Contents VOYEUR...4 FEATURES...6 FOOD... 12 BOOKS...15 FASHION...18 LGBT+...22 PHOTOS...24 Travel...27 ARTS...30 MUSIC...34 Film...42
VOYEUR
Issue 104 Feb 14
PAPER AND LIBRARY HOURS Feel that weight in your hand, the thickness of leaf under thumb as you turn the page. Rejoice please in our new quality paper. Just as a new mother looks down and sees an angel, while all others can only see a wrinkly, screaming and most likely smelly baby, as is true for this paper. The confused faces of friends, as I demand they gently stroke the pages and admire the manner it holds ink to a vastly superior degree won’t lessen my joy. It is a huge deal for me, and sad though that is, please just for a second, humor me and admire. Having struggled through exams and dragged weary bodies to and fro from the library to complete dull essays, it may Quench of this term. But it is, ready and raring to welcome you back with optimism and new ideas that have most likely already been washed out of you thanks to the lovely Welsh rain. Think of it as a helpful reminder of those ambitions ary. Inside are the articles of many students, who while I fail to go on my daily run, have succeeded in keeping to their New Years resolution and got involved in something different. Quench. And now we have caught up with the rest of the Universe and got ourselves a facebook page - Quench Contributors - it is easier least cult-y way conceivable. My regular wittering must now come to an abrupt end, as its 10pm and as I sit
starting to doubt my sanity. The music I was listening to stopped a good twenty minutes ago, and I didn’t realise it was my untuned humming that I was gently swaying my body to. Which brings me to my little life lesson that I wish to share with the world. The library is now open to midnight. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay there til then. Deadlines may loom, but for many so does the real world - so enjoy student life whileyou can! Dom Kehat
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vouyer@gairrhydd.com
Art is very important to me as a means of expression, and I ing, ‘a picture can tell a thousand words’. I love atmospheric images that convey a sense of texture, and this cover was inspired by the luxurious nature of 1920s burlesque - yet, against my better judgement, there isn’t a nipple tassel in sight. Nicol Phillips kindly designed this week's cover, and the Quench Team couldn't be more
Quench Quickie So it's Valentines day, and there are million ways to say to say 'I Love You'. Here are those three important words in the weirdest languages we could
BasqueIcelandicSanskritSesothoYiddishZulu-
Maite zaitut! Eg elska thig! twayi snihyaami Kiyahurata! Kh'hob dikh lib! Ngiyakuthanda!
VOYEUR
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vouyer@gairrhydd.com
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FEATURES
NewYear, New You. Start the diet. Give up smoking. Work harder. Be nicer. Drink less. Sounds easy.
Thousands of dull and uninspired New Year's resolutions are currently being broken accross the UK. Nine brave Cardiff students have been thinking outside of the box, trying out strange new things for our enjoyment.
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Burlesque
FEATURES
If someone mentions the word Burlesque you probably wrestle up images of Dita Von Teese types wearing nipple tassels, swanning around in some gentlemen’s club. At least, that’s what I’d dreamt up anyway. Take a second then to imagine the look of sheer disappointment on my face when, after following the directions to the class, I rolled up outside Canton Methodist Church. So far, my Burlesque fantasy wasn’t exactly coming together quite as I’d imagined. After checking with a passer-by that I was indeed at the correct venue (despite desperately praying that I’d taken a wrong turn somewhere), I feigned a look of optimism and strolled into the Church. I was late. Muttering apologies to a lady that stood at the front of the class, I joined the group of women to hear the introductions take place. Sneaking a peek around me every now and then I realised that (at twenty years-old) I was undoubtedly the youngest there. I also noticed that the room we were rehearsing in was the Sunday school room. Glancing at the displayboards condemning ‘SIN’ and ‘TEMPTATION’, I suddenly began to feel a little guilty. I zone back into the conversation just as Miss FooFooLaBelle (I know), informs us that we will be learning the Burlesque ‘chair dance’. At this point, I’m intrigued. We’re also told that we don’t have to
my trainers. As we grab a chair and head for a space on the
lent piece of news as this delays the inevitable broken neck and/or ankle which I was anticipating from prancing around in anything more than
If you feel like spicing up your life with Burlesque go onto www.burlesquecardiff.
Things are more confusing when you’re upside down. Have you ever been to a circus, marvelled at the trapeze acts only to wonder, "where in the world would I be able to learn those moves?" Well apparently it’s just off John St here in Cardiff ! No Fit State circus is the leading contemporary circus in the UK, producing professional touring productions as well as offering a wide range of training programs for all abilities and ages, and
we had to warm up and I tell you now, there is a stretch for every muscle you can think of and about 20 more that you never knew existed. After 15 minutes of warm ups it was then off to the rope to be taught to climb like a pro before moving on to the trapeze. The instructor Martha made a great effort to explain every move, leg twist and grab in great detail, even if it was just to get you sat up straight on the bar. However, all these moves go straight out the window the mo-
life. When I was told that I would be joining the absolute beginners Trapeze class on the third week of the course, I had no idea what I was getting into but I had very little to fear. The course
arm. But thankfully Martha is on hand to talk you through everything you're doing and offer support as even though you can only be about
of class so as to impress Miss Labelle with my moves. As the music’s switched on and Muse promptly putting my dignity aside to embrace the experience. I begin hip-rolling, leg-kicking, back-arching and chair-swivelling... am I enjoying this?! The moves are accessible, everyone looks the same amount of ridiculous and I’m even beginning to feel a little bit sexy. Who’d have thought it? Mid-lesson comes the glorious news that we will be stopping for a tea and biscuit break. Delightful. Chatting to the girls, I discover that Cardiff Burlesque has secured itself a sturdy fan-base. Everyone loves the classes: they’re that little bit different and give you a surprisingly good workout. Think of it like a lazy, much more glamorous aerobics. Just as we’re about to get back to class been watching my every move to make sure she’s doing the routine right. Ego pampered? I think so. I mutter a coy ‘thank you’ and bound off, full not so bad at this after all. Praise the lord. Claire Dibben
Circus Skills
suggests, is for complete beginners in the art of trapeze, providing the basics to allow students to progress into the harder classes. If like me, you were one of those kids in school who couldn’t wait for the ropes and climbing frames to be brought out in P.E. then this is the place for you. The class was taken by Martha who has been teaching for over 5 years, with 15 years of trapeze experience in total and she made every effort to get me involved and feel as at home as possible. But before we could even begin to think about swinging from the roof tops
times! After a few more moves and stances it's time to call it a day and warm down your very achy hands and feet. For those with a serious interest in trapeze or even just looking for something to keep them active this class is an amazing starting point. At no point will you feel left out or out of you depth and most importantly, it’s fun! Phil Kenny If you want to run away with the circus go
Life Drawing
FEATURES
It’s just a congregation of artists, poised with pencils in hand ready to release their creativity. Hold on, why is that long-haired dude getting his lating, inspiring, enjoyable experience. The way I
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outlet. span and her body was pleasing to draw and she ed, not knowing how I would react. No one was
bash. After the session I felt a little weary, the battle against the clock can be intense. I had a nosy at the
to the paper as I tried to get all proportions and dePete Large took to the situation without nerves even when he ceeding to grab his ankles with his hands. Still I
Fancy yourself as a Picasso? www.cardiffartsinstitute.org
Graffiti in its culture, and recently attended a three-hour -
practical workshops have been available to budding -
starting an essay... Learning by error the technious work took shape, I was consoled by the rigorous
other workshop attendees were also being initiated bles looked like the attacks of an angry toddler.
undertake to refer to whilst painting. Two hours later I surrendered to a day seriously lacking in de-
asked the pros where they had found theirs. An-
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Subway Art
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channel his skills throughout high school, whereas enthusiasts. He has since created his own typography and taken the natural progression into graphic design, whereas Andrew’s career has included in-
paintings and pictographs, to the three-toothed Ca-
hand before you dispute the exceptional talent that Jessica Wretlind
ble act, they boast different skills: Andrew’s lies in
Do you think you can give Banksy a run for his money? www.illustrateproject.com
Sushi Making "Sashhimi, iso, maki, futomaki, nigiri, gunkan, katsu and tempora?!" Wow. Does this make any sense
being met with such a bombardment of Japanese ment, let alone pronouncing them and then above that, to know what they mean. Welcome to my exsushi full stop! Rhiannon- sous chef at Yo! Sushi - took me under her wing. After a brief introduction to the openplan kitchen and restaurant, she put me to work. The restaurant is designed around the kitchen and a conveyer belt with dishes that you can swipe off and gobble down if they take your fancy... mmmm. When I say "she put me to work" I became more a protégé for the next hour or so. Decked out in a black apron and attractive black hat, I then had to put on latex gloves and rub mayonnaise all over them- purely for making the rice less sticky to work with. Rhiannon then cleared up a few complex words key to the sushi world: telling me ISOs, or equally remembered as ‘Inside outs’, consist of rice on the outside of the seaweed, whereas Makis or wrapped in seaweed. Seaweed is known as nori. I have never known seaweed to have such a delicate and dry form- Slime and goo were nowhere to be
FEATURES
seen, but I wasn’t going to complain! were key to achieving a vaguely successful sushi ‘production line.’ With a sheet of nori in place, I learnt to squash rice right into the nori to create a transparent layer. Following this you throw on a few condiments and then position the vegetable or meat down the middle of the square sheet of rice covered nori. From here, I would carefully roll the nori up inside a bamboo mat and ‘massage’ the mat to the required shape of a maki/iso. Taking off the mat, I would discover a peculiar- looking sausage, on how big your bite is) pieces you see on display. Simple! Don’t be freaked at premonitions of sushi. The exactly appetising, but give it a taster and you will and healthy treat. So go YO! Sushi; give some of those Japanese words a blast and dig ‘Kampai’ the traditional Japanese toast! Millie Flint
restrauants near you that offer this, email antony@yosushi.com
Cocktail Classes
Ever fancied yourself as a bit of a cocktail connoisseur? Move over Carrie Bradshaw and co., here come this generation’s cocktail experts. I’m sure you’ve all been to Vodka Revolution and
vodka. It is, after all, a staple watering hole for the students of Cardiff. If you fancy having a go yourself or are bored of drinking the standard cocktails on offer, then the cocktail master class may be the thing for you. Four generous cocktails each, several vodka shots, and a bit of food later, I was pleasantly surprised. We were greeted by a row of champagne glasses for simple, but delicious, bellinis. We were then told that we had to come up with porn star names for ourselves- a little awkward when still sober. But the intimacy of our group (there were only three of us instead of the standard six) was quickly alleviated by our host, 'Pat McGroin' (pun intended)- a quirky Scotsman who set the tone with plenty of innuendo and cheeky one-liners. I would like to say this experience has a little more class compared to the standard vodka -infused Tuesday but fear not, ‘banter’ was aplenty. After a myself behind the bar instructing my blindfolded friend how to make a Woo Woo. The raspberry Tom Collins surpassed any I’ve tried in the quirky and seemingly upmarket local haunts and the Mojitos -normally something I only care for abroad- went unrivalled too. Our host was clearly educated on cocktails and
their origins, demonstrating a passion for any kind of cocktail trivia. He abruptly corrected one of my childhood heroes, James Bond, by claiming a
shaken, especially in a martini, as the gin bruises. He also took great pleasure in watching us wince at the pure vodka shots we were encouraged to try. These included the infamous Grey Goose, among others which I wouldn’t dare try and pronounce. The experience, I have to say, has made me view vodka differently: no longer shall I view Tesco value vodka as classy pre-lash material. The evening ended with food, which was welcome, given that we ravenous and perhaps a little tipsy. Best have something to eat beforehand, aswell as bracing yourself for a night of bad jokes, good company, and cosmopolitans. The food was
was free-entry and a queue-jump to Chic Beat. My experience has made me only more the cocktail lover and, unfortunately for my bank balance, appreciate a quality drink. However, as unconventional as it may be, I’ll be taking mine shaken not stirred. Vicky Outhwaite Want to try yours shaken like James Bond? Contact Vodka Revolutions at www.revolutionbars.co.uk/cocktail-party-venues.php
Canyoning
Canyoning or 'canyoneering' is usually wet. It traditionally involves the descent of a steep water course and is a high adrenaline activity for adults. A better description is given by ‘Call of the Wild’s’ website: "It’s white water rafting, but without the raft". It is slippery, scary, isolated AND COLD. It is also the biggest adrenaline rush and best laugh I’ve had in years. The trip begins with you getting kitted out with a wetsuit in an open car park in the Brecon Becons. (Tip: do not wear lots of clothes, no cotton is allowed and it takes ages to get all the layers off). Then it’s straight off down to the river to learn how to jump. Once the instructors are sure you won’t kill yourself, you simply let the water 'take you'. Don’t worry though, it’s not a
tically different jumps and paths to negotiate. The instructors also set you tasks and competitions; a great chance to prove you can climb up a waterfall faster than your mates, or not use your hands as venture is accompanied by some of the most picturesque scenery South Wales has to offer. For those of you who love your rocks, or just are curious, the guides have an excellent knowledge of the landscape. Not only can you learn how old some of the rocks are (I’ll leave you guessing), you
If you’re lucky, you might even get the treat of a personal serenade of Peter Andre’s Mysterious Girl as the guide dances under a waterfall. I won’t spoil the other treats that the route has in store but rest assured it involves lots of scrambling, jumping and bruises. Finally you get to the big one. A 27ft jump right down a waterfall. Allegedly you are just meant to ‘step off ’ this gigantic look at it than when you read it). This is not a comnitely one of the best. Expecting to feel like I was free-falling for an age, you hit the water quicker than you could imagine. For me it was a huge rush, accompanied by hysterical giggles after. As it was November when I attempted canyoning half the route was cut off because the water was too high. Apparently, the second half involves much more puzzle solving and competitive eledescribed as Loony’s Leap. I’d encourage you to go in summer and see if you can brave Loony’s Leap. Amy Robinson If you want to be swept away by this experience contact Call of the Wild on 01639700388
and how the landscape is constantly changing.
I’m not going to lie, when I was asked to go caving with the Cardiff University Caving & Canyoning Club the first thoughts that entered my mind were the horrific potential consequences. I had fantastical, traumatic imagery imprinted upon my susceptible mind from films like The Descent and 127 Hours (where a young man is trapped by a rock in a canyon and has to cut his hand off. Should I prepare for this and bring a penknife with me?). Not nice, but in hindsight clearly not an accurate depiction of the extreme sport at all. The activity of exploring underground caves has developed into a sophisticated, athletic pastime. Caving in South Wales is thought to be some of the best in the UK and I found it an experience which is incredibly rewarding and exhilarating. Before in Slovenia and Hungary I had been to a few “show caves” where anyone can view certain areas of well lit, preserved cave. These are often however very busy and full of tourists. On this trip to “Ogof Ffynnon Ddu” which means “cave of the black spring”, there were just us navigating through, in parts quite difficult, cave formations. This is a challenge as you really have to push your body into some unusual spaces and situations. We went along ledges, through wide caverns, small tunnels and across fast flowing streams. We pressed through some incredible rock formations: crouching, sliding and squeezing through all variety of spaces in the rock.
Caving
It’s like a whole other world underground with interesting formations such as large stalactites, stalagmites and built up areas of calcite (calcium) turning rock faces bright white. We stopped for a bite to eat and I realised just how silent and peaceful the caves are; you can go along at your own pace and I felt very comfortable underground. Most importantly of course the company in the Caving Club was fantastic: the whole trip was really fun with great, fun loving people attracted to this type of extreme sport. They were all so welcoming. Caving seems to have a brilliant social community; there are clubs from universities all over the country which stay in a network of caving huts, you can meet so many different people. The club puts on trips generally every weekend and you can find it on Facebook by searching ‘Cardiff University Caving Club'. They are also involved in the South and Mid Wales cave rescue team. I cannot recommend caving enough. Anyone who loves a challenge and wants to try something incredibly rewarding, then this fun and social activity is for you. Benji Lamb If you want to explore dark, moist holes cont a c t D a n Wo r k m a n ( P r e s i d e n t ) o n 07952199570
Roller Derby
FEATURES
Roller derby has gained a sudden resurgence worldwide since the release of the critically acclaimed blockbuster Whip It and has certainly skyrocketed in popularity in the last few months. In Wales, where the Derby scene is growing fast, many Welsh women are coming to consider the sport to be the female equivalent to rugby. Writing this article the morning after a Roller Derby training session with the Cardiff Roller Collective – Cardiff ’s newest Roller Derby league
Arriving at the sports hall where they train in Trowbridge was a daunting experience. I was surrounded by whizzing girls practising all sorts of skills, while I could barely stand upright on my eight wheels. But I quickly found out that all is not as it seems in the Cardiff Roller Collective. For one thing the Collective is not just one team but three: The New Roathmantics, Raiders of the Roath Park and CROC All Stars – all of whom practise together and seem to get along very well. There’s no hierarchy to the teams either, newbies like myself are quite alright to train with veteran competitive skaters. The Collective’s ‘PR Manager’ skater, Bruise Springsteen took me under her wing for the entirety of the two hour session, and was very patient with my complete lack of ability to skate. She patiently explained to me the basics of the sport, which is played on quad skates by two teams at a time who skate around an oval track. Points are scored when ‘the jammer’ (the designated scorer of each team) passes members of the opposing team, eight of whom skate in formation trying to block said jammers from scoring. Roller derby players are generally female, though a few male teams have recently emerged. However, the seven referees that roller derby requires often tend to be male. Roller derby has a punky/indie kind of a feel to it with players using ‘derby names’ based on creative word plays and allusions to pop-culture; the Cardiff Roller Collective harbours ‘Jo to Hell’, ‘Bruise Springsteen’ and ‘Nikilla’, and costumes often use elements of Rockabilly and Burlesque fashions. Despite their rather untoward appearance though, the ladies were absolutely lovely to me and took me through the basics of the sport. I learned how to fall correctly onto your pads to minimise injury – I fell incorrectly a lot more – and how to actually block someone while on skates (with your shoulders, hips or bum never your elbows!). Roller derby is of course a contact sport and so injuries are expected; there were a few minor falls by members of the league while I was there, and they tell me they see their fair share of bruises and broken wrists but safety is always emphasised- helmets, knee, elbow, wrist pads and gum shields are compulsory wear whilst skating. I would thoroughly recommend this sport to any girl who isn’t afraid of a few bruises and fancies something a little bit different. Catriona Camacho
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FOOD
C R D I
A E
S H T S
Quench investigates the unappetising, often dangerous, truth behind some of today's most popular 'crash diets'.
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FOOD
THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET Hannah Jones risks the notoriously gas-inducing Cabbage Soup Diet in a bid to discover the gruelling reality of a veg-heavy existence.
When I volunteered to take on the ‘Cabbage Soup Detox Diet’ I was pretty excited. I hoped that this diet could be my saviour in shedding unwanted biscuit-related pounds; after all, it is used by celebrities such as Sarah Michelle Gellar and thousands of women around the world – it must work, right?! Online I found many variations on the cabbage soup recipe, and to my surprise there was more to it than simply cabbage! The recipe I settled on was a Weight Watchers own and consisted of: 1 cabbage 3 leeks 3 onions 2lbs mushrooms 3 carrots 3 peppers 1 bag each of baby spinach, watercress and rocket 1 celery 1 tin of chicken soup
After 2 and a half hours of what Sam Al-Asadi called “the most disastrous cooking session I have ever witnessed”, the result was surprisingly good! And the satisfaction that came from making homemade soup (nearly) alwl by myself, put me in a very good mood! The diet regime itself is very strict, ‘allowing’ and the soup for the second and slowly offering you one or two ‘treats’ as the week goes on (N.B. this is a world where apparently a jacket potato or a banana
are considered 'treats'...how depressing). It is, however, all you can eat when it comes to the soup. Joy! On day 1 I started off very determined, loved the taste of the soup and was happy with the prospect of putting nutrients into my body... rather than alcohol and takeaways. However, from day 2 onwards things started going downhill as I noticed myself beoming increasingly sad and emotional, not to meantion dreaming about pasta and chocolate. Needless to say, I ended up caving in on the evening of day 3 due to stomach pains, bloating, hunger and a general craving of good hearty meals!! Maybe I don’t have a strong enough will power or my love for food is just too much to take on a crash diet, but ultimately I wouldn’t recommend the Cabbage Soup diet to anyone wanting to lose weight effectively. By eliminating solid foods from your diet your metabolism actually slows down and the lack of protein and carbs means you have dangerously little energy, become close to starvation. Research also shows that you invariably put all the weight that it is only allowed for 7 days is an obvious sign that it’s not healthy, and even after three days of eating nothing but cabbage soup I didn’t lose a pound... in fact, I gained 2 pounds!! So cabbage soup gets a no from me! Hannah's Top Tip: you will need oversized saucepans/cauldrons , a blender that works for longer than 1 minute at a time, LOTS of fridge space and the energy to take frequent shopping trips to Tesco!
food@gairrhydd.com
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FOOD
THE LEMONADE DIET Hanna Fillingham channels her inner Beyonce and squeezes her lemons to beat the bulge.
The maple syrup diet is supposedly one of the most dangerous ‘fad diets’ to follow. Nervous? A little. Crazy? I’m starting to think so. However, if it worked for Beyoncé, then who’s to say it won’t work for me too? According to devoted followers say is correct, I should be coming out of this with brighter eyes, clearer skin, and most importantly, a dress size smaller. DAY ONE: Although I knew that all I would be living on was an obscure tasting liquid, the reality of it seemed something very different altogether. The combination of lemon juice and cayenne pepper gives quite a kick and tastes as obscure as it looks and sounds. For the rest of the day, it feels as if everywhere I go, the smell of succulent home cooked meals are following me. My normal ritual of making dinner is replaced by measuring the ratio of lemon juice to maple syrup, while watching pizza. Not wanting to watch any more gastronomic fantasies being prepared before my eyes, I go to my room to sleep. At nine o clock.
DAY TWO:I never thought that this ‘fast’ would be so full on. Even in this short amount of time, it has affected my entire day. I’ve so far had to turn down going for a pub lunch, walk the long way to my lecture to avoid any temptation to stop at the corner shop, and most of all, am staying in while ticularly feel any ‘brighter’ and I swear the spot on my nose wasn’t there yesterday. I feel tired the whole time and irritated by everything. However, I tell myself that it will be over tomorrow and the DAY THREE: The detox is supposed to last three days. At the beginning, I certainly contemplated the idea of sticking with it for longer. However, I am very, very glad that today is the last day and I am already planning my breakfast for 12.00am. I feel light headed and the occasional bursts of energy I retain from my drink are juxtaposed with a downward feeling of tiredness. If I had Beyoncé’s I might well have decided to keep at it. But just to the next size up.
VEGAN RAW FOOD DIET Jen Hurley shuns the butter and bacon in favour of beans and broccoli. For the next three days I will be attempting the ‘vegan raw food diet,’ so cannot cook anything over 40 degrees; to paraphrase I will be eating raw vegetables for the next three days. Day One: 8.40am, Having checked the website, it turns out I'm not allowed milk or sugar on my cereal. So this is a terrible start. Orange juice it is. 12.30pm, The only thing I can think of making that will follow the guidelines is a salad. Without meat. Or dressing. Already this is looking entirely unappetizing but I'm powering through. 6pm. I'm having that salad again for dinner 7pm, All seven of my housemates are sitting around me eating burgers. 10.30pm, Bacon sandwich. I'm not even sorry.
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Day Two: 11am, I'm having an apple for breakfast. 1pm, All this fruit is making me bloated. And the lack of caffeine is decreasing my productivity. 5pm, Time for dinner. I'm having the same salad again, but this time with a bit of dressing. And some chips. Day Three: 10am, My housemate commented that I had a ‘thinner face.’ That’s probably the 30 years I’ve aged from eating the same as a malnourished rabbit. 1pm, I have given up. I'm going to eat mayonnaise straight from the jar until I can work up the strength to make some kind of delicious meat and carb combination.With butter on the side.
bOOKs
Library Leisure
As if you haven’t already got enough to be fuelling your library visits, Hanna Van Den Bergh talks you through ten top reasons from 2010 to stake out your local bookshelves this weekend.
1. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen The Corrections caused controversy at Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club, Freedom has positively taken the world by storm. Following a snapshot of an idealistic young couple whose lives are affected by the social changes spiraling out of control around them and ending with the disillusion of marriage.
2. Solar by Ian McEwan
3. Tell All by Chuck Palahniuk Boy meets girl. Boy gets girl. Boy kills girl. In true Palahniuk fashion no detail is left untouched from the butchering of the hyperactive protagonist to the desire to match the paint in the nursery to the exact colour of her baby’s skin tone. Gruesome yet fantastic.
4. Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel The long awaited second novel after Life of Pi has been slated by critics for being a blasé, pretentious account of the Holocaust. It’s always worth a second opinion if you have a spare afternoon and a thirst for stuffed animals.
5. The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry Love him or hate him, Stephen Fry is as much a household name as Argos or Breville. Flick through his rich, eloquent back-story and wow your friends at pub quizzes with his recent memoirs.
6. Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King From one Stephen to another, the brilliance of Stephen King will not fail to dazzle you in his new series of novels. Books of retribution and complicity, and crimes of unspeakable truth make this one un-put-downable!
7. Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man by Jonathon Cape The man dubbed “one of the most gifted, charismatic and successful young literary agents in New York” tells of the depths of drug addiction and the grimy lifestyle associated with it. Based on true stories, this harrowing portrayal of the miseries of a downtown New York existence will stop you sleeping.
8. On Speaking Terms by Connie Wanek Drawing attention to the beauty of everyday activity, Wanek’s poetry is uplifting and optimistic. With a sly sense of humour and impeccable use of language you’ll devour this book in an afternoon.
9. Jamie’s 30-minute meals by Jamie Oliver The most anticipated book over the Christmas period and a sell out across the nation, Jamie Oliver has done it again. With all these New Year deadlines no doubt you have little time to plan extravagant dinners that start taking photocopies today!
10. The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham The countless good works and legacy of Lord Chief Justice Bingham now includes his book The Rule of Law, lest he be forgotten. Providing a clear account of the underlying issues with the British Legal system in eight comprehensive parts. If you haven’t got your hands on a copy already head to the Law library and have a read for yourself. books@gairrhydd.com
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Inspiration
NEW BEGINNINGS The Handmaid's Tale
on how,
or how not, to do t
Margaret Atwood,
hings
afresh
.
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale offers a futuristic vision of a totalitarian theocratic America, where the democratic government was quickly overthrown and radical policies introduced. We learn, through the retrospective narration of female protagonist, Offred, that women were denied their own money or occupation and were instead categorised according to their ability to provide “services” to the Commanders of this new regime. Atwood’s novel consequently provides a brilliant examination of the roles expected of women as here they are separated: the Wives run the household; the Handmaids bear cally named Marthas are tasked with cooking and cleaning. Whilst this might sound terribly mechanical and unemotional, Offred is not as judging of her new position as we might expect. After all, she has been freed from fear of sexual attack or abuse (any man caught doing so swiftly ends up on hooks on women. Atwood thus encourages us to question the changes, both positive and negative, that secondwave feminism brought to women’s lives in the West and allows readers to form their own opinions of the new way of living offered in the Republic of Gilead. The novel beautifully explores issues of race, in which everything has changed. Hannah Goddard
Michael Norton, 365 Ways to Change the World This book is perfect for us students: a quick snippet to inspire you to help make the world a better place. I didn’t feel too keen on or were a bit out of my reach, but the majority of them are simple and easy. Each of the tasks are categorised in to themes such as ‘culture and creativity’, ‘discrimination’, ’environment’ and ‘health’. The best thing about the book though, is that it not only gives you a daily task but, if you don’t want to/can’t do the task, you can still at least get informed about the issue by reading the block of text on the centre of each page and visit related websites. It provides a good talking point too- you could even try and go through the whole year with some friends, or just pick out the shocking facts to see if you can inspire someone else to get active about a particular issue. This book doesn’t plague with you guilt are also fun activities. For example, designing your own poster online and then hang it on your wall- a creative way to tell your friends and parents about a cause you support, or even just a daily reminder to yourself. You can pick up a copy of this book for only just over £5 on Amazon- an absolute bargain. You’ll like this if you love: ‘Yes Man’ ‘365 Random Acts of Kindness’, both by Danny Wallace. Kate Bennett
Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love This book is perfect for anyone who feels like they are stuck in a rut, but just as well matched to someone who simply wants to be transported from rainy Cardiff to a pizzeria in Italy. Gilbert writes in such a natural way, you feel as though you are having a chat over coffee with a friend, making it an ideal escape from those dreaded textbooks. Liz has realized that she is unhappy, despite being surrounded by what decision to end her marriage, through a terrible divorce, and then on to the year she spent travelling. a happy ending or a lovers tiff, the book is raw and honest. Perhaps the biggest thing missing from the
gap year where everyone she meets changes her life, and is the nicest, most interesting person ever. The ing this book, as so many critics agree, truely inspiring. Kate Bennett
BOOKS
H.G. Wells, The Time Machine The Time Machine is a short novel, not so much about the possibilities of time travel, but about the future of the human race. It follows the nameless ‘time traveller’ on his quest to see what sort of future is in store for us and, for a book published in the late nineteenth century, the little details that have gone into hypothesising the future are astounding. One thing Wells mainly picks up on is the great divide between the rich and the poor in his description of the underground, savage creatures, the Morlocks, and the happy, deluded surface dwellers, the Eloi. It’s interesting how Wells presents the surface dwellers: though content with their lives, as mindless drones without the challenges that we face now to overcome. The characters are rather hard to engage with, many being clichéd, and are more devices to the progression of the tale than actual characters. I won’t spoil the rest of the story because that’s really all this book is, just a short story, something to think about over a lazy afternoon. I will say, however, that
Luke Baker
Fresh Start for Sherlock... novels and 56 short stories. Now, the Conan Doyle estate has authorised a new Holmes book, written by Anthony Horowitz and due out this September. One cannot help feeling that this de-values the work of Conan Doyle; to suggest that one author can just re-create the work of another – when literary work is the book is not by Conan Doyle then how is it really a Sherlock Holmes adventure? Certainly it is not an original, genuine adventure of Holmes’. Yet...is it really so different from the many adaptations of Sherlock Holmes over the years? They are all re-inventions too, and they are very popular. The latest of the adaptations, called simply Sherlock, was a phenomenal success for writer Steven Moffat and actor Benedict Cumberbatch: Sherlock was nominated for ‘Best Drama’ in the National Television Awards, and Cumberbatch for ‘Best Actor’. Moffat, unlike many other adaptors of Holmes stories, made the character an up-to-date man. Holmes was always a modern man, at the forefront of technology and science. Bringing the character up to date, then, has already proven to be a success with audiences. Horowitz’s modern Holmes should also succeed if we look at precedent examples. However, Moffat’s script A Study in Pink was a clever re-working of Conan Doyle’s story A Study in Scarlet ing and thought witty and clever. As Horowitz’s book is entirely new, and not an adaptation, he faces a greater challenge in trying to win over old fans. Nevertheless, Horowitz has promised that his Holmes is “exactly the Holmes of the books”. The book is described by Horowitz as “modern, fast-paced and exciting”, which should please even the sceptics. The title of the book is a closely-guarded secret, but it opens with a train robbery and leads into intrigue and adventure. It seems that the new Holmes book will be no different than the new James Bond books, where authors masquerade as Ian Fleming. Sebastian Faulks’ Bond book Devil May Care was Penguin’s fastest“vintage Bond” by The Times. There is a growing trend towards new authors taking charge of classic literary series; it is an exciting, albeit also worrying, new trend. Nevertheless, we will wait for the new Holmes book in anticipation, and probably enjoy it anyway whilst trying to guess how Holmes has made his deductions. It will not be authentic, but it should be brilliant. But then, Holmes’ brilliance was always taken to be ‘elementary’ knowledge. Anthony Horowitz’s new Sherlock Holmes book is due out in September. Jeffery Deaver’s Carte Blanche (new Bond book) is due to be published in May. Isabelle Roberts
books@gairrhydd.com
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FASHION SUPERNOVA As we embark on another exciting fashion year, Leoni Roderick predicts who will be dominating our magazines, film screens and internet browsers. Who are the fashion rising stars of 2011? Here's who made the cut...
The Actress With her recognizable pixie crop and Peter Pan collars, Carey Mulligan has been dominating our film screens for the past year. She has been acting for years, with an appearance alongside Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice. Yet, her global breakthrough was the film, An Education, in which she played the lead role of Jenny, a bright schoolgirl. She even won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, in addition to her two Golden Globe nominations. Not too shabby for a 25 year old! She has now officially been spotted by Hollywood directors and has made multiple magazine appear-
personal style consists of simple combinations, feminine dresses, and a lot of layering. There is a lot more to expect of Carey this year,
shot by Patrick Demarchelier for British Vogue
so watch this space!
at the Oscars
ances, with her latest being the October Vogue cover. She’s also considered to be one of the most fashionable people around, as her
The Model Freja Beha Erichsen is everywhere. Open up the closest fashion magazine near you and you will undoubtedly find Freja gracing its covers. From H&M to Valentino, this girl has done it all. One of her most prestigious campaigns was for Calvin Klein’s fragrance IN2U, and she was also seen on Vogue’s August cover wearing the Miu Miu dress, which had an enormous waiting list as a direct consequence. Besides her versatility, her tattoos have made her stand out from the crowd by adding a rough, but real edge to her look. Her street style is no different. When off-duty she’s mostly seen wearing skinny jeans and a masculine blazer. She’s even lent her name to a number of fashion items, including the Jill Stuart Freja handbag, the Chloé Freja clutch, and the Alexander Wang Freja Lace-Up Stiletto Boot. There’s no denying it: she is going nowhere, and will keep dominating the fashion world for a long time to come.
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FASHION
The Designer Most people might not have heard of him (or the brand), but Henry Holland is a rising superstar. Seen across multiple
ies T-shirt designs with tongue-in-cheek catchphrases such as ‘I’ll tell you who’s boss, Kate Moss’, have made him a prominent fashion name. Last Spring, he teamed up with Debenhams on a separate fashion line called ‘H! By Henry Holland’, famous for its crazy prints, buckles and quirky sense of Britishness.
Debenhams Ad campaign for H!
mediums, from T4’s flagship fashion show Frock Me, to magazines to Twitter, this guy will do it all. His crazy eight-
Some might know her from MTV’s reality series The City, but don’t be mistaken, unlike some of her other cast mates (read: Whitney), Olivia has a lot more tricks up her sleeve! Besides showing off her wardrobe for British Vogue, she has been busy setting up her own jewellery line with Roberta Freymann. Moreover, she has recently become the spokesperson for Matches Fashion’s Freda label, and the face of multiple modelling campaigns for labels such as Mango and Hogan. Her style is extremely recognisable, as she always combines designer labels like Dior and Versace with high street brands such as Topshop. Nice to know that even celebrities like a bit of a ‘bargain’.
The Blogger You’ve got to hand it to her: this girl has a definite passion for fashion (how horribly typical that might sound). Fourteen-year-old Tavi Gevinson started up her fashion blog ‘Style Rookie’ when she was just eleven years old, and to this day it manages to get over 50,000 blog views a month! Besides blogging, she’s now resorted to designing and selling her own t-shirts, and has partnered up with Londonbased Borders & Frontiers to do so. She’s also been featured in numerous magazines, who praise her unique style at such a young age- just another thing she can add to her C.V.! You will also find her on the front row of every important New York Fashion week event, wearing some kind of extravagant outfit. Think: nerdy glasses, a crazy hat that can put Lady GaGa to shame and bright, clashing colours.
Front row at the Herve Leger show
Front row at Mercedes-Benz fashion week
The It-Girl
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FASHION
British fashion loves ...Felicity Clarke examines what makes Alexa Chung worthy of the British Style Award. Alexa Chung, 27, the British style icon, television presenter, model and ‘IT’ girl has added winning the Style Award of the Year to her evergrowing list of achievements. After starting out as a successful Storm model, she progressed to presenting the Saturday morning Popworld slot on T4 and more recently has moved on to presenting MTV in America. As well as this, over the past four years she has emerged as a great style icon, being recognised more for her eclectic and distinctive style than for her appearances on our televisions. The award ‘recognises an individual who embodies the spirit of British fashion and is an international ambassador for the UK as a leading creative hub for fashion’ and is dictated entirely by public vote. But what exactly is her style? The fact is her style cannot be categorised or predicted. She teams Barbour jackets with Chanel boots and jumps from Topshop jeans into Burberry Prorsum dresses. She doesn’t follow trends, and
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fashion@gairrhydd.com
claims to be oblivious as to what is in or out of fashion. Instead, she prefers an effortless, boyish style of tailoring, mixing designer pieces with items from the high street and thrift/ but chic and accessible. She mixes ‘grandpa’ cable knit cardigans with denim hot pants and brogues, and somehow pulls the look off. In 2009 she was voted Top of the Vogue style lists, and has since graced its cover. She makes frontline appearances at high-end fashion shows all around the world, from Chanel to Vivienne Westwood, and has established connections with some of the most important people in the industry, for example Karl Lagerfeld. Being the epitome of cool, she has inspired Mulberry to name the ‘Alexa’ bag after her, and has most recently been named a designer for J Crew whilst continuing to model for Pepe jeans. Alexa is a will continue to be analysed in times to come.
FASHION
And the Award goes to.... Hannah Fillingham reports why the British Fashion Council, (not to mention us here at Quench Fashion) crowned Pheobe Philo, Designer of the Year 2010. It was a natural conclusion. Walking down to collect her award wearing rabbit fur lined sandals, having beaten other contenders Christopher Kane and Erdem Moralioglu, the Celine director is arguably one of the most inAfter graduating from Central Saint MarChloe, acting as design assistant for Stella McCartney, being accredited in her reign for makbaby doll dresses and wooden wedge shoes act as fashionable trophies of her time there; not forgetting the revival of the ‘It’ bags, most memorable being the Paddington – questionably the most popular bag of all time. The change at Chloe transformed it into a lavish global brand. time with her family. But the fashion world
couldn’t keep her away for long. In 2008, Bernard Arnault, owner of Celine, enticed her back by giving her the role as Celine’s fashion director. ‘The queen of minimalism’ has wasted no time at all in applying a lean, clean-cut silhouette to the label, as well as embedding elements of fantasy, vintage and anything remotely bling or tribal. The magic she worked on Chloe was not a one transformed the label into one of the most sought after, and the most talked about fashion brands. Regular clients include A list favourites Katie Holmes, Kate Bosworth and Victoria Beckham. On how she felt after collecting the award, she answered, "It feels meaningful… I feel very lucky." The grounded modesty in her response imprinted on the fashion world has evaded any transformation to her ego. Phoebe, we salute you.
fashion@gairrhydd.com
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bi the way Don't assume I'm Straight Lemon Cottrell explores...
Lemon Cottrell
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LGBT+
This week, taking you through the letters of LGBT+, it's all about the common yet often neglected bisexual.
Don't Assume I'm Gay
Erin bounces back against bisexual erasure. Recently, I suffered an existential crisis. After nineteen years on this Earth, two of which I had spent as openly bisexual, I was shocked to discover through an agony aunt in Project Q that there is no such thing as bisexuality. Obviously, to learn that one does not actually exist is enough to throw anyone’s life off kilter. I have often been asked whether I feel it’s was harder to come out as gay or bisexual. Havdistinct difference: even the most stringent of homophobes would not go as far as to say that being gay does not exist. When I came out, the most common reaction was one of abject, sneering disbelief. I would, people assured me, ‘come out properly’ when I gathered the courage to do so – and they would be there for me when that happened. As kind as these sentiments were obviously meant to be, they were also deeply hurtful. For me, as for many people, it has never been a case of either/or. I like men and I like women. I like men differently to how I like women; I am more likely to fancy a hunky man in the media, whereas the majority of my hard, real-life crushes have been on girls I know. This is who I am. This is who I have always been. And to have that questioned goes beyond the realms of irritation – it’s painful and upsetting. One of the reasons I now happily call Cardiff my home is because I have been able to be myself here. The LGBT+ Association has never questioned my bisexuality and, as a result, I Surveys have shown that bisexuals are more likely to conceal their sexual orientation than homosexuals and, in doing so, they are hiding away part of themselves. It’s time for the curtain to be lifted on bisexuality. We are here. We do exist. And we have a voice that needs to be heard. Erin Ekins
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PHOTOS
Which
Camera? Often associated with being retro and fashionable, Lomography cameras can be a fun, cheap and alternative way of taking photos. Priced around the ÂŁ50 mark, these cameras are easy to carry and offer a suprising number of features such as multiple exposure settings. When producing pictures like the one to the right, it is easy to see why these cameras are described as simply being "plastic fantastic."
Lomo Cameras
Moving slightly up the price range, 35mm format cameras such as the Canon AE-1 have proven themselves as reliable, effective cameras in the world of photography. Before digital really took over, cameras like the AE-1 and EOS 1N were popular among street photographers and photo-journalists. Searching the AE-1 on ebay should ÂŁ80 mark. You'll have to buy these second hand which will help with the price and are usually still in pretty decent condition.
35mm Format
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quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com
Lomo Fisheye
Canon AE-1
PHOTOS This week Tom Armstrong and talk you through various cameras ond the different features that they offer.....
Digital SLRs Mid-Range Digital SLR cameras are a popular choice for the practicing photographer. Often within a reasonable price budget (£400£700 with lens included) cameras like the 400D are great all purpose cameras. Although not quite as advanced as some of the top range SLR's, these cameras offer a great number of features and allow for professional images to be captured. For anyone who is starting out or wants to try out a digital SLR, a good deal can easily be found on Ebay. The latest addition, the Canon 550D, also has a very good HD movie shooting feature.
Canon 550D
Top Range Digital SLRs
Canon 400D
For those with a serious passion for photography, top range digital SLR's can be a great investment, often encompassing HD Movie shooting as well as still images. Search "5D/7D Test Footage" on youtube and you will be amazed at what these cameras can do. With the 5D offering a full frame (35mm) light sensor, its arguably one of the best SLR's on the market. However. With each camera priced above £1000 just for the body, these cameras come at great cost. Although they may seem ridicuously expensive, the differences in performance are unquestionable.
quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com
Canon 7D
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Lucy Chip kicks off the new year with this brilliant entry for the 'things that happen at night' theme! For the next issue, we want to see your best mobile phone shot! Send your entries to quenchphotos@gairrhydd.com
PHOTOS
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TRAVEL
CLOSE . . . S E V A SH VENEZUALA
It was easy to forget that this richly coloured land with its steamy rainforests full of electric-blue
Claire Finnegan
AMERICA -
-
Alexi Gunner
AMSTERDAM -
travel@gairrhydd.com
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Destination
TRAVEL
...if You're on a BuDget
Strapped for cash this Valentine's Day? Students give advice on destinations that are charming and equally cheap...
HUNGARY For a cheap and cheerful destination this Valentine's Day or simply an excuse to escape the Welsh winter, Hungary would be at the top of my list. Personally, I would recommend Keszethly, a small town on the edge of Lake Ballaton, a great place for quality yet affordable cafes (try the goulash!), beautiful buildings, and perhaps a dip in the shallow lake (don’t worry, it's thermal!). For those in search of something less urban, Aggtelek national park in the North is the place to be, where you can visit the famous caves, cycle, or simply look at trees. city for this history-studded country. Cheap hostels can be found mainly on the Pest side of the Danube River, where most of the breathtaking buildings, fountains and statues are situated. The best views of the city are from the lion-guarded bridges crossing the Danube, from which the spectacular Parliament building – the largest building in Hungary – can be seen, along with Gellert Hill, worth the climb in itself to take in the majestic Buda castle. Fly to Budapest from Bristol for about £50 return. Steve Beynon
AMSTERDAM Amsterdam is a no-brainer if you’re looking for a good time on a budget. Abundant in cultural experiences from the Van Gogh museum to The Anne Frank House, you’re bound to come home a more complete, wise individual. That said, Amsterdam does not boast the most tropical climates in January so you might not want to be exploring all day. Fortunately there is a myriad of coffee shops in the Spui area which will warm you up and wind you down. A lot. From just £80 return on the Eurostar and central hostels starting from £8 per night you should have plenty of cash to spend in the Kalverstraat’s January sales and the lively bars of Leidseplein Square. There are plenty of overdraft-friendly activities including bicycle -
for bookings are Lastminute.com – deals for the disorganised traveller, Travelsupermarket.
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avoid cockroaches and cold showers. Hannah Embleton-Smith
TRAVEL
VENICE
Simone Miche
travel@gairrhydd.com
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Arts Scene
JERK
Chapter, 02/02
ARTS
David Brooks doesn’t look like a serial killer. Jonathan Capdevielle’s portrayal of Brooks, a man serving life for assisting in many of the 27 murders committed by Dean Corll in Houston, Texas, begins with him bashfully preparing to present a puppet show detailing his crimes to a class of psychology students. Endearingly nervous and awkward, Capdevielle makes the subsequent descent into Brook’s warped memories incredibly engaging to watch. Chief among the many, many unnerving facets of his story are the puppets themacts they are wrangled into performing. Some of Capdevielle’s puppet voices need work; the squeak of Corll’s victims fails to walk the line between ‘creepy’ and ‘irritating’, commonly stumbling into the latter. There are also a few moments that feel drawn out well past their effective length. For the vast majority of Jerk, however, the lone actor holds everything together.
WMC, Dec'10
MAMMA MIA
overtly insane accomplice Wayne, to the point where what little about his recollection that could be trusted begins to fall apart. Despite this, the plot feels enticing and unpredictable, rather than like it’s short-changing the audience, with one notable exception – the context and back story of the trio’s relationship is curiously absent. Regardless, Jerk manages to be engrossing, surprising, occasionally funny and frequently disturbing. Creating a brief piece about one man and his marionettes that is very impressive. James Archer
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Sat amidst a throng of gaggling middle aged women at the gala premier of Mamma Mia, I found myself getting caught up in the electric atmosphere that surrounded the main stage of the Wales Millennium Centre. After an ABBA montage, which received a chorus of cheers and applause, a voice over warned the faint-hearted that the following performance would contain platforms and white lycra. They did not disappoint. It was not long until the lycra clad
audience members and severe discomfort for the many husbands present. Besides the lycra, the performance was undoubtedly stolen by Tania and Rosie, played by Kate Graham and Leanne Rogers. Perfect comic timing coupled with superb voices made for an ideal comedy duo. Despite a slightly disappointing performance by the male lead Gary Watson, who played Sky, the standard was incredibly high by the whole cast, who could throw together an impromptu dance routine with ease. After a standing ovation by the audience, an avid ABBA fan exclaimed, “It’s like the West End in Cardiff ”, and it really was. Despite Cardiff ’s image as being a backwater in the theatre world, with Mamma Mia 's tour and We Will Rock You found its place on the mainstream cultural map. So all that is left to say is, "Mamma Mia, thank you for the music and a truly enjoyable evening." Sophie Brown
arts@gairrhydd.com
ARTS
THE SOUL EXCHANGE
WMC, JAN''11
Do taxi rides and tall stories really do justice to the rich narrative of Bute town’s multi-ethnic community? Kirsty Allen jumped in
7:00pm, Wales Millennium Centre “Travelling will not be permitted without your boarding pass.” My cheeks burned as I fumbled in my satchel for the dock pass that I had been given upon my arrival at the Port of Cardiff. While admiring the reception of the Millennium Centre (that had been suitably transformed to play this role), I noticed a cluster of ladies chuckling nervously at an Irish immigrant forcing her wares upon them before boarding. Interactive theatre is a tricky one I thought to myself, joining the back of a dubious looking queue to have my photograph taken. After having ‘Do you speak English?’ barked at me numerous times by Customs, I turned my attention to the archive photography of Tiger Bay projected onto the walls. It may no longer be known as Tiger Bay, but Bute town still roars with the tales of one of the greatest
tellers: the people of Butetown, who so far only provided the background vocals in the ensemble. It was the stories of this community's inhabitants that I had come to hear but I was still being told off repeatedly by customs (on this occasion for smiling in my photograph).
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ARTS
7:15pm: Boarding Time to Butetown Boarding a Dragon taxi as part of a theatrical performance is of course, innovative. It certainly is not the best vehicle for storytelling but demands audience interpretation. I had as many questions about Tiger Bay after the performance as before boarding and this is a community that deserves to be delved into deeper than surface media hype and local myth. I was initially impressed by an accomplished use Bute town. Throughout the journey I remained poised with notebook in hand, ready to jump out at various performance intervals in the shadow of tower blocks and below street lamps. Perhaps it was an expectation of short and punchy, community drama in urban locations that led to my disappointment when the taxi ride actually turned out to be a vehicle for the imagination. Circling the streets of Bute town after dark to a wobbling bass line by a local artist feeds the imagination to a certain extent. As the narrative I was supposed to be engaging with on my journey crackled over the speakers, I found myself instead searching the streets for the stories I actually wanted to hear through the window. Watching everyday life at play, a few kids wandering the streets or the electric lights of a late night convenience shop, I doubted that my taxi ride was doing justice to the genuine stories of these residents. The neon lit landmarks and cameo characters put in place by NTW marginalised these stories into a mere narrative backdrop. The vibrancy of Cardiff ’s melting pot was being toned down. With just a two-night run these stories belonged in the spotlight. 8:00pm: The Coal Exchange Attending an imaginary character’s funeral brought my journey through the streets of Bute town to an end. The Coal Exchange evokes a formidable sense of Cardiff ’s industrial past; an exquisite choice of body asked if I had known ‘Old Tiger’ well, but the collection of props gathering around the mourners facilitated a comfortable level of audience interaction. Maps, notes and coins scattered across the woodcouple dancing to a wireless in the corner of the room. At the end of the evening, rather poignantly after the service and a rendition of The Girl from Tiger Bay, I noticed the elderly gentleman sat slumped in who had been working with international artists to devise this piece, remained on the outskirts of the performance space. The cultural richness of the Bay is a challenge to explore in any kind of theatrical performance but by making community drama the focus, you cut to the heart of Cardiff ’s most diverse heritage. National Theatre Wales' The Soul Exchange provoked the kind of questions that people should be asking about the Bay, even if the answers were left to the imagination.
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ARTS
Introducing to the StKarliagVaele and last year she returned home to Quench ventured
Hello Karli, you seem to have travelled all over the world with the show! What is your favourite destination to date
-
to Dancing Queen
,
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MUSIC
MUSIC
Editorial
It's the beginning of the year, meaning lots of exciting new music is about to come your way. Accordingly, we have featured the albums that are set to cause a storm in 2011. It is also that wondrously romantic time of year known as Valentine's Day a.k.a the most commercially ridiculous 'holiday' in the world! Anyhow, I have decided to use this opportunity to celebrate my favourite love songs: Toothpaste Kisses by The Maccabees, Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye and Blood Bank by Bon Iver (the master of melancholic romantic songs). For those who are getting annoyed with all the loved-up people gloating about their plans for the 'big day', I have also complied a list of songs that are perfect to be angry to: Fuck You by Cee Lo Green, Killing in the Name by RATM and anything by Bad Religion. Finally the music team have set up our very own blog so that more content can be covered and all you dedicated music fans can get more involved! Head to quenchmusiccardiff.blogspot.com to check it out! Emma Wilford
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MUSIC
Previews Efterklang
Datsik
Mogwai
CYNT Thursday 17th Feburary
Great Hall, SU Friday 18th Feburary
The Globe Tuesday 22nd February
Datsik is young. Datsik is very young. Datsik is the same age, if not younger than the majority of people in their last year of further education. However, age is in no way detrimental to the young Mr. Troy Beetles (the name by which Datsik is known to his mother), who has been uprooting bass speakers up and down the country with his dark-edged dubstep- a movement that continues to storm through the capital with monolithic momentum. For fans of darkly futuristic dubstep, this will be one not to miss. Imagine the dystopian future of Blade Runner. Imagine a club in said dystopia. Now imagine the club is made entirely of metal, refracting every distorted decibel. What you are imagining is a fair approximation to the sort of dirty dubstep that Datsik will be conjuring up on the 17th. Get your queue jump tickets early to avoid being left out in the cold. Jon Berry
How honoured we should be as a university to be hosting an event of such prestige and emotional weight. Mogwai have long been at the forefront of the instrumental scene, never quite falling within
The Swn boys are at it again.
math rock but instead hovering above like some kind of Glaswegian bird of prey, ready to swipe at their competitors with each successive release. Continuing the band's love of juxtaposition and irony, Valentine's Day sees the release of Mogwai's latest opus Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. A introspective musical narratives, it further cements the band's already lofty position. With support from fellow Scots The Twilight Sad, 18th February looks to be a momentous occasion in the Union's calendar. Just don't expect too many sing-along choruses. Michael Brown
continue to mix up the musical melting pot of Cardiff city centre. Since their inception at the turn of the Millenium, Efterklang have been sending reverberations (yes, that was a poor attempt at a bi-lingual pun; reverberation being the English translation of 'Efterklang') across mainland Europe and beyond. Efterklang's sound is hard to encompassing elements of postrock, folk and electronica to devastating effect. If you are unaware of Efterklang, the only way to understand Efterklang is to experience Efterklang. Following their move to 4AD and the release of 2010's Magic Chairs, Efterklang's British exposure is looking to be set to maximum. Fine orchestrations- both analogue and digital- will be exeoff the winter blues. Jon Berry
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MUSIC
ALBUMS
What 2011 has to offer thus far
Esben & the Witch Violet Cries Matador
7/10 This Brighton-based trio have received a lot of media attention in the past few months, making it onto the prestigious BBC Sound of 2011. They appear to have been swept up in the recent 'vampire craze', presenting us with dark, eerie music. However, it is important to note that they are not your traditional black-clad brooders; Esben & the Witch are not purely about Twilight-esque emo-goth, but instead have created a concoction of intense gothic music. Their debut album, Violet Cries, transports the listener to a world of gloomy hysteria presenting atmospheric music at its best. Many of the songs such as Chorea and Light Streams manage to build up to such a furore that it is incredibly powerful and at times unnerving. Opening song, Argyria perfectly sets the melancholic scene for the rest of the album, moving seamlessly into their most recent single Marching Song.
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Although they have managed to create swirling moments of madness in each of their songs, their music is at its most beautiful when it is merely singer Rachel Davies' unusual voice accompanied by subtle instrumental parts, such as the last song Swans. Yet Violet Cries' faults lie with the fact that this album has to be approached in a certain way in order to be understood. It does not simply work as a 'light listen' and in order for it to not sound like random noise, I felt that I needed to concentrate on each song. To some it may sound messy due to its unconventional nature, and not everyone will necessarily understand the talent behind it due to its heaviness. However, there is no denying that this album has a very special quality: its ability to evoke emotion. It manages to sound mysteriously archaic yet at the same time, progressive and new. It is spine-tinglingly beautiful as well as haunting. One thing that is certain is that this band are going places. Emma Wilford
Iron & Wine
Kiss Each Other Clean Warner/4AD
6/10 It has been quite some time since we were treated to Samuel Beam’s dulcet tones. Not since 2007’s The Shepherds Dog have we had any new material from Mr. Beam, quite an achievement considering his previous tendencies as a proSo, four years in the making and we are presented with Kiss Each Other Clean, the fourth album in Iron & Wine’s glittering tenure. For many Iron & Wine will be best known as the composer of Flightless Bird, American Mouth due to its unashamed use on the Twilight soundtrack. However, there is a smorgasbord of material that has been released by Beam from acerbic Lo-Fi to tender balladeering and back again. Never one to apply the musical formula, Kiss Each Other Clean sees Beam rework his musical trajectory into new and (somewhat) uncharted waters. From the outset, Kiss Each Other Clean has a polish not present
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in previous albums. The subtly rich orchestrations accompanying the opener Walking Far From Home mark a distinct departure from Beam’s minimalist back catalogue. Swapping acoustically induced ambience for sundrenched harmonies, Kiss Each Other Clean is Beam’s most accessible album to date. Despite the ease with which Kiss Each Other Clean is absorbed it seems to lack some of the immediacy of previous albums, providing a somewhat cursory glimpse of a songwriting talent that runs far, far deeper. That is not to say this is, in any sense of the word a bad album. It shifts along majestically like the soundtrack to an adolescent summer; joyful and optimistic, if slightly underdeveloped. Mr Beam continues to justify his position as one of America's most highly esteemed songwriters; like a musical sponge he absorbs from every fathom of the American musical canon, lifting bits and pieces from folk to funk, gospel to soul and crystallizing them into his own multi-coloured musical vision. Not his best album, but worthy of numerous listens. Jon Berry
Mogwai
Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will Rock Action
7/10 Not just a contender for best album title of the year, Hardcore marks Mogwai’s seventh sturecord label, Rock Action. The Glaswegian quintet has had a remarkably consistent output since the release of Mogwai Young Team in 1997 and, as such, hopes are proportionately high for their latest offering of slowburn instrumental melodies. It’s lucky, then, that Hardcore not only holds up to the band’s back catalogue but also stands its ground as a distinct, and inown right. This is a far more uplifting affair than the last decade of Mogwai records has produced and, as a result, feels enticingly fresh. Indeed, tracks like Rano Piano and San Pedro offer driving, distorted rhythms that showcase the band’s trademark dynamic progression but, impressively, manage to cram it into a relatively unheard-of four
minute timespan. Even the album’s less noisy moments bring with them a sense of unbridled joy, albeit one juxtaposed with a carefully-judged musical discipline: the contradictorily optimistic Death Rays and How To Be A Werewolf show signs of a band who might not be quite as troubled as their darker material makes them out to be. This new-found positivity is in sharp contrast to Hardcore’s predecessor, the morose and often sinister The Hawk Is Howling. A more sombre atmosphere is, however, recalled on the moody and, once again, fantasticallymonikered album closer You’re Lionel Richie, where underlying tension meets both release and restraint in equal measure. While Hardcore will never relive the youthful exuberance early output, Mogwai have never been a band to make the same album twice. Bar the occasional blip, such as Mexican Grand Prix’s attempt at M83 electroshoegaze, Hardcore is as good an example as any of why Mogwai continually relevant, band in a scene which they effectively pioneered. Michael Brown gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com
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Live
Hospitality
the buzzing atmosphere of the Great Hall. And for those who Great Hall preferred the intimacy of a more compact, skanking experiFebruary 5th ence, then CF10 was a suitable alternative. Either way, a sweat Congregations of ravers; all in fest was guaranteed. I tended to one place, for one purpose – their love for the drum and the bass! rooms to gain a real appreciation The sense of community was for the hype of the night. electrifying as hundreds of bass My only disappointment was -hungry enthusiasts poured into the union’s lack of accessibility the SU. to get fresh air. Having to queue Voted best drum and bass profor thirty minutes just to go outmotion in the world, Hospitality side seemed a little extreme. returned to the capital on SaturBut, the energy from the big day 5th February with Welsh bass, sweat dripping walls and drum and bass producer, High sell-out crowd were ideal condiContrast headlining. The biggest tions for an all-round, successful event on the drum and bass calnight. Congratulations Hospital endar, this was not a Saturday to Records! be sitting at home watching Take Sophie Falcon Me Out. Set to showcase the label and residents, Hospital Records pulled out all of the stops in producing a line up that would blow the clas- Clwb Ifor Bach sic RnB tracks of commercial Feburary 7th nights, straight out of the water! Glasgow’s Twin Atlantic, are no The infamous Danny Byrd, new strangers to Cardiff, this being kid on the block Netsky and Lonthe group's sixth outing in the don Elektricity were just a few of Welsh capital. Tonight’s crowd, the big names supporting Highhowever, is by far the largest yet Contrast. and singer Sam McTrusty grateThe main stage was torn apart fully acknowledges this. Opening by the blend of liquid funk, with a new song is risky business darkcore and jazzstep. A colourand when it fails to garner much ful array of strobe lighting and of a reaction, the band delve into heavy basslines complemented
Twin Atlantic
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material from widely acclaimed mini-album Vivarium, to enthuse the crowd. It’s evident they’ve been playing these songs for some time and live they take a life of their own; the tight instrumentals and great vocal control are hard to fault. Taut screams heighten the melodies on offer and lend depth and tension to the set. With a debut album set for release in May, the future success of Twin Atlantic depends on the quality of new material. Unfortuaren’t great; the soaring choruses and attention-grabbing, staccato verses are absent. Hope that the songs translate better on record is validated by several moments that really do work. Yet, they just don’t match the instantly likable calibre of previous releases. Obvious comparisons with Biffy Clyro will continue to be made, but if the girls at this gig's enthusiasm is anything to go by, then Twin Atlantic have a bright future. Backed by Red Bull Records, their videos are wellfunded and the album should be a slick affair. But that’s not to say the Scotsmen haven’t worked for this, with a touring schedule that takes in Orkney and Thurso it’s clear they are out to conquer everyone who’ll listen. Adam Barr
Benni Hemm Hemm
Singles
Buffalo Bar October 21st Iceland is not a nation famed for its economic exports. Its pri- beautifully. Benni opened alone, plucking his way through a song that hardly merits any major so fragile it felt as though a fulldegree of economic reverence blown band would crush him. from the international commu- The glottal nature of his native nity. As a nation, it is revered to language adding both majesty an even lesser degree for its cul- and mystery to the quiet man on tural exports. But that’s not to stage. say they don’t exist. And when One by one Benni's band they do choose to let themselves joined him onstage, and quite a be known to the wider cultural band they were. A french horn, community, just like the Icelandic volcano that became the and drummer made up remain-
You Me at Six ft. Chiddy Rescue Me Virgin
8/10 You Me At Six’s new single is their best song to date and indicates that the band may achieve more mainstream success with their upcoming third album. The hip hop input from Chiddy blends perfectly into the song, and the chorus’ simple yet haunting lyrics are melancholic pop rock at
they aren’t going to do it quietly. Or, as the case may be with Benni Hemm Hemm, they’re going to do it very quietly, but as a listener you will be so enamoured by what is on offer that there will be no choice other than to listen. Benni Hemm Hemm is not a man, it’s a band. But from their
Hemm line-up. The jubliant nature of the horn section lifted have you reaching for the replay every chorus to a state of near button. Georgina Spriggs perfection. Meanwhile, Benni's understated vocals wilted away somewhere on the lower register, but never quite got lost in the Kilto Take EP
for thinking the opposite. Well, the lead songwriting element of the band is indeed a gentleman called (surprise, surprise) Benni Hemm Hemm, but the night was by no means limited to Benni alone. Extolling the virtues of being versed in multilingualism, Benni
When a press release includes comparisons to brilliance found in early offerings by bands including U2, Editors and more, it is all too easy for a band to disappoint. Kilto Take do not. With an abundance of energy, driving vocals and expansive instrumentation, they provide a refreshing reminder of how enjoyable rock can be. Matthew Collins
with both the English language and their own dialect. The opening song- the name of which I
Kilto Take
in the sonic fermament. For a band rooted in folk, Benni Hemm Hemm have moments of near intensity. When the horns blow and the drums kick in during the performance's denouement, the logical narrative of the set is realised in almost explosive splendour, just like a volcano waking from a millenial slumber into a forceful eruption and back again. Jon Berry
Medical Records
8/10
The Streets Going through Hell Atlantic
7/10
Whilst catchy, Going Through Hell gle to date, a result of the choice of singer for the chorus, Rob Harvey, and the fact that his voice is not the most accessible. If you give it a chance there is plenty to enjoy about the song: Mike Skinner’s lyrics are suitably sharp and profound and the beat, a pounding guitar riff, is one to nod along to. If you’re a fan of The Streets' worth checking out. Matthew Collins
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The Preview:
MUSIC
Blur - TBA
2011
Following the success of 2010’s one off release run of Fool’s Day, Damon Albarn has commented that Blur are in talks to create "something small" for the early part of 2011. Well with January having come and gone and no sign of the "something small" he spoke of, eyes are placed ment within the soul of every hardened Brit-popper the country over. Jon Berry
Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care April 18th sees the welcome return of one of post-rock’s besting from the tracklisting released earlier this year, Last Known Surroundings and , it’s doubtful to be a cheery affair. Still, if the band can successfully build on 2007’s strikingly cinematic All , it’ll be worth shedding a few tears for. Michael Brown
Lady Gaga - Born This Way sic with what she has described as the "album of the decade". Although this is a bold statement, the world waits with baited breath catchy pop songs, but what we are all intrigued about is what outEmma Wilford
blink-182 - TBA After promises of an “early 2010 release” for their still-untitled album and a new single, entitled Up All Night, in mid-2009, doubts have been cast over the longevity of the California pop-punksters' reunion. Still, a UK tour in July bodes well for a record sometime this year and one that will feature, among other genres, country, punk, drum and bass as well as both indie and stadium rock. No room for blow job gags then. Michael Brown
The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? have become the somewhat reluctant darlings of the indie music scene. second single release,
Jon Berry
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Glastonbury
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This year’s installment of the seminal British summer festival will be the last that Michael Eavis oversees before handing the responsibilities over to the next Eavis generation. As such, it promises to be the party to end all parties. Glasto will also be taking a well-deserved hiatus in 2012, so this year’s festival could be the last chance to experience it in all its halcyon glory, if the Mayans are to be believed. Jon Berry
Radiohead - TBA Anticipation for Radiohead’s latest is getting far beyond feverish: it’s damn near incendiary. A succession of cruel teases since 2009’s darkly brilliant These Are My Twisted Words has only served to frustrate. Performances at Reading and Leeds, the now infamous Thom/Johnny double-act at Glastonbury last year and consistently on/off recording sessions lead to only one conclusion: this album will not only come out of nowhere but it will be brilliant as a result. Michael Brown
The Strokes - Angles Casablancas that the Strokes' new album is set for release early this year. After so many delays Angles certainly has a lot to live up to. With Under the Cover of Darkness, available online, the band appear to be progressing forward whilst maintaining their distinctive style we all know and love. Emma Wilford
Japanese Voyeurs - Yolk Japanese Voyeurs are a heavy, female-fronted juggernaut of a band whose sheer audacity threatens to demolish the currently fashionable myriad of lady-led groups in their wake. Singles and EPs have hinted at a grunge revival, albeit one that carefully balances pop sensibilities with abrasive riffery. Produced by Garth Richardson (of RATM debut fame), Yolk could be the album to detract from all the ‘90s reunions going around when it is released in Spring of this year. Michael Brown
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues This Seattle folk band boast some of the most beautiful harmonies heard in modern popular music yet they have laid low since the 2008 success of their debut self-titled album. However after eight months of hard work they are ready to release their new material in the spring of this year, describing it as being less upbeat and poppy than before. nitely have a hard act to follow. Emma Wilford
Claire Maguire - Light After Dark We have seen a massive surge in female solo artists in the past year and it would seem that there is not much place left for newcomers. However, Maguire’s distinctively powerful voice should set her album apart from the Eliza Doolittles of music. This Brummie promises electro-pop at its best, perfectly displayed through her debut single The Last Dance. Maguire is set for stardom of Florence and the Machine proportions. Emma Wilford gairrhyddmusic@gmail.com
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Re
Film. News.
Maria Schneider sadly passed away last week after a long illness. Her breakout role was in Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris, where she held her own against
photogenic looks which are stoic in the face of the unrelenting passivity of Antonioni's world weary style. Literary protectionists, look away now! The quintessential
of an anonymous partner in an nameless sexual relationship. She is perhaps even better alongside Jack Nicholson's nihilistic romanticism in Antonioni's The Passenger. Her sympathy with Nicholson's doomed character brings a beauty and complicity to the tragedy of the tale, but it remains a redemp-
way onto our screens. On The Road (Kerouac) is set for a late 2011 release. While originally, news that ersthwhile otherworldly feminism botherer Kristen Stewart was to star as lead lady was unnerving, the presence of subtle energies Buscemi and Sam Riley will hopefully capture the freewheeling spirit of the book, while the re-
turn of Viggo Mortensen surely means as least Aragorn can help On the Road go ever on and on. (Sorry) As the Academy Awards ceremony edges ever closer, so too tory little shit of a brother, the year are an abundance of Twilight cast members, the Sex in the City girls and, perhaps most deservingly, M. Night Shyamalan for his undeniably laughable The Last Airbender. LG & MA
TRASH Hanna
#18
TRAILER (...in which we
Atonement director Joe Wright makes his eagerly anticipated resome action. Hanna is a 16-year-old Soarsie Ronan, raised by her father (Eric Bana) to be the perfect assassin. Anything new from the muchhyped British director will always get our attention, but Wright has to hold his own and prove he doesn’t need Keira Knightly in a period costume to give him a hit. Hanna couldn’t be further away in tone from Wright’s previous honeyed hues in Pride & Prejudice, but he seems to have hit the right note with this icy, barren thriller. With the Chemical Brothers providing a pounding electro score, at times déjà vu inducing action sequences are to the next level.
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praise, muse and lambast the latest previews.)
REVIEWS Blue Valentine Dir: Derek Cianfrance Cast: Michelle Williams, Ryan Gosling.
8/10 Blue Valentine is a story of falling in and out of love; the every day disappointments and ruined hopes that are the bread and butter of the every break up. It follows the spiralling fall and tentative first steps of Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) simultaneously. Cianfrance uses beautifully assembled cross-cuts to juxtapose the beginnings with their climaxes, to dazzlingly upsetting effect. We see Dean charming the young, hopeful Cindy. An immediate sense of trust and intimacy is infused into their fledgling relationship; they are both in a world that doesn’t understand them and become each other’s escape. An early scene where a young Dean moves an elderly old man into his new nusring home is both touching and indicative. The tragedy and childish meanness of life gets them too early, and despite elated beginnings tinged with moments of pure wonder, their relationship seems doomed from the begin-
ning. Ryan Gosling’s performance is full of charisma, but it’s as the older Dean that he really becomes his character. Dean may be charming but Cindy is fed up of being charmed by him; he is the performer and she is sick of watching. Dean is a man-child that we are pulled to; his depth and capacity for love is obvious, but with these highs come deafening lows. Williams is committed to her portrayal of Cindy, who has fallen out of love with her husband and everything about him. Her performance is nuanced and never descends into playing the uptight wife. When we see the couple stay at a low end motel in a vain attempt to rekindle some passion, it's almost too painful to watch as they dance around in eachother in anticipation of disaster. The small signs of aging in both characters emphasizes their loss of innocence and youth, while never becoming clichéd. Playing a character at 20 and then at 40 is easy; a six-year gap is far harder to do well, and the subtlety the leads employ is just the tip of their performances. All this is played to a soundtrack by Grizzly Bear that seems to quietly weep, peppered with songs that sum up the swell and flow of their relatively brief romance. A scence where Dean serenades a tap dancing Cindy accopnaied by a ukulele is swooninducingly romantinc, yet when repeated over the credits induces helplessness.
Cianfrance had been writing and planning Blue Valentine for over a decade; its leads had been attached for years beforehand and lived together in the run up to filming. It could easily slip into melodrama and shouting hyperbole, but instead Blue Valentine is a near perfect dissemination of two people’s life together. Emily Kate Bater ____________________________
"...Derek Cianfrance flatly rejects the redemptive qualities of romance, and delves unsparingly into the reality of two lives that are slowly and painfully ossifying." - Little White Lies
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"Gosling and Williams invest everything in their roles. Their performances are raw, bruised, wholly convincing." - The Telegraph ________________________ film@gairrhydd.com
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7/10 The King's Speech has been both blessed and cursed by the annual parade of organised sycophancy that is awards season. Unearthed from its 'rightful' position as a plucky UK historical comedy, and shone upon by American fervour for the worthy yet emotionally stilted archetype of Britishness, the viewings, of audiences rendering the subtleties of King George's problems as a simple triumph over adversity. Equally, is charming, but partially undermines Colin Firth's performance which despite reading like its pulled straight out of Hugh Grant school of painful Englishness, delivers a sympathetic and responsive portrayal of a man literally and spiritually strugThe King’s Speech follows
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George VI struggle from the introverted stammerer to becoming king and the aforementioned speech, delivering a message of hope and strength as Britain entered one of its darkest times at the beginning of world war 2. So far, so what, you may be forgiven for prematurely judging, but luckily The King’s Speech does not lull into the complacency of a heroic plot. George is clearly a lovely man, kind and loving to his children and his wife, (whom, we ahistorical fools learn later had rejected his marital advances several times before accepting their love) yet er Edward in both his fathers affections and in line to a throne he readily admits he was not made for. Edward is played with some wit and no lack of style by Guy
nature and somewhat blind love, it is not easy to judge him for it. ‘Bertie’ however is clearly psychologically hampered by his father, a point made in contrast to what he and his wife believe and insist to be a physiological problem. Enter Lionel Logue, playing irreverently by Geoffrey Rush, who gives a dominant performance, his insist-
ent undeferential and ‘unusual’ personality and psychotherapy luring a more relaxed man, screaming, moping and swearing out of himself. One does not wish to add much to a narrative to which you undoubtedly know the conclusion of. However, the direction of it is impeccable and the impressive thing about the historical reality. This is fortunate as the wider context is pertle. Timothy Spall is funny, but seeing him carry his hammying performance in his Churchillian Jowls is strange. Similarly, while other historical characters are played well, they at best provide a reminder of the awful discrepancy suffered by George between his personal demons never allowed to enter the wider political stage. Thankfully, it reminds us; rather than a birds eye view of adoring crowds, we experience the minutae of Buckingham Palace from behind the waving royals, and see his work to George, his friend
FILM
Black Swan Dir: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis.
8/10 To many Black Swan may come across as a gripping psychological thriller; the force of Nina’s angry pirouettes, its intense and fast-paced plot, and dazzling special effects rooted in the early traditions of horror genre. In this way it is similar to Requiem for a Dream in its quick, overwhelming brilliance. At a closer look, however, Black Swan goes far deeper, digging up cinematic symbolism and insightful psychoanalysis. The mirrors surrounding Nina are deceptive in their simplicity. The duality of one’s personality, the detachment of the self, instinct and reason, the inside and the outside, the objectify-
of creation, it may read overwhelmingly, but its representative of the engrossing cinematic Aronofsky throws all these gigantic chunks of cinematic heritage with a dose of favoured horror genre and fearless scenes empowered by their bare and brutal honesty. This repressed power of instincts, one’s own self, evoked and struggled with that lies at the core of human condition has been the concern of the greatest alongside Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho), Claude Chabrol (Unfaithful Wife), Michelangelo Antonioni (The Passenger) or David Lynch (Blue Velvet.) The uncompromising shots and abrasive sequences are brilliantly accompanied by a contrastingly sublime beauty of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. The key plot point comes in Nina's 'shadow-self', "Everybody carries a shadow” claimed Jung “And the less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.” Nina's breakdown is dramati-
areas, giving up to unnecessarily cheap symbolism of good and evil, white and black and Cassel’s 2D character. Thankfully submerged in the intensity of the narrative and do not spoil Aronofsky’s long anticipated feature successfully unleashed all the powers and gems buried in a swan tale and with a truly remarkable performance by Natalie Portman it simply astounds. You sway and spin uncontrollably with an abrasive energy to the rhythm of the transformed black swan, possessed and lost, pushed towards the verge, gripped to the back of your seat, when you are uplifted by the gentle and sublime Lake and at this point leave the cinema quite speechless. Anna Siemiaczko
overbearing mother, with her psychological trauma literalised in the loss of self and all the lesbian scenes you've heard that go with it. Black Swan does fail in some film@gairrhydd.com
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FILM
s r a c s O The Prestigious or pointless? Matt Ayres debates the cultural
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global institution that is Hollywood, but I thought
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With all this, it’d be all too easy to lose our critical and
Toy Story 3 is bloody brilliant and why
, The King’s Speech, and Inception
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The ,
don’t
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