The first song to enter our Sound Selection is ‘Name on It’ by the highly-vibrant and pop-driven Four of Diamonds featuring Burna Boy who bring us a wave of fantastic energy and light with their well-produced radio-ready hit.
qrauer ‘Aracus’
Moving into the world of experimental music, we have ‘Aracus’ by qrauer who bring us in with deep kicks, mysterious synths and enigmatic sound effects that keep with you until the end. If you are looking for something diverse and inimitable for your playlists, this will be for you.
The King’s Parade ‘Lemon Zest’
Another stunning song to enter our Sound Selection is by The King’s Parade named ‘Lemon Zest.’ In this moving song, the four-piece band, The King’s Parade deliver stunning vocals and a melancholic vibe that is beautifully linked with the heart-warming melody from start to finish.
Jude Woodhood ‘Beautiful Rain’
Moving back to electronic music, we have ‘Beautiful Rain’ by Jude Woodhood who experiments with soul-touching vocals and brilliantly incorporated synths that will keep with you for a fortnight to come. This one is a must-listen and one for the playlists.
Tim Schou ‘Nirvana’
Shifting our frequencies back to commercial music, we have energetic and simply stunning ‘Nirvana’ by Danish artist and songwriter Tim Schou who displays to us his well-fitting, full of energy and genuinely electrifying vocals in this warm and touching song. A true treasure of a song.
Tom Budin x Kopa ‘Things Change’
The final song to enter our Sound Selection is by Tom Budin and Kopa named ‘Things Change.’ In this thrilling and well-produced song, Tom Budin and Kopa take us on a ride with their warm melody and ear-pleasing vocals that makes this dance song a great listen for anyone.
The problem with E3 is often one of hype culture. Just as a horror movie monster can never be as scary in the light as it is in our imagination, our idealized versions of games cannot compare to how they stand in reality. Because of this, it becomes difficult to measure out our excitement when it comes to games in events as hyped as E3. That said, there are always going to be a few standouts, games which appeal to us through their similarities of their predecessors, their mixing up of a traditional formula, or the purebred accomplishments of their development staff.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the E3 announcements which really stood out to us, and why we think (and hope) these could be something special. We’re also going to stick to games where we feel we get some direct or indirect look at how gameplay works. This is an interactive medium, after all, so prerendered cutscenes or footage without any context does not a great judging point make.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
The third in the reboot trilogy, and a series which I’ve enjoyed far more than the originals (feel free to hate on me for that). Borrowing elements and style from Uncharted, which itself borrowed from the original Tomb Raiders, we have high hopes for the third-person action and acrobatics of our favourite British killing machine. Ludonarritive dissonance? Whatever do you mean?
Attempting to stop a Mayan apocalypse, this game puts a greater focus on stealth and stalking than in any previous entries. Using her newly trademarked bow and taking advantage of all the sneaking opportunities of the jungle, Lara brings her now honed and efficient interpersonal skills into a game for which we have high hopes. Let’s just hope the PC version this time is a little better optimized.
Just Cause 4
While we love the Just Cause games, we can’t exactly extol the virtues of its plot or characterization. These are games about blowing things up, and discovering new and amusing methods in which this might be better accomplished. We’d be happy with more of the same, but add sandstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and improved grappling functionality to the equation and you bet we’re on board for Rico’s next adventure.
Unravel Two
Actually already available, as was revealed at the tail end of the presentation. While the platforming fun and overall charm of the original drew us towards these adorable yarn creatures in the first place, it’s our love of couch coop which has us the most excited for this entry. With a heavy focus on cooperation and swinging (the rope kind), the simplistic but great looking designs of this game put it firmly in our gaming backlog.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
From From Software, the developers and originators of the soulsbourne genre comes a game set in fictionalized feudal Japan. We don’t really have much to add other than that, though we do wonder how this game will sit in relation to its seemingly conceptually similar cousin of Nioh. Samurai, ninja, demons, deaths, and frustrations, sign us up.
Dying Light 2
We went into the original Dying Light expecting a similar experience to Dead Island – a game high on promise but low on delivery. Instead what we found was one of the best first-person games of the year, and one of the best first-person melee (mostly) games of all time. While the trailer for the sequel focuses on showing us a more reactive world, it’s the minute to minute parkour, zombie bashing, and cooperative story play which really has our interest.
Developer Techland has shown themselves to be a rare case in that they have consistently offered updates and support for the original game well after release. If this new entry comes with the same level of focus on support and customer satisfaction then we could be in for another something special.
Metro: Exodus
Grim, dark, but never quite grimdark. The Metro games are rare in both their subject matter and the efficacy in which they shape this post-apocalyptic world. It also doesn’t hurt that this is one of the best looking set of irradiated ruins which we have ever seen, and that some of the mutated beasts within come across as both imaginatively unique and horrifyingly real. Probably won’t be a feel-good game, but we’re betting it will feel good to play.
Trials Rising
The latest in the platform/action games series, it’s hard to tell what is new when it comes to Trials Rising. A bizarre adventure and largely incomprehensible plot are a given, but it’s more that oh-so-frustrating/satisfying gameplay which we look forward to the most. This also ties into the presumed further evolution of the already incredibly powerful track creation tools. As one of the primary draws to the series, we can’t wait to see what the community will come up with when it gets it hands on this game early next year.
Devil May Cry 5
Forget about that Ninja Theory reboot, this time we’re getting a real Devil May Cry sequel. The trailer focuses on Nero, introduced in DMC 4, as he and his engineering genius companion take to the demon-infested streets to lay down some engine-sworded justice. As for what part the series main protagonist Dante will play, that remains to be seen, though his slightly older appearance at the end of the trailer does indicate his involvement. Even better is that we get more of that classic Dante ‘wit’ which many of us feared had disappeared from the series forever.
Rage 2
While the original game was divisive when it came to the overall structure, there was almost universal praise in one area- the combat. Seemingly having learned from their first entry, this new game seems to be more about the direct fighting than ever before, in gameplay which seems like both a refinement of the first entry and which seems to have picked up a few cues from the fantastically received DOOM.
Skull & Bones
From what we’ve seen so far, Skull & Bones looks to be a less-cartoonish online piracy simulator in the vein of Sea of Thieves. With a shared online game world, and the ability to finally sing sea-shanties with a large enough crew that it will only be slightly socially awkward, we have high hopes for this one. The only thing is that we’ve seen a small slice of gameplay so far, so what appears to be an engaging combat system could still be let down in other regards. Still, early indications make us confident enough to place this on our best of E3 list.
The Last of Us Part II
Naughty Dog is not one to disappoint, and their showing of TLOU2 at this year’s E3 continued this legacy. From what we have seen here the focus seems to be on Ellie, a few years older and a few years warier. As for Joel, we don’t quite know yet. One of Ellie’s companions does bring up her ‘old man’, which sees her wince in response, potentially carrying on the strained relationship the two share at the end of the first game, though time will tell if this little hint proves accurate. The gameplay itself looks to be more of the stealth-heavy trying-to-keep-it-together style of exploration and combat which we saw in the original. Combine this with tech improved even over Uncharted 4, and we can’t wait to get started throwing bottles and shanking infected again.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Take one of the best known and most successful game series on the planet, include every character ever included, an enormous variety of stages and items, and cater to both the casual and hardcore player bases. This seems to be Nintendo’s exact modus operandi with this latest entry into the Smash series. Nintendo is one of the best at printing money, and it’s games like this which show why. That said, we also can’t wait to see what the competitive community do with this game, both in terms of movement tech like wave-dashing and with whatever this version’s incarnation of ‘Fox only, no items, Final Destination’ might be. I’d also like to point out our prediction of Ridley in the roster which, while not actually serious, turned out to be true.
Ghost of Tsushima
No shortage of games set in samurai-era Japan recently, and we aren’t complaining. Coming with a focus on open world gameplay and precise katana murder, Ghost of Tsushima is definitely one which has us excited. The graphics don’t hurt either, especially when it comes to the impact of each swipe and stab.
Resident Evil 2 Remaster
While we have wondered if this remaster was caught in development hell, this trailer shows us that the game is not only still coming, it is shaping up amazingly well. The remaster of the original Resident Evil is held up as one of the best remasters ever created, and with this entry seemingly aiming at a more RE4 control and combat experience our anticipation is as high as it has ever been.
Spider-Man
Spider-man games have run the gauntlet in the past, from the utterly amazing PS2 Spiderman 2 to the outright dismal PC Spiderman 2. This latest entry brought to us by Insomniac shows all indications of being in the former’s camp. With the smooth and stylish traversal which we have come to expect from Spidey to the Batman-inspired combat, we suspect this could finally plug the gap in our hearts left after Arkham Knight.
Kingdom Hearts III
After playing the first two games a few time, discussing them with friends, and then looking at the non-main-entry spinoffs, we can confidently say we have absolutely no idea what is happening with the plot of Kingdom Hearts. That’s okay though, as the real appeal here comes through the ability to explore famous Disney worlds and fight with some of our favorite classic Disney and Final Fantasy heroes. Finally showing some real progress after years of doubt, Kingdom Hearts III is shaping up to be just as beautiful and baffling as its predecessors.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
We never asked for better graphics in Fire Emblem, but we still love their inclusion. The latest in a long line of tactical RPGs brings us more assurances that Nintendo really knows what there are doing when it comes to appealing to their userbase. As for the now famed love-interest systems, we don’t know, but we would guess that Nintendo know enough to include new versions of these in some way, shape, or form.
Super Mario Party
One of the few party games which really lives us to the concept of party games, the Mario Party series are as hilarious as they are frustrating and fun. Now taking full advantage of the Switch to do things with the series which has never been done before, this looks like an entry we can really get behind. At least right up until we lose our stars at the end of the long session because it happens every single time.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Blind Forest was amazing for a few reasons. A Metroidvania style experience with almost watercolour fantasy visuals and gentle and relaxing aesthetic? Sign us up. Ori and the Will of the Wisps promises a similar focus on exploration, unlockables, and tight controls and navigation. All this, and it came from the much-maligned Unity engine.
What do you Think?
Which big entries have we missed that you are looking forward to, and what is it that makes them special? One of the great things about gaming is that you can never quite know what you’re in for until you get your hands on them for yourself, so being proven wrong or right for later releases is always a very real possibility. Whatever the end case for these games ends up being, we are happy in that we’ve just had one of the best E3’s in years. Only 52 weeks until the next one, maybe by that point, we’ll finally hear some more about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
3Rd Culture Kid is back and this time with a new single, ‘Mto.’
3rd Culture Kid, also known by the name of Lulu James who previously collaborated with electronic music producer Lane 8, has shared her latest single ‘Mto.’
In this single, Lulu James returns to her new signature side, exploring her Tanzanian routes as she has been planning in doing so under the moniker of 3rd Culture Kid. The single is part of James’ upcoming album, which is due to be released later this year. We are sure to be introduced more in-depth with James’ new sound, which will be showcased further in her upcoming album.
‘Mto’ is now available to be streamed and download via all major digital services.
With their United Kingdom tour starting this week, LIFE has shared a new music video for Grown Up.
LIFE, a British band, hailing from Hull, have shared a fresh music video for their song ‘Grown Up’. Muscular indie-rock song ‘Grown Up’ is the first single part of LIFE’s forthcoming LP, which looks to showcase the stronger and broader sound of the band.
With the music video for ‘Grown Up’ released, the band will be on the move, starting this week the band will begin their United Kingdom tour.
Tour Dates
14th June – The Lexington, London (single launch show) 15th June – The Shed, Leicester
16th June – Sussex Arms Basement, Tunbridge Wells
17th June – Green Door Store, Brighton
20th July – Tramlines, Sheffield
28th July – Leopallooza
31st August – Electric Fields
The first song to enter our Sound Selection is by the duo known as Maribou State, who present us ‘Feel Good’ featuring Khruangbin. In this song, Maribou State and Khruangbin explore and utilise warped vocal elements with a memorable and simply satisfying beat that will keep with you for weeks and months to come.
Chackie Jam ‘Shotokan’ (Take Me With You)
Another great song to enter our Sound Selection is by Chackie Jam, who present us with ‘Shotokan’ (Take Me With You). In their latest single, the vibrant and lively Chackie Jam present us with a groovy and terrifically funky vibe that lifts the atmosphere around us from the start of the song. A must-listen for sure.
Laney Lynx ‘Getaway’
Entering with a dynamically driven song is Laney Lynx who gives us a mysteriously-vibrant ‘Getaway’. Lynx, an Indie Pop artist based in Brooklyn, showcases to us a smoothly splendid vocal and a song that shouts quality and authenticity as she looks to rise to the top in the world of music.
Mahalia ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’
Mahalia is making a return on Our Culture Mag, but this time with her brilliantly produced song ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’. Featuring a lovely music video, but most importantly a well-produced and performed song, Mahalia makes quite the return as she once again produces a song full of excellence and authenticity.
TM & Mr Tout Le Monde ‘Bernadette’
The final song to enter our Sound Selection is by TM & Mr Tout Le Monde who present us with a vibrantly groovy ‘Bernadette’. This disco-driven hit is a must for any summer playlist; it’s a song that will liven up any party, and any room with it’s animated and simply joyous vibe. This one is for the playlists.
British 5-piece IDLES band has confirmed a new LP.
IDLES, a Bristol-based 5-piece band, have confirmed that they will be releasing a new LP named ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’ on the 31st of August via Partisan Records.
Alongside, the announcement the band has also shared their latest single ‘Danny Nedelko’, which focuses on pro-immigration and band’s close friend Danny, who also features in the self-directed music video.
Last year, IDLES released their studio album ‘Brutalism’ which put the band 1# on the Spotify Viral chart, which also led them to open for Foo Fighters.
Tracklist:
1. Colossus
2. Never Fight a Man With a Perm
3. I’m Scum
4. Danny Nedelko
5. Love Song
6. June
7. Samaritans
8. Television
9. Great
10. Gram Rock
11. Cry To Me
12. Rottweiler
Ori Toor a Tel-Aviv based illustrator creates a series of illustrations appropriately dubbed ‘Gibberish’ for its random subjects and compositions.
The illustrations come of as by-products of lateral thinking, a visual brainstorm of sorts. Each piece is filled with different ideas and little gems to be discovered. This combined with Ori Toor’s great sense of design as seen through the particular colour schemes make for an appealing and exciting piece.
Turkish-born Efe Cakarel is the founder of MUBI, a hand-curated cinema streaming and download service, which recently made its services free to “every film student and film tutor in the world.” With the rise of streaming services, I joined Efe to ask him several questions about MUBI, film and the future of streaming.
Hi Efe, how are you doing and how is MUBI holding up?
I’m doing great this morning after my triple espresso and MUBI is doing better than ever.
The way MUBI works as a streaming service is unique to the likes of Netflix. Do you think that this is the key element that would attract a cinephile to MUBI as the primary streaming service for films?
Absolutely. What we offer is unique, we choose the 30 films you need to see this month. Our subscribers come to MUBI and trust our choice, happy to discover a new Argentinian film or discuss a forgotten classic.
There seems to be new streaming services popping up all the time. With the likes of Fandor and FilmStruck also coming onto the scene and growing, do you feel to gain the competitive advantage is becoming tougher?
MUBI’s been around for 11 years, and we stand by great cinema and curation. Our recent distribution arm shows our commitment to the theatrical experience in cinemas. We’ve just come back from Cannes where we bought the rights to the new Godard (that won Palme d’Or Special) for the UK.
With so many films being made and released each month and so many classics worldwide, how does the process of choosing the films work at MUBI?
A variety of factors inform the decision of our programmers, every day we try to solve the tyranny of choice. We often try to tie films to a current context, events going on in the world. At the end of the day, it’s a very subjective process, but that’s how we see it.
“We stand by great cinema and curation”
Photo by Dan Smith
So, do you have a favourite film or a series of films?
Difficult question. Here is some great cinema I was honored to encounter and share last year: the generous inquisitivity of Agnès Varda and J.R.’s documentary, Faces Places; the cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom in Call Me By Your Name; the taste and sense of hope engendered by American production and distribution company A24 (the folks this year behind Lady Bird and A Ghost Story); the reporting on Harvey Weinstein by the New York Times and New Yorker; Oneohtrix Point Never and Jonny Greenwood’s scores for Good Time and Phantom Thread, respectively; the stunning jump to feature filmmaking by Jordan Peele; the overwhelming emotional force of A Quiet Passion; Tiffany Haddish’s performance in Girls Trip and Elizabeth Moss in The Square; seeing the first film by Lucrecia Martel in almost a decade; and, finally, the groundbreaking risks and surprises of Twin Peaks: The Return. These are not content—and that you know—you feel—when you experience them.
If you were to direct films, what type of films would you direct?
I think I’d ideally direct a film that’d have beautiful Roger Deakins cinematography infused with some quiet scenes from Ozu and a great Ennio Morricone score.
Are there any major changes happening in the world of film streaming that we should expect in the years to come?
No. The future is now.
As a CEO of film streaming service, do you have any advice for upcoming filmmakers that want to have their films streamed on platforms such as MUBI?
You just need to get on a bike and ride. That’s all you’ve got to do. Perseverance is certainly key, but above all it must be tied to passion. And passion comes from the vision, the inspiration of the filmmaker. This is art, yes, but the goal is utopian and lofty—one the world deserves and one we all want to fight to achieve. This, above all, is what drives us and what should drive you.
The last question we ask everyone, what is your definition of culture?
Everything that involves inspiration, ingenuity, artistry, perspicacity, pleasure, risk-taking enlightenment, and a mutual sense of community. Music, novels, movies, albums, painting—these things and more are what we should support, encourage, enjoy and share. Anything made by people who share a part of themselves and their work with us—and what an honour that is!
With this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo just about upon us, the rumors mills and fanboy/girl excitement is reaching its usual fever pitch. For those unaware, this is one of the biggest events each year when it comes to video games, and especially video game announcements, so we have a lot to look forward to. Running from June 9 through 12, each day promises major announcements from the biggest in the business, all live streamed via Twitch and YouTube. So let’s take a look at what we can expect on the different days, and what we’ll be on the lookout for.
Starting with the overwhelming force, it is EA who is scheduled for the first day. We’re expecting announcements on their open world third person shooter Anthem, as well as some direct gameplay footage and possible hands-on of early Battlefield 5 combat.
Predictions:
Some understated acknowledgement of the Battlefield 2 fiasco, likely claims that they are listening to users and promise to do better in the future
Same loot box systems going ahead in FIFA, and wherever else they can get away with it
Three major conferences on this day, split between Microsoft with their Xbox, Bethesda, and Devolver Digital, who we have to look forward to after their, let’s say, an unconventional conference of last year.
It is expected that a large portion of Microsoft’s attention will be focused on previously announced games, with potential extra information and announcements being made for Halo 6, Crackdown 3, and a new Gears of War. Given that many quality Xbox titles are 3rd party, we can expect a showing from some of these as well.
When it comes to Bethesda, we already know a few big ones are coming, in the form of the recently announced Fallout 76 and Rage 2, but there are others which we can’t help but hope for. Specifically, we want more Doom. Please, Bethesda, forget about the multiplayer portion of Doom, nobody cares, and give everyone more of what they want.
As for Devolver Digital, we have no idea what to expect. Hopefully something as off the wall as what happened last year, but we will have to wait and see.
Predictions:
Massive overpromising on Fallout 76 features
Assurances that fixes for Halo: Master Chief Collection are on their way
Square Enix have no announced their intended lineup, but an entry from the updating Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a given, as is further information on Kingdom Hearts 3. They also have an Avengers game in development which could be a huge success or a major failure, so we hope to see how that is shaping up. There is also a chance of more Final Fantasy 7 Remake footage being shown off, but given recent rumors regarding its placement in development hell, we have to wonder.
We expect Ubisoft to show us more on the recently leaked Assassins Creed Odyssey, set in Greece, more information on the Beyond Good and Evil sequel, and more on The Division 2. Updates for Rainbow Six Siege and For Honor also look likely. What we really expect is the further refinement of the skinner-box Ubification style of games, for better or worse.
It’s hard to predict what we can expect from PC announcements, though a few of the big names scheduled include Hi-Rez Studios, Warframe, Team 17, and Oculus Rift, so there is a lot of potential here.
Sony ends the day with what will no doubt lean heavily on Call of Duty and Kojima’s new Death Stranding. Maybe more information on God of War regarding DLC or future release intent. If there is a new trailer from Death Stranding it will be baffling, but beautifully shot.
Ending on a high note for many, the last day is home to the press conference from Nintendo. Nintendo has been playing most of their cards pretty close to their chest this year, but while we don’t quite know what we can expect, they have announced a full schedule. What we do know is that more information on the recently announced Switch Smash game is coming, and that’s likely going to be enough to draw in many of us. Also: more Pokémon.
Predictions:
Additional gameplay modes/maps for Splatoon 2
A better look at how the first major console Pokémon RPG on Switch works, and it’s integration with Pokémon Go
Emrhys Cooper, the director and actor of Trophy Boy, joins us for an interview.
With his latest film ‘Trophy Boy’ screened at the Cannes Short Corner, Emrhys Cooper joined us to talk about his latest project which looks at our obsession with social media and its power to create a deceptive appearance of an individual.
Hi, how are you?
I’m doing great, thank you. I just returned from the Cannes Film Festival where we screened ‘Trophy Boy.’ Our title was selected by the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. The screening went incredibly well, so I am feeling nice chuffed.
That sounds amazing and congratulations on being selected, we loved the film and enjoyed its messages and what it explores. So, how did Trophy Boy come about?
A professional acting career for the past 15 years allows one to witness the damage that social media can do to one’s perception of oneself. I felt compelled to tell the story of our generation’s obsession with, and addiction to, social media’s tortuous impact on how we see ourselves. Since no existing roles or continuing series touched upon this theme, it seemed natural that I’d have to do it all myself. This required setting up my own production company, and directing—where I already had experience. I also wanted to highlight another area of life that isn’t much talked about: the role of the ‘kept boy’. I believe James’s story is not uncommon. Many people know a ‘kept’ person, or have private suspicions. Further, many elements of traditional marriage mirror such arrangements, going back to the Middle Ages. In contemporary society, the “Trophy Wife” is not uncommon. The “Trophy Husband” is less well known. But let me not get ahead of myself! My aim for this specific short film was to begin at the beginning: to highlight that achieving one’s dreams, being responsible for your own actions, and being honest with yourself and others, are ultimately what will make you happy. If one gets bamboozled into believing we are, in our entirety, only what Instagram or Facebook or Twitter tells us we are—the consequences are dire if not crippling.
That’s very true. What are the challenges of making a film like Trophy Boy?
Scheduling and locations are often challenging when you’re dealing with a smaller production company budget. But we really lucked out in the end with the locations where we were permitted to film. Incline Productions, which co-produced the film, really helped organise and put together a fantastic crew.
Do you hope to make anything of this sort again?
Definitely. The most serious and repeating rush of feedback we received from the early film festivals is, “What is going to happen next to James?” I would like to continue this story as James, and in various other capacities where I can be useful, to further whet the appetites and add complexities and complications. Being a “kept person” is not, as was hinted at above, either historically new or morally uncomplicated.
We would definitely love to see the character of James appearing on our screens again. With that what is the most exciting thing about directing a film?
Plunging into the unknown with other artists is the most exciting adventure in the world. I didn’t really know what the end result would be until others helped refine the questions and enrich the solutions to what at first appears to be a simple question: what is to become of a Beautiful Boy who cannot resist (at first) what social media insist he consists of?
Do you have any advice for aspiring directors?
I had worked as an actor/producer, so I had some knowledge of what to expect when stepping into being a director. But no formal education can prepare you for this responsibility. I would recommend putting together a solid team and have clear expectations. Keep a professional diary so you know where you went wrong. Then do your best to lead a team which develops common values and goals. You won’t regret it.
So, what are you working on next?
I have several films coming out this year which I am excited about. I am also hoping to get back on stage now I am living in New York City.
That sounds exciting, we hope to hear more from you soon. For our final question, that we ask everyone, what is your definition of culture?
That question hits the nail on the head in the context of this interview. The dictionary definition of culture, which one can google, is “the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in the arts, literature, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.”
That is not an accurate definition. How do we know or measure what is excellent versus what is inferior? In past years, our information came more from family or reading or personal friendships or several reliable old-school television networks. In Great Britain we had the BBC. In the United States, you used to have just NBC, CBS, and ABC. Nowadays, various public reports show that individual spend between 9 to 12 hours a day on social media. Pew Research has an extensive 2018 report breaking down Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter Snapchat, and other platforms. We are not just looking at social media. Social media is talking back to us—inundating us with undeniable statistics telling us how many friends we have or how many followers we have. We are also bombarded with unfiltered remarks on what others say about us. It was this social media that represented the culture in which James lived. He, the Beautiful Boy in “Trophy Boy,” knew no other reality. He was certainly not alone in this artificial universe. Let us not be fooled, then, that culture derives nowadays from excellence available to us in a world of arts and literature and scholarly pursuits. Our culture comes to us mainly from the cell phone or the laptop. The screen has become the portal to our culture. It talks back to us. It tells us how attractive or ugly we are; how smart or stupid we are; who really likes us—and to what extent, with numbers to prove it. James, in “Trophy Boy,” must find this way through this cultural Hall of Mirrors. He might well meet others in the same boat. He might meet surprising new pillars of economic support. Those of you who have seen the teaser will ask: what happens next to James? That will, if ambitious plans come about as they most certainly will, be the rousing ticket to the tale of the year.
Thank you for joining us Emrhys, hope to hear more from you soon!
