The amazing thoughts of Sarah Manvel
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Glasgow Film Festival roundup
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Glasgow and I was delighted to have the opportunity to go back. Viggo Mortensen was very complimentary about the main hall in the Glasgow Film Theatre and he said what I was thinking (and isn’t that kind of celebrity serendipity delightful). However its closing gala, Janey,…
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Berlinale 2024 roundup
This has not been a great year to associate oneself with the Berlinale. The festival got off to a bad start when it invited two right-wing-extremist politicians to the opening ceremonies, a choice which goes against the festival’s own explicit anti-fascist ethos. I have to sign an anti-fascist pledge to be granted my press pass,…
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Sundance 2024 roundup
Once again I’d like to thank the festival for allowing critics to participate remotely. I saw twenty films (three of which earlier in the year) and noticed some pleasing trends: a serious commitment to own-voice storytelling, a full understanding of the ramifications of violence combined with a refusal to let any perpetrators off the hook,…
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2023 in movies
As ever, my review archive is here. In 2023 I attended seven film festivals, only possible because Sundance and Tribeca continue to allow critics to work remotely, as do the London trifecta (Flare, LFF and Raindance) to a limited extent. I also reviewed 127 movies for publication, which is an average of one every three days,…
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2023 in television
I was out too much to watch television properly, but I set my timers for the second season of Annika and the eighth season of Shetland, both starring Jamie Sives, which is not a coincidence. Apparently I am a big fan of cosy Scottish murder that showcases middle-aged women, and OK yes I set my timers for Death in Paradise too,…
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2023 in live music
I finally saw Madonna and will always be happy about that – she is no longer in her prime but she is still going full blast and it was wonderful to see. I also finally saw Old 97’s and they were a lot of fun, a really expert bar band. Stars are the Canadian Judybats, and I miss The Judybats, so…
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The Burnt City (Punchdrunk, 2022-2023)
The Burnt City is the immersive theatre show, loosely about the fall of Troy, that theatrical innovators Punchdrunk are running in Woolwich, south-east London. I have been about twenty times and it’s taken me that long to understand the experience well enough I feel comfortable describing it for you (and posterity, given that it’s closing in…
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