THE FOUNDER May 2022
The Fall of America’s Abortion Rights: A “Carefully Cultivated” Plan
JOEL DAVIES | CONTENT WRITER
American democracy and consists of nine judges, appointed for life.
O
n 2nd May 2022, an unprecedented leak from the United States Supreme Court revealed that the court had reached a preliminary decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that upholds abortion rights in the USA. This decision, if finalised, will have catastrophic effects on people across the United States, and will represent the greatest setback in reproductive rights for a generation. Roe v. Wade (1973) decreed that the state could not interfere with the right to have an abortion, essentially making abortion access a legal right across the country and forcing the 30 states where abortion remained illegal to allow access to this crucial reproductive healthcare. With the potential reversal of this landmark case insight, an alarm is being raised by activists across the country that many states could again severely restrict or ban abortion care for all.
Index
As evangelical movements have gained traction within the Republican Party they have screened and ‘carefully cultivated’ these judges to support overturning Roe v. Wade, as Senator Elizabeth Warren argued on 3rd May 2022. Three of the nine current judges were appointed by President Trump, essentially creating a conservative, anti-choice majority in the court that will last generations.
This move is no trivial matter, as it concerns essential healthcare Caption: Protestors outside the US Supreme Court after the unprecedented leak, March 2nd 2022 for millions of Americans. Source: AP Photo / Anna Johnson Abortions constitute crucial healthcare for many, especially The right-wing of the USA, which Donald Trump’s Presidency may not have those in poverty or those who has consistently campaigned against directly taken aim at abortion laws, but it would be at severe medical risk abortion rights, has achieved success achieved great success in opposing them through after giving birth. in recent years with the rise of its Supreme Court nominations. The court acts Trumpism and evangelical Christian as the third pillar of American democracy and movements. consists of nine judges, appointed for life.
News....................................................................................2 Features................................................................................5 Opinion And Debate............................................................7 Lifestyle...............................................................................9 Arts: Arts and Culture........................................................12 Arts: Literary Reviews.......................................................14 Arts: Film...........................................................................18 Arts: Music.........................................................................20 Sports..................................................................................22
Continued on p.8
The Met Gala: A Microcosm of Inequality or Fashion Incarnate? P. 7
How to Unwind After Exams P. 10
Manchester United: The Perpetual Rebuild P. 23
2 NEWS
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Partygate Fines: Should Boris Johnson Resign? ROBYN SPINK | CONTENT WRITER
P
rime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have all received fines issued by the Met Police for breaking lockdown rules in June 2020. The three were amongst others as attendees at an alleged birthday party held in Downing Street. This makes Boris Johnson the first sitting prime minister in history found to have broken the law, prompting calls for his resignation. However, the PM reiterates that he ‘spoke in completely good faith’ when he insisted in Parliament that all rules were followed when quizzed on the event by opposing politicians. Mr Sunak has also ruled out resignation whilst offering an ‘unreserved apology’ for failing to comply with Covid restrictions. These fines come as there have been questions surrounding the drinking culture in Westminster, with one government minister describing the current environment as ‘toxic’ and that there is currently a ‘fundamental problem’ with the work culture.
The Founder Board 2021 - 2022 Editor in Chief Abra Heritage editor@thefounder.co.uk
Managing Editor Robert Matthews managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk
However, it is not only Conservative politicians that have been accused of flouting lockdown rules, with MPs from Labour amongst those criticised. Labour Leader Keir Starmer and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner have been under fire after they were filmed drinking alcohol at a gathering in April 2021, now known as ‘beergate’, when indoor social gatherings were banned. Angela Rayner previously denied attending the event, however the Labour party have now confirmed that she was present. This has prompted criticism from Conservative politicians, who have urged Durham police to reconsider an investigation into the event. However, Keir Starmer professes that no rules were broken, and these accusations are due to Conservative MPs ‘trying to throw mud’ in the lead up to local elections.
Publishing & Creative Designer Ali Krausova designer@thefounder.co.uk
News Editor Harriet Whitaker
Illustrator Tabitha Turner
news@thefounder.co.uk
illustrator@thefounder.co.uk
Features Editor Sela Musa
Arts Editor Isabel West
features@thefounder.co.uk
arts@thefounder.co.uk
Opinon and Debate Editor George Woods
Literary Review Editor
Liam Anthony Elvish
opinion@thefounder.co.uk
literaryreview@thefounder.co.uk
Lifestyle Editor Cyann Fielding
Music Editor Finn Murphy
lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk
music@thefounder.co.uk
Sports Editor Oli Gent
Film Editor Tilley Bennett
sportseditor@thefounder.co.uk
film@thefounder.co.uk
The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. This means we are not affiliated to the student union or the college. We pride ourselves on our investigative journalism and aim to keep our readers up to date with news on and off campus. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editor, particularly of opinion and debate pieces. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of its stories. To book ad space in The Founder, contact our managing editor at managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk. THE FOUNDER is printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print Source: Wikimedia Commons
NEWS 3
THE FOUNDER May 2022
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann: 15 Years On HARRIET WHITAKER | NEWS EDITOR
D
r Gerry and Mrs Kate McCann mark 15 years on 3 May 2022 since their 3-year-old daughter, Madeleine McCann, went missing from their hotel room in Praia da Luz, Portugal in 2007. The search for Madeleine and the investigation into her disappearance is ongoing after it was due to close earlier this year. Figures have shown that the McCanns acquired over £750,000 in a private fund to continue the search for their daughter if police investigations are to come to an end. The case, despite it longevity, has not been featured in the Portuguese news for a number of years. After a Portuguese investigation failed to recover any information, the Metropolitan Police began its inquiry in 2011. The BBC reported in 2018 that so far, £11.75 million has been invested by the UK to ‘Operation Grange’, with little light shed on what actually transpired, yet the case is still being treated as a missing persons inquiry. On the Official ‘Find Madeleine Campaign’ Facebook page, the McCanns posted to over 500,000 supporters, ‘It is a huge comfort to know that regardless of time passed, Madeleine is still in people’s hearts and minds’. Yet the dubious case remains a source of controversy for supporters of the cause and cynics alike,
Source: Wikimedia Commons
with some asking why so much has been donated and spent on finding one child while thousands of other children remain missing with little funding or support for their causes.
In June 2020, German authorities revealed that Christian Brueckner had been identified as a suspect in the case. He was then declared a formal suspect in the case two years later in April 2022. Brueckner, a 43-year-old from Germany, is already serving time in prison for drug-related offences and recently, an additional seven years for the rape of a 72-yearold woman. Brueckner was made aware of his status as a suspect in the case after the request of Portuguese prosecutors in Faro. Brueckner adamantly denies any involvement in the case. Some have called Brueckner a scapegoat and criticised the hastiness of needing someone to blame. However, in a statement, the office of public prosecutions in Portugal said this move was pushed by ‘strong indications’ that Brueckner is guilty, rather than it being time sensitive.
Primark Prices on the Rise ANNA ARMELIN | CONTENT WRITER
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igh-street brand Primark has made statements suggesting they will need to raise their prices in the autumn and winter in order to ensure their stores stay open in the current climate of inflation. This has caused outrage amongst the public customer, with Primark’s promotion of ‘everyday affordability’ being brought into question. However, this reaction to Primark’s price changes should also raise us to question our reliance on these fast fashion brands and their unsustainable prices. Why is the public outraged at the rising prices? What does this say about the public problem of overconsumption?
Source: The Industry
Primark, like many other highstreet fast fashion brands, faces many ethical criticisms. These lie in the multiple impacts of its organisation; environmental, labour conditions and animal welfare to name a few concerns.
As an example, Primark have been found to be exploiting child labour in many cases in order to manufacture their clothes. The use of such unethical practices is what enables Primark to have such low prices, yet with no real transparency. Whilst it is the affordability that attracts consumers to brands such as Primark, we must understand the implications of such low prices in both social and environmental spheres.
4 NEWS Primark’s overall business model is based on creating huge amounts of short-lived, poorly made fast fashion products that inherently contradict values of ethical fashion and sustainable production. The outrage at the price rise of such products is one that should bring us to question how much we rely on companies as unethical as Primark, and instead of obsessing over disposable, fast fashion, we should look to support more ethical and sustainable companies altogether. Perhaps Primark raising their prices can encourage us to look to at other alternatives to protect the environment, the workers and the animals at risk to unsustainable fashion brands.
THE FOUNDER May 2022
‘Yes, things need to change’: A Brief Insight into the Depp v Heard Trials
ANANYA KRISHNA | CONTENT WRITER
TW: discussions of abuse, domestic violence, graphic injuries
T
he Depp vs Heard trial commenced on 11 April 2022 and is expected to last six weeks. The trial addresses Heard’s 2018 Washington Post article which explores her experience as a victim of domestic abuse in Hollywood. While the article never named Depp as the perpetrator of this alleged abuse, the article’s publication led to a downward spiral in his career, seeing him cut from the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise and further ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films. Depp seeks compensation, suing Heard for the damage her article caused to his career. The reported figure of this compensation ranges between £30-40 million, with Heard countersuing Depp for approximately double the amount.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
In 2016, Heard claims that Depp showed up to her birthday party intoxicated and later ‘shoved [her] to the floor’ and pulled her hair. Following this, Heard steps forward and accuses Depp of psychologically and physically abusing her throughout their relationship. Prior to this, Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, and his ex-partner, Vanessa Paradis, both came out in support of him. In June, photos of Heard’s bruised eye and lip are published in People’s Magazine, though there is speculation both in and out of the courtroom that these were fabricated. Heard later released a video she recorded of Depp slamming cupboards in their kitchen and pouring himself wine, despite it being in the morning. TMZ later released photos of Depp’s severed finger which was reportedly caused by Heard hurling glasses at him during an argument. Heard later announced that her $7 million divorce settlement was donated to two charities ACLU and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, though current court proceedings have revealed that she lied about this and only donated $350K.
Outside the courtroom, many have taken to social media to discuss their own opinions and interpretations of the evidence. It is important to acknowledge that while a lot of the proceedings focus on whether the abuse Heard and Depp describes occurred, we cannot deny that the impact of these allegations is far worse on Depp’s career than Heard’s. While he has been cut from roles, Heard has not faced the same backlash, despite potentially fabricating a lot of her allegations. In one of the recordings shown in court, Heard mocks Depp for this, saying ‘tell the world, Johnny. Tell them, Johnny Depp, I, Johnny Depp, a man, I'm a victim, too, of domestic violence.’ Depp has suffered too from the backlash of the public and mainstream media. This article was written on 3rd May, information surrounding the trial may since have changed.
FEATURES 5
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Being a Kaleidoscope of Those You Meet MOLLY AINLEY | CONTENT WRITER
A
concept: brought by a single girl learning how the word works. As the term draws to a close, I reflect on who I have met, and how they have become part of me. Chosen or not.
A kaleidoscope shows you an unlimited number of patterns made with limited colour and mirrors. Such a simple concept which engages you for multiple minutes and hours, or at least it did when we were children. I think we work in the same way. I would like to explore this, hoping you will look at how those you meet will always give you something. For we have limited things that exist, but we internalise these things in an exact pattern: a pattern also known as our souls. We look at the sky, the grass, school, our parents- and these all become part of us.
Meaning I am the result of everything around me. Delving into this further, I believe everyone we meet, engage with, speak to, and see, takes a place inside us. Big or small. The people I saw roller-skating weeks ago, are people I still think about; for they looked so free and I envied that. They may have been clumsy at times, but there was an elegance and beauty in how they skated, disregarding who was watching. They gently reminded me how much I love skating, how I yearn to have a group like them to do it with. How watching people love something so obviously can brighten you.
The people who have made me mad, only allow me to reassess myself. For I am not perfect and I must forgive myself for that. The people who I may dislike strongly have only made me stand my own ground, and remind me of what is important. Inside of me is a library of people I have seen and met, people who have imprinted on me (forgive me for using such a twilight-orientated word). See the point is;
I think it is beautiful how we can so easily reflect on people who have never spoken to us, and how there’s people we will see and admire that will subconsciously inspire us to simply be. In the same way a kaleidoscope will use the mirrors to reflect an image, we use the people we meet in our short passage of life to contribute to ourselves.
I believe there is an awful theory we stop growing, and although I may always stay 5”4, my soul and senseof-self will always change for the better. We can never stop evolving, letting people challenge our morals and belief, we also must let them inspire and help us love the world ever so slightly more. Their words will echo inside us. University is when a variety of people all wish to do the same thing, which is get a degree, but also a time when people from different corners of the world can find a common ground, and teach complete strangers who they wish to be. We should never hate that someone had a role in our life, for we learnt something from them. Or maybe I just need to take my rose-tinted sunglasses off.
Source: Chris Lee
The New Generation of Technology AELIYA RAZVI | CONTENT WRITER
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ave you ever been in a restaurant or airport and seen children sitting next to their parents, barely paying attention to their surroundings, their focus instead being completely absorbed by the gadget in front of them? It is an all too familiar experience in the contemporary age and this phenomenon has garnered an all too familiar name: iPad kids. This label has been applied due to the popularity of iPads amongst young children and the way they seem dependent on these devices to be entertained.
It also has negative connotations, with many labelling children who fall into this group as dethatched from the realities of the world and damaging their mental health. Fingers are often pointed at parents for allowing their kids to become so dependent on this form of entertainment, especially when the consequence of it is seen almost immediately after the gadget is taken away in the temper tantrums and cries that follow.
6 FEATURES However, the question remains as to what the effects and consequences of high technology use at a young age actually are. While people have thrown many criticisms at iPad kids, these children are also seen to be increasingly tech savvy and that is becoming an increasingly valuable skill as the world moves towards more online learning and remote working. This ‘technological intelligence’ is something that has encouraged some schools to move towards and embrace the use of the iPad, with its adaptability and engagement that allows for teachers to structure more creative lessons that hold students’ attention more than a typical lesson might. The important point to note here is that this iPad use is under a controlled environment and is monitored vigilantly. While schools may be using their tablets to educate and deliver lessons in a new and innovative way, unrestricted use can be an entirely different story.
Unfortunately, that is often the kind of access that is available to kids at home. Research from Yougov shows that at age six 40 per cent of children have their own tablet, a troubling figure when considering what ownership of a device with such far reaching access can have. When considering what children may accidentally be able to stumble onto, the concern that many adults have about their mental health and the long-term impacts are not unfounded. This is not even taking into consideration the access they could have if they are allowed a social media account as well. Another red flag when it comes to gadget use is the fact that for many years it has been known that the parents in silicon valley, the creators of this technology , have limited how much of their kids use any kind of tech. CEO’s like that of Snapchat have stated they only let their kids have an hour and a half of screentime per week and Steve Jobs, before his death, revealed how he did not allow his kids to use the very iPad his own company designs and sells.
Source: Flickr
While there may be benefits that exist within controlled environments like schools, with teachers monitoring, parents should be wary of the negative consequences that the tech dependency that kids are exhibiting today will result in. Especially as these are still evolving and may only present themselves much later in life. Kids have adopted tablets and become the rulers of the new tech age. Should they have? SELA MUSA | FEATURES EDITOR
I
applied to become a Student Ambassador in the summer of my first year at university. Initially, I was sceptical, associating the job with extroverts who could make best friendships in a matter of minutes. In just a few thoughts, I had the entire scenario convincingly played out in my head: groups of people who could skip over the awkward process of making the friends and straight to the part where they naturally existed alongside each other. Kind of like any cringe American high school movie with an odd one out standing by the lockers – this was what was obviously destined for me.
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Through the Eyes of a Student Ambassador Then a few months of the first lockdown passed and I was desperate and dreaming of having something to do and making the days my own. All my housemates had their individual things to go to, like sports clubs or societies, and I never really had that. This will be my thing, I thought. I could make this my thing.
And now two years later, I think it was my thing. I say that not because I made a hundred friends on the first day. I didn’t, and I am quite sure that I won’t ever be the person that can do that like in the movies. I say it because each day was something different, and it exposed me to something different. I can truthfully tell you that I met a new person on every single shift and, though our interactions may be confined to work, that is still a lot of getting to know people and what they are studying and what they want to be doing in the future. I like those conversations and I like the quick hey how are you when we bump into each other outside of work.
Mostly, though, I am in awe of the confidence that the job instilled in me without even knowing it at the time. With each conversation, I inevitably move further away from the shy student that I was in my first year and, without realising, now feel okay when asked on the spot to conduct a Q&A for visitors in Bourne lecture theatre. More than okay – excited.
This is only my personal experience with the job. Each Student Ambassador will have a different story to tell (and there are a lot). If it is something that you have thought about, or if it is something that you have not, look into it. You can only benefit. The job comes with a huge variety of shifts such as working alongside visiting schools, running career fairs in Central London, giving campus tours and so much more. And you will meet so many people along the way, each with their own stories to tell. If you want to find out what our current ambassadors are up to, follow @ RHambassadors on Instagram.
Source: Sela Musa
THE FOUNDER May 2022
OPINION AND DEBATE 7
The Met Gala: A Microcosm of Inequality or Fashion Incarnate? GEORGE WOODS | OPINION AND DEBATE EDITOR
T
he 2022 Met Gala was as much a staple of American cultural life as ever. Celebrities from Billie Eilish to Riz Ahmed astounded the world with excessive dress and glamour. On the face of it, the world seems to be flourishing. But while the rich dance and dress, Ukraine are being invaded. While the rich sing and spend, a cost-of-living crisis is engulfing the world. It must be asked: is this really appropriate? The Met Gala is a staple of modern Western life. And for many, it is an escape. The great and the good dressing up offers an ideal for us to aspire towards. An era of opulence and beauty, success, and popularity. With the introduction of TikTokkers like James Charles to the event, this excessive display has been seen to be democratised. If you have a phone, you too can attend this event (if you are a massive influencer, that is). Moreover, it is a plaything for the editor of Vogue Anna Wintour. Like a God descending from the heavens, Wintour uses it as a chance to enter the public realm and showcase her influence across the fashion world. ‘Fashion Incarnate’, as she is commonly called, is a title that can be given to her Gala. The world is set ablaze by its example, and we, the common people, can only watch from afar.
Source: Getty Images
Yes, we see those who attend striding up the red carpet and showing their worth. We can watch and appreciate; we can dream and aspire to attend. And yet, we are shut out. It is not a place for us. It is a place for wealth and extravagance. Indeed, it is Capitalism Incarnate. Is this really right? Or equitable? Or appropriate? The answer is a resounding no. The Coronavirus pandemic waged a terrible evil across our world. People, communities, and countries are still struggling to recover from what has devastated their very way of
life. Indeed, for the people in Ukraine this struggle to live again by the very fact their neighbour is invading them. For Ukrainians, opulence and extravagance are faraway dreams while children are being killed. The crisis in Ukraine has had a worldwide impact. The cost of living across the world is leaving everyone poorer, while the rich are blessed by their extensive funds. While parents struggle to feed their kids, the rich remain aloof and untouched. Owing to this, the Met Gala 2022 was a tone-deaf event. The world is ablaze with the
crisis. War is happening once again in Europe. People are struggling to live in a world born out of plague. The days of celebrity opulence have been replaced by true, real hardship suffered by the very people they purport to owe their livings. It is a failure of us as a society not to speak aloud about the very injustice of the Met Gala. Why is it crammed down our throats while children die in Ukraine? The Meta Gala, it seems, is a microcosm of inequality.
8 OPINION AND DEBATE
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Continued from front page They provide crucial care for those who have experienced traumatic events such as rape or incest, and these rights also provide for the bodily autonomy of every citizen. The ban on abortions will never prevent abortions for the wealthy who can afford discrete healthcare services, but will only trap more families into a cycle of poverty and push low-income people to seek dangerous and unregulated abortions. It can be argued that the fight for abortion restrictions is only an extension of the fight to control women’s bodies and that the fight for abortion rights is a crucial cause.
Whilst Republican efforts have slowly succeeded in rolling back many liberal efforts over the past few decades, Democratic efforts to pursue new legislation have been consistently foiled by the filibuster. The archaic practice allows any senator to effectively gridlock the chamber unless a supermajority of 60 votes can be achieved. In this bitterly divided Congress, this has proven nearimpossible, and as a result healthcare expansion, LGBT+ rights, abortion protections, and immigration reform have all been stonewalled by a minority of the population. This sudden alarm has caused In a ‘democratic’ society, this Democratic politicians and system clearly doesn’t enact reproductive activists to call for the will of the people. an immediate codification of The evangelical rights the reproductive rights granted movements are pivoting to take in Roe v. Wade by Congress. aim at other liberal protections This, however, is far from an next. The effort to undermine easy task. an individual’s right to choose The window for action an abortion has raised concern is closing by the day, as that the conservative court may the midterm elections in attack other rulings based on November present a threat the logic of individual rights to the Democratic majority – most notably the right to in Congress. Currently, the same-sex marriage. In a world Democrats hold the Senate by where an ideological minority a tie-break vote only. This may can strip the rights of millions not be enough to pass such of Americans in this capacity, dramatic legislation, especially nothing can be seen as safe. with crucial senators such as There is clearly a concerted Joe Manchin of West Virginia and organised effort against and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona the rights of individuals by obstructing Congressional the religious right in the USA, agendas. It remains to be but while the need for reseen whether these senators election remains, Senators will give support to efforts to Manchin, Sinema, and others codify reproductive rights, but may continue to prioritise their they have come out in clear personal careers and allow opposition to another fight – legal abortion rights to become the next victim of the filibuster. the abolition of the filibuster.
Editor’s Note ABRA HERITAGE | EDITOR IN CHIEF
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n my editor’s note in the September 2021 edition of The Founder, I wrote on my vision for Royal Holloway’s independent student newspaper: the continuation and development of writing focused upon social justice, world issues, and the raising of marginalised voices too often put to the side in the UK’s mainstream broadsheets. These have all been central to the work of The Founder since its establishment in 2006, when the paper was formed by a handfull of likeminded students. Sixteen years on, The Founder has become one of the central media outlets on campus, with an expansive editorial and content writing team, producing monthly student newspapers and publishing content online throughout the year. At the heart of our work this year, there has been a focus on the need to change. Apparent across all sections, our writers and editors have been continuously challenging the norm through high quality journalism. In every edition, we have tried our best to deliver relevant, fresh, and powerful stories for students at Royal Holloway. I am abundantly proud of the excellent work of our student contributors, content writers, and editorial team for continuing to produce such important work. I’d like to thank each and every student that has contributed to the work of The Founder; it is your hard work, time, and words that have made the paper a publication I am so honoured to have been Editor of.
Becoming a digital publication in October was a particular challenge for the paper. We turned to digital publications following challenges in our advertising that prohibited us from being able to continue printing our free physical copies. This was a problem encountered at national levels in the industry throughout the pandemic, as many independent papers struggled to secure or retain their advertisers. I truly believe that this challenge has strengthened the paper, expanding our digital outreach and placing a bigger focus on our social media outputs.
I am looking forward to The Founder’s continued development with new Editorin-Chief, Ali Krausova. Ali has acted as our Designer this year and will be attending the London School of Journalism this summer. Following the paper’s growth in submissions and publications, the paper is introducing a new role for the academic year of 2022/23, and I am pleased to announce the introduction of a Deputy Editor, taken on by Chloe Boulton. Details of positions and applications for the editorial team of 2022/23 will be announced on our social media pages in the coming month. I’d like to send my utmost gratitude again to the wonderful editorial team of 2021/22, who have worked tirelessly to deliver high-quality, free student journalism. Being Editor-in-Chief of The Founder has been the greatest privilege of my time at Royal Holloway.
LIFESTYLE 9
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Why Comfort TV Helps Us LAURA BLOOMFIELD | STUDENT CONTRIBUTOR
don’t have to wait a year or two to find out what’s going to happen next. We already know, and besides, the next season is ready to be played.
The characters are engrained in our memory. The first few episodes don’t feel like a mission to learn everyone’s names. The characters’ faces are familiar, and their backstories are well known. Overall, our comfort shows are more relaxing than a new show because the work has already been done. We can enjoy the show for it is rather than learning everything about it.
Source: Tabitha Turner
W
ith the rise of streaming services which have overtaken cable television, we have an abundance of TV to watch. Despite there being so many new, exciting shows to enjoy, people often reach for an older show. Despite watching it multiple times, people continue to watch these shows.
Comfort TV is a phenomenon we can all relate to: you decide to watch a show you already love after a long, perhaps bad, day instead of something new. We watch these shows because it’s a less intense viewing experience. Our emotions aren’t rapidly changing because of the show’s events, and we’re not shocked by a cliff-hanger or a character’s death (I’m looking at you, Stranger Things). And then
In the many lockdowns we had in the UK, I feel like comfort TV rose. The pandemic was (and still is, but to a lesser extent) a period of time with many unexpected events. Every day something new would happen, mostly bad news. Lockdown was a very overwhelming and anxiety-inducing time, as well as lonely. We were cut off from seeing most of the people we care about and were stuck at home with little stimulation. Watching a comfort TV programme reduced the long list of things to worry about because the plot isn’t surprising. You don’t have to worry about your favourite character. Also, Comfort TV became a form of escapism. You could go to work in The Office, live in Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls, and you could socialise in Friends. The experiences we couldn’t have could all be done from our own living spaces. Before and after lockdown, comfort TV is still here. We still need a break from our lives and people we will continue to choose their favourite shows again and again.
Free Outdoor Activities to do This Summer ANNA MORENO | CONTENT WRITER
A
s the exam season draws to a close, many students will be excited to leave their house and enjoy the beginning of an exciting summer. However, some may find that along with their burst of motivation to go outside after weeks of revising indoors, comes a heavy increase in expenses, and they may find their wallets quickly emptying. Certain activities such as pub nights out and spa trips can be quite costly, especially with the inclusion of travel expenses. The cost of trains alone can increase expenses by a great amount if you are travelling a long way and do not own a railcard. Nevertheless, there are ways to enjoy being outside of your home without spending a large sum of money, allowing you to save for the occasions when you do decide to splash out. Visiting a Museum
Visiting any museum or gallery is often free of charge. Unless you intend to visit limited-time exhibitions, which can vary in price, exploring a museum on your own or with a friend is a great way to spend the day. Of course, you may need to pay for travel and possibly food if you decide not to bring a packed lunch, but for the most part it is a cheap and affordable way to spend the day away from home.
10 LIFESTYLE
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Going on a Picnic
There is no better way to spend a sunny afternoon than being surrounded by nature with some good food. You can make your own sandwiches, cakes, and cocktails to bring with you. Go with some friends, a partner, family, or on your own and sit in a nice spot to enjoy the warm summer breeze. It may also be a good chance to dress up and take some pictures. Of course, make sure to wear sun protection to shield your skin from the sun. Exercise
Exercising outdoors is also a great way to enjoy the sun and keep fit. This can take the form of running, cycling, or simply going on a walk with your pet. You can also play sports such as football in the park with friends and family.
Use the Space in Your Garden If you are lucky enough to own a garden, it can be a comfortable place to spend a sunny afternoon. This may be an ideal choice for those who do not want to venture too far from their home but still want to enjoy the sunshine. Grab some friends and host a barbecue or simply sit and read a book. You can also do some gardening if you want to spend the day with nature, tending to beautiful flowers and plants. These are just a few ideas to get you started, but hopefully some of these activities will appeal to many of you who are looking for a way to enjoy the summer without over-spending. Exam season is over, take a break and unwind. It is time to reward yourself by doing the things that you enjoy!
Source: Runnymede Hotel
How to Unwind After Exams REBECCA DE SÁ | CONTENT WRITER
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ongratulations, exams are done! And, if you have a few more to go, then the thought of a well-deserved break can be something to pull you through. The build-up to exams is truly exhausting. Late-night study sessions, immense stress, and lots of last-minute cramming. It is no wonder that so many students feel burnt out at the end of exam period, if not before! So, here are some tips on how to unwind after exams and reset so that you can make the most of the summer ahead. Take a week, or at least a couple of days, to do absolutely nothing The period immediately after exams can be as equally exhausting as the exams themselves. Many students fall into the habit of post-exam rumination, and this can lead to more stress and anxiety. It is important to take some time off to relax and focus on yourself.
Do not put pressure on yourself by writing massive to-do lists or thinking about results day. Instead, watch a new Netflix series or read a book that you have been putting off, spend time with your family, or even catch up on some well-deserved sleep. Whatever it is, make sure that you are taking the time to rest and recover. Tidy up
Without a doubt, your bedroom has been the subject of your frustration during exam season. If you find that you have papers or books sprawled around, take time to declutter your space. One of the most satisfying things to do is to close all those tabs on your laptop or device. Take this further and do a digital declutter. Organise the files on your laptop and sort out your google drive. Cleaning up the physical space around you and your digital one is guaranteed to make you feel less overwhelmed.
Have a pamper day
Book yourself a spa weekend or do it yourself at home. Indulge in a bath filled to the brim with salts, bath bombs, and bubble bath; go for a massage or do a face mask and a guided meditation. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air
Get your 10,000 steps in by taking a nice long walk outside. Surrounding yourself in nature releases endorphins that can improve your mood. A great way to beat the post-exam blues! Go on holiday
Jetting off can be expensive. But there are airlines that offer cheap deals to different countries. You could even jump in the car with your friends and do a road trip across the U.K. Immersing yourself in an environment other than the library really will do wonders for your mental health.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022 Exam season is tough. That is why taking time to relax and unwind is important to ensure that you make the most of the next few months before you find yourself back at university in September, or in a new role. Spend time with your family and friends and take time to focus on yourself, and more importantly, enjoy this newfound freedom while it lasts!
Source: Pixabay
CYANN FIELDING | LIFESTYLE EDITOR
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s individuals, we have been conditioned throughout our lives to experience events in pairs or groups. The idea of sitting alone at a restaurant table having a meal to yourself is something seldom enjoyed by individuals. We go to the cinema in pairs or groups, we go out for a meal with family or friends, we play sports as a team, we travel together. While there are a few people that enjoy these pastimes by themselves, including travelling the globe in their own company, as a society solo travelling has not been fully embraced or respected as an individual’s accomplishment. Travelling alone may be daunting. Why would anyone want to experience different cultures, opportunities, attractions and so on by themselves and not have someone else or some other people to share those experiences with? The answer to that, is that sometimes, there is no better company than your own company. The daunting feeling is actually the answer to the fear of travelling alone. By embracing the fear of being by yourself and navigating yourself through a different country and culture without your support bubble, is actually the source that propels you to navigate yourself and immerse yourself in new surroundings.
The Art of Travelling Alone Some key things to break down when thinking of travelling alone are the key fears that everyone is confronted with when contemplating a solo holiday. Fears such as where to go, where to stay, how to travel to different locations, what food to eat/cook, the feeling of being alone, missing home and lacking confidence, are all things that can be easily rectified.
The fear of where to stay is completely up to the individual. If you want to be on the cheaper end of the spectrum and potentially wanting to meet new people, hostels would be the place. Hostels offer a cheap alternative to hotels, especially in more expensive locations. Whilst many individuals fear hostels, as you are grouped with unknown people, many hostels have single sex dorms and different sized rooms, meaning you might only have to share with a couple of other people. Additional to that, your personal belongings are safe in a locker that you can access, and most hostels offer a group and shared space to hang out and meet new people over breakfast each morning. On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to indulge yourself, are higher end hotels which allow you to really relax and have your own space without the worry or interference of another person in filtrating that space. Travelling to and from different locations in a different country can be completely confusing and nerve wracking, however, there are many guides, and the simple use of Google Maps can aid in locating yourself and also getting you from A to B.
Within a few days of your holiday, and using local transport, confidence will grow in using different modes of transport in the country visited. Again, what to eat or cook or where to eat can be resolved by simple searches on the Internet or visiting the local supermarket to where you are staying. Whilst different countries offer different cuisines, your staples like vegetables, pastas, meats, etc are all accessible Source: Her World through different countries’ supermarkets. The final three are much more Travelling alone is not personal and mental issues something to fear. While towards solo travelling. The the thought of it may seem travelling fear of missing people and intimidating, feeling lonely is something alone is one of the most selfthat stems from within and enlightening and inspiring can be rectified by keeping opportunities an individual yourself busy. Contacting those can have. Not only can you do you love and embracing time your holiday at your own pace, with yourself is also of central visit the places you want to go to, eat the cuisine you want to, importance. and focus solely on yourself And for the final fear of lacking without the worry of another confidence, this is something person’s enjoyment - you are that is completely normal free to explore a different being in new surroundings - place with your own eyes, and whether that is you moving without the influence of others from one road to another in or the media. your hometown or moving from the UK to America and not knowing the culture, the laws, etiquette and so on. This is something that will grow by just putting yourself out there and visiting places. After going in a few shops, you'll know the customs of payment. After going on travel a few times you'll know how to operate different transport systems in that country, after eating out, you'll know how to tip appropriately. Confidence like the confidence you have built throughout your life will also build throughout your vacation.
12 ARTS AND CULTURE
THE FOUNDER May 2022
House of Expressionism MAJA KRISTIANSEN | CONTENT WRITER
The floors start out with some of Munch’s contemporaries from multiple artforms including film, poetry, and painting. Among these artists, the visitor will encounter Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali, recognised for their surreal and expressionistic films and paintings, including Un Chien Andalou and Melting Clocks, respectively.
Source: Unsplash
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he Munch Museum was opened on 22nd October 2021, after months of setbacks related to Covid restrictions. The museum’s expressionistic, as well as naturalistic style, lends itself perfectly to its artist of honour, Edvard Munch. Edvard Munch is one of the most well-known and renowned Norwegian artists of the late 19th and early 20th century, most often recognized for the painting Scream, which he finished painting in 1893. The museum showcases Munch’s fascinations and ideations within his paintings through the categorisations of each floor within the museum. The floors display both paintings by Munch and other artists that showcase the style Munch employed during the 19th and early 20th century. Reflecting the themes and emotions he explored within his paintings, as well as showcasing the future of impressionistic and naturalistic style.
Another floor is solely paintings by Edvard Munch, displaying his lifelong fascination with the intertwined relationship between joy and pain within love. This floor displays multiple versions of his paintings, including sketches and drawings. The most notable painting from this floor of love is the artwork Separation. The painting is of a woman being detached from a man with the separation shown visually through the brushstrokes that connect the pair, becoming smaller and smaller. This painting is one of many that shows the presence of pain within love. Another standout painting is Jealousy, which displays a man turned away from his subject of love, green with envy.
The painting Scream is primarily exhibited within a blacked-out room, where two versions of the painting are displayed on rotation every hour, making the encounter with the Scream painting unpredictable. It becomes clear that the painting accentuates the philosophical contemplation that haunts all of Munch’s work. That is, the recognition of the fact that the human experience and all the emotions that come with it are completely one’s own, like innate loneliness. Commenting on the multiple paintings, the museum expresses that:
‘all of the versions are different but equally powerful. Note how Munch placed a group of men in the background on a straight road that disappears into infinity. This makes their distance from the figure in the foreground even more obvious. What arouses angst and despair in one person may be insignificant for another’. The museum is an eclectic formation of the human experience through all artforms, attempting to grasp the internal world of people and subjects. It can, perhaps, inspire visitors not only to attempt any of the eclectic art forms and styles displayed within the museum, but also consider the individuality one holds in the world and how you can attempt to share it with others.
Review: The Procession by Hew Locke ISABEL WEST | ARTS EDITOR
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pon visiting the Tate Britain last weekend, I was surprised to be so enraptured by the Tate’s commission piece The Procession, especially as I stumbled upon it by accident. The Duveen Galleries, a long space stemming from the front of the building, houses this celebration of cultures until January of next year. The Procession takes you on a journey presenting you with Caribbean Carnival figures, PostColonial Trade images juxtaposed with pre-colonial inspired sculptures, images and records of the slave trade, natural and environmental disaster and references to the British empire and revolution.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022 Alongside the animal and Día de los Muertos allusions, images of global financial and violent colonial control are woven into the carboard figures’ clothing and banners. The masks of many of the figures become part of them so expertly that for some it is not clear whether they are masked or not. Similarly, for figures such as the children that begin The Procession it is unclear whether the share holders’ certificates that are wrapped around them are clothes or have become part of their skin. In a sort of reclaiming, Locke has painted native birds, bananas, and other culturally significant images onto shares certificates, from companies like the Russian General Oil Corporation and the West India Improvement Company, and sold land certificates, from sugar plantations and with it, enslaved people. Draped on the figures, Locke has used varying fabrics ranging from vibrant contrasting colours to duller, more aged looking fabrics. As well as the fabrics and shares certificates, Locke also uses photographs of colonial architecture from his childhood home Guyana that are displayed on banners the figures carry as well as their clothing. The clothing itself also ranges from more native clothing, carnival costumes to school uniforms, suits, and military attire. Many of these outfits, fabrics and images are repeated throughout the procession, confronting the viewers with them: forcing them to take notice.
Source: Isabel West
Through his procession Locke invites visitors to ‘reflect on the cycles of history, and the ebb and flow of cultures, people, finance and power.’ This message appears even stronger in a space defined and founded by men such as Henry Tate who was himself a sugar merchant. In placing such a powerful display of the aftermath of colonialisation within a space entirely indebted to the slave trade and sugar business, Locke enhances the poignancy of his message. As he himself says, he ‘makes links with the historical after-effects of the sugar business, almost drawing out of the walls of the building.’
Locke’s lifelong fascination with how nations are formed and what they chose as their symbols of nationhood is clearly reflected in his largest piece yet. This fascination stems from witnessing Guyana independence from the British rule at the age of five. Nationhood and identity are prevalent themes in this piece, but more specifically the carving of identity free from colonial rule. The Procession is as provocative as it is interesting and beautiful and deserves the viewers prolonged attention. The procession with its figures paused mid step, brings the echoes of history, and firmly establishes them in the present in a gallery where its historical foundations lie in the colonising roots this procession criticises.
14 LITERARY REVIEW
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway LIAM ANTHONY ELVISH | LITERARY REVIEW EDITOR
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rnest Hemingway’s literary style has forever been marked as deceptively simple, and unpretentiously direct, consistently granting him a place on numerous lists of top American authors of the last hundred years. So it is that his first novel, Fiesta – The Sun Also Rises, published in 1927, exhibits his ‘Iceberg theory’ to considerable effect. The novel explores a group of English and American expatriates residing in Paris who then reconvene at the Festival of San Fermin in Spain to watch the bullfighting contests. At the centre of this circle of acquaintances is Jake Barnes, whose love for the alluring Lady Brett Ashley triggers much of his perturbed action and erratic sentiment. Adopting a plebian setting dominated by bullfighting culture lends itself to an undemanding language possessing a rich depth of shaded, subtextual meanings. Following the witnessing of one such altercation in the ring, Jake becomes conscious of having ‘that disturbed emotional feeling that always comes after a bullfight, and the feeling of elation that comes after a good bullfight.’ Now read that back again. Hemingway’s framing of human contradiction often warrants repeat analysis which can make for enlightening, if occasionally frustrating, study. Once the reader becomes conscious of it, they are kept continually on their toes, cautious of skimming past sections containing possible deeper significance. Such a style obviously renders the writing fallible, with a lack of fluidity which is often obstructive to pleasurable interpretation.
Source: Isabel West
Nonetheless, the intensity of the central characters and their romantic potential is what rouses us to persevere, aware that the probability of such a consummation is minimal. Brett Ashley’s unwillingness to scorn, yet refusal to commit, leaves Jake in a state of persistent longing. Her constant attention from the other men heightens her sense of superiority as she soon develops an infatuation with the beguiling matador Pedro Romero, a beautiful young Spaniard who wins both the prize fighting and the attention of female (and male) admirers in equal measure. Brett’s sexual conquest of Romero displays Hemingway mastering the figure of the deviant, promiscuous female, disinterested in pandering to societal expectations and selfpleasingly flouting its rules of conduct for her own satisfaction.
Hemingway’s world, thankfully, now seems something of a distant past, an evocation of a time and place remote from our modern sense of what composes a civilised community. For it is, in essence, a world of machoism, middle-weight boxing champions and too many disreputable stupors. It is by no means incidental that Hemingway had a predisposition for the uncouth and uncultivated; he was a notorious drunkard who treated his numerous wives with intermittent contempt. Yet, rightly or wrongly, it is his words and not his deeds, that have secured his literary reputation following his suicide in 1961; a reputation that has, perhaps, been so long overstated precisely because of a language that can never attest to be so.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park REBECCA WEIGLER | CONTENT WRITER
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t just under two hundred pages, Linda Sue Park’s A Single Shard opens up a whole world of creativity, friendship, and loyalty. Set in a small village in Twelfth Century Korea, it follows a young orphan nicknamed Tree-Ear, who lives with his humble, yet fragile companion Crane Man, under an old derelict bridge. Readers follow the journey and growth of these two companions and witness a transformation which is both beautiful and heart-breaking.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022
Park’s writing is thoroughly descriptive and in doing so the landscape is brought to life right off the page. Readers can picture landscapes of a past rural Korea, with lush fields, flowing streams, and stunning architecture, almost as if we have been transported there. It is definitely as much about place as it is about person. If you are searching for a compact yet whimsical story of friendship and adventure, look no further than A Single Shard. It may be short, but Park’s story carries so much more than what meets the eye.
Source: Instagram, @lingerlongerwithbooks
Appealing to both young and adult readers, Park fills the novella with inspiring quotes, unforeseen challenges, and unlikely relationships. In other words, it has everything needed to shed a tear or two. The genuine bond between Tree-Ear and Crane Man is reminiscent of father and son, and throughout the story we see this connection explored deeper as they are brought both apart and closer together. Perhaps the central plot of the novella, though, is when Young Tree-Ear finds himself in the company of the town’s most esteemed ceramic potter, and eventually becomes somewhat of his apprentice. Learning the trade and the secrets of the art which has long amazed him, Tree-Ear becomes not only an asset to the potter’s studio but also part of his family.
When a threat to the potter’s reputation takes a toll on Tree-Ear, he steps up to the challenge and embarks on a heart-warming adventure to get the help from none other than the emperor himself. This journey is no easy feat, as the dangers of the landscape and those who lurk within it soon come to the surface for the young adventurer. Park heightens suspense at every turn of the page, and we feel as though we are along for the ride. What the novella does so well is combine a historical landscape with characters who feel relatable and modern. Tree-Ear continuously reminds us that beauty can be found in even the smallest of things, and there is always a second chance when all hope may seem lost.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottesa Moshfegh CHLOE BOULTON | CONTENT WRITER
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nyone who has reached and spent time in the corners of the internet named ‘BookTok’ and ‘BookTube’ will likely be familiar with Ottessa Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation. This novel appears consistently in hauls, 5-star lists, and perhaps most frequently in recommendations for books with unlikeable characters. In an interview in 2013, Claire Messud said about unlikeable characters: ‘If you’re reading to find friends, you’re in deep trouble’, and Ottessa Moshfegh does not write for these kinds of readers.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation is narrated by a nameless young woman, almost comically attractive, who cannot bear consciousness. On the surface, it would seem as though her life should be filled with great happiness – she is a recent graduate from Columbia, has an easy job at an art gallery, and her entire life is funded by her inheritance, a seemingly bottomless pot of money. But the narrator is like a dark vacuum; depressed, lethargic, nihilistic. The character has many good things in her life, but no good people. There is Reva, her envious friend from college; Dr Tuttle, her enabling psychiatrist; and Trevor, with whom she has an on-off relationship.
16 LITERARY REVIEW The narrator is generally quite easy to dislike. She treats the people in her life poorly, and makes no efforts to hide from them, or the reader, her selfcentred personality. Moshfegh has been critiqued by some readers for her portrayal of the narrator. My Year of Rest and Relaxation feeds into a widespread fascination with people who are both rich and depressed; whilst it is common knowledge that the two do not have to be mutually exclusive, some have argued that Moshfegh is writing about something – someone – readers have already seen time and time again.
The pacing dips in the middle of the story and along with it comes a sense of lethargy when reading that lends itself to the general feeling of the novel. Moshfegh feeds readers these traumatic life events that the narrator experiences in messy, un-finished subplots that she never fully deals with or gets payoff for. Despite this, it is when learning more about the narrator’s life that a reader can see her through a more compassionate set of eyes, as someone who is grieving and deeply depressed, rather than as an overly privileged young woman.
What the narrator wants, perhaps more than anything, is to sleep her life away. She finds her own thoughts and memories unremarkable and is unphased by the things that have and do happen in her life. She attempts a hibernation of sorts, in the hopes that it will change her worldview. The ending wraps itself up quickly, confined to one chapter, neat and easy to guess. It is almost tacked on as an afterthought and brings into question whether My Year of Rest and Relaxation truly deserves to be a staple in the bookish parts on the internet.
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Source: Pixabay
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi XANTHE MCCRACKEN | CONTENT WRITER
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ime-travelling books are hardly an unfamiliar notion, we have seen it with novels such as Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and Kate Atkinson’s Life after Life. Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold, however, takes the nostalgia of time-travel one step further. Before the novel begins, he asks the reader: if you could go back, who would you want to meet? Before The Coffee Gets Cold is set in a rare basement café, situated down a small alley in Tokyo. This is no ordinary café, it offers the opportunity to travel back in time. The story centres around four visitors, each with unfinished business in the past coming to seek clarity. Though, there are rules to this time-travel, or rather risks. To travel back in time, you must sit in a specific seat; to sit here however, you must wait for the woman in the dress to move. You cannot force
her; you must simply wait for the one moment everyday she goes to the toilet. When travelling back you must follow five main rules: ‘the only people you can meet while in the past are those who have visited the cafe.’; 2. ‘no matter how hard one tries while back in the past, one cannot change the present’; 3. ‘you have to sit in that seat and that seat alone’; 4. ‘while back in the past, you must say in the seat and never move from it’ and most importantly, 5. ‘There is a time limit’. Kawaguchi’s text opens with Fumiko, who sits in the café with her boyfriend who has asked for a ‘serious conversation’. This however turns out to be a breakup, not the proposal she had hoped for. Fumiko travels back a week later to better understand why. As Kazu, the waitress, pours the coffee, Fumiko travels back to the previous week and
briefly returns to her boyfriend. The novel introduces three subsequent stories, each one more moving than the last.
Kawaguchi eloquently writes around the themes of loss, uncertainty, and regret. Though the text can at times feel a little fragmented due to its roots as a stage production into a novel, it is Kawaguchi’s valuable lessons that are at the heart of the text. He reminds us that our future stories are still unwritten: ‘as the future hasn't happened yet, I guess that's up to you’. The text has no real ending, nor beginning, but this is not Kawaguchi’s aim, he instead focuses on how we deal with pain from the past, and consequently, how we can move on from it: ‘Kazu still goes on believing that, no matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them’. Kawaguchi’s characters
intertwine with one another, their stories meet in this small café down a narrow alley, and thus Kawaguchi reminds us that wherever we are, whatever we may be feeling, we are not alone.
Source: Pixabay
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THE FOUNDER May 2022
Creative Writing Submissions LIAM ANTHONY ELVISH | LITERARY REVIEW EDITOR
Them
Pavement of a pizza refuge One bold June Saturday night; Heat and breeze combined in lust Young stubble and skirt waiting, Their face masks tightly fixed His eyes like violets in rain.
She gazes up and Pecks, facemasks still stretched, Then wrenching them with Fully hugged lips, marks a crease in reserve Amid sunset drenched windowI was going to tell Them How beautiful They looked, But, of course, I would have meant Only Him.
September
The brown Bean bag Lay forlorn and withered On the patio squares, Summer’s mighty rays having Scarpered behind the vacuum of grey Misty cloud now ushering expected storms–
The last stains of sweat upon that brown bean bag Had unreservedly dried out, Handprints now remote souvenirs Of that night she came for dinner.
The Batman: Something in the Way DEVESH SOOD | CONTENT WRITER
(Spoilers are in this
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included review.)
he Batman is eagerly anticipated. Originally conceived to be the first solo film for The Dark Knight within the DCEU/SnyderVerse with Ben Affleck set to direct and star, a mixture of personal troubles as well as the re-shifting by the studio resulted in him stepping away. Hence, Matt Reeves takes helm, telling the story of a younger crime fighter set in its own continuity.
His two Planet of the Apes films were well received but upon hearing Robert Pattinson would don the cape-and-cowl, many fans were giddy. After starring in the Twilight films, Pattinson mainly stuck to smaller, more director focused films, including The Lighthouse & Good Time. So, seeing him involved in a Batman film was a fascinating choice. After numerous delays and production costs that seemingly doubled the original budget, The Batman finally released. The film was absolutely worth the wait. This article focuses on the first 10 minutes and why they perfectly set up the film we are about to witness.
From the opening shot, the parallels between the protagonist & antagonist are drawn. Whilst we quickly realise it is the eyes of The Riddler, the view through the binoculars shows the psychotic, creepy idea of being the one to ‘protect the city’, the role in which Batman sees himself as playing. This idea is addressed again, with Wayne watching Kyle in a similar, leering manner, reinforcing the arch that this Batman needs to learn. It is also impossible to talk about this film without mentioning Frasier's (Dune) cinematography; The Batman may just be the best-looking comic book film ever created and really puts movies like No Way Home to shame. The shot
of Riddler, simply standing and breathing, before lunging and attacking outside of the camera’s focus is as gorgeous as it is important to the story.
The screen goes to black. The narration starts. ‘Thursday, October 31st’. Giacchino's Theme plays over a younger vigilante, clearly overwhelmed & hurt by the damage to this city, his signal striking fear. Or, as he refers to himself while beating criminals to the brink of life… ‘Vengeance’.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022 For the first time since Mask of the Phantasm, we have a Batman who needs to learn where his morals lie. A Batman that seems to take pleasure in the violence, rather than understanding the importance of protecting. This is reflected in the colour choices used; for most of the film, there is a prominent use of orange and yellow, representing the misunderstanding and lack of clarity for what the Bat ultimately represents, resulting in the explosions that very nearly doomed Gotham. The only time red is used is when he cuts that cable at the end, killing his past self to become something better. Pattinson’s portrayal is my favourite live-action Batman and there is no competition. Being portrayed in this film as a cowboy, evident just from the heaviness of his footsteps, the future of this character remains to be seen.
Source: Instagram, @thebatman
The Relevance of Dirty Pretty Things in Today’s Climate TILLEY BENNETT | FILM EDITOR
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tephen Frears’ thriller Dirty Pretty Things, shared with audiences in 2002, follows the life of Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a hotel porter who encounters a human heart in the toilet of a hotel. This sets up the film to have a fast-paced plot which parallels the life of the immigrants depicted.
The film is a chilling depiction of humanity and the empathy we share with others. It particularly seeks to dismantle the stereotypes surrounding the perception of immigrants, particularly illegal immigrants, in the United Kingdom. Considering postBrexit Britain, this film maintains extraordinary pertinence today.
Source: IMDb
This film is far more of a social observation than a ‘whodunnit’ style murder mystery, despite the human heart adding anticipation to the plot. The film follows eight days in Okwe’s life and yet there is no respite from the oppressive nature of his reality. What Frears does well is observe a London removed from the romanticised vision of the capital that is often shown in cinema. There is only one recognisable street in the entirety of the film and yet Okwe and Senay (Audrey Tatou) seamlessly sink into this version of the city. Their ability to blend into the background of bustling London provides great insight into the uncertainty of
their lifestyles. They have had to create a life that is so secretive and underground that London is merely a geographical location rather than the prosperous city filled with hope that audiences often witness. Amidst the heart-aching stories of desperation and disillusionment, there is the tender and loving relationship between Senay and Okwe. Tatou brings real warmth to the character of Senay, a woman who rather ironically wears her heart on her sleeve. She is proud, determined, and aspirational.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022 She wants more for herself but above all else, she wants security, something many westerners take for granted. Okwe is aware that Senay harbours romantic feelings towards him, yet he is far more in-tune with the fragility of their situation. Despite Elijofor and Frears injecting great empathy and morals into this character, he is still a man running from his past and from the greater threat, immigration services. Because of this, he must be selfish when it comes to his relationship with Senay. He acts as the conscience of the story, as the voice of those who are unheard, pleading with the public to remember their humanity. Ultimately, Frears is the master of shedding light on the aspects of humanity that the public would rather remain ignorant to. Despite the heavy subject matter, there are blissful moments of humour and the mundane which enable the film to dive into the more pressing issues. The film is worth watching for the plottwist alone and, mostly, for an insight into London’s seedy underbelly.
The Outfit: A Fit for The Ages, But Perhaps a Stitch Too Far? JETHRO ROBATHAN | CONTENT WRITER
Graham Moore’s directorial debut The Outfit (2022) stars Mark Rylance and Co. in a cutthroat feature filled with the requisite twists and turns of any self-respecting crimedrama. The Outfit is set in 1950s Chicago and follows the action that unfolds within Leonard Burling’s tailors, in a neighbourhood run under the watchful eye of Irish mob don Roy Boyle. Roy was Leonard’s first patron after migrating from ‘the Row’ (Saville Row, London) and this cements Burling’s as an informal mob rendezvous. The feature begins with a charismatic voiceover from Mark Rylance, offering a sermon on the craft of tailoring – or, as his persona of Leonard Burling insists, ‘cutting’. This seems like an innocent enough introduction, yet in these opening minutes Moore is already stitching together threads of foreshadowing to be later unravelled in the closing minutes of the film. The introduction of receptionist Mable Sean (Zoey Deutch), followed by mobster duo Francis (Johnny Flynn) and Richie (Dylan O’Brien) complete the core ensemble cast. Francis is Roy Boyle’s favourite enforcer, despite not being ‘family’. This is a sore point for Richie who, being Roy’s son and heir to the Boyle dynasty - rather predictably steers his relationship with Francis to a bloody conclusion.
Source: Instagram, @theoutfitmovie
Roy is vying for membership into Al Capone-led criminal syndicate, ‘The Outfit’, but first he needs to flush out the rat who is leaking confidential information to gang nemesis, The LaFontaines. Leonard is uncomfortable with his criminal clientele (rather understandable) and disapproves of Mable’s choice to date Richie (Mable’s father is stereotypically absent so Leonard fills in). Despite his reluctance, Leonard remains complicit. Needs must in the world of business.
Don’t let the clichéd setting fool you though, the guns and violence are more psychological props than tools of gratuitous actionthrillers. The sensation of being blindsided does admittedly wear thin towards the end, with Moore over-embroidering Leonard’s backstory unnecessarily. In a similar vein, the montage of shears cutting through fabric, accompanied by comically overwrought foley, is effective the first time round but soon turns gimmicky. On-screen chemistry between Rylance and Deutch contributes a large part towards the fluidity of The Outfit, with complimentary performances from supporting cast members Johnny Flynn and Simon Russell Beale (playing Francis and Roy respectively). The picture is shot entirely from within the interiors of Burling’s, with the small exception of external opening and closing shots that tidily bookend the film.
Moore’s decision to stick to a single location is a gamble for a crime-drama, but one that pays off gloriously. Rylance’s theatrical expertise lends itself to the stage-like quirks of The Outfit and the role of Leonard ‘English’ Burling does seem tailored to both his talents and disposition. Pun intended. There is the unshakeable sense that The Outfit is clamouring for our recognition of its narrative intricacy, but Moore should be reminded that less is more. Explicitly unveiling Leonard’s tragic backstory serves little more than as a tropey tearjerker, unravelling the claustrophobic tension so sinuously sewn in the preceding ninety-odd minutes. Francis’ small zombie episode felt tacked on, artificially elongating the denouement in a failed attempt to ramp up the excitement. Fortunately, this titbit nominally disrupts the story’s pacing.
Moore reminds us of the common denominator to any good film – the script. Much like the timeless appeal of a suit, The Outfit’s core strength lies in the tried-andtested method of letting a good story tell itself naturally. This is helped along by Alexandre Desplat’s brilliantly minimalist score, allowing the visuals to breathe. Taut, jazzy orchestrations available when most needed but otherwise a skilful understanding to the noise of silence.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022
Heartstopper: The TV Show Boosting Chart Sales
FINN MURPHY | MUSIC EDITOR
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ased on the graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper is a British coming of age LGBTQ+ romance series that was released on Netflix at the end of April. Since then, it has become a worldwide success, not just for the actors involved, but also the artists who had music feature in the show too. Research by the Official Charts Company has found that some artists have had their chart sales increase by 1000%. It begs the question, which songs on the soundtrack deserve a place in your playlists? Orla Gartland – Why Am I Like This?
The 2019 single from the Irish singer-songwriter features in episode two of the series and big fans of Heartstopper will appreciate the link that this song has to the show, as Nick and Charlie ask each other ‘why are we like this?’ multiple times. The track starts slow but builds up to a catchy chorus that you’ll never be able to get out of your head. It is the perfect song to add to your chill pop playlist and Gartland has even released the chords on Instagram for fans to have a go at playing the song for themselves. Sunflower Bean – Moment in the Sun
The American rock band released this song in late 2020 but is now amongst the many tracks that is being discovered for the first time by fans of
Heartstopper. The song now has over three million streams on Spotify alone and is the perfect song for the summer. It features in the final episode of the series and perfectly encapsulates the heart-warming love of the series. The band has just released their new album, Headful of Sugar, and they are definitely worth a listen if you are trying to expand your music taste. Baby Queen – Colours of You
Baby Queen has more than one song feature in the show, with major tracks such as Dover Beach and fan favourite Want Me both featuring in the first episode of the series. However, it is Baby Queen’s new single, written especially for the show, that should definitely be featured in your playlists, especially if you are a fan of Nick Nelson’s story in particular. Spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the show yet, but the song focuses on the character’s acceptance and discovery of his sexuality and is very different to Baby Queen’s other music. Her 2021 album, The Yearbook, could be considered a no-skip album, but Dover Beach is an upbeat track that is the perfect sound for a trip to the beach. Baby Queen has shown with these tracks her musical range and it is very exciting to think about what she will do next. All the tracks featured in Heartstopper are great fits for the show and make up a mix of music perfect for any occasion. The series has become a viral sensation, and if you haven’t been listening to the mixtape on repeat, then you’re missing out.
Source: Instagram, @queenofthebabies
Skinty Fia – Fontaines D.C.: Review ARIEL TANDIARAK | CONTENT WRITER
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he punk revival of the last decade has had its market share be battled out, yet again, between America and the UK. Despite American tastes favouring mainstream revivalists like Avril Lavigne’s Love Sux and Machine Gun Kelly’s mainstream sellout albums,
the UK seem to be embracing fresh young talent with Wet Leg, Shame, and Dry Cleaning making an impact in the scene. But now Ireland is bringing a new contender into the ring, kicking their foot through the punk rock gates with Fontaines D.C.’s new album Skinty Fia.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022 The Irish post-punk outfit are part of the new Irish punkrock wave that sees the likes of Inhaler, The Murder Capital, and Just Mustard intercept a bit of Irishness into the predominantly British scene. Their newest album reached number one in the UK and Irish charts, a big step up from their two previous top ten scoring albums. The album touches on themes of love, addiction, and displacement dabbled with Gaelic references, all narrated through the monotone sprechgesang of lead singer Grian Chatten. Complimenting him are the indie-like melodies from Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley on guitar. Contrary to the guitars, the grungy bass, thanks to Conor Deegan III, acts as the gloomy backbone of the albums mysterious tone while the drums’ catchy grooves drive the beat of each song. The standout tunes to look out for in this album are Skinty Fia, How Cold Love Is, Jackie Down The Line and I Love You as they depict the musical narrative of the album perfectly. As a result of their recent successes, the bands subsequent relocation to London appeared troubling enough to inspire the dislocating theme heard throughout the album as they struggled to express their Irishness in the bustling city. The Gaelic title, translating to ‘the damnation of the deer’, alongside the cover art represent the themes explored within the album whilst also mimicking the overall gloomy atmosphere heard throughout. The wondering deer renders the bands feeling of isolation of not only being new to London but also living there under the lockdowns of the pandemic. It’s almost as if their moody album was unknowingly made and released to sooth the feeling of seclusion we’ve all felt and still sometimes feel because
Source: Instagram - @fontainesband
of the effects of lockdown, not only in the UK and Ireland but internationally as well. The angsty and anxious feeling the album exudes is also befitting to the uncertainty of the post-pandemic world. Fontaines D.C.’s creative decision to dim the mood in their latest release looks to solidify their seriousness to the craft. Skinty Fia differs to their previous releases because of the band’s closer emotional attachment with themselves and their listeners that lyrically shines through in this release more than it ever has done before. With the unfortunate events that have occurred ever since the world turned upside down, we see their hastily released album serve the purpose of relief with cathartic escapism for listeners old and new.
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THE FOUNDER May 2022
The Problems with the New Champions League Changes BRETT VAN ZOELEN | CONTENT WRITER
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EFA plan to make sweeping changes to the current Champions League format ahead of the 2024 season. Some of these involve safety nets for some of Europe’s largest clubs, and fans are concerned because this policy resembles the European Super League debacle of 2021. However, some aspects of the new format are on the right track to making Champions League a more inclusive competition that can help smaller leagues in Europe grow. The European Super League was originally backed by 16 founding clubs from Europe’s top five leagues, with notable absentees being French giants Paris SaintGermain and six-time Champions league winners Bayern Munich. Supporters everywhere voiced their outrage at the concept due to concerns that the league would effectively dismantle the football pyramid. In essence, the European elite are selling out the fans in return for a more financially stable system without the fear of relegation. This new elitist version of the current system is largely problematic due to how it maintains the status quo. Football as we know it has been a pyramid system since the first division was founded in England in 1888. This format has allowed clubs to work their way up from the national leagues all the way to the top, its principles owe its foundation to sporting principles, the Super league undermines all of that. While the division system would still be around to some extent, the worlds most popular clubs leaving would cause viewership to go down and bring further financial troubles on already struggling lower league clubs.
With only three of the 16 founding members still officially trying to bring the concept to fruition, its controversial place in the football world has been taken by the “Legacy” qualification method that is part of the Champions League changes. Fans have compared this to the Super League as it could bail out European giants that fail to qualify through traditional means. While this is not quite as extreme as the Super League, it is more evidence of the footballing hierarchy that supporters fear. Since the beginning of club competition teams have mostly earned their place on merit and giving a free pass to bigger clubs not only threatens the smaller local clubs, but also the quality of competition, as the 36 teams taking part in the competition may not necessarily be the best in Europe. Fans have also reacted negatively to the idea of more games being played per season. The new group stage format would see the number of guaranteed games played in the competition increase from six to ten. Managers have also expressed their concerns over player protection, arguing that adding more games to the already-packed calendar could damage young players’ careers due to fatigue. The belief is that footballers are playing too many games, while some fans do not believe this to be an issue because footballers are very well paid. However, matches every three days for clubs playing in four competitions is arguably too much, and anymore would be at the physical expense of the youth.
The only real up-side to this competition format is that the top teams from smaller leagues will be handed more opportunities to play against the elite teams in Europe. This will make some of the smaller leagues more competitive, but more importantly it will allow them to level the playing field in terms of funding as their seasonal revenue could significantly increase, closing the gap between themselves and the so called “top five” leagues.
Football is slowly becoming more of a business every year; the problems have begun to pile up much faster because of billionaire owners with no respect for the sport buying up the elite clubs of Europe. Additionally, as the game has slowly become more monetized, there have been more consistent attempts to dismantle the football pyramid, which has caused supporters to be fearful of further changes, as it seems the sport is moving closer to a system reminiscent of the US franchises like the NFL, that threatens to undermine footballing history and culture. The negatives outweigh the positives, but the new format brings some good ideas to the table and if UEFA can tweak the system they are currently proposing, then European football can continue to grow.
Source: UEFA
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THE FOUNDER May 2022
Manchester United: The Perpetual Rebuild PETER GEDDES | CONTENT WRITER
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he story of the last nine years at Manchester United is a winding tale, and, despite a few ups, it has been dominated by many, many downs. It is safe to say it is something of tragedy of missed opportunities and squandered talent, and this season has been no different. With the reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally coming to a dismal end and the interregnum of Ralf Rangnick petering out to make way for the new heir apparent, Erik Ten Hag, where can the club go from here and what is to be done with their dysfunctional playing squad? Despite the recent reversion to mediocrity, there are some things for United fans to be optimistic about. Even more than the appointment of Ten Hag, there appears to be a real shift in the make up of the backroom staff and those making decisions higher up. Ed Woodward left his role as chief executive at the beginning of the year to be replaced by Richard Arnold, who appears to be something of a change of pace, seemingly more willing to install a hierarchy beneath him of people with real footballing knowledge. Whether the recent changes to the recruitment team as well as the roles of John Murtaugh and Darren Fletcher make a positive impact remains to be seen. What we can say is that there is an appreciation at the club that the methods employed since 2013 have been inadequate. What the club must demonstrate is an overarching plan which harmonises with the ideas and methods of the new manager, who will be tasked with building a winning team. Even during the brief moments when the club has looked most stable, there has been a disconnect between recruitment and the needs of the manager.
Source: ANP
As for the man himself, I do not think they could have made a better appointment. For once they have picked someone whose career is on the up. He has a clear tactical plan both in and out of possession, a strong resumé despite his lack of experience at the biggest clubs. The primary alternative, Mauricio Pochettino, has a similar lack of league titles, does not promise the same brand of football, and has just come off a pretty terrible year in Paris managing some of the best players in the world. Manchester United are attempting to emulate Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, and of the available candidates, Ten Hag is the best fit for that job. So, now that they have a manager, a refreshed club hierarchy and somewhere in the region of £200 million to spend, what should be done to improve and mould this squad of players?
As of the time of writing it is all but confirmed that Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, and Edinson Cavani are all leaving. There are at least another five first team players that ought to be moved on. That leaves a sizable hole in midfield and up front, as well as a defence which no one is happy with. To have a maximum effect on the squad, I think they should aim to look to bring in perhaps as many as four or five players; a holding midfielder, a striker, a centre back, a wide attacker and probably a full back. You also could include a second midfielder and a back up goalkeeper should Dean Henderson be sold. The number of positions needing reinforcements means that United need to be more efficient in the transfer market, too often have they overpaid for players that weren't the right fit. I'm going to focus on the two positions that most need reinforcements,
priority ought to be defensive midfield and centre forward. Many candidates have been rumoured for both with Declan Rice, Kalvin Philips, and Aurélien Tchouaméni the biggest names for the ’6’ role while Christopher Nkunku, Lautaro Martinez, and Patrik Schick have all been touted as options as forward option alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Tchouaméni seems the best option, but if they can't get him, I would recommend Edson Alvarez from Ajax or Ruben Neves from Wolves. Both could probably be signed for the same or less money than Tchouaméni and almost certainly less than the two English internationals. Alvarez obviously has the previous connection with Ten Hag and can also play at centreback whilst being excellent on the ball. Anybody who has watched the Premier League consistently over the last three years will know how good Neves is, the only surprise is that he has not moved to a bigger club
24 SPORTS sooner. A striker is a bit trickier; goal scorers will be in high demand this summer with Manchester City, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Gerrmain all likely to be in the market. It is further complicated by the presence of Ronaldo who is likely going to remain for at least one more season. Therefore, United are likely to want someone young and of high potential who is willing to play second fiddle for at least a season beyond that someone who can play with back to goal and take part in build up is going to be at the top of the list for the new manager. Of the options I listed before, Nkunku and Schick are the more likely. Nkunku would be very expensive, but he is versatile and exceptionally gifted. If needed he could be moved out to the left. Schick is a more traditional centre forward and his ceiling is certainly a lot lower, but he's a solid player who could be used in a similar manner to Sebastian Haller at Ajax. Jonathan David and Darwin Nunez are also both solid options but there is likely to be a lot of competition for both.
The other positions, though less urgent, are likely to be more troubling due to the dilemma of dealing with incumbents. Often in football things aren't quite as bad as they appear and there are plenty of players in the United squad that could turn things around with a good pre-season and solid coaching, the difficult part is identifying who is not going to make that recovery and moving them on. The task for Ten Hag is huge and the problems won't be fixed in one window but what United do in the next three to four months will tell us a lot about what the Ten Hag era is going to look like and how deep the reforms at the club have gone.
THE FOUNDER May 2022
In Freefall: Wombles Fall Through Trap Door OLI GENT | SPORTS EDITOR
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didn’t think I’d be writing this after a wonderful start to the season and a record that includes six promotions, that my club, AFC Wimbledon, have been relegated from Sky Bet League One, signalling their first relegation since the phoenix club was formed from the bottom in 2002. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for the Dons, as they sought a costeffective scheme that would allow them to save precious finance after the gargantuan expenditure on the fairytale return to Plough Lane. Head of Youth Development Mark Robinson was entrusted with the full reins after his caretakership steered Wimbledon clear of the League One drop last season, and his approach of blooding in youngsters he had developed through the academy was refreshing to see, as the playing budget had again been slashed, making it, in former chairman Joe Palmer’s words, ‘uncompetitive’. The problem with an ‘uncompetitive’ transfer budget is that the Dons shared a league with some of the biggest fish in the English footballing pond: Sheffield Wednesday had had their fall from grace, Portsmouth and Sunderland continued to waiver in the third tier, with Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Charlton all former Premier League sides with pockets deeper than Wimbledon could even dream of.
It's been a campaign that started with such promise for Robinson’s young guns: former Chelsea academy graduate Luke McCormick was the statement signing, ably supported by homegrown heroes Jack Rudoni and Ayoub Assal in what seemed to be a frightening attacking midfield trident behind the aerially imperious Ollie Palmer, but the threadbare nature of the squad took its toll over the course of the 46-game season.
A real profligacy in front of goal was not aided by lack of any real quality backup for the fatigued Palmer, as injuries hampered any real impact promising Aaron Presley could have, with the Brentford loanee clearly not good enough for the third tier. Terry Ablade was another panicked loanee picked up from Fulham, but the young Fin struggled to break into the first team in a recurring theme of poor recruitment from the Dons’ hierarchy: youngsters from Premier League and Championship academies making their first real move into professional football, trying to make the step across from youth league to the land of the journeymen. Henry Lawrence, another capture from Chelsea, was also strapped to the treatment table for much of the season after highly impressive performances at right-back, promptly earning him a call-up to the England Under-20’s squad, but deeper questions remain about his relationship with Robinson amidst questionable absences and droppings in key games, with natural left-back Paul Osew preferred.
Robinson himself must take some of the blame; he was stubborn in his team selections, as shown with Lawrence, and his persistence to play the stuttering Anthony Hartigan in the engine room was another. As the results worsened, the Dons finished the season winless in 2022, their last victory coming in December against Accrington Stanley, Robinson got more and more desperate in what seemed to be a selfish stab to save his skin. He began to chop and change his line-up regularly, cutting out any real momentum gained from decent performances, as his systems highlighted that he had departed from all his previous principles to save himself: 3-4-3, 3-52, 3-4-1-2, 4-1-3-2… he tried them all, but nothing worked. Wimbledon wobbled. They weren’t good enough. They went down. The interim reign of Mark Bowen was bittersweet, but the same issues remained: players threw in the towel when the going got tough, and even the experienced voices of Messrs Bowen nor Eddie Niedzwiecki couldn’t rally the troops, with the Dons throwing away leads in four of Bowen’s seven games in charge to hammer home the mentality message.
THE FOUNDER May 2022
Source: Public News Time
But it’s not just the mindsets of the playing staff that have got to change. Those upstairs in the boardroom must also take a look at themselves. Their cheap cop-out to back Robinson instead of going through the proper replacement process for Glyn Hodges was mistake number one, and their continued backing and lack of ruthlessness when results got bad have ultimately sent the club packing. But the issue runs deeper than that. There are people within the Dons Trust who firmly believe that as long as the club remains fan-owned, rid of any outside investment, whilst still playing at the spiritual home of Plough Lane, it doesn’t matter what happens on the pitch. Wimbledon Football Club should never have that mentality, and most within the fanbase are now of the opinion that backing from beyond is necessary in order to truly compete and look to overtake the villains from Buckinghamshire. But without serious clearance this summer, there’s a long way ahead of them yet.
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