An air of anticipation and intrigue surrounded Noaz Deshe’s film XOFTEX as it swiftly won a Special Jury Mention at the Crystal Globe Competition of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The groundbreaking film held its world premiere to packed audiences at the festival’s Grand Hall, earning enthusiastic applause and standing ovation, proving to be the talk of the town right from the beginning.
The film didn’t just score with the audience, but also with critics alike. The first batch of reviews lauded the film’s unique take on the refugee crisis. Damon Wise of Deadline celebrated the film for its ability to portray “the disorientation of the stateless mind” in a potent and unorthodox way.
Laurence Boyce from Screen Daily appreciated the offbeat style of storytelling that broke the conventional shackles, offering a fresh outlook on refugee narratives. In a similar vein, Susan Gottlieb of Cineurope admired Deshe for his attempt to redefine the traditional interpretation of the subject matter.
XOFTEX unravels the tale of Nasser, a Palestinian Syrian teenager, and his older brother Yassin who are stuck in a Greek refugee camp. They pass their days dreaming about making zombie films and moving to Sweden while waiting for a decision on their asylum application.
The narrative seamlessly weaves realism and surrealism to draw viewers into the heart of the global refugee crisis. The film stands as a testament to Deshe’s multifaceted talent, who not only wrote, directed, and edited but also scored and produced the film.
The film’s cast includes newcomer and rapper Abdulrahman Diab and actor and director Osama Hafiry amongst others, further enhancing the authentic and dynamic storytelling of XOFTEX.
Taking the Karlovy Vary Film Festival by storm, XOFTEX emerges as a meaningful and innovative force in the cinematic world, daring to redefine narratives and influence viewers with its compelling story about the refugee crisis.
The highly anticipated alternative version of ‘Sad Girl Summer (Not Again)’ by rising starVICTORIA and produced by the successful German DJ and producer liquidfive is now available on all major streaming platforms and promises to be a standout hit for the summer.
The alternative version of of ‘Sad Girl Summer (Not Again)’ is a unique blend of VICTORIA’s soulful vocals and liquidfive’s signature production style. This fusion of pop and electronic elements captures the essence of summer heartbreak, with lyrics that delve into the cyclical nature of love and loss. VICTORIA’s emotive performance adds depth and authenticity to the track, making it relatable for anyone who has experienced the highs and lows of a summer romance.
Martin Maximilian Kotzur, aka liquidfive, is a German music artist who aims to establish dance-pop and electronic music internationally. With over 250k monthly listeners,liquidfive boasts an impressive track record, having released over 100 tracks and collaborated with international artists such as Tom Novy, Joe Killington, ENIGMA, and B Martin. His songs frequently climb the international dance charts; his track ‘Veins’ recently secured a spot in the Top 10 of the US dance charts, and tracks like ‘No Sugar’ have achieved international radio success.
This release comes at an exciting time for liquidfive who recently launched his new radio show, Under Control Radio. Broadcasting bi-weekly, this global radio show is your gateway to the freshest sounds in House and Dance music. Each episode, liquidfive debuts his latest tracks and exclusive edits, featuring trending hits from various House and Dance genres. Tune in to Under Control Radio to hear exclusive edits and unreleased tracks from liquidfive!
Victoria Georgieva, known as VICTORIA, is a young female vocalist from Bulgaria, emerging as a top priority artist in the South Eastern European (SEE) region. Her musical journey began with a notable appearance on the fourth season of X Factor Bulgaria, where her exceptional talent was first recognized. Representing Bulgaria twice in the Eurovision contest with her songs ‘Tears GettingSober’ and ‘Growing Up Is Getting Old’ in 2020 and 2021 respectively, Victoria garnered high praise from critics and audiences alike. Victoria’s career has seen remarkable growth and success since joining forces with Warner Music SEE in April 2023. This pivotal collaboration has propelled her towards new heights in the music industry. Her monthly listeners skyrocketed from 40K to a whopping 800K in December 2023, reflecting her rising popularity
Art is ever-evolving, reflecting the unceasing shift in the lens through which we view the world. Hong Kong-based artist, Kazy Chan, is no exception and is renowned for his ability to challenge fixed preconceptions through multiple art forms. His upcoming solo exhibition “The Twist of a Halo,” offers an exciting opportunity to explore the artist’s cutting-edge creativity and unique interpretations.
A Halo: Not Just a Symbol of Holiness
Traditionally, a halo is a symbol of sanctity, often portrayed as a ring of light. Nevertheless, Kazy Chan’s upcoming exhibition, pushing the boundaries of art, offers a fresh perspective on this ethereal symbol. By distorting and reimagining the halo through various mediums, Kazy hopes that his audience can reflect on the ever-constant evolution of their perceptions of the world.
A Melodic Symphony of Art Forms
Kazy’s lithe creativity sees the halo take various forms that adhere to spontaneity, from his largest ceramic sculptures to date, intricate paintings on wooden frames, and innovative ceramic-on-canvas pieces. Each artwork embodies the artist’s relentless pursuit of questioning societal norms and the boundaries we impose on ourselves, captivating the viewer with the diverse responses that each medium evokes.
JPS_Kazy Chan_Calling_2024_Acrylic on canvas_84 by 64 cm_Courtesy of the artist and JPS Gallery
Twisting the Realm of the Known and the Unknown
The exhibition promises a unique journey, with curiously shaped doorways guiding visitors from one room to another, as they navigate through the artist’s reimagined halos. Each room, illuminated by specially designed halo-inspired lighting effects, is an invitation to question established beliefs and explore continuous reshaping and distortions.
About Kazy Chan
An emerging artist from Hong Kong, Kazy Chan is recognized for his innovative paintings and evocative ceramics. Kazy’s journey is characterized by the relentless pursuit of reinvention and experimentation with varied forms of creative expression.
JPS_Kazy Chan_Home Pier_2024_Mixed media_71.5 by 110 by 2 cm_Courtesy of the artist and JPS Gallery
About JPS Gallery
JPS Gallery, an independent contemporary art gallery, focuses on presenting the works of emerging and established artists worldwide. Founded in 2014, it’s been an innovative space for a new generation of artists and collectors alike.
“The Twist of a Halo” Exhibition Information
The exhibition will be running from 19 July to 18 August 2024, at JPS Gallery, Shops 218-219, 2/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Join us at the opening reception on 18 July 2024, from 5 – 8 pm, and embark on an awe-inspiring journey with Kazy Chan.
JPS_Kazy Chan_Moon River 1_2024_Acrylic on canvas_72 by 120 cm_Courtesy of the artist and JPS Gallery
“May December” is a cinematic gem that impresses critics and movie enthusiasts alike with brilliant performances from two of the industry’s leading actresses, a complex screenplay, stunning cinematography, a talented supporting cast, and a director who knows how to weave all elements into a special masterpiece. Rooted in the realms of discontent and deconstructed characters, the film explores the art of acting and self-discovery through the creation of a character.
Elisabeth, portrayed by Natalie Portman, is a well-known television actress preparing to play Gracie, a character played by Julianne Moore, a woman who ends up in jail for having an affair with a thirteen-year-old boy, Joe Yoo. Years after being released from prison, Joe and Gracie have a son and lead a serene life in Savannah.
The film pays homage to the cult classic of 1966, “Persona” by Ingmar Bergman. Although not as universally recognized as the likes of Bond films or Jurassic Park, “Persona” is celebrated in cinephile circles as a significant piece in movie history. “May December” cleverly incorporates elements of Bergman’s work without blindly imitating it.
Director Todd Haynes has effectively used a cultural, iconographic, and meta-cinematic approach, similar to Picasso’s reflection on classicism and cubism in painting, transferred onto a cinematic plane. The film opens and concludes with similar imagery as “Persona”, underlining the power of cinema as an art form beyond its role as entertainment.
Both Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman deliver outstanding performances. They perfectly depict the psychological complexities and morbidities of their characters. Charles Melton, the third lead of the story, complements their performances, anchoring the narrative that explores time, family relationships, and deception.
“May December” is an unmissable film, offering a thoughtful insight into the essence of cinema and characters who transcend the screen, reminiscent of Sadako from the renowned Japanese horror movie. It’s a terrifyingly dramatic film, filled with nuance and a tribute to exceptional filmmaking. Not to be missed.
Natalie Portman is an actress, producer, and director. She was born in Jerusalem, Israel in 1981 and moved to the United States when she was three years old. Portman began her acting career at a young age and gained recognition for her role as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. She has also starred in numerous critically acclaimed films such as Black Swan, V for Vendetta, and Jackie. In addition to acting, Portman is a vocal advocate for various social and political causes and has been praised for her intelligence, talent, and activism.
Julianne Moore
May December
Julianne Moore is an American actress and author. She has been acting for over three decades and has received numerous awards and accolades for her performances. Moore is known for her versatility and ability to portray complex characters on screen. Some of her most notable roles include Cathy Whitaker in “Far from Heaven,” Amber Waves in “Boogie Nights,” and Alma Coin in “The Hunger Games” franchise. She has also written several children’s books, showing her talents extend beyond acting.
Charles Melton
Elizabeth Yu
Cory Michael Smith
Gabriel Chung
The Filmmaker
Todd Haynes
Todd Haynes
Todd Haynes is an American filmmaker and screenwriter known for his visually stunning and thought-provoking films that often explore themes of identity, sexuality, and gender. He rose to prominence in the 1990s with his debut feature film, Poison, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. He has since directed critically acclaimed films such as Far from Heaven, Carol, and Velvet Goldmine. Haynes is highly regarded for his use of non-linear storytelling and his ability to create complex characters that challenge societal norms and conventions. He continues to be a prominent figure in independent cinema and is considered one of the most influential filmmakers working today.
“Goyo” is an Argentine film written and directed by Marcos Canevale. It stars Nicolás Furtado, Nancy Dupláa and Soledad Villamil.
“Goyo”, an Argentine film available for streaming on Netflix, is a touching romantic story that arrives straight at your heart. The movie is characterized by a well-crafted script, proficient direction, and most notably, two central characters who make an indelible impression on viewers. Its simplicity and the bare honesty of characters are the movie’s standout features, making it a refreshingly straightforward portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome.
Meet the Characters
The movie’s plot revolves around Goyo, a young man with Asperger’s syndrome, who works as a guide in a museum in Argentina’s capital. His co-worker, Eva, is a few years older security guard who leads a complex life, dealing with a violent husband and two teenage kids. Goyo, an avid art lover, particularly fond of painting, invites Eva into his life, stirring a mix of emotions and events.
Goyo
About “Goyo”
“Goyo” prides itself in portraying nothing but the truth. There are no deceptive characters; every persona is simple and leads life with unwavering honesty. As their lives intertwine, Goyo and Eva navigate their unique challenges together – Goyo’s unique personality traits and Eva’s complex existence brought about by her tumultuous past.
What sets “Goyo” apart is its meticulously structured script, which unfolds the narrative at just the right pace while allowing the performances to breathe naturally. You feel like you’re watching a simple story unfold in the most authentic way, devoid of any forced drama or contrived circumstances. The remarkable performances of the lead actors, Nicolás Furtado (Goyo) and Nancy Dupláa (Eva), add another dimension to the movie.
The movie has a distinct aesthetic appeal, with art and Van Gogh’s painting being a recurring theme throughout the narrative. However, “Goyo” doesn’t rely heavily on visual impact, instead, it chooses to move us with its serene picturization.
Our Verdict
“Goyo” is a compelling watch, offering an immersive experience into the lives of its two main characters. It’s a dramatic story that doesn’t aim to induce tears or magnify the tragic side of existence. The movie is defined by its rhythmic pace, simplicity, and above all, the authenticity of its well-written, humanly relatable characters.
Nicolás Furtado is a highly talented Uruguayan actor who rose to fame for his outstanding performances in various film and television productions. He was born on August 4, 1989 in Montevideo, Uruguay. From a young age, Furtado showed a great passion for acting and began his career by appearing in several local theater productions.
In 2010, Furtado landed his first major role in the Uruguayan television series “Somos familia”. This marked the beginning of his successful career in the entertainment industry. He then went on to star in popular television shows such as “El Marginal” and “Soy Luna”, gaining widespread recognition and critical acclaim for his exceptional acting skills.
Furtado’s talent has also been recognized internationally, with him receiving multiple nominations and awards for his performances. In addition to acting, he is also a singer and has released several songs throughout his career.
Despite achieving fame and success at a young age, Furtado remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to impress audiences with his powerful performances, making him one of the most promising actors of his generation.
Nancy Dupláa
Nancy Dupláa
Nancy Dupláa is an Argentine actress, known for her captivating performances and versatile range. Born on December 3rd, 1969 in Olivos, Buenos Aires, she began her acting career at a young age, making her first appearance in the telenovela “Son Amores” in 2002. Her breakthrough role came in 2003 with the series “Los Simuladores”, where she played the role of Maria Laura Falsini. Since then, Nancy has become a household name in Argentina and has starred in numerous hit TV shows and films such as “Montecristo”, “Valientes”, and “Las Estrellas”. She has received critical acclaim for her work, winning several awards including two Martín Fierro Awards for Best Lead Actress. With her talent and dedication to her craft, Nancy Dupláa continues to be one of the most respected actresses in Argentina’s entertainment industry.
“Desperate Lies” is a Netflix series starring Juliana Paes. With Valdimir Brichta, Paloma Duarte and Felipe Abib.
Renowned Brazilian actress, Juliana Paes, is the star of this dramatic series that thrusts us into a plot worthy of a telenovela: A woman, Liana, gives birth to twins, but each hails from a different father. This, evidently, will stir conflicts in the woman’s life, who will concurrently have to deal with a nephew suffering from a strange illness.
Just like the perfect telenovela plot? Indeed, it is an intense drama about a woman who has to face life and these challenges. While not a traditional telenovela, “Desperate Lies” contains all the elements to appeal to fans of this drama genre.
Desperate Lies
About the Series
Netflix is a potpourri of diverse content catering to all tastes: from horror movies to children’s productions and, also, series for an audience that loves dramatic narratives often centered around women. “Desperate Lies” is one of these instances and ticks all the boxes of such productions: a woman with struggles, fighting to overcome them.
This storyline will spark many situations, other romances, and the complex family dynamic that Liana has to navigate. Unlike other productions, “Desperate Lies” does not dip into the thriller genre or dabble in comedy: it remains a drama in every sense, and at every moment, the protagonist is Juliana Paes, who handles every role, dramatic or comedic, with incomparable skill.
In terms of cinematography, “Desperate Lies” does not have much to offer nor does it possess an elaborate aesthetic content: here, the script, situations, and feelings take center stage. Are you a fan of Stanley Kubrick? Well, this series might not be for you as it revolves around emotions, motherhood, and family in a world grappling between the traditional and the modern.
Dive into this story with its 16 episodes that will surely captivate the fans of the actress, who are in the thousands.
Juliana Paes is a Brazilian actress and model known for her captivating beauty and impressive acting skills. She was born on March 26, 1979 in Rio Bonito, Brazil. Paes began her career as a model at the young age of 16 and quickly rose to fame.
In 2000, she made her television debut in the telenovela “Laços de Família” where she received critical acclaim for her performance as Ritinha. This role launched her into stardom and since then, she has appeared in numerous telenovelas such as “Celebridade”, “Pé na Jaca”, and “A Força do Querer”.
Aside from television, Paes has also ventured into film with notable roles in movies such as “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” and “Rebu”. She has been recognized for her talent with several awards including Best Actress at the International Emmy Awards for her role in “India – A Love Story”.
Despite her busy acting career, Juliana Paes manages to balance it with her personal life. She is married to businessman Carlos Eduardo Baptista and they have two children together. She is also actively involved in various philanthropic causes, particularly supporting young women’s education in Brazil.
With her stunning looks, remarkable acting abilities, and charitable heart, Juliana Paes continues to be one of Brazil’s most beloved actresses.
The prestigious ARARIO GALLERY SEOUL is proud to host the first solo exhibition in Korea by esteemed Japanese artist, Yuki SAEGUSA. Titled “Not Even on Ship,” the exhibition runs from July 10 to August 17, 2024, and showcases SAEGUSA’s exceptional talent and unique artistic approach.
Bridging Eastern and Western Artistry
Born in 1987, Yuki SAEGUSA is celebrated for her series of paintings, primarily crafted with oil and tempera, where she explores an array of materials and media. Her works bring to life landscapes of an ideational world, thoughtfully reconstructed through intricate personal memories and perspectives. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese landscape painting and Northern European Flemish painting, SAEGUSA effortlessly blends Eastern and Western painting styles in her work.
Floating in Vague Memories, 2024, Oil, tempera on canvas, 33.3 x 33.3 cm
A Glimpse into SAEGUSA’s Hometown
Her landscapes, rooted in the aesthetic of her hometown, Azumino City, reveal an innovative fusion of traditional East Asian landscape painting’s multi-perspective composition and the Flemish painting’s detailed depiction and mystical narrative structure. SAEGUSA presents a unique array of 34 works in the ongoing exhibition, offering art enthusiasts a glimpse of her characteristic delicate brushwork.
An Existential Journey
SAEGUSA’s canvases depict “a place that exists in someone’s mind but nowhere in reality.” Her use of meticulously detailed landscapes and representations of small, cartoonish animals strike a paradoxical balance, revealing the uncertainties and ambiguities of personal daily experiences, subjective memories, and imagination. In this way, her canvas becomes an endlessly explorable unknown world, an open-ended voyage with no fixed destination or specific route.
Black Hole Sun, 2024, Oil, tempera, pen, gold leaf on canvas, 18 x 14 cm
The Art of Time and Gravity
Among her works is “Gravity Moon” (2023), where a golden folding screen painted with Japanese pigments examines the relationship between gravity and time. Surrounding it are 12 paintings from the “Black Hole Sun” series (2023-2024) that symbolize the year, month, and day, arranged as if in an orbit around the screen. The interplay between the time-worn folding screen and the gravitational pull of the small ‘black holes’ creates a unique, organically intertwined space.
The Infinite Voyage of Painting
The golden ship anchored in her painting “Not Even on Ship” (2023) underscores the metaphorical representation of the infinite possibilities of painting, where materials are repurposed and reborn, unconfined to their given usage. The exhibition encapsulates SAEGUSA’s vision of painting as an endless voyage – a journey through the artist’s own thoughts and gestures, intertwined with the unique characteristics and ‘memories’ of the materials employed.
Journey with us into the mystical world of Yuki SAEGUSA, a realm where art knows no boundaries, and let your imagination take flight into her infinite universe of ‘places that are nowhere.’
LONDON – Christie’s fine art and luxury auction house unveils highlights from the forthcoming mid-career retrospective of leading Saudi contemporary artist Ahmed Mater, taking place at Christie’s headquarters in London from 17 July – 22 August. Featuring more than 100 works spanning paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, video, and installation from his artistic career to date, Ahmed Mater: Chronicles represents an odyssey into the artist’s visionary practice.
Curated by Dr Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East and Africa, the exhibition will highlight the major milestones of Mater’s career, from unseen early abstract paintings, to the celebrated Illumination series, as well as pivotal works from the Desert of Pharan project. The artist’s site-specific commission, for Wadi AlFann, AlUla, will take centre stage with sculptures and studies related to the Ashab Al-Lal project, alongside new works such as Magnetism Book, presented to the public for the first time.
The exhibition represents a unique moment to witness the transformations of the social and cultural landscapes of Saudi Arabia whilst reflecting on the region’s multifaceted identity. Through his practice, Mater documents and analyses these changes and imagines possible prognoses for a land of unprecedented religious, social, economic, and political influence, taking into consideration the psychological impact on the individual, the community, society, and the world.
Ahmed Mater: Chronicles, is the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the artist to date, bringing together different stages of the artist’s career and revealing his unique path as a chronicler of his homeland’s materiality and spirituality.
Exhibition Highlights, selected by Dr Ridha Moumni, Curator and Chairman, Christie’s MENA, include:
A group of sculptures related to Ashab Al-Lal, a site-specific installation by Ahmed Mater commissioned by Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts, AlUla, a new cultural destination being developed by the Ro
(Illustrated above left on page 1), Magnetism Book, a new work from Ahmed Mater’s iconic ‘Magnetism’ series. Drawing inspiration from the Holy Qur’an and religious texts, Mater uses magnets and iron filings to symbolise the sacred verses, highlighting the spiritual forces that uphold human faith. Variations of the original Magnetism installation have been exhibited at prominent institutions worldwide including the British Museum, London; Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris; Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha and Brooklyn Museum. (Illustrated above right on page 1),Boundary, takes the shape of a mihrab, the niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates qibla, the direction of prayer. Mater has mutated the mihrab into an airport security scanner, reflecting on surveillance and security operations that have become part of daily life for Muslims.
An extraordinary preview of Ahmed Mater’s site-specific installation commissioned by Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts, AlUla, will be taking centre stage (illustrated below left), Ashab Al-Lal will explore the mythic space between subjective imagination and objective reality by generating a mirage within the desert landscape of AlUla, North-West Saudi Arabia. Mater is one of the first five artists commissioned to create site-specific land art installations for Wadi AlFann, which will start welcoming visitors in 2025. Exhibited alongside Ashab Al-Lal sculptures will be a group of Illuminations and studies related to the project, including Illuminations I (illustrated below right), which was previously exhibited at the House of Architectural Heritage, Bahrain, and at AlJadaidah, Arts District in AlUla.
(Illustrated below left), Talisman X-ray Blue (Torso) is part of the artist’s celebrated Illumination series, in which the artist fuses past and present and bridges subjects often conceived as irreconcilable: faith and science. Drawing inspiration from the Islamic arts of the book, Mater employs gold leaf, tea, pomegranate, coffee, and other materials traditionally used on the pages of Islamic manuscripts. Although typically a small and intimate art form, Mater expands the scale of his illuminated page and creates a different sense of intimacy by incorporating human X-rays.
(Illustrated below right) Lightening Landshows an enormous lightning bolt hitting the desert landscape with an oil field on the left and a Bedouin tent on the right. Through this erratic and unpredictable flash of force, the artist highlights the tensions of land caught between past and future, tradition and innovation, heritage and globalisation and considers their impact on both an individual and societal level.
Another iconic work featured in the exhibition is Evolution of Man (illustrated second row below). This comments on the rapid evolution of Saudi Arabia since its discovery of oil in 1938, which transformed the Kingdom’s economic, political, social, and religious landscape. The morphing of a gas pump into a man, gun to its head, reflects on a foreboding prognosis – that of the risks to the environment, social fabric, and ultimate threat of cycles of destruction.
Dr Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East & Africa comments, ‘It is an extraordinary privilege to present an odyssey into Ahmed Mater’s visionary practice, the first mid-career retrospective dedicated to one of the leading cultural voices of the Middle East. Mater’s captivating journey invites us to rethink urban and natural environments, unearth hidden histories, envision potential futures and ponder profound beliefs. His artistic responses to the swift transformations within Saudi Arabia’s complex social and cultural context invite us to discover fascinating narratives of an evolving land and reflect on its multifaceted identity.’
Ahmed Mater, remarks, ‘It is a great honour to present my artistic journey at Christie’s historic headquarters in London this summer. It is especially poignant for me to exhibit in London, almost 20 years after the first presentation of my work outside Saudi Arabia at the British Museum in 2005. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to reconnect with the city and its dynamic art community through this immersive and comprehensive exhibition of my practice. I have been witnessing Christie’s dedication over the years to promote art from the region and it is a distinction to be aligned in this respect, and build an educational and cross-cultural dialogue.’
Works on loan throughout the exhibition are courtesy of Ahmed Mater’s studio (Saudi Arabia); Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts, Royal Commission for AlUla (Saudi Arabia); Royal Commission for AlUla Contemporary Art Collection (Saudi Arabia); Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation, DAF (Lebanon); Barjeel Art Foundation (Sharjah, U.A.E.); Athr Gallery (Saudi Arabia) as well as from private collections.
Christie’s and Ahmed Mater would like to thank Wadi AlFann, AlUla for their contribution to this exhibition, along with our exhibition supporting partners Athr Foundation, Dalloul Art Foundation (DAF), SUR Multi Family Office and The Tamer Family Foundation. Christie’s would also like to thank The Visual Arts Commission, Saudi Arabia for their support of the exhibition publication.
Celebrating five years at The O2, Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia! The Party, today announces a new cast of 2024/25 alongside the extension of British popstar Antony Costa in the role of Nikos.
Costa, who will continue starring in the experience until 15 November 2024, will be joined by a new cast including Lucinda Lawrence (Cool Rider, Palladium/Duchess Theatre)as Kate, Inês Fernandez (La Bamba! A New Musical, West End & Tour) as Konstantina, Henryk Firth (MAMMA MIA!,UK & International Tour) as Adam, Georgia Morgan(Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre)as Nina, Kelly Aaron (Dear Zoo LIVE! Leicester Curve)as Sue/Swing and Ollie Llewelyn-Williams (A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, Minack Theatre)as Ruben/Swing.
On the announcement of Costa extending, he said: “I have loved every minute of playing Nikos in Mamma Mia! The Party over the last year, and I am thrilled to spend a little longer in this wonderful world created by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Sandi Toksvig. I can’t wait to be joined by this stellar new cast to continue spreading the joy of ABBA’s music.”
From 24 July, they join existing cast members Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah as Debbie, Oscar Balmaseda as Fernando, Dawn Spence as Grandma, Allie Ho Chee (at certain performances) and Rosie Rowlands (at certain performances) as Bella, Emmanuel Alba as Carlos/Swing, Claudia Bradley as Loretta/Swing, Deschenes Graham as Joyce/Swing and Robban Hogstrom as Robin/Swing, along with the musicians John Donovan, Luke Higgins, Luke Roberts,Steve Rushton and Kathryn Tindall.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s legendary winning performance of Waterloo at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and a trip to Nikos Taverna on the Greek Island of Skopelos (via The O2, London) is the perfect way to celebrate this milestone. Originating in Stockholm in 2016, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is celebrating its fifth anniversary in London this August and since opening at The O2, London in 2019, the critically acclaimed experience has welcomed nearly 500,000 guests from 110 countries.
Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by Sandi Toksvig, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is London’s premier theatrical dining experience, bringing ABBA’s hits to life more vividly than ever before. As the sun sets in Skopelos, guests take their seats at Nikos’ family-run taverna where they enjoy a delicious four-course Greek feast whilst a romantic and heartwarming story unfolds all around them. Following the performance, which is filled with timeless ABBA anthems such as Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Waterloo, guests are encouraged to sing and dance the night away at a glittering ABBA disco.
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is executive produced by Björn Ulvaeus and Pophouse Entertainment andis currently booking until 15 June 2025 at The O2, London.
Meridiem Games is thrilled to reveal its plans to release a limited physical boxed edition of the captivating action-adventure game, Papetura, crafted in a remarkable paper cutout style. Originally developed by Petums and digitally published by Feardemic, the unique Papetura Craft Edition is hitting the European market through specialist retailers for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in late 2024.
This limited edition is a product of Meridiem’s creative design and manufacturing expertise. It will feature a beautifully designed case that includes an impressive art book and a downloadable code to access the original game soundtrack.
Papetura introduces players to an enchanting paper world where they control Pape, a diminutive paper being. Accompanied by his companion Tura, they are entrusted with the task of saving their world from a looming fiery menace. The gameplay centers around engaging with their surroundings, utilizing Pape and Tura’s distinctive abilities to overcome a variety of challenges and progress in the story.
The game’s design cleverly intertwines puzzle-solving with the narrative to provide a seamless and engaging experience. The puzzles are woven effortlessly into the paper environment, while the narrative unravels wordlessly, relying on animations and the visual backdrop to spin a deeply emotional and immersive tale.
Papetura has garnered positive reviews for its unique aesthetic and meticulously handcrafted design. The creativity and devotion of Tomasz Ostafin in weaving the paper world and the atmospheric music by Floex have met with high praise from critics. The game has also been honoured with several accolades in the video game industry.
Features Include:
Unparalleled point-and-click adventure conveyed through distinctive animations and sounds, sans dialogue.
A world entirely derived from paper, ranging from petite insects and creatures to fantastical monsters and enchanting locations.
A mesmerising ambient soundtrack by Floex and Tomas Dvorak.
Intuitive puzzles that act as integral parts of the story and the world, revealing the captivating narrative.
The much-awaited Papetura Craft Edition will be available as a physical boxed version for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 later in 2024.
“Space Cadet” is a film featuring the talented Emma Roberts and Tom Hooper. With the screenplay and direction provided by Liz W. Garcia, it’s a classic comedy about a simple yet gifted girl trying to bring positivity into a world dominated by “brainiacs”.
The film finds Emma Roberts in her element, masterfully portraying a role tailored almost perfectly to her comedic range. It’s just like every other comedy we come to expect – funny to varying degrees, featuring a popular protagonist in a unique social setting, and a family movie we tend to forget once we are done watching it.
Storyline of “Space Cadet”
Rex Simpson is a waitress who is living her life to the fullest. Despite having no formal education or preparation, and preferring pink shorts as her attire, Rex’s dreams never cease. With an unwavering resolve, she applies to NASA with dreams of becoming an astronaut.
Space Cadet
About the Film
Once again, Prime Video banked on a family comedy for entertainment in this production, even though it may not leave a significant impression. Nonetheless, it has a joyous nostalgic touch without being overly sentimental. Just as Homer Simpson followed a similar path, the smart and charming Rex Simpson does the same, proving to the “brainiacs” that life exists beyond mathematical calculations and that persistence and hard work can achieve anything in life.
Indeed, it’s a movie with a simple moral, built with a simple structure. It manages to meet its objectives without any surprises. Those objectives, however, were not too lofty. Its nostalgic vibe takes us back to the 90s, reminding us of the numerous movies we enjoyed back then.
Our Take
The movie doesn’t reinvent cinema or comedy. It’s designed to complement Emma Roberts’ talent, who effortlessly owns her role and delivers a few funny moments. It’s a film that relies heavily on clichés in a narrative already told but still manages to meet audience expectations, thanks to a compelling performance by the lead actress.
First exhibition to explore the pivotal importance of Gothic art for late 19th and early 20th-century artists, offering an ambitious new story of modern art
Features 200+ works by artists including Edvard Munch, Helene Schjerfbeck, Vincent van Gogh, Käthe Kollwitz and Hugo Simberg alongside Lucas Cranach the Elder, Albrecht Dürer and Hans Holbein the Younger
Crossing borders of time, place and cultures, it reveals how the Gothic responds to periods of upheaval, reflects societal anxiety and re-imagines futures
The culmination of a six-year international research project led and initiated by Ateneum Art Museum and Professor Juliet Simpson (Coventry University), the exhibition will travel to the National Museum, Norway and the ALBERTINA Museum, Vienna
Käthe Kollwitz: Hunger (1923). Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Jenni Nurminen.
Gothic Modern is a ground-breaking international exhibition that reveals, for the first time, how modern artists were deeply inspired by late medieval, Gothic art.
Opening on October 4 at Ateneum Art Museum, Helsinki, it will feature over 200 works by Arnold Böcklin, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Vincent van Gogh, Theodor Kittelsen, Käthe Kollwitz, Marianne Stokes, Edvard Munch, Helene Schjerfbeck, Hugo Simberg, Gustave Van de Woestyne and their contemporaries. It will show the pivotal impact of Northern Europe’s medieval and Renaissance art during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and also includes key works by Lucas Cranach the Elder, Gerard David, Albrecht Dürer, Hans Holbein the Younger and Hans Baldung Grien.
Moving beyond nation-centric stories of modernism, the exhibition explores how artists all across Europe drew on medieval and in particular Gothic art to express their own complex experiences of the time. In a period marked by growing nationalism, rapid societal transformation and the outbreak of war, the Gothic inspired artists to create radical new visions of sexuality, death, trauma and world-making.
The galleries will be organised around eight themes. Highlights include erotic devotions, which shows the resonances of artworks separated by centuries but connected through their exploration of complexly entangled human relationships and sexuality. It will feature paintings of Adam & Eve by Simberg (1895) and Max Beckmann (1917) alongside an original depiction of this subject by Cranach the Elder (1531), who inspired both artists. In Lovers II (1913), Kollwitz presents two bodies tightly intertwined both physically and emotionally, while Munch’s Eye to Eye (1894) provides a haunting exploration of intimacy, anxiety and the human psyche.
Hugo Simberg: The Garden of Death (1896). Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Jenni Nurminen.
Another gallery, centred around Holbein’s series on the Danse Macabre (1523-25), explores the violence, absurdity and comedy of mortality, drawing on the emotional power of the medieval ‘Dance of Death’. These include the grinning figure in Van Gogh’s Head of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette (1886) and Kollwitz’s Death and Woman (1910), which reflects the artist’s unique approach to addressing contemporary issues. Her exploration of death as a recurring motif recalls the Gothic preoccupation with mortality, depicting it not only as an end but as a poignant commentary on the human condition and social injustices. Elsewhere, the exhibition also presents seminal paintings such as Böcklin’s dark Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle (1872) and Simberg’s Garden of Death (1896), where plant-tending skeletal figures offer a symbolic interpretation of the co-existence of life and death.
The exhibition will offer a compelling new reading of artists such as Munch, who is repositioned from a ‘solitary genius’ to an artist deeply engaged with German medieval, Gothic art. This is demonstrable in works such as By the Deathbed (1896), Golgotha (1900), and The Sun (1910-13), a powerful work that echoes the pattern of a religious, medieval stained-glass window and highlights the artist’s connection to Gothic themes. New perspectives will also be created around the work of Marianne Stokes, historically considered a Pre-Raphaelite, but here reappraised within the international context of a Gothic modernity. Key paintings will include Madonna and Child (1907-08) and Death and the Maiden (1908), which incorporate the medieval and spiritual iconographies of Trecento and Gothic themes and ways of making art.
Arnold Böcklin: Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle (1872). Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Photo: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Nationalgalerie / Andres Kilger.
In addition to paintings and prints, Gothic Modern will also present objects, sculptures and furniture, including a rarely seen sheet music cabinet from the late 1890s, carved by Mary and Akseli Gallen-Kallela. This integrated vision of a Gothic modernity spanning multiple creative mediums distils the rich and diverse ways artists engaged with Gothic art across this period, which was characterised by re-imagining the artist, non-commercialism, freedom and envisioning the future through the past. Ultimately, the exhibition will challenge many long-held notions and narratives around modernism, and offer a bold new perspective on the art of this period.
Gothic Modern is the culmination of a major international six-year research project. After its debut, it will travel to the National Museum, Norway and the ALBERTINA Museum, Vienna. Professor Juliet Simpson (Coventry University) has led the research concept and guided the overall project as the Guest Curator, leading the curatorial team of experts: Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff (Director, Ateneum Art Museum), Vibeke Waallann Hansen and Cynthia Osiecki (Curators, National Museum, Norway) and Ralph Gleis (Director, Alte Nationalgalerie).
Edvard Munch: Eye in Eye (1899–1900). Munch Museum, Oslo. Photo: Munch Museum / Ove Kvavik.
Gothic Modern will be accompanied by the publication of a comprehensive exhibition catalogue Gothic Modern: From Edvard Munch to Käthe Kollwitz, edited by Juliet Simpson and Anna-Maria von Bonsdorff, offering deeper insights into this landmark exhibition through a collection of articles. The catalogue will be available in English and Norwegian, and a more concise Finnish-language version will also be published.
