Nights Entertainment Issue 3 - February 2022

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GFK ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE CHARTS Top 10—all formats 1. Pokemon Legends: Arceus published by Nintendo 2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe published by Nintendo 3. FiFA 22 published by Electronic Arts 4. Animal Crossing: New Horzions published by Nintendo 5. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection published by Sony Computer Entertainment

6. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild published by Nintendo 7. Minecraft published by Nintendo 8. Call of Duty: Vanguard published by Activision Blizzard

9. Grand Theft Auto V published by Take 2 10. Just Dance 2022 published by Ubisoft Nights Entertainment Magazine

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Nights

Welcome

Entertainment Editor Melissa Compton info@nights-magazine.com

Design Melissa Compton

Photography Adobe Stock, BBC Pictures,

Advertising Melissa Compton

Published By Nights Publishing Ltd

Nights Entertainment Magazine ISSN 2752-9975 No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form, in whole or part without prior permission from the publisher. All published material is either the copyright of Nights Publishing or the creator (inc. writers, photography etc.). Nights Publishing does not require our writers to surrender copyright: instead we work closely with our writers and artists to ensure all content is

original. We reserve the right to edit letters, copy, or images submitted to the magazine.

Hey Everyone, I can’t believe how fast this month’s come round, This month we have been indulging in indie games and we had so much fun, you may have noticed we are absent our Gaming Columnist, Dawn and have been for the last two months unfortunately Dawn and her family have been plagued by a round of ill health, here’s hoping they soon recover.

Meanwhile, we posted about the games music festival being held in London next month, we’re super excited and honoured to be attending this event, and lovin how many gaming events are on over the Spring. We have some great features this month one on End Lines by Nova Box, as well as reviews of Rising hell still loving this game, and Formula Retro Racing, we are also happy to announce that Mortis Chronicles: Tale of Cowardice has concluded a successful Kictstarter campaign and is due for release in Q3 2022.

There’s no doubt that indie developers are killing it out there at the moment, so keep up the great work, keep gaming, and we’ll be back in April Issue on the 2 March 2022. We are in the process of updating our business model and considering moving to a bi-monthly publication which will be web-based with printed issues available via amazon and ebay. We are focused on building a community and thank you for all your support.

Till next time xx

Melissa xx Melissa Compton, Editor

The submission of material to Nights Publishing unsolicited or requested is taken as permission to publish in the magazine and on our online platforms or events. We cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, images or materials lost in

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February Contents

Reviews: 08 Rising Hell 14 Formula Retro Racing Nights Entertainment Magazine

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Features; 03 GFK Entertainment Software Top 10 04 Editors Letter 10 Anda Seat: Phantom 3 12 Social First Funded with 2.5 millon preseed investment

16 End of Lines Special 22 Mortis Chronicles: Tale of Cowardice 24 In The Eyes Of A Silent Star: Astra Nielsen 28 AJ Odudu and Tom Allen announced as red carpet hosts 30 Comic spotlight: THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WAR ON WEED 32 FARMHAND COMIC SOWS SEEDS FOR NEW STORY ARC 34 Meet the Audio Lab creators turning

their ideas into podcasts for BBC Sounds Nights Entertainment Magazine

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Rising Hell - The Review Words By Melissa Compton.

If you have been following our socials you’ll know we’ve been playing Rising Hell for a little while and fell in love with it straight away. We were gifted a copy of the game (with the tag no review necessary, but hell we wrote one anyway!). Before we dive into that it’s probably important to note we love games with simple controls (having to press too many buttons at once stresses us out, lol) We like diving straight in and figuring things out as we go along. Though we understand that this may frustrate some gamers if you’re looking for a platformer that requires complex controls this probably isn’t the game for you!

The basic premise of the game is: Rising Hell puts you in the shackles of Arok, a sinner wielding a mysterious bestial arm with the power to kill demons. Fight your way through hordes of blood-lusting abominations, as you ascend vertically through the randomly-generated and ever-changing depths of hell, to reach freedom and resurrect your dark master Lucifer on the surface. The game is a vertical 2d Platformer, a misconception with the game is the description can lead you to think it is elaborate or story-led, it reminded us quite strongly of the old streetfighter games combined with a strong sense of strategy. The game requires a lot more strategy than you think but the camera is zoomed out and this helps. The game has some fun heavy metal riffs, you have to climb upstages that ascend in difficulty whilst destroying enemies and avoiding obstacles.

The reward/upgrade function requires you to harvest souls from the enemies you kill in order to exchange these for respawning if you die and attacks. If you do die without the respawning ability you have to return to the beginning and hope to do better. The controls and the combat at both on point and the basic elements are enhanced by throwing bosses and environmental obstacles such as spinning walls your way.

Rising Hell is the Tahoe games indie-gem brought to you by a partnership with Strictly Limited Games, Chorus Worldwide Games & Toge Productions this pixel style 2D action rogue-lite game has simplistic ambitions and thoroughly delivers great entertainment as it fulfils them.

From wall-climbing to smashing combo attacks, this game is a delight to play, a platformer with a touch of heavy metal music and fire brimstone Rising Hell ticks all our boxes!

Available on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch!

Strictly Limited Games

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Anda Seat Launches the New Phantom 3 Six Invitational 2022 Edition Gaming Chair Feel like a Pro with the Anda Seat Rainbow 6 Siege Invitational 2022 Edition chair.

World leading gaming chair brand, Anda Seat, who previously manufactured race car seats and partnered with prestigious brands in the sports and e-sports field, today, presents its Phantom 3 Six Invitational 2022 Edition gaming chair. In association with Ubisoft, Anda Seat Rainbow Six Invitation 2022 Edition gaming chair is designed to provide ultimate support and comfort to enhance the gaming or working experience. This Anda Seat 2022 revolutionary Phantom 3 Six Invitational 2022 Edtion will first debut in the US and the MSRP is $329.99 on the Anda Seat official website with the early bird discounts!

The 2022 Six Invitational, the world championship tournament for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, will be taking place from February 8th to 20th this year. To celebrate the tournament, the new branded chairs from Anda Seat bring design, comfort, functionality and quality to e-sport fans. The Six Invitational 2022 edition includes the Rainbow 6 Siege icons and features orange, green, red and blue arrows in a stylish design, sure to appeal to fans of the game.

What is Rainbow Six? Rainbow Six, developed by Ubisoft, is a game where multiplayers are at the forefront the experience, focusing on gameplay that is just the right mix of tactics, destruction and unique heroes. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege by Ubisoft is more than a game, it’s a thriving community with 25 million players now and counting. Likewise, the Anda Seat Six Invitational 2022 Edition gaming chair is more than a gaming chair, it’s a healthy and productive way for gaming or working.

What are the benefits of the Anda Seat Six Invitational 2022 Edition gaming chair?

The Rainbow Six Invitational 2022 Edition are based on the Anda Seat latest sumptuous series gaming chair- the Phantom 3 which is part of the revolutionary Anda Seat 2022 range. This series is made from updated leatherette where the top grade PVC leather is the best from the company yet with a soft and smooth touch that rivals the texture of genuine leather. The reshaped flatter seat wings ensure a spacious and cozy seat base whilst the ergonomic backrest nestles into the natural curvature of the back. This coupled with premium velvet covered XL size lumbar pillow and head pillow keep users at peak performance. Unlike other gaming chairs, the Phantom 3 has a special modular MagClap design that can be assembled by one person with ease. Just slide the backrest into the seat base, then clamp magnetic side covers on both sides. The Anda Seat Phantom 3 series gaming chair provides next-level sitting experience with ultimate all-day-comforts.

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The Phantom 3 Six Invitational 2022 edtion gaming chair will first debut in the US and the MSRP is $329.99 on the Anda Seat official website with the early bird discounts. Buy earlier, save more.

Discount 15% OFF 10% OFF No Discount Price $280.49 $296.99 $329.99

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New Studio SOCIAL FIRST Founded With a $2.5 Million Pre-seed Investment to Create Cross-Platform Social Games Team of industry veterans set to create a new wave of crossplatform social multiplayer games to last for decades, backed

by Play Ventures and Joakim Achrén.

Helsinki, January 2022

Finnish game studio Social First, founded in late 2021 by games industry veterans Kim Soares and Mikko Kähärä, plans to create highly social multiplayer games that can be enjoyed for decades. The company has secured a $2.5 million pre-seed investment, backed by Play Ventures, and a syndicate led by Joakim Achrén.

The Social First team is formed of games industry veterans, with a combined 100+ years of experience in the industry with dozens of titles shipped. Most of the team have worked together on previous projects, with successes at studios such as Kukouri, Paradox Interactive, Nitro Games, Ubisoft and Housemarque.

The team is well versed in developing and managing cross-platform social MMOs – Creating games that encourage meaningful interaction and connection between the players and has first-hand experience in how to foster long-term retention and virality through game design, community management and marketing. Social First has ambitious plans to grow fast in the coming years and deliver titles that will create lasting and meaningful social experiences to fans of multiplayer games.

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“Social gaming is growing rapidly and our team is very experienced in creating social cross-platform games with strong communities that enable people all over the world to form friendships that can last a lifetime. Combining that into games that are designed to be played for a decade or more, and taking into account other new and emerging technological possibilities, we saw an opportunity to ride a perfect storm and really make a huge impact in the games industry” says CEO Kim Soares.

“We’re thrilled to be backing Kim and Mikko and their impressive team”, says Play Ventures Founding Partner Harri Manninen. “The social games market has grown massively in recent years, with people finding more meaningful connections

globally through engaging social gameplay. Social First is approaching this opportunity with decades of know-how and the proven ability to scale cross-platform social MMOs. We believe that Social First will play a major role in defining the next big trend in gaming”

“I’m thrilled to invest in Social First with my angel syndicate. Both Kim and Mikko are exceptional game founders and it’s awesome to be on this journey with them and giving them all the support that I can”, says syndicate lead Joakim Achrén.

The Social First team will be attending the Pocket Gamer Connects conference on 14th-15th February 2022 in London. If you are interested in arranging a meeting or would like to find out more about their recruitment process, you can get in touch with the team at sophie.riordan@socialfirstgames.com or via their website.

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Formula Retro Racing The Review

We played Formula Retro Racing on our PC via steam, it’s a fun little game the perfect love letter to 90’s arcade racing games.

Formula Retro Racing is a retro-style arcade racing game by RePixel 8 that is influenced by the classic arcade racing games of the early ’90s. The genre is known for, racing games with crisp low poly visuals, retro soundtracks and high-speed action. We loved that there are 5 tracks available to you at the start of the game out of the 8 (the other 3 unlock later on) each with 3 difficulty levels. We had so much fun playing this game but, it helps to have correct expectations, It’s full of vibrant colours customisation is in colour only, and the music is the sort of basic music you’d expect from an ’80-’90s arcade machine, not a 90’s soundtrack. That said the eliminator feature is crazy fast-paced fun. The higher the difficulty levels the more chaotic the crashes which was a big hit with us (Melissa loves crashes cars in games). The graphics are loud and vibrant but simplistic. Although there is no drift function the cars are a basic formula with only colour changes available, it’s a fun retro game, you may not get the Forumla1 feel from it but it is buckets of fun at a great price!

This is a back to basics game the rolling start and speed, as well as easy handling, give it a great racing feel, it’s a very SegaEsque type game, There is a practice level so you can get used to the tracks. The earning of license points enable you to unlock the other tracks. While simplistic it’s a game brilliantly presented and executed, I was impressed with how well it handled.

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Features Retro arcade racing action

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Low poly visuals in HD and 4K at 60fps

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8 unique tracks each with varying difficulty

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Classic arcade checkpoint racing game mode

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New ‘Eliminator’ game mode

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Destructible cars with crazy crash physics

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Best lap and a Race time online leaderboards for each track

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Up to 4 player split screen local multiplayer

The game is also available for Xbox and Playstation Priced at £4.79 on Steam and £4.99 for Xbox Playstation Store £4.99

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End Of Lines Special

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Special: End of Lines

End of Lines is an interactive graphic novel for PC/Mac/Linux & Nintendo Switch. Created by Nova-Box who are a small independent game studio, created fifteen years ago (in October 2007). During the first years, they worked mainly as subcontractors specialized in Artificial Intelligence and user experience design for larger game studios. Since 2013, they’ve been creating and publishing their own narrative games, starting with “Echoes” on iOS from 2013 to 2015, and followed by three critically acclaimed interactive graphic novels: “Along the Edge” in 2016, “Seers Isle” in 2018 and “Across the Grooves” in 2020.

The team consists of: Words — Nicolas Fouqué, Alix de Yelst & Geoffroy Vincens Art — Nicolas Fouqué & Mélanie Ertaud Code — Raphaël Le Bobinnec & Daniel Borges (Manufacture 43) Music — Camille Marcos & Julien Ponsoda (Illustrason) Storyboards — Julie Vidal English Localization — Rachel Capie Proofreading — Alix de Yelst Art Intern — Felipe Bracioli Nicolas Fouqué is an illustrator. School of Fine Arts graduate, he also has a degree in Game Art and started making video games in 2007 at Mad Monkey Studio. Freelance illustrator since 2010, he was the art director of 9 Elefants (Microids, 2013). He formed a long term partnership with Nova-box and is the main artist and art director of all their games since 2013.

Geoffroy Vincens is a writer. He wrote Along the Edge in 2016, Seers Isle in 2018, Across the Grooves in 2020, and co-authored Echoes (2013-2015), Orphan Age: Diaries (2017), and My Hero Firefighter (2008).

Raphaël Le Bobinnec is a game developer. He is in charge of all things technical at Nova-box.

Camille Marcos and Julien Ponsoda, from the collective Illustrason, are soundtrack composers for movies and video games. They composed and recorded the soundtrack and created the sound design of Seers Isle (2018) and Across the Grooves (2020).

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The story: Where the lines end.

Following a climate-induced apocalypse, a group of survivors centred around a small family wanders in the devastated countryside of Southern Europe, looking for a livable place to settle.

A well-researched, environmental tale that acts as a warning about climate inaction and the collapse of ecosystems.

The sky is red. Or is it?

The air’s so hot it feels red.

When did it stop being blue?

A battered old paper with words I can’t read and lines that fade and melt across the tears and folds.

Lines that guide us towards hope.

The hope of a welcoming land.

And yet, we don’t know what we’ll find beyond the map.

The games features include:

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Each choice matters: manage the supplies and the morale of your group in a ruthless environment where death may be encountered at any time.

A poignant vision of what may lie ahead: the story is set at the end of the 21st century, in a world where nothing has been done to counteract climate change.

• A family unit at the core: follow Camille, Nora, their son Sam, the lively “Uncle” Rafik and the diverse cast of characters they befriend on the trail.

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A beautifully illustrated storybook: with each playthrough, experience a novel-sized adventure and a portion of the hundreds of hand-painted illustrations created for the game.

An immersive and finely-crafted soundtrack.

• The game was made with support from of la région Nouvelle-Aquitaine. And is available from late 2022, available in French and English. With a suggested rating of 12+ due to suggested adult themes, on Steam, Itich.io, and Nintendo Eshop.

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Screen Shots

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Concept Art

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Mortis Chronicles: Tale of Cowardice has now reached its fully-funded Kickstarter goal of £3,000 pounds the 2D RPG game will now be released in Q3 2022 and can be wishlisted on Steam. A huge congratulations to the team behind the game.

The turn-based 2D RPG is set in the mythical world of Mortis. Play as Evander and his party of rapscallions as they set out to defeat the Grand Demons and protect the five guilds, bastions of peace in this magical realm.

Become attached to Mortis and its inhabitants as this world rich in lore is turned upside-down, its fate now rests solely on your shoulders. Put your skills to the test in this tactical turn-based affair and take control of Evander and his squad, each possessing their own unique set of skills that, strategically combined, can lead toward the demise of your enemies. Outsmart your opponents through hand-on-hand combat, cast powerful spells to heal, revive, and do damage, and conjure ancient magic to expose your opponent’s weaknesses. Play through hours of content as you aim to restore peace among The Guilds and help settle the party’s personal conflicts, as they rise in this time of need. See below for a chart on how they intend to use the money raised from Kickstarter.

Mortis Chronicles couples familiar mechanics with the genre with unique elements of strategy and combat to bring a fresh perspective to the turn-based gaming experience.

Here’s a summary of the game’s mechanics : Manipulate the turn order to gain an advantage over your enemies to obtain more moves by selecting Pressure, confusing your opponent and disabling their attack in the process.

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• Boost your attacks to gain various special effects, by selecting Taunt, provoke your enemies. Select the Expose option to know exactly which moves to use to deal further damage.

• Conjure up powerful spells from the elements of the planet: Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, and more!

Pay attention to your Magic Points and who you’re facing, as you will only have a limited amount of usage during fights to maximise your damage.

• Be careful, as some enemies will have their own unique abilities. Make sure to dodge this curveball as it could spell a permanent end for you and your party.

• Break enemy shields to inflict the Stagger effect and earn a short rest to figure out how to proceed in your ongoing engagement.

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Learn new skills and upgrade current ones using Class Mastery Points, earned after certain fights.

How did the world of Mortis and its inhabitants come to exist? Enzio the Radiant, an omnipotent entity, created Mortis, his guardian angels to protect the world, and humans to colonise it. As an aeon passes by, a series of dramatic events shape and change the world of Mortis as we know it, and the utopia envisioned by Enzio plummets into chaos.

Five guilds were formed around Mortis’ Capital, in order to combat against the demon advance

A failed plan by a crazed mage to exterminate the Grand Demons turned sour fast, as the Grand Demons became hungry for violence more than ever before. Through sieging Arcadia, they slayed whoever was in their path… including Evander’s parents. Once a tight-knit family of ten, through blood and shared experiences, Evander’s world crumbled around him, descending him into madness.

With the Grand Demons escaping with ease and hatching new plans to send the world into eternal darkness, can Evander find it within himself to escape his deadly decline? Can the bonds he formed throughout his childhood come together to overthrow the Grand Demons and disrupt their plans? Or will the Grand Demons do the unthinkable and achieve their deadly goals of world domination?

Here is the full breakdown: The aim is to release the full game in its early access stage in mid-2022. This will comprise the first chapter of six, which will be added to Mortis in five free and timely updates, so you can continue to enjoy the game for much time to come.

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IN THE EYES OF A SILENT STAR: THE FILMS OF ASTA NIELSEN BFI Southbank, 3-15 MRCH 2022

The BFI today announces full details of IN THE EYES OF A SILENT STAR: THE FILMS OF ASTA NIELSEN - a retrospective celebrating the vibrant career of Danish star of silent cinema ASTA NIELSEN, a performer with boundless range, unique sensitivity and unforgettably hypnotic eyes. Taking place at BFI Southbank from 3 February – 15 March, the season is programmed by film historian and writer Pamela Hutchinson and will showcase Nielsen’s incredible career, from early work such as her debut in the erotic melodrama THE ABYSS (Urban Gad, 1911), to her androgynous portrayal of the Danish prince in HAMLET (Svend Gade, 1921), through to her final dramatic film role, and first talkie, IMPOSSIBLE LOVE (Erich Waschneck, 1932). The season will launch on 3 February with a talk – THE ABC OF ASTA NIELSEN – in which season curator Pamela Hutchinson will present an illustrated lecture on Nielsen’s life and incredible career, before she is joined by a panel of experts including the BFI’s curator of silent film, Bryony Dixon, to examine Nielsen’s performance, stardom and significance in depth.

The retrospective, which is presented in partnership with Danish Film Institute (Det Danske Filminstitut), will chronicle Nielsen’s illustrious career, the early part of which featured over 30 collaborations with her first husband, Danish film director Urban Gad, introducing her as an accomplished actress who would lead 1900s European silent film in both comedy and tragedy. Highlights of this period of her career screening in February will include THE ABC OF LOVE (Magnus Stifter, 1916), where Nielsen offers an androgynous style and erotic performance as a young girl impersonating a male to teach her fiancé about masculinity; THE BLACK DREAM (Urban Gad, 1911), in which she plays a circus star pursued by two suitors; and ZAPATA’S GANG (Urban Gad, 1913/14) where, in self-reflexive reference to her own celebrity, she plays an actor, on location to shoot a film about bandits. Also screening in February will be Nielsen’s final creative work, the documentary ASTA NIELSEN (Asta Nielsen, 1968), a self-portrait in which the actress reflects on her life and magnificent career in conversation with the Danish actor Axel Strøbye – the result is a now immortalised reminder of the first international movie star.

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Screenings in March will focus on the latter part of her career, including her flexible-minded interpretation of William Shakespeare’s HAMLET (Svend Gade, 1921); Nielsen’s androgyny and emotional range come to the fore in a Shakespeare film that challenges both gender roles and patriarchal authority. Also screening will be THE DECLINE (Ludwig Wolff, 1923) in which fortysomething Nielsen confronts the ageing process and plays a musical star waiting faithfully for her lover to be released from a jail sentence so they can be reunited. Nielsen co-stars with a young Greta Garbo in GW Pabst’s THE JOYLESS STREET (1925), set in a slum district where meat is valued more highly than morality and sex work seems to be the only way for women to survive. Although a prominent figure in European cinema thanks to her intensely emotional and modern performances, Nielsen’s work remained relatively obscure to American audiences as censors considered her roles too erotic; over a century after Nielsen’s screen debut, the screenings in this season, which will be presented with live piano accompaniment, offer audiences a chance to discover the work of one of the brightest stars of the silent era.

FULL PROGRAMME INFORMATION

- Nielsen plays a woman in an erotic dilemma in her screen debut THE ABYSS (Urban Gad, 1910), the tale of a young woman who leaves her fiancée for a circus star; in comic and tragic mode, she sows the seeds for her provocative persona. - Romantic comedy THE ABC OF LOVE (Magnus Stifter, 1916) is a showcase for Nielsen’s skills in male impersonation and genderplay. Here, thirtysomething Nielsen plays a teenage girl who teaches her young suitor how to be the man of her dreams, by dressing up in trousers herself. - In ZAPATA’S GANG (Urban Gad, 1913/14), Nielsen plays an actor, as she often would, in self reflexive reference to her own celebrity. On location to shoot a film about bandits, Nielsen and her crew run into a real band of robbers who steal their clothes, forcing them to change into their outlaw costumes. While cross-dressed as a brigand, Nielsen gets involved with admirers of both sexes. - THE ESKIMO BABY (Walter Schmidthässler, 1916/1918) features one of Nielsen’s most full throttle comic performances in the fish-out-of-water mode. In this romp that bears no relation to geographical authenticity, Nielsen plays a young Inuit woman brought to Berlin by an Arctic explorer, marvelling at the madness of big-city life. - THE BLACK DREAM (Urban Gad, 1911), one of Nielsen’s earlier roles and suited to her mastery of melodrama. Nielsen plays Stella, a circus star in the middle of a high-stakes love triangle. - THE FILM PRIMADONNA (Urban Gad, 1913) features Nielsen playing a movie star with a tempestuous love life. - In the German silent drama DORA BRANDES (Magnus Stifter, 1916) Niesel plays a feted actor slowly driven to despair and alcoholism after her politician lover betrays her and the sacrifices she made for his career. - In an early Danish film POOR JENNY (Urban Gad, 1911/12), Nielsen plays a cleaner seduced by a callous young man, and then abandoned by her family. The setting may be downbeat but Nielsen’s charisma radiates. - Asta Nielsen plays a woman at home in a man’s world in THE QUEEN OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE (Edmund Edel, 1916). She’s the co-owner of a copper mine who makes the mistake of mixing business and romance – with potentially terrible consequences.

- THE GUINEA PIG (Edmund Edel, 1968) is a raucous comedy with a touch of the grotesque that sees Nielsen play a manic, rebellious tomboy who exasperates her father so much that he sends her away. As fate would have it, however, she is mistakenly sent to a psychiatric clinic instead.

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The last film that Nielsen ever made in Denmark is the captivating religious melodrama TOWARDS THE LIGHT (Holger-Madsen, 1919), in which she plays a wealthy countess who strings along a series of suitors even though she’s fallen in love with a baron.

When her thoughtless flirtations turn out to have dreadful consequences, can the countess redeem her wasteful life by turning to God? - Dark thriller In the IN THE EYES OF THE LAW (Willy Grunwald, 1919) begins with a deceptive romantic breeziness, as Nielsen plays a journalist in love. However, this determined, principled woman will stop at nothing to support her friend’s lifesaving medical research. - In this flexible-minded adaptation of HAMLET (Svend Gade, 1921), the prince is truly a woman in disguise; Nielsen’s androgyny and emotional range come to the fore in a Shakespeare film that challenges both gender roles and patriarchal authority. - Nielsen was Weimar cinema’s first Lulu in Expressionist-style film EARTH SPIRIT (Leopold Jessner, 1923).

Nimble in her early forties and sporting a very modern bob, Nielsen projects her famous ‘demonically dangerous’ sensuality as the siren who lures the people who love her to their inevitable destruction. - Fortysomething Nielsen confronts the ageing process in THE DECLINE (AKA DOWNFALL) (Ludwig Wolff, 1923) with a devastating climax. She plays a musical star waiting faithfully for her lover to be released from a jail sentence so they can be reunited. - Nielsen co-stars with a young Greta Garbo in THE JOYLESS STREET (GW Pabst, 1925), set in a slum district where meat is valued more highly than morality and sex work seems to be the only way for women to survive. Nielsen plays put-upon Marie, who sells herself for the man she loves. - IMPOSSIBLE LOVE (Erich Waschneck, 1932) was Asta Nielsen’s first sound role and her final dramatic film role. In this tragic romance, she plays Vera, a widowed sculptor who falls for a younger man. But will her daughters, and society at large, endorse their relationship? Watch Nielsen triumph in her short-lived transition to sound. - The only film Nielsen ever directed is ASTA NIELSEN (1968), a documentary self-portrait in which the actress reflects on her life and career in conversation with the Danish actor Axel Strøbye. Watch as the celebrated tragedian poignantly sheds her final tear for the camera.

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AJ Odudu and Tom Allen announced as red carpet hosts for the EE British Academy Film Awards 2022

The talented pair will also team up to announce this year’s nominations on 3 February 2022 BAFTA today announced AJ Odudu and Tom Allen have joined this year’s EE British Academy Film Awards presenting team as the co-hosts of BAFTA’s red carpet show on Sunday 13 March 2022 at London's Royal Albert Hall. AJ and Tom’s interviews with nominees and other special guests will be streamed live across BAFTA’s Social Channels @BAFTA, giving audiences an exclusive front row seat to the red carpet arrivals.

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AJ and Tom will also be on hand to announce this year’s Nominations on Thursday 3 February 2022 live from BAFTA195 Piccadilly.

As previously announced, Rebel Wilson will host this year’s Film Awards ceremony, celebrating the very best of British and international film talent, which will be returning to London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, and broadcast on BBC One, BBC One HD and BBC iPlayer.

AJ Odudu said: “I am honoured to be hosting this year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards red carpet show alongside my friend Tom Allen. I’m so excited to be interviewing the brilliant nominees whilst celebrating the best of film. I can't wait to put on a posh frock and get chatting!”

Tom Allen said: “I am so excited to be on the red carpet - in fact I’m excited to be on any carpet as we have laminate flooring in our house - and I am over the moon to be working with the brilliant AJ Odudu at this year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards. I know we’re going to have so much fun bringing the glamour and excitement of the arriving nominees to everyone watching around the world at home. Open some crisps, settle on the sofa and enjoy it all!”

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA said: “Stepping on to the EE BAFTA Film red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall is a unique experience and we’re thrilled to be back with an in-person event this year. AJ and Tom are going to do a wonderful job of welcoming our guests to the UK’s biggest celebration of film.”

Nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be revealed on Thursday 3 February 2022, following the EE Rising Star nominations on Tuesday 1 February 2022.

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THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WAR ON WEED ONE-SHOT TO LIGHT UP SHELVES ON 4/20 PORTLAND, Ore. 01/21/2022 — Fan-favorite creators Brian Posehn, Gerry Duggan & Scott Koblish reform Voltron (metaphorically only) from their days on Deadpool (also not appearing) to tell a true story and lost chapter from the nation’s sad and failed war on drugs. The Secret History of the War on Weed one-shot will hit shelves this April.

"I am always game to stir up some comic book silliness with Koblish and Duggan," said Posehn. "With our 4/20 adventures of Scotch McTiernan, we might have outdone ourselves. Eighties references, ultra violence, and high jokes per page rate is our wheel house. We leveled our wheel house this time. Check it out!"

The year is 1985. The First Lady decides to crush Northern California cannabis farmers and deploys the biggest tool in the armed forces: Scotch McTiernan (collectible first of many hilarious appearances). “If it weeds…we can kill it.” Scotch puts his boots on the ground in Humboldt and does what he does best—but what happens when he gets high for the first time?

Duggan added: "My most hilarious and messed-up comics have been collaborations with Scott and Brian, and this is our funniest and most screwed up comic yet. If you like '80s action comedy, alternate histories of the United States, and are a marijuana-curious, then this comic is for you."

This one-shot has it all: laughs, tears, heart, action—plus, an activity page! A portion of the proceeds from this comic will be donated to organizations dedicated to helping casualties of America’s immoral drug war.

"I’m proud to be getting together again with two of the craziest minds in comics and comedy!" said Koblish. "If you’ve enjoyed the work we've done together you’ll know that we pack every page with humor, action and manic adventure—and this comic doesn’t disappoint! I can’t wait for everyone to check out this book and take a hefty swig of Scotch!"

The Secret History of the War on Weed one-shot (Diamond Code FEB220059) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, April 20.

The Secret History of the War on Weed one-shot will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

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FARMHAND SOWS SEEDS FOR NEW STORY ARC THIS APRIL

PORTLAND, Ore. 01/25/2022 — Eisner Award winning cartoonist Rob Guillory ( Chew) returns with an all new story arc to the agricultural horror series Farmhand. The fourth story arc kicks off from Image Comics with issue #16 on sale this April.

In Farmhand #16, The Jedidiah Seed now grows in the wild. Their farm in ruins, the Jenkins family tries to cobble together a path forward in a world ruled by the demonic Monica Thorne.

“A lot's happened since the last issue of Farmhand, in the world of the Jenkins Farm and in our own," said Guillory. "And I couldn’t be happier to finally bring to life what I believe will be the darkest, most intense chapter of this strange little story yet. Buckle up."

In the series Farmhand, Jedidiah Jenkins is a simple farmer. But his cash crop isn ’t corn or soy. He grows fast-healing, highly-customizable human organs. For years, Jed ’s organic transplants have brought healing to many, but deep in the soil of the Jenkins Family Farm something sinister has taken root. Today this dark seed will begin to sprout, and the Jenkins family will be the first to taste its bitter fruit.

Farmhand #16 (Diamond Code FEB220062) will be available at comic book shopson Wednesday, April 13.

Farmhand is also available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Available now in trade paperback at your local comic book shop or independent bookstore or via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Indigo:

• •

Farmhand, Vol. 1 (ISBN: 9781534309852) collects issues #1 -5 Farmhand, Vol. 2 (ISBN: 9781534313323) collects issues #6 -10 Farmhand, Vol. 3 (ISBN: 9781534315907) collects issues #11 -15

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Meet the Audio Lab creators turning their ideas into podcasts for BBC Sounds

Find out more about Hamza Salmi, Talia Randall, Hanna Adan, Jade Scott, Tommy Dixon, Adam Zmith and JN Benjamin - and their ideas.

The first set of Audio Lab creators have been chosen from hundreds of applications to turn their ideas into podcasts on BBC Sounds, amplifying the next generation of audio creatives from under represented backgrounds.

Meet them and learn more about them and their ideas.

Hamza Salmi - Who Is Michael X?

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Hamza Salmi

Hamza Salmi has spent his career immersed in content creation in a variety of roles from editor, producer, director to videographer and even photographer. But it was the story of the little-known activist Michael X that compelled him to make his first foray into podcasts, with the time afforded by lockdown the catalyst to begin the process and apply to Audio Lab. Hamza discovered Michael X while he was making a documentary about Malcolm X’s final trip to the UK, nine days before he was assassinated. While Hamza was tracing all the people Malcom X met during his visit, he stumbled across Michael X and made some significant discoveries about this largely unknown, complex, and conflicted character. A debt collector, racketeer, pimp and never far from scandal, he also co-founded Notting Hill Carnival and became Britain’s preeminent Black Power leader, taking him into the heart of the establishment.

In Who Is Michael X? Hamza plans to combine documentary and archive with dramatic recreations of key historical moments, to tell the story of Michael X through the lens of the Black British experience.

Hamza Salmi, Audio Lab Creator says: “I’m not just speaking about Michael X, I’m speaking about what it’s been like being Black in the UK in the past and how relevant it is today. And about colonial systems of power and how they still exhibit themselves now, using his life to explain that.

With the support of Audio Lab, I can create soundscapes and re-enactment, and elevate the content into something more than just Michael X’s story. I also have access to the BBC archive where I’ve already discovered gold like Michael X’s wife on Woman’s Hour in 1967.”

Talia Randall - Weeds & Wildflowers

Talia Randall Talia Randall grew up listening to experimental radio shows such as Chris Morris’ Jam, that bring together seemingly disparate elements to create a distinctive atmosphere. Talia has carried this influence with her throughout her career, from broadcasting to writing and performing spoken word and cabaret. Her work has been varied, but the central theme throughout has been to question what is available to people, and the visible and invisible barriers they face.

Lockdown brought into sharp focus the idea of open space and crucially, who has access to it. Reflecting on this, Talia began to develop the concept of Weeds & Wildflowers to explore who gets to enjoy nature and who does not, while celebrating the people and stories behind the wildlife through the window boxes and community gardens of UK council estates and working class neighbourhoods.

Talia Randall, Audio Lab Creator says: “I love how personal and intimate audio can be. I like that you can really listen to someone in a way that you can’t always visually. And when we think about nature, we don’t normally think about urban nature

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Hanna Adan - The Museum of Bad Vibes

Hanna Adan Growing up part of the British-Somali community in South East London, Hanna Adan was surrounded by a strong storytelling culture, so it seemed like an obvious next step to become a journalist and podcaster. Having struggled to find out more about Somali culture and heritage from history books, Hanna found herself staring at objects in British institutions. This was generally an uncomfortable experience given that when she visited Somalia, those objects were nowhere to be seen.

Hanna started to question how these objects get here, why they are still here and whether they should be returned. The Museum Of Bad vibes tells these stories from the point of view of artefacts held inside Britain’s celebrated museums, and the restless spirits that inhabit the objects have plenty to say.

Hanna Adan, Audio Lab Creator says:“I really love museums and without them I wouldn’t know as much as I do about places I’ve never been to, but I felt they weren’t very neutral places and the vibe seemed off. Objects have their own stories, whether it’s spiritual or if it’s because of all the hands it has passed through. Now that conversations are going on about whether to repatriate or ‘retain and explain’, I think it’s time we listened to these objects.”

Jade Scott - The Reset Jade Scott From as early as she can remember, Jade Scott has always felt on a quest to seek out insight from new perspectives. One of her earliest audio memories is from her family’s first PC, which had an encyclopaedia programme that would play music from national instruments by clicking on countries around the world. A career in research and development was a natural progression, to continue her passion for finding great stories from fascinating people.

A natural archiver, Jade was drawn to podcasting and as she approached a new decade, began reflecting on the things we are taught to expect from life compared to the reality. Deciding it didn’t all add up, the idea behind The Reset was born; a journey through the messier aspects of the human experience, contemplating the complexities of real life, exploring burn out, mental health and the social pressures we face.

Jade Scott, Audio Lab creator says: “I didn’t feel there was anything else I could make. This is a personal journey I’ve been on for a few years, accelerated by hitting 30 and entering a new decade. I’ve always been on this search for knowledge, particularly from global perspectives. This podcast is really about centering Black and Brown women in the conversation about wellness and exploring those themes. Life is for living but the living isn’t easy.”

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Tommy Dixon - Colouring In Britain

Tommy Dixon

An engineer by day, Tommy Dixon got into podcasting in his spare time after being inspired by BBC Sounds series such as Have You Heard George’s Podcast? and Sneakernomics. He went on to develop podcasts for The Roundhouse, while maintaining a full-time job in engineering.

It was during the build up to the Euros final last year when several England players missed penalties in a crucial game against Germany and the following controversy, that Tommy began wondering what exactly is ‘British’ and why people have to prove their ‘Britishness’. Colouring In Britain explores this idea, charting the stories and experiences of people of colour past and present across Britain, who have influenced and shaped what the UK looks like today, and what it means to be

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Tommy Dixon, Audio Lab creators says: “I wanted to celebrate British people because a lot of the time, when we speak about being British, we omit a lot of the people who helped Britain to become what it is now. When I was at school I didn’t get taught a lot of Black history. So I wanted to champion the people I look up to and how amazing they are. My podcast is part dramatisation and part soundscape because I want listeners to feel like they’re there; transported back to 1962 Britain when Malorie Blackman was born and the National Front were

around, and the New Cross fires in the

80s to feel how tense the atmosphere was.”

Adam Zmith – The Film We Can’t See

Adam Zmith Author and podcaster Adam Zmith is passionate about queer history. He is a co-producer of the award-winning podcast The Log Books, which explores untold queer stories through the handwritten notes of volunteers at Switchboard, an LGBT+ helpline since 1974. His first book Deep Sniff, published last year, is an exploration of identity, sex and freedom through a history of the drug 'poppers'.

His work centres on themes of censorship; which bodies and sexualities are considered acceptable and unacceptable, how this changes depending on time period, and how culture reflects these themes. The Film We Can’t See explores the hidden queer connections between filmmakers over a century of cinema. It is based on imagined audio left behind by a pioneering film director from Russia, a bisexual Hollywood actress, and a German sexologist fleeing the Nazis.

Adam Zmith, Audio Lab creator, says: “I'm obsessed with my queer ancestors, like sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld who made discoveries about our bodies that we might think of as hyper modern, but he was campaigning for queer rights before my grandparents were born. Discovering my ancestry as a queer person through these historical figures and their amazing work is a big part of my life and work now. With this podcast I want to give people the same mind-opening moments I've had in exploring our histories. Our freedom to create is always under threat. Audio Lab is giving me a blank canvas and a lot of space and time to create what I want to create, which as a producer is extremely rare and very exciting.”

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JN Benjamin – our mothers' stories

Writer and creative JN Benjamin is ‘absolutely obsessed’ with photographs. It’s an interest she indulges with a neat collection of vintage analogue cameras and a makeshift film processing lab in her bathroom at home. Her obsession gained an unexpected focus when she discovered a box of old photos that gave a glimpse into her mother’s life in Nigeria before she moved to England. A world about which JN knew absolutely nothing with the woman in the photos was barely recognisable. our mothers’ stories brings together mothers, their daughters, and some old printed photographs to explore this question. Listening to her own mother tell stories about her youth and premotherhood experiences gave JN a deeper understanding of her own legacy, revealing the concerted effort it would take to preserve it for future generations. The places her mother spoke about no longer exist because of colonialism, climate change, and now COVID-19, adding to the urgency to capture these stories - in the words of those who lived them - before it’s too late.

JN Benjamin, Audio Lab creator, says: “We’re in a moment right now that for so many reasons feels thick with a profound sense of grief. Death and loss are no doubt inevitable but I think the way it is happening has unveiled a collective sense of urgency to hear and preserve the stories of those who came before us. For the children and grandchildren of the African and Caribbean diaspora - including me - whose parents may have been born abroad, this task feels even more important. I want this project to be a provocation; a little nudge to encourage more people to seek out and preserve, in some way, their own mothers' stories.”

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