Culture Guides
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We can’t visit physical cinema spaces for the time being, but film and streaming have proven essential comforts to many of us over the last few months, providing means of connection, entertainment, adventure, and even just a taste of the outside world.
With this in mind, our cinema guide this month features some brand new releases for you to dive into, including the fascinating and poignant Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets — a hybrid fiction/documentary film that follows the regulars of a Las Angeles bar as they celebrate and commiserate over its final night. We’d also recommend One Night in Miami, a unique exploration of the Black Civil Rights Movement and a directorial debut from actress Regina King.
For those looking for escape, how about The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme — this virtual multiplex presents free selection of streaming film that will transport you across oceans. Similarly, the ICA and the BFI are inviting film fans to indulge in the gloriously cool, hyper stylised films of Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai, with an online retrospective starting this February.
Festivals have adapted to the current climate too, and we’d recommend the BFI Future Film Festival for all budding filmmakers looking to progress their work or connect with likeminded people. Closer to home, Manchester Film Festival has also moved to an online format.
For something completely different, there’s our friends at Make A Scene, who have a Titanic watch-a-long planned for Valentine’s. No matter your relationship status, this online extravaganza promises drag performances, life drawing and Celine Dion karaoke for everybody.
We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.
Here are our picks
African Apocalypse at HOME Manchester, Manchester and online, Until 31 March 2021, from £10 - Book now
Taking Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness as a beginning, British-Nigerian poet and activist Femi Nylander journey from the libraries of Oxford University to Niger in order to follow the path of terror and genocide tread by French Captain Paul Voulet in 1898.
From the most prestigious painting prize in the UK to a cinematic experience with an original live score, check out this month’s picks.
Online open mics and full-on festivals, virtual book launches and digital reading series… there’s no getting bored when you log on to Live Literature Land this March.
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
For the December guide, we’re looking at the best delivery options in Manchester, whether it’s for alcohol or food.
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
A jam-packed guide of the best sights, spots and locally sourced goods on offer in the surrounding areas of Blackburn and Burnley.
Plenty to do in the online world with cooking classes, talks and beer tasting in this month’s Tours and Activities guide.