Films about fictitious great writers often stumble when it comes to the character’s actual writing: Viewers must suspend disbelief that a lofty literary reputation has been built on the purplest of screenwriter-devised prose. A blackly comic melodrama in which writerly ego, ambition and insecurity do increasingly destructive battle, “The Lesson” gets around that trap by […]
Reviews
‘Mountains’ review: A tender directorial debut explores gentrification in Miami’s little Haiti
In her directorial debut Mountains, Monica Sorelle approaches the story of a Haitian family confronting gentrification with a delicate and discerning eye. The languidly paced feature observes Xavier (Atibon Nazaire), a demolition worker contemplating buying a better home while navigating the implications of his Miami neighborhood’s changing dynamics. Xavier, his wife Esperance (Sheiler Anozier) and […]
Twitter to focus on video, commerce in business revamp
Twitter plans to focus on video, creator and commerce partnerships to revitalize the social media company’s business beyond digital advertising, according to an investor presentation by owner Elon Musk and new Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino that was reviewed by Reuters. Yaccarino, who started as CEO on June 5, told Twitter investors on Thursday that the […]
Remains of new species of duck-billed dinosaur found in Chile
Remains of a species of herbivorous dinosaur previously unknown in the southern hemisphere have been discovered in Chile, challenging long-held beliefs about the range of duck-billed dinosaurs, scientists said Friday. Measuring up to four meters (13 feet) in length and weighing a ton, Gonkoken nanoi lived 72 million years ago in the extreme south of […]
Literature at its best
A Singular Voice Conversation with Qurratulain Hyder Jameel Akhtar Translated by Durdana Soomro This is the first comprehensive and full-length interview of one of the most well-known Urdu novelists, Qurratulain Hyder. Intimate and free-wheeling, this extended dialogue between two prolific writers, Qurratulain Hyder and Jameel Akhter, highlights Hyder’s lesser known biographical details and creative aspects. […]
Celebrating emotions through art — the artistic philosophy of Amna Butt
Art is all about breaking the norms and negating the era. Picasso believed that one should learn the rules like a pro so that they can break them like an artist. One such artist who has faced many struggles but has emerged as one of the most promising artists is Amna Butt. She has a […]
Ukraine — cultural heritage sites damaged after dam burst
Once again, the war is affecting Ukraine’s culture. Flooding following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has destroyed significant archaeological sites. Tens of thousands of people are directly affected by the floods following the breach of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine. Leaking oil threatens to cause serious damage to nature and animals as well. […]
The electric air taxi service that’s on a mission to become the ‘Uber of the skies’
A new air taxi company is on a mission to become the ‘Uber of the skies’. Electron Aviation plans to launch a ‘sky-hailing service’ with a fleet of 186mph battery-electric air taxis in Holland and the UK in 2027. If it all goes to plan, the electric taxi service will offer a ‘personalised and efficient’ […]
Lap up a Red Sea bargain break — the Egyptian currency has taken a pounding
There are many glorious reasons to come to Egypt. The awesome pyramids of Giza. The mighty temples of Karnak, Luxor, Phillae, Abu Simbel. The Valley of the Kings where the pharaohs slept for 30 centuries. The cataracts of Aswan where Agatha Christie fired her imagination with G&Ts. The glittering coasts where the windsurfing can be […]
‘Extraction 2’ — Chris Hemsworth action sequel most interested in extracting cash
Once again, as if wound up by an enormous key fitted into the space between his shoulder blades, Chris Hemsworth comes lumbering out for Netflix’s burgeoning Extraction franchise, his muppety-handsome features scrunched into an expression of determination with a soupçon of sensitivity. Screenwriter Joe Russo and director Sam Hargrave have reunited to extrude another calorific […]