Film Review: Pride

You have to watch this film while it’s currently on general release.

It has been several years since I came out of the cinema and felt this good about a film and it is even better that the story is true.

Half of a Yellow Sun

As I have yet to read Americanah, this is my favourite Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie novel and I was very excited to see the film. I was not disappointed. Ignore other reviewers who are moaning about this film as, apart from some dull gratuitous Newton nipple shots, the film is wonderful.
I was pleased to see that the film didn’t just concentrate on the despair and woe of the Biafran war but actually showed a raw human side, a middle-class educated side that is rarely seen in films about West Africa (or indeed any African nation).

Pakistan: Literary Treasure Trove

Kamila Shamsie at Asia House

Last week Bunty and I spent the evening at Asia House for the continuing literature festival sponsored by the Bagri Foundation. The festival is on until 21^st May and there are still many wonderful events to attend! www.asiahouse.org and follow on twitter @asiahouseuk @festofasianlit

Multi award winning writer, Kamila Shamsie was the star of the evening and new writer, Omar Shahid Hamid was introduced and interviewed in Extra Words, a new segment created by Asia House to focus on new talent at the festival.

Kamila was asked all about her new book, A God in Every Stone (I’m reading my signed copy, review to follow asap!). Breathtaking in scope from

2014: Year of the Wooden Horse

It is Chinese New Year on 31 January 2014 and this year it is the year of the wood or green horse.  I have personal interest in this as I am a horse in the Chinese horoscope, much to the amusement of my sister who claims to be a much cooler dragon. I counteract her claim of superior coolness with the fact that dragons don’t exist and at least neither of us are rats!

Besides remembering to wish your friends

The Heat

You have got to the The Heat starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy it is amaaaaazing and so so funny.  It’s a brilliantly performed story and one of my teenage heart throbs

100 Out Of 100!

Believe the hype! The Book of Mormon is amazing, the most funniest musical of all time. I didn’t know anything much about it in advance and I am certain that added to the enjoyment. The cast, set, lighting but most of all the script and lyrics are just so much fun!

Swan Lake Reloaded

Swan Lake… I loved it as a child and I’ve seen it so many times I lost count.  It’s my macaroni of entertainment…comforting pleasure.  I even saw Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall and Princess Di was there a few boxes away.  (Yes, I’m kinda old and yes she was stunning and yes so were her bodyguards!).  This coming week a new darker street dance version of Swan Lake is in town

Sketch London Fashion Preview

A new fashion label sketch london invited me to their fashion preview tonight (Wed 17 July) at the White Swan Pub on Fetter Lane, London.  Claiming to be fashion trend-led and low cost whilst being produced ethically I hope the clothes are as fab as they look in the photographs.

Coming Into Fashion

Yesterday I had the pleasure of perusing the Condé Nast: Coming Into Fashion photography exhibition at the Edinburgh City Art Centre.  Displaying a century of fashion photography from the rich archive of some of the world’s best loved fashion magazines, it was an exhibition for lovers of beauty.

Beauty in a general sense of the meaning, not just because the models are beautiful. 

Sweet Bird of Youth

“Oh god” my friend gasped “what a tacky poster for a classic play, you can see his nipples for God’s sake”. He was referring to Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams currently showing at the Old Vic.

The poster that so disgusted my well-heeled friend was of Kim Cattrall all glammed up in a 1950s feverish pose over a lovely naked man half her age.

Sold!

I went to see the play this week with three girlfriends and all of us, yes ALL of us, couldn’t think of a better combination of seeing our favourite SATC gal and Ripped Torso Man getting it on in our favourite theatre.

Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art at Sotheby’s

MF Husain

Sotheby’s London will hold an auction of modern and contemporary Indian art on June 11th and an exhibition of the available art will open from the 6th of June.

I simply love the works by the Great Masters of Indian art.  Dead and dying, these rare icons of Indian art are inimitable.  I wasn’t exposed to them growing up and learned about them through my frequent trips to India.

Gangster Squad

Wow what a film, you must catch Gangster Squad while it’s still out. Exquisitely shot, excellent acting from a fabulously selected cast and executed by paying homage to the gangster greats of yesteryear.

The Mughals at the British Library

Have you heard that the British Library is showcasing its Mughal dynasty masterpieces?  The exhibition is only £10 and is open until April 2013 so there is plenty time to catch one of the most exclusive exhibitions of Mughal art for a very long time.

The British amassed an incredible vast treasure trove of artefacts during the Empire and these go on drip feed display.  A tiny part of me wonders whether it ought to be returned

Giant-Sized Fantasies

Sticking with my fashion theme today, another exhibition is already open at the wonderful Somerset House, Tim Walker: Story Teller and this time it’s free!

Tim is one of fashion’s most adventurous and abstract photographers