Martin Cid's Blog: Martin Cid Magazine, page 15

Beta Trip Crafts Expansive Sonic Architecture on New Single “On My Mind”

Beta Trip, the musical endeavor of Toronto-based artist Steve Lewin, has released “On My Mind,” a compelling second single that signals a profound depth to his forthcoming debut album, Superette. Released on Having Fun Records, the rock imprint of the respected and eclectic Toronto label We Are Busy Bodies, the track moves beyond the layered guitars of its predecessor, “Juliet,” to explore a more deliberate and dynamic sonic architecture. What begins as a sparse, intimate piece meticulously builds into a cathartic, full-band crescendo, showcasing a mastery of tension and release.

The track’s sonic journey is its defining feature. Lewin confirms “On My Mind” became the sonic reference point for the entire album, stating his goal was to achieve a “large dynamic payload” that could elevate the song’s emotional core. This is realized through a carefully controlled production, where initial reverb-drenched guitar ostinatos and Lewin’s reflective vocals gradually cede to a powerful, driving rhythm section. The arrangement echoes the slow-burning, anthemic quality of bands like Elbow, where the emotional weight of the song is matched by its instrumental force, creating a sound that is both polished and raw. The final mastering emphasizes a broad stereo image, allowing the Britpop-influenced textures and 90s alt-rock grit to occupy their own space in the mix.

This release further solidifies Beta Trip’s place within a lineage of thoughtful alternative rock. The clear melodic sensibilities recall the work of Nada Surf, while the track’s ambitious structure and emotional honesty align with the foundational influence of artists like Radiohead and Pearl Jam. Lewin, a seasoned artist who has previously toured globally, handles all writing, performance, and production duties on Superette. His role as the lead creative designer for We Are Busy Bodies further illuminates a holistic artistic vision, where the sonic and visual aesthetics are deeply intertwined. This context positions the Beta Trip project not as a casual side-gig, but as the focused culmination of a long-standing creative practice.

The forthcoming ten-track album is poised to be a definitive statement, bridging the gap between introspection and accessibility. “On My Mind” serves as more than just a preview; it is a clear declaration of the artistic standards and sonic depth that will define Superette.

The full-length album is scheduled for release on September 26th, 2025.

Beta Trip. On My Mind

New Netflix Documentary “Angi: Fake Life, True Crime” Explores a Case of Murder and Identity Deception

A new two-part documentary miniseries released on Netflix, Angi: Fake Life, True Crime, investigates the complex criminal case of María Ángeles Molina, a woman known as “Angi”. The series, originally titled Angi: Crimen y mentira, examines two interconnected events that define her story: the 2008 murder of her friend, Ana Páez, and the suspicious death of her husband, Juan Antonio Álvarez Litben, twelve years earlier in 1996. The documentary presents a narrative of profound duality, contrasting the meticulously constructed public personas of its subject with the calculated criminal acts she committed. This exploration delves into what Spanish media dubbed “the almost perfect crime,” a case of identity theft, financial fraud, and murder.

A Story Told Through a Hall of Mirrors

The documentary’s narrative structure is crafted to reflect the disorienting nature of the case itself. Director Carlos Agulló described the investigative process as navigating a “hall of mirrors,” a metaphor for the multiple, fraudulent identities Angi created. The series meticulously chronicles these fabrications, detailing how she presented herself as a successful entrepreneur, a psychologist, a lawyer, and even a cancer patient to manipulate friends, family, and financial institutions. She was a “full-time actress in her own web of lies,” faking pregnancies and using social media to reinforce her elaborate deceptions. These invented lives were instrumental in gaining the trust of her victims, most notably Ana Páez, a fashion designer who had known Angi for a decade and considered her a mentor. The filmmakers employ a deliberate two-part structure to guide the audience through this labyrinth. The first episode concentrates on the 2008 murder of Páez, a crime for which Angi was convicted, establishing a clear foundation of fact. The second episode then shifts focus to the unresolved and ambiguous circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, compelling a re-examination of Angi’s history through a more unsettling lens. This narrative choice mirrors the experience of the original investigators, moving from a solved case into a deeper, more disturbing history of manipulation.

Deconstructing the ‘Almost Perfect Crime’

The documentary provides a clinical deconstruction of the crime that led to Angi’s conviction. The central victim was Ana Páez, a 35-year-old fashion designer in Barcelona who, after a ten-year friendship, trusted Angi implicitly, viewing her as a successful and generous mentor. Páez was unaware of the scheme orchestrated by her friend. The motive was a complex financial fraud. Angi systematically used forged documents to steal Páez’s identity, applying for loans and life insurance policies that totaled more than one million euros. The scheme also involved the identity of another woman, Susana B., whose personal documents were reportedly taken from a copy shop and used to open fraudulent bank accounts.

On February 19, 2008, Páez was found dead in a rented apartment, having been drugged with an unidentified substance and then suffocated with a plastic bag sealed with duct tape. Angi attempted to stage the scene as a sexual assault, planting semen she had acquired from men at a brothel to create a false trail for investigators. However, investigators dismantled the cover-up. The evidence was overwhelming, including security footage of Angi in a wig withdrawing money from Páez’s bank account shortly before the murder and the discovery of Páez’s documents hidden behind the water tank in Angi’s bathroom, alongside a sealed bottle of chloroform. During interrogation, Angi’s carefully constructed alibis crumbled. She claimed to be driving a Porsche to Zaragoza to collect her father’s ashes, or alternately, buying a watch or yogurt at the time of the murder. She gave conflicting accounts, at one point making the unsettling statement to the court, “Without yogurts or condensed milk, I am nothing”. In 2012, she was found guilty and sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison: 18 years for homicide and four for document forgery.

Revisiting a Suspicious Past

The investigation into the murder of Ana Páez prompted authorities to reopen the cold case of Angi’s husband, Juan Antonio Álvarez Litben, who died suddenly in 1996 under unexplained circumstances. The documentary dedicates its second part to this unresolved mystery, exploring the suspicions that have long surrounded his death, particularly as Angi inherited his assets. The series presents previously unpublished material, including judicial documents and testimony from family members, retired police, and private detectives who remained convinced of foul play. However, without material proof, the case remains officially unresolved. By juxtaposing a solved crime with an unsolved one, the documentary shifts from a straightforward crime procedural to a more complex character study. The ambiguity surrounding the husband’s death prevents a simple conclusion, instead raising profound questions about the potential for a long-standing pattern of malevolent behavior that may have begun years before the crime for which she was convicted.

The Extensive Investigation and Complex Release

Produced by Brutal Media and directed by Carlos Agulló, the documentary is the result of a two-year investigation. The production team reviewed over 2,000 pages of legal documents, police reports, and family files, and conducted more than 60 interviews with key figures connected to both cases. The documentary’s path to release was itself a notable event. Originally scheduled for a global premiere on May 1, 2025, the series was abruptly suspended by a Spanish court order just before its debut. From prison, María Ángeles Molina initiated the legal action, filing a complaint that alleged the unauthorized use of her personal images without consent. In compliance, Netflix removed the episodes and promotional materials from its platforms.

After a delay of nearly three months, the docuseries was released without advance notice on July 25, 2025. The final version that reached audiences had been modified, with certain personal images that were the subject of the legal challenge removed from the final cut. This legal battle forms a compelling extension of the documentary’s central theme. Angi’s real-world attempt to control the narrative of her life being presented to a global audience mirrors the very life of manipulation and image control that the series itself documents.

Angi: Fake Life, True Crime offers a methodical and comprehensive examination of a case defined by psychological manipulation and violence. It functions as both a detailed crime procedural and a disturbing character study, with its own complex production and release history adding another layer to its story of deception and control.

The two-part docuseries Angi: Fake Life, True Crime premiered on Netflix on July 25, 2025.

Rose Theatre Announces World Premiere of Modern ‘Emma’ Adaptation

In a major cultural event marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, the Rose Theatre is set to stage the world premiere of a bold new adaptation of Emma. This thoroughly contemporary reimagining is penned by Ava Pickett, a rapidly rising voice in British theatre, and will be directed by the Rose’s own Artistic Director, Christopher Haydon. The production promises to translate Austen’s classic rom-com of manners and matchmaking into the vibrant, chaotic world of the 21st century.

The adaptation recasts the titular heroine as a recent Oxford University graduate navigating the complexities of her early twenties. Moving beyond the traditional drawing-room setting, the narrative will incorporate the energy of modern social life, swapping, as the production notes state, “drawing room duets for dance floor-fillers.” This version aims to delve as much into the dynamics of female friendship, particularly Emma’s relationship with Harriet Smith, as it does into the pursuit of romance, all while embracing the celebrated flaws and misplaced confidence of what Pickett calls one of literature’s ultimate “unlikeable female characters.”

A High-Profile Creative Team

The production is helmed by a formidable creative duo. Writer Ava Pickett comes to the project with significant momentum, having recently won the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for her play 1536 and being named the Writer in Residence at The National Theatre for 2025/2026. Her work has also captured the attention of Hollywood, leading to a collaboration with director Baz Luhrmann. Director Christopher Haydon brings his extensive experience, including acclaimed productions like Never Let Me Go and The Caucasian Chalk Circle, to shape this fresh vision of a classic.

A Cast of Stage and Screen Talents

The production is anchored by a cast of decorated actors. The central role of Emma Woodhouse will be inhabited by Amelia Kenworthy, known for her role in Amazon’s epic series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, in what will be her professional stage debut. She is joined by Kit Young (Shadow and Bone), a recent BAFTA Scotland Award winner for Best Actor, as the discerning George Knightley.

The cast also features a wealth of acclaimed performers, including Olivier Award nominee Nigel Lindsay (Four Lions) as Mr. Woodhouse, and Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders) as Mrs. Bates. The ensemble includes BAFTA nominee Sofia Oxenham (Extraordinary) as Harriet Smith, Bobby Lockwood (Wolfblood) as Elton, Jessica Brindle (Top Girls) as Isabella Woodhouse, and Adrian Richards (Noises Off! in the West End) as John Knightley, with Josh Bilyard making his professional debut as Rob Martin.

Design and Production Details

An expert creative team will bring the modern setting to life, including Lily Arnold (Set & Costume Design), Kloé Dean (Movement Direction), Philip Gladwell (Lighting Design), and Kieran Lucas (Composition & Sound Design). The production is supported by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions.

This anticipated adaptation of Emma is scheduled to run at the Rose Theatre in South West London from September 17 to October 11, with its official press performance set for the evening of September 22.

FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse – A Technological Interrogation of the Sonoran Desert

The Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona is set to unveil a major site-specific exhibition by the UK-based artist-led studio ScanLAB Projects. The exhibition, titled FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse, represents the studio’s most ambitious work to date and is the latest installment in the Garden’s prestigious bi-annual art exhibition series. This project synthesizes art, technology, and environmental science to bear witness to the desert ecosystem, seeking to illuminate the profound beauty and fragility of this unique landscape.

A Convergence of Technology and Nature

As part of the studio’s ongoing and acclaimed FRAMERATE series, this new body of work utilizes a proprietary technique involving time-lapse 3D scanning with advanced LiDAR technology. This process was deployed to record subtle, often imperceptible, daily changes within desert landscapes over a full twelve-month period. The project is the culmination of a three-year collaboration between ScanLAB Projects and a team of Phoenix-based photographers, Garden scientists, researchers, curators, and journalists. Local photographers were trained in 3D scanning to document the desert daily for a year, while in London, the artists engineered robotic camera rigs within climate-controlled chambers to precisely capture delicate botanical events, such as the unfurling of cactus petals and spines.

The Exhibition Experience

The resulting installation is a multi-sensory immersion into the energy of the Sonoran Desert. The exhibition is composed of four large-scale spatialized screen installations situated throughout the Garden’s cactus-filled landscape. This is complemented by an indoor, multi-screen exhibition designed to launch the Garden’s new The RAF Exhibit gallery spaces. Within the gallery, custom-designed, high-fidelity OLED screen sculptures function as portals into these dynamically changing environments. The experience is further amplified by integrated sonic landscapes, developed by sound designer and composer Pascal Wyse, which reflect and magnify the impact of the visuals.

Revealing an Unseen World

The immense volume of collected data reveals environmental transformations that are invisible to the naked eye. The artwork visualizes a range of phenomena, including landscapes in flux along the Salt River, the heliotropic movements of desert plants, ecological regrowth following a fire, agricultural irrigation and harvest cycles, and the ultimate by-products of human life, such as landfills. By blending photography, motion, and sound, the work endeavors to awaken a deeper appreciation of the Sonoran Desert.

About the Artists

ScanLAB Projects, founded in 2010 by Matt Shaw and William Trossell, is an artist-led studio that explores the world through machine vision technologies. The studio has pioneered the artistry of 3D scanning, creating fact-based datasets that have been utilized for scientific papers, climate activism, and journalism. In an era of generative AI and synthetic realities, the studio maintains a pronounced commitment to investigation, precision, and truth. While the FRAMERATE series has been shown internationally, Desert Pulse marks its largest and most ambitious iteration to date.

Project Sustainability

FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse is an artwork explicitly underpinned by sustainable values. Both ScanLAB Projects and the Desert Botanical Garden have rigorously considered and documented the environmental impacts across all stages of production and exhibition. Through comprehensive efforts to reduce and mitigate emissions, the exhibition will be certified Carbon Neutral.

Exhibition Information

The exhibition, FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse, will be on view from October 11, 2025, to May 10, 2026. It will be held at the Desert Botanical Garden, located at 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Tickets are scheduled for release on September 3, and can be acquired via dbg.org.

Kacey Musgraves Announces Landmark Sydney Opera House Debut

Visionary singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves is set to make a highly anticipated return to Australia, announcing two exclusive performances in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. This engagement marks not only her first visit in six years but also her debut at the world-renowned venue, a significant milestone for the quietly revolutionary artist. Celebrated for her genre-defying sound and unflinching lyrical honesty, Musgraves will present material from her latest, critically lauded album, Deeper Well, alongside a curated selection of fan favourites from her decorated career.

Since her breakthrough with the Grammy-winning Same Trailer Different Park, Musgraves has consistently subverted the expectations of modern country music. Her artistic evolution is marked by a diverse discography, but it was the 2018 masterpiece Golden Hour that catapulted her to global acclaim. That album redefined her sonic landscape, trading traditional country instrumentation for a sun-drenched, reverb-laden production that seamlessly blended soft-rock, psychedelia, and even disco. It earned the coveted Grammy for Album of the Year, solidifying her position as an artist capable of crafting songs with universal appeal. Her latest work on Deeper Well signals a deliberate pivot from the lush production of its predecessors, embracing an earthy, acoustic palette and a more introspective tone that highlights the purity of her crystalline vocals and the nuances of her songwriting.

Musgraves’ influence is further evidenced by her eclectic collaborations, which demonstrate a rare musical fluidity. She has shared the studio with country legends like Willie Nelson and contemporary pop innovators such as Troye Sivan. Her recent duet with Zach Bryan, “I Remember Everything,” became a cultural touchstone, soaring to number one on the Billboard charts and surpassing a billion streams. This ability to bridge generational and stylistic gaps has made her a unique figure in music, earning her the rare distinction of having won a Grammy in every major Country Music category.

The significance of her debut is amplified by the choice of venue. The Concert Hall, celebrated for its acoustic purity, is a fitting setting for an artist exploring a more organic and nuanced production style. Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall, describes Musgraves as “a songwriter of rare candour whose superstardom is grounded in her humble, honest country roots.” He notes the venue is thrilled to host her “long-overdue” debut, allowing fans to “bathe in the radiant artistry that has made her a global icon,” particularly as she enters a “powerful new chapter with her exquisite, folk-infused album.”

For Musgraves herself, the feeling is mutual. “I cannot wait to come back to Australia…it’s been way too long,” she stated. “Playing the iconic Sydney Opera House is a dream and I’m so excited to see my lovely Australian fans.”

The performances are scheduled for Wednesday, 19 & Thursday, 20 November 2025, at 8 pm. An Insiders pre-sale begins at 9 am AEST on Tuesday, 29 July, followed by a What’s On pre-sale on Wednesday, 30 July. Tickets will be available to the general public starting at 9 am AEST on Thursday, 31 July.

Netflix’s ‘Trigger’ Unleashes Chaos in a Gun-Free Nation

In South Korea, a nation where the civilian populace lives almost entirely without firearms, a new kind of terror arrives in plain cardboard boxes. The new Netflix series Trigger presents this stark scenario not as a crime wave, but as a national disaster. When illegal guns of unknown origin begin appearing on doorsteps across the country, the social contract, built on a foundation of stringent gun control, begins to fray. The series treats the weapon itself as the cataclysm, posing a question director Kwon Oh-seung says many have pondered: what happens when a gun-free society is suddenly armed? The show provides a chilling, action-driven answer, exploring the chaos that erupts when the hypothetical becomes a deadly reality.

An Unlikely Alliance in the Face of Anarchy

At the heart of the storm are two men on opposite sides of the law, bound by the escalating crisis. Kim Nam-gil, an actor known for his physically demanding roles, portrays Yi-do, a police detective with a past as a military sniper. Haunted by his history, Yi-do operates with a firm belief that violence is not the answer, making his approach to law enforcement restrained and observational. He is a man who questions whether picking up a gun is ever the right way to protect someone, a conflict that defines his every move. His name, Yi-do, was chosen by the director to symbolize the two divergent paths of his life. He is forced to confront his past when he must track the source of the illicit weapons that are tearing his country apart.

His reluctant partner is Moon-baek, played by Kim Young-kwang, who has recently built a reputation for portraying complex, morally ambiguous characters. Moon-baek is a pivotal figure in the arms underworld, a man whose carefree and unpredictable exterior conceals a meticulous and calculating mind. In a twist that subverts genre expectations, it is Moon-baek who provides Yi-do with a critical clue to jumpstart the investigation, forging a tense and uncertain alliance. His motives remain shrouded in mystery, and his name hints at a difficult past and a true nature that will only be revealed as the crisis deepens.

The Architect of Tension

The series is the creation of writer-director Kwon Oh-seung, who previously gained international acclaim for his psychological thriller Midnight. That film, a relentless cat-and-mouse chase between a serial killer and a hearing-impaired woman, showcased Kwon’s talent for building suspense through clever sound design, fast-paced action, and a sharp focus on societal vulnerabilities. He brings a similar sensibility to Trigger, using the framework of an action thriller to conduct a psychological and social examination. Kwon has emphasized that the series is less about the spectacle of gunplay and more about the people who wield the weapons and their motivations. The director’s stated keyword for the series is “empathy,” aiming to explore the circumstances that push individuals to extremes while ultimately condemning those choices. The result is a cautionary tale that deconstructs the allure of violence rather than celebrating it.

A Society’s Moral Crossroads

Trigger expands its narrative into a series of interconnected moral fables, examining how different segments of society react to the sudden acquisition of power. The tagline, “Everyone has a trigger inside them,” is explored through a diverse ensemble cast. Gil Hae-yeon portrays Oh Gyeong-sook, a mother grieving the death of her son in an industrial accident, whose one-woman protest is complicated by the arrival of a weapon. Park Hoon plays Gu Jeong-man, a low-level operative for a criminal organization who sees the gun he receives as an “opportunity” to climb a social ladder he felt was previously inaccessible. Woo Ji-hyun appears as Yoon Jeong-tae, a student buckling under the pressure of civil service exams, representing an ordinary person suddenly faced with an extraordinary and dangerous choice. These characters serve as case studies, illustrating the series’ thesis that the introduction of a gun can activate the latent frustrations, grief, and ambitions simmering beneath the surface of a modern society.

A Sobering Reflection of Reality

The premise of Trigger is especially resonant in South Korea, where strict gun laws are a point of national pride and a cornerstone of public safety. Civilian gun ownership is effectively illegal, with the few exceptions for hunters and athletes requiring weapons to be stored at local police stations. Even police officers are not typically armed on patrol. The series taps into a deep-seated cultural fear by dismantling this fundamental assurance of safety. The show’s release has been made more poignant by a recent tragic shooting in Incheon, where a man used a homemade gun. The incident prompted the production to cancel a live fan event out of respect. At a press conference, director Kwon Oh-seung expressed his condolences while carefully distinguishing the show’s narrative from the real-world tragedy. He stressed that the series does not glorify violence, stating his hope that it will make viewers “appreciate that South Korea is a safe country precisely because we don’t have guns.” This unforeseen event has cast a somber light on the series, elevating it from speculative fiction to a timely and vital piece of social commentary.

Trigger is a 10-episode limited series produced by Bidangil Pictures, the company behind acclaimed films like The Chaser and A Werewolf Boy. All episodes of the series premiered globally on Netflix on July 25, 2025.

Netflix’s ‘Mandala Murders’: A Mythological Crime Thriller Unveiled

A mythological crime thriller from YRF Entertainment and Netflix has been released, the latest project in the partnership between the production company and the streaming service. Following The Railway Men, this collaboration presents Mandala Murders, a series that combines elements of mysticism with a police procedural format. The show features Vaani Kapoor in her first streaming series role. She is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, and Shriya Pilgaonkar. The series was created by Gopi Puthran, who is known for writing and directing the Mardaani film franchise. The project is part of a content strategy to produce Indian-led stories for a global audience. The involvement of Puthran and Kapoor’s streaming debut position Mandala Murders as a notable release in the streaming schedule, with a narrative described as having multiple layers.

A town shrouded in secrecy and symbolism

The narrative is set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, where a pattern of crime emerges. The plot centers on a series of killings that are presented as ritualistic and symbolic. The murders are linked to a secret society and a prophecy. The investigation leads to the discovery of a cult whose members’ actions blur the lines between faith and crime. The series uses the mandala as a structural and thematic element. The investigation is described as a web of secrets as complex as the spiritual symbol. The show’s narrative is structured to reflect the layers of a mandala, which in some traditions represents the universe and a spiritual journey. Each episode is intended to take the investigation further into the mystery. The killings represent the outer layers, with the secret society and its prophecy at the center. This structure combines the format of a crime procedural with Indian spiritual concepts. The use of mandalas, yantras, and prophecies provides a culturally specific context for the series, aiming to appeal to both local and international audiences.

Mandala Murders

The faces of the investigation and the conspiracy

The investigation is led by Detective Rea Thomas, portrayed by Vaani Kapoor. The character is an officer tasked with solving the murders. This role is a departure for Kapoor, whose previous work includes romantic comedies like Shuddh Desi Romance and Befikre, and supporting roles in action films like War. Kapoor has stated that she was looking for an opportunity to play a character with more complexity and vulnerability, different from the “tough and straight-face” archetype sometimes seen in the genre. Her performance is a central component of the series.

Partnering with Rea Thomas is Detective Vikram Singh, played by Vaibhav Raj Gupta. Gupta is known for his work in the web series Gullak. The casting of Kapoor, a mainstream Bollywood actor, alongside Gupta, an actor known for his work in streaming series, appears to be a move to appeal to different segments of the Indian entertainment audience.

The supporting cast includes Surveen Chawla and Shriya Pilgaonkar in roles described as being central to the mystery, with Chawla’s character suggested as a potential antagonist. The cast also includes veteran actors such as Raghubir Yadav, Siddhanth Kapoor, and Rahul Bagga.

The creative architecture of myth and madness

The creator and co-director of Mandala Murders is Gopi Puthran. His previous work includes the Mardaani franchise, where he was the writer for both films and the director for the sequel, Mardaani 2. That franchise focused on crimes against women and featured a female police protagonist. In Mandala Murders, Puthran applies a similar approach, with a female investigator at the center of the story, but the plot’s focus shifts from contemporary crime to a conflict rooted in mythology and faith.

Puthran has stated his goal was to create a world that feels “unknown yet grounded,” where every revealed truth has multiple layers. He has noted the importance of weaving symbolism into the narrative and creating atmospheric tension. Co-director Manan Rawat has described the series as a puzzle, with each episode adding another piece to challenge the audience’s assumptions. Rawat also commented on the lead actors’ emotional and intense performances. The project is backed by YRF Entertainment, with Aditya Chopra, Uday Chopra, Yogendra Mogre, and Akshaye Widhani listed as executive producers.

Expanding the streaming landscape

Mandala Murders is an entry in the Indian streaming market and is part of the creative partnership between Netflix and YRF Entertainment, which focuses on producing projects for a global audience. The series is described as genre-bending, mixing elements of crime, mythology, mystery, and suspense. This approach uses the familiar framework of a crime procedural while incorporating culturally specific content, such as mandalas and prophecies tied to Indian belief systems. The intent is to resonate with a domestic Indian audience while also being accessible to international viewers.

The series joins a sub-genre of Indian thrillers, like Asur, that integrate mythology into their narratives, suggesting audience interest in such stories. For Yash Raj Films, a studio with a history in theatrical cinema, this investment in a streaming series marks a move toward digital platforms, an adaptation to the current media landscape. Mandala Murders is an example of this new direction, a thriller that combines genres and aims to contribute to Indian storytelling on a global platform.

Mandala Murders premieres on July 25, only on Netflix.

The Underdog Play: Netflix’s “The Winning Try” Tackles Redemption on the Rugby Field

In a strategic move targeting both domestic and international audiences, the new South Korean series “The Winning Try” has launched, airing on the national SBS network and simultaneously released worldwide on Netflix. The 12-episode scripted drama offers a story of second chances, using the niche world of high school rugby as its arena for personal and collective redemption. Production on the series was completed before its premiere.

The Creative Blueprint

The series is built upon a script by Lim Jin-a that won the grand prize at the 2021 SBS Cultural Foundation script competition, signaling a strong narrative core from its inception. Lim was drawn to rugby for its central rule: the ball cannot be passed forward. She saw this as a powerful metaphor for life, where progress often requires confronting the past and relying on others to move ahead. “Rugby is the roughest yet most human sport,” Lim stated, emphasizing the absolute teamwork required. To ensure authenticity, her writing process involved direct interviews at a sports high school.

This character-focused foundation is carried forward by director Jang Young-seok, previously a co-director on the action hit “Taxi Driver 2”. Jang’s primary goal was to make the series accessible to viewers unfamiliar with rugby. “Rather than explaining the rules of rugby in detail, I focused on intuitively conveying the charm of rugby,” he explained. By prioritizing the emotional journeys of the characters over the technicalities of the game, the direction aims to connect with a broad audience through universal themes of failure and resilience.

A Collision of Pasts and Futures

The story centers on Joo Ga-ram, a man whose life is a cautionary tale. Once a celebrated national rugby player and Asian Cup MVP hailed as a “rugby idol,” his career was destroyed by a doping scandal. Three years later, he returns as a contract coach to his alma mater, Hanyang High School. He is tasked with leading the school’s rugby team, a perpetually last-place squad known for its aggressive behavior and a dismal record of 25 losses in 26 matches. Ga-ram’s quest for redemption is complicated by his professional clashes with the team’s resentful captain, Yoon Seong-joon, and the personal fallout from his reunion with Bae Yi-ji, a fellow coach and his ex-girlfriend of ten years, whom he abandoned after his scandal broke.

A Cast Forged by Experience

The series is anchored by a principal cast whose own careers lend a unique depth to their roles.

Yoon Kye-sang as Joo Ga-ram: Yoon, who first rose to fame as a member of the first-generation K-pop group g.o.d before building a respected acting career, brings a layered authenticity to the role of a fallen “sports idol”. Writer Lim Jin-a saw him as the perfect embodiment of the character she envisioned: a “good adult” who is flawed but learns from his mistakes to guide the next generation.

Lim Se-mi as Bae Yi-ji: For Lim Se-mi, the role of the resilient shooting coach marks her first lead in a weekly television miniseries, a significant career milestone. This professional step-up mirrors her character’s on-screen journey of asserting her own agency in the face of professional pressure and the sudden reappearance of her past. Director Jang Young-seok praised her for having the “acting ability to persuade the public,” making her character a relatable anchor for the audience.

Kim Yo-han as Yoon Seong-joon: Kim, a member of the K-pop group WEi, draws on his past as a former national-level junior taekwondo champion. This background provides a deep, lived-in understanding of the physical and psychological demands of competitive sports, informing his portrayal of the hardworking team captain who is burdened by an inferiority complex toward his more successful twin brother.

The Ensemble: The director has highlighted the strong chemistry of the entire cast, noting that the friendly atmosphere on set led to natural ad-libs that were often kept in the final edit to enhance the comedic and heartfelt moments. The supporting cast includes actors Cho Han-gyeol, Kim E-jun, and Lee Su-chan as members of the rugby team.

The Underdog Sport as a Narrative Canvas

The choice of rugby union is a deliberate and thematically resonant one. In South Korea, rugby is a minor sport, overshadowed by the mainstream popularity of baseball, football, and basketball. The national team is competitive within Asia but not a global powerhouse, and many of the country’s best players compete professionally in Japan. By focusing on an underdog sport, the series carves out a unique space for itself, avoiding comparisons to other sports dramas and aligning perfectly with the story of a forgotten team and a disgraced coach fighting for relevance.

Final Judgment

“The Winning Try” uses its sports framework to tell a universal story about mentorship, community, and the difficult path to a second chance. It is a character-driven dramedy that finds humor and heart in the struggle for redemption. The writer’s stated goal was to tell a story about “running despite everything,” acknowledging that life involves numerous tackles but that the game isn’t over as long as you keep moving forward. The series suggests that the ultimate victory isn’t just winning a championship, but reclaiming a sense of purpose and self-worth in the face of failure.

All 12 episodes of the series premiered on the SBS network and were released for global streaming on Netflix on July 25, 2025.

Adam Sandler Returns to the Green in Happy Gilmore 2

Adam Sandler reprises his role as the volatile hockey player-turned-golfer in Happy Gilmore 2, a sequel that arrives nearly three decades after the original film established itself as a cultural touchstone. The 1996 movie changed the perception of golf for a generation, transforming it from a staid sport into a chaotic battleground and cementing Sandler’s comedic formula of the lovable, blue-collar man-child. Produced by Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions for Netflix, the film marks the first direct sequel to any of Sandler’s classic 1990s comedies, a notable decision for an actor who, for years, dismissed the idea. The sequel finds its purpose not in simple repetition, but in exploring the character through the lens of aging, fatherhood, and legacy, themes that align with Sandler’s own career evolution into more dramatic roles.

A New Purpose on the Fairway

The film picks up with Happy Gilmore long retired from the professional golf tour. He is now a family man, married to his longtime partner Virginia Venit and father to a daughter, Vienna, as well as four sons who share his affinity for hockey-style aggression. The central conflict arises when Happy must find a way to pay for Vienna’s expensive ballet school tuition. This motivation mirrors the original film’s plot of saving his grandmother’s house but shifts the stakes from honoring the past to securing the future, reflecting his new stage of life. Compelled to return to the sport, Happy discovers the game has evolved. He is rusty and intimidated by a new generation of golfers with superior skills and technology. The raw anger that once fueled his powerful drives is no longer a reliable or effective tool for an older man. His journey becomes an internal one, as he must find a new, more age-appropriate “happy place” to channel his focus.

Happy Gilmore 2

Familiar Faces and Unfinished Business

The film reunites much of the original cast. Julie Bowen returns as Virginia Venit, whose relationship with Happy remains a stable and supportive force in his life. The most anticipated reunion, however, is with Happy’s arch-nemesis, Shooter McGavin, played again by Christopher McDonald. Their iconic rivalry is immediately reignited, with the two confronting each other in settings that range from a golf course to a cemetery, the latter serving as a moment of reflection on their shared history and mortality. The character of Shooter is not merely a retread of his previous villainy; his return incorporates a narrative twist that adds new layers to his motivations after decades of living in the shadow of his defeat. The film also features the return of Ben Stiller as Hal L., the menacing orderly from the first film. No longer terrorizing the elderly, Hal now runs a support group that Happy attends, creating a new dynamic between the two characters. Other familiar faces include Dennis Dugan as former tour commissioner Doug Thompson and Kevin Nealon as the perpetually zen golfer Gary Potter.

A Star-Studded Roster of Newcomers and Cameos

Alongside the returning veterans, Happy Gilmore 2 introduces a large ensemble of new characters and high-profile cameos. Musician Bad Bunny, credited as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has a significant role as Oscar, Happy’s new and often bewildered caddy. Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny Sandler, plays Happy’s daughter, Vienna, making the film’s theme of fatherhood a family affair. The film is also populated with a vast array of figures from the worlds of sports, music, and entertainment. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce appears as a hotel employee in a scene with Bad Bunny. Professional wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) is cast as one of Happy’s four sons. The authenticity of the golf world is bolstered by an extensive list of professional golfers, including legends like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and John Daly, alongside contemporary stars like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Brooks Koepka. The cast is further filled out with appearances by musicians Eminem and Post Malone, as well as actors Benny Safdie, Margaret Qualley, and longtime Sandler collaborator Nick Swardson.

The Team Behind the Sequel

The film is directed by Kyle Newacheck, who previously directed Sandler in the Netflix film Murder Mystery and is known for co-creating the series Workaholics. His involvement ensures a comedic sensibility that is both contemporary and aligned with the Happy Madison production style. The most significant element of creative continuity comes from the screenplay, which was co-written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy. Herlihy, Sandler’s college roommate and longtime writing partner, co-wrote the original Happy Gilmore as well as other foundational films of Sandler’s career. Their collaboration ensures that the sequel’s tone and character voice remain faithful to the original, a project they both consider one of their most personal and cherished works.

A Tribute to a Legend

A poignant undercurrent of the film is its handling of the absence of Carl Weathers, who played Happy’s beloved one-handed mentor, Derick “Chubbs” Peterson. Weathers was slated to have a “massive part” in the sequel before his passing. The original script involved Chubbs appearing to Happy in dreams and introduced a storyline centered on his son, who held Happy responsible for his father’s accidental death. Following Weathers’ death, the script underwent a significant and “painful” rewrite. The antagonistic storyline was removed and replaced with a heartfelt tribute to the character and the actor. Throughout the film, characters make references to Chubbs’ positive impact and legacy. His memory is honored through the introduction of his son, played by comedian Lavell Crawford, who also sports a prosthetic hand and carries on his father’s spirit. The film explicitly acknowledges the character’s passing in scenes that add an elegiac tone to the comedy, transforming a potential subplot about guilt into a sincere homage that adds an unexpected layer of emotional depth to Happy’s comeback story.

Happy Gilmore 2 was released on Netflix on July 25, 2025.

The Frick Collection Appoints Julia Day as New Chief Conservator

The Frick Collection has named Julia Day as its new Chief Conservator. Day, who previously served at the institution for fourteen years, will now lead the museum’s conservation department. She succeeds Joseph Godla, an expert in furniture, who is retiring from the post he has held since 2005.

Day returns to the Frick following a period as a senior conservator for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Her career, now in its third decade, includes significant conservation work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she contributed to the restoration of the Wrightsman Galleries for French Decorative Arts. This experience honed her focus on decorative objects, which was her primary purview when she first joined the Frick in 2008.

Her appointment comes as the Frick completes a major renovation and expansion of its historic 1 East 70th Street buildings. The project includes a significant enhancement of the institution’s conservation facilities, which Day will now oversee.

Colleagues at the Frick have noted her suitability for the role. “There is nothing impulsive about Julia,” commented Aimee Ng, a curator at the Frick. “And that is one of the great qualities of a leader in conservation.”

Day’s leadership of the conservation department will be integral as the museum prepares for the reinstallation of its collection and the public reopening of its renovated home. Sources