There are many cases in which I am grateful that I am no longer the parent of a young child – and this is certainly one of them. What the hell to tell them about what’s going on Ukraine? How much are you trying to protect them from the unfolding drama and horrors of war? What about scenes that look like bloody Xbox games?
I still remember experiencing night terrors during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when I was only five years old. I don’t remember any discussions about the political drama at the time, either at home or at school, and then I had no idea why I woke up convinced that a bomb would fall over our apartment. But now I see that it was no accident.
There was a time when you could have managed to contain information about Putin’s attack on the Ukrainian people by imposing restrictions on television, writes ALEXANDRA SHULMAN
There was a time when you might have been able to store information about Putin’s attack on the Ukrainian people by imposing television or keeping the radio tuned to pop songs while the children were present. But that time is long gone. Phrases like “the beginning of the Third World War” or “War in Europe” are everywhere, and to hear and read them is appalling for all of us.
Childcare practitioners often advise parents to explain difficult events to their children (as if one of us could really explain Putin’s destructive urge), instead of leaving them to silently record the stories they hear and the photos they see under the broad headline “Bad Things.” they are going. ” On’.
Fortunately, however, children are brilliant at dealing with their immediate environment. When problems swirl, you will often find them deeply immersed in the construction of Lego or a book of stickers.
In fact, it’s harder to know what to do as an adult. After a while, listening to 24-hour news just starts to worry. Yes, I want to be informed. But what can I do about it? Nothing.
And yet, continuing a normal life with worries about what to cook for dinner and ordering dahlia bulbs seems kind of insensitive. Making a manicure yesterday felt like an absolute trivia.
On the other hand, at least I have good nails, as the world order is collapsing. And there’s a lot to say about that.
Tied again in Soviet chains
My Jewish grandmother fled today’s Ukraine in the early 20th century. Visiting her hometown of Zhytomyr, about two hours from Kiev, a few years ago was fascinating. Many elements of Soviet austerity were still visible, but the place was enriched with freedom and optimism. How awful it is to see all this shattered and its citizens fleeing again.
Stars with a lot of joy
Maybe I only notice because they are in my age group now, but how many older actresses surpass him with amazing performances on both the big and small screens? This year’s Bafta nominees include 60-year-old Joanna Scanlan, voted Best Actress for her role as a white English Muslim baptized in After Love.
This year’s Bafta nominees include 60-year-old Joanna Scanlan, Best Actress
Claire Rushbrook, 50, is starring in the touching novel Ali and Ava, which is on the list of best British films. Olivia Coleman, 48 (always nominated everywhere for everything) is in the spotlight for another Oscar for her role as conflicted mother Lena in “The Lost Daughter.” And Helen Mirren, 76, the girl from the Silver Susie poster, received a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild.
There are so many others, including the excellent Harriet Walter, 71 – rarely off the small screen as a painfully chilling mother, most recently in Heritage and It Will Hurt. But why are these characters never written as people we would like to be?
There are many ambitious younger female protagonists, but the older actresses seem to present themselves as problematic, manipulative, lonely or humiliated. They have terrible relationships with their children and are often disappointed with what life has brought them.
Of course, the defective characters are cash registers. But I would still like to see an older woman play a central role, where she not only gets into all sorts of frictions and has her own conflicts and drama, but she is also attractive, smart, confident – and, dare I say it, happy from time to time.
Emily, you will soon miss the spotlight
In a recent interview with Radio 4’s Justin Webb, he came up with the great idea that podcasts, no matter how popular, are not in danger of live radio. As Emily Maitlis deviates from BBC Newsnight for a lucrative LBC radio podcast deal, I imagine she will soon crave this rush of danger and screen presence to show off her glamorous style.
Be careful with Harris, our new McQueen
You may not have heard the name Harris Reed before, but I predict you will hear it much more.
The young British-American designer follows talents such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen as one of those theatrical fashion visionaries who thrived in London. During London Fashion Week, his show 60 Years A Queen placed him high on the list of best new talents. It was a demonstration of fairytale-bending fairytale.
If you’re looking for tips on what to wear next fall, I’m afraid you won’t find much among his ruffles, glam rock platforms, masks, hats and exaggerated elongated silhouettes. But the same goes for many of Reed’s predecessors, who demonstrated catwalk styles that could not be worn, and they eventually designed for the most influential and financially successful fashion houses.
An upgrade that upset Apple’s shopping cart
I finally got into a new iPad last week and it’s a joy. Everything uploads quickly and the screen is bigger, brighter and, importantly, squeaky clean, not blurry and scratched.
Now, however, my iPhone and MacBook Air look even slower and sloppy than before.
Replacing appliances is like painting just one room in your house. It is wonderfully bright and new, but sheds a sharply contrasting light on the rest of the place, making it sad and in need of repair.