MUBI, the go-to film subscription service, has revealed their list of films for March. The list includes Notturno (2020), a superb documentary by the award-winning filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi. To accompany Notturno, MUBI will also stream Rosi’s Boatman (1993), Below Sea Level (2008), and El Sicario, Room 164 (2010).
March for MUBI will also include Chloé Zhao’s debut film Songs My Brothers Taught Me. Whilst also adding two films, The Girl (1968) and Binding Sentiments (1969), by feminist Hungarian director Márta Mészáros who is celebrating her 90th birthday this year.
The current list of films on MUBI in March 2021.
1 March | The Imperialists are Still Alive! | Zeina Durra 2 March | Chinese Puzzle | Cédric Klapisch | The Spanish Apartment Trilogy 3 March | Inflatable Sex Doll of The Wastelands | Atsushi Yamatoya | Keiko Sato: Pinku Maverick 4 March | Catch Me Daddy | Daniel Wolfe 5 March | Notturno | Gianfranco Rosi | Luminaries 6 March | Cute Girl | Hou Hsiao-Hsien | Hou Hsiao-Hsien Focus 7 March | Fight Club | David Fincher 8 March | A Month of Single Frames | Lynne Sachs | Ways of Seeing With Barbara Hammer 9 March | Vever (for Barbara) | Deborah Stratman Ways of Seeing With Barbara Hammer 10 March | Below Sea Level | Gianfranco Rosi | The Splendor of Truth: The Cinema of Gianfranco Rosi 11 March | Los Conductos | Camilo Restrepo | Debuts 12 March | Songs My Brothers Taught Me | Chloé Zhao 13 March | Computer Chess | Andrew Bujalski 14 March | A Prophet | Jacques Audiard | Double Bill: Jacques Audiard 15 March | A Colony | Geneviève Dulude-De Celles 16 March | The Green, Green Grass of Home | Hou Hsiao-Hsien | Hou Hsiao-Hsien Focus 17 March | El Sicario, Room 164 | Gianfranco Rosi | The Splendor of Truth: The Cinema of Gianfranco Rosi 18 March | The Legend of the Stardust Brothers | Macoto Tezuka | Rediscovered 19 March | Sonita | Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami | HRWFF 20 March | Tigerland | Joel Schumacher 21 March | Dheepan | Jacques Audiard | Double Bill: Jacques Audiard 22 March | The Girl | Márta Mészáros | Independent Women: The Pioneering Cinema of Márta Mészáros 23 March | Oleg | Juris Jursietis 24 March | Gushing Prayer | Masao Adachi | Keiko Sato: Pinku Maverick 25 March | South | Morgan Quaintance | Brief Encounters 26 March | That Cold Day in the Park | Robert Altman 27 March | The Fountain | Darren Aronofsky 29 March | Binding Sentiment | Márta Mészáros | Independent Women: The Pioneering Cinema of Mára Mészáros 30 March | The Boys From Fengkuei | Hou Hsiao-Hsien | Hou Hsiao-Hsien Focus 31 March | Edvard Munch | Peter Watkins | Portrait of the Artist
Third Sister has found a way to intertwine practicality, fun and art in her Baltic Mythical Creatures playing card collection. The red and black set has a pleasing minimalistic design, with the flip side of each card jet-black and matte-like. This deck is not your average deck, though – Third Sister has included 20 of her own mesmerising illustrations depicting Baltic creatures from the mythical world.
Lithuanian illustrator and graphic designer Paulina explains that the designs reflect her personal interpretation of mythical beings, but are partly based on literature and artwork on the subject. Each suit symbolises a realm the creatures belong to, with clubs representing water, spades – earth, hearts – skies, and diamonds – air. The cards house a wide variety of characters, including the Pixie (Laumė in Lithuanian) who is said to be a spirit of prodigious beauty found near rivers, the Kite (Aitvaras) described as a keeper of riches and treasures, and the Imp (Pinčiukas) who is known for being a wicked trickster able to shapeshift and to bring about natural disasters.
Third Sister Paulina’s card collection is a perfect example of an innovative approach to art, exemplifying how traditions and culture can be braided with contemporary creation. Check out the playing cards alongside other items curated by Third Sister here, or follow her on social media.
Asher Monroe, a respected singer-songwriter known for collaborations with artists such as Akon and Sean Kingston, joined us for an interview to talk about his upcoming album Windows of Time and his most recent single, ‘Midnight Masquerade,’ which was released today.
With 2021 underway, Monroe has already released a twelve-track album named Talk with God, which includes some of his one-off singles and some unheard brand new tracks. Soon after its release, Monroe is publishing his latest single ‘Midnight Masquerade’, leading him into his second album, Windows of Time. To talk about the song and the albums, Monroe joined us for an interview.
Firstly, how are you, and how is your 2021 going?
I‘m very well thanks! 2020 was rough on everyone and I’ll say 2021 has not been so bad thus far. Trying to stay positive amidst everything that’s going on in the World.
So, if someone asked what type of music you made on the street, how would you describe your music?
People already familiar with my music know I dip into multi-genres/ cross pollinate, but for someone who has never heard my music before, I usually ask them what kind of music they like. Based on whether they say pop, hip-hop, R&B, dance, electronic or country, their answer usually dictates my response in what songs of mine I refer them to listen to.
Among all the highly accomplished artists you have worked with over the years, who was the most exciting to work with and why?
Ryan Tedder was the quickest – he writes his hooks on the spot with piano and has a team of people underneath him that help execute his creative vision. Chris Brown was probably the most entertaining, both in the studio and outside of it. Walter Afanasieff was the most professional in terms of the approach to each song and its specific needs.
You’re planning to release your new album Windows of Time soon, how did the idea and the album’s themes come together?
To be honest, It was about writing the best songs and building each one completely from the ground up. There were no shortcuts or deadlines that were rushing us to finish the record, so we took as long as possible to get the most high-end results. The themes presented themselves with the final written arrangements and inspired lyrical ideas I had in Croatia while writing them. I wanted stories to be told that could be tuned into movies, that’s why every song has a cinematic feel.
Before the album, you are releasing ‘Midnight Masquerade,’ the single leading the album. What is the concept behind the song, and how was the process creating it?
I wrote a quote that best describes the question you’re asking, ” A position of power is to be upheld with dignity, grace and honour. A voice of reason who mediates the hearts and minds of its people. Not a dictator who only relishes in their own glory. Midnight Masquerade is about putting an end to the foolish and folly Narcissistic minds and unveiling the wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
The creative process in creating this track was magical. All the sounds that were used, especially the bagpipes at the end, tie in my Irish roots and the 3/4 timing structure makes it slightly unusual and not as common. It really is a beautiful, cohesive piece of music. It also happens to be the longest song on the album.
For the album, you worked with the well-respected producer Walter Afanasieff, how did the collaboration come about and how did it help shape the album?
Walters’ genius imprint is definitely imbedded throughout the album. If I was to compare it to building a house, Walter built an amazing solid foundation with strong walls and a secure roof. I did all the interior / finishing touches to make it look pretty and presentable – it was very much a 50/50 collaboration. Walters’ original piano licks inspired my melodies which inspired lots of his programming that inspired my lyrics and so on and asso forth. The process was almost like a ping pong match that kept developing, maturing and growing into something beautiful.
Apart from Windows of Time, you’ve also released another album in 2021, what was the idea behind the release of Talk With God?
Here’s another quote I wrote about ‘Talk With God’ that best describes my intention in releasing it to the world: “”During these hard times of Pandemic lockdowns, social unrest and lack of positive music reinforcement, to help us get through one the most challenging years I wanted to leave 2020 on a positive note by releasing a compilation album that shows a more personal , self-reflective journey through the highs and lows I’ve had to overcome by giving a positive outlook on how we can get through this difficult time together . Every song has a message encoded in its contemporary groove. Every lyric tells a story of how we can beat our demons and overcome our weaknesses to enforce good not only in ourselves but share it with the ones we love.
Lastly, do you feel the current COVID-19 crisis has made you think differently about music and how you present it?
Yes, I think COVID-19 has made everyone more aware of hard times and to be sensitive to others around us. You never know what someone else is going through and its important when things do get rough to be there and help pick up others less fortunate. When it comes to creating music, I think it’s why I tend to have a positive message as an undertone. As much as people only sometimes care about the beat or the vibe, to me what’s most important is the message you’re trying to portray and the overall sentiment of the song.
Rosetta Getty collaborated with artist Bernadette Van-Huy for the second time, releasing a fall collection inspired by the 1990s. The collection took some 90s classic pieces and gave them a modern twist with models wearing the beloved Dr Martens. The classics we see are straight leg trousers, harem pants, slip dresses and the tailored coat. The collection has a minimalist look, focusing on various materials such a leather, fleece, wool and silks. Even with layering Getty managed created a minimalistic look over monochromatic colours to give it an effortless appeal. This collection will hit well with nostalgia among Getty’s younger customer base.
Victor Glemaud, well known for his leisurewear knitwear, launches Ode to Hope his Fall/Winter 21 Collection. The inspiration behind this collection was New York itself, the yellow taxi cabs and the chain-link fences which help define the city.
Glemaud aimed “to reimagine what knitwear could do — for today’s day and age.”
This collection deviated from traditional knitwear by pushing and playing with boundaries to something more unique and creative. Glemaud used various techniques in his collection, creating different knitted textures, designs and mixing different patterns. He also utilised geometrical shapes, designs and cuts. In this collection, Glemaud collaborated with Shekudo, an accessories brand, to launch his first shoe collection.
Snow Xu Gao, a luxury brand in New York, released their ready-to-wear Fall/ Winter 21 collection named Women are Tigers. The mission of this collection is to empower all women. The inspiration behind Women are Tigers comes from European women in the 19th century and the Teddy girl style in the ’50s. The collection plays around with tailored pieces, using printed binding, engaging the tailored patterns visible in the skirts, or overlaying clothing. Another key design element is print using florals and tiger prints. The silhouette itself is contrasting between feminine and masculine looks with the asymmetrical look, which is distinctive to Snow Xue Gao’s previous collections.
Victor Li’s Fall/Winter 2021 collection pays homage to Western fashion, particularly Wyoming, its scenery and 2005 Ang Lee’s film Brokeback Mountain. This season Li launches his first womenswear collection alongside the menswear collection he is known for designing. Li has used fabric throughout the range, dyed, printed, mixed, and matched with differently coloured denim. The silhouette both genders have are loose fits with a tailored look. Even so, there are still differences between women’s and men’s fashion. The menswear has a more boxy and rugged look. On the other hand, the womenswear collection has a more structured look with sharp, hard edge hems and A-line skirts/ dresses. Overall, the designs of the clothing pieces are joyous and modernised with a twist to the theme.
Indulging in arts is one of the best ways for people to escape reality and enter into a whole new realm, one that they can build from their imagination. The study of arts covers many domains such as acting, sketching, music, and theatre. One learns to express themselves creatively and build self-expression. It isn’t only something that one can admire in their free time, for instance looking at a painting on a wall. But it is also something that can provoke, soothe, excite and inspire. It reminds us that we are all sharing a universal human experience. One may even conclude that we cannot live without art!
Art in college is a subject that most students like to pursue. When asked, “how do the arts benefit students?”, there are multiple answers that come to mind. However, the most important may be the development of critical thinking in students. While in college, students are required to present art critique essays as part of their academic course, examples of which can be found at https://graduateway.com/essay-examples/art-critique/. Reading up on quality samples of such art critique essay examples help students write better papers for class. It also increases their knowledge base and helps them get better acquainted with the subject at hand.
Reading as many essay examples as is possible can help enhance creative skills in college art students. Arts students may often find the therapeutic power of indulging in a creative endeavor such as playing music or painting a picture. It can impact the mood and emotions of an individual and inspire them to elevate themselves. Not all students choose art as a major, and some choose to do it to help cope with the stress that often accompanies college.
Here are some of the ways how art helps students.
1. Studying arts makes students smarter
Indulging in any creative activity provides individuals with room for improvement. No matter how good a person is in their chosen field of art, there is always a possibility of doing better. When one begins to nurture their skills, they realize that they can do better and learn to handle criticism well.
Creating an art piece also requires the individual to exercise parts of their brains that would not have been used if not for the creative venture. By learning to use their emotions and putting their thoughts on paper, students learn to bring out the best within themselves. They learn to tap into their creative side and use their motor skills to accompany their imagination.
2. It helps students succeed in college:
Hard work and commitment are life skills that one must master before entering the real world. Indulging in any form of art may be a stepping stone into learning these essential qualities that can become a part of your lifestyle. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment on an individual’s part to become good at anything. Art is no different, requiring a lot of patience and passion from its creators. One’s commitment to learning anything can require time, sacrifice, and energy. Students who can commit to learning a new instrument or nurturing their performance can surely keep up with their future lives.
Creating art is fun, but it can be quite grueling at the same time. Students who understand that any masterpiece requires hard work can learn the relationship between achievement and struggle. Good things take time, and that which comes easy may not be worth it. Individuals who are unafraid to take on challenges are better equipped to handle life challenges later on.
3. It has an impact on students’ physical and emotional health:
Art engagement has been known to have a significant impact on one’s emotional and mental health. It is normal for students to be overwhelmed with the number of college assignments and not come up with topics for their papers. Going through art critique essay examples may help those struggling to find topics for their essays; more tips on which can be found here: http://augustafreepress.com/what-to-do-when-you-cant-choose-a-topic-on-an-essay/. Students who have found art as a means to release their stress are generally happier and calmer. They also report less anxiety, stress, and depression than others.
Studies have shown that individuals who have perfected the art of creative expression have better immune systems than those who haven’t. It has also been clinically proven to elevate one’s mood, reduce stress and lower one’s blood pressure. There have been researches that found patients in a hospital who were exposed to music healed faster than their counterparts.
There are several benefits of studying art that have been proven to help students deal with the stress of keeping up with college. One may benefit significantly by taking up an instrument or simply playing some music and dancing while in university.
The Cheltenham Festival is on the horizon and as attention starts to turn towards the Prestbury Park meeting, it is of course Al Boum Photo who will be looking to steal the headlines this year. The Willie Mullins-trained horse is the heavy favourite in the Gold Cup betting odds, and victory would mean a third successive triumph in the Festival’s showpiece for the nine-year-old. That would also see his name etched into the history books alongside the legendary Arkle and fan-favourite Best Mate.
However, winning a third Gold Cup on the trot for Al Boum Photo will be no easy task. His recent 19-length victory in the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore would have given his backers a boost in confidence ahead of the showpiece, but still the racecard is littered with fantastic horses as well.
A Plus Tard and Royale Pagaille are his nearest opponents at 7/1 and 10/1 respectively. But that’s not grounds to rule out Nicky Henderson’s duo of Champ and Santini or the likes of 16/1 shots Frodon, Kemboy and Native River, who will all head to the Gloucestershire Course on the back of emphatic victories of late.
Kemboy is one to note in particular. He went five races without a win, but his recent victory in the Irish Gold Cup could be a shift in momentum for the nine-year-old, and it may have just come at the perfect time with Cheltenham just around the corner.
Kemboy lined up alongside three other early entries for the Cheltenham showpiece, Delta Work, Melon and Minella Indo. The latter, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, was heavily expected to win the race. However, Kemboy, who led pretty much from the off, went on to win by two lengths, with The Storyteller romping home in second, whilst Minella Indo massively underperformed.
Victory in the £200,000 Irish showpiece alone has resulted in Kemboy’s odds of winning the Gold Cup being slashed from around 30/1 to inwards of 16/1, and many punters would now fancy splashing their free bets for Cheltenham on Betfair Exchange on him at that price.
However, whilst bolstering his chances of winning another Gold Cup by confirming the entry, Kemboy seems like a real possibility for Mullins. The Irish trainer seemed a bit sceptical when quizzed about what we can expect to see from the nine-year-old at the Festival, if we are even going to see him at all.
“He is entered in the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Gold Cup,” Mullins, who had just landed his 11th Irish Gold Cup, said. “His record over fences at Cheltenham is a little bit average, so the Stayers’ is not out of the question, and skipping Cheltenham and going straight to Aintree is another option. We know he likes it there.”
Mullins’ words don’t fill us with confidence that he would put Kemboy up against Al Boum Photo, and we guess he more than anyone would know how the former would fare against his stablemate.
For the Irish trainer, it could be a case of not wanting to jeopardise his chances of landing the rare feat of three Gold Cups, and focusing attention elsewhere, like the Stayers’ Hurdle, where Kemboy is shorter at 12/1, is not a bad idea on the whole.
The Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching. Four action-packed days at Prestbury Park await us in March, and it will certainly be enough to keep us entertained should we still be in lockdown by then. Many punters will undoubtedly have their eyes fixed on the Cheltenham results in the hopes that their singles, doubles, trebles or accumulators come rolling in.
Of course, everybody loves a good outsider at the Cheltenham Festival, and to save you the time of scouring through the form guides to find one worth backing, we have done all the hard work. So, read on as we list some of the outsiders who could be in with a shout in the big races at this year’s meeting!
Franco De Port – Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
Franco De Port pulled up in the Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at last year’s Festival. However, he has bounced back since then with two victories at Thurles and Leopardstown in Ireland. His Boxing Day win at Leopardstown is worth noting as it was the Willie Mullins-trained horse’s first victory at Grade 1 level. The six-year-old is a 16/1 shot for the Arkle on day one, but given his recent form, he might not be a bad each way shout! The Leopardstown Arkle on February 6th could be a good indication on how he will get on at Cheltenham.
Concertista – Champion Hurdle
Concertista is another Mullins-trained horse who could nab a victory from left of field. The seven-year-old won the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle by a comfortable 12 lengths last year, and she has been in inspired form since, with two further victories at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown. It’ll be a big ask for Concertista to beat the likes of Epatante, but at 10/1, she could worth backing each way in the Champion Hurdle.
First Flow – Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is set to feature a highly competitive field this year with Chacun Pour Soi and Altior both returning from the injuries which made them miss out on last year’s race, whilst defending champion Politologue will also line-up for starter’s orders. However, when studying the form guides, you can’t help but notice First Flow. With six wins on the trot, including in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot, where he beat Politologue by some seven lengths, the 14/1 shot is in red-hot form. Given the Kim Bailey-trained horse’s form, and the fact he beat Politologue rather comfortably, you wouldn’t be surprised to see his name amongst the placings.
A Plus Tard – Ryanair Chase
A Plus Tard and jockey Rachael Blackmore are no strangers to winning big races. The pair have already won together at the Cheltenham Festival, with the seven-year-old winning the listed Novices’ Handicap Chase in 2019, and since then they have won twice at Grade 1 level: the Paddy’s Rewards Club “Loyalty’s Dead, Live For Rewards” Chase and more recently the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. A Plus Tard has placed in all 10 of his races since joining Henry de Bromhead’s stables, and at 16/1 for the Ryanair Chase, an each way beat is far from a bad shout.
Flooring Porter – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
Flooring Porter may be making his debut at the Cheltenham Festival this year, but it would be foolish to rule him out on that account. After all, he is already a Grade 1 winner. The six-year-old was an 11/1 shot to win the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown back in December, but in the end it was a rather comfortable victory for the Gavin Cromwell-trained horse, as he went on to beat The Storyteller by six lengths. With back-to-back victories and having placed in each of his last six races, odds of 16/1 are fairly tempting.
Royale Pagaille – Cheltenham Gold Cup
Just last month, Royale Pagaille was as far out as 30/1 to win the Festival showpiece, the Gold Cup. But after three successive victories, those odds have since been slashed to 12/1. The Rich Ricci-owned horse hadn’t won in nine outings. However, the tides turned in December when he won the Betfair Exchange Novices’ Chase at Haydock and a Handicap Chase at Kempton. A further victory at Grade 2 level back at Haydock in January in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase had the bookies rethinking his place in the market, and he’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.
