A review of the film “Stoker” USA 2013 directed by Park Chan-Wook Mental illness and its impact on individuals and families have inspired film-makers from all around the world. “Stoker” directed by the visionary film maker Park Chan-Wook (of “Old boy” fame, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldboy_(2003_film) is a family drama with a different twist. […]
Category: Film and Media
In the Shadow of Guardians: A Review of ‘Radiator’ and ‘My Old Lady’
“Radiator” screened at the London Film Festival October 2014, star rating: 4* directed by Tom Browne, due to be released in 2015 “My old lady” is currently in general release in the UK, star rating: 3*, directed by Israel Horovitz, http://cohenmedia.net/films/my-old-lady The Oxford dictionary defines the word “guardian” as ” a person who is legally […]
Tender: On Taking Ownership of Death and Dying by Catherine Oakley
Lynette Wallworth’s Tender: On taking ownership of death and dying A particular highlight in the documentary category at this year’s BFI London Film Festival was the UK premiere of Tender, which follows a community group in the Australian town of Port Kembla as it seeks to establish its own, not-for-profit, bespoke funeral service. Directed by […]
Neurological Disorders on Film by Catherine Oakley
Neurological Disorders on Film at the 58th British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival, October 2014 Film and television have long explored narratives involving neurological disorders, but have achieved only patchy success in engaging with the emotional, physical and social implications of this category of impairments. The BFI London Film Festival (LFF) has previously proven […]
Stroke, music and love: The Possibilities Are Endless
Following Andrew Marr’s recent stroke and successful return to work, stroke and its consequences have been a national topic; stroke survivors and their families in the UK have gained hope that a stroke does not necessarily mean an end to one’s career or life. On the 29th of October 2014, the World Stroke Organization (WSO) […]
Film Review: The Lunchbox, ‘Letters, Chillies, and Memories’
Set between an apartment block in suburban Mumbai and a modest office floor, The Lunchbox is a film of understated elegance exploring human emotions and connections. Ila (played by Nimrat Kaur) is a young, middle-class Indian woman who is desperately trying to rekindle a waning marriage by preparing her husband delicious lunches that are delivered […]
Stories behind closed doors: two films exploring group and drama therapy in prison
The applications of dramatic and theatrical interactions between individual therapists and patient groups were first introduced by Moreno as early as 1920. The term “psycho-drama or drama therapy” was later coined by Kellerman in 1992, and was described as an effective means of supporting individuals in high secure units such as prisons and mental institutions. […]
Dr Greg Neate: Film review – ‘The Man Whose Mind Exploded’
The Man Whose Mind Exploded Documentary film by Toby Amies Succulent Pictures This affectionate, unflinching gonzo documentary sees arts and travel presenter Toby Amies go further than his original Radio 4 programme from 2008 with the same title. (https://soundcloud.com/toby-amies/the-man-whose-mind-exploded). In doing so and by bringing to screen this portrait of an eccentric, extraordinary man who […]
Sleeping with the Enemy: Arab Doctors Struggling with Personal and Professional Dilemmas
A review of “The Attack” and “The Last Man” showing at the “Discover Arab cinema”- British Film Institute- London 2014 “The Attack”, National Film Theatre (‘NFT’) London 23rd and 25th February 2014 “The Last Man”, NFT London 3rd and 8th March London is expanding its cinematic and cultural horizons and the British Film Institute (BFI) […]
The Wolf of Dallas: Money, Stigma and HIV – Guest Review by Shehzad Kunwar
A Review of “Dallas Buyers Club” (USA 2013, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee). Released in the UK on Friday 7th February 2014 Say hello to Ron Woodroof, a ‘typical’ Texan. He loves the rodeo. He wears a white t-shirt, boots, a large belt buckle and, of course, a classic Stetson hat. He is a […]