Martin Cid's Blog: Martin Cid Magazine, page 200

ESDigital Games Announce Publishing Deal for Sky of Tides

Limassol, Cyprus – January 30th, 2024. Exciting indie publisher ESDigital Games is thrilled to announce a new publishing deal to release Sky of Tides, developed by Lofty Sky Entertainment Inc., on PC via Steam, PlayStation and Xbox consoles and Nintendo Switch.

Sky of Tides is a story-driven sci-fi adventure with RPG elements set in a technologically advanced universe on the brink of war. Play as Rin, who must search for her missing father and heal the broken planet of Numen. Explore the world while your choices shape your character.

ESDigital Game is also excited to announce that Sky of Tides will be participating in the Steam Storyteller’s Festival from 29th Jan – 4th Feb, where fans can celebrate the art of storytelling with a host of exciting visual novel and narrative adventure games. Visual novel content creator Asteyni will be hosting a live Sky of Tides Steam Broadcast during the Storyteller’s Festival on January 30 at 5.00pm PT / 8.00pm ET (January 31st 1.00am UK / 2.00am CET) showing brand new gameplay. Head over to the Sky of Tides Steam page to tune it! 

More news to follow on Sky of Tide’s exciting participation in Steam Next Fest from 5-12 February! 

About Sky of Tides

A calamity has fractured the world of Numen into nine floating planetoids. Diverse nations now hover isolated from each other in the sky, while the ocean hovers above them all, enveloping the broken planet, which hangs by a thread. Two rival powers vie for control—the Syndicate through their monopoly on a little understood but powerful technology that relies on mysterious Corron minerals that they control; and the Sovereign, which favors a return to the now nearly lost ways of the ancients outlined in the banned Numen Tomes.

Explore unknown and ancient lands – Travel further away from home than you’ve ever been before. From your family’s rytail farm on Yantar, to the harsh desolate wasteland of the Bleached Relics. Explore the mysterious and ancient landscapes of Numen and unearth items to understand the world around you. You never know what you might find along the way.Dialogue choices shape your character – It’s not just about what you do, but how you react. Think about who you want to be, as the world of Numen will mirror itself to your personality, the items in the world, and your dialogue options. Dialogue choices you make reflect in your Character Stats which go towards unlocking further dialogue options and unique customization items. Increase your intelligence, humor, courage, compassion, and luck, but be wary of what you say, the people you meet along the way aren’t afraid to talk back…A story-driven sci-fi adventure – You play as Rin, the daughter of Syndicate researcher Lu D’Lorah who uncovers a conspiracy to starve the people of Numen and then goes missing. As you set out to find your father, you’ll encounter all sorts of interesting numenites—some friends, some foe. Discover a hidden power that may hold the answer to healing the broken planet before it’s too late, but be careful, there are others seeking this power as well.

Sky of Tides will be launching for PC via Steam, PlayStation and Xbox consoles and Nintendo Switch. For more information please visit https://esdigital.games/ 

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Let’s Talk About CHU – A Romantic Comedy Series on Netflix

Let’s Talk About CHU is a Taiwanese series starring Tzu Hsuan Chan and Kai Ko.

Chu Ai (Chan Tzu-hsuan), a master in the art of waxing, balances her life between her professional career and her passion for igniting conversations about sex education through her lively and straightforward vlog. Living boldly by her mantra, “Only Sex, No Love,” she navigates the complexities of a purely physical relationship with the charming Ping-ke (Kai Ko). As tensions mount and the Chu family’s tangled quests for intimacy and fulfillment spill over, Chu Ai stands at a crossroads. Will she unravel the intricate web of desire and embark on a journey of self-discovery? Is it possible for her to fashion a deeper, more meaningful bond that transcends the realms of the flesh? Dive into this provocative tale as Chu Ai confronts the alluring dance of physical desire against the quest for something more.

Where to Watch “Let’s Talk About CHU”

Netflix

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“Masterworks: From Bonnard to Barceló” – Acquavella Galleries, New York

New York, NY – Acquavella Galleries is pleased to announce Masterworks: From Bonnard to Barceló, a group exhibition of modern and contemporary artworks. Open through March 29, 2024, the exhibition’s featured artists include Francis Bacon, Miquel Barceló, Pierre Bonnard, Louise Bourgeois, Edgar Degas, Willem de Kooning, Jean Dubuffet, Lucio Fontana, Lucian Freud, Jasper Johns, Henri Laurens, Pablo Picasso, Camille Pissarro, Jackson Pollock, Ed Ruscha, Wayne Thiebaud, and Édouard Vuillard.

Pablo Picasso, Buste de femme nue, (1906)
© 2024 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Masterworks: From Bonnard to Barceló features paintings and sculpture as an overview of modern and contemporary masters, showcasing the evolution of both forms over a 140-plus year period. The earliest painting, Camille Pissarro’s Le relais de poste sure la route de Versaille, Louveciennes, painted in 1871, illustrates the nascent strokes of Impressionism. Painted en plein air, the painting is one of Pissarro’s many views of the Parisian suburb, Louveciennes, produced during this period. The most recent painting, Miquel Barceló’s Primer toro de la tarde (2016), renders a lone bull wandering a bullring in vibrant paints and dramatic color. Alongside these works, the presentation includes Naked Portrait (1998-99) by Lucian Freud, a later painting by the artist known for his unflinching realism and the psychological depth in his portraiture, and Study for Portrait of John Edwards (1986) by Francis Bacon. Bacon’s late portrayal of friend and companion John Edwards showcases the artist’s probing, existential approach to portraiture in the composure and restraint characteristic of his later style.

Represented in Masterworks: From Bonnard to Barceló is a disparate range of artistic styles, techniques, and subjects. Delving into the gallery’s rich tradition with modern and post-war masterpieces, the featured artworks are a veritable collection of some of the most important artists of the recent century and a half.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated catalogue.

About Acquavella Galleries

For over 100 years, Acquavella Galleries has dealt in paintings, sculptures, and works on paper of unparalleled quality. Renowned for its expertise in the fields of 19th, 20th, and 21st century art, the gallery has sold important paintings and sculpture to private collectors and museums world-wide and regularly presents museum-quality exhibitions of Impressionist, modern, postwar, and contemporary masters. Founded by Nicholas Acquavella in the early 1920s, the gallery is now a third-generation, family-owned business, run by Bill, Eleanor, Nicholas, and Alexander Acquavella: Bill joined his father Nicholas in 1960, Bill’s daughter Eleanor joined in 1997, and his sons Nicholas and Alexander joined in 2000 and 2003 respectively.

Today, the gallery exhibits and deals in works by artists such as Francis Bacon, Jean Michel-Basquiat, Pierre Bonnard, Alexander Calder, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Willem de Kooning, Lucian Freud, Alberto Giacometti, Jasper Johns, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Wayne Thiebaud, and Andy Warhol, among the other giants of the late 19th, 20th, and early 21st century. On the primary market, the gallery represents contemporary artists Miquel Barceló, Wang Yan Cheng, Jacob El Hanani, Damian Loeb, and Tom Sachs.

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Turner Contemporary: New Artwork Installation Begins in Kings Hill

Work has begun on the installation of a major new piece of public art in Kings Hill, near West Malling in Kent.

Named Slices of Peace, the artwork consists of a giant multicoloured apple, flanked by two smaller apples, and was commissioned from British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori, MBE, who was appointed as Artist in Residence in Kings Hill in 2021.

The artwork is being installed in Orchard Park, Kings Hill’s new public park, and will serve as a meeting point for the community.

“Bringing people and communities together is something I am passionate about and aspire to do through all of my work, which is why I am excited to bring Slices of Peace to Kings Hill,” said Yinka Ilori.

“This installation is inspired by the rich culture and heritage of Kent, in particular its history of apple growing. Community is at the heart of this installation, and I hope it brings a ‘slice of peace’ to those visiting, offering them a place to wander, reflect, and meditate within the park.”

The apples – made from laser cut, powder coated steel – have been constructed off site by Firecracker Works and will be anchored onto concrete plinths. The larger apple is more than 5m in diameter to accommodate people inside it, and the smaller apples are 700mm in diameter. A soundscape by artist Peter Adjaye, which was the outcome of choral workshops attended by the community, will be accessible inside the giant apple.

When commissioning the work, Kings Hill development partners Liberty Property Trust and Kent County Council (KCC) formed a cultural partnership with Turner Contemporary, a leading gallery based in Margate, and the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), one of the top creative specialist universities in the UK.

Caroline Binns of Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust said: “Public art has always been a vital part of our placemaking in Kings Hill. Over the years we have commissioned numerous sculptures for prominent sites to encourage pride and attachment to the area. As the village nears completion, Slices of Peace will be the final significant public art commission to be installed in Kings Hill, providing a lasting legacy for the community.”

The finished work, which is being curated by Turner Contemporary and UCA, is due to be completed in the Spring. The cultural partnership has been curated by Futurecity.

Yinka Ilori held interactive workshops for the local community as part of his residency to help inspire the creation of the artwork. The outcome of the workshops will translate into an exhibition in the Control Tower gallery produced by UCA students, coinciding with the unveiling of Slices of Peace in Spring 2024.

For more information on the public art project, visit www.kings-hill.com/uca-turner-contemporary-public-art

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Rose Theatre Announces Cast For The Boy At The Back Of The Class

Rose Theatre and Children’s Theatre Partnership today announce full casting and further creative team for the world premiere stage adaptation of the multi award-winning and best-selling children’s book The Boy at the Back of the Class, based on the novel by Onjali Q. Raúf, adapted by Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko. The Boy at the Back of the Classopens at the Rose on 3 February, playing until 22 February with Press Night on 8 February, and then tours until June. 

The full cast includes Priya Davdra (Mrs Khan / Mum), Sasha Desouza-Willock (Alexa), Megan Grech (Ensemble/Understudy), Abdul-Malik Janneh (Michael), Petra Joan-Athene (Josie), Joe McNamara (Brendan), Gordon Millar (Tom), Farshid Rokey (Ahmet), Adam Seridji (Ensemble/Understudy) and Zoe Zak (Clarissa).  

The creative team includes Monique Touko (Director), Lily Arnold (Set & Costume Designer), Ryan Day (Lighting Designer), Giles Thomas (Composer & Sound Designer), Kloé Dean (Movement Director), Sophie Parrott CDG (Casting Director), Maisie Carter (Fight Director)and Amy Crighton (Assistant Director).  

The Boy At The Back Of The Class

The Boy at the Back of the Class is a timely, humorous and heart-warming story about the power of kindness, engaging children and their families in discussions around refugee rights. Rose Theatre is proud to be collaborating with Children’s Touring Partnership to bring this story to the stage and partnering with a local charity, Refugee Action Kingston, to raise awareness about and funds to support refugees in our community throughout this production. 

Christopher Haydon, Artistic Director of Rose Theatre said: “I am beyond thrilled to be bringing Onjali Q Raúf’s remarkable story to the stage. I love its warmth and the way it combines an exciting adventure with such piercing emotional honesty about the plight facing refugees today. I’ve always felt passionately about the need to support refugees and advocate for their rights, and it is vital, for me, that all our work at the Rose has the values of inclusion and tolerance at heart.” 

Bassam Mahfouz, Executive Director of Refugee Action Kingston said: “I arrived in west London as a four-year old boy from war-torn Beirut. I was fortunate my journey here didn’t mimic Ahmet’s, but in many ways I saw parallels in his story ⁠— I once was the boy at the back of the class, who received so much love and support from many in my school and local community. But, I also experienced hatred, intolerance, and ignorance.  My experiences gave me the determination to create opportunities for others – that is what we do daily at Refugee Action Kingston.” 

The Boy At The Back Of The Class

Hedda Beeby, of Children’s Touring Partnership said: “If there is no theatre for younger audiences, there will be no theatre at all in years to come and it is vital to offer the opportunity to experience live performance from an early age. We are delighted to be working with the Rose Theatre to tell this life-affirming story. It’s about young people for young people.” 

There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite! 

After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist. 

Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home. 

Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2019 

Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019 

‘A lovely, warm-hearted celebration of courage and friendship.’ – Guardian 

‘This is a beautiful, open-hearted debut that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.’ – Book Trust 

Age Guidance: 7+ 

The Boy At The Back Of The Class

CREATIVES BIOGRAPHIES  

Onjali Q. Raúf MBE is a bestselling children’s author and human rights activist. She is the founder and CEO of two NGO’s: Making Herstory, an organisation working to end all forms of domestic violence, abuse and trafficking crimes perpetrated against women and children; and O’s Refugee Aid Team, through which she mobilises aid convoys and funds to help refugees surviving across northern France and beyond. She is the author of The Boy at the Back of the Class (Orion Children’s Books, 2018), which won the 2019 Blue Peter Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, The Star Outside My Window (Orion Children’s Books, 2019), The Day We Met The Queen (World Book Day, 2020), The Night Bus Hero (Orion Children’s Books, 2020), The Great (Food) Bank Heist (Barrington Stoke, 2021), The Lion Above the Door (Orion Children’s Books, 2021), Hope on the Horizon (Wren & Rook, 2022), Where Magic Grows: Unique Tales of Wonder and Enchantment (Orion Children’s Books, 2023). Onjali is also a Patron of VIP Reading, Facefront Theatre, and NIA, and was listed as one of BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019. Raúf was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to literature and women’s rights.  

Nick Ahad (Adapter) is a multiple award-winning journalist, writer and broadcaster working across TV, theatre and radio. Plays include: Redcoats (National Tour 2019, Mikron Theatre Company), Glory (National Tour, 2019, Dukes Theatre, Red Ladder, Tamasha), Partition (2017, 2018, Leeds Playhouse/BBC Radio), The Chef Show (National Tour 2016, 2018, 2019, Ragged Edge Productions, Stage Performance of the Year Rural Touring Awards 2018, Best Live Performance Cumbria Life Culture Awards), Coming Home Together (BBC Radio Leeds), Muslamic Love Story (DepArts), Second Gen (DepArts), A Muslim, A Jew and A Christian Walk into A Room; My Mum the Racist; Inner Voices (JB Shorts) and Nor Any Drop (Northern Tour Red Ladder/Peshkar); Muslamic Love Story (Theatre in the Mill, Bradford). 

Radio work includes four-part comedy Umbreen’s Junction for BBC Sounds, starring Reece Dinsdale and co-written and co-directed with Yasmeen Khan. He also wrote the opening episode of a five-episode audio drama produced by Claybody Theatre. 

He is currently under commission with Leeds Playhouse, Rifco Theatre Company and Northern Broadsides. 

His TV writing includes an episode of Better, a BBC primetime drama made by Sister Pictures, several episodes of Emmerdale and an original series developed by BBC Drama and Avatar Productions. He has an original series in development with SISTER Pictures and was the runner up in the Red Planet Prize in 2020. 

As a broadcaster he has presented hundreds of hours of live radio for the BBC and many on-camera events for arts organisations and festivals. Nick is an award-nominated broadcaster for BBC Radio Leeds where he has presented his own weekend shows since 2014. In November 2020 he joined the leading BBC Radio 4 arts programme Front Row as a presenter. Nick has appeared on BBC Breakfast as a cultural commentator and hosted dozens of live events for festivals and arts organisations. Former Arts Editor of the Yorkshire Post, he is currently the Yorkshire Post theatre correspondent/ chief critic and his feature writing has appeared in the Guardian and The Independent. He regularly reviews theatre for the Guardian. 

Monique Touko (Director) is a London-based multidisciplinary artist working in theatre, radio, TV and film. She was the recipient of the 2022 Stage Debut Award for Best Director. Her directing training includes Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme at Royal Exchange Manchester. At the Young Vic, her training has involved the Intro to Directing course led by Sacha Weres, Boris Karloff Trainee Assistant Directors Programme and the Jerwood Assistant Director Scheme. In 2022, Monique was selected to take part in the National Theatre’s annual Directing Course.  

Monique’s skill set includes facilitation, devising, international work, new writing, script reading, drama school shows and projects, training actors and working with young people. She is also part of The Ubunifu Space- A definitive guide to music and culture from the youth of Africa and the diaspora – the Ubunifu way. Monique is project manager for the Space and regular member of the UK reaction team on the YouTube channel which has a global following of 320K+ subscribers and over 50 million views. 

Theatre Credits: Days of Significance (Guildhall School of Music and Drama); School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Lyric Hammersmith); We Need New Names (Fifth Word Theatre); Gone Too Far (Theatre Royal Stratford East); The Clinic (Almeida Theatre); Gloria (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland); Fair Play (Bush Theatre); Malindadzimu (Hampstead Theatre); Yerma (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts); Dance Nation (Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance); Blank (Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance); Blood Wedding (Young Vic); Rosmersholm (Duke of York Theatre); Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe); This Might Not Be It (Bush Theatre); Cock (Chichester Festival Theatre); Noughts and Crosses (Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts); On the Exhale (Traverse Theatre); And I dreamt I was drowning (Talawa); Yellowman (Young Vic); Kanye The First (HighTide); ALT Showcase (Southwark Playhouse); The Place Where We Lived (HighTide); B!RTH Festival (Royal Exchange); Wishlist (Royal Exchange / Royal Court). TV & Film Credits: Bail (Franklyn Lane Film Productions). 

CAST BIOGRAPHIES 

Priya Davdra (Mrs Khan / Mum) is a British Indian actress based in London. Priya graduated from the International school of screen acting and since then has been cast in various television shows, short films, and voice over work. Her most recent credits include Queenie (Ch4), Count Abdullah (ITVX ), There will be soft rains (Short film) and Eastenders (BBC1) where she was a series regular. Her passion for acting grew when she had her first debut as the lead in the Telugu feature film ‘Naan Yaar’ which was released in Chennai cinemas in 2016. Priya is also a trained Bollywood/Commercial dancer and has performed abroad and around the UK on stages such as the 02 & Birmingham NEC. 

Sasha Desouza-Willock (Alexa). Theatre credits include: Disruption (Park Theatre); Open (National Theatre) and Jugantor. Television credits include: Industry (Bad Wolf/HBO); Deep Heat (Slam Films/ITV2); London Kills (Acorn TV/BBC1); Inside Man (Hartswood Films/BBC); The Main Part (Studio 72/iPlayer); Adult Material (Channel 4/Fifty Fathoms Productions) and Doctors (BBC). Film credits include: Fired (iDream Productions). 

Megan Grech (Ensemble/Understudy).Training:Guildford School of Acting. Recent theatre credits include: The Corn is Green (dir. Dominic Cooke, National Theatre); Othello (Union Theatre); Broken Biscuits (GEST) and Romeo and Juliet (This is my Theatre). Film and TV Credits: Tehran (dir. Arun Gopalan, Maddox Films); Ghosts (BBC); Oi’ Pussy! (BBC3). Commercials include: McDonald’s and DHL. Recent workshops: The House of Bernarda Alba (dir. Rebecca Frecknall, NT Studio) 

Abdul-Malik Janneh (Michael)graduated from Rose Bruford College in 2022. Since then, he has filmed short film Said in Passing, music video We’d Be Good, and commercials for Starbucks, Curry’s and The Gym Group. He has just finished playing Father Glanville in Layered Reality’s The Gunpowder Plot. 

Petra Joan-Athene (Josie). Petra recently graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Recent stage credits include: Princess and the Frog (Hull Truck Theatre); The Hare, the Moon and the River (Tidal Tales Collective). Credits whilst training include: Emilia, Vanity Fair, Enemy of the People, As You Like It, Follow the Stars, The Humans and Meet Me At Dawn. 

Joe McNamara (Brendan). Television Credits: Jeff in Call The Midwife S11 (BBC). Theatre Credits: Witness for the Prosecution (Eleanor Lloyd Productions / Rebecca Stafford Productions), Don Carlos (LAMDA), Othello (LAMDA), She Stoops To Conquer (LAMDA), and Uncle Vanya (LAMDA). Short Film Credits: 24 Hours (LAMDA). 

Gordon Millar (Tom). Training: BA Hons in Physical Theatre, East 15 Acting School. Theatre Credits include: Harry Potter & The Cursed Child (West End); M.E.H (The Outbound Project); FAQ (New Wolsey Theatre); 12 Million Volts (The Outbound Project); Goosebumps! (The Vaults); The Snow Queen (Z- Arts); The Tempest (Theatre Ark); Boy in At The Inland Sea (Big Brum Theatre Company). Voice Over: Neville Longbottom & Fred Weasley in A Journey To Hogwarts (Pottermore); Where the StreetEnds (SAE). Workshops: Stranger Things: The First Shadow; Harry Potter & The Cursed Child. 

Farshid Rokey (Ahmet). Theatre Includes: He Said, She Said (Kiln Theatre/Synergy Theatre); The Boy With Two Hearts (National Theatre/Wales Millennium Centre); Flight (Bridge Theatre); Elephant (Birmingham Rep); The Jungle (St Ann’s Warehouse, New York); Goats (Royal Court); Asylum (Tamasha Theatre); 10,000 Smarties (Three Streets/Oxford Old Fire Station); Another World (National Theatre); Martyr (Bristol Old Vic/Traverse Theatre/Unicorn Theatre); Love Your Soldiers (Crucible, Sheffield); Star Crossed (Bush Theatre); The Kite Runner (Nottingham Playhouse/ Liverpool Playhouse); Mogadishu (Lyric Hammersmith/Royal Exchange Manchester/UK Tour). 

Adam Seridji (Ensemble/Understudy).Adam Seridji is an actor and spoken word artist born and raised in South London. He has trained with the Battersea Arts Centre, Old Vic, National Youth Theatre and Theatre Peckham where he was part of the REP company in 2021. His TV credits are two episodes of Casualty (BBC). Theatre credits include CARE (Theatre Peckham), ONE WAY OUT (Theatre Peckham and Edinburgh Finge). 

Zoe Zak (Clarissa).Zoe graduated from LAMDA in 2023. Credits include: The Devil’s Hour (Amazon Studios); Doctors (BBC); REP (Brixton House); Soldier On (UK Tour, The Other Palace & Canadian Stage, Toronto; Foxfinder (Edinburgh Fringe); Pinch Punch (Old Vic, Rehearsed Reading); Street Scene (Young Vic/The Opera Group). Whilst at LAMDA, Zoe was a finalist in the BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio competition, receiving a special commendation from the panel. Productions included The Suicide (Dir. Oliver Dawe); Mosquitoes (Dir. Sara Aniqah Malik); Pomona (Dir. Emma Baggott) and Twelfth Night (Dir. Sophie Russell). 

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NASCAR: Full Speed (2024) Netflix Documentary Series: NASCAR, from within

NASCAR: Full Speed is a series created by Jackie Decker and Tim Mullen.

With 36 races, 26 in the regular season and 10 in the playoffs, the NASCAR Cup determines the ultimate winner of America’s most famous motorsport competition, drawing thousands of fans and generating millions of dollars every year.

“NASCAR: Full Speed” takes us into the private lives of the drivers, giving us a glimpse of their partners, ambitions, and professional challenges in a tough and ambitious sport where the drivers themselves are sometimes partial owners of their teams.

This documentary showcases the inner workings of a NASCAR team and unveils the thrilling and risky aspects of this sport that is pure spectacle, with accidents aplenty and the drivers risking their lives.

Competing in this race, where every curve jeopardizes a driver’s life and where close proximity to other cars is exploited for power, requires a touch of madness. Naturally, accidents occur.

“NASCAR: Full Speed” is a documentary about this sport that familiarizes us with the millionaire world of superstar drivers who travel on private jets and operate with substantial budgets, all with the sole aim of becoming the NASCAR Cup champion.

“NASCAR: Full Speed”: A rhythmic spectacle that extends into the cinematic realm as well

“NASCAR: Full Speed” is a documentary series that manages to bring us closer to this sport and, above all, capture the pace of the race. It wastes no time, skips the preamble, and throws us right into the action, bombarding us with information from all angles. The series captures the personality of one driver and then switches to an entirely different perspective, different time, and different race.

“NASCAR: Full Speed” moves at a frenetic pace, akin to the competition itself: short shots, interrupted interviews where we barely catch a full sentence, snippets of races, fragments of private lives, another slice of an interview, and then back to the race. It successfully portrays that perpetual moment of speed that the drivers seem to inhabit, a mix of excitement, business, and pure ambition.

Our Opinion: 5 hours to immerse yourself in an exciting sport

For the fans, it’s a delight to watch these men and their confessions. For non-fans, it’s an ideal opportunity to discover a truly daring sport.

Where to Watch “NASCAR: Full Speed”

Netflix

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Will (2024) – Movie on Netflix on January 31

Will is a new drama movie written and directed by Tim Mielants starring Stef Aerts, Matteo Simoni, and Annelore Crollet. It is based on the novel by Jeroen Olyslaegers.

Wilfried Wils, an auxiliary policeman in Antwerp during the onset of the Second World War, finds himself amidst a city engulfed in violence and mistrust. In order to navigate this treacherous landscape, Wilfried treads cautiously, skirting potential hazards. While receiving aid and resources from Meanbeard, an individual who has aligned himself with the German occupiers, Wilfried also gains the trust of his anti-Nazi counterpart, Lode, who happens to be the brother of Yvette, the woman he loves. As the relentless persecution of Jews continues unabated, Wilfried grapples with the challenges of survival.

Where to Watch “Will”

Netflix

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Alexander: The Making of a God : Documentary Series on Netflix on January 31

Alexander: The Making of a God is a documentary series directed by Hugh Ballantyne and Stuart Elliott.

“Alexander: The Making of a God” is an enthralling six-part docudrama series that delves into the extraordinary life of Alexander the Great. It uncovers his remarkable journey from a warrior prince to being hailed as a living deity. This captivating series explores his ascent from exile and his unwavering determination to defeat the formidable Persian Emperor Darius, ultimately leading him to conquer the known world in a mere six years. The compelling narrative is brought to life through riveting drama, complemented by expert academic insights, groundbreaking archaeology, and ongoing excavations at the archaeological site in Alexandria, Egypt, led by the esteemed Calliope Limneos-Papakosta.

Where to Watch “Alexander: The Making of a God”

Netflix

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Baby Bandito – A new thriller and heist series on Netflix

Baby Bandito is a new Chilean series that will be available on Netflix starting January 31. It stars Nicolás Contreras. With Francisca Armstrong, Pablo Macaya and Carmen Zabala among others.

Kevin’s life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with Genesis, a privileged young woman. Determined to risk it all for their love, Kevin embarks on a daring plan to steal an intricate scheme from a dangerous mafia gang called “the Butchers,” which will turn him into the country’s most wanted fugitive. As they defy the rules and face an intense pursuit, their love story intertwines with extreme dangers as they chase an extraordinary life, where passion and risk culminate in an exciting journey to Rome. Inspired by the heist of the century that took place in Chile in 2014. Baby Bandito premieres on January 31, only on Netflix.

Where to Watch “Baby Bandito”

Netflix

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Meltdown 2024: Chaka Khan announced as festival curator as icon celebrates 50 years of music

The Southbank Centre today announces that iconic singer and musician Chaka Khan will be the 29th curator of its annual contemporary music festival, Meltdown. 

Chaka Khan’s Meltdown will take place Friday 14 June until Sunday 23 June 2024 as Khan celebrates 50 years of a pioneering career, bringing her incredible voice and global influence to the Southbank Centre during the 10-day summer festival. 

Commenting on her curatorship, Chaka Khan said: “Get ready to experience the heart and soul of Meltdown 2024, where the magic of music meets the warmth of community. I’m beyond excited to be a part of this legacy, bringing everyone together, young and old, for a summer celebration like no other. This festival isn’t just about music, it’s a feast for all your senses, a gathering of hearts and souls. The Southbank Centre’s about to light up! We’re going to funk it up, rock every crowd, and touch every soul. It’s a community celebration, an all-ages bash. Join us and immerse yourself in a world that’s vibrant, diverse, and absolutely unforgettable.”

Adem Holness, Head of Contemporary Music, Southbank Centre said: “Whoever said “never meet your heroes” clearly never met Chaka Khan. I’ve learnt how important community, activism, love and care are to her so these ideas, along with brilliant music, will be the foundation of Meltdown. I can’t believe we get to celebrate 50 years of her legendary career together. Imagine ten nights of her fabulousness, wicked sense of humour and iconic genre defying music spread across the Southbank Centre. I personally can’t wait!”

Mark Ball, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre added: “The Southbank Centre was built for the nation’s enjoyment and our aim is to be the most inclusive and expressive space for our audiences. Meltdown, which takes over all of our spaces across the site truly brings that ambition to life and holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a privilege to welcome icon Chaka Khan to curate the 29th edition of the festival; as an artist, activist and change-maker, her musical legacy has impacted generations and we can’t wait to work with her to create another unforgettable Meltdown.” 

It is impossible to categorise the irresistible charisma of Chaka Khan’s vast vocal range which has earned her 10 GRAMMY® Award wins, a 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and music sales and downloads in excess of 100 million. With her eponymous solo debut, Chaka, in 1978, Khan captured the world with her unmistakable vocals on ‘I’m Every Woman’ and later supercharged her success with funk band Rufus on the platinum-selling single ‘Ain’t Nobody’ in 1983. 

Breaking out on her own after the dissolution of Rufus, Khan carved an impressive path: her diverse records range from the landmark I Feel For You and the jazz standards of Classikhan with the London Symphony Orchestra to the infectious joy of 2019’s Hello Happiness. During her career, she has worked with some of the world’s most influential artists including Prince, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and Miles Davis. In 2023, she teamed up with British indie stalwarts Bombay Bicycle Club for a new single, ‘Tekken 2’, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her contribution to music.

Chaka Khan will be the 29th curator to take the helm of the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown, the longest-running artist-curated festival in the world. Audiences can expect a festival as joyous and diverse as Khan’s catalogue with dozens of concerts across ten days and two weekends of free events and activities. The first names for Chaka Khan’s Meltdown will be revealed in March. 

Chaka Khan introduce her Meltdown as she visits the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall:

2023’s edition of the festival saw French alt-pop star Christine and the Queens present an unforgettable celebration of identity, music and culture, enjoyed by over 30,000 people with performances from Sigur Rós, Yemi Alade, Johnny Jewel, Warpaint, Lynks and many more.

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