Nocturnal Animals (2016 Film)

After an anticipated wait, last week I finally got the opportunity to go and see the gripping revenge tale 'Nocturnal Animals' at the Broadway Cinema in Nottingham. Produced by the extremely talented, Tom Ford, the film is his second feature film since the creative director delved into the world of filmography and it seems that this time round, as expected, he has far from disappointed his audience. 

With themes of meta-mystery thriller, heartache and despair, the film, which was inspired by the 1993 novel 'Tony and Susan' by Austin Wright, offers a double staged narrative which continuously cuts back and forth between the reality and fiction of certain character's lifestyles.  A film within a film, Jake Gyllenhaal takes on two roles in the story as he acts out the roles of Edward Sheffield who subtly yet cleverly torments the 'nocturnal' and ex-wife Susan, played by Amy Adams and Tony Hastings, a man whose family is harshly taken from him in the most traumatizing and physically brutal way. However, although the film depicts such scenes of despair and turmoil, it is definitely one that you cannot stop watching. 

During the film I also admired the way that the production celebrated the freedom and excessiveness of American culture which was vividly communicated during the opening scene and the explicit art that scatters the walls of the art gallery; ran by the main character and insanely insomniac, Susan. 

A film filled with tremendous flashbacks and the most uncomfortable yet artistically brilliant scenes, the synopsis is one that must be carefully followed. Although you may be left slightly confused and ready for a question and answer with the screenplay writer, Tom Ford, himself, the film is a definite must see due to its combination of chilling themes and Hitchockian aesthetic!

Victoria and Albert Museum: You Say You Want A Revolution?

Since I am currently taking part in a project at university that surrounds the topic of identity and subculture, recently, I visited the exhibition 'You Say You Want A Revolution?' at the Victoria and Albert museum.

During my visit, I was taken on a journey back to the 60's; a time when popular culture exploded on the media scene and a baby boom commenced. Throughout the whole exhibition, there were references to all influences that could have possibly shaped an individuals identity during the sixties such as the uncontrollable craze of LSD that evoked a prestigious drug culture among society, the influence of festivals, a rise in consumption, an introduction of high quality celebrity photography and of course, reactions to the political and manipulative minds of the government across the globe during the experimental era that was the sixties.

An enlighten and informing experience for me yet it amazed me how to some, this exhibition would have been a nostalgic and retrospective glimpse into their past. Not only was the exhibition interesting for me when it came to learning about the context of the sixties and how identities were shaped, but it also became such an unforgettable experience as I found myself walking round the exhibition watching individuals reminisce and dance to songs that had sculpted their teenage lives and arguably, viewing elements of media or culture that have made them the person they are today.

Here are just a few of my favourite pieces of art or film posters that I thought were interesting of worth a look at from the exhibition....


Sgt. Peppers, Richard Avedon 1967


White Rabbit in Wonderland, Joseph Mchugh


Martin Sharp, Roundhouse UFO


The Souper Dress, 1966. inspired by Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Can piece

Michelangelo Antonioni film 'Blow Up' 1996

Christine Keeler, photographs by Lewis Morley, 1963.

Lastly, if you are interested in attending the exhibition, it is showing until the 26th February so catch it over Christmas before it's too late!