7-49 UP DVD

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Arguably the best documentary series ever made for British television and certainly the longest running factual programme in the history of UK TV, The release of 7-49 Up is now out on DVD. The flagship ITV series about children from different social backgrounds made between 1964 and 2005 as they evolve through life will be available to buy on DVD for the first time in the UK in a 6-disc set,

The first instalment of 7-UP was broadcast in 1964 as a one-off World in Action special, featuring children talking about their hopes and dreams for the future. As members of the generation who would be running the country by the year 2000, what did they think they would become? Inspired by World In Action founder editor Tim Hewat’s passionate interest in both the Jesuit saying: “Give me the child until he is seven and I will show you the man,” and the rigid class system of 1960s Britain, Seven Up set out to discover whether or not the children’s lives were pre-determined by their background.

This forward thinking television show – the very first example of a programme recording real people living real lives – and the follow-up documentaries – have won an array of accolades and awards. Director Michael Apted, who has since moved to Hollywood to direct films, has returned every seven years to chart the children’s progress through life. Over the past five decades, the series has documented the group as they have become adults and entered middle-age, dealing with everything life has thrown at them in between.

 

Body image concerns now start as young as 6

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Body image concerns now start as young as 6

Half of UK teenagers have body image and weight concerns, starting from as early as the age of six, according to a new study.

A survey by weight management company LighterLife has revealed that over 60% of British women are conscious of their weight before the age of 21 (61.2 per cent), with a shocking 15 per cent saying they first put their body under scrutiny when they were at primary school age, or even younger.

The study shows how body image and unhealthy behaviour around food is on the rise, impacting children as young as six. The key stages of this insecurity playing out are in our teenage years (33 per cent) and then again as a young adult just starting out in a career (19 per cent).

And it’s not just women, the study showed that 43% of men become concerned about their weight and body image under the age of 21, and 1 in 10 under the age of 12.

Mandy Cassidy, Psychological Director for LighterLife commented: “It is a concern that we are seeing a rise in young people worrying unnecessarily about their body image. Many experts will agree that having a positive attitude toward your own body is the best way to maintain a healthy relationship food”.

England has one of the highest rates of obesity in Europe, with more than 60 per cent of adults and a third of 10 and 11 years overweight or obese. Those numbers are predicted to rise to over 50 per cent of adults and 25 per cent of children by 2050 if no action is taken. Mandy Cassidy continued:

“If body images issues like this occur at an early age, inevitably this will play out in adulthood and change the way a person behaves around food, which although is assumed to lead to under eating, can also lead to overeating.

“We know that addressing overeating and weight gain is not just about willpower or eating less and the earlier we can all encourage and support healthy approach to body image and weight the better. There is also a cycle – if parents are eating well and have a good relationship with food and body image they can impact positively on the family and encourage children to be more comfortable with who they are”.

 

When did you first start being conscious of your weight?

Females

Males

Very young – under 6

2.30%

2.40%

At primary school – 6 – 12

12.77%

8.82%

As a teenager – 13 – 18

32.63%

20.54%

Between 18 – 21

13.47%

11.62%

In my working life – over 21

18.56%

32.06%

Since becoming a parent

12.48%

8.12%

I have always been conscious

3.79%

8.82%

Since retiring

3.99%

7.62%

Dirty Projectors announce new single | Music News

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Dirty Projectors are to release ‘Gun Has No Trigger’ as the first single from their highly anticipated sixth album, ‘Swing Lo Magellan’. The track will be available in the UK on 2nd July via digital download and on a special edition 8” vinyl. The album will follow on 9th July.

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Kathryn Williams – Presents… The Pond | Music Review

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As someone who has kept an eye on Kathryn Williams’ career thus far I am still unable to truly call myself a fan. Or at least until this record came along. This album, The Pond, is a collaboration between Simon Edwards (formerly of Fairground Attraction) and Ginny Clee and represents a fresh sound for Kathryn and a chance to move her away from her folk rut.

It’s Kathryn, folks, but not as we know it! Not so folk. There’s a lot more going on – a whole level or two up in terms of excitement, at least two levels up in terms of what is going on. It’s a record punctuated by floating melodies, understated yet funky beats, ethereal vocals and a whole lot of excitement.

Opening song ‘Carved’ eases us gently into proceedings with a traditionally folk sound with some of those funky beats joining the party. ‘Circle Round The Tree’ sounds like Mint Royale dancing with Paul Simon at a wedding. ‘Bebop’ has a laid back country twang to it and has the added vocals of rapper Kirsch over the top. It’s ambitious and daring and it genuinely works. Country-rap could end up sounding like Kid Rock but it works. It’s enjoyable.

The Pond is a great and most welcome record to my collection. It may have taken her 13 years but Williams has shown that she can experiment and step away from her trademark folk sound and make splendid album. If she was preaching to the converted before then she most certainly won’t be, with this album certain to gain her a new following away from her cult.

 

‘The Pond’ is released on 28th May

Maia – Zuma Aluma | Music Review

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Folkers Maia have been working hard over the last few years gigging to anybody that will have them. Their Duran Duran-gone-folk sound is as infectious as a yawn, but they’re never likely to raise one from you, and this new single is likely to gain them even more followers. Watch the video here – it’s genius in that it was shot and edited entirely using iPhones and IPads.

‘Zuma Aluma’ is released on 25th June 2012 by Vandal Records

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Facebook page

Official website

CANNES 2012 PREVIEW

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The most prestigious and coveted film festival on the planet is upon us as filmmakers, stars and journalists descend on the southern French seaside resort to view and critique some of the most anticipated films of the year. Of course I cannot be going myself; the rigour of the festival is said to drive even the most dedicated of film journalists to the edge let alone a beginner. But I can definitely cast my eye over the selection and pick ten of them that have caught my and other cinefiles eyes. Some of these have confirmed UK release dates, others do not. Either way the calibre of these titles should see them generating plenty of buzz before their arrival on these shores.

MOONRISE KINGDOM

The seventh feature from the king of idiosyncratic American indie cinema Wes Anderson is a period piece set in the mid sixties following two runaway teenagers in love and the haphazard search party that sets out after them. Anderson stalwarts Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman are joined by newcomers Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Frances McDormand to name a few. Anderson’s exceptionally detailed, designed and witty directorial style may not be to all tastes but for fans of his work this is set to tick all the boxes.

LOVE

Austrian master of discomfort Michael Haneke returns to France for a tale of a couple who must care for the wife’s elderly parents. French acting legend Isabelle Huppert appears alongside William Shimmel of the magnificent Certified Copy in what would appear to be a more gentle approach for Haneke. Those familiar with his work however, will be prepared for terrible things to happen.

KILLING THEM SOFTLY

The Assassination of Jesse James was one of the most criminally underrated films of recent years so hopes are high for director Andrew Dominik and star Brad Pitt’s reunion in this gritty crime thriller about an underworld investigation into a card game heist co starring Sam Shepard, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta. Pitt appeared in last year’s big Cannes winner The Tree Of Life. Can he make it two in a row?

COSMOPOLIS

Robert Pattinson has the hearts of millions of Twilight fans and now we find out if he can win critical acclaim in Canadian maestro David Cronenberg’s twisted thriller about a young elitist yuppie travelling across New York City for a designer haircut and getting caught up in a dystopian, cultural revolution. Imagine a science-fiction take on American Psycho.

GRANDMASTERS

Wong Kar- wai has had glory at Cannes before with his visually lush and unconventional takes on traditional genre features with In The Mood For Love and Chungking Express. Now he turns his fine eye to a classic martial arts tale (based on the Ip Man series) with Asian superstar Tony Leung pulling all the moves.

RUST AND BONE

Jacques Audiard is known for his poetic yet brutal dramas such as A Prophet and The Beat My Heart Skipped. Hopes are high for this dramatic tale of a marine park worker crippled in an accident who finds solace with an immigrant bouncer. The magnificent Marion Cotillard plays the lead and after being sadly relegated in recent American roles she may have to clear space next to her first Oscar for La Vie En Rose…

LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE

Abbas Kiarostami is a master of blurring the line between fiction and cinematic construct and recently had glory at Cannes with Certified Copy. Here he heads to Japan, focusing on the relationship between an aging academic and a student side-lining as a prostitute. Whatever the context of their relationship the director’s previous work dictates that appearances can be deceiving.

ON THE ROAD

Jack Kerouac’s seminal road journey novel has been rolling around studios for years and now Walter Salles of the excellent road movie The Motorcycle Diaries turns his attention to the tale of two young men making their way across fifties America. Sam Riley of the the brilliant Control appears alongside Kirsten Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Elisabeth Moss and Steve Buscemi. For the cast alone this is a must see.

LAWLESS

Reminiscent of his gritty western The Proposition, Australian director John Hillcot’s latest is another tale of outlaw brothers (here in prohibition era America) whose familial bonds are pushed to the limit by the pursuing lawmen and each other. Again this is a stellar cast; Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain and Gary Oldman to name just a few.

THE ANGEL’S SHARE

Britain’s poet of the people Ken Loach is another Cannes stalwart and this appears to balance the mix between gentle humour and gritty realism of his previous work and concerns a young tearaway who finds a chance at redemption and success in the surprisingly sophisticated world of whisky brewing and selling.

The Cannes Film Festival runs from 16 May to 27 May.

The Comedy Autopsy Live : You’d have to be dead to miss it!

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You wish you had something to do on Wednesday the 23rd of May from 7PM to 9:45pm? Well that’s Interesting. And you wish it cost £4? This is getting a bit spooky now. Don’t tell me you wish it could be of a comedic nature? You do wish it could be of a comedic nature? Ok let’s try one more check: You wish it was in Peckham? This is freaky. The Comedy Autopsy Live is a comedy event happening in Peckham at The Last Refuge, it starts at 7PM and ends before 10PM and, even better, costs just £4. This is meant to be.

The Comedy Autopsy Live is a live stand up comedy event which incorporates elements of podcasting to enhance the experience and give the event a unique flavour. This is comedy version 2.0 if you will allow us such over confidence. We take the comedy out of the pub and put it in a chilled environment that will scream “comedy unplugged”. We can promise that if you come along we will make jokes go into your ear-holes that will make laughter come out of your mouth-hole. It will make you laugh. And that’s all comedy is.

Why start a comedy night man London like totally is crawling with comedy nights? Yes that’s a good point not real person. The reason is simple: I want too. What you want more? Is that not a bold enough statement of mission? Fine I actually do have one of those. It can be tough for emerging comedians (people starting out) to get longer sets to develop their skills. That’s where we come in. This isn’t open mic, nor is it for the comedic elite to try out new material. And by comedic elite I mean they get paid. No the comedians who will appear on The Comedy Autopsy Live are ones that the good people at Comedy Autopsy HQ find funny because we’ve seen them and they have made us chuckle till we buckled. Every act that appears is a 100% guarantee laugh out loud….comedian. Sorry thought there was something better coming but I went with the obvious.

But if you want a specific reason to come along then I have one or two for you. For a start Amy Howerska and James Loveridge will be previewing their Edinburgh Festival show for us. That’s right an Edinburgh Festival preview makes us sound and feel like a proper comedy night. The second reason is that we have Sarah Callaghan. Sarah is a very talented comedian who while not only a graduate of the prestigious Second City improv comedy group in Chicago has also appeared on Coach trip. And we here at The Comedy Autopsy are not sure which we are more jealous of.

So May 23rd. The Last Refuge. Peckham. A night of awesome live comedy. Only £4. It would be great to see you there. I’d appreciate it and so would the performers. £4.Got to be worth a shot.

PS: While it’s not in a pub you will still be able to buy alcohol. In case you were wondering.

Shannon Stephens: Video for ‘Care of You’ unveiled | Music News

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Seattle singer-songwriter Shannon Stephens has unveiled the video for her single ‘Care of You’, taken from her 3rd album ‘Pull It Together’, which is released on 28th May. The video was shot by Christian Soren Hansen in a friend’s kitchen. The album will be the first release since 2009’s ‘The Breadwinner’.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyUySbnhMVY&w=560&h=315]
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