The Indiependent • 9th March 2023

'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 Indiependent • 8th March 2023

'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.

Empoword Journalism • 6th March 2023

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

Sarah Storer Journo • 9th September 2022

How volunteering can combat your loneliness | The Lonely Hub

Everybody will volunteer at one point in their lives. It could be for varying reasons: retiring, work experience, summer holiday projects. It may be volunteering in a charity shop, at a festival or with the local council.

Sarah Storer Journo • 9th September 2022

How The Men's Shed Movement is supporting Communities

The Men's Shed Movement provide spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The Shed at North Tyneside's Linskill Centre has made a safe and welcoming space for all. *Student Project*

Sarah Storer Journo • 8th September 2022

Is social media making us lonelier? | The Lonely Hub

The lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic meant social media became a lifeline. Unable to see loved ones face-to-face, people’s only choice was to interact online. We saw them as tiny figures on a screen. It was, for a moment in time, normality. And people were less lonely because of it.

Sarah Storer Journo • 8th September 2022

Meet the knitting group helping to end loneliness

Meet The Woolies, a knit and natter group based at Linskill Centre in North Shields. The group aims to share skills and create new friendships. Community groups like these are essential in helping to end loneliness. *Student Project*

22nd August 2022

Do Universities need to tackle loneliness more? | The Lonely Hub

University is meant to be the best three years of your life. But for many, it’s not. It can be a long, daunting and lonely time. Inspired by my own experiences with loneliness during my Undergraduate Degree, I spoke to two students, Eve Davies and Joeli Cansdale, to discuss how loneliness has impacted their studies.

Empoword Journalism • 6th June 2022

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

Empoword Journalism • 6th June 2022

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

Sarah Storer Journo • 23rd May 2022

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

Empoword Journalism • 28th March 2022

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

Empoword Journalism • 31st January 2022

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

Sarah Storer Journo • 21st January 2022

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

Empoword Journalism • 7th September 2021

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.

Empoword Journalism • 17th May 2021

My Favourite Recipes For World Baking Day

It almost seems like a lifetime ago when national shortages of bread and flour made the headlines. As the country prepared for lockdown, masses stocked up on baking supplies, providing some with a new hobby and others a way to entertain their children whilst they were off school. I have always enjoyed baking, but with university and work, I found I had less time to spend in the kitchen creating. After finishing university and being on furlough for most of the year, I was able to return to my ho

Empoword Journalism • 2nd May 2021

Not Everyone Wants to Drink Come 21st June - and That's Okay

Since the Prime Minister announced the plan for England’s journey out of Lockdown, 21st June has not strayed far from the public’s mind. Allowing nightclubs to reopen on the same day as the end of Covid-19 restrictions instantly created a lot of hype. Look at any social media platform. 21st June is unofficially the date for a huge party and everyone is invited.

The Indiependent • 26th April 2021

What Went Down At The 93rd Academy Awards

Last night saw the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony take place, marking the end to an awards season like no other. The relatively stripped-down event still managed to provide Hollywood glamour, as well as the shocks and surprises that come with the Oscars. Produced by Steven Soderbergh, the ceremony swapped to a smaller location to provide a maskless, yet socially distanced show.

The Indiependent • 5th March 2021

My Life In Films: Sarah Storer

Growing up, I have always been surrounded by films, mainly through my own discovery. Each phase of my life can be summarised by a film I have watched. As I have matured, so has my taste in films. The ones I adored when I was younger will always have a special place in my heart. Here are five films that sum up my life.

The Indiependent • 3rd February 2021

Nominations Announced for the 78th Golden Globe Awards

Award Season officially began this afternoon as nominations were announced by Sarah Jessica Parker and Taraji P Henson. The Golden Globes is an annual ceremony that honours achievements in the TV and film industries. The ceremony is usually held in early January, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been postponed to 28 February. It will be hosted for the fourth time by actresses Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. For the first time, three women are nominated for Best Director: Regina King for One