Silent festivals, rock n’ roll Dolly Parton, an exquisite French genre film, and a Gen-Z murder mystery.
ADVERTISEMENTIf you’re feeling bored and a bit gloomy, and our coverage of the Month of European Film or a mysterious room supposedly showcasing Michelangelo’s drawings didn’t pique your interest, here are some other options for you. From early Picasso paintings to the sultry cinematography of ‘Saltburn’, here are our selections for the latest in art and cultural events around Europe to uplift your spirit and stimulate your mind. Exhibitions’Picasso 1906: The turning Point’, Madrid, SpainDelve into Picasso’s work from the year 1906 with a new exhibition in Madrid focused on the artist’s initial contributions to the definition of “modern art”; a pivotal moment in his artistic journey. It is on display from 15 November – 4 March 2024 at the Reina Sofia Museum. ‘Being Human – The sea at night is too big’, Brussels, BelgiumPresenting a new exhibition by Spanish artist Gonzalo Orquín, titled ‘Being Human – The sea at night is too big’, featuring a series of paintings exploring the experiences of migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe. Opening on 22 November at Brussels’ MigratieMuseumMigration (MMM), it has garnered support from both the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.’Elliott Erwitt: A Retrospective’, Lyon, FranceCapture a glimpse of life’s mundanity and absurdity through the lens of French-American photographer, Elliott Erwitt, as he freezes the silent surrealism of humanity throughout the latter half of the 20th century. His works are currently showcased at La Sucrière, Lyon. FestivalThe Festival of Silence, London, UKShhhh! The Festival Of Silence unfolds at St Columba’s Church Of Scotland in Knightsbridge, London on 18 November. It comprises various activities – all conducted in complete quiet – offering visitors a chance to escape the city bustle and find tranquility within a stunning old church. FilmVincent Must DieWhat would one do if everyone suddenly sought to end their life? This is the central premise behind ‘Vincent Must Die’, a new horror genre amalgamation centered on a mild-mannered graphic designer in Lyon, who must navigate survival after inexplicably becoming the target of others’ violent outbursts (spoiler: dogs come to the rescue).Read our exclusive interview with the film’s director, Stéphan Castang, here. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird and SnakesThe incredibly popular ‘Hunger Games’ franchise returns with ‘The Hunger games: The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes’. This time, we’re transported six decades prior to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteering as tribute, with Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) as our heroine for the 10th annual Hunger games, where one boy and one girl ages 12-18 from each of the twelve districts must violently compete with one another. SaltburnDirector Emerald Fennell’s (‘Promising young Woman’) highly-anticipated new film ‘Saltburn’ is finally screening in cinemas, depicting a young Oxford student’s (Barry Keoghan) invitation to fellow student Felix Catton’s (Jacob Elordi) family estate Saltburn for the summer, leading to a hedonistic world that fuels obsession, causing his mind to unravel. ADVERTISEMENTDavid Holmes: The Boy Who Lived FilmA new documentary on HBO Max narrates the story of David Holmes, a stunt double to Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films who was paralyzed while filming the series’ penultimate ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1’. TVThe CrownRegardless of your stance as a royalist or otherwise, ‘The Crown’ has undeniably been a riveting TV series – and it’s back on Netflix with the first installment of its sixth and final season. Covering the late 90s, this series chronicles the lives of British royal family members following Princess Diana’s fatal car crash in Paris. The second part, comprising another six episodes, is set for release on 14 December. A Murder at the End of the WorldADVERTISEMENTA classic murder mystery series with a Gen-Z twist, ‘A Murder at the End of the World’ follows hacker/detective Darby Hart (Emma Corrin), who, along with eight other guests, is invited to a remote retreat by a reclusive billionaire. After one of the guests is found dead, Darby must endeavor to prove it was a premeditated murder before the killer strikes again. Streaming now on Disney+. Scott Pilgrim Takes offFor enthusiasts of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels and director Edgar Wright’s 2010 movie adaptation, a new Scott pilgrim anime series on Netflix brings us back to the high-adrenaline gamified universe, this time reimagining the storyline with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) attempting to unravel Pilgrim’s (Michael Cera) disappearance. Music’New Blue Sun’ – André 3000Outkast’s André 3000 has unveiled his first album in almost two decades – ‘New Blue Sun’ – a solo project featuring no lyrics or rapping, just an explosion of creativity with the woodwind to craft impressive improvised instrumentals. ADVERTISEMENT’Rockstar’ – Dolly PartonCountry icon Dolly Parton ventures into rock n’ roll with her forty-ninth solo studio album, a collaborative endeavor with musicians like Heart’s Ann Wilson, Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, Rob Halford of Judas Priest and The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.‘The Parting Glass’ – BoygeniusBoygenius, comprising Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, alongside Irish folk duo Ye Vagabonds, have released a rendition of Irish ballad ‘The Parting Glass’ in honor of late Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, who recorded her own version of the song in 2002. Any proceeds from the song will support the Aisling Project, which is “an after-school project working with children and young people growing up in a disadvantaged area in Dublin, Ireland,” Boygenius wrote on Instagram.
