Watch

The President (Home) Set in an unnamed eastern European state the President finds that his time has run out and he has to flee (with his grandson) as his citizens revolt. He could be Gadaffi or Sadam Hussein and no doubt the director was influenced by events in Libya, Iraq or Eqypt. As the President escapes into the countryside we see how his rule has led to a country more representative of a 19Century feudal state. He is reduced to scavenging for clothes and food as the country falls apart. At one point he ends up carrying a political prisoner who was involved in his son and daughter-in-law’s murder. It is a grim story of war with the real victims being the poor, women and children.There is very little dialogue in the film but the relationship between the grandfather and grandson is touching and offers some hope of a better world.

Go

To some reality theatre; Bagheads. Originally, a book by Manchester author Karen Woods, she has now adapted it for the stage and its being performed at the Lowry Theatre next month. Unlike many of her other works its not about working class women living on council estates instead the main character is Shaun Cook who is a heroin addict. Something that Karen knows about personally as her brother was a drug addict. But typically Karen it is the usual mix of grim reality laced with northern humour. Her plays are just as popular as her books so get your tickets now! Read my interview with Karen see

Read more at

Find

Out about what it is like to be a hotel worker in London. They look like they are smiling when you book in but this blog tells the real story. See

Defend

The right to strike. They really want to reduce us to slaves and this bill will allow employers to employ agency workers during a strike or maybe the Job Centre will force some poor unemployed people to scab on the strikers. Watch this video by Frances O’Grady and join the campaign.See

Listen

To the wonderful Palestinian singer Reem Kelani. Catch her on her mini tour of the northwest. On 19 September she is at the Bolton Socialist Club and to buy tickets, people should e-mail julia_simpkins@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01204 848 279. Or the ACE Centre Nelson on Thursday 12 November.Reem will perform alongside Al MacSween on electric piano.
Watch her at
Further details see

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