Culture
The Essentials: Top Cultural Highlights In February
Holiday cheer has long since faded, yet spring is but a speck on the horizon. Luckily, these new movies, events, music and more are here to save you from the winter doldrums
THE WORD: Internest
For anyone who knows that modern dating is a battlefield (wasn’t it always?), we offer you a safe refuge from the perils of the dreaded ‘gaslighting’, ‘lovebombing’ and ‘breadcrumbing’ with your very own ‘internest’: the comfy pile of blankets and pillows you cocoon yourself in during long sessions surfing the interwebs… or endlessly binging prestige TV, or doomscrolling, or whatever it is you do online. (We’re not here to judge.) Obviously, the best kind of internest is a full-on blanket fort, complete with all your favourite snacks, so make your inner ten-year-old proud and build the best darn blanket fort internest this world has ever seen.
Perfect If: You’re flying solo this V-Day, or just feeling the wintertime blues and need a cosy place to crash.
THE FILM: Mothering Sunday
Honestly, we’re simple people. We see Colin Firth and Olivia Colman billed together on a movie poster, and we’re in. If that’s not enough for you, though, then we’ll go on: Mothering Sunday is based on Graham Smith’s 2016 novel and adapted by screenwriter Alice Birch, of Normal People and Succession fame. Set in the aftermath of WWII, the story follows a maid, Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young), who engages in an affair with her wealthy neighbour Paul Sheringham (Josh O’Connor) – despite the fact that he is engaged to marry another woman. Sounds fascinating, right? The movie premieres this 25 February, so mark that date down.
Perfect If: You enjoy a great film directed by a woman and starring strong female characters… or you just appreciate good acting.
THE CAUSE: Fairtrade Fortnight
“Being a farmer shouldn’t be a route to poverty” – and to help set right this unsustainable state of affairs, Fairtrade Fortnight works with schools, communities and organisations across the UK to raise awareness of the link between global trade and the underpaid work of farming. From 21 February to 6 March, Fairtrade Fortnight’s Choose The World You Want festival will be held online, with events like panel discussions, bake-offs and farmer meet-and-greets designed to build solidarity, promote engagement and engender support for the farming community, while also helping tackle the climate crisis. Learn more about the cause here and how you can get involved, whether by hosting an event in your own community, donating or simply spreading the word.
Perfect If: You know that farmers feed the world – and you want to return the favour.
THE SHOW: Inventing Anna
It’s hard to imagine a fake identity con job succeeding in a world dominated by social media and the immediacy of the internet. Want to know who someone is? Google them. Now picture how much harder it would be to dupe one of the world’s tightest (and richest) social circles. It would take a genius to pull off such a feat – or perhaps an evil genius – but that’s up for you, the viewer, to judge. Netflix’s Inventing Anna follows the real-life story of the journalist reporting on Anna Delvey, a woman who somehow managed to convince New York City elites that she was a wealthy German heiress, and get them to fund her flashy and expensive lifestyle. Starring Julia Garner (Ozark) and Anna Chlumsky (Veep), the show is created by Shonda Rhimes, so you already know you’ll be glued to your seat.
Perfect If: You’re looking for something to binge in your internest.
THE SOUND: Welsh Language Music
If your New Year’s resolution was to learn a new language but you (predictably) haven’t gotten very far, take this as a sign: 4 February is Dydd Miwsig Cymru, otherwise known as Welsh Language Music Day. Celebrate the occasion, and perhaps get inspired to learn a little Welsh yourself, by tuning in to one of the many playlists listed on the official event Spotify channel. Whether you’re into hip hop, folk, punk, rock or electronica, there’s something to help everyone get their jam on.
Perfect If: You know that cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon (“a nation without a language is a nation without a heart”).
THE EVENT: BFI Future Film Festival
From 17-20 February, the British Film Institute (BFI) will host the 15th edition of its Future Film Festival for young film enthusiasts, a four-day event that will include workshops, discussions, classes and interviews with filmmaking professionals and peers – both in-person and online. Participants will have the opportunity to build their network while learning from experts in the industry, and will also have free access to over 50 short films made by emerging filmmakers under the age of 25, to be screened at BFI Southbank (London) and online. This year’s films are focused on major contemporary topics like our relationship with the planet, our bodies, our communities and technology – and the full programme looks to be as creative and thought-provoking as the minds behind it.
Perfect If: You’re ready to dive into the moviemaking industry, but maybe need a little push.
THE TREAT: Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
5 February is the official World Nutella Day, and we’re obviously down for celebrating. While it can be a good excuse to stock your pantry with this heaven-sent treat – or with any of the equally tasty variations from other brands – it can also be the perfect opportunity to experiment with making your own homemade version. From vegan options to dangerously easy seven-ingredient recipes and healthier sugar-free alternatives, there are endless options, each promising the same delicious result.
Perfect If: You’re looking for a delicious Valentine’s Day treat to give to your sweetheart.
THE DOCUMENTARY: Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché
Poly Styrene was at her best when fronting punk rock band X-Ray Spex. Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché follows the frontwoman’s daughter, Celeste Bell-Dos Santos, who, following her mother’s death from metastatic breast cancer, sifts through and ponders the many artistic archives her mother left behind, including some captivating diary entries. Accompany Celeste as she comes to understand both Poly Styrene, the icon, and Poly Styrene, the mother. Already available on-demand in certain countries, the documentary will enjoy a wider release with screenings in the US, Canada and Australia this month.
Perfect If: The spirit of punk rock flows through your veins – and you just love a renegade woman.
THE DRINK: Tea-Based Cocktails
Toast the end of Dry January, whether or not you were actually abstaining, with a seasonally appropriate cocktail. Sure, you could turn to the usual suspects – hot toddies, mulled wine and the like – but why not shake things up this February with a tea-based cocktail that will warm the cockles of your heart? You could simply start experimenting with various tea-and-spirit combinations – surely you can’t go too far astray – but for those who prefer a nudge in the right direction, we have a few suggestions to get you started.
Perfect If: You know that tea goes with more than just milk and sugar.
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