The REALIST
P H O T O :
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C A M L L A G R E E N W E L L
4 FILM GLASGOW SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
5 THEATRE DRESSED.
The 12th edition of the largest competitive short film festival in Scotland arrives with another cracking line-up of works in a very diverse array of style and content. Ditch your expectations of what cinema does and head down there. See feature, page 27. GFT, Glasgow, Wed 13–Sun 17 Mar. A successful run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe is followed by a national tour for a tough drama which shows how one woman coped in the aftermath of a sexual assault. See preview, page 93. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 14–Sat 16 Mar; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 11–Sat 13 Apr.
6 KIDS FIRST STEPS: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Birmingham Royal Ballet strip back their version of the classic fairytale to one hour, just the right length of time to keep the little ones enthralled by Belle’s adventures with the Beast. See preview, page 71. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Fri 15 Mar.
P H O T O :
A L E J A N D R A L O Ã Å P E Z
7 FILM RAY & LIZ
8 VISUAL ART THE GERMAN REVOLUTION
9 BOOKS SAMANTA SCHWEBLIN
Artist Richard Billingham keeps things close to home with his debut feature film which bleakly explores the lives of his mum and dad as they tried to make ends meet and keep themselves sane in 80s Britain. See review, page 68. Selected release from Fri 8 Mar.
A total of 75 Expressionist pieces from the early 20th century fill the Hunterian, featuring work by the likes of Oskar Kokoschka, Käthe Kollwitz (pictured), Max Beckmann and George Grosz. See preview, page 100. Hunterian Art Gallery, Glasgow, Fri 1 Mar–Sun 25 Aug. On the back of a recent Booker International shortlisting, Argentine writer Schweblin reissues Mouthful of Birds, her dazzling and dream-like short story collection from 2010, featuring expert translation from Megan McDowell. See review, page 56. Oneworld, out now.
10 CHOSEN BY AUTHOR PM FREESTONE FREYA RIDINGS
My writing process starts with music, seeking the perfect soundtrack to delve into a story’s emotional core. It was while I was drafting my YA fantasy novel Shadowscent, that I discovered singer-songwriter Freya Ridings. You may not have heard of her. That’ll soon change. Ridings’ vocals are by turns powerful and ethereal, inviting Florence Welch comparisons. There’s also an epic Florence-esque glory to some of her piano-led arrangements, while others bring a quieter melancholy. Her debut single ‘Lost Without You’ peaked at number nine in the UK singles charts last October and, with two live albums now under her belt, she’s preparing to release an eponymous studio album. If the live recordings are anything to go by, she puts on an incredible show. And it’s likely to be one of the last times you’ll get to see her for just £15. PM Freestone: Shadowscent – The Darkest Bloom is published by Scholastic, Thu 7 Feb; the book is launched at Waterstones, Edinburgh, Fri 8 Feb; Freya Ridings, Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, Mon 4 Mar.
1 Feb–31 Mar 2019 THE LIST 7
PM FREESTONE PHOTO: JOSEPHINE TENG