CAMPUS LIFE

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 19 Dreams turn to disappointment

Wright’s “Soho” is a flash in the pan

HUNTER FRIESEN

Film Critic

Zippy editing, deadpan comedy from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and a killer soundtrack. These are the characteristics that have come to define the filmography of Edgar Wright. The world first got a glimpse of those three things in 2006 with Wright’s feature debut, “Shaun of the Dead.” Other features followed, such as the cult classics of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver,” giving Wright a dedicated following of fans that will always be itching to see what the stylish British director does next. For his next trick, Wright has done away with two of those three trademarks. He’s keeping the soundtrack, but trading away the duo of Pegg and Frost for Thomasin McKenzie and Anya TaylorJoy, as well as trading in humor for horror. The title of “Last Night in Soho” refers to the famous entertainment district located in London’s West End. From nightclubs to pubs to other seedier establishments, there’s always something to entice your interests. For Eloise Turner (McKenzie), that’s the London College of Fashion. She has big dreams to be a designer like her late mother, but her outsider persona doesn’t mesh well with her urban classmates. Eloise finds solace in her antique off-campus apartment, where she’s free to play her 60s music and dream about a better time. Her dreams quickly become reality, as Eloise magically gets transported back to 60s London, where she is mysteriously linked to the life of up-and-coming singer, Sandie (Taylor-Joy). These nighttime adventures allow Eloise to live the life she’s always wanted. But the honeymoon period doesn’t last for long, as these dreams gradually devolve into nightmares. The question of what is reality and what is dream begins to get muddled, and the glamorous white lights begin to run red with blood. Coincidentally, 2021 has been the year of nostalgia for 1960s London as both this film and Disney’s “Cruella” prominently feature the setting. But while the Dalmatianlaced feature carried tacky set pieces and a soundtrack that felt like someone just pressed shuffle on a “Best of the 1960s” Spotify playlist, Wright’s film has much more reverence for the era. The dream-like sections of the film reinvigorate your love for cinema, as Wright displays some inventive camerawork throughout his extended tracking shots that weave their way throughout some of London’s historic establishments. The glittering lights and costumes are candy for eyes, and the hits of “Downtown” and “Got My Mind Set on You” serenade the ears. From a production standpoint, this is Wright’s most accomplished work. Eloise and Wright seemed to be linked to the same fate, as the moment her fortune begins to darken also marks the same point where Wright begins to falter. Once you take away that swinging style, the film topples over as it doesn’t have any legs to stand on in terms of substance. For some people, that may not be a bad thing as Wright’s style goes a long way. But it often feels like empty calories that don’t equal the sum of their parts. Wright – along with co-writer Krysty WilsonCairns (“1917”) – makes a statement about sexism and toxic men. But specific ideas are scarce and it all plays as more of a generalized blanket observation on the unfair inequality of gender, something any woman learns at some point (hopefully not first-hand). There is no central villain to this story, with Sandy’s pimp and abuser, Jack (played by the handsomely sinister Matt Smith), being too surface-level to be perceived as an actual person, just an idea. For a while, the villains are the ghoulish spirits of controlling men. But our fear of them diminishes each time they appear, which happens much more than it should, a common problem within this 116-minute film that feels every bit as long as it is. Eventually, there are so many twists and turns that you – as well as Wright – don’t know how to feel about these characters, ending the film on a confounding question-mark rather than an exclamation point.

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Film Critic Hunter Friesen says that “Last Night in Soho” is “anything different than a mild disappointment.”

Overall: 3/5

“Last Night in Soho” gloriously indulges in the technical eccentricities that have come to define Edgar Wright. For fans of his work, it is quite a treat to see how far he has come as a craftsman. But all that glitter is not gold, as there’s not much underneath the sheen to make this feel anything different than a mild disappointment.

Vocal perfomance at GBPAC

LAUREN MCGULL

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the Glee Club and the Cecilians, formerly known as the Women’s Choir, gave two beautiful performances for the first time since March 2020. The Glee Club were first to perform and were conducted by John Wiles, and Emily Clouser played the piano. The Cecilian’s were conducted by Amy Kotsonis, with Heather Gillis on the piano. The performance was available for those unable to attend on Facebook Live.

Both groups gave the audience a wonderful performance and looked incredibly happy to be back on stage doing what they love. The Glee Club sang a total of six songs: “Jonah’s Song,” “Oba se Je,” “Salvation is Created,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Down in the Valley,” and finished their performance with their beloved classic, “Brothers, Song On!” There was a brief intermission which was followed by the Cecilian’s who performed “Spellbound,” “I See Heaven’s Glories Shine,” “Nothing Short of Grace,” and concluded the performance with “Music Down in my Soul.” Caleb Gehle, a fourth year student here at UNI with a major in history education and a literacy education minor, has been a part of Glee Club since his start at UNI. Gehle, along with his Glee Club brothers, were ecstatic to get back on stage and perform. “Freshman year, I scoped things out a bit. I knew I wanted to continue my passion for music, but didn’t want that to be my major. I had stumbled upon the Glee Club and decided to see what’s up. The first thing Dr. Wiles asked me was, ‘What can I do to make this a good experience for you?’ I’ve been apart of Glee Club ever since,” said Gehle. Gehle continued to talk about how the Glee Club has been an important part of his time at UNI and how he, along with the other members, are incredibly excited for the Glee Club’s Christmas Show. The show was not performed last year due to COVID-19, but will be performed this year. “I can’t wait for our Christmas show. Since we didn’t perform last year, I think this one will be really special,” Gehle said. “People should join the Glee Club if they love music and want to find a great community for that love to flourish in,” he added. Overall, both performances gave audiences an incredible show and made them wait in anticipation for what’s to come in the future for both groups.

Courtesy Photo / Men’s Varsity Glee Club

Performances by the Men’s Varsity Glee Club and the Cecillians were held at the GBPAC on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

FROM THE NI ARCHIVES

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 19

The President’s Cottage

Editor’s Note: This is an article about the building of the Presidents College; it was published in Jan. 19, 1892. It was one of the first few buildings on campus. When this was printed, UNI was still the Iowa State Normal School, and the Northern Iowan was called the Normal Eyte. Campus looked a little different. It was full of prairie, savannah, pasture and cultivated land that was open at least as far as what is 12th Street today in Cedar Falls.

Chiefly for the benefit of old students who have not been back since it was erected, we give this week a short a description of the President’s residence built last year, together with a cut of the same.

The last general assembly made an appropriation for this purpose and the board erected at a cost of $6,000, a very neat and comfortable cottage and furnished it with all modern conveniences.

The building is nicely located just a little north and east of the center of campus and commands a very pleasant view of the surrounding country. It is constructed of solid brick upon a boulder foundation, 54 ft. by 38 ft., and has a slate roof. There are two front doors, to the east and to the south. Although not overly ornate nor profusely decorated the building presents a very cozy and handsome appearance. It is heated by the Pease system, a combination of steam and hot air is supplied with water from the city works and a No. 2 Gem water motor for pumping rainwater, etc. On the ground floor are double parlors, dining-room, study, halls for both fronts, kitchen, etc; on the second floor, chambers, bath-room and sewing-room and on the outside verandas and balconies from which in summer may be had most delightful views of the landscape and the city lying in the valley toward the northeast. There is an entire basement containing furnace room, laundry, vegetable room and storage. The new cottage affords rather a more comfortable residence for the President and family than did the rooms in South Hall and it is no doubt appreciated by them. The building is certainly a credit to the state, and we only hope that she will favor us still further by providing for a new school building which is sadly needed.

Courtesty Photo / Rod Library

The President’s Cottage was completed in 1891. The first family to live in the house was President Seerley, pictured above.

Presidents House turned Honors Cottage

KARLA DE BRUIN

Managing Editor

The first family to live in the President’s House was Homer Seerley and his family. Before the house was built, the president and his family would live in an apartment in one of the buildings on campus. They often lived with other students on campus. This was important because the president could be right there for a crisis. In 1890 the Board of Regents paid $5,000 for the work and materials. In 1892, the building was finished, and the College Eyte gave a brief description on the cottage. The house included modern amenities such as a heating system combined with steam and hot air. Water came from the city system. There was a cistern to collect rainwater. The basement included a furnace room, vegetable room and a laundry. The first level included two parlors, a study and a kitchen. The second floor included bedrooms, a bathroom and a sewing room. There were porches on the east and south sides.

In early 1908 the “old Cottage” was converted into a hospital for college students. In 1909 the Seerley family moved into the new President’s House (the current one) and was then converted into a hospital and reopened Nov. 2, 1909. In 1926 a new direction would start by focusing on child study and parent education. The Cottage was turned into a nursery and was used as as site for a course called “Child Development.” In 1928 President Seerley retired after being the president for 42 years. At the time there was no formal retirement plan, so the Board decided to remodel the cottage and allow President Seerley and his wife to live out their retirement. They had lived there from 1890-1909, and enjoyed moving back. Many presidents and deans lived in the house including Martin J. Nelson and family, as well as William C. Land and family. When Lang announced he would be stepping down, the house was open for other uses. In 1969 the Board of Regents authorized the idea of a “culture house.” So, in February 1971, the Ethnic Minorities Cultural and Educational Center (EMCEC) opened in the cottage. While the EMCEC was in the cottage, they struggled with the building being too small, and having to need a lot of repairs. So in 2004, an addition was being added to the Maucker Union and a new Center for Multicultural Education had a bigger home. Today, the house is known as the Honors Cottage, where the university’s honors program has moved in.

N.I. EN ESPAÑOL Estudiante celebra El Día de los Muertos

NIXSON BENITEZ

Executive Editor

El Día de los Muertos es una celebración de la cultura hispana en donde se recuerda a los seres queridos que pasaron a mejor vida. Tiene lugar después de Halloween, el 1 y 2 de Nov. Estos días permiten que las almas de los amigos y familiares fallecidos regresen y celebren su vida, su cultura y su familia con los que amaron en vida.

Las familias de ascendencia latina se reúnen para celebrar el Día de los Muertos. Se presenta y exhibe Pan Muerto recién horneado para alimentar y honrar a los seres queridos fallecidos. Se utilizan flores de cempasuchil de color naranja brillante para ayudar a guiar a los espíritus de los seres queridos fallecidos hacia la ofrenda. Una ofrenda se exhibe en la habitación con fotos y posesiones de los seres queridos que se asemejan a su presencia antes de ir al más allá. Una ofrenda conecta el mundo espiritual con los miembros de la familia una vez al año. Este día reúne a las familias para volver a contar las historias de sus antepasados y reunir los recuerdos y los espíritus.

La estudiante de UNI Leslie Maribel Torres celebrará el Día de los Muertos por primera vez hoy, 1 de Nov. en honor a su primo Max Rangel, recientemente fallecido.

“Él era el alma de la fiesta. Reunía a todos los primos y a todo el mundo; nunca dejaba que nadie se sintiera excluido”, dijo Torres. “Max era súper ruidoso, quizás hasta extremadamente ruidoso. Siempre se reía y hacía reír a todo el mundo.”

Como este año es la primera vez que Torres celebra el Día de los Muertos, construyó una ofrenda desde cero. Una ofrenda es una mesa en la que los miembros de la familia pueden poner fotos de sus antepasados con posesiones que recuerdan su presencia. Torres también conmemora a su abuelo, José López, y a su abuela, María Ponse. “Para mi abuela le compré un paquete de cigarrillos porque le gustaba fumar y para mi abuelo le compré una cerveza modelo, porque le gustaba beber y la Modelo era una de sus favoritas”, dijo Torres. “Para Max le compré una cadena porque a él le gustaban las joyas y cada vez que lo veía siempre llevaba sus joyas.” El lunes, 1 de noviembre, ella invita a sus antepasados a volver al mundo actual para compartir los recuerdos y las historias del impacto que tuvieron en su vida. “Este día es importante para mí porque he estado de duelo y ha sido un momento difícil para mí y mi familia. Este día es importante porque no sólo estamos invitando a nuestros antepasados a volver, sino que nos reunimos espiritualmente en este día,” dijo Torres. UNIdos y la Sociedad Teatral Multicultural (STM) organizan un festival para celebrar y educar sobre el Día de los Muertos. Puedes aprender más sobre el Día de los Muertos asistiendo a este evento. Este evento se celebrará hoy, 1 de Nov, en el Teatro de Bertha Martin de 6 a 8 de la tarde.

El Dia de los Muertos es celebra en primer dia de Noviembre.

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