singles ‘Feel A Way’ and ‘Lights On’ are also playlist worthy.

You might know the talented British, Soul-Pop, R&B singer-songwriter Mahalia for her soothing song ‘17’ that came out back in 2016 or her recent 2018 single ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’ - it’s such a vibe, this song is super catchy. It may not be much of a compliment to Mahalia herself, but she creates the perfect music for studying too. If you haven’t heard some Mahalia yet, try her live peformance of ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’ in the Live Lounge at BBC Radio 1Xtra on Youtube.

Mahalia Words by Honey Wilkinson

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Peter Pan Goes Wrong: Interview with Francine Cain

Can you tell me about the opportunities that opened up to you after you finished your degree? I think the number one thing is that I was able to be seen by almost any and every casting agent. That’s the wonderful thing about having the label of WAAPA. It’s a foot in the door for auditions. Once you’ve got it attached to your name, people see you as being hardworking and reliable. There’s a whole work ethic that comes with being a WAAPA student. Your role in Rock of Ages and Grease led to your work on The Play That Goes Wrong. Can you tell us a little bit more about how that came about? It just so happened that I’d auditioned in front of the casting director for The Play That Goes Wrong several times, the same one who cast me in Rock of Ages. From then on, I became known for being a bit of a comedian - i’m a comedy queen more than anything else. When The Play That Goes Wrong was announced, she put my name forward, knowing that it was a huge comedy show. I got in as the understudy to Brooke Satchwell and proved my worth, so they asked me to take over the role in Peter Pan Goes Wrong, knowing that it was a bit more of a musical than a play. I think getting in front of the right people was the biggest thing for me. As you’ve built up a reputation as a comedy queen, do you see Peter Pan Goes Wrong as an opportunity to showcase some of your other talents and abilities? To me, all of that stuff goes hand in hand. As a performer, I never want someone to walk away from a show focussed on the high notes and acrobatics. I think the best thing you can do is affect people emotionally. I always want people to walk away saying that I’ve made them laugh like they’ve never laughed before. That’s why I do a lot of comedy as well as the more serious stuff. They’re both emotional extremes and Ilike being able to move people.

Would you ever consider moving into film or Television work? If the opportunity came up, I would never say no, but it’s not really a passion. I get more of a kick out of live entertainment, there’s something really special and challenging about being in the moment and feeding off the energy of your audience. You really have to problem solve when things go wrong because you’ll never have a 100% perfect performance, and I like that! How is Peter Pan Goes Wrong different to The Play That Goes Wrong? We have the same characters, it’s the same drama society, but everyone has grown. My character, Sandra, is a little more confident than last time - everyone has a little more gusto in them, and therefore the production is a little bigwger. But with these bigger changes comes even more danger, intense stunts and technicalities. We’re also telling a story that everyone is familair with this time around, so the audience knows what to expect in a way. You’re essentially playing the character of Sandra playing the character of Wendy in Peter Pan Goes Wrong. How have you interpreted this? Sandra wants to show what she’s got any moment she can. She’s very dramatic, she sings and dances all her dialogue and she wants to be a star. She does play a lot of the truth to Wendy at times, particularly in her moments with Peter Pan. Sandra is basically the heart of the show, because she’s trying to keep the story alive. It sounds like you can relate to the character os Sandra as well. (Laughs) I just know a lot of people like her! We all do and we probably all were that person at some stage in our lives. Is there one word you can use to summarise the experience that is Peter Pan Goes Wrong? Hilarity. Definitely hilarity. I think the audience is in for a very fun night! Interview by Elisha Hammond Special thanks to Francine Cain Dircksey Magazine w 15

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Dircksey UnPerthed

YOUR GIRL PHO Are you currently working on any new material? And where will you be performing next in Perth? Always! I book myself into the studio every week to write and record. A lot of the time it never sees the light of day, sometimes it will be a sneaky upload on Sound Cloud at two AM for whoever might come across it. I have three single releases in the pipeline so far. In May, I’ll be releasing a single called ‘Manipulate’ which is a rework of an old release from my last music collaboration called Phocal. We are currently filming a music video for it. Despite it being received positively during my live shows, it’s actually a pretty heavy subject matter so I wanted to do something a bit more light hearted and bright for the music video. That should be released around the same time as the track. You’ve supported acts as big as Post Malone! If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be? If I could work with Steve Lacy I think we would make insane music. I know you also only asked for one, but I have to throw in IAMDDB, she’s an incredible rapper and vocalist who has invented her own genre and I am constantly in awe of her work. What song would you recommend to first time listeners of Your Girl Pho? If we’re talking main streaming services I only have four or five songs available, I think a good start is ‘Feelen’ and then ‘Stop By’. I think they captures the energy and story telling I try to convey in my live shows. But if you’re interested in going deep into the archives, I recommend getting onto my Sound Cloud, I have songs I made when I was 14 and demos on top of demos. I think it really shows my range and my growth as an artist.

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SAKIDASUMI What is your vision for your music career? And do you have any other passions and aspirations? The vision for my music career is cluttered and messy – in a good way! I see myself performing at unconventional venues and combining media visuals, installations, performance art and sound to create certain atmospheres around the world. I want people to escape into the world of Sakidasumi and my past experiences when they see me perform, so I achieve to elevate the live performance. In the future, I will be collaborating with producers, musicians and artists of all kinds nationally and internationally to learn, form connections and develop unique concepts. Beside from being a solo act – I would absolutely love to start a bossa nova/soul jazz band for 2019. Hola if you’re interested! Ever since a very young age I’ve always been creative and interested in all forms of art. My passions and aspirations for the future is to continue to master and learn art forms including performance art, photography, film, visual art and any mediums that spark my interest. I will never stop creating. How would you describe your music to those who haven’t heard SAKIDASUMI yet, and are you working on anything new? It’s hard for me to describe my own genre of music to people, as I’m still quite new to the music scene. I consider my music to be inspired by a range of genres like experimental, ambient, electronic, alternative R’N’B, house, avant-garde and neo soul. In terms of emotions and feelings, my music would be sultry, seductive, nostalgic, sentimental and dreamy. My music represents the past more than the present and future. If my music were colours, it would be countless shades of blues, purples and magentas with hints of green. If my music was a moment in time, it would be at dusk. I am constantly working on new projects, whether it be related to music, photography, video or movement. At the moment, I’m working on an E.P that’ll be released this year (and an E.P release party). I’m also working on a couple of music videos at the moment. Everything else is hush hush! When is the best time to listen to one of your tracks? And what other artists has your style been inspired by? I’ll refer to my debut single, ‘I Miss You So, But I’m Heading Home’, produced by the talented Ryan Fennis in Canberra. Personally, I think this track can be listened to at various moments of time. The lyrics are wistful, yet the instrumental is relaxing, uplifting, and harmonious. For me, the best time to listen to this track is at golden hour in a park, with sun rays shining through trees and you’re surrounded by the people you love. My style has been inspired by artists such as FKA Twigs, Kelsey Lu and Yves Tumor. There are more but these three artists are my main inspirations right now. They’re all diverse in what they do, and they all put so much effort in to their art forms. FKA Twigs inspires me to be dedicated to my work and never stop training. Yves Tumor inspires me to elevate my live performances. Kelsey Lu inspires me to delve deeper into concepts for my projects.

POT PLANT HOUSE PARTY Who came up with the name Pot Plant House Party? The name came from a drunken night at a party. We’d just formed the band and decided that we needed to come up with a band name, and it had to be done that night. It didn’t take long for Seb to throw together ‘Pot Plant House’, and Charlie said “what about Pot Plant House Party?” We didn’t think it’d stick for more the 24 hours, but it did! What kind of crowd do you usually attract at gigs? And where will you be performing next in Perth? The crowd varies from show to show, as does any. But most of the crowd that we’ve encountered so far are pretty genuine music lovers who seem to have a super fun night out of our music, which is flattering. Our next show will be supporting Dead Sea at Lucy’s Love Shack and we’ve got some launches for our new music after that. What are your aspirations for the future as a band, and what other bands have influenced your music? We always aim to play as many shows as we can as well as writing, recording and releasing constantly. That’s been our main aspiration from the get go and whatever comes from that is always exciting and exhilarating and encourages us to keep going. Our influences come a lot from the local Perth scene, we’ve always been big fans of The Love Junkies, Pat Chow, Foam, and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Words and interview by Honey Wilkinson

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A Brighter Future

Arts and Culture | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

ot all of us drive to ECU, but if you do, have you considered why? You might do it because it’s faster, because it’s more convenient, because there’s no other way for you to get there. Maybe all of the above? Whatever reason you have, it points to a big problem with no quick or easy fix - a problem that rears its ugly head most when we enter the carpark to find no spaces free on a Monday morning. We were almost destined to be a city for the car. From the air, Perth - like its slightly younger siblings, Melbourne and Adelaide - is a typical city. Designed with ink, paper and ruler from day dot, its core taking the form of a resolute grid. The streets are not the winding mish-mash found in cities that grew over centuries, like Boston, Tokyo, London and Paris. Here, there are wide and straight avenues at right angles to each other, built for stagecoaches. We only need to look out of our windows to see what effect these city planning decisions have had nearly two hundred years later. Combined with the favouring of road transport by successive state governments, it has resulted in a city that is inconvenient at best, and hazardous at worst for those who don’t drive. Not only that, but motorists themselves are so numerous that heavy traffic is a regular problem in areas around Stirling Highway, Beaufort Street, the Mitchell Freeway and Guildford Road. Nobody wins. The solution to this problem obviously starts with making public transport a viable alternative. However, the current state of Perth’s public transport system (current developments notwithstanding), isn’t really in a good position for that to happen. Melbourne kept their trams, and we didn’t. Even though the Liberal State government made moves to bring them back, under their “Metro Area Express” plan in 2010, it was shelved. In their place, we have trains that are reliable and timely, but with underwhelming reach for many citizens. This isn’t helped by bus routes with conspicuous gaps in service times, and poor access, especially in the outer suburbs. The result is a circular, self-reinforcing problem, with Ellenbrook perhaps being the prime example: Traffic congestion is rife, and we hate it, but the public transport system as a whole isn’t accessible or efficient enough to justify hopping on the train or bus. So, into our cars we get, and the congestion continues.

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It’s not all doom and gloom, of course. There are plenty of examples of things being improved for non-car owners around the metro area. Things like the Principal Shared Path that connects Midland to the city, and the Perth Busport at Yagan Square. And for those of us that need to use our own vehicle, especially from Ellenbrook, Northlink WA is almost complete and due to be open fully by the middle of the year. Construction projects like the Forrestfield-Airport link, and WA Labor’s Metronet program are also aiming to alleviate some of these issues. However, as with most infrastructure projects, the wait for results is a long one. This is especially true in the case of Metronet - all the projects currently underway or in the planning stages are just the start of what the government’s vision is. When we say that public transport is a long-term investment, we mean long term. It’s easy to think that we, the public, don’t have much power in speeding the process along. The point is that current developments are not the end of the story. As Perth continues to grow, we’ll need to continue pressuring government for a system that benefits our city. I believe there’s potential in taking a “use it or lose it” approach. After all I’ve said above, I understand that some of you may not be too keen on abandoning your car for the morning commute just yet, but there’s value in showing where demand is to the people who can make changes happen. So take the train, even if it’s just for a weekend day out. Show your support for the new railways being built. If you can, ride a bike in between connections. Talk to your local council and the Public Transport Authority about ways that bus services can be improved in your area. WA showed that demand was there by voting in the current, public-transport-favouring state government. Now it’s up to us to demonstrate that we want this long-term investment. By making your voice heard, you will encourage a more well-connected Perth. Not only for yourself, but for the students and citizens of the future. Words by Rhys Gardiner

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News | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

The Politics Gig

INFO ON WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WHO IN THE POLITICAL ZOO, VOTING ABOVE AND BELOW THE LINE AND THE DEAL WITH OUR TWO BIGGEST POLITCAL PARTIES

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y T t im r a e

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f you’re anything like me, there’s been a time in your life where you’ve uttered the phrase “Australian politics is boring.” You’ve probably encountered some angry people with angry opinions when they find out you vote for that party, or that you lean too left or too right; whatever that means. Or maybe you’re just trying to muster up some schadenfreude-derived joy and entertainment from the embarrassing car crash that is #auspol. Whatever your degree of political involvement, it can be a jungle out there. Politics is everywhere, and it affects everything in our lives. Finding a party that matches your own ideas and will represent these in parliament is a huge democratic task, and it can be hard to ask for help out there without having your ear chewed off. There are two major Parties in town; Australian Labor and the Liberals. So to help you choose which Party to go to, here’s my beginners’ guide to Aussie Politics. AUSTRALIAN LIBERALS Despite the name, the Australian Liberals are our conservative centreright-leaning party and aim for economic liberalism. Generally, they support free enterprise and traditionalist social views and believe in tough hard-line policy, such as opposing same-sex marriage because of the threat to religious freedoms, and their ‘Stop the Boats’ stance on asylum seekers illegally entering Australia. As stated on their webpage, Liberals aim to build a strong economy by providing “tax relief to encourage and reward working

Australians, backing business to invest and create more jobs, guaranteeing the essential services Australians rely on, [and] keeping Australia safe” (Morrison, 2018). They champion the criminalisation of drug use, decreases to government spending, an increase of national military and anti-terrorism defence, and despite providing Australians with all-important ‘jobs and growth’, Liberals support cutting penalty rates for those working on Sundays. Their conservative approach towards climate change sparked the latest bouts of inner-party turmoil as Malcolm Turnbull was churned out for Scott Morrison. This latest leadership spill saw the face of Australia’s Prime Ministership change for the third time in three years, leading some sceptics to ask, “if they can’t govern themselves, how are they going to govern the country?”. AUSTRALIAN LABOR Representing the middle-class, blue-collar, labouring Australians, this left-leaning branch of government is ‘hip’ with the youth and doesn’t embrace traditional spelling or values. Although still positioned centre-right on the political compass, they believe in social liberalism, and support identity-related issues such as Safe Schools and same-sex marriage. They uphold giving all Australians a “fair go” by offering “fair taxation, on Australian jobs, on a properly-funded Medicare, on renewable energy and importantly – on quality education”. Through increasing taxes for high income earners, upping minimum wages, and increased public school funding (although this was funded via cuts to university spendings). They also advocate

reducing the Tampon Tax and cuts to penalty rates, and support Australia becoming a republic. Labor aims to uphold former Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s sentiment to promote equality and involve Australians in the democratic process. However, the party is often criticised for being wishy-washy when it comes to strong policy stance, as they wait to gauge the people’s reaction before reaching their own consensus. Although Australia follows a two-party system, there are a plethora of parties waiting to be explored. Other big names like the lefty Greens or righty-tighty Nationals branch off these major political trees and promote their own sets of values and policies, and it’s easy to get lost in the woods. With a federal election around the corner, I like to visit australia.isidewith.com/political-quiz. The site asks you questions on a variety of current electoral matters (such as the use of plastic, nuclear and renewable power, foreign and domestic policy) and matches your political beliefs to the political party best representing you. This year I found out that I side with the Australian Sex Party on 85% of political issues! The Sex Party! Guess I’ll be doing some more research. Knowledge is power, so don’t make an uneducated vote this election. Do some digging, and remember; there’s no right or left answer. Words by Tiarne Lambert

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HERE Z U W M L O MALC HERE Z U W Y T SCOT Dircksey Magazine w 22

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News | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

ER OCTOB e White b d to ight to It’s Alr on continue ging Hans nowled Pauline n about ack e Senate. o ” in th rabbit racism the Morrison e it h w os of “antiember orted her m m e m is p So nt sup ging that it e m n r e gov owled n ultif ackn e”. The motio tion o close hit o be w -28. A bit too t y a k o “ 1 failed 3 mfort. mately r fo co

GO N E V E T ’ N HE DOES S HIP N E Z I T I C HERE! # BER DECEM eet Sw dal. This Not so ther sex scan nserhe co h ano ear wit Broad from t e tea and y e h t ilt th We end lved Andrew Idea sp having sent w o e v N . in y t y; ar one ar dadd y he met on ional P t g a u s N e a vativ a lad ns d was d Broa messages to fter allegatio le a e v e r A cit met y expli r daddy’ site. n they he e h w sexuall a g ly ne ‘su priate ew of t an onli cted inappro ministers kn a ed from er he had , and that oth Broad resign callion on raps eks, in pers ming for we a s h s n io r t e e aft indiscr t. Ironic ’s behaviour. n e m a e li Par Joyc

NOVEMBER Lady Liberal MP Julia Banks made an abso lute power mo and quit the ve Liberal Party to sit as an independent. This lost the Morr ison governm yet another se ent at in the House of Reps, placin them firmly in g the minority. In spired by fello Banks, Tyra, Ju w lia said she w as rooting for Party to do bet the ter. She scolded them for their greedy power grabs in the Li b Spill, roasted Party’s behav the iour, and calle d for stronger male represen fetation in politic s.

JUS - Enjo ying h Famous F T JOKIN’ a Affair i s, Ton s new role cepalm M y Abb ome a sS kids f ott thank pecial Env nts or “pu e o tting d a classro y for Indig - On u o eno p m with t th he in of Indigen us ry O’S e same d vasio ous u a n”. sexist llivan pro y Banks q ved t u rema it the ha rk ab Liber out a t “boys w al i l l f e b male e boy party, Bar Nick s s” e Xeno - Fras phon nator hav , making a er An ing “a in he ni gratio r”. bit of n pro ng called f blem Natio o r a “fina ; no n’s joined ‘swamped t even lan l solution ”t d with the li Musli ing a chuc o the imm st of politi ms’ P k ile fro cians a cond uline Han m One emni ng hi son, who s spe ech. Dircksey Magazine w 23

News | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Reading Between the Lines

he leadership of our country is about to be contested yet again, but this time, it will be without the metaphorical spilling of political blood.

the seat. To make sure you’re voting for the party member who will best represent you, not just the party, a quick Google of each candidate (‘candidate name’ + ‘party’) should return a party profile as well as any related news articles. From there, you can get a sense of what issues the candidates plan to pursue if elected, and their values and attitudes towards those issues. However, if you’re like most Aussies these days then you probably feel that none of the major parties, or their candidates, are representing your values and attitudes; this is why minor parties are on the rise.

Minor parties are worth a look because their smaller membership numbers mean they are often more cohesive in their party views. Minor The upcoming federal election will see the parties usually pick a few key issues to pursue entire House of Representatives and half the relentlessly and, based on the issue and the Senate up for election. This means six of the parties’ stance, it’s easy to pick up on the ideoltwelve current WA Senate seats are up for ogy of each party and gauge how they will vote grabs; two Labor seats, two Liberal, one Greens, on other issues. To get you started, Google ‘Tally and one One Nation. If voting for a major Party Room Senate WA 2019’ to get an idea of what isn’t your thing, maybe you try casting a vote parties will be on the 2019 ballot. below the line. The size and length of the Senate ballot can be intimidating, especially once you realise that voting below the line means you have to number at least 1-12 candidates. Voting above the line might seem easier because we’re more likely to be familiar with the general gist of the major parties’ campaign promises over the individual party member candidates. However, if you vote above the line, you’re letting the party (and other people’s votes) determine who gets the seat in the Senate. Whilst party members are required to represent the overall values and attitudes of their party; there can be a significant discrepancy on which issues a party member pursues and how they approach said issues. The Liberal candidates Trischa Botha and Linda Reynolds are a good example of this kind of discrepancy. Botha’s main campaign so far appears to be about bringing God back to the front bench of AusPol whereas Reynolds’ campaign issues range from GST to gender equality, to innovation in WA. If you vote above the line, you’re saying you don’t care if Botha or Reynolds gets

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Minor party names can be confusing because they don’t necessarily give away what issues the party supports. For example, the Reason Party, formerly known as the Sex Party, supports pill testing at music festivals, legalisation of weed, and early intervention for mental health. HEMP, or the Marijuana Party, is a little more on the nose; they want to legalise medicinal weed, and they want all people who are imprisoned solely for weed-related charges to be released. HEMP also want all records of weed related offences to be removed from criminal records. The Liberty Alliance Party policies are less attached to the name. A browse of their core policies shows the party wants better access to health services in remote and Aboriginal communities, are against euthanasia, and abortions being performed after the first trimester. As you can see, it’s worth researching what each minor party is about. Who knows? There may be a minor party which better represents your views than any of the major parties have. Words by Stephanie Murphy

Lifestyle Lifestyle || Ed. Ed. 11 Vol. Vol. 5

ith the festival season of 2019 underway, you need to be ready. Unfortunately, I can’t help you to prepare for the binge-drinking hangover and the 400 Instagram stories you’ll watch, but this will definitely help you save some coin and have less regrets. OUTFITS: Outfits for festivals are ridiculously expensive and hard to shop for if you want to be unique, so here are a few outfit tips for the festival season. Op shops: I know what you’re thinking but hear me out. I have got some nice high-end stuff from the Salvos. And you never know what you’ll find. This one is especially good for guys because they have some really quirky Hawaiian shirts. I know those places smell like a dead relative but plug your nose and put up with it. Instagram: Two words: Outfit. Hire. Try renting your outfits from Instagram or Facebook. Most pages hire out for half of the price they paid originally and are almost always in perfect condition. There’s a bunch of sizes and styles, and pages usually rent out accessories too. Invest in an outfit: If you want to invest your money in an outfit, then don’t be scared of outfit repeating. Don’t justify spending $100+ on an outfit if you’ll only wear it once because you’re scared of your friends calling you Lizzie McGuire. You wouldn’t buy a new outfit every time you attend uni, so why do it for a festival? Half of the people are going to be too messed up to notice anyway. If you really love an outfit that costs a pretty penny, you could always sell or rent it later. Never wear high heels: Stick to enclosed shoes like boots or flats ($4 from Kmart). Nothing’s worse than people standing on your feet every 5 seconds and waking up the next day with a missing toenail and multiple blisters and bruises. Avoid expensive shoes (especially white!) because they are likely to get ruined by spilt drinks, dirt, and your lack of balance. Dress for the weather: I’ll say it a bit louder for the girls in the back: PLEASE dress for the weather and not for your aesthetic purposes. Yes, that mesh dress is cute but isn’t worth the three-week sunburn. Yes, those stiletto heels look bomb but are NOT a good idea for Groovin’ the Moo! Another thing; if it’s cold and raining outside it’s probably best to take a jack-

Movin’ The Groove et/poncho and steer clear from the bralettes and high-waisted underwear. From me to your health: you’re welcome.

PHOTO SHOOT: What’s a festival without the photoshoot? Everyone needs that Instagram-worthy pic to tell the world “hey, look, I have a social life!” Make sure to take your photos before you drink, because nothing is worse than asking your drunk friend to take pictures and all of them come out blurry AF. And don’t tell your appointed photographer to ‘keep spamming’ without checking because you don’t want a folder full of photos on your bad side. Granted, mirror selfies allow you to show off your assets but you should also take your pics outdoors; natural light is everything. DRINKING: I’m not here to lecture about responsible drinking because you’ve heard it all before, but here’s just a couple more … Don’t get so drunk at pre’s that you’re denied entry at the festival. Do you really want to waste your money because you got too messy too quick? Drink plenty of water; a full day outside is a long time without water and alcohol makes you dehydrated (obviously). SUNSCREEN: Please, for the love of festivals, wear sunscreen. I’m not going to be your mother and tell you what’s best for you, but THIS IS IMPORTANT. Don’t fret, it is seethrough (shock), so it won’t clash with your outfit. You could even use it to make your glitter stick. News flash: tan lines aren’t pretty, and neither is skin cancer. PACK THE ESSENTIALS: Finally, some extras you should pack for the day: a mini bottle of sunscreen (applying once won’t last the whole day), Panadol (you’ll thank me later), and a portable charger (a lifesaver if you lose your friends in the mosh on 5% battery). Words by Jess Checkland

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How to shop for gifts

Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

resent shopping is one of those tasks that people love to hate. If you hate it, chances are that you are either broke or you don’t know that special person you are buying for enough. Luckily enough, I have put together a 3-step guide on how to go about present shopping to save you all that unnecessary stress when it comes to present shopping. STEP 1 – ASSESS THE PERSON AND TAKE NOTE OF EVERYTHING THEY HAVE DONE TO EITHER DOG YOU OR HELP YOU IN THE PAST This is an absolutely massive point. If your mate owes you 100 bucks for an Origin festival ticket and their birthday comes up and you have to buy them a present for their 21st. Just don’t get them anything and say, “stuff you for not paying me, your present is not having to pay me back.” Easy and simple solution. Works every time. And if you’re worrying about how much to spend, I have created a small question-

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A – Assess what they have Look at what they have in their home or in their possession. If there is something that you can identify which is missing that they may eventually need, then you know that’s exactly what you need to get. This can work in many ways. For example, if my mate had shit B.O. , I would buy them a deodorant stick because they are missing one. A – Analyse what they want Sometimes your mate will straight up tell you what they want for their present. If that happens, your job is done, no dramas. In other cases, they may drop subtle hints to discretely let you know what they want such as pointing at items they like in the shops, or saying they wish they had something. They’re your big hints. Or you can just ask them (spoils all the fun).

naire to help you out. Start on 3 points – 1 point = $10 Have they snaked you recently? (-4) Have they helped you with work? (+1) Have they assisted with emotional or personal issues? (+3) Are they your closest friend/parent? (+4) Have they stood you up? (-2) Do you disagree on stupid things?(-1) Do they cover you if you stuff up? (+2) Have they gossiped about you? (-3) Your total score is what you should spend on them. If the score is below 0, do not proceed to step 2. STEP 2 – ASSESS WHAT THEY HAVE, ANALYSE WHAT THEY WANT AND ACCURATELY MEASURE IF IT’S WORTH IT (THE TRIPLE A TECHNIQUE). This technique developed by Dr. Adam Di Tullio who found the “Triple A technique” was the most effective way to decide what to get someone for a present.

A – Accurately measure if it’s worth it Now this is the big part of the process. Do they bloody need it (or can you benefit from it in any way!) If your mum askes for a $100 gold class gift voucher for her 25th anniversary, chances are that she’s going to use it on your dad and not you – Not worth it. If she asks for a $100 gold class gift voucher for her birthday, there’s a chance you’ll be invited – worth it! Onto whether they need it or not; If your sister askes for a Mecca voucher, but she already has like 50 billion eye shadow pallets, get her something different you know she would like, but not expect! Genius! STEP 3 – MAP OUT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO BUY IT BEFORE YOU GO ON A FUCKING ROAD TRIP AROUND AUSTRALIA. Sometimes present searching can get out of hand, so plan where you will buy the gift and give yourself enough time to get it. If the place you will get it from has plenty of stock, you’re safe. If not, you’re stuffed. It’s always a good idea to call up and ask if the place has stock available or if they can put on hold. Try to make sure where you get the present from is nearby, because you could be spending more money than you want on fuel to get the present. Make sure you’re being cost effective. Now you’ve got the tips, tricks, moves and grooves to get these presents! Words by Adam Di Tullio Art by Teresa Delgado

Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Perth’s Best Hot Chips KFC KFC Chips are without question your best Drive Thru Chip. Why? They’re thick, salty, seasoned and they actually fill you up. They’re good when they’re a bit cold too. You don’t really need sauce when you bite into a delicious KFC Chip. Have you ever had a KFC nugget? Well, don’t, because they suck, always get popcorn chicken people smh. No matter how starving you are, if you get large chips from KFC, you will be full (this is not a joke). If all you are craving is hot chips, just go to KFC. MCDONALD’S McDonalds Chips are a breed of their own; they are always salty and hot. They are very slim boys, and you have to appreciate a shoestring french fry. A very accessible chip when you are driving, as you can pick up several and shove them all into your mouth. They are still good when they are cold, which makes them a safe choice on Uber Eats. Nothing worse than ordering Grill’d or Nandos and when your chips arrive you discover they steamed in the Uber Eats bag and all the crunchiness is gone. Do not make this mistake! Get Maccas, please! Save yourselves!

HUNGRY JACKS Chips from HJ’s are only good until they go cold, period. They are always salty and seasoned to perfection, they’re not too thin but not too thick, and never soggy either. But if you’ve ordered Uber Eats or someone has brought home HJ’s they are always gonna be cold, and you won’t be satisfied. Pro Tip: Only buy these when you’re planning on shoving them down your throat as you are literally exiting the drivethru or they will be tragic. RED ROOSTER Red Rooster Chips are pretty average; they’re good when they’re actually seasoned properly. Which is like … never? Does Red Rooster’s chips even have a seasoning? Who knows. But you always have to ask for sauce or gravy with them because they aren’t even SALTY. So, what’s the point? I mean, Red Rooster is the only place out of the four chains that do crumbed (not tempura batter) nuggets, and I do dabble with the crumbed nugs, so we stan. Chicken treat? We don’t know her. Words by Honey Wilkinson Dircksey Magazine w 27

Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

What’s for Dinner? Words by Adam Di Tullio + Rhys Gardiner

HITALIAN LIKE YOUR HYPOTHETICAL NONNA MAKES IT Il Capo Trattoria 1/26 The Crescent, Midland

KA RESTAURANT FOR THE BRAT IN ALL OF US Run Amuk Hotdogs Unleashed 386A South Terrace, South Fremantle Brat, of course, short for Bratwurst. Run Amuk has become an institution in its short existence. The South Fremantle joint serves loaded hot dogs, fries and shakes at its core, and does all three exceptionally well. There’s a real familiarity to the place, with just enough quirkiness to the location and the food to keep you on your toes. My favourite is the Punk ($14), stuffed to bursting with bacon, onions and cheese, but there’s a hot dog on the menu for every taste, including those that don’t eat meat. From pineapple salsa to guacamole, there’s no end to what you can slap on your sausage. The fries and shakes are as much of a star as the hot dogs, cut thin like Macca’s fries, Run Amuk surpasses the golden arches in flavour and freshness every time. The shakes are made in-house, and if that’s not to your taste, you can grab a soft drink from the fridge before you settle down in the old bus seats along the side wall. What’s more, it’s only a short walk to South Beach, so if you want to get your Summer on before Autumn comes in to chill things out, Run Amuk is prime placed for you to make a day of it. Take the train to Fremantle station, then hop on the Blue CAT and get off at stop ten. Leave regrets behind.

Another new Midland spot that gives much-needed life and variety to the area. Il Capo only opened late last year, business is still picking up and this Sicilian-inspired joint has a bright future if their food and character is anything to go by. A good gauge of a restaurant’s affordability is how much their parmy costs. Il Capo’s is $28, so not quite for the penny pinchers, but still reasonable. I haven’t had the parmigiana myself, but the other dishes I’ve tried are worth every cent and more. The Arancini Trio ($12) shows the care and attention this place pays to thier food. The rice is soft and tender, but not gloopy - it’s an easy trap to fall into, but Il Capo nailed the texture. My highlight, while not strictly Italian, is the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich ($14). A tender and juicy medley of meat, onion, capsicum and provolone makes that roll something that I come back to over and over. The chef/owner, a former mechanic, is a passionate guy, making pretty much everything from scratch. He is inspired by the heritage of his family, who can be seen most days at the restaurant. He may even come to your table and have a chat! Even if you don’t have a drop of Italian blood in you, Il Capo and its food feels like home. I wish this familia all the best.

JA PLACE TO READ THE PAPER IN PEACE Bossman Shop 3, 669 Beaufort St Mt Lawley Retro vibes, good coffee and a quiet spot to enjoy your cuppa. If this is what you are looking for in a café, this is the place for you. One of the only places you can sit down and read a newspaper unironically, the vibe is really here. My personal favourite snack is a sugar filled chocolate brownie with a Latte. Utter perfection. The staff are friendly, energetic and really make this flashback café a one stop for your morning drug dosage. Dircksey Magazine w 26

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IEXTREME VALUE IN FREO Sushi with Goons 36 South Terrace, Fremantle The Fremantle Cappuccino Strip is home to a wide spread of eateries, varying in both cuisine and quality. They run the gamut from pubs, to back-alley cafes, to bog-standard kebab shops, and a few spots that survive more on longevity and dependability than anything else. Sushi with Goons doesn’t fit squarely into any of these categories. Rather, they give you inexpensive, no-fuss Asian that tastes good and fills you up. What more do you really need? The place’s main draw is value for money, spelled out in neon lettering with confetti and a pyrotechnic display. If you’re short on your dollar and want a filling meal, this is the place to go. My Karaage Bento Box ($13) (speaks for itself) - look at how much food there is! I’m a big eater, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to tackle it. Fortunately, the dish did not disappoint. While not far and away the best Japanese I’ve ever had, it hit all the marks and importantly, was hot and fresh. All of their set meals are made to order, so you’ll have to wait and savour your lunch as it cools down. The location is nice, too. Just off the busy main strip, Sushi with Goons sits in a piazza with both indoor and outdoor seating. Both allow you to watch the world go by while enjoying a solid, cheap feed. HTHE ONE STOP PASTRY SHOP Temptations Claremont Quarter If you are still searching for the best sausage roll in the Golden Triangle, look no further than Temptations Gourmet Creations. This take away joint has been selling some of the most amazing lunchtime meals known to mankind. From meaty bagels to some of the finest pastries on the market, there is something for everyone at this Café. Legend has it that this sausage roll is the standard behind-the-counter feed for the Claremont Quarter staff that didn’t get their lunch breaks. The iconic bakery classic that brings people together has never tasted this good.

IWHEN YOU FEEL LIKE DINING LIKE ROYALTY Punjab Indian Restaurant 371 Scarborough Beach Rd, Innaloo WA 6018 Indian fine dining has never reached its peak until now. Punjab Indian restaurant is the perfect place to get the spicy blend of dressy date vibes and homestyle cuisine. With many gluten free and vegan options available upon request, this place is the king of the Indian food world in Perth. The team of chefs work in one of the city’s best local restaurants. When you dine there, you feel like you are dining in a royal palace with food well and truly fit for a king. I would never look past this place if I want disgustingly good food. Dircksey Magazine w 27

The Dark Side of Detox Teas

Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

hether we’re being advertised shoes, cars, or the latest headphones, most millennials have habitually learned to scroll through #spon posts with scepticism. However, it appears that many of us have a blind spot when it comes to products for our physical health. This blind spot has been quickly identified by brands such as Flat Tummy Co, Teami and SkinnyMe Tea who promise customers that they too, can look like a Kardashian. The cost? Just one pack of their miracle detox tea - plus shipping.

Flat Tummy Co is a prime example of just how profitable this industry is. Promoted by high profile celebrities like Cardi B, Kylie Jenner, and Kim Kardashian, Flat Tummy Co have an impressive Instagram following of 1.7 million, and endless positive reviews from both IG models and mummies trying to lose their baby weight. However, the company have also been the subject of widespread criticism. Following the launch of their appetite suppressant lollipops, Flat Tummy Co took to Times Square with a controversial ad.

With advertised benefits ranging from boosted energy levels to rapid weight loss and the removal of harmful toxins, the shakes and detox teas these brands promote appear to be the solution to the parts of our bodies we’ve been told to dislike.

“Got Cravings?” Their billboard read, “Girl, Tell Them To #SUCKIT”.

Hate the appearance of your bloated tummy? No problem, just buy our four-week cleansing tea program! Are you embarrassed about your cellulite? No worries, we have delicious shakes that’ll take care of that too!

“EVEN TIMES SQUARE IS TELLING WOMEN TO EAT LESS NOW? Have we actually gone mad?”

An online petition demanding the removal of the ad quickly went viral, with support from The Good Place actor, Jameela Jamil’s, who tweeted on the matter.

Nonetheless, Flat Tummy Co continues to generate a generous profit from their lollipops, detox teas and meal replacement shakes, and it’s really no surprise. Their use of feminist-boss babe rhetoric effectively positions the brand as ‘empowering’, and their product descriptions list incredible benefits supported by “scientifically proven” ingredients.

With no shortage of #TransformationTuesday pics and Kardashian-endorsed Instagram posts, it appears that profiting from the body-image issues amongst a largely young, female demographic has been all too easy for dieting and detox companies. In fact, according to marketresearch.com, the “Need to add a bit of self-control, US weight loss market is estimat- babe?” One description reads on ed to be worth around $70 billion. their site. “Our Flat Tummy Shakes That’s right, $70 billion. program is where it’s at. With clinically studied Super Citrimax, our Dircksey Magazine w 30

Flat Tummy Shakes program is 3x more effective than diet and exercise alone.” However, what is not plain to see is a major disclaimer on the site. Scroll right to the very bottom, and you’ll see in the small font: “The statements on the Sste have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the products offered on the site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” The bottom line is, if it sounds too good to be true, it often is. The exotic, miracle ingredients in detox teas and shakes are, more often than not, supported by inconclusive studies, or are in fact laxatives. The celebrities and influencers endorsing them are not nutritionists. The inspirational quotes and aesthetically pleasing images on social media are a marketing strategy. Put simply, there is no quick fix to weight loss and no magic pill, shake or lollipop to leading a healthy lifestyle. As stated by the Dieticians Association Australia “any diet that excludes key food groups, or is overly restrictive, will raise the risk of nutrient deficiencies, without careful planning to overcome this”. For nutritional advice, consult your GP or read the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Words by Grace Flynn Art by Maxine Singh

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A SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANK EXPEREINCE Dircksey Magazine w 32

his year I vowed to prior- ing. So now it was my turn to try itise self-care - how very it out for you guys. millennial of me. My anxiety kicked in when We live in a busy world, where I was being shown my pod; we’re constantly strapped to our the idea that I was going to be screens with no way to escape alone in the dark with my own the overwhelming stimuli of our thoughts for 60 minutes seemed surroundings. Our minds are al- intense and terrifying. You enways wired, whether that be run- ter the tank preferably naked to ning errands, listening to music avoid the sensation of fabric on or watching a new show on Net- the skin (however, I didn’t like the flix (if you’re looking for a good idea of an attendant finding me one, I’d recommend You - it’s panicked in a nude starfish povery good). sition if something went wrong, but to each their own). Stepping Our world is full of light, colour into the tank, I close the lid and and sound and it can be difficult say goodbye to the outside world to detach from it all. How would for the next hour. A blue light ilit feel to be void of all senses? To luminates the tank while soft be completely alone in the qui- music hums around me. Floatet and the dark? A study into the ing comes so easily; each muscle stress levels of Australians has relaxes with the weightlessness. shown that over 30% of us suf- After five minutes the light goes fer from some form of anxiety out, after ten minutes the music at a near-clinical level; meaning cuts. Aussies are constantly on the hunt for new ways to relax. For I am alone. In the darkness, me, someone who gets anxious strange shapes and shadows at the idea of being complete- dance in front of my eyes while ly alone and letting go, the idea I adjust. “Just relax!” I command seemed foreign and honestly myself, getting frustrated that I terrifying. am not reaching this meditative state soon enough. I remind myA float tank, or a sensory depri- self not to force the experience, vation tank, is a pod the size of a lay back and let my mind wander. small car. Inside is a shallow pool This helps, and I find myself forof water with over 500 pounds getting what I had been thinking of Epsom salt, making you com- about every 20 seconds, a strange pletely buoyant; floating be- sense of amnesia washing over comes easy and natural with lit- me. Time passes but how much tle effort. The tank is void of light time is hard to tell. 20 minutes, and sound, with the water heated 40 minutes? Then the light turns to skin temperature. The idea is back on, and the music fades in to lose feeling in your body and and the 60 minutes are up. There senses, allowing you to relax and was no overwhelming sense of reach a meditative state quickly new-found spirituality or peace, and easily. Float tank users have but heck did I feel relaxed. The reported a great sense of men- feeling of weightlessness was tal clarity, muscle relaxation and calming and almost freeing. some have even spoken about spiritual awakenings while float-

Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

For many, it is almost impossible to remember the last time they spent an hour away from their phones and daily life to be alone with themselves and their thoughts. Float tanks have numerous benefits such as calming anxiety and fueling creativity. At university, the stress of exams, assignments and work can all be largely overwhelming. Finding an outlet to relieve this stress is vital, so why not give floating a try? Thank me later. Words by Amber Wilkinson Photo by Takahiro Taguchi

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Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

The Ride I

t’s the start of a new year, a new semester, and a new chapter in the lives of thousands of firstyear students as they commence study at ECU. If you’re one of those students, I’m talking to you – but even if you’ve been studying for a couple of years now, you might find something worth thinking about here too. The thing is, I was you once upon a time. I went into university straight after high school, with ATAR scores and exam marks coursing through my veins. I had the tunnel vision of an eager young nerd, looking to blast through my degree and come skidding out of the other end with the paper in my hand. That was seven years ago.

I’ll be 25 years old at the time this edition of Dircksey is published, and I’m in the second year of my current degree. ‘Current’ being the operative word. Yes, it’s time for me to come clean right off the bat: I’ve had a go at this uni thing before, and that first try didn’t end well. I’m not going to tiptoe around this. While this issue’s theme is ‘BRIGHT’, we need to be mindful that things can get pretty dark sometimes, and the start of your University career can be one of those times. Higher education can be a big, scary place, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by thoughts of the future. Those of you coming in straight from high school may have fearmongering lectures ringing in your ears, as I did. How important it is to go to university, and how, if you don’t, you’ll be flipping burgers for the rest of your life. Words I’ve now realised were empty drivel designed to railroad students into inflating the school’s academic records. This meant that, below my fervour and eagerness, an undercurrent of fear lurked. I was certain that engineering was my future – after all, Dircksey Magazine w 34

school and the internet told me it was. I thought I had a plan, I thought this was my one and only path, and though I tried to convince myself and those around me that I was living the dream, I feared nothing more than failure. For me, the university was a place of stifling pressure, where I needed to prove – more to myself than anyone else – that I had it all figured out. I felt like I couldn’t afford to mess it up. Of course, I failed. I failed hard. There were many factors resulting in my academic exclusion from ECU, but looking back, chief among them was my stubbornness and reluctance to ask for help. I made the mistake of trying to push past the stress, ignore the warning signs, and find it within myself to crack on, because I had been moulded to believe that was the way it was supposed to be. And all the while my marks fell, I lost track of deadlines and test dates, and I became a mess. I repeated units, again and again, again and again thinking that this time, I’d be able to power through and succeed. To use a contemporary phrase: I had no chill. After I was sent the piece of paper telling me I was no longer a student at ECU, I was sent on a journey of self-reflection. There is no “way it’s supposed to be.” University was only ever what I made it, and I had the power to make it better for myself. In time, I made the decision to return to study, when I rediscovered my love for voice work and telling stories. I was fortunate that ECU accepted me back to start my current degree, and with my commencement, I came back with a combination of beard-stroking philosophy and down-to-earth, practical thinking. I remind myself of these important points: It’s okay to ask for help. ECU has services specifically for this purpose. Talk to your lecturers and coordina-

tors if you’re having problems. Visit the Student Hub. Make use of what your campus has; it’s all there for you. It’s okay to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Almost nobody has it all figured out. You have the option to defer if you feel like you need time to think about your next move. There are undoubtedly other students in the same boat as you, so talk to each other as well – maybe you will find inspiration and goals in your peers. It’s okay to take it easy every now and then. University degrees are usually designed around students taking four units per semester, but it’s worth remembering that you can take three and still be classified as full-time. Some of you can cope just fine with four units, even five in some cases I’ve seen. However, if you feel your workload is too much, then there’s no shame in dropping a unit and going down to three. You will likely be able to focus better on the units you have, and will be able to work to a higher standard with less stress. It’s okay to change your path. University is a winding road with many forks in it, and you can jump from one path to another if you feel it’s the right thing to do. Remember that ultimately, you are the one in control here. That may seem like a lot of responsibility but if you build the power to make your own decisions, you’ll be better equipped for future chapters of your book. It’s okay to enjoy the ride. University can take you to some strange and wondrous places, and connect you with incredible people. It can push you to try new things, and lets you showcase your talents and interests. Remember to take the time to drink it in, and savour it. Words by Rhys Gardiner

Houseplants

Lifestyle | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

t turns out spending a bit of green on some greenery isn’t just good for interior design on a budget, it’s good for your mental well-being.

Numerous studies have shown that plants are physically and psychologically beneficial for humans. They can reduce your stress levels, improve your mood, and can even help pain tolerance in hospital patients. Even NASA did a study about the best plants for filtering air pollutants in outer-space/space-craftss;. iIf NASA vouches for plants, you best believe they’re pretty darn cool. Humans are happier, healthier, and more relaxed when in close proximity to plants, and as someone struggling with a cocktail of mental health issues, this was great news. In our fast-paced world full of workloads, schedules, and deadlines, I can often find myself overcome with the pressure of living. Dirty clothes mixed in with the clean pile on the floor, mugs with half-drunken tea fester on my bedroom dresser, and assignments sit untouched out of fear of imperfection. Having been diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of 17, this was an environment I was intimately familiar with. When I had mustered up enough energy to pick myself out of bed, I would sniff-check the pile, find a clean shirt, and pour out the mouldy glug gathered at the bottom of my mugs. Giving them a rinse, I poured the excess water on my cactus; finally getting a drink after weeks of neglect. This was the first plant I ever purchased. The old man at the market recommended getting a cactus or succulent. They’re famously hard to kill, and this was really helpful when all I needed was a win. Their needs weren’t demanding; all they want is sunshine and a bit of water now and then. These prickly plants were sturdy and tough in a time where my mind was fragile and hopeless, and I felt like a lifeless leaf drifting in the wind. When I didn’t have the energy to care for myself, they were forgiving and showed me what resilience looked like. As my confidence as a plant carer grew, I ventured into other plant varieties, learning about their different needs and requirements. I bought elephant ears, who will lean towards the window when they want more sun and drip water from their leaves when overwatered; prayer plants that raise their leaves to the sun and curl

up when they’re cold. I figured out how to find plants with mutations, so occasionally they would throw up a leaf with deep green stripes when it was supposed to be a lemony gold. My perception changed. Each plant had its own oddities that made it beautiful it my eyes, so why did I hate my kinks and quirks when I was able to love theirs? As I levelled up from simple-care cacti to fickle fiddle leaf, I learned how to respond to my plants and their needs. Listen to them and they thrive. Fail to do so and they will struggle. It’s not the plant’s fault it falters when it doesn’t have enough water or light. Even with the proper care and ingredients – substitute sunshine, soil and water for socialisation, a healthy diet, and exercise – my plants can make mistakes. I once had an elephant ear grow a leaf inside of another. Plant needs change in different circumstances, and it’s okay to ask for help and accept care. The responsibility gave me a sense of purpose on those mornings I felts like a deflated, dehydrated peace lily; comically wilted, leaves shrivelled lying limbless on the floor. But with time, a little love, and some first-class H2O, we can begin to thrive again. And just like my peace lily, our leaves will be glossy and green once more. Self-care can be hard. It’s difficult to be kind to yourself when your mind tells you that you deserve to feel bad, to isolate yourself and wallow in self-pity and disgust. Depression doesn’t follow your schedule. It weaves its long, dark fingers through your life to the point where nothing seems bright. I used to dream of the soft, tender image of wiping dirt off plant leaves, and imagine a world full of light where I might look that kindly upon myself. I now have a jungle in my bedroom that is slowly taking over the rest of the house, and confidently look after a plethora of calathea and other notoriously tricky plants. Although I still struggle with bouts of depression and anxiety, my plants never judge, but provide forgiveness and beauty. Houseplants have taught me a lot about my own self-care. Being surrounded by living things reminds me that I’m living too, and sometimes it’s hard to grow. Words by Tiarne Lambert

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QUiz:

Film and Lit | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

What Netflix Show should you Watch Next?

ollowing this issue’s theme of ‘bright,’ what better tribute to give than to Netflix and the light of technology that keeps you awake at two AM so you don’t reap the series’ spoilers of tomorrow. Find out what popular teen/YA Netflix series best suits you by taking this quiz – who knows, maybe you’ll find your new obsession.

6. WHAT KIND OF WEBSITES/APPS ARE YOU KNOWN TO FREQUENTLY USE? a. Not a fan of the internet; I prefer to be outside b. My personal blog/Twitter c. Pornhub d. Anything I can use to stalk: Facebook/Instagram e. The news sites

1. WHAT’S YOUR EVENING LOOKING LIKE? a. Bingeing conspiracy theory documentaries b. Writing in my diary c. Getting frisky d. Gossiping with friends e. Doing something illegal

7. CHOOSE A COLOUR: a. Black b. Blue c. Red d. Green e. Orange

2. WHAT GENRE DESCRIBES YOU BEST? a. Science fiction b. Tragedy c. Sitcom d. Mystery e. Comedy-drama

8. WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL? a. Can it be a morphed animal? b. Cat; I keep to myself c. What animal has the most sex? d. Predator e. Prey

3. HOW SPONTANEOUS ARE YOU? a. Anything can happen b. You can pretty much guess c. Do you mean in the bed? d. I don’t even know what I’m going to do next e. Not at all; I have a routine

9. ONE FOOD TO EAT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE: a. Muesli bars b. Popcorn c. Bananas d. Burgers e. Two-minute-noodles

4. YOUR GO TO OUTFIT WOULD BE a. Something practical b. Something comfy c. Something flattering d. Something black e. Something colourful

10. WHAT’S YOUR STRONGEST QUALITY? a. Bravery b. Attentiveness c. Humour d. Determination e. Hopefulness

5. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PDA? a. What’s that? Sounds gross b. I guess privacy is important? c. No shame here! Do what you want! d. Don’t mind honestly e. No! Stop!

11. YOU’RE GOING ON HOLIDAY! YOUR DESTINATION: a. Does space count? b. I’ll stay home, thanks c. Somewhere hot d. Somewhere cold e. I’ll go anywhere

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12. OTHER PEOPLE TEND TO: a. Be inspired by you b. Be grateful for you c. Laugh at you d. Be attracted to you e. Be frustrated by you 13. ON A NIGHT OUT YOU’LL FIND ME: a. Wait? A night out exploring? b. I won’t be out c. At the bar flirting d. Looking for my friends e. Anywhere I feel like drunk 14. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY? a. Halloween b. I don’t like any holidays c. Valentine’s day d. Christmas Day e. New Year’s Eve 15. YOUR FAVOURITE WEATHER: a. Lightning storm b. Rain c. Beach weather! d. Cloudy e. Any weather suits me

17. CHOOSE A BEVERAGE: a. Juice b. Tea c. Anything with alcohol in it d. Milkshake e. Coffee

Results:

16. WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM JOB AS A KID? a. Astronaut b. Writer c. Comedian d. Detective e. None of the above

MOSTLY A’S: STRANGER THINGS You’re the type of person who does their own thing rather than follow the next trend. You stray from the crowd, preferring a games night with a few close friends over hitting the clubs with a big group. You love retro cafes, vintage clothes, and your playlist consists of all things 80’s from Bowie to Toto. MOSTLY B’S: 13 REASONS WHY You’re a sucker for back tickles and hot chocolate. You relish in your ‘me time’ but also love affection (and, let’s admit it, attention). You’re a quiet soul with a big heart and care a lot (sometimes too much) about your friends. MOSTLY C’S: BIG MOUTH Helloo sexy! You think of yourself as the comedian of the group with your loud personality and sexual innuendos. You’re a strong leader but a bit of a pusher. You make everyone laugh and you speak your mind. Your friends confide in you often because they value your opinion (especially when it comes to sex). MOSTLY D’S: RIVERDALE You love anything with a plot-twist and your preferred genres are mystery and crime. You like to reminisce on high-school days and still catch up with your old classmates and teachers. You consider yourself the fashionable friend and are not opposed to spending your savings on a designer brand. MOSTLY E’S: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK You’re a bit of a rule breaker at times but innocent at heart. You’re extremely loyal to your friends and you always stick around when they need you. When it comes to food, you can be pretty reckless with your cash, preferring to spend $20 on a burger and fries at the Uni café over a packed lunch. Dircksey Magazine

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Film and Lit | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Magic Mike

XXL

WHY IT’S THE BEST OF THE TWO

et’s go back to 2012 ... Can you remember that far? Obama is President (that seems decades ago now), The Avengers has made $1 billion worldwide (essentially creating the MCU as we now know it) and everyone fears the end of the world because Roland Emmerich said so.

this is definitely what someone like Soderbergh would do with a movie about male strippers in Miami. But it also feels like every 80’s movie about someone with a dream and a looked-down-upon job who finds love and might just make it outta that one-horse town.

There was also one movie released in that year, at the end of June, that promised baby oil, butts, big muscles, a banger soundtrack, and more buff bros than you can imagine. It was called Magic Mike. And it took everyone by surprise … and not in the way they thought.

It did well, had some critical appreciation, and showed many more people how great Matthew McConaughey is becoming, but the hype for a movie about male strippers wasn’t met by a largely static drama that only has a few moments of fun. So…what do you do? Well…you make a sequel called XXL. Naturally.

Instead of a truly wild and outrageous film that embraces the manic, dizzying life of a male stripper, director Steven Soderbergh seemed much more interested in the other life of Channing Tatum’s protagonist Mike, with him creating his own business, finding a good relationship and managing his drug-addled, circling-the-drain colleagues. Now,

Magic Mike XXL, released in 2015, is the better film. Process that one if you disagree. Let’s move on. Where the first film felt more interested in the personal drama of Mike and the other strippers, a lá Flashdance and Footloose, the sequel was more interested in having fun. The plot is a road trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for one

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last show, featuring your favourites from the first movie; Mike, Ken, Big Dick Richie, Tarzan, and a brand new addition to the crew (AKA Donald Glover - and yes, he sings. A lot. It’s perfect). The film is also better directed, with far more enjoyable performances from everyone, and more creative dance sequences that feel exactly like a real stage performance. The final dance number, sung at first by Donald Glover, and featuring an amazingly cinematic mirror dance technique is the fist-pumping, feel-good ending we need from this kind of movie. Soderbergh returned but only as cinematographer and editor, which still makes everything look and feel awesome, just not as depressing as before. Come for the ripped dudes dancing sexually, but stay for fun characters, a fantastic soundtrack, oh … and did I mention it has Childish Gambino? Well, that too. Words by Christopher Spencer

Film and Lit | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Disney Remakes WHY DO WE NEED THEM?

n 2019, we will have remakes of animated Disney classics Dumbo, Aladdin, Lady and the Tramp and The Lion King, made into live-action retellings with photorealistic CGI.

in Wonderland are not the best Disney films ever, but their animated styles are incredible and unique, making them memorable. Cinderella, The Jungle Book and Pete’s Dragon became the best remakes of the lot because Disney is definitely not new to this. their originals were either boring or Everything really started when Pinoc- unmemorable, so there’s room for chio was the first Disney classic re- improvement from dedicated filmleased on home video in the late 80s. makers. It sold out of its first run, which made then-head of the company Michael So, what about the next crop of reEisner realise the potential for making makes? Well, Dumbo makes perfect safe, lucrative bets on repurposing sense as a remake, seeing as the origtheir classic films. He continued on inal is…bizarre. And also kind of racist with live-action remakes of The Jun- (see Jim Crows). I can see Tim Burton gle Book (1994) and 101 Dalmatians making a more centralised family (and its 102 sequel), as well as di- movie with less focus on an elephant rect-to-video sequels to classic films getting drunk and having nightmares. like Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Cin- Even Lady and the Tramp makes derella, Bambi, Fox & the Hound, and sense as people only remember the countless remakes of Beauty and the spaghetti scene. Plus, it’ll be a lesser Beast. That latter move cheapened affair as it’s only available on Disney’s and damaged the Disney brand un- upcoming streaming service, Disney+. til Eisner left in 2005 and current CEO Bob Iger stepped in. But then there’s Aladdin and, especially, The Lion King. Aladdin is a good And then in 2010, we got Tim Bur- Disney movie that is elevated by, and ton’s Alice in Wonderland. The ghast- sent soaring with, Robin Williams’ ly, heavily-reliant-on-CG remake of Genie. So, while I do like the spotthe film cashed in on the 3D trend on casting for Aladdin and Jasmine, of post-Avatar 2010, made $1 billion the casting of Will Smith as the Geworldwide, and proved that remakes nie and Guy Ritchie as director is just could once again be a profitable strange. Where do they think they can gamble for Disney. improve on the original? Humanising the deliciously evil Jafar? Giving Iago Since then we’ve gotten Malef- his character arc from Return of Jafar? icent with Angelina Jolie, Kenneth Actually giving Aladdin nipples? Branagh’s Cinderella, Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book, an Alice sequel, I have the same argument for The Pete’s Dragon, Beauty and the Beast Lion King. Despite an absolutely perwith Emma Watson, and Christopher fect cast featuring Donald Glover, Robin - all to wildly varying degrees of James Earl Jones, John Oliver, Chiwesuccess. Instead of being the original tel Ejiofor, and Beyoncé, what does film now in live-action, all these re- director Jon Favreau and writer Jeff makes have added new content to try Nathanson hope to improve from the and ‘improve’ what was done before. original? It’s Hamlet with lions, and it’s an almost perfect animated film that Here’s the problem: some of people still have an intense love for. the stories never needed that. This The songs will be great to hear again, live-action remake model only works as well as the ever-amazing tones of when the original film is not very James Earl Jones and composer Hans good. Sure, Sleeping Beauty and Alice Zimmer. But from that first teaser, it

seems to be beat-for-beat the original; and that’s not necessary. Disney should be looking at the films that had interesting premises and failed executions, or the so-called “classics” no one really remembers. How amazing would a crazy and colourful live-action Atlantis: The Lost Empire be with James Cameron at the

“Disney should be looking at the films that had interesting premises and failed executions, or the so-called ‘classics’ no one really remembers.” wheel? Or a super-dark and more refined version of The Black Cauldron? Beauty and the Beast proved that the Disney live-action remake model is not impervious to pointless additions trying to ‘solve’ invalid criticisms of the original. Remakes trying to cash-in on the immense popularity of Disney classics, without offering unique perspectives, have no purpose today. If Disney plans to be our lords and masters for the near future, they need to offer something worthwhile. Let’s wait for the results of all four remakes, and see if 2019 can be a true year of lessons for Disney. Words by Christopher Spencer Dircksey Magazine w 39

INTERVIEW: TOM VINCENT

Lottery West Films Program Manager

Film and Lit | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Why do you think the Lotterywest Films program is important? I think the more great films from around the world we see, the better. It’s good to feel connected to others. Though film we can experience all sorts of different things and film-watching is often a really good trigger to conversation and thought. What’s your experience in screen-based programs? Before I came out here to work for Perth Festival, I programmed cinemas at a museum in the UK for eight years. I programmed film festivals as well as year-round programs of new cinema and retrospectives.

ebruary is a big month for the calendars in Perth with the 2019 Perth Festival kicking off from the 8th of February until the 3rd of March. I spoke with the Lotterywest Films Program Manager, Tom Vincent, about the upcoming season of feature and short films. This season will feature seven international films from Lebanon, France, Italy, Colombia, and the UK, along with seven West Australian short films screening later this year. Screenings take place under the stars at UWA Somerville and ECU Joondalup Pines. Can you tell us a bit about the Perth Festival and what we can expect from the Lotterywest Films Program? Perth Festival has been showing films since the festival began in 1953. It’s always aimed to show the best new international films and this year is no different. You can expect a big range of styles, genres, and moods. Lots of emotion and far-flung places. What feature films and/or short films will be featured this season? The feature films include Capharnaüm, Non-Fiction, Happy as Lazzaro, Birds of Passage, Maiden, Dogman, and Inventing Tomorrow (documentary). The short films include Yulubidyi – Until the End, three short music videos from the Yjila Project: Whothatis?, Stereo, and Sugar, and three short films from high school students in Perth, Albany, and Karratha, inspired by Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak. If you had to choose one film that you’re most excited for, what would it be? Birds of Passage, a Colombian gangster thriller that shows how an indigenous tribe was impacted by their encounters with the marijuana trade in the 1970s. It’s a pretty unique film.

How long have you been a part of the Perth Festival? How is this year’s festival different from the last? This is my fourth year. Each year’s film program has a slightly different flavour. This year there are slightly more East Asian films, and there are definitely more thrillers this time. How important is venue to you for the experience of watching films? I think venue has a great impact on how people receive films. Our cinemas are outdoors, and I think when people are literally facing the sky when watching films it encourages people to ‘dream’ and suspend their disbelief more. What are you currently watching for pleasure? Do you prefer feature films or short films? Curb Your Enthusiasm. I watch a lot more feature films than short films but I do love a good short film. I think short films can often do more than feature films can simply because the audience’s investment in them is different. Do you have a preferred film genre? Not really, I like to watch a bit of everything. But I’m always interested in documentaries that are a bit unconventional, because documentary is a very flexible genre. Is there a new director in the industry we should keep our eye out for? Charles Williams, the Victoria-based director who made the short film All These Creatures. For more details, screening dates, and ticket information visit perthfestival.com.au Words by Jess Checkland Special thanks to Tom Vincent Dircksey Magazine w 41

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The Big Issue COMPARING DUMPLIN’ AND INSATIABLE

avigating the world as a big girl has never been a small feat.

Ever since childhood, there was hardly a time I felt disconnected from my weight. My peers, society, and I, had branded me with the label ‘fat’, and like a chocolate bar melting in your backpack on a Summer’s day, it had stuck. I’ve always been bigger than other kids my age, and although this made me a good goalie for the boys’ soccer team, it also made me the textbook target for schoolyard laughter and ridicule. I would seek refuge at home in front of the TV, away from the bullies, only to see fat characters experience the same mockery and name-calling from their skinny and sculpted counterparts. I didn’t realise it, but I had been starved from positive plus-size entertainment. I hungered for media depicting real big people in realistic roles, instead of the funny fat friend whose weight was the punchline. So, I was excited when I heard about the influx of ‘fat girl’ stories coming out on Netflix in 2018. But after giving twelve hours of my life to Insatiable, Netflix had some serious grovelling to do when it came to body positivity.

the divisive comedy Insatiable; the TV show about bullied teen ‘Fatty Patty’ who finds ‘salvation’ through miraculous weight loss when she is unable to eat after having her jaws wired shut, making her an instant beauty queen overnight. The trailer alone had viewers outraged at the fat-shaming and fat-phobic messages underpinning the show as Netflix hit home the age-old message that fat girls can only find happiness and desirability if they drastically change the way they look.

That’s why I couldn’t be more thankful for the fortuitous timing of Dumplin’. Unlike typical depictions of fat girls, Willowdean (Danielle Macdonald) from Dumplin’ doesn’t care about her weight, and this is really refreshing. For the first time in Hollywood history, a plus-size woman, depicted by a plus-size person, was empowered without having to be the victim of some violent deed or lose weight. Dumplin’ is jam-packed with powerful messages that are not only kind and compassionate towards fat people and their struggles - they are accurate.

Upon first glance, Netflix’s feature film adaptation of YA novel Dumplin’ seemed eerily similar to the catastrophic comedy. Both Insatiable and Dumplin’ serve the same recipe: an overweight teen, a beauty pageant plot, and a turbulent relationship between the protagonist and their single mother. But in every way that Insatiable divided, Dumplin’ Willow had a positive plus-size role conquered. model who taught her she wasn’t defined by or limited to her fatness. So, what’s the big issue? There’s nowhere in the rulebooks that says “big girls need not apply”. Despite some funny moments, near- Willow joins her small-town pagly every scene in this dark, campy eant, along with her misfit friends, film was offset with humourless, not to seek revenge, but to prove problematic, and cruel body-sham- to the town that “a swimsuit body ing gags. Even if the narrative had is just a body with a swimsuit in it”. nothing to do with body image, the When a boy is interested in Willow, writers couldn’t help going out of she isn’t cured of her insecurities; their way to bring it back up. When she learns to love herself before she Patty is handcuffed to a bed, she can accept his love, inspired by the uses Twinkie cream to escape. The wise words of Dolly Parton to “figure reason she was so fat? She ate her out who you are and do it on purtwin in the womb. pose”.

Any and all of Patty’s character development is related to her weight loss. We only get to see ‘Fatty Patty’ for the first 2 minutes of the show, which is mainly devoted to cartoonish shots of Debby Ryan (Patty) wearing a fat suit and being bullied by her peers. We never get a glimpse into Patty’s interests, values, or personality traits. All we know is she was fat, and now she’s not she wants revenge. As a result, when Patty loses weight, we don’t get any If you missed out on the controver- real sense of transformation other sy, back in August, Netflix released than the physical. Her self-image is Dircksey Magazine w 42

purely based off of validation from her looks, and no other aspects of her personality - which is a real bummer.

Dumplin’ is a breath of fresh air among rotten attempts to portray fat stories in the media. It tackles important issues, even a love story, without the backwards idea that Dumplin’s problems would just go away if she was skinnier. Its strong, body-positive heroine provides messages all people will benefit from, no matter their size. Words by Tiarne Lambert

A Brilliant Mind Film and Lit | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

oncepts such as ‘the Big Bang’ and ‘black holes’ are familiar to many of us. And although most of us might not fully understand all their theoretical implications, we generally have some vague idea what they are. It is thanks to a few scientists, and one in particular, that such terms have entered our everyday language. When Stephen Hawking died last year, there was international grief and admiration for this exceptional scientist. While theoretical physicists are not generally world famous, Hawking had the notoriety of a rock star or Hollywood celebrity. All his accomplishments are more impressive given the significant disability he had to live with most of his life. Motor neuron disease rendered him a prisoner within his own body. When first diagnosed, he was told he only had two years to live; however, fate decreed he would survive for over fifty more - this alone is an impressive achievement. Despite the length and severity of his condition, he expanded the knowledge of theoretical physics to the point that he became a household name. With his lectures and publications, he effectively became the poster boy for

this branch of science. His brilliant mind sought to unlock the secrets of our physical universe. His most famous book A Brief History of Time was a best seller. While I did not understand all of the concepts he elaborated, (how can physical space have more than three dimensions?), I doubt I would have ever read anything like that if it hadn’t been for Stephen Hawking. His last book, Brief Answers to Big Questions discusses not just scientific theory, but also more topical and pressing issues such as global warming and population control. In tackling these contemporary issues, he shows the relevance of science to global issues and its role in viable solutions. Major issues affecting humanity such as global warming and overpopulation can only be tackled by unified and consistent approaches. Common sense and verifiable evidence are the basis of solutions - not religious dogmas and political slogans. Through this stance, he makes science something we can all relate to. He also examines a host of other issues familiar from science fiction such as ‘Should we colonise space?’, ‘Is time travel possible?’ and ‘What is inside a black hole?’. There are also more

basic philosophical and theological questions such as ‘How did it all begin?’, ‘Is there a God?’, and ‘Is there other intelligent life in the universe?’ This book is perhaps more accessible than his previous works. Nevertheless, there are still concepts that can be difficult to grasp. When discussing the Big Bang, it is hard to imagine a state before time, or even space, existed. Whatever the answers, such concepts force us to think ‘outside the conventional box’ and acknowledge that our physical world is much more complex than we generally assume. Through his lifelong efforts, Hawking brought scientific theory out of the university lecture room and into the sphere of popular culture. Because of him, more of us are aware of the significant concepts of theoretical physics. His books expand our knowledge and enable us to discuss these concepts without the need for a science degree or a PhD in Cosmology. For this alone, he deserves our appreciation. Words by Andrew Douglas Photo by Klemen Vrankar

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1993.

Schindler’s List: 25 Years Later

teven Spielberg, already a master of making A LOT of money with films like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, made another juggernaut blockbuster with Jurassic Park. It became the highest grossing film ever at that time, but Spielberg was not done yet. He had one more in the chamber, something more personal and more important than he’d ever made. Schindler’s List, released on the 15th of December 1993, tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who employed more than a thousand Polish Jews in his factories, saving them from the Holocaust. The film (written by Steven Zaillian, stars Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, and Embeth Davidtz) is over 3 hours long and remains a cinematic masterpiece.

cence, and afterwards have it quell and crush any notion of the return of such evil. But this has not happened. Instead, we have seen a rise in support for fascism and fascist ideologies, but without those in positions of power acknowledging that such ideals are part of their own policies and behaviour. Nazism has come back, supporters murdered a woman during the infamous rally in Charlottesville in 2017, Jewish graveshave been desecrated, people have been arrested for racial violence in public places and all since the election of one man who refuses to denounce their heinous acts. And there is nothing we can really do about it that isn’t already being done. There’s a serious trickle-down effect in place, where people with power who say and do things that are racist and misogynistic, who build hate and advocate violence to empowers members of the public to feel comfortable and join a movement of destruction. Schindler’s List has made such an impact to the filmmaking world, but its reality has gone unnoticed where it truly counts.

25 years later, it’s still a deeply moving piece of filmmaking because in every frame, you see pain and deep catharsis due to the commitment from everyone to making the only Holocaust movie we should ever need. It is a story worth telling, but only in the absolute right way, and that is what Steven Spielberg and his team achieved. Winning 7 AcadAll it should really take is a little emy Awards, including Best Pic- girl in a red coat to wake people ture and Best Director, like so up. many films Spielberg directed, it instantly became a classic of cinWords by Christopher Spencer ema. Art by Zoe Wolski So, what have we learned since then? Movies are meant to teach us specific things, meant to plant seeds in culture designed to change a perspective. We should have a film about the Holocaust and pure evil destroying innoDircksey Magazine w 45

Film and Lit | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

What’s Up Danger?

SPIDERMAN: INTO THE SPIDERVERSE AND FINDING POTENTIAL

hether in university, high school, or at work, we’ve all been forced to spend valuable time on assignments that feel pointless. Or more realistically, we’ve all thought we were wasting valuable time on a pointless assignment. Any act of creation, mandatory or not, contains an opportunity to impress. It is simply a matter of a ‘glass half-full’ mind-set. This metality is what Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, producers of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, have set out to normalise. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a recent 2018 release, critically applauded for its innovation in visual and thematic storytelling within the Spider-Man franchise. Its success is arguably most surprising due to the film’s production at Columbia Pictures. The film division is infamous for their mishandling of the Spider-Man IP. Most projects they produce in the franchise are unmistakably fiscally driven. Projects such as The Amazing Spider-Man films and Venom are completely unnecessary and uncalled for. Directors like Mark Webb and Ruben Fleischer, while talented in their own rights, fall into the trap of letting the studio dictate their creative process. This results in films that, while commercially successful, fail to impress critically, and eventually will sink into a sea of forgotten flicks. The ‘animated Spider-Man project’ could have been another one of these average movies. But instead, producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller recognised potential in their assignment and capitalised on it. If Phil Lord and Christopher Miller had let Columbia Pictures dictate their creative process, the ‘animated Spider-Man project’ would likely have been a standard, surface-level film that did nothing new and had Dircksey Magazine w 46

nothing to say. It would have retold the familiar Peter Parker origin story. It would have been visually unidentifiable from any other sterile computer-animated film. It would have relied on cheap humour, surface-level storytelling and stock music. Worst of all, it would have missed the point entirely of why Spider-Man is so adored,

“The ‘animated Spider-Man project’ could have been another one of these average movies. But instead, producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller recognised potential in their assignment and capitalised on it.” and just showcased mindless action and powers, without any of the heart. Fortunately, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller decided to think outside the box when hired to produce the ‘animated Spider-Man project’, and ended up creating an innovative, complex and heartfelt film, wholly unique but still faithful to the idea of Spider-Man. The film firstly features multiple new versions of Spider-Man including new protagonist Miles Morales, punk drummer Gwen Stacy, edgy 1940s-detective Spider-Man Noir, anime-inspired mecha SP//dr, cartoon pig Spider-Ham, and a burned-

out Peter Parker. All these versions of Spider-Man offer fresh angles on the Spider-Man story, while still being fully ‘Spider-Man’. The story structure subsequently comes based around a multiverse team-up, which no other Spider-Man film has done before. The animation style is also new to the franchise, and to the cinema, utilising comic book inspired texturing on 3-D models, chromatic aberration on backgrounds, and a jerky frame rate to create a distinctly neon, graphic novel-like look. The humour is broad, ranging from physical to satirical to banter-based. The music is hip-hop and trap-inspired. The characters have depth and motivation; the story has consequences and emotion; the themes of the film are inspiring. The idea that with ‘great power comes great responsibility’ is elevated to the idea that anyone ‘with great power’ can have ‘great responsibility’, by literally showing multiple people of different perspectives becoming Spider-Man. The film’s intricate and innovative details all come together to create a film that is simply great. All of this shows that potential is in everything, even cash-grabs such as an ‘animated Spider-Man project’. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film’s directors; Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman; the film’s graphic designers, animators, writers, actors and even Columbia Pictures, should all be very proud of the film they have made. They had something that should have been a dud, and they have crafted something sophisticated and genuine. We can do this too with our work. It is possible to make something amazing out of nothing. We just need to find its potential. We all have the power, we just need to accept that responsibility. Words by Hamish peterson Art by Neel Goodwin

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UniBank is a division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238981. 1. Membership eligibility applies to join the Bank. Membership is open to citizens or permanent residents of Australia who are current or retired employees, students and graduates of Australian Universities or family members of members of the Bank. This banking package is available to you if you are a current full time student at any Australian University, and may be withdrawn at any time. Please note – Before you decide on any of our products or services, we strongly recommend that you read both the Conditions of use Accounts and access and Fees and charges booklets. You can find these online at our website or ask at any of our offices. We have not considered your objectives, financial situation or needs. For further information call 1800 864 864 or go to our website. *2. Feel Good Banking competition. Duration: The competition period commences at 9.00AM AEDT on 21 January 2019 and closes at 9.00PM AEST on 31 May 2019 (the “Competition Period”).The prize pool is available across both the Teachers Mutual Bank and UniBank brands. Eligibility: To be eligible to enter, in addition to joining the Bank as a member or becoming a customer during the Competition Period, you must be: (a) at least 18 years of age; or (b) a student who is studying for a degree at an Australian University. Full competition terms and conditions are available online at unibank.com.au/ feelgoodbanking. Membership is open to citizens or permanent residents of Australia who are current or retired employees, students and graduates of Australian Universities or family members of members of the Bank. Draw details: The draw for the competition will occur at 10.00am AEST on 14 June 2019. The prizes will be drawn by a representative of the Bank at 28-38 Powell Street, Homebush NSW 2140. If the prize is not claimed, a redraw will take place on 25 June 2019.The winners’ names will be published on the UniBank website unibank.com.au and in The Australian on 2 July 2019. Unclaimed prizes: Any unclaimed prizes from the competition period will be redrawn three (3) months from the Draw Date at 10.00AM AEST on 16 September 2019 at 28-38 Powell Street, Homebush NSW 2140, subject to any direction given under applicable law. The winners will be telephoned and sent advice by email on 16 September 2019. The winner’s names will be announced on the Teachers Mutual Bank website tmbank.com.au, and on the UniBank website unibank.com.au, and in the Australian on the 24 September 2019. Promoter’s details: The promoter is Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence No 238981, 28-38 Powell Street, Homebush NSW 2140. Permit numbers: Authorised under NSW Permit No LTPS/18/30335 - ACT Permit ACT TP18/02393 - SA Permit No T18/2150. 01400-STU-UB-0219-COMP-A4

e iv t ea

Creative | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

There Is No Milk In The Guild

There is no milk, not a hint nor a drop. Four litres gone, someone will be killed. Already noon but not a drip of milk within the guild. There are no mugs, or cups or spoons. We saw them leave in thoughtless fingers taken, never to be returned by goons. Then they demand milk, entitled whingers. There is a kettle in the guild. Yammering students, they have found it. Boiled milk now within, bones milled there shall be, when we find the twit. The kitchen now empty, the staff have refilled. But by a club members hand there is no milk in the guild. Ian Donlan

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Creative | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Shhh Shhhhhhhhh Quiet, Soul I’m listening to Bob Ross He paints Happy little trees And mountains Big mountains

An Insomniac meets Bob Ross

High, hiiiiiiiiiiiigh as the sky mountains. I want to make mountains But they never turn up I’m caught red-handed With a dodgy preschool paintbrush Staring at an empty page Shhh Shhhhhhhhh Listen to Bob Ross We’re gonna take a two inch brush Because why not This is your world And you can put whatever you want In your world

What do I want in my world I feel like that’s a stressful question Isn’t this supposed to be relaxing? Why are options so constricting Confusing Shhh Shhhhhhhhh This is it I’m gonna do it now Happy little trees Big mountains Your world Seven seconds of woodland friends And I’ll be counting sheep I swear And we’re dreaming… Now … … … … Dammit Elisha Hammond Dircksey Magazine w 51

Creative | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Arisen from ecstasy, become beguiled, Imagination unlimited springs deep. Garners strength, transmits through synapses. Naked chemicals drift to cells, sparkling, now darkening, now the nerves know all things. The eyes hinder the spirit, the heart sings. The human unconscious, completely unknown perambulates heartstrings, heartening the wild blood torrents about the skeleton. Gristle, sinews, become nitro gelatin, to smelt though caverns of still silence. Out. To the metropolis. Consciousness masses runs free of membranous mists, and as that Beat goes forever on - as it must - who does not desire to enter the Tourbillon? Wild word, the worldwide wind, whirlwind, and now unwinding, go now wired down to the sea. Conscious self-will. Slated, elated, arrived. Bathed by sunbeams, freely, blithely. So alive. Alone. *â&#x20AC;?With Nature, reconciledâ&#x20AC;?. Susanne Hartford

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Creative | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

The rays unmoor and more soon follow suit: In fizzy eyes that pop, piercing up into the ceiling - sinking peering roots so resolute to blank the blaring clock A minute ticks to two when you wake up, pause a sec to tolerate the cawing flock communing dutifully as you rise up, groaning as they mourn the morning on You hesitate as leaden legs undock the mind from sleep, stepping flat upon the warmish carpet - carpe diem locks your vessel firmly to the door- you hear A hearty laugh - emerging to inspect now seems a pretty handsome prospect Krishna Aska

Morning, By The Pier

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USE

Reviews | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

L’OREAL ABSOLUT REPAIR

CENOVIS ECHINACEA, GARLIC, ZINC AND C TABLETS

If you love the idea of having soft, restored, and beautiful locks of hair, I’d highly recommend this treatment, which can also be used as your regular conditioner. If you know anyone in the beauty community, you can get a 500mL tube for about $40 at a wholesaler. The tube will last you up to about 6 months because you really only need to use the treatment sparingly on your mid-lengths and ends. The treatment works especially well for damaged and fragile hair and is used and recommended by many hairdressers. It may seem a bit of a gamble to invest in a product you’ve probably never heard of, and it’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. Words by Jess Checkland

Get ready for the cold and flu season with Cenovis’s God-sent vitamins. Personally, I take them year-round; I take three tablets daily as preventative and to reduce the severity and duration of colds. After trying almost every immune boosting product on the market, I can safely say that these are your best bet. The Echinacea helps increase white blood cells, and like Vitamin C and Garlic, acts as an antioxidant, while Zinc provides proper growth and maintenance of the human body. Buying in bulk is a lot better value for money, you can get 180 tablets for $30 from Chemist Warehouse. This works extremely well to strengthen immunity. Words by Jess Checkland

What you Do you want to know the best way to prevent allergies for your pet before they become a problem? Have you ever wondered why chocolate is so bad for our four-legged companions? Supplements for pets, are they good or bad? All these questions, and more, are answered on Paws and Play the podcast with Dr Jason Nicholas and his co-host Mia Horberg.

working in veterinary emergency and general practice for many years’ Dr J started the Preventative Vet veterinary practice in the response to all the heartbreaking, and preventable cases he saw. On behalf of the listeners, Mia Horberg, a fellow animal lover , and pawrent to two furbabies, tries to get as much information from Dr J as she can in one episode. each episode to get as much information out Dr J and Mia are part of the Preventative Vet of Dr J as she can, on behalf of listeners. team, which is based in America. In the podcast, they cover preventative health and safety You can listen to the podcast through Apple information to help you provide the best care Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play Music or iHeart for your four-legged family members. After Radio. Words by Jess Nieuwenhuis

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Listen to

PAWS AND PLAY: THE PREVENTATIVE VET PODCAST

Reviews | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Watch

THE GOOD PLACE

Eleanor Shellstrop arrives in the afterlife and is surprised, and relieved, to find herself in The Good Place. It’s not long until Eleanor realises there has been a mistake and she doesn’t belong. With the help of her, heartfelt, Good Place soul-mate Chidi and her faultless neighbours Tahani and Jianyu, she hides in plain sight from the neighbourhood architect Michael and his ever-helpful assistant Janet. Eleanor soon discovers it’s never too late to change and becomes determined to shed her old ways in the hopes of being worthy of The Good Place. Michael Schur has created a wonderfully dynamic and binge-worthy show starring Ted Dan-

son (Michael), Kristen Bell (Eleanor Shellstrop), William Jackson Harper (Chidi Anagonye), Jameela Jamil (Tahani Al-Jamil) DÁrcy Carden (Janet) and Manny Jacinto (Jianyu Li). The Good Place is a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has jokes everyone will enjoy. The series is now in its third season (with hopefully more to come) and even has a podcast, which is hosted by Marc Evan Jackson, who plays Shawn, with actor/writer/director interviews that go into more detail of each episode. You can the find The Good Place on Netflix. Words by Jess Nieuwenhuis

should A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS A Series of Unfortunate Events (ASOUF) is one of the most depressing TV series I’ve ever watched in my life, and it gives me great sadness to recommend you to watch the ever so morbid adventure of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire as they embark on their adventures to escape the evil clutches of the series villain Count Olaf, played by the amazing Neil Patrick Harris. The ever so surrealist series keeps the viewer in constant mystery as everything surrounding the constant misfortune of the three children is explained in drips and drabs across the three season

Netflix series. Most viewers of the show end up talking about the events and trials of the show for hours and days after watching. Probably the biggest task about writing this is trying not to spoil this Very Frightful Description of the children’s future and what happens to them in the Vindictive Fatal Denouement. Do yourself a favour and try to delay watching this miserable tail of constant unfortunate events. Or if you enjoy sadistic tails of weird men chasing after orphan’s monetary fortunes, this is the next binge on your list. Words by Adam Di Tullio

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Reviews | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Film reviews

CLIMAX (2018) Gasper Noé // Hamish Paterson The latest joint from Gasper Noé, Climax is a real trip. A film of pure sensation, both in an aesthetic and a thematic sense, Noé is very singular in his vision and achieves it in strides. That vision is a troupe of French dancers losing their minds on L.S.D., and if any of that sounds remotely interesting, then definitely give it a watch. The narrative isn’t much, but intentionally so. Noé is more interested in showcasing the depths of depravity, both from a subtle, socially expectable level of conversation, and from a brutally debauched level of physicality. The film’s enclosed cast, setting and premise give the film the ability to simply show repressed sexuality, violence and jealously explode onto the screen, without being bogged down with complexities in the plot. The most impressive aspects of the film are the choreography and the camera-use. The whole affair is incredibly tangible, with the dancing matching the surrealism of the drug-induced intoxication. Everything is in-camera; no special-effect trickery is required for Noé to capture perfectly the feeling of a truly powerful and awfully visceral acid trip. It’s like looking through the other end of the telescope, man. NIGHTCRAWLER (2014) Dan Gilroy // Honey Wilkinson Nightcrawler stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed. The ‘Nightcrawler’ Lou Bloom, played by Gyllenhaal, enters a new career as a cameraman selling images for crime television journalism. Soon after his successes we see Bloom become obsessed with the idea of capturing the perfect shot, and the questioning lengths he goes to do so. The film delves into themes of morality and consciousness, and we even begin to question as an audience if Gyllenhaal’s character is some kind of psychopath or sociopath. We are also confronted with some harsh truths about the reality behind the world of journalism and photomedia. Gyllenhaal was suited for this role perfectly, and he really does justice to performing the intense character that is Lou Bloom; a crazy, ambitious and daring cameraman who loves sharing his mantra, “if you want to win the lottery, you have to make the money to buy a ticket”. Lou can be deemed as a bad person for many incidents that occur during the film, however, he has so many likeable traits as a character it is easy to empathizse with this antihero as we follow along this wild ride.

EVERYBODY KNOWS (2018) Asghar Farhadi // Christopher Spencer Written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, Everybody Knows (Todos lo Ssaben) stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem as two people who negotiate a hostage crisis for someone close to them, while their families and community begin to collide against one another over secrets long buried, forced to come to the surface. Farhadi has, almost randomly, decided to make a Spanish-language film after cutting his teeth with the Oscar-winning Iranian dramas A Separation and The Salesman, still bringing his trademark weight to characters and the story. Everybody Knows is a solid vehicle for Cruz, Bardem and so many other Argentinian, Catalan, and Spanish actors, but how Farhadi tells this hostage drama is weak. You do want to see what happens next at every turn, but what does happen is just rather tame and unexceptional when it comes to these kinds of films. Had David Fincher or Lynne Ramsay made this film, there could’ve been more tension, more cinematic value, and clearer finished product without melodrama, red herrings, and dangling subplots. Everybody Knows has some merit and it’s a rather quick and easy film to sit through considering the content, but it’s a filmmaking step back for Asghar Farhadi. Dircksey Magazine w 56

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Book reviews

THE DRY (2016) Jane Harper // Jess Checkland Set in an Australian farming community during a two-year drought, Aaron Falk, a federal agent, returns to the town of Kierwarra for an old friend’s funeral whose death occurred under suspicious circumstances. Investigating into the deaths of Luke Hadler and his family brings up the secrets of the town’s past and makes Falk confront his own secrets. With themes of mystery and community, this psychological thriller/police procedural is the epitome of a small town full of big secrets.

MISS D & ME:LIFE WITH THE INVINCIBLE BETTE DAVIS (2017) Danelle Morton + Kathryn Sermak // Andrew Douglas This latest book adds to the many biographies about the legendary Bette Davis. Written by the young woman who was her personal assistant during the last years of her life, it offers a ‘close-up’ view of these later years. The author spent six years with Davis and was often her travelling companion, frequently staying in her home. She observed her interactions with her family, close friends, business associates and fans of all descriptions. Significantly, she was with her during her very last illness and present at her death. Since Davis was larger than life and a doyen of Hollywood’s golden era, any intimate portrait will be of interest. It does not present a flawless human being: her bad temper, caustic remarks and classic put-downs are too well-known and revealed here as in previous biographies. She was above all a star who strived to preserve her image right up till the end. Another insight into the eventful life of the inimitable Bette Davis. Definitely one for her fans, for students of Hollywood history and lovers of classic old movies.

ELEANOR OLLIPHANT IS COMPLETLEY FINE (2017) Gail Honeyman // Jess Checkland A quirky and fascinating story about a seemingly odd woman with a hidden past. Working a mediocre office job during the week and drinking vodka alone on the weekends, Eleanor Olliphant is the definition of a social recluse. She follows a routine and lives a simple life, but a major theme of the book is loneliness. This book teaches that not everything is what it seems with a ‘never judge a book by its cover’ morality. It provides comfort and hope for those who may isolate themselves from the world. A brilliant psychological fiction cross with an unconventional romance, no wonder this book is a bestseller. Dircksey Magazine w 57

Reviews | Ed. 1 Vol. 5

Music reviews HOW TO BE A HUMAN BEING (2017) Glass Animals // Elisha Hammond How To Be a Human Being. What a BOP. This amazing album will have you tapping your toes and doing those weird living room dance routines at 2AM (or is that just me?). Ever since I heard ‘Life Itself’, I knew this whole collection was a banger. The groovy, blissed-out tunes are the perfect soundtrack to any life occasion, whether you’re getting ready for a big night out, sitting in traffic during a long commute, or cooking up a storm on a lazy Sunday arvo. Particularly strong songs include ‘Youth’, ‘Pork Soda’, and ‘Season 2 Episode 3’. Showing immense growth from their freshman album Zaba, Glass Animals continues to deliver powerful alt rock anthems with all the good vibes. My one issue? We’re just about due another album and there’s been radio silence. C’mon guys! Once you listen to HTBAHB you’ll know what I mean. Trust me. THIS LAND (2019) Gary Clark Jr // Jesse Newell Gary Clark Jr is back with a fiery new single that is not afraid to pull its punches. The Texan-born blues rocker is “paranoid and pissed off” about the current state of racial politics in America and has drawn upon his own experiences to bring his song to life. Residing in a home “in the middle of Trump country”, the verses reflect some of the prejudices Clark experienced from his neighbours. He was treated differently and perceived as a threat, solely based on the colour of his skin. By the time we hit the chorus, Clark is directly quoting some familiar racial slurs he received, such as “nigga run, nigga run” and “we don’t want your kind”. His rage is justified, as racism still has a foul presence in the United States. It is great to see that he is channelling his anger through his music, as a way to provoke people to take action. And true to Clark’s style, the song concludes with an electrifying guitar riff that is reminiscent of the great Jimi Hendrix. This Land is set to feature on Gary Clark Jr’s upcoming album, which is scheduled to be released on March 1st. HIGH AS HOPE (2018) Florence and the Machine // Elisha Hammond Florence and The Machine continues to deliver with her fifth studio album, High as Hope. Featuring soaring, powerful ballads and punchy, heartfelt lyrics, Florence builds on the stellar reputation she has artfully created over the last decade. Welch sets a new tone with softer choruses like ‘No Choir’ and ‘The End of Love’, while songs like ‘100 Years’, ‘Hunger’ and ‘Patricia’ champion the famous Florence and The Machine energy. High as Hope is the perfect fusion of fresh material and nostalgic beats, demonstrating both growth and a respect for the songs that brought Florence here. The material is vulnerable and incredibly personal, dealing with themes like growing up, mental illness, and family with the signature Florence flair. If you love music by Aurora, Kate Nash, and Regina Spektor, High as Hope is the perfect addition to your Spotify playlist. Dircksey Magazine w 56

Your Bright Summer Playlist DOMINIC FIKE ‘3 Nights’ GOLDLINK X HARE SQUEAD ‘Herside Story’ AJR ‘Burn the House Down’ MAHALIA ‘Sober’ ALLIE X ‘Not so Bad in LA’ YOUR GIRL PHO ‘Feelin’ MAHALIA ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’ LOST KINGS FT. EMILY WARREN ‘Phone Down’ BROODS ‘Peach’ MANSIONAIR ‘Easier’ BILLIE EILISH ‘my boy’ DANIEL CAESAR FT. H.E.R. ‘Best Part’ HAYDEN JAMES FT. RUNNING TOUCH ‘Better Together’ SAKIDASUMI ‘I Miss You So, But I’m Heading Home’ MUMFORD & SONS & BAABA MAAL ‘There Will Be Time’ POT PLANT HOUSE PARTY ‘Junkie’

By Krishna Aksa

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