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An updated list of all my articles, films and features.

The Oscars 'Barbie Snub' Isn't The End Of The World

Ahead of the 96th Academy Awards in March, there’s been a lot of chatter about a ‘Barbie snub’ — but isn’t that a bit dramatic? In the year of Barbenheimer billions, some viewers are surprised to see Barbie (2023) miss out on the coveted Best Picture and Lead Actress spots – but why are we discounting their eight other nominations? What about the scores of other female directors and actresses finally getting their moment in the sun?

FEATURE: Sunderland Shorts Film Festival

Sunderland Shorts Film Festival is back for its eighth year this October, showcasing a variety of local, national and global talent across the city. Between Monday 16th-Sunday 22nd October, screenings will be held at a number of locations across Sunderland. With over 160 films set to premiere, there’s a wide range of genres and styles to suit everyone. For those who’d like to get into the nitty gritty of filmmaking, there are opportunities to attend panel discussions with BFI Film Hub North an

'Afire' Berlinale Review: A New Take on Fragile Masculinity

The ongoing insecurities of masculinity are brought to the forefront in Christian Petzold’s newest film, Afire. The film, recent winner of the Berlinale’s Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, brings four young people together, trapped by ever-growing forest fires. Leon (Thomas Schubert), a writer, and his friend Felix (Langston Uibel), a photographer, travel to Felix’s holiday home on the Baltic coast to get some much-needed work done. Things start to go wrong immediately when their car breaks down en

'The Plough' Berlinale Review: A Potent Look at Grief

What happens when the patriarch of your family business dies? That’s one of many questions answered in Philippe Garrel’s latest film, The Plough. Art imitates life for Garrel as he directs his three children for the first time. Louis, Esther and Léna Garrel respectively play Louis, Martha and Léna, the children of a puppeteer (Aurélien Recoring) who directs their Punch and Judy-like puppet show, Le Grand Chariot.

Golda Review: Helen Mirren Does Her Best in New Biopic

Helen Mirren brings Golda Meir, Israel’s ‘Iron Lady’, back into the limelight in new biopic Golda. Depicting the first female Israeli Prime Minister’s perspective of the Yom Kippur War, Golda attempts to show a complicated character study of those not directly on the frontline. Doubts over Mirren’s casting were in discussion long before the film’s release. Criticism came from Jewish actresses such as Maureen Lipman over Mirren’s decision to play Golda Meir, as Mirren herself is not Jewish. In

How much did social media impact the Depp-Heard case?

The response to Johnny Depp winning his Defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is an unnerving ending to six weeks of both parties reliving their shared traumas and turbulent marriage. Due to laws in Virginia, USA, a judge permitted a public recording, despite the sensitivities. In a society obsessed with Love Island, Selling Sunset and the Kardashian franchise, it is hard not to see how an individual becomes hooked by watching every minute of the trial like it’s a new episode of a constru

How much did social media impact the Depp-Heard case?

The response to Johnny Depp winning his Defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard is an unnerving ending to six weeks of both parties reliving their shared traumas and turbulent marriage. Due to laws in Virginia, USA, a judge permitted a public recording, despite the sensitivities. In a society obsessed with Love Island, Selling Sunset and the Kardashian franchise, it is hard not to see how an individual becomes hooked by watching every minute of the trial like it’s a new episode of a constru

Just how safe is it to go to gigs now?

Going to a gig always invites a variety of emotions. Excitement, adrenaline, pleasure. The endorphins of seeing a favourite artist are unmatched. Caught up in the electrifying atmosphere as an audience of thousands sings along to that artist. It is a magical experience, one that should be remembered as a highlight years down the line. Sometimes, all it takes is for one tiny, bad moment to ruin the atmosphere of a gig altogether. An anonymous hand groping, touching your back, arms, legs. An apat

The Oscars tried to fix itself - it failed miserably

Last night, the 94th Oscars took place, signalling the end of another Award Season. Dune took home the most awards, whilst Apple became the first streamer to win Best Picture, for indie feelgood CODA. However, in such a disjointed and painful ceremony, the winners were overlooked after nearly four hours of chaos. After two years without a host, the Academy decided to bring them back in the shape of comedians Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. All three didn’t seem to click, and not a sin

The Empoword Opinion Column: An organised mess

The second term of my Master’s Degree starts next week, and I have not prepared at all. I wouldn’t say I am a chronic procrastinator, but I do leave everything to the last minute. The buildup of looming deadlines is something I need to work on, whether it be an article or university assignment. Even though I leave my work to the last minute, and it’s something I never seemed to want to change; I will complain about my bad timings. Last term, I started my degree on top of working full-time and

The spiking epidemic: how is it affecting young people's nightlife?

The spiking epidemic: how is it affecting young people’s nightlife? Young people and university students were met with an unwanted gift as the new academic term started. A spiking epidemic was rife in city hotspots, just as lockdown restrictions on nightclubs were lifted. As well as getting their drinks spiked, people wanting to enjoy their night out now had to be wary of being spiked via injection. A mass number of posts on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter went viral, making sure that young peo

The UK Government Needs To Start Taking The Climate Crisis Seriously

The world was shocked last month following the IPCC’s special report on global warming. The planet is moving to a rapid and irreversible temperature rise of 1.5c. We are already starting to see the effects of this, with devastating wildfires in Greece and Turkey and more countries recording their highest ever temperatures. World leaders now have to set examples for the planet. It must become a joint effort to slow down the rising temperatures.
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