Making the journey from Ukraine to south-east England
Irina Garmash-Creeger Ukraine UK unity is a volunteering organisation helping with integration Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, one refugee who came to the UK says many have nowhere to return to as their homes “no longer exist”. The outbreak of war forced 143,727 Ukrainians to seek refuge in the UK under the Homes for […]
This year’s Oscars dark horse
Emma Jones Features correspondent Alamy The German actress Sandra Hüller has an Oscar nomination for her blistering performance in Anatomy of a Fall. The film’s viral moment could make her a contender for the top prize. In two of this year’s most acclaimed – and Oscar-nominated – films, German actress Sandra Hüller plays two characters who […]
The Oppenheimer story that won’t win Oscars
Emma Vardy & Sam Granville BBC News, New Mexico Getty Images Tina Cordova The success of the film Oppenheimer has shone a spotlight on the work done by scientists in New Mexico as they developed the first nuclear bomb. But 80 years later, some local people say their story remains untold. “Both my great grandfathers […]
The remarkable cult of Elena Ferrante
Clare Thorp Features correspondent There is a moment right at the start of Elena Ferrante’s new novel The Lying Life of Adults where the narrator seems uncertain if her experience is one worthy of telling. She describes herself as “only a tangled knot”, not yet sure if that knot contains “the right thread for a […]
The new era in filmmaking
Beth Webb Features correspondent Getty Images (Credit: Getty Images) After being shut down during the pandemic, film and TV shoots are now starting up again. Beth Webb talk to some of those on set about how their roles are being transformed. Since the UK government greenlit the resumption of TV and film shoots under strict […]
How The Go-Go’s pioneered Girl Power
Nick Levine Features correspondent Alamy The 1980s all-female band were dubbed ‘America’s sweethearts’, but as a new documentary reveals, they still had to contend with rampant sexism. Nick Levine celebrates their legacy. The Go-Go’s made history in March 1982 when their brilliant debut album, Beauty and the Beat, climbed to the top of the Billboard […]
The woman who shaped Hollywood
Amy Nicholson Features correspondent Getty Images Pickford at a bank counter in a promotional still, circa 1920 (Credit: Getty Images) Her move from stage to screen was dismissed as a fad – but Mary Pickford went on to earn millions and co-found United Artists. Amy Nicholson looks at how ‘old monkeyface’ became ‘America’s Sweetheart’, helping […]
Why Ida Lupino’s taboo-breaking films could be set today
Caryn James Features correspondent Getty Ida Lupino (Credit: Getty) Ida Lupino’s bold, subversive films tackled social issues and still seem fresh almost 70 years later, writes Caryn James. In a daring, brilliantly executed scene in Ida Lupino’s Outrage (1950), a young woman named Ann walks out of her office late at night, into a deserted […]
The music that changed America
Arwa Haider Features correspondent EMI Archive Trust and Universal Music Group (Credit: EMI Archive Trust and Universal Music Group) Sixty years ago, Berry Gordy set up the hit factory of Motown. Arwa Haider looks at how an independent record label created one of the most influential sounds of the 20th Century. On 12 January 1959, […]
England wheelchair rugby coach appointed MBE
Christian Fuller BBC News, South East Getty Images Head coach Tom Coyd, helped guide England to win the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup One of the masterminds who helped England to win the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup on home soil has been appointed an MBE. The 28-year-old was honoured for services to wheelchair rugby […]