Watch

julieta the latest film from Pedro Almodovar. I love his films because they take on real issues, and also have actors that look like real people both in size and age. julieta, based on a story by Canadian author Alice Munro, takes on the tortuous issue of the relationship between mothers and daughters. The main character, Julieta, is in her 50s and about to leave Madrid and go with her partner to live in Portugal, but a chance encounter with one of her daughter’s friends makes her change her plans. Through a series of flashbacks we find out why Julieta hasn’t seen her daughter for twelve years and learn more about her difficult relationship with her  own  father. It’s a serious subject, but dealt with by Almodovar’s  trademark of  beautiful scenery, the women are fabulously dressed and it’s a classy film.

Go

to the Right to Remain Gathering 2016 on Saturday 3rd September, 11am to 5pm, in Central Manchester. It’s an opportunity for activists and would-be activists to get together,  and discuss and learn about how to challenge some of the big issues of our time. Sessions include ones on challenging detention, the position of international students in this country, and linking up with groups involved with Calais.

The organisers say;“The gathering is an opportunity to meet, share with and learn from activists and groups from across the UK who are working for migration justice. … With the political situation in such flux, we’re particularly keen to focus on the power of people and communities to create the change we want to see.”

This is a FREE event, but registration is required. Further info see

Find

Out about local communities through this photographic project at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Salford and Cheetham Hill in Focus; Iconic Photographs from the 1950s and 60s by Retracing Salford. There are literally thousands of photographs, walls full of them, of individual people, their families, life at school, work and community events including the Whit Walks. It shows the diverse nature of the community in these area; a vibrant mix of Jewish, East European, Irish and indigenous locals.  The project team, also worked with some present day Pakistani women who live in Cheetham Hill, and produced a wall hanging linking up some of the pictures in the exhibition and their home country of Pakistan.

Life is tough for the people of Salford,  and they need places to go to that remind them of the importance and strength of community and their art gallery and museum not only puts on exhibitions that reflects their lives  but also has a brilliant cafe. For more info on the exhibition see

Listen

To the voices of Latin American people in the northwest of England in a community radio programme called  “Voices Across Borders (Voces Cruzando Fronteras)” broadcast every Friday  12-1pm on ALL FM 96.9. The organisers say; “The programme seeks to share Latin American music and relevant news. So far we have broadcast programmes on a range of thematics from pre-Hispanic Mexican contemporary musicians and Latin American women singers to the roots of the New Latin American Song”. The programme is aimed at the Spanish speaking audience,   but the music is fantastic! Maybe a good way of learning the language. If you do not live in  Ardwick, Longsight or Levenshulme you can till  listen online on Mixcloud see