Based on a true story...

There's no two ways about it: I LOVE that recently historical films have been creeping into cinemas, simultaneously proving to be box office hits and capable of dominating the awards season. For both a history and film nerd, this is an extremely exciting prospect! Despite not being able to watch a film without looking for all the inconsistencies, goofs and plot holes, I'm not one of those people that automatically moans when a film is historically inaccurate - slightly ironic, I know, but perfect for these type of films!

Holocaust Memorial Day 2013

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

~ First They Came - Pastor Martin Niemoller

The Impossible

The initial images of the Indian Ocean tsunami destroying everything in its path as it traveled with a ferocious and unstoppable intensity dominated the news on Boxing Day 2004. As the day progressed, footage emerged showing the rest of the world the wall of water tearing through buildings, flattening palm trees and sweeping thousands of unsuspecting people to their deaths. It was one of the most significant and shocking natural disasters of the twenty-first century: an environmental catastrophe that left a trail of utter devastation in its wake. The Impossible manages to powerfully recreate this very moment in history, with director Juan Antonio Bayona using the true story of the Spanish Belón family with great success. Stunning visual effects and powerhouse performances render this a truly astonishing film.

Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Cookies

I’ve been searching for the perfect peanut butter cookie recipe for ages, as the ones I’ve tried in the past just haven’t turned out how I’d hoped. I thought I’d give this one a try as it seemed a little different: the ingredients called for not just peanut butter, but actual peanuts, milk chocolate and pretzels too. Surely it was worth a go?

Speculaas

Anyone who knows me knows that since the middle of November I’ve been rushed off my feet with numerous essays, presentations and a couple of incredible weekends at the Barbican Framed Film Festival. As a result, I haven’t had time to breathe let alone blog, despite having several folders full of photographs of baking and pages of notes on films all ready for me to collate together and eventually post. It’s Boxing Day, I’m sat in front of the TV watching Happy Feet and still unable to move thanks to yesterday, so felt it was the perfect time to start blogging all the remaining recipes/films/exhibitions that I still haven’t got round to doing!

These are Speculaas, courtesy of Edd Kimber. A spicy biscuit that I made in the summer, they smell like Christmas so would be ideal to make at some point over the holidays (even though it’s perfectly acceptable to make them all year round!). A pack of these would make a lovely gift too: maybe accompanied with a thank you note for Christmas presents? It’s be a little different and surely greatly appreciated…

One Mile Away

“It seemed so tragic that people would kill each other over a postcode” – Penny Woolcock

Les Misérables

I've adored Les Misérables since I was part of the stage crew of my high school's utterly epic production in 2009. It was the first production that really grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go. Every rehearsal and each performance gave me goosebumps, and I credit that experience as the main reason my heart races - without fail - every time I go to the theatre and why it now takes pretty spectacular acting to distract me from soaking up all aspects of the set (I'll never forget being witness to the inner workings of a moving barricade and helping untangle Enjolras - and his giant red flag - from the barricade in the pitch black and in total silence). As a result I can't just watch a play: I automatically follow how the set moves, how props are transported on and off and always keep a keen eye out for stage crew with cans. I'd seen plays before and been part of the stage crew for years prior to 2009, but it was Les Mis that made me unequivocally love the theatre.

Marshmallow Cupcakes

Here’s yet another recipe that I made ages ago but have only just got round to blogging. I hadn’t made cupcakes for quite a while, so after flicking through The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook and finding a recently opened packet of marshmallows from my mum’s secret stash of sweets I decided upon Marshmallow Cupcakes. They’re a lot fiddlier than I anticipated, but seemed to work okay. I doubt I’ll be making them again quite like this, but I’ll put the recipe I used below and make sure to comment on the bits I wasn’t too keen on.

#QOTD

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Kauwboy

As a Barbican Young Programmer, today I had a training day at the BFI Southbank with my fellow programmers. We had talks on programming the London Film Festival from Michael Hayden (Festival Programmer, LFF) and Justin Johnson (Family Programmer, LFF); programming your own film festival from the BFI FILMCLUB team (a little irrelevant as it was really aimed at primary / young secondary school students…); and programming a children’s film festival from members of the programming and marketing teams at Cinemagic (Belfast Children’s Film Festival). This is one of the things I love about this programme at the Barbican: we’re getting to meet and talk to people who actually review / programme / certify films, and I’ve never met so many people who are all so utterly enthusiastic about their jobs! Clearly this “non-glamorous” side of the film industry isn’t so bad afterall…

At the end of the day we rushed into NFT2 to watch Kauwboy, a film being shown in the LFF and that is due to be shown at the Barbican’s Framed Film Festival in November. I’m involved in Framed so I’ll be blogging about it a lot in November, and I can already say with confidence that it’s going to be amazing! It’s aimed primarily at young people, with the films targeting audiences from 4-roughly 18 years of age; however it can definitely be enjoyed by everyone. At the moment notable features have to be Kauwboy and One Mile Away (which I have a half-finished blog post written that I will complete and post asap!). I’ll blog further details nearer the time, but I expect to hear from you all about the films you came to see and what you thought of them!

“Take good care of a jackdaw and you’ll have a friend for life.”

BFI Screen Talk with Marion Cotillard

It was just by sheer luck that I logged into Twitter on Friday when the BFI tweeted that a limited number of tickets had become available for a Screen Talk with Marion Cotillard on the 14th October, as part of the London Film Festival. Prior to this, I’d resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to attend the festival in any way and would have to content myself to watching the entire event unfold over the Internet from the comfort of my room. Well, I’m all about the Impulse Buy these days and within minutes I’d bought myself a ticket and smugly watched as the event sold out.

The Pudding Club

On the first Monday of every month, Willington Hall in Cheshire hosts its very own Pudding Club. My mum and her friends are devoted fans and whenever I’m home from university I’ll make sure to schedule at least one visit in. If you’re based in Cheshire, love desserts and are partial to beautiful scenery then this is the perfect lunchtime treat for you.

"Skyfall" - Adele

I have goosebumps.

Butterfly Cakes

These are definitely a childhood favourite. I can distinctly remember they were a key feature of many a birthday party as they looked so at home amongst cocktail sausages, triangles of ham sandwiches and dubious flavoured crisps your mum assured you were ready salted (but they never were…). The simple butterfly cake is super easy and super cute, and the perfect way to use up left over buttercream or frosting from another recipe.

Les Misérables

Giddy. Christmas needs to hurry up.