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ARTS / BOOKS / FASHiON / CREATiVE WRiTiNG / GAMiNG / TV / FiLM / VERA VERA

385

VENUE

editorial Eunice has been raging through the streets of the UK, knocking over trees and causing destruction wherever she goes. As we write this, she is howling through the square with gusto. With that in mind, we hope that you have managed to stay safe over reading week, to get back to Norwich safely, if you left, and that you haven’t lost your wheelie bins. The Norwich light festival has taken place this week, lighting up the streets of our beloved city with an innovative and captivating installation. It has been a lovely reminder that, even in this horrible weather, when it feels like winter may never end, there is always some light to be found somewhere. Even if it’s a sculpture of a horse that’s on fire. Or something... The 8th March is International Women’s Day, and Venue want to celebrate women+ everywhere, in our discussion of the arts! Gender equality is paramount, and is so often discussed in the wider arts industry, with movements like MeToo and more. It’s been quite a year, in terms of showing up the gender inequality still so stark in our society, and it’s so vitally important that we promote fairness for all genders. Meanwhile, and with Valentine’s day just behind us, Februrary has been the perfect time to celebrate love, and human kindness. LGBTQ+ History month is on its way out now, but it is obviously so important that we keep learning, and keep supporting. There have been many events on campus to celebrate and educate ourselves on current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, with pronoun badge-making workshops, and LGBTQ+ film screenings and a ‘how to fight for LGBT rights’ talk. Let’s go forward with love. We hope that you enjoy Issue 385. Photo: Samuel Baxter (from L to R, Deputy Elizabeth, Molly and Hamilton Editor Hamilton, Venue Editor Elizabeth and Deputy Editor Molly)

Section Editors: Arts - Jack Warren

Music - Tom manning

Books - Louise Collins

Gaming - Holly Jackson

Fashion - Zorsha Taylor-Suich

Film - Laura Patterson

Creative Writing - Izzy Murphy

TV - Ben Smith

Front Cover Art by Aimee Ugur

contents Arts ................................................................... 4 Books ................................................................ 7 Fashion ............................................................ 10 Creative Writing ............................................ 14 Music ................................................................ 17 Gaming ............................................................. 20 Film .................................................................. 24 TV ..................................................................... 27 Vera Venue ..................................................... 31

Arts " /JHIU BU UIF .VTJDBMT "O JOUFSWJFX XJUI UIF 6&" $BCBSFU %JSFDUPST #Z TPQIJF $PMMFZ Photo: Matthew Warwick

UEA Cabaret is taking place on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of March. I had the chance to catch up with the directors, third year drama student Aine Jennings and third year Scriptwriting student Naomi Kendall to discuss how it has been reviving the show after the pandemic. Last year’s Cabaret was held online, how has it been preparing to have the

show in person for the first time since 2020? Naomi: Exciting! Because it was online not many people know what to expect. We want to bring it back with a bang. Aine: It’s a highly anticipated show. In our first year, people knew about it, there was a lot of hype. People don’t have that this year. We want to rekindle that. We’re bringing it back to the theatre, our focus is making it fun. There’s something for everyone.

What can we expect to see? Naomi: Singing, a live band, dancing! Yes, it’s musical theatre, but that encompasses jukebox, classic musical theatre, and movie music. Aine: There’s lots of different genres instead of just your typical musical theatre. You will 100% know at least one of the songs. Both of you have been in Cabaret since you were in first year, how is it for you to be directors as well as cast members? Naomi: I think because we did our first year of Cabaret then covid happened, the jump from being a cast member in first year to directing it in third year is so evident. Especially with having the pandemic either side of it. Aine: It’s quite nostalgic. It’s really nice to pass the baton onto our younger cast members, 50% of our cast are first years, it’s nice hearing them talk about what they’ll do when they get the chance. How have rehearsals been going? Aine: Really good! Naomi: It’s a big process and a lot of hours, at the end of it you can look back and see the hard work. It’s incredibly rewarding. Aine: Coming out of it hearing all

these beautiful harmonies, looking at the dances when everyone gets it, it’s really nice. You come out of rehearsal and feel like you’ve accomplished something.

The show is being done for charity, what charities have you chosen and why do you think these are important? Naomi: We chose AgeUK and Alzheimer’s society, they have personal connections to us. A big part of Cabaret is coming together and celebrating musicals which are all really cheesy, super happy parts of life. These charities look a lot on this idea of loneliness, and our show feels like a nice way to bring everyone together. Aine: They are charities that aren’t the top ones you’d think of, it’s nice to raise money for charities that aren’t always supported by big fundraisers, and they do such good work. Lastly, can you give us any soundtrack spoilers? We can’t give you any spoilers but Take A Chance On the show, and by the end you will definitely Wanna Dance With Somebody. Make sure to grab your tickets for the show and donate on https://linktr.ee/ minotaur_cabaret

%FDPMPOJTBUJPO BU UIF 4BJOTCVSZ $FOUSF #Z [PF HPVMJ An issue that has gained increasing

predominantly

through

increasing

student whose academic life is spent

prevalence in the world of gallery spaces is that of decolonisation. The work

accessibility. An example of this is by proudly

predominantly in the Centre, this diversity is one most joyous aspect of

towards deconstructing colonial modes of thinking has moved up on the to-do list

exhibiting the work of artists of colour, such as Magdalene Odundo’s The

working there. In between classes or on your way to grab a coffee you could pass

of institutions that strive to create diverse and safe spaces for all. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is no different; the subject has been approached

Journey of Things, a collection of ceramics that reflect the artists diasporic identity as an African woman. As an art history, archaeology, and anthropology

by a haunting Francis Bacon portrait only to find yourself next to a Fijian wood carving seconds later. This flow between different cultures

Arts

is an essential tool to adopt in one’s work as an art historian, and in this sense the

is one of them. It would have originally been placed in an alter in honour of the

criticism that many galleries and museums that house stolen artifacts face is that the

Centre has certainly taken steps in the right direction towards decolonising

deceased king, however in the deadly punitive expedition of 1897, British forces

focus is on discussion and discourse, instead of action. The conversation of

the museum space. The Sainsburys themselves were known for their interest

of 1200 men sacked the city of Benin and massacred countless men, women and

repatriation has remerged periodically over the past few decades, with activists

in all cultures, leading to the collection of a broad tapestry of artifacts, and a unique

children. Approximately 2500 religious artifacts

voicing their opinions at an unavoidable volume. The Sainsbury Centre has made

experience for viewers. This narrative flow,

were then stolen and distributed among members of the armed forces, with one

sizable steps in the right direction that are certainly fundamental to the evolution of

interrupted by certain artifacts whose history is a product of colonial violence.

ending up in our very own Sainsbury Centre. Several Benin bronzes have been

the space, however it is time for concrete, tangible change.

A striking bronze sculpture of the head of a Benin king, from modern day Nigeria,

repatriated in recent years; however, this piece remains on foreign ground. A

however,

(VFSSJMB (JSMT 5IF BSU PG GFNJOJTN BOE UIF GFNJOTJN PG BSU #Z 6OB +POFT So, you get the gist, here’s the list of

They protest this history of overlooked

when Sandro Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of

‘-ists’ inspiring ‘The Guerrilla Girls’. Their

and undervalued artistic women through

Venus’ portrayed the idealised form of a

feminist, anti-racist, artist and activist,

a simple technique, seen in the 1989

woman’s body. This radical transgression

anonymous

highlighting

poster that changed it all, asking the

from Renaissance Christian art sparked

the injustices pervading the art world.

simple question: “Do women have to be

the beginning of Western art’s fixation

Employing disruptive headlines, sparking

naked to get into the Met. Museum?” The

on the female nude. The form is now,

outrage, and exposing bias and corruption,

poster goes on to affirm that “less than

ironically, so widespread that women are

metaphorically likened to ‘guerrilla’ tactics

5% of artists in the Modern Art sections

commodified to sell commodities, ranging

has led to their dubbing as ‘The Guerrilla

are women, but 85% of the nudes are of

from billboards for car ads to bus stop

Girls.’

women” which suggests the only way

posters for perfume.

With

protests

their

are

anonymity

shrouded

women can be recognised in art is through

Delving into the personal lives of male

by gorilla masks to co-opt elements of

nudity and objectification. Contrastingly

artists and their treatment of women in

humour into their strategy dispels the

for men, recognised for their ambition

their own lives, the Guerrilla Girls examine

notion that fighting the good fight doesn’t

and talent, has yielded a huge profit from

the prominence of sexual violence and

always lead to solemnity in conviction.

these silenced figures. The sheer fact

objectification of women by men who

Remaining

still,

that there are more naked women than

profit from their nude portraits has led

though pseudonyms harking to great

women in artists in museums like the Met.

to the emergence of further important

artists like Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Stein,

highlights the impact of the male gaze on

questions which I will leave, you reader,

and Käthe Kollwitz serves to theatricalise

art, throughout history to the present day.

pondering - is this more than the male

their gestures and postures as a reminder,

Depicting women as sexual objects for

gaze? Does life imitate art, or does art

memorial and connection to the history

male pleasure, in this way, raises questions

imitate life? What will it take for the art

of great women in art who have found

about the fetishisation and appropriation

world to recognise women for more than

themselves consistently overlooked and

of naked women’s bodies by capitalism.

just their bodies?

underestimated.

Despite being taboo in origin, in 1486,

anonymous,

further

arts

#SVUBMJTN BU 6&" #Z .PMMZ 1IJMMJQT It might not be everyone’s cup

author behind James Bond, disliked it

recipes and cooking shows — brutalist

of architectural tea, but when Denys

so much that he took Goldfinger’s name

shows that our buildings can become a

Lasdun designed the University of

and made a Bond Villain out of it.

statement, and can have personality too.

East Anglia’s campus in the 1960s, he

Yet Brutalism has many strengths. It

certainly had a vision. UEA, much like

is unapologetic, and stark, and, at UEA,

As such, it can make us think about

the National Theatre (also Lasdun’s

works smoothly to fit into the green

the feelings that good architecture can

work) is a work of brutalism, an iconic

field by the broad and create a feeling of

inspire. Research has shown that living

concrete

contrasts

modernity, and of humans living beside

in the city can leave you more at risk

brilliantly with the peaceful greenery of

the natural world without changing it,

of conditions like schizophrenia, due

the surrounding area.

rather complimenting it.

to levels of stress. So, designers can

landscape

that

Brutalism was popular from the

Despite being everywhere in our

consider this when working, perhaps

1950s-70s, characterised by its use

society, architecture is a hidden art form.

creating a more mindful landscape,

of large blocks of practical materials,

Buildings and shelters are so necessary

perhaps owning up to the necessity of

such as (of course) UEA’s beloved

that they blend into whatever landscape

metropolis life, even in the quietest of

concrete, as well as steels and other

they are a part of, but brutalism is

areas, in the way that Brutalism can do

metals. Brutalist buildings also scrape

self-reflexive: it draws attention to

when it is engaged with as masterfully

the sky with straight, defined lines and

its own processes, to the necessity of

as Lasdun’s.

a monochromatic use of colour. One

architecture as not only a practicality

of the first Brutalists, Enro Goldfinger,

but also as an art form in and of its own

unattractiveness sits quietly alongside

designed a 31-story block of flats in

right. Much like our clothes and our

the trees and the lake, and begs the

the 1970s, in keeping with Brutalist

food — which are necessities but made

question:

appearances. But of course, it is not

exciting and tactile through fashion

to everyone’s taste: Ian Flemming, the

blogs and personalising, and through

Photo: Samuel Baxter

Ultimately,

UEA’s

well-designed

what if our place of work was a work of art?

&EJUPS +"DL 8BSSFO

BOOKS

Celebrating Disability Representation by Louise Collins Representation in books has always been important. However when creating diverse reading lists, people’s minds immediately go to POC representation or LGBTQ+ representation. For whatever reason, I don’t really see much in the way of disability representation. Unless, of course, I look in certain spheres. Before university, I was an ignorant reader, my bookshelves weren’t diverse at all apart from a few queer books scattered here and there. I’m ashamed to admit that I’d never considered disability representation. But the past few years, I’ve been trying to fight back against that. Until this year, I’d thought Me Before You was an incredible film, but when I read the book this summer, I had to take a step back. It was full of ableist bullshit, and I felt uncomfortable reading it. And yet it’s so loved. Obviously, it brings up some important topics such as euthanasia, so I’m not saying it’s a bad book. What I’m saying is that it’s not good representation. Over the summer, I listened to the memoir Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig, and I really checked my privilege. It was personal, humorous, informative and maddening all at once. One of my new favourite books, Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali is a beautiful YA romance where the main character has Multiple Sclerosis.

Talia Hibbert’s romance Get A Life, Chloe Brown features a main character with chronic pain, and Act Your Age, Eve Brown features autistic main characters.

“I’m not saying it’s a bad book. What I’m saying is that it’s not good representation.” These books are beautiful. They can inform an ignorant reader, like me, of different disabilities without ever taking away the fact that these disabilities don’t make people any less human. Too many books with disabled characters have dehumanised them, and it often comes from ignorance. Disability representation is so goddamn important, because it reaches out to disabled readers and makes them feel seen, and that is so beautiful.

The Most Iconic Female Characters by Robyn Johnson

Literature is filled with examples of female characters, actions, and narratives being overshadowed by their novels’ male characters. Whether this is down to the embarrassingly two-dimensional way that women are often written by men, or due to male characters being written a more diverse, interesting narrative. This nearly always involves a heroically masculine end-of-the day save, before disappearing into the sunset in the arms of an always beautiful woman. Sound familiar? Take a look at Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. With the upcoming event of International Women’s Day, it’s time to shine the spotlight on the female characters who make literature great. Firstly, let’s look back at some 19th Century examples of iconic, controversial female characters. Both Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre turned heads when published, through their wilful defiance of social convention, the concept of a woman who broke the mould imposed upon them by patriarchal peers was intimidating, yet hopeful. These women taught readers that fighting for your ambitions leads to happiness. Both Elizabeth and Jane are intelligent, fierce, yet also compassionate examples of young women, fighting a heavy patriarchal discourse. Their success in doing so along with their outspoken and untamed personalities are the reason they are both so well loved. Both their characters have stood the test of time, still today being regarded as two of the most inspirationally iconic characters ever written. Taking us into the 20th Century, D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover was hugely controversial for its provocative nature; a woman who seeks sex outside of marriage was so un-

comfortable a topic for readers that after its publication in 1928, the novel was banned on the grounds of ‘obscenity’. D. H. Lawrence’s portrayal of Lady Chatterley as human, with real passion and desires, makes her, without question, utterly iconic. In summary, literature across the eras is certainly not short of iconic female characters, from Shakespeare’s Portia (The Merchant of Venice), right the way through to Philip Pullman’s Lyra Belacqua (His Dark Materials), women have made their mark within literature. A few notable mentions of iconic female characters go to, Jo March, Matilda, Nancy Drew, Katniss Everdeen, Arya Stark, Celie Harris, Hester Prynne, and Hermione Granger, all without a doubt individually iconic. Afterall we must ask ourselves, would Ron and Harry have survived past The Philosopher’s Stone without Hermione?

Photo: Unsplash

books

YA Love Stories By Danny Hayes

Traditionally, Young Adult fiction has been viewed as a more superficial genre. One where the same tired tropes are paraded around in different clothes, all trying to convince the reader they’ll be different from the array of books sat next to them. However, their greatest success comes in their representation of LGBTQ+ sexualities and gender expressions at a time when more teenagers than ever are openly claiming their sexuality. My personal favourite YA novel is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by the ever-brilliant Becky Albertalli, the inspiration for the acclaimed film Love, Simon and the TV series Love, Victor. For those unacquainted with the text, it follows Simon’s journey of coming-out in high school when his emails to a mysterious ‘Blue’ fall into the hands of the wrong person. The book follows his attempts to identify this stranger, balancing the general highs and lows of the American high school experience and how it feels to fall in love for the first time. For me, the most refreshing feature of Albertalli’s writing is that Simon knows he’s gay from the first page and has clearly known for a while, thus allowing her to ex-

plore the experiences of being closeted and being newly out rather than grappling with the larger questions of sexuality. To have a text not focus on whether a narrator is gay, but how it affects them made the text much more enjoyable to read and feel more realistic to me. By including phrases like “I’m so sick of straight people who can’t get their shit together”, Simon feels like a character you want to spend time with and reminded me of similar quips I made as a newly out teenager (and honestly still do to this day). Likewise, the YA championing of queer love stories allows for new exploration of experiences unique to the community. These can range from experiences as small as the anxiety surrounding first dates (see the multiple endearing attempts at this in Albertalli & Adam Silvera’s joint venture What If It’s Us) to being outed on social media (as seen in Casey McQuiston’s amazing Red, White & Royal Blue). For me, YA’s biggest strength is in its inclusivity, and reminding the reader their experiences are legitimate and universal, so I look forward to adding more texts of this genre to my bookshelves.

Photo: Louise Collins

The Importance Of #OwnVoices By Rianna Jones Doctor Rudine Sims Bishop’s perceptive article Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors (1990) highlights how minority representation in fiction, particularly for children, is paramount in ensuring readers feel seen, their own lives recognised as an important part of our diverse human experience. In 2015, young adult author Corinne Duyvis created the Twitter hashtag #OwnVoices, to further this principle. The tag intended to uncover stories where protagonist and author share an identity (or identities!) such as a religion, sexuality, ethnic group or disability. The reasoning behind this was simple. Whilst representative narratives remain important, informed and authentic storytelling is equally so. For younger ages (where literature sometimes provides first exposure to alternative experiences) a narrative where either they or others whom

they have encountered are positively presented, in print, is particularly meaningful. More often than not, marginalised groups have their stories told to them by authors who rely on surface level stereotypes. Subsequently, they lack the richness of understanding that comes from the lived experience. Duyvis’s idea took the internet by storm.

few days. She never believed it could have had such a profound effect on the publishing industry as a whole. As a movement, it’s faced some criticism from a perception it pigeonholes authors to write solely about their identity, equally voices are raised when a promoted book is not “#OwnVoices enough”. But Duyvis defends her idea for it was never about policing identity. In its purest form, #OwnVoices is a space where real stories are shared, representative characters showcased and overlooked themes explored. It remains an insightful marker for readers looking for reflection in the novels they choose to read or diversify the narratives within their TBR piles. In just two words, Duyvis created a necessary and brilliant platform which celebrates the diversity of humankind whilst In an interview with Publisher’s Week- championing authenticity and nuance in ly in 2020, Duyvis expresses how she only published writing. anticipated the hashtag to be in use for a

“In its purest form, #OwnVoices is a space where real stories are shared”

BOOKS

Most Iconic Contemporary Female Writers By Lily Boag

Whilst there are many iconic contemporary female writers who could easily win the top-spots on this list, there are three British authors dominating my bookshelves this International Women’s Day. Bringing women together, these authors offer comfort and reassurance to their female readers as they spotlight the feminine perspective, raise important issues about womanhood, and forefront women’s position and value in the world. 1. Dolly Alderton A journalist, podcaster, but foremost a must-read author, you may have heard of Dolly Alderton after the release of her 2018 best-selling memoir, Everything I Know About Love, which follows her experiences navigating friendships and relationships while growing up as a millennial in the noughties. Switching to romantic-comedy fiction with the 2020 release of her debut novel Ghosts, Alderton investigates modern love through our contemporary dating app culture as singleton Nina Dean, a 30-something food blogger, falls for a man

she meets online who proceeds to ‘ghost’ her. One of the reasons why Alderton’s novels prove popular with young women is because she depicts the many relatable ‘been there done that’ moments which ultimately define the chaos that is life in your twenties. 2. Sally Rooney Having published three best-selling novels, Sally Rooney is an Irish author considered by many critics as a prominent millennial writer possessing a unique contemporary voice. As two female college students form a connection with a married couple, Rooney’s 2017 debut, Conversations with Friends, explores the disorienting pleasures and dangers of youth. Investigating the emotional turmoil of first love, her second novel, Normal People, examines how social class, and family and friendship entanglements effect the central relationship of Connell and Marianne. Meanwhile, Beautiful World, Where Are You, Rooney’s most recent release, follows the romantic lives of novelist Alice, who falls for Tin-

der-date and warehouse-worker Felix, and the broken-hearted Eileen who begins to flirt with her childhood friend Simon after believing half of her twenties were wasted on her ex-boyfriend. 3. Holly Bourne Last but not least, Holly Bourne is a proud feminist and mental health advocate predominantly known for her young adult fiction. The author of the award-winning Spinster Club series, alongside several other critically acclaimed teen fiction novels such as The Places I’ve Cried in Public, Bourne’s novels are inspired by her work with young adults and daily experiences of sexism, having previously been a relationship advisor and ‘agony aunt’ for a youth charity. However, she has also written some brilliant adult novels such as Pretending and How Do You Like Me Now?, which serve as honest and moving explorations of love, friendship, and womanhood.

Photo: Unsplash

EDITOR: Louise Collins

Fashion

The Rising It-Girls of Euphoria by Lily boag

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A Gen-Z sensation, HBO’s American teen-drama series Euphoria has not only become an instant television success since the first season’s release in 2019, but returning for its second season this January, is now one of the most inspirational series for fashion searches around the globe. Following a messy friendship group with a graphic storyline, Euphoria explores the emotional trauma current teenagers face as they navigate high school. With the show’s bold character styling and iconic wardrobe design, Euphoria has made an even bigger impact on the fashion world. We owe our thanks to Euphoria’s head stylist and costume designer Heidi Bivens. Conveying each character’s emotional development and continually shifting identities, Bivens is both a selective stylist and fashion risk-taker as she curates each character’s wardrobe to depict their visual identity. From cut-out flares, safety-pinned crop tops, pastel tracksuits, and vintage low-rise jeans,

to spaghetti strap stripper dresses, mesh tops, corsets, lace-up boots, and croc bags, designing costumes from scratch and dressing characters in the latest fashion brands – Bivens has revitalised the fashion game for Gen Z-ers. Whilst season one of Euphoria is known for its glitter, purple-blue hues, and tones of black and gold to represent the dark and the light within the storyline, season two has arrived refined and polished – illustrating how each character has grown into their stylised personas. From Maddy’s daring outfits and Kat’s body-positive transformation, to Jules’s fashion journey and Cassie’s efforts to dress to impress, Euphoria introduces an interesting aesthetic overtone on teenage life. Although season one introduced us to bold colours, glitter shadowed eyes, wet-look lids, face jewels, and Maddy’s incredible winged eyeliner, season two has stepped up the show’s fashion game. As Euphoria’s shining light, the pop-of-colour in the darkness, Jules’ style previously consisted of pixiedream-girl layered ensembles and

glitter-glam embellishments. This season, Jules has shifted from her hyper-feminine aesthetic, instead leaning into a darker, edgier version of herself. Opting for laid-back looks, Rue has mixed vintage with classic, sporting a reliable pair of Chuck 70 black Converse. Meanwhile, Kat’s wardrobe bursts with vibrant prints, emphasising her body-positive transformation – a favourite look from this season being Kat’s love-heart tiedye skirt, paired with a graphic printtee and an olive-green mini cardigan. The look is completed with turquoise eye shadow and a dark red lip. Switching up her feminine style to steal Nate Jacobs, appearanceobsessed Cassie has also undergone a transformation this season through her many costume changes, from her Dolly Parton-esque, Oklahomainspired look to the attention-grabbing pink bikini she wears at Maddy’s birthday. Cassie even copies Maddy’s signature high ponytail, styled baby hairs, winged eyeliner, and prominent lip line, in her baby blue two-piece matching Maddy’s lavender set in an awkward hallway encounter. But can we really blame Cassie for being influenced by Maddy’s major trendsetting powers? Cementing her position as the most influential fashion icon in the show (she only brings her clutch purse to school), Maddy’s New Year’s Eve outfit is a memorable one. Her daring cut-out black mini dress paired with long sleeve gloves, laceup heels, and an immaculate updo, gave us major ‘Scary Spice meets Posh Spice’ vibes earlier this season. Overflowing with style trends, fashion’s influence can be found in even the most unexpected moments of Euphoria’s second season. From the premiere episode that introduces the ultimate girl-boss and 70s it-girl – Fez’s grandmother – sporting a custom-made bright blue power-suit, to Maddy’s boss’s lavish wardrobe of vintage gowns which she secretly plays dress-up in, Euphoria would not be such a success without its fashionable, rising it-girls.

Fashion

The inevitable return of Indie Sleaze by molly phillips Trend forecaster, Mandy Lee (@oldloserinbrooklyn) posted on TikTok that the fashion style known as ‘Indie Sleaze’ is becoming popular again, after its initial success in the early 2000s. The original wearers of Indie Sleaze were The Libertines’ Pete Doherty, models Kate Moss and Alexa Chung, and Brandon Flowers from The Killers – all good indications of the pop-culture scene behind the movement. ‘Indie Sleaze’ is an anachronistic name for the style. As Lee discusses in her TikTok, is characterised by ‘provocative advertisement, amateurstyle flash photography [and] opulent displays of clubbing’. It is also a style that went hand-in-hand with the edgy side of Tumblr: the short, sad poetry captions, quoting songs from the time, gaudy, colourful American Apparel clothes, and out-of-date technology. Think Effy Stonem from Skins, and you will have a good image of the indie sleaze scene. You may as well recognise

it as a potentially returning style. Fashion cultures have been shown to repeat every two decades, but what does the return of Indie Sleaze say about society? Firstly, there is an inherent nostalgia present in the 2021/22 update of Indie Sleaze. In the noughties, people got messy – looking unpolished while still having fun. Smartphones were in their very early stages. There was no need nor ability to publicise that fun night on social media, and as such, there is also an authenticity to the style. Not only with its recognition, but also its celebration of wild messy parties without comparing oneself to other people. Mandy Lee also touched on the communal feel to Indie Sleaze. ‘I feel like with the Indie Sleaze subculture, 15 years ago, community, art, and music were so powerful – that’s what brought people together.’ With two years spent in and out of lockdowns,

limiting physical interaction, TikTok and Instagram play a bigger part in our generational identity. On these sites, past trends like Indie Sleaze can spread fast – from those who first pioneered a style, to the new generations now exploring their identities. With climate anxiety on the rise, there has been a significant rise in sustainable shopping in recent years. Recreating Indie Sleaze will often involve thrift shopping: mismatch items, edgy Tumblr aesthetics, vast allusions to the early stages of 21stcentury adolescence. It makes sense that Indie Sleaze should have begun to infiltrate our society again. So, with this amateur provocativeness, perhaps we will see a messy, unfiltered style evolving further into the 2020s – one that brings us back to a world of budding indie stars and hipsterish millennial individualism.

Photo: Unsplash

Fashion

All Layered up: Layering Clothing in Winter by danny hayes

Photo: Unsplash Despite experiencing them every year and being well-aware of how volatile they are, I can never get used to British winters. They’re cold, wet, and seem to last far too long – often starting from November and seeming to last until the clocks go forwards again. A more self-centered reason for disliking them is how much they limit my wardrobe options, with the same well-worn hoodies having a starring role to prevent freezing to death. This is where layering comes in. Layering gives me the opportunity to keep wearing the clothes I like all year round. A while ago I impulsively bought

a multi-pack of long-sleeved muscle shirts, failing to realise they were muscle-fit, and as a result were not something I ever planned to wear out of the house. H o w e v e r, s e v e r a l m o n t h s a g o I realised they functioned as a brilliant base layer and their tightness had the added bonus of keeping unexpected draughts out. Something that once languished aimlessly in a forgotten corner of my wardrobe suddenly had a vital function, and meant I could wear four layers (long sleeves, short sleeves, hoodie & jacket) without resembling the Michelin Man.

The same thing happened with a thin turtleneck I bought at a similar time. While it was s o m e t h i n g I w o u l d n ’t w e a r o n its own, when layered under a t-shirt gives the illusion of a background character from an 80s coming of age film (anyone who knows me knows this is exactly the aesthetic I strive for). By playing around with how I wore my clothes I was able to c r e a t e c o m b i n a t i o n s I w o u l d n ’t have initially considered, and i t ’s s o m e t h i n g I p l a n t o c o n t i n u e doing for the remainder of the chilly season.

EditOR: Zorsha Taylor Suich

creative writing

The Beauty of Women’s Relationships By louise collins Women’s relationships have always shaped my life, whether I knew it or not. Growing up, my mam was a working mother, a nurse. I saw her travel around our county and help people, care for them. She cared for me. My mam turned me into a caring woman. In later years, her career changed slightly, and she entered a senior role. I saw her become a beloved boss, caring for her patients and the staff under her. I volunteered at her hospital one summer, and so many members of staff told me how much they liked and respected her. I learned, from my mother, how to be a calm and compassionate leader whilst still being strong enough and respected enough to lead. Both of my grandmas helped guide my passions. My maternal grandma taught me how to bake. We’d spend hours in the kitchen, making everything from cornflake crispy treats, to Christmas cakes. She helped me perfect my go-to lemon drizzle cake. She helped me realise that I express my love through cooking. My paternal grandma nurtured my love of reading. She’d buy me books, or whenever I’d go out with her, she’d take me into a bookshop, never once complaining that I was taking too long. Now, I’m taking a literature degree and writing books of my own. She helped me find my dream. My cousin helped me realise that I’m actually good at helping people feel better, whether that’s through making them laugh or giving them advice. She’d come over to our house and we’d mess around, or talk through things. She helped me to realise that it was okay being weird, that it was good to be myself. My GCSE maths teacher showed me that you could be terrifying and compassionate at once. She was a powerful woman, respected by every student in our school, but she was also funny, and made you feel so comfortable. She knew what her students needed to get better, and she helped them. My GCSE history teacher made me realise that I had a whole lot of feelings. She introduced me to the notion of feminism, and encouraged me to speak up about injustices in the world. She knew when her students were upset by a single glance, and she helped shape me into someone who wants to make the world right.

My A-Level English Language teachers helped me find my voice. The theories they taught me, and the journalistic pieces they encouraged me to write made me realise I could make a difference with my writing. That I could make people think, and maybe even change for the better. Coming to university allowed me to meet so many new people. I’ve made friends with so many women, all of whom have helped me expand my knowledge and better myself. They’ve helped change my view of myself, helped me gain the confidence that had been trampled on in secondary school. Helped me realise that I’m more than what the bullies convinced me I was. They make me laugh, comfort me when I cry, comfort me without even knowing they’re doing it. The women in my life have shaped me, and the women in my future will shape me. The patriarchy has tried to pit women against each other since the dawn of time. But women’s relationships still grow. Mothers and daughters. Sisters and cousins. Grandmothers and granddaughters. Wives. Girlfriends. Friends. They nurture and heal. They empower and inspire. Don’t let society tell you that women’s relationships are lesser than. They’re beautiful, and they can be so utterly powerful.

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creative writing

Men are depicted as strong, But it is women who have to be stronger By Bea Sleigh-Johnson Cold draft Metal sideboards A green view Wooden table oddly placed A couple of chairs short too little space “there’s loads of big rough rugby men in there” Panic, fear, and a ‘gulp’ feeling Time passes, friendships made Fake and forced nothing in common Nights wasted away Health thrown out the window, Personality faded Metamorphosis gone backwards Half a life amongst half lives Progression and growth but only out of this suffering How can one’s own perception of themselves suddenly come second to others Men and men and men and men Undermining my rights, Yet only a means to an end The means being the ability to get along with the class, To get through the toxic environment And one day remove the mask. To be thine self and not shrink to their size To have boundaries and space to grow Surrounded by women and lovers and beautiful souls To not have to fight for the right to be heard To feel free to fly like a bird The kind that I saw out that tiny slim window, that held the key to the world if only it opened That tiny room where I lived for six months was supposed to be a space to develop And it was, just wasn’t what I expected There is purpose in it all and I am sure beauty in all men, I just wish this growth didn’t have to include pain Men are depicted as strong, But it is women who have to be stronger.

creative writing

To you: the storm, the eye and aftermath By Mariam Jallow Dear Mamie, I’ve been thinking a lot about 2010, and the hurricane we’d survived. I don’t know if you can pick it out between your memories of the many storms before and the worser ones that came. I hope you can. It was our first storm together as a family, right after Malik was born. (He’s your only son and youngest child. It feels like you never really stopped nursing him.) We sat on the floor in the room with no windows, just a small skylight above us. The grey, muted light casted everything in eeriness, and the thunderous sounds of Hurricane Earl outside sent my heart beating to match. (What an uncle’s name for such a terrifying thing, Mamie.) I held onto you tightly when the wind whistled too loudly, or when the walls creaked as if to crumble. I remember the windows and doors of the house billowing, on the brink of blowing out, and you glaring at the outside as if daring them to try. I’ll never forget that look. Mamie, small and frightful, winning and railing against a hurricane. You smiled when the wind died down and I wondered whether it was in relief, or smugness. Now that I’m a mother I think I can see it for what it really was. You, on the green carpet in the windowless room, sitting in solidarity with the storm. Because she was a mother too. I’m sitting with your grandchildren in the same spot, listening to the sounds of wailing wind, much like the cries of labour. The beating on the windows is you in the kitchen, your pestle grinding down spices in the mortar as I sit by your legs. The tributaries of rain sliding down the glass doors look so much like your stretch-marked skin, now mine. (Why did you hide them?) Mamie, you’ll probably get this letter long after the storm is over. Nurse Janet tells me the bad weather is keeping you up– that thunder makes you jump, and the rain makes your joints ache. (Motherhood can be painful, and frightening. That’s okay too.) When she reads this to you, remember 2010. In the likely case you can’t, I hope you’re able to lose yourself, not to fear nor forgetfulness, but in my memory of you as Mamie, the indelible hurricane. With love, Khadija (your eldest daughter).

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EDITOR: Izzy murphy

Music GRANDMAS HOUSE X PANIC SHACK @ ARTS CENTRE

by Tom manning Towards the end of January, I had the chance to head down to one of my favourite venues, Norwich Arts Centre, to see some of the most exciting names in post punk right now including Grandmas House and Panic Shack. The show was part of the National Lottery’s Revive Tour in partnership with Music Venue Trust which has been touring across the UK shining a light on grassroot venues. Previous acts include the likes of Becky Hill, Bastille and Enter Shikari. Starting off the night was the Bury St Edmunds’ trio Tundra. With a sound that has been described as grunge pop, the band brought their punk sound to the walls of the Arts Centre. Despite a slight malfunction that required a replacement bass, the band brought an energy to the crowd that had us buzzing for the rest of the night. Shortly after, Grandmas House

took to the stage and continued what was quickly becoming an incredible night. The all-women trio from Bristol came with heavy guitar riffs and a vocal performance that ranged from monotone verses reminiscent of Dry Cleaning or Courtney Barnett to shouting punk choruses. Although we saw another instrument malfunction with lead singer Yasmin’s string breaking on her guitar, it didn’t stop Grandmas House from putting on an incredible set. Each member of the group left everything on the stage and with each member providing vocals it added a lot of depth to the show. After the first two acts, the headliners, Panic Shack, had a lot to live up to with their set and they certainly delivered. Playing some of their biggest singles including I Don’t Really Like It, Who’s Got My Lighter?, and Jiu Jits You the female led Cardiff band proved why

Women in the Music Industry By lily boag

Underrepresented and underpaid, women’s professional contribution to the musical arts has been historically undermined, with the music industry often being defined as a male-dominant field in which men primarily benefit from music production sales. While women artists, creatives, producers, and music label executives only make up a small proportion of the industry (despite several individual woman artists producing more hit songs than that of their male counterparts), on this International Women’s Day it is important to support and empower women through recognising their valuable contribution to music because while the music industry may be perceived as ‘a man’s world’, as James Brown sings, ‘it wouldn’t mean nothing without a woman or a girl.’ While many women face

harassment and discrimination within the music business, organisations such as ‘Women in Music’ and ‘The Girls Gig’ shine light on women in the music industry, striving for equal opportunity as woman music creators are often overshadowed by male music producers who are more likely to release songs, sign record deals, partake in collaborations, top the music charts, and receive award nominations. Vowing to shatter the glass ceiling of an industry that works to repress women’s freedom of expression through musical artistry, creative storytelling, investigations of identity, and explorations of sexuality, many women entrepreneurs are creating their own industry opportunities by founding their own music labels and retaining control over the production of their music.

they are becoming such a big name in the punk scene. The band had great chemistry which came across with their synchronised dance moves during the set which had the crowd getting involved in the dancing. By this stage, the crowd had grown and looking around, it seemed that everyone was enjoying Panic Shack as much as me. As the night came to an end and we all began to leave, the buzz of excitement followed us out of the Arts Centre’s church setting. I had brought two of my flatmates to see the gig who both loved it.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

For instance, powerhouse musician Taylor Swift has, over the last year, been on a mission to rerecord her albums in a bid to win the ownership rights to her music after Scooter Braun bought the master recordings of Swift’s first six albums in 2019. Creating new master versions of her previous tracks, Swift can now earn the direct profits from her music every time her own tracks are played on Spotify and Apple Music. Sparking a revolution within the music industry, instead of patiently waiting for signs of improvement, many women have chosen to follow in Swift’s footsteps in an effort to change the rules of the music industry game, sick of working as hard as they can, ‘wondering if I’d get there quicker, if I was a man.’

18 Music Ants From Up There – A force to be reckoned with By finlay porter

Black Country, New Road’s latest album Ants From Up There is a powerful and provocative masterpiece. If there’s one album this month that you sit down and listen to in full, it’s got to be this one. The group originated in Cambridgeshire in 2018 and have since struck out a genre-defining course employing jazz rhythms, classical crescendos, punchy punk climaxes and heart-wrenching lyrics. AFUT takes the listener on a journey through troughs of despair and peaks of absolute ecstasy. It’s beautiful to see how the band have developed their sound from last year’s release For The First Time. They have maintained their slow-build, sombre feel, but somehow the slow sections on this album feel more purposeful and are all too necessary in painting the background of their dramatic soundscapes. The lyrics are harrowing, nostalgic, and intertwined with familiar references which tie together the explosion of ideas which would otherwise seem disconnected. Concrete Music Editor, Tom Manning, said this about the album: “Ants From Up There is truly a masterful album. Isaac’s lyrics are some of his most captivating and dense so far and the album, as a whole, feels like a perfect send off for the Black Country New Road we have known.” It’s a reassuring sign when the task of choosing a favourite track feels impossible. There is something for everyone on this album, with the opening single Chaos Space Marine, which the band calls the ‘best song we’ve ever written’, and Concorde giving us an easy access

to the beauty of jazz-inspired pop-rock. And from the compositional masterpiece The Place Where He Inserted The Blade, to the closing epic Basketball Shoes which is guaranteed to leave you with goosebumps, there is plenty for the musical purists to enjoy as well. Little did we all know on the release of the album’s first single, Chaos Space Marine, how potent the lines “So I’m leaving this body / And I’m never coming home again” would prove to be. Lead singer Isaac Wood recently announced that he is leaving the band, and the group have cancelled their tours, including a gig that was originally scheduled for December at The Waterfront. In a statement released by the band, Wood explained that he had been going through “the kind of sad and afraid feeling that makes it hard to play guitar and sing at the same time.” Nonetheless, he thanks the rest of the band for the time they spent playing together, calling them “wonderful in a sparkling way.” His departure merely enhances the impact of the more somber lyrics, especially the repeated metaphor of the Concorde. The group’s seven members combine their musical wizardry to create a whirlwind of sax, strings, blisteringly complex percussion, and irresistible guitar. Ants From Up There is both hopeful and helpless. Without a doubt, it will become one of the most memorable albums of 2022.

VENUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR By Louise collins and phoebe lucas Back in the September issue, I determined Maisie Peters’ debut album You Signed Up For This as “the perfect ode to love and heartbreak”, and I’m here again, declaring it my favourite album of 2021. YSUFT delves into the painful emotions of first love and first heartbreak (Outdoor Pool), and the expectations vs reality of dating (John Hughes Movie), but it also expresses beauty in hyping up the women in your life ( Brooklyn) and breakups where you acknowledge the positivity of what once was ( Tough Act). It has ballads and it has catchy pop songs; I’m Trying (Not Friends) is

one of my favourites, an anthem about self-growth and maturity – all whilst being fun and upbeat. There’s a song there for everyone. Honourable mentions: Sour ~ Olivia Rodrigo, Red (Taylor’s Version) ~ Taylor Swift, and a big shoutout to the Encanto soundtrack for being on a constant loop in my head. By Louise Collins 2021 has seen the comeback of music since the pandemic first began. But if I had to pinpoint one it would be Tom

Music

Grennan’s Evering Road . Released back in March, the Brit award nominee provided a 16-track deluxe album with ‘bangers’ from start to finish. Evering Road embodies the emotional roller-coaster of a breakup. Named after the road where he and his exgirlfriend used to live, the album opens with If Only, and ends with, Long Live You and I . With lyrics like ‘I know what I want, it’s as clear as the day’ from Something Better and ‘sometimes the good thing just doesn’t make sense’ from Love Has Different Ways to Say Goodbye, Grennan captures the flickering feelings of acceptance and doubt post break-up. Tom Grennan explores love, heartbreak, and redemption all in one album whilst being his most honest and vulnerable self. By Phoebe Lucas

SPOTLIGHT: HALEY HEYNDERICKX

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

by Tom manning Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the Filipino-American singer songwriter Haley Heynderickx has been catching the ear of the indie folk community in recent years. After releasing an EP in 2016, Haley has gone on to release her debut album I Need To Start A Garden in 2018 which landed her heaps of critical acclaim. This decade could be massive for her as she brings her unique style to the scene. Haley is signed to the record label, Mama Bird Recording who have hosted a number of renowned artists such as Courtney Marie Andrews and Damien Jurado. She learned to sing from her childhood singing in church and religion is something that she explores a lot in her music. This often reminds me of the music of Lucy Dacus. Her fingerpicking guitar style is a mix of Elliott Smith and Bluegrass which Haley has mentioned before, saying how her guitar teacher only knew Bluegrass which she later came to appreciate during college when she fell in love with the early music of Bob Dylan. Heynderickx music is the perfect music to listen to with a mug of tea, gazing out of a window romanticising a life on a rural Italian orchard. Her debut, I Need To Start A Garden is a perfect example of this, taking everything great about indie folk while putting her own spin on the sound. The album uses metaphoric imagery to describe a struggling relationship on The Bug Collector and in Oom Sha La La Haley falls into an existential crisis with lyrics of magical realism. The title to this album recalls her own childhood with her parents and grandparents being gardeners, the title feels as though this is more than just an album about

gardening and the outdoors but more so about personal reflection and introspection. While Heynderickx hasn’t released any music since her collaboration with Max Garcia Conover in 2018, throughout the rest of this decade she is one to look out for. At the moment, Haley is touring with the string band Punch Brothers in the US and hopefully, before long, we can see Heynderickx bring a tour over to the UK.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

EDITOR: Tom manning

Gaming

Wordle - what’s the hype about? By molly phillips Similarly, unlike a word-search or f you have been on any form of so- software engineer, Josh Wardle inventcial media in recent weeks, you will ed it for his word game-loving partner. a sudoku, Wordle is quick, and easy to have seen people sharing a series of He only ever intended it to have an au- grasp, with Josh Wardle stating that, green, grey and yellow boxes, with dience of one, but when he tweeted in “it’s something that encourages you to captions of condolence, or jubilation mid-December about creating a ‘share’ spend three minutes a day. And that’s it. alongside, and, eventually, you will feature (the blocks of colour all over your [...] It doesn’t want any more of your time have seen so many of these that you timelines), suddenly Wordle was every- than that’. In a society that consistently will probably have tried the game where, with the number of players soar- demands our internet-surfing hours for behind the boxes out for yourself. ing from 90, to over 300,000. This would its own algorithmic advertising games, Wordle is, as you are likely aware suggest that a reason for its success is the it is lovely to have a wholesome little by now, a word-guessing game, competitive nature behind the guessing. corner of the internet that isthere to test The steadily growing streak is a won- your wordsmith skills, to get you off Inwhere you get six guesses to work out the five-letter word of the day. derful incentive, which many applications stagram for a while, and to let you intelWith every guess, you aim to get make use of, and Wordle is no different. lectually bash all of your friends around more letters right. They will be high- The limit of six guesses adds pressure to the head with a series of green boxes, lighted in gold if the letter is present the game - as everyone will now sure- shouting “THREE! I GOT IT IN THREE!” elsewhere in the word, and green ly know the distress of guessing wrong if you have put it in the right place. more than six times – and the promise In the past, the words have been as of a glorious two or three guesses keeps diverse as ‘pleat’ and ‘humor’, but players coming back for more. There is more recently, and to everyone’s nothing quite like the sheer power you chagrin, we have also struggled feel watching someone struggle with a over the likes of ‘caulk’ and ‘cynic’. Wordle that you have already nailed. This So, what is it about Wordle all means that, unlike word games before, that is making it so very popular? which are rather more insular, aimed at We could start by discussing testing yourself, Wordle has that comparits heart-warming origin story. It is ative, interactive element to it that makes now in the hands of the New York it an integral part of your daily ‘good Times, but it started in an adorably morning’ messages to the group chat. independent manner, when Reddit

Photos: Unsplash

gaming

TOP women GAMERS By HOLLY jACKSON

Photo: Unsplash As International Women’s Day is soon approaching, here is a list of some of the most popular women gamers and streamers, as well as a few of my personal favourite creators to watch. 1. An extremely popular Twitch streamer is Pokimane, who began streaming in 2013. She is known for playing games such as Minecraft, League of Legends and Fortnite, and boasts an impressive YouTube subscribing of over 6 million, and nearly 9 million Twitch followers, which makes her Twitch’s most followed woman streamer. 2. LDShadowLady is a YouTuber who is best known for playing Minecraft and her series playing it. She has over 6 million subscribers, and it is certainly clear from her comment sections that fans love her Minecraft Empires series. 3. A favourite streamer and YouTuber of mine is Dianadailies. She creates content based on Animal Crossing: New Horizons such as island builds and designs. I really like watching her content as it’s a great way to unwind and relax. 4. FemSteph is also a streamer and YouTuber, known for playing games such as Rocket League and Grand Theft Auto. She used to work at EA. 5. XChocoBars is another famous gamer, with over 238K YouTube subscribers and over 900,000 followers on Twitch. She has played gaming tournaments and has participated in professional esports. 6. Sweet_Anita is a gamer with over 1 million Twitch followers and over 1 million YouTube subscribers. She posts gaming content as well as content about Tourette’s syndrome, which she is diagnosed with, helping to promote awareness. She also helps to rehabilitate animals. 7. LilyPichu is another famous streamer, with 2.4million Twitch followers. She posts content about games such as Valorant and League of Legends, as well as various vlogs and more on her YouTube channel. 8. KittyPlays is also a Twitch streamer, with over 1 million followers. She has created Team Kitty, which “is 75 women strong, empowering broadcasters and spreading joy through gaming”. She also posts vlogs on her YouTube channel. Writing this has certainly made it apparent that Twitch seems to be taking over from YouTube regarding gaming content, and most creators primarily use Twitch to stream. I’ve also found that a lot of famous women gamers seem to have stopped creating content, and it is interesting to consider why. A lot of searches come up with “What happened to (gamer)?” And I have come across various incidents of women gamers being faced with harassment and stalking. It is important to recognise that although things have improved, there is still a stigma in the gaming community, and women gamers are too often faced with unwanted comments and harassment, so there is certainly still a long way to go to make gaming a safe and inclusive space for everyone. I have also found out that there is a big lack of professional women gamers, which may be due to such reasons, as well as gaps in earnings.

gaming MY FAVOURITE woman VIDEO GAME CHARACTERS

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By BENJAMIN SMITH

Growing up, the big bruiser archetypes in video game characters never entirely appealed to me. Monsters and villains like Bowser, Ganondorf and Ridley were meh, even protagonists like Mario weren’t the most interesting characters. The woman characters were always who I wanted to play as, especially the more unique and sinister ones. Choosing the woman protagonist in my thousandth playthrough of a Pokémon game or new characters in my favourite MMORPGs was just something I preferred, and the ever-evolving scene of video games, with more and more independent games being available and increased popularity in girls playing video games, keeps me and others like me interested in the latest games. Here are some of my favourites I have come across over the years. Aloy - Horizon: Zero Dawn. An unsuspecting hit when first released in 2017, Horizon: Zero Dawn’s open world setting and extremely unique concept and aesthetics is all encapsulated in its protagonist Aloy. Found in the sacred mountain one day and exiled from the Nora tribe, one of several in the post-apocalyptic frozen land of nature reclaiming cities and machine monsters roaming the land, Aloy is raised as a hunter so she can find out who her parents were and what the happened to the world, setting off across the land

to find answers and truths. Her fiery attitude combines perfectly with the primitive Norse contributions to the world’s religions, outfits, and stylings, making the world even better than could be imagined once you set off into the story. Camille – League of Legends. Not as popular as some other woman characters in the game like Lux or Ahri, mainly due to the lack of her typical sex appeal, Camille trades in bare cleavage and slender legs for a razor-sharp attitude, and bladed legs to match. Having completely augmented her body with Hextech, the most advanced technology in the League of Legends universe, Camille acts as a mercenary as well as a peacemaker, crushing those who threaten her house and status in the upper city of Piltover, gliding between building with the zip hooks built into her prosthetic hips and slashing through the necks with precise roundhouse kicks to whoever disturbs the peace, mainly from the toxic undercity of Zaun. By no means a hero, her completely corrupt moral compass and incredibly unique design, being one of the older characters in the game with her more mature face and grey hair, despite no longer aging due to her augmentations, makes her one of my favourites because she

Editor: Holly Jackson

goes completely against the archetype, fully embodying her moniker as the steel shadow. The Plague – Dead by Daylight. One of the more tragic killers in this horror survival game, The Plague, known as Adiris in her previous life, was a Babylonian high priestess who sacrificed herself to the Entity, a supernatural spider-like demon, in order to save her people from the plague that was ravaging the population. For such as trade-off, The Plague now participated in killing games in the Entity’s realm, using her censer as a weapon to brutally bludgeon those she infects, having been made the harbinger of the same plague that ravaged her people, to create the fear from the survivors taken from Earth to feed the Entity. Her unique playstyle and the grotesqueness of vomiting on other characters to slowly kill them is inventive and unique, especially in a game where it’s a lot of killer with blades or sticks to beat you with. with her imposing stature and rotting face and clothes adding to her unnatural fear factor.

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FILM

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Shining the Light on women Directors by Louise Collins

When self-proclaimed ‘film buffs’ discuss their favourite directors, the names thrown into the mix are Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Alfred Hitchcock, or Steven Spielberg. They’re all older white men. Now, this isn’t to dismiss their works. It’s a simple observation. The fact is, women directors are often pushed out of these conversations, and it tends to be because their films don’t always fit the ‘drugs, sex, rock and roll’ vibes that ‘film buffs’ stray towards. Instead of singing the praises of these (often overhyped) male directors, I’m going to look at some women directors. Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, blew me away. It’s a wonderfully fleshed out, multi-dimensional plot, all without ever appearing ‘too heavy’. As someone who grew up watching the 1994 Little Women, directed by Gillian Armstrong, I was anxious to see if Gerwig’s adaptation lived up to my expectations. Gerwig directed a masterpiece, and I can’t wait to see what she directs next. Anne Fletcher has directed two of my go-to comfort films; The Proposal and Dumplin’ - both of which make me laugh, cry, and fall in love every time I watch them. Chloé Zhao directed Eternals and

Nomadland, the latter winning her the Best Director at the Golden Globes. In 76 years, she is only the second woman to win this award. This is great for her, but it also shows a massive disparity. Why is it that women directors have been so overlooked? Since Alice Guy-Blaché was the first woman to direct a film, La Fée aux Choux in 1896, women directors have been pushed aside, and the attention has gone to directors who, instead, seem to get off on humiliating and hurting women. Tarantino, for example, has been scrutinised many times for his overuse of racial slurs and insistence on showing women being abused. You can suggest this is in the name of art, but when he’s pulling the reverse racism card and defending Roman Polanski, it’s hard to look at this as innocent. Similarly, Hitchcock was criticised for his treatment towards women in his films, with Roger Ebert stating, “sooner or later, every Hitchcock woman was humiliated.” You may be wondering what my point is. It’s simple. Male directors have a history of portraying women savagely or treating the actors like crap. I’d rather see women portrayed as multi-dimensional, realistic figures than

victims of the male gaze and some weird torture fantasy. That’s why women directors are so necessary. I must admit to you, reader, that I’m disappointed in myself. Before writing this piece, I could name two women directors. Only two. And yes, I take responsibility for this, but it’s also a fault of society for pushing women directors to the side lines. As of right now, my goal is to discover more women directors,

“I’d rather see women portrayed as multi-dimensional, realistic figures than victims of the male gaze and some weird fortune fantasy.”

FILM 25 Films to watch this international women’s day

by Laura Patterson

a Mediterranean setting but a more

life shaped by familial values, this film

International Women’s Day is next week

unsettling depiction of motherhood, then this is the film for you. The Lost Daughter

balances itself beautifully between the melancholic and sentimental. This film

– what better way to celebrate than to watch some films that are centred around

is far from feel-good, but certainly thought provoking, showing life as a mother like

feels like a first (at least for me) in showing a meaningful grand-mother and grand-

women?

“a crushing responsibility.” Olivia Colman, (our Norwich-born queen), plays the main

daughter relationship.

Mamma Mia (2008) Love it or hate it, it’s a classic and has

character of Leda Caruso, whose life and memories are slowly revealed to us when

Tangerine (2015) International Women’s Day is also a

aged like a fine wine - it’s popular with the wine mums too. What I like about

she observes a mother losing her daughter on a Greek Island.

strive towards gender equality – Tangerine is an acclaimed film that represents the

Mamma Mia is how it’s not afraid to show middle-aged women supporting each

The Farewell (2019)

lives of transgender sex workers. The story follows Sin-Dee, and her best friend

other and living their best lives without men. It also brings to light the overlooked

International Women’s Day means celebrating women of all cultures –

Alexandra, who hunt down Sin-Dee’s pimp and partner after finding out he

dedication of single mums: Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried’s relationship glows

The Farewell is a bittersweet story that explores the mixed-heritage of Billi, a

has been cheating on her. Sean Baker is clever to create a comedic feeling similar

on the screen. Jam-packed with tune after tune of ABBA hits, this film is subtly

Chinese-American woman, who revisits Changchun to see her grandmother (Nai

to Booksmart, while still highlighting the harsh realities of a neglected area in LA.

radical in showing female empowerment.

Nai). Billi is conflicted when she finds out her family have kept their Nai Nai’s

The entire film was also shot on iPhones!

The Lost Daughter (2021) If you still fancy something with

terminal illness hidden from her. With beautiful shots of Chinese culture and

Happy International Women’s Day!

When Actors Step Out of Their Comfort Zone… and by Sienna Norris

Normally, actors tend to be confined to specific genres and that’s because they’re

turns out that Caan was hesitant taking the role at first, but I think many can

I now want to look at comedy actors that have nailed dramatic roles.

good in that genre. Whether it be comedy, drama, or even romantic comedies, it’s

agree that his character’s sternness is what makes for some of the funniest

about comfort. However, there are many a time where a traditionally “serious”

scenes, he was actually told at one point to channel Sonny Corleone.

Adam Sandler is known for his slapstick comedies, but in 2019 he was the starring role in Uncut Gems which earned him masses of praise, and his Just Go with It

actor will be in a comedy or vice versa and knock it out of the park.

(2011) co-star, Jennifer Anniston, whom is Another

mogul

from

the

To preface, I know actors are paid to become a variety of characters,

trilogy is of course Robert De Niro, but I have to tell you, for most of my

normally the face of rom coms took on the role of Claire Bennett in Cake (2014), which personally I feel is a performance that is

but as previously stated, actors are normally associated with certain genres,

childhood I associated him with Meet

severely underrated.

and sometimes when they act in other films it can either help or hinder their career. Let’s start with The Godfather trilogy - upon the 1972 release of the first film, it has become one of the greatest films of all time. James Caan plays Sonny Corleone, but he is probably better known as Buddy’s dad in Elf (2003). It

the Parents (2000) as Jack Byrnes, or as the one of the sharks in Shark Tale (2004) - his heavy Yankee accent is what makes these roles so hilarious. The sequel to Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers (2004) also has a big shot, Dustin Hoffman playing the very contrasting Bernie Focker to De Niro’s Jack, and it makes for a great film.

I could go on and on about actors that surprise audiences by being in films you would never associate them with, but I’ll end with this; Steve Carrell in Foxcatcher (2014), not only is he unrecognisable, his portrayal of the real-life John du Pont is a must-see!

FILM

Don’t Look Up : Review by Libby Hargreaves

Photo: Pixabay Don’t Look Up takes the best of Adam McKay’s Saturday Night Live humour to produce an endlessly thought-provoking satire of political inaction, digitalised narcissism and the climate crisis. The all-star cast includes Jennifer Lawrence as Kate Dibiasky, and Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr. Randall Mindy, her professor. Kate discovers a large comet at the beginning of the film, the credit for which is gradually stripped from her - largely by the tabloid media- as the comet’s world-ending nature comes to light. In a narrative not limited to fiction, Dr. Mindy awards himself fame and credit for her work without long-term responsibility, as experienced by many women in professional male-dominated fields. Simultaneously to the demonisation of Dibiasky, we see Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett - the President and famed newsreader respectively introduced as calculated, self-absorbed women despite their influential positions. Blanchett’s fake teeth and spectacular

makeup transform her into an eerily familiar right-wing mouthpiece , whilst

dystopian algorithm-induced emotional reduction - describing “life without the

close-up shots of Streep’s excessive gold jewellery reflect a power-hungry,

stress of living” - this laugh-out-loud line reflects an increasing desire for a

uncaring and polarised political environment. These parallels add a

life free of nagging, worry and capitalist constraints. It evokes the words of

level of sincerity and immediacy to the film despite the post-modern form.

Dibiasky: “maybe the destruction of the planet isn’t supposed to be fun”- either

The disaster fiction is interrupted by documentary-style nature clips and

way, we will continue to work, shop and scroll to fulfill our role as a cog in the

comedic text graphics - one example of such is the contrast created when

capitalist machine. We have an inability to “look

Dibiasky vomits, overwhelmed by impending extinction, as the title

up” from our own interests and daily struggles, in a similar way to each

overlay appears accompanied upbeat sitcom-reminiscent music.

character. Our breakups, professional success and family struggles all

This careful composition is also conveyed through the title,

feel just as immediate to us as mass extinction. Here fictional and factual

“Don’t Look Up.” Though obnoxiously flaunted in the film through protest

narratives align to appeal to the guilt of an eco-conscious viewer: despite our

scenes reminiscent of the Capitol raid, MAGA and anti-vax rallies, it is more

increasing awareness of the climate crisis, most of us fail to take meaningful

subtly encapsulated in its reflection of digital personalisation (including

action and face a fate akin to those of Don’t Look Up.

the likes of your TikTok FYP). The Musk-inspired Isherwell proposes a

EDITOR: Laura Patterson

The Women of euphoria by lily boag A beautifully honest and illuminating teen drama television series, Euphoria has captivated its viewers with its authentic and empathetic depiction of high school students grappling with their identity, personal traumas, and explorations of love, friendships, sex, and drugs. Starring Zendaya, who plays the series’ narrator Rue Bennet, a teenage drug addict trying to return to normality and find her place within the world after coming out of rehab, Rue details current events while introducing us to the array of characters in the show, spotlighting each of their unique, individual worldviews. A critical success, since the show’s release Euphoria has been highly praised for its stunning cinematography, mature story and subject matter, beautiful music score, and outstanding cast performances - with Zendaya deservedly winning a Primetime Emmy Award for her dramatic performance. With season one of the show originally hitting the screens in mid-2019, the production of season two faced major delays due to the onset of Covid-19. However, making it back to our screens in early January, fans of the show will currently be working their way through the shocking and compelling drama that is unfolding within the new season. Supported by a predominantly

female ensemble cast, the show is packed full of diverse representations of young women, including Hunter Schafer as the charismatic Jules Vaughn, a transgender girl and aspiring fashion designer who after just moving to town develops an emotionally turbulent relationship with Rue; Alexa Demie as the bold, confident and pugnacious Maddy Perez who has an abusive on-and-off relationship with the dangerously aggressive and sexually insecure Nate Jacobs; Sydney Sweeney as the sweet yet emotionally troubled Cassie Howard who perceives her sexuality as defining her selfworth; Barbie Ferreira as Kat Hernandez, who experiments with her sexuality and style whilst trying to embrace body positivity; Maude Apatow as Cassie’s younger sister Lexi Howard, who hangs on the side-lines as Rue’s observant childhood best friend; and finally Storm Reid as Gia Bennet, Rue’s younger sister, and witness to Rue’s intimate struggles with drug addiction. Each actress provides a shining performance as they embody the messy and complex lives of their distinctive characters, pulling viewers into little pocketed moments that when pieced together creates a socially impactful show. However, stellar moments to look out for while watching season two include

Zendaya’s incredible sequence of stunts, such as her ‘euphoric’ dance routine, parkour police chase, and heart-stopping race through heavy traffic with her sister screaming as an onlooker from their mother’s car. Simultaneously, heartfelt performances come from Zendaya’s onscreen family as they deal with the tragedy of Rue’s addiction as she struggles with severe withdrawal symptoms, causing an explosive family fight leading Rue’s mother to declare that she will not be afraid of her own daughter. Meanwhile, Rue feeds the flames of friendship drama as she reveals to Maddy about Cassie’s secret affair with Nate. With this being only the tip of the iceberg, this show would not be the dramatic success it is without the individual influences of its female creatives. Be sure to tune in for more Euphoria drama as we await the finale of season two.

Photo: Unsplash

BBC Three returns to our tv screens by tom manning After five years of being online, BBC Three has returned to the TV screen as its own channel. The decision was approved by Ofcom late last year with the channel coming back at the start of February. The channel has been around for almost 20 years and in that time has focused on appealing to a younger generation in comparison with BBC One and BBC Two. In that time, the channel has created some of the most loved comedies and series this century including Gavin and Stacey, This Country, Normal People and Fleabag. With an £80 million budget,

the channel is hoping to bring in viewers between the ages of 18 and 35. The BBC have said that they believe the channel will broadcast a “rich content mix of drama, comedy, entertainment, documentaries, news and sport”. However, early reviews of the channel from the likes of The Telegraph and The Guardian have been largely negative with the channel often showing repeats rather than new content. That being said, BBC Three have announced new shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and the sitcom Lazy Susan.

There has also been some worry about the fate of BBC Three, as well as the BBC in general, with Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries recently announcing that the licence fee would be frozen for two years. As the BBC look for alternative funding, it raises the question of whether BBC Three will be in the broadcaster’s longterm plans. This channel has made some of my favourite series in recent memory with the likes of Fleabag, This Country and Killing Eve but will they be able to find the level of consistency that their neighbouring channels have?

The gender pay gap on our screens by sienna norris The dominating issue of gender pay gaps in all types of jobs has been persistent for a long time, and I’m talking for a very long time. Throughout history, women have traditionally remained at home whilst their husbands worked but by the seventies, the number of women that had taken on jobs had skyrocketed, with a gigantic pay gap present between men and women. When it comes to the entertainment industry, women and men have been working for roughly the same amount of time, especially on screen. So why is the gender pay gap still an issue in the 21st century? According to statistics recorded in 2017, a male actor’s average salary was $57 million while a female actor’s average salary was $21.8 million, that’s over half! I know the latter is still a lot of money, but the difference is staggering. In 2018, the top ten highest-paid actresses earned less than 30 cents for every male counterpart’s $1. Not only this, the list of 2018’s top 10 actresses had a combined fortune of $186 million, and the top 10 actors of 2018 totalled to $748.5 million, if that doesn’t summarise the institutionalised sexism onscreen, I don’t know what does. You may remember in 2019 when UK

Television networks had their salaries exposed, and their very big gender wage gaps. The averages between men and women’s pay were topped by Channel 4’s average of 28.6%, followed by ITV at 16.4%, BBC with 10.7% and Sky at 5.2%, but Channel 5 actually showed that women were paid 2.9% more than men. Due to the backlash these networks faced; UK film organisations became part of 10,000 companies to disclose gender wage gaps. Also in 2019, male stars earned roughly about $1.1 million more than their female co-stars despite equal experience and almost equal screen time, and it was found that these statistics were similar to those from 1980. It’s important to acknowledge that these earnings are based on huge Hollywood actors salaries, so it is far more money than necessary, but if you take the millions and imagine it in an office job, there’s still an issue. Moreover, these statistics are mostly based on Caucasian actors’ salaries, so to women of colour, the pay is far, far less. Now it’s time for some examples: Ellen Pompeo who is the starring role of Grey’s Anatomy as Meredith Grey was initially paid far less than her character’s male love interest played by Patrick

Dempsey, who doesn’t have near as enough screen time as Pompeo, but the actress stood her ground and eventually got a fair wage. Some may say that Dempsey drew in more audiences, or had been acting longer, but Meredith Grey’s character is the heart of the TV show. One that might shock you is Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson’s pay gap in Something’s Gotta Give. Both are very established actors who had their breakout roles around the same time, so why was Nicholson paid a percentage of this film’s profits as a secondary role when Keaton didn’t receive any profits from the film? The answer is very simple: people defend the pay gap with misogynistic comments, but if it’s the same job, should it matter? Fortunately, there are many screen actors that address the gap and fight for equal pay like Patricia Arquette and her iconic 2015 Oscar acceptance speech, and the late Chadwick Boseman who donated part of his salary from 21 Bridges to make up for Sienna Miller’s asking wage. Overall, if a man and a woman, no matter their race, are working in the same position, they should be paid equally, it’s as easy as that.

The 2022 Winter Olympics by katy Fajkus This year’s Winter Olympics, hosted in Beijing, look a little different from usual. The stadiums are empty and officiators are in hazmat suits, however this doesn’t stop millions from tuning in from the comfort of their own warm homes. The sports performed at these Olympics may seem a bit more niche to some, with most of us never attempting a skeleton in our lives, but this is what makes its escapist appeal even more tempting. It seems that becoming invested in a sport we know virtually nothing about is a great pass-time and can act as a gentle reminder of what can be achieved by people from all walks of life. There are much fewer sports than the abundance of ones competed during the summer counterpart, but this also makes the Winter Olympics so easy to become invested in. After watching a couple of rounds of curling with little to no clue what the aim of the broom is, I’m sure I’m not alone when I start telling the professionals through my television screen how it actually should be done. For a country that seems to practically shut down at the slightest inch of snow, I’m always surprised at the number of talented athletes we have representing the United Kingdom in a wide variety of events. While we may not be as successful on the medal front as we seem to often be in the Summer Olympics, the team of 50 athletes

who have travelled to Beijing this year are sure to do us proud. However, on the more serious side, a lot of the current tournament seems politically driven, with the situation in China regarding the persecution of the Uyghurs being a global cause for concern. While the Biden administration and other governments around the world have commented on such a “genocide”, Dinigeer Yilamujiang, aged only 20, lit the Olympic cauldron as a proud Uyghur Muslim. The Olympics are never free of political discourse, and this year the Russian Olympic committee seem to be causing a stir. The 15-year-old skating star, Kamila Valievathe, made history by becoming the first-ever woman to land a quadruple jump. She then failed a drug test. She has been allowed to continue competing even after banned muscle enhancers were found in her system, just without any hopes of a medal ceremony. This unsurprisingly has become a heated debate among nations over the fairness of the decision, but nevertheless, the games go on. Politics aside, the enjoyment to be had out of watching graceful skaters spinning and jumping around the ice with effortlessness never seems to cease. Luckily for us, the fun just keeps ongoing, with the Winter Paralympics being held just under two weeks after the conclusion of the Olympics. The opening ceremony airs on

March 4th and the events continue for just over a week, scheduled to conclude on March 13th. This game also marks a historic moment for disability inclusion, as Channel 4 who are covering the games are doing so with an all-disabled presenting team, a global first for any broadcaster covering a worldclass sporting event. Paralympics GB champions Lauren Steadman and Ellie Robinson are set to join the on-screen presenting team led by Ade Adepitan, Arthur Williams, Billy Monger and Sean Rose, showing over 80 hours of coverage and presenting live from Beijing. So, as we slowly begin to say goodbye to winter for another year, I know I for one will be sticking the TV on every now and again, hoping to catch a glimpse of a sport I know I could probably never be very good at.

Photos: Unsplash

EDITOR: Benjamin Smith

31 VERA VENUE MOving back home: the journey through post-uni blues From laURA, 21 Q. “I recently finished university and have had to move back home due to finances. Since being at home, I have had multiple run-ins with my awful ex-boyfriend and I feel like none of my friends understand how damaging it is for my mental health. Is there any way that you can suggest I can get it across to them how seeing someone bad from your past can emotionally affect you? I just want to feel more understood by my friends.”

A. Oh Laura, my heart goes out ing before, how you felt after, and why them and addressed your concerns,

to you. I could write pages upon pages in response to this. There’s so many tricky things going on at once– being in a new life phase, moving back home, having old wounds reopened, and feeling misunderstood by your friends. It’s no wonder you’re feeling some negative effects on your mental health. The best way of getting your friends to really hear you is to be very direct and clear with your communication. I’d recommend going out for coffee with each of them, or them all together (but then you lose the possibility for deeper one-on-one conversations), and telling them upfront how you’ve been feeling. Don’t shy around your emotions or sugar coat things, but also make sure you’re not overembellishing or exaggerating things. Be honest. Tell them exactly when these run-ins happened, how you were feel-

you want them to fully connect with your emotional state. My hope is that they’ll be able to see your honesty and vulnerability. If they’re friends that are worth their salt, they’ll listen and accept what you’re saying. Asking questions or challenging you is not necessarily a bad thing– often people do these things to be able to fully understand another person’s headspace. However, if they start brushing you off, minimising your experiences, or arguing with you, please try to stand your ground. It’s very important that you convey these emotions to them, both for you and for the future of your friendships. Otherwise, your frustrations with how they’ve been treating you might just continue to fester until they bubble up unexpectedly and cause even more tension. Lastly, once you’ve spoken to

Maja Anushka is this year’s Vera, Concrete’s Features Editor, and on the MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism course. As well as being almost as nosy as she is empathetic, Maja has almost a decade’s experience of making YouTube videos which have covered topics such as mental illness, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, relationships, body dysmorphia, and self-esteem. Her goal for Vera Venue is to promote self-love, mental wellbeing, and healthy relationships, and create a space where people can see that they are not alone.

Photo: Unsplash

About Vera:

I would really try to think about your next steps. Moving back home is always going to bring up feelings from the past, as you’re literally back in the physical space you were before (and I wholeheartedly believe that places do hold an energy that was there before). While it’s important to address these feelings and recognise them as they come, there’s a fine balance between doing this productively and allowing yourself to wallow in a headspace you’ve already grown out of. You’re not the same person you were in that relationship. You can still feel the pain from that time, but don’t let it drag you backwards. You’ve got much better things to spend your mental energy on!

32 THE LONELY ROAD TO NEW FRIENDSHIPS

VERA VENUE

From lILY, 21 Q. “I just got out of a four year relationship. I was very committed to my partner, he was my best friend, but he kept cheating and catching feelings for other girls until I was no longer the girl he chose to be with anymore. It broke me the first couple of times this happened, and I’m still hurt, but I feel ready to move on. But now the one person I depended on has left me, I don’t have anyone. I’ve always struggled to make friends, I try really hard to, but it feels like it doesn’t get me anywhere. I’m really angry, and I’ve never felt so lonely. How do I make long lasting friendships?”

A. Hello Lily! Thanks for writing in. Making friends as an adult is really hard. It’s something that can feel like a near-impossible challenge, especially if you don’t have the social allowances of Uni, a social job, or a big network of friends to meet people through. I think it’s what makes the transition from student to adult so difficult– it’s the first life stage we’re faced with that doesn’t involve us being introduced to new people all the time. For many of us, that’s when we realise how much we enjoy the excitement of making new friends. Part of what is so intimidating about befriending new people is the possibility of rejection. With old and established friends, there’s at least some expectation that they’re not just going to turn around and decide they don’t like you anymore. But with someone unfamiliar, there’s a much bigger perceived risk of them rebutting your attempts to form a deep relationship. However, rejection is healthy. Not only does it keep us humble and grounded, but it makes us try harder. If you got everything you wanted all the

Photo: Unsplash time, you would be bored constantly. The possibility of rejection, failure, or emotional pain keeps us on our toes. While it’s a fact of life that’s easy to get frustrated at, we do need these painful and negative experiences and feelings in order to understand how lucky we are when things go well. The difficult thing about making friends is that it’s a bit of a paradox. You need to both seek out new people/ chances to bond and let things come to you/avoid wanting it too badly. A good rule is to just start saying ‘yes’ to opportunities and offers. It’ll push you out of your comfort zone and most likely drive you to something totally new! Another thing that might be productive is to try and focus your energy onto yourself rather than others. People are attracted to confident and peaceful people, and you can make yourself more of both of those things by really getting in touch with yourself and doing some work to cultivate your self-love. I’ve been watching Lost recently (I know, I’m a little late to the bandwagon) and one metaphor really stuck out

to me. I have no idea if it’s entomologically correct, so apologies to any lepidopterists in advance. Anyway, the sentiment goes like this: As a part of their life cycle, baby moths go into cocoons (similar to butterflies going into chrysalises) to transition to their adult form. However, they have to work very hard to get out of their silk cocoon when the time comes to stretch their new wings. It seems like an impossible task to fight their way out to the open, but once they do, they’re so strengthened by their struggle that they’ll be able to survive on their own. If any help were to come and split the cocoon open for them, they’d be too weak for the world and wouldn’t stand a fighting chance. Your struggles, as painful as they might be when you’re inside the cocoon, just wanting to get out, are what prepare you for the next part. Also, for what it’s worth, your ex sounds like a complete loser. Onto better things!