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Warwick Castle Review – An Underestimated Hidden Gem!

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School holidays are well underway and with so many various attractions prying for your attention via different media and even social networks, one could be forgiven for overlooking Warwick Castle as being far too historic for children. But to do so would be a huge mistake. As I discovered on a recent visit to the castle, it is a place of wonder, mystery and magic. A place where young girls can become princesses and young boys can pull the legendary sword from the stone and be declared King to rapturous applause. Where knights fight gallantly to defend the kingdom and where dark secrets are kept hidden away in dungeons.

Warwick Castle represents an interesting combination of a modern visitor attraction in a historic location. A real medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire it takes just 1 hour 15 minutes to get there directly by train from London Marylebone station and is only a 10-15 min walk from the station.

The surrounding countryside and castle are incredible to see. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 the castle simply oozes regality and by itself represents a remarkable piece of English heritage, but to stop there would be to miss out on some of the core attractions that will keep both young and old imaginations enthused like wildfire. I have tried my best to capture some of the amazing experiences I had the pleasure of enjoying but in truth, there is more to see than is capable in one day. Nevertheless taking the little one out to Warwick castle proved an impeccable treat. Highlights included:

The Castle Dungeon

Dank, pungent and scary this was very much akin to The London Dungeon experience.

I guess the dark colours mean she isn't joking...

One bears witness to perhaps one of the most frightening times in history: 1345 a time of the plague. A period of real hopelessness and fear, a time where people suffered relentlessly and prayed for redemption. Walking though the gates you are transported into the castle dungeon, greeted by scary monks, castle cooks, decaying bodies, torturers, court room judges, execution and where you can literally got lost  in ‘the labyrinth of lost souls’. I won’t give away anything from the storyline but for me personally the final room proved the most scary, representing something from a scene of both Blair Witch and Paranormal activity, it was very unnerving. A foreboding sign outside does say ‘Not suitable for under 10′s and there was some brave children who came inside and were very brave. However, for wussies like me, I found myself covering my eyes most of the time and praying the rest of the time. It has to be said that the actors were first class professionals, truly bringing this horrible part of history to life.

Merlin: The Dragon Tower

Based on the BBC’s hit series Merlin; this real life tour gave my little one and I the chance to experience the magic of Merlin first hand. Beginning in a book shop where a young apprentice has been told to guard the secrets of the Elders’ magic we follow her to the magical mirror through which we could talk to The Great Dragon. This was a fantastic treat for all the kids and it was amazing to see their eyes light up at actually being able to interact with the character from the television show. The technology used really shone; this wasn’t some pre-scripted video we were watching the dragon asked questions of the audience, repeated a couple of people’s names and even told us our destiny; to be future warriors of the kingdom apparently. It was incredible, however I found the experience to be short-lived. It would have been great if more had happened to extend the encounter.

Warwick Warriors display –

Warwick Castle has a number of different events happening dependant on the day, the weather and the

The sword fighting is amazing

season. Rolling alternatively to the Jousting Knights is the Warwick Warriors. My advice is to always check the time of key events as you arrive and plan your day accordingly so as not to miss anything. The Warriors perform once daily and are a feast on the eyes. Why? Because they are the closest any of us will get to actually seeing a real life sword fighting display in person. Again the quality of the acting, the atmosphere, everything works together to give quite a profound experience and one where the actors will break any misconceptions that you might have had about knights and sword fighting.

The Princess Tower – 

The Princess Tower represents probably the real life dream of every young girl and maybe a few adults too. Going through what is perhaps the largest doorway I’ve seen, the little ones were enthused to actually sit in a throne and have their pictures taken. Going up a long spiral staircase took us to the tower adorned with picture frames of different princesses all over the world. Going through to an adjoining room we were greeted by a princess who taught us exactly what it means to be one. Can you feel a pea under your bed? Can you kiss a lot of frogs? Well I sure have anyway. Finally a magic mirror opens up and we get to choose a wedding dress for the princess’s bestest friend. Like all the other experiences I found the acting to be first class and if anything it is their belief in what they are doing that means the children are thrilled and follow into the fantasy.

Birds of Prey – 

There was an impressive flying demonstration of some of the most amazing birds in the castle demonstration.

The Bird display is pretty incredible - the birds get real up close to visitors...

The bird handler was knowledgeable and seemed to make even the most mundane information sound fun. I saw Harris’ Hawks, Eagles with incredible wing spans and a huge Owl that seemed to have his own diva moment. It was fun to watch and because the birds are so well-trained they get right up close and personal. To see them fly is astounding.

Food and Drink –

Next on our stop was a bite to eat and we were pleasantly surprised to find quite a few venues within easy walking distance of the main attractions all with a different range of food and drink. There are quite a few marquees within the landscaped grounds but we opted for the 18th Century Coach House, which offered a pub style menu and we were pleased to see healthy snacks shown on the menus by the ‘Healthier Choices’ logo. We were also provided with free fresh fruit salad for the children’s meals which I thought was a real nicety.

Sword in the Stone Show –

Here the legendary tale of Arthur came to life. Within the gathering crowd the forces of good and evil stirred. Was the power of Good, justice and a bright new future going to befall the kingdom or was its destiny going to be ruled by darkness?  According to the story only the new King Arthur had the pureness of character to pull the legendary sword Excalibur from the stone. Again this was another real treat for the family; the acting first class, drawing you into the world of fantasy – very good indeed.

The Kingmaker – 

This is more for the history buffs amongst you, more like a museum than anything else. Here you can find out how weapons were made, how armour was crafted and see what mediaeval life was really like through sights, sounds and even smells. Like most of Warwick Castle this is history without barriers, and without ‘do not touch’ signs; you can get right up close and personal with your experience, try on helmets and touch and hold swords that would have been used in battle.

The Towers & Ramparts – 

Taking a well deserved rest from fantasy lands full of Princesses and stories of Merlin I decided to explore and check out the tower. Outside a sign warned me ‘One Way Only’ I wish I had taken heed; there are so many steps involved in getting to the top of the castle I needed a much-needed rest. However in truth it was all worth it as the view was awesome to see and I took loads of unbelievable shots of the surrounding countryside and the rest of the tower which, it has to be said is marvellous.

The Grounds & Gardens – 

I thought I would mention this if only to reiterate the fabulous layout of the grounds. My partner and I belong to the National Trust and getting away from it all is something we frequently relish as we live in the heart of

Besides the attractions - the castle grounds too are there to be enjoyed...

London. First built in 1068 on the orders of William the Conqueror, it formed the most important part of the Norman castle’s defence system. The hill by the castle has been described as the perfect vantage point, not for defending against marauding troops but for taking in the beautiful unfolding views of these peaceful grounds.  Walking around the gardens is incredibly tremendous and peaceful. Animals such as peacocks and birds are so well-kept that they just move freely. On our visit two peacocks went into their own fashion display in getting the visitor’s attention.

Firing of the Trebuchet –

The last thing we had time for was the demonstration of the castle’s Trebuchet. Effectively an old-fashioned manpowered catapult, used to keep enemies at bay. Again brought to life by first class actors and the Duke of the Castle who was more than happy to share useful info as to how it all worked and came about.

My Verdict

In one word: incredible.Warwick Castle has earned the term The Ultimate Castle but in reality the words don’t do it justice. There is so much to see that you probably won’t fit it all in one visit. Throughout our entire trip I saw many happy faces; children fulfilling their fantasies, adults with that tell-tale look on their face and not just because they had stayed at the hotel (it’s haunted apparently). I’m not sure but it has that rare effect of tapping the imagination that the bigger parks with all their big rides and commercialism seem to miss and what’s more it does it all simply, whether that is swords, whether that is soldiers on horse back whether it is Merlin and tales of magic. All staff I met were fantastic, whether actors or working on the gate, in the cafe, or the shop, it all added to making the visit more enjoyable.

Things you need to know:

Book online 7 days in advance

If you book online 7 days in advance you can save 30% off admission fees; book 48 hours in advance and save 20%: purchase a Warwick Castle Kingdom Ticket for entrance to Warwick Castle, The Castle Dungeon (over 10s only) and Merlin: The Dragon Tower for adults from £21.42; children aged 4-11 years from £18.06

For more info check out: http://www.warwick-castle.com/tickets-and-offers/ticket-prices.aspx

or their booking line on – 0871 265 2000

Travelling by Train

It takes from as little as 80 minutes to get to Warwick Station from London Marylebone.   To book your ticket, just visit  www.chilternrailways.co.uk  and remember, when you go by train you get 2 for 1 on entry to Warwick Castle.

Double check everything – Check the timings of trains, events, costs, even the weather before you get there and plan accordingly. Some of the attractions are outside and on our day it was quite nippy – be prepared. Also some shows are not repeated so it makes sense to plan ahead.

Have some spare cash – there is only one cash-point that I saw inside, and some of the attractions you have to pay for and kids always want snaps which cost too. When you plan ahead take these costs into consideration.

If you have the guts do try to stay over – the hotel is apparently a treat for the senses (so I am told) and lets face it there is too much to do in one day.

For more info check out

http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/

As if you needed any more convincing – you should check out the video below

http://youtu.be/BJGPTSyRGBk

Into The Abyss: A Tale Of Death, A Tale Of Life by Daniel McCarthy

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With an output rate that would make Woody Allen envious and a string of classics ranging across four decades, the prolific German filmmaker Werner Herzog has built up a devoted international following and critically gilded canon of work that most directors can only aspire to. This includes a recent spate of documentaries that look with awe at the power of nature such as last year’s brilliant Cave Of Forgotten Dreams. Herzog is fascinated however with the sometimes cataclysmic clash of nature and man, both fictional and factual, from the likes of Aguirre Wrath Of God and to Grizzly Man. Now Herzog has taken a more definitive step towards the flawed nature of man with his latest work Into The Abyss, a calm yet unflinching examination of the death penalty in America shown through the prism of one particular crime. Many of Herzog’s films can claim to look into an abyss, whether it is literal or metaphorical. Whichever way you view this latest work, it is arguably one of his strongest pieces yet.
In October of 2001 Michael Perry and Jason Burkett, two teenagers with troubled backgrounds living in Texas, broke into the house of a fifty year old nurse Sandra Stotler with the intention of stealing her sports car.

The crime ended with her death, as well as that of her son and his friend who were ambushed upon their return to the house, led into a wooded area and killed in order to gain possession of the remote control device needed to open the gates of the housing community where they lived. It is a crime noticeable for both its callousness and stupidity. Perry and Burkett where arrested days later after a shootout with police and proceeded to blame each other for the events that took place. Burkett was sentenced to life imprisonment whilst Perry was sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out in the summer of 2010. Herzog interviews the two men at their respective prisons (Perry was only eight days from execution during his interview) as well as members of the victims’ families and some of those directly involved with the process of state executions.

From the outset Herzog makes his views clear to the two men and to the viewer; ‘I don’t have to like you, but I don’t think human beings should be executed.’ His view is a humanist one, not political despite its release coming just ahead of the Republican presidential nomination in America. Despite not shunning away from the horror of the crimes committed, judgement is not heaped upon the convicted men. The conversations with them are quietly unnerving; despite having claimed his innocence Perry views his impending death with serene calm whilst Burkett discusses the troubled relationship with his father who is also imprisoned in an adjunct prison ward for a separate crime. Their pasts and backgrounds are referenced but are not used as an excuse. Instead a complex tableau is woven on both sides with family members of the victims revealing how they have been affected by the tragedy and whether or not they feel the execution will heal their pain whilst Burkett’s father holds himself responsible for his son’s wayward lifestyle. Compared to the pacing of Herzog’s fictional work and some of the documentaries, there is a unique stillness to the imagery and the tone that is tremendously sombre and effecting. The camera roves effortlessly and holds on the smallest of details; the scattered, rural landscape that prisoners pass through on their way to the ‘Death House’, the faces of interviewees left hanging at the end of questioning and not given the mercy of a quit cutaway. Rather than adhere to standard rules of documentary film-making, Herzog is drawn to what he refers to an ‘ecstatic truth’. The point is made not through a deluge of facts and figures but instead a hidden narrative construct takes us on a journey through the incredible true story and in doing so deepens the emotional response.

There’s plenty of emotion on display here. The tale is tragic on both sides and the interviews are to the point, precise and devastating. Herzog’s trademark accented narration is toned right down and he never appears directly onscreen. There is a stillness in both the one to one and interviews and the establishing shots between them as though the camera itself is respectfully treading away from anything exploitive. Crime scene footage is seen but never lingered over. Out of the remnants of the tragedy, it is the small fleeting moments of humanity that move the deepest. An anecdote about squirrels on a golf course manages to evoke tears from a prison chaplain whilst a former captain of the ‘execution team’ recalls the exact moment when he realized he could no longer carry on with his job. The film is separated into individual chapters covering the crime, the aftermath and the debate surrounding capital punishment. The last chapter is optimistically titled ‘The Urgency Of Life’, and we focus on the acceptance of the various parties involved as they discuss how the execution has and has not restored equilibrium to the situation. Rather than end on a bleak epilogue Herzog pulls off an odd, vaguely amusing and hopeful vignette. One of the final shots is a phone screen capture of an ultrasound scan revealing a child. To say anymore may rob its power, but it’s a beautiful little grace note that only this director could pull off.

I had the good fortune to see Into The Abyss at a preview screening followed by a live stream Q and A session with Herzog himself. It was a fascinating experience to hear the man give insight into his method and viewpoint on his work and how he tackled the more stressful aspects of the production. The film is being released as a companion series, On Death Row screens on Channel 4. Though at time of writing I have only seen half of the episodes, it has all the merits of the main work itself; sombre, thoughtful and astonishingly balanced in approach to its subject. With these projects Herzog is staring death in the face. And death stares straight back.

Ridge Racer Unbounded Review

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Namco should be slapped on their botties for letting what could have been a tremendous title go to waste and with good reason sent to their room for the rest of the month.

One question deserves to be continually asked: Why oh why would you give away a game with so much history and so much of a following and allow it to be utterly ruined? It is the equivalent of having a million pound winning lottery ticket and giving it away to an alcoholic.

Imagine this: you have an incredible franchise that you develop over the years. Sure, it may not be realistic enough to warrant the title ‘A Driving Simulator’ but hey, it is a fun arcade racer, the graphics are top notch, the speed and the flavour of racing is such that you build a world-wide following of fans that stay with you over three generations of consoles. At the last hurdle, maybe time is the issue or resources either way you allow another developer to step in and as such they drop the ball, next thing you know it is 3 nill to your opponents…

I really wanted this game to be good, I really did. So much so that when I read some of the other reviews on the game I refused to believe them. When one of my friends pointed out that the key to the game is about learning how to use the ‘Drift Button’ effectively. Inside I jumped for joy; maybe it was a whole misunderstanding for the other reviewers but now, two whole days later, I realised he was under the same deluded self deception as me. You see, gamers like us who grew up on the whole Ridge Racer series just don’t want to believe their beloved franchise is in the pan. But trust me, for this game it is; it is in the pan with a little bit of extra virgin oil and under a high heat.

I’ve always said that I would put the boot in when it came to crap titles but the only thing that is worse in this world than a crap game is an expensive crap game. Oh and this game is crap with more crappy pieces than a crappy bits lunch box meal made by a crappy deep fried chicken chop shop that is crap. You see I wouldn’t enjoy this game if it came as a PSN cheap download – the fact that it costs £40 is plain pathetic and a waste of money. I actually owe it to gamers to stop them going out there and buying this tosh.

Where do I start? Ridge Racer Unbounded tries to bring in core elements of Split/Second and Burnout series to the franchise of old. By itself this should not be a nail in the coffin. Like Split/Second you can open up shortcuts around the track by filling a power meter which generates by sliding and tailing other racers you can use this power in one of four ways; to provide a quick boost, open up shortcuts, smash into your opponents or create explosions. Unlike Split/Second however, you don’t trigger the explosions or shortcuts remotely: you smash into them to explode them or open them up. The problem here is in the execution. Question: When is a shortcut not a shortcut? When you take it and more often than not it puts you behind the competitors…duh… It’s an idea that sounds pants on paper and in reality is pants to see. Practically all shortcuts I have seen besides looking good, offer very little else. The explosions are nothing to write home about and have none of that ‘Ream-ability’ factor seen in Split/Second.

Secondly is control. Ridge Racer has always been renowned for its pick up and play capability. It is an arcade racer; mistime your brake and you don’t always screw up or end up in a wall. Unbounded follows this legacy; in fact most of the walls are destructible, which to its credit is a nice touch, but rather than keeping with the common traits of the genre i.e. gas, brake, boost, what we have here is an addition in the form of a ‘slide button’ that is supposed to allow you powerslide round corners. You see, if you hit the brake, handbrake, or hit a wall you lose a lot of speed but if you power-slide you lose just a little bit of speed but go into a wide angle slide in which you will hit the wall anyway. Makes sense doesn’t it? I thought so. Adding to this is that your opponents never make mistakes – the AI difficulty is incredible and there are no options to change it – this all means you will be sitting there for a long time playing the same tracks again and again just to qualify one race. Now some of you might be forgiven for thinking ‘I bet you he is just having a moan because he is not good at racing games’ but the reality is I have played and completed most of this game’s competitors and it is their qualities that make this game pale in comparison.

Graphics is average. Split/Second (a game that is almost a year and a half old) and Motorstorm Apocalypse easily outdoes this title in terms of quality and execution and even with Unbounded’s exploding walls or vehicles it brings nothing that hasn’t been seen or done better elsewhere. And what happened to the 3D? Is this yet another title that had dropped the notion of 3D gaming?

Music is poor. A classic element of Ridge Racer was the banging tracks and cheesy voice over. Thankfully the voice over is gone but where are the tracks? A host of Japanese unknowns and a couple of drum and bass tracks are all you get for your money. My gosh, that is such a wasted opportunity; Namco could have done remixes from the whole of the franchise, even SSX had tracks you knew or could dance to. This is just a really appalling effort.

To be fair to Bugbear, they have tried to introduce variety into the game and franchise but I don’t think they really spoke to the fans, or truly had a grasp of what made the original games so much fun. The only thing I could say I liked was the game’s much-hyped track editor. After all who wouldn’t want to build a Ridge Racer track from scratch? I found it flexible and easy to use, putting together a decent course in a very short space of time which was great, obviously, but the underlying problems that affect the racing on the ‘actual’ tracks still applied. Ho-Hum…

My Verdict

Ridge Racer Unbounded is nothing but a shame and a waste of money. I simply cannot recommend a game when I know there are superior, cheaper alternatives out there. Even if you find it out on your travels as a cheapie, avoid like the plague. You have been warned.

2 out of 10

Does it Work? | Chlorella

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I am an actress and since nearly every film and TV show is now filmed on HD I am always looking for ways to make sure my skin looks perfect. Here is the first of my ‘Does it Work?’ reviews on beauty and health products. We tell you whether or not it actually works.

 

Chlorella: The new Crème De La Mer?

 

I have to be honest here, I have never tried Crème De Lar Mer, but I do know it works because some of my rich friends told me. So when I was sent Chlorella to review and they said it was the new Crème De Lar Mer I got excited about finding something that works for a fraction of the price. Sun Chlorella ‘A’ also has a celebrity fan club, Miranda Kerr describes her beauty regime as such “To keep my skin in check I always eat lots of greens and take Chlorella supplements and drink lots of water”. Victoria Beckham, Fergie and Sadie Frost are also fans.

 

But did it work for me? Yes, my skin did become clearer and I felt better. One of my friends said I was ‘glowing’. I also felt like I had more energy. My nails even seem to stop splitting. So I am converted. It actually did make me healthier and improve my skin.

Sun Chlorella ‘A’ is a single-celled green algae . It is entirely natural and balanced and is packed with vitamins. It also has the iron equivalent of nine cups of spinach. If you can afford £21.95 per month I would definitely include this in your beauty regime.

 

Available from www.sunchlorella.co.uk or www.victoriahealth.com

Montezuma: The Best Chocolate in the World.

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Montezuma is a British chocolate company that makes the best chocolate in the world, and, dammit, it makes me feel so proud. Upon receiving Montezuma’s Monkey Bars in the post I was so happy that I actually couldn’t speak for at least a minute.

 

Montezuma have just brought out new Monkey Bars that are bigger than an ipad. These half-kilo slabs of pure chocolate heaven are named after Cockney rhyming slang for ‘500’. They measure an impressive 10” by 6”. They have been inspired for this special year for Britain; the Royal Jubilee and the Olympics in case you have been living in a cave.

 

I tried the Nanny Goat; Venezuelan Milk Chocolate with salted peanuts and butterscotch, and Adam & Eve; Venezuelan Milk Chocolate with Orange and Hazelnuts. It was so hard to pick a favourite but the latter just managed it. Rick Stein call this family business “food obsession at its best” but that’s an understatement. They also mix chocolate with traditional desserts like Eton Mess, Spotted Dick and Apple Crumble. Montezuma’s chocolate it one of my favourite things in the world, and, no, I am not being paid to say that.

 

Available from montezumas.co.uk, one of their stores [there is one in Spitalfields in London that I pass and nearly spend all of my money in], and John Lewis. They may be £13.99 but they are worth every penny. Foodie Heaven.

Suits Season One Finale | Review

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SPOILER ALERT

You wait your entire life for a good legal drama and two come at once. [The Good Wife is the other one, in case you were wondering] It is hard to believe that it is already the season finale of Suits, how time flies. Harvey and Mike’s legal shenanigans have kept me entertained for weeks.

In the last episode Harvey found his conscious and vowed to get someone he had [accidentally] falsely imprisoned for murder back out of prison. He is intent on proving Clifford Danner’s innocence because he’s come across new evidence that might absolve the wrongly convicted man. He also refused to turn in his own corrupt mentor, and was only saved by the women in his life.

He has to go up against everyone, including his own firm Pearson & Harden as the powers that be are not too happy on him representing a convicted murderer, especially since his victim went to a private school where many of the firm’s clients send their children. As they lose a client the stakes are raised.

Mike goes to work to help save the day yet again. Will they manage it? It will be tough as their every turn is blocked, and the stakes are raised higher; if they lose, their client will get life imprisonment, instead of the four years he has left.

It is fun finding out, but somewhere else in the episode something happens that can completely destroy Mike’s career, and possibly affect Harvey’s too, as old lies rise to the surface. Another good episode. I cannot wait for the next season.

Suits SERIES FINALE S1 E12/12

Tuesday 3rd April, 9pm

CELEBRITY MUMS SHARE THEIR BEAUTY TIPS

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Gwyneth Paltrow – maintain a blow dry

“This stuff’s great when your hair needs a little spiffing up, especially when it’s starting to get a bit greasy. If you want to maintain a blow dry or don’t have time to do a full wash and blow out, this really does the trick. It gets right to the roots and brings back volume and makes your hair less oily.”

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat milk is priced £7.50 for 150ml from John Lewis. For all stockist enquiries please call 01582 820 165.

Charlotte Church – care for sensitive skin

“The Trilogy Sensitive Moisturising Cream is the best moisturiser ever, I use it every day and it makes a huge difference to my skin. When I stopped using it for a few days my skin really suffered as a result.”

Trilogy Sensitive Moisturising Cream is £24.50 for 50ml from Trilogyproducts.co.uk

Denise Van Outen – beat stretch marks

Denise Van Outen revealed her secret to keeping stretch marks at bay was “good ol’ Bio-Oil”, explaining “At night I covered myself in Bio-Oil before bed”.

Bio-Oil is £8.95 for 60ml, Boots.

Katie Holmes – keep it covered

Katie Holmes’ hectic lifestyle as an A-List mum never shows on her skin. We can reveal that her secret is Keromask Camouflage Cream. It offers long-lasting, water-proof and smudge-proof coverage of all sorts of tell-tale signs including dark under eye circles and spots.

Keromask Camouflage Cream is £14.99 from Keromask.com

Victoria Beckham – bee beautiful

Victoria Beckham is a fan of bee venom to keep her skin looking youthful and glowing.

Manuka Doctor’s Purified Bee Venom Repairing Skin Cream is £24.99 Holland & Barrett

Sophie Dahl – look fresh-faced

Sophie Dahl stays fresh faced with a spritz of the Avène Thermal Water Spray “This keeps my skin from getting dry”

Eau Thermale Avène Water Spray is £6.50 for 150ml from Boots

Reel Syria Film Festival 2012

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REEL SYRIA 2012
London
March 15-18

 

Following the successful REEL FESTIVALS 2011: SYRIA, LEBANON, SCOTLAND – a trilateral exchange of contemporary music, film and literature from Syria, Lebanon and Scotland, Reel Festivals returns for its fifth year with Reel Syria 2012, in association with Mosaic Initiative for Syria, supporting Syrian artists and showcasing Syrian culture to a UK audience.

At a time when Syria is engulfed in violent conflict, the festival will present a nuanced portrait of the country and its people. On the anniversary of the uprising, Mosaic Initiative for Syria will also raise funds for Syrians displaced and affected by the current violent crackdown.

Highlights of the festival include a performance of Score 328: SURROUND by ‘The 17’ an international public performance project conceived by artist/author/musician Bill Drummond (KLF). A Syrian film programme by DoxBox including a screening of ‘A Flood in Ba’ath Country’ directed by the late, celebrated Syrian documentary maker Omar Amiralay, an evening panel discussion on creative resistance with guests, including Asian Dub Foundation’s Steve Chandra Savale, Syrian novelists Manhal Alsarraj and Mamdouh Azzam, and other participants TBC. There will also be a fundraising Syrian-style bazaar at Kensington Town Hall.

A major fundraising music concert is scheduled, but at time of going to press, details are still being confirmed. More information will follow shortly

They have a blog that can be read here.

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday 15th March

7:00 pm – Reel Syria in association with Frontline, screening of Syrian documentary film, ‘A Flood in Ba’ath Country’ by Omar Amiralay as part of DoxBox Global Day. Q+A with Syrian Director Reem Ali £10/£8 (Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, W2 1QJ)

Friday 16th March

5:00-7:00 pm – Literary panel discussion and readings – Culture Under Fire: Creative resistance in Syria. Join some of Syria’s best known authors, artists and poets for a discussion of cultural repression and resistance. Featuring: novelist, Manhal Alsarraj, novelist, Mamdouh Azzam, musician Steve Chandra Savale, academic, Donatella Della Ratta + more tbc (Free Word Centre)
8.30-10pm – Screening of Syrian film(s) + Q&A
Free Entry (Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3GA)

Saturday 17th March

4:00 pm – Mosaic Initiative for Syria Fundraising Syrian Bazaar (Kensington Town Hall)
7:00 pm – Art of the Revolution, Mosaic Initiative fundraising concert featuring top Syrian musicians – further programming and price info TBC (Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX)

Sunday 18th March:

1:00 pm – Bill Drummond – ‘SURROUND in Damascus’, a piece of work created for Syria in 2011 by legendary artist and musician Bill Drummond, will now take place in exile in London. 100 volunteers are needed; all will become members of The17, Bill Drummond’s international choir.
To take part, please email surround@reelfestivals.org

DoxBox is Syria’s only independent documentary film festival and has hosted guests such as D.A. Pennebaker, Kim Longinotto, Mark Isaacs and many more. In 2012 it will take place in exile, with a programme of Syrian documentary film. The film aspect of Reel Syria will come from DoxBox.
Reem Ali is one of Syria’s best known contemporary actresses. She is the director of ‘Zabad’, a 2006 searing critique of the Assad regime, subsequently banned in Syria; it premiered at Reel Festivals 2011.

Manhal Alsarraj is an award winning Syrian author. She has published a number of books including Overcoming The Bridge (1997) and As Should Be For The River (2000), which was banned from publication in Syria due to its political connotations. Her most recent novel On My Chest (2007) was published by Cadmus books in Damascus in 2007.

Mamdouh Azzam, is a Syrian novelist, whose works are a damning portrait of life under a dictatorship, as well as being beautiful works of literature. His novel Rain Palace was banned by the Ministry of Culture for religious/political reasons and his latest novel, Women of the Imagination, is a story of a book-obsessed teacher living under the Baathist regime

Steve Chandra Savale, also known by his stage names Chandrasonic and best known for his punk rave aesthetic as the guitarist for the ground-breaking British band Asian Dub Foundation. In 2009, He presented a series of documentaries for Al-Jazeera English called Music of Resistance.

Donatella Della Ratta is an academic specializing in the study of Syrian cultural production at the University of Copenhagen. Author of several articles for leading scholarly journals, she focuses on culture of resistance in Syria and its implications.

Bill Drummond has been the bestselling musician in the world, burnt £1,000,000 as a work of performance art and written a manual on how to have a number one record. His energies are now focused on a choir called The17 and he will be presenting a piece made to take place in Syria during the festival. http://www.the17.org/scores/328,
http://www.penkilnburn.com/events/events.php

 

Reel Festivals was made possible by the generous support of the British Council .

Reel Festivals is a Firefly International project. Firefly is a charity which breaks down barriers through shared creative and cultural dialogue.

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Info about Reel Festivals:
http://www.reelfestivals.org/reel-syria/