Watch…

Marshland at (Home). Set in the south of Spain in 1980 this crime thriller has as much to say about the politics of post Franco Spain as the workings of the police and military. Two policemen turn up in a poor agricultural village to find out what happened to young women who have disappeared. The policemen represent the changes going on in Spain. Pedro is married, about to have his first child. and is critical of the old regime. Juan fits the stereotypical image of the police. He is a drinker, womaniser and happy to use any methods, including violence, to find out what is really going on in this very traditional part of Spain. But times are slowly changing  in this semi-feudal village where the workers are striking for better pay and the men need to work together to challenge old loyalties.  Generally I am not keen on films about murders of young girls and there are few positive female characters in this film but I think it has  a clever plot and makes  some important points about the politics of Spain with  the landscape also playing an important role in the story. Highly recommended.

Listen…

To this fascinating radio programme about the Dance of the Seven Veils. Palestinian singer, Reem Kelani, explores the history of the Dance of the Seven Veils and the myths around Salome. She traces the way in which the dance was interpreted and taken up by women in the West as a way of breaking free from the restrictions of society in the 1900s and its attraction today for people across the world. I love the way in which she incorporates traditional Palestinian women singing today with the story of  “Salomania”.
see
Find out more about Reem at

Learn…

Some history at this adult education course. From Mary Wollstonecraft to Womens Liberation. Radical Women 1790-1979 at Aquinas College, Stockport starts 14 September at 6.30pm-8.30pm. The course tutor is local radical historian Michael Herbert, author of “Up Then The Brave Women.” If you are a member of a trade union you may be able to get funding for the course. Please contact Michael for further details at

Enjoy…

Freedom – a collaboration between Kieran Hardiman, Alan Kenefick and Ciaran Plummer  and filmed by Brian Doherty. Some Irish dancing but not the usual sort. Filmed on the grounds of University College in  Cork, the music is Mind of a Beast by The Glitch Mob.The voiceover is from the “Great Dictator”(1940) by Charlie Chaplin, but the music and dance is definitely C21st. Brilliant see

Support…

Independant film and Kino Films. It has never been easier to make your own films and Kino give support to new filmmakers by providing a platform for their work. This month it is the summer awards at 3MTheatre -find out more see

Explore…

Greater Manchester Sound Archive at Central Library in Manchester. This collection includes oral histories of places, dialects, communities all around the Greater Manchester area, some as random as an interview with “an unidentified female worker”. Others feature national figures including Harold Wilson and Tony Benn. Or listen to the musical recordings of famous (and one of my favourite) local conductors John Barbirolli, or the lesser known local folk singers singing live.
It’s free, just get yourself down there! See

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