Reviews, Views & Signposting to what's on your Screen - Film, TV & Web
Bat Man of Shanghai - Wolf Smoke Studio for DC Nation
Fumbling along in the internet I stumbled across 'Batman of Shanghai' - three short animations, three little gems of anime influenced 1930’s China, created by Wolf Smoke Studio for Cartoon Network.
The shorts were released back in 2012 and were created for Cartoon Network’s DC Nation slot. Each episode is centred around one character, Bane, Bat Man and a very sexy kickass Cat Woman. The Duo behind the animation, Wu Yan (Writer, Character & Color Designer) & Jin Ro (Director & Lead Animator), started the studio in 2006. You may have already seen their acclaimed animation 'Kung Fu Cooking Girls', an east vs west culinary battle! |
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Timbuktu Film - Abderrahmane Sissako
Described by critics as a ‘Poetic humanist masterpiece’ Timbuktu was released in May 2015 and tells the story of the occupation of Timbuktu by Islamist forces.
With mesmerising performances and beautiful landscapes, the film highlights the contradictions and absurdities of extremism whilst delicately traversing the cultural and gender differences featured in it. Watch the trailer and be hypnotised by the soft strings, rich colours and the breathtaking landscapes. |
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Kids Say the Darndest Things - Nigeria
If you've never heard of the American show 'Kids say the Darndest Things' its a comedy series where the host asks kids questions on a range of topics to get their insights on some of life's mysteries - often with hilarious consequences.
It'll be intersting to compare and contrast the two shows, which starts on June 21st. I have a feeling the Nigerian kids might just outshine the American ones... |
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Profit and Loss - David Olugusa, BBC2 15th July
In the deep dark recesses of the National Archives in Kew, are some 1,631 volumes of ledgers and old letters. They are the records and correspondence of the ’Slavery Compensation Commission', a Government body established to evaluate the claims of slave owners following the Abolition of Slavery Act 1833. The Act contained legislation for the additional financial compensation of Britain’s slave owners - whose freed slaves were still required to work 45hours per week, unpaid, for their former owners for a further 4years!
Starting next week a 2 part documentary will be broadcast on BBC2 covering the Abolition and the extraordinary decision by the British government to compensate the slave owners for ‘loss of property’. BBC2 Wed 15th July 9pm |