Banned Iranian film producer, Jafar Panahi, has managed to cast criticism on traditional Iranian values, without actually doing so. What he did was extremely clever and comprised a particular way of filming, by which we ended up literally accompanying him, and actress Behnaz Jafari, on an outing deep into the Iranian mountains. Deceptively simple, the […]
Culture
The Dutch Cartoon Competition Was Wrong Because Geert Wilders Organised It
The cancelled Dutch cartoon competition was not about Islam. It was all about Geert Wilders. It was way too long since we heard from the flamboyant leader of the Dutch extreme-right-wing party PVV, Geert Wilders. Let’s face it, the Dutch parliamentary elections are a thing of the past, and the present coalition is doing very […]
José Mourinho’s Constant Wrath Lands Him In Dante’s Inferno
As a Manchester City supporter, I won’t cry too loud about the troubles José Mourinho finds himself in, at Manchester United. I’m referring to laughing until I cry, of course, and the fact that we must always show respect for the opposition, no matter who they are. Showing respect is a quality that Mourinho doesn’t […]
- Psychology
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The Promise Of Dawn – Is Mum To Blame For Sexual Harassment?
I‘m really happy that I don’t have to search for a soul-mate anymore, being happily married, as I am. At least, I think I am. Yes, she’s not perfect, and I’m sure as hell not perfect, either. Like many people, I struggled through secondary school, had to retake my A-Levels (they were actual exams, in […]
CULTURE: La Langue De Molière
J‘ai eu une chance inouïe de pouvoir faire mes études scolaires dans un lycée qui, au fil des années, est devenu une école de renommée internationale. Le Lycée Français de Londres, rebaptisé “Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle” en 1980, à la mémoire du fondateur de la Cinquième République, est devenu un symbole du système d’éducation […]
Planet Of The Apes…Men In A Post #MeToo World
Just as I thought that the oppression, harassment, and exploitation of women, were part of the male genome, I came across a “non-profit” organisation that claims to be able to cure most men from being fondling creatures in underground trains, hotel rapists, and housewife-beaters, in the space of 48 hours. The Mankind Project, responsible for […]
Brexit Musings (27) – Love Island: A Glimmer Of Hope For Remainers
He stole a kiss on a rock, overlooking the still ocean. A silhouette of love, a shadow of feelings. And as the sun disappeared over their new horizon, they were encompassed by the warm glow of dusk. He took her closer and whispered tenderly, “You know, my love. You know that this could never have […]
Sarah Jeong – Fake Racist, Fake Newspaper Editor?
In the same way that Winnie the Pooh illogically blames the size of Rabbit’s door, for not being able to get through it, Sarah Jeong – a Korean/American lawyer, journalist, and a lot of other things – blames racist tweets…for the fact that she sent out racist tweets. Even though I don’t follow her logic, […]
- Culture
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Blocking On Social Media: “Get Out Of My Virtual Life, You Virtual Man!”
I never thought this would happen to me, but it has. Someone out there, in virtual reality, had the audacity to ban me from their virtual life on the net. I thought that it had no meaning, but it has. I now realise that you can ignore somebody you don’t even know exists, in the […]
- Culture
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Three Colours – Blue, White, Red
And there I was, thinking that all you needed to play football for your national team was (i) citizenship, (ii) more than average skills and, (iii) to be picked by the trainer. Silly me, I must say. It was pretty much obvious that you must also be of the appropriate ethnicity, to avoid cynical remarks […]