Culture Diary, Week Commencing 04/07/2011

Mon 04/07

The Kingdom
Yeah-yeah, we know, Lars von Trier's a bit of dirty word right now. But don't let that put you off what is a strong and challenging (what worthwhile endeavour isn't?) body of work. Monday sees the full release of von Trier's hospital set TV psycho-drama, The Kingdom (or Riget, in the original Danish). The hospital, its patients and its staff, are subject to strange occurrences, supernatural and otherwise, and it is shot in grainy, muted tones - a world away from today's obsession with HD, and all the better for it. Whatever your opinion of von Trier and his misguided, naive attempts at comedy on an international platform, don't deny yourself some of the finest film-making out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJBTD3cPXQ

Mon 04 - Sun 10 July

Liverpool Arabic Film Festival @ FACT
We're a closed-minded lot, humans. Insular and often wary of trying new things, and this, by-and-large, is true of the lot of us. So this week, instead of 'sticking to what you know', why not immerse yourself in another culture's rich film history? Running alongside the city's long-established Arabic Arts Festival, FACT are showcasing a week's worth of classic and new films to provide as broad an introduction as possible to a filmic heritage few in this country can say they are familiar with. Highlights include the UK premier of The Man Who Sold The World.
http://www.fact.co.uk/news/blog/2011/06/15/arabic-film-festival-coming-soon

Fri 08/07

The Tree of Life
Terence Malick's reflection on life's biggest themes won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, and has garnered a bucket-load of 5 star reviews. Using a 1950s family as the vehicle by which he explores the meaning of life, love and loss Malick (not without his critics) has delivered what many consider to be his masterpiece, with some even suggesting this is his 2001: A Space Odyssey moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0

Sea of Bees @ The Scandinavian Church, £7
Julie Ann Baenziger, AKA Sea of Bees, is the latest in a run of great artists to perform at The Scandinavian Church, courtesy of promoters Harvest Sun. Not one to wear her heart anywhere other than squarely on her sleeve, Julie Ann Bee is a singer songwriter drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Sparklehorse. Fresh off the back of high praise for last year's Songs For The Ravens, catch Julie Ann this Friday night along with support from Laura J Martin and Simon Knighton for the sweetest of stings.
http://www.myspace.com/seaofbees