#cbe international

[progressofthepilgrim]

I'm a huge fan of CBE International and I seriously love that they give women a voice in the Church. So you can imagine how disappointed I was to see them speak poorly of two films that have had huge impact on my formative years and influenced my love of storytelling and the animated medium in general. I couldn't resist emailing the writer to explain what I thought she got wrong, and I'll post it here if anyone is curious.

I greatly admire this blog and all the good it's done. I get excited to read every new Thread and just discovered the blog by Kelly. However, I was sorely disappointed to read the article about Desiring God's writer Greg Morse and Kelly's response to it. I politely suggest that Kelly gets as much wrong about the heroines from Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs as Desiring God did about Captain Marvel.

Aurora LITERALLY has a magical voice. She is not voiceless [as the article states]. It was one of her magical gifts at birth and what connects her initially to the prince who ends up helping to save the kingdom along with the fairies. Having little screentime is an odd reason to dismiss her as a character (Jasmine and Elsa barely have more minutes on screen in Aladdin and Frozen, by the way, and nobody is condemning them as "voiceless"). The writer also seems to have never actually seen the film considering the three good fairies are the heroes- the film starts with them offering their gifts to the baby, continues with them figuring out a way to protect their foster daughter, and ends with them helping Prince Phillip (as remarkable a man as could be found in animation who both risks his life to save Aurora and shows kindness and consideration for her when she sings earlier on).

Phillip is not the main character. If anything, HE is the voiceless one. Once "Once Upon a Dream" ends he literally talks no more; he exists for the women of the film, not the other way around. The point of the film is that true love can defeat any evil, and we don't only see this in Phillip's selfless actions, but in the fairies' entire story. They are driven by their love for their adopted daughter, and go to great lengths to protect her. They grieve having to let her return to the castle. The entire film is inherently female-driven, much more so than almost any animated film that came after it, making it quite ahead of its time. I respectfully have to say that I find ignoring this aspect of it to be grossly inappropriate for a feminist writer. Pop culture matters. Representation matters.

Snow White is a more active heroine, too. This is a teenage girl who's never known love, only neglect and abuse. She still manages to refrain from succumbing to the same level of bitterness and resentment that so obviously drives Queen Grimhilde. She is forced to flee through the terrifying forest to make a new life for herself, which she happily does until she's able to be safe with the prince. But let's back up. After a frightening night in the woods, she finds comfort with the animals, scolds herself for making a fuss, and picks herself right back up. She finds a cottage that she believes houses orphans, and decides to clean up the place and cook a hot meal for the poor "children" in exchange for shelter. She's proactively trying to make a place for herself when she has every reason to sit, cry, and feel sorry for herself. When she realized it's actually the dwarfs' home, she quickly offers her skills as a former scullery maid so as to not just take free shelter because Snow White is a hardworking person with a good heart who doesn't believe in taking without giving. Even though as princess of the land, she could easily invoke her royal status to demand protection and a roof. She works hard to be useful and makes herself a new family, showing that family comes in many forms and your abusers do not define you. The dwarfs stop the Queen because Snow White has earned their loyalty and love, the same way she's earned it from the Prince and the animals. Snow White is a good person who inspires goodness in others; it's why the huntsman cannot bear to kill her and puts his own life on the line by letting her go. This says volumes about Snow as a person and a role model.

The Prince has very little to do with her.

By the way, ignoring that women can hurt other women is NOT helping the cause. Women regularly suffer from internalized misogyny, as Snow White's mother clearly did. Cinderella's stepmother abused her too. Women hurt women sometimes. It's a fact. Walt did not have some evil misogynistic agenda either, this is just what happens in the fairy tales these films are based on.

Women should be allowed to come in all forms. It is deeply misogynistic to strip away women's worth and dismiss them as role models simply because they don't carry weapons. I'm curious how Kelly just feel about Biblical women like Esther, Ruth, Rahab, and both Mary's, since they're ordinary women who never fight. Ruth especially reminds me of the old Disney Princesses, who went through trials with dignity and inner strength, allowing themselves to feel sorrow or anger at times but never letting it break them down into something they're not.

I do not write this to offend or even condemn. These films have a special place with me, and as someone who relates to the women in these films both in personality and as a fellow abuse survivor, it pains me to see these iconic women brushed off as anti feminist, especially from a Christian writer I deeply admire. I would ask that you consider that Aurora and Snow can't read your blog and have their feelings hurt, but real women just like them can. Is it feminist to uphold only a certain type of womanhood? I don't believe so. It's why I abandoned my Complementarian beliefs. I think putting down traditionally feminine women is one side of the coin, and putting down warrior women is on the other. We don't need to pit women against each other.

[saxafimedianetwork]

UK Parliament Boosts Support For Somaliland Aspirations.

#UKParliament boosts support for #Somaliland's aspirations for #InternationalRecognition! Members of both #HousesOfCommons & #Lords emphasize the need for official recognition to support stability, economic growth & regional diplomacy.

Continue reading UK Parliament Boosts Support For Somaliland Aspirations.

[x-heesy]

ᴏʜ ᴍʏ ғᴜᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɢᴏsʜ

Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2009–2010 Menswear

Lee Alexander McQueen CBE (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010) was a British fashion designer and couturier. He founded his own Alexander McQueen label in 1992, and was chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001. His achievements in fashion earned him four British Designer of the Year awards (1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003), as well as the Council of Fashion Designers of America International Designer of the Year award in 2003. McQueen died by suicide in 2010 at the age of 40, at his home in Mayfair, London, shortly after the death of his mother.

Watch It Burn by QZB, Charli Brix 🎶

[fashionbooksmilano]

McQueen The Fashion Icons Unofficial and unauthorised

Michael O'Neill

Sona Books, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands 2023, 144 pages, 21,5x27,5, ISBN 978-1-915343-32-1

euro 35,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

“Alexander McQueen - Redefining Beauty” is magnificently adorned with some of Lee Alexander McQueen’s most riveting designs, and the narrative illuminates the personal and professional struggles of a man who dared to defy accepted norms in the cavernous halls of fashion and give the world a new sense of the grandeur of which human creativity is capable. From conflicted gay teenager, aggressive and remote young man, through to his lonely suicide, the book charts Alexander McQueen’s ascent to couturier par excellence, highlighting his spectacular shows and showing how his confrontational, streetwise manner was simply a shield that protected and masked a very shy, sensitive and insecure man who hailed from the wrong side of the high fashion tracks. “Alexander McQueen - Redefining Beauty” will imprint upon the reader never to be forgotten images of his explosive designs, illuminate his talent and delve into the mind of a man who was Britain’s most unpredictable, tormented and spectacular fashion designer.

Awarded British Fashion Designer of the Year 1996, 1997, 2001 & 2003. Awarded CBE, Council of Fashion Designers of America - International Designer of the Year 2003, Chief Designer of Givenchy,Creative Director of Gucci. Gucci Group acquired the McQueen fashion label, Designed wardrobe for David Bowie tours and Bjork and Bowie Albums, Patrons included Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Rihanna & Lady Gaga, McQueen stores in London, Paris, Milan, New York & Las Vegas. Hugely successful exhibition at Museum of Metropolitan of Art New York – Savage Beauty in 2011 V & A Exhibition runs in London - March until August 15th 2015

01/12/24

[science-lover33]

Genetic engineering: CRISPR and beyond

In genetic engineering, we find ourselves amidst a scientific revolution with the advent of revolutionary technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. However, our journey into the intricate landscape of genetic manipulation is far from complete. This post delves into the nuanced world of genetic engineering, exploring cutting-edge technologies and their remarkable potential in shaping the future of medicine and biotechnology.

CRISPR-Cas9: Precision at the Molecular Level

CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary genome editing tool, stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9. It utilizes a guide RNA (gRNA) to target specific DNA sequences, and the Cas9 protein acts as molecular scissors to cut the DNA at precisely defined locations. This break in the DNA prompts the cell's natural repair machinery to make changes, either through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR). CRISPR-Cas9's precision allows for gene knockout, modification, or insertion with remarkable accuracy.

Beyond CRISPR: Emerging Technologies

While CRISPR-Cas9 has dominated the field of genetic engineering, numerous promising technologies have emerged on the horizon. These include CRISPR-Cas variants like CRISPR-Cas12 and CRISPR-Cas13, which offer unique advantages such as smaller size, increased specificity, and targeting of RNA. Additionally, base editing techniques, such as adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs), enable the direct conversion of one DNA base into another without causing double-strand breaks, expanding the range of genetic modifications possible.

Applications in Medicine

The implications of these advancements are profound, particularly in medicine. Genetic engineering can potentially treat various genetic disorders, from cystic fibrosis to sickle cell anemia, by correcting disease-causing mutations at their source. Precision medicine, tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, is becoming increasingly feasible, allowing for personalized therapies with minimal side effects.

Ethical Considerations and Regulation

As we venture further into the genetic frontier, we must acknowledge the ethical considerations surrounding genetic engineering. The ability to modify the human germline, with implications for future generations, raises ethical dilemmas that necessitate rigorous oversight and regulation. The international community is developing guidelines to ensure responsible use of these powerful tools.

Future Directions and Challenges

While genetic engineering offers immense promise, it is not without its challenges. Off-target effects, unintended consequences, and the potential for creating designer babies are among the issues that demand careful consideration. Researchers and ethicists must work in tandem to navigate this uncharted territory.

References

Doudna, J. A., & Charpentier, E. (2014). The new frontier of genome engineering with CRISPR-Cas9. Science, 346(6213), 1258096.

Anzalone, A. V., Randolph, P. B., Davis, J. R., Sousa, A. A., Koblan, L. W., Levy, J. M., … & Liu, D. R. (2019). Search-and-replace genome editing without double-strand breaks or donor DNA. Nature, 576(7785), 149-157.

Kime, E. (2021). CRISPR and the ethics of gene editing. Nature Reviews Genetics, 22(1), 3-4.

This post only scratches the surface of the profound transformations occurring in genetic engineering. The relentless pursuit of knowledge and ethical exploration will shape the future of this field as we continue to unlock the intricate secrets of our genetic code.

[aimeedaisies]

Great Western Railway celebrates The Princess Royal’s lifetime of dedicated service by naming train in her honour

Great Western Railway has named a train after HRH The Princess Royal in recognition of her support for more than 300 charities, organisations and military regiments in the UK and overseas.

Representatives from a host of those organisations joined guests at London Paddington on Thursday 2nd May as Intercity Express Train 800024 was named in honour of Her Royal Highness.

Her Royal Highness was joined at London Paddington by husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, a member of the GWR Advisory Board.

After the unveiling, The Princess Royal was introduced to guests including the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, former Prime Minister Theresa May and Transport for London Commissioner Andrew Lord.

Mark Hopwood, Great Western Railway Managing Director, said: “Naming trains has been a tradition on the railway, and especially on the Great Western Railway, since the earliest days of train travel.”

“Today GWR proudly continues this tradition, recognising and celebrating inspirational individuals who have shaped the communities and the nation. Her Royal Highness has dedicated a large part of her working life to official engagements and visits and we are delighted to recognise this immense contribution by carrying her name on the side of this Intercity Express Train.”

Transport Secretary, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, said: “I’m delighted to see one of GWR’s trains named after Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in recognition of her remarkable commitment to public service.

“Her Royal Highness has made a significant contribution to so many important charities, events and public services so it gives me great pride to celebrate this through one of the greatest traditions on our railways.”

Inspired by the heritage of GWR’s King George V locomotive, two sides of a coin appear on the side of GWR’s named Intercity Express Trains.

With the Coat of Arms of the GWR on one side of coin, the other will include an illustration of The Princess competing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Seated on the Queen’s horse, Goodwill, Her Royal Highness was taking part in the equestrian three-day event – the first member of the Royal Family to feature in the Olympics.

HRH went on to play a part in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and today brings insight and experience to her role as a British member of the International Olympic Committee, as well as being President of the British Olympic Association.

Annamarie Phelps CBE, Vice-Chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: “HRH The Princess Royal is synonymous with British Olympic sport and the British Olympic Association. Having competed as an Olympian, she also holds the unique record of being an IOC member, having led an international sport federation and, of course, being the mother to another Olympian, Zara Tindall. We are delighted to join her today to celebrate the naming of this train in her honour.”

The Princess has been President of Save the Children UK since 1970, visiting projects in many countries including China, Cambodia, Botswana, Madagascar and The Philippines.

Gemma Sherrington, Interim Chief Executive of Save the Children, said: “We are delighted that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is being honoured by Great Western Railway for her lifelong charitable commitments. The Princess Royal has supported the work of Save the Children for over 50 years and as our Patron has worked tirelessly to support us, visiting teams in the UK and around the world and regularly meeting with our inspirational fundraisers and volunteers.

“We continue to be incredibly grateful for The Princess Royal’s support to help us continue to deliver lasting change for children and their families in the UK and across the globe.”

HRH has been closely involved with the creation of several charities, including The Princess Royal’s Trust for Carers (now Carers Trust), Transaid and Riders for Health, and has been Patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association since 2008.

Tanya Curry, chief executive of the MND Association, said, “HRH The Princess Royal has offered steadfast support to the MND Association for more than 16 years and is a remarkable advocate for people with motor neurone disease, a terminal illness which affects more than 5000 people in the UK at any one time.

“We are incredibly grateful to Her Royal Highness for her unwavering dedication throughout her time as Royal Patron of the MND Association, and we are delighted her commitment to charitable causes is being recognised in this way.”

[world-of-wales]

Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrating the impact of amazing women today, and every day. Here are just a few of the brilliant women we’ve been inspired by over the past 12 months. #IWD2024

After her daughter Brodie's death by suicide in 2020, Emma Webb launched a suicide prevention campaign. Brodie was a talented equestrian, which is what inspired @thewebstermwebb’s challenge pulling a life-size resin horse 160 miles from Chepstow to London.

Sarah Goldson has directed the @Wimbledon Ball Boy and Girl training since the 2012 Championships. The training helps develop life skills among young people, with 280 BBGs selected from local schools.

Vaitea Cowan is a co-founder of @Enapter, a company aiming to account for 10% of the world's green hydrogen by 2050. Enapter won the Fix Our Climate category at the 2021 Earthshot Prize and continues to thrive.

Bianca Sakol is the founder and CEO of @Sebbys_Corner, a shop-style baby bank which believes no child should go without the basic essentials they need to thrive. They provide a warm, welcoming environment and gives families choice and dignity to choose the items they need.

Mother and daughter, Jennifer and Emilia Clarke, were awarded MBEs for their brain injury charity work. They are co-founders of @SameYouOrg, a charity which develops better mental health recovery treatment for survivors and raises awareness around rehabilitation.

Dr. Gubby Ayida has been the CEO of @EvelinaLondon since May 2023 and oversaw its opening of the new Children’s Day Surgery Unit last year.

Wendy Simm was born and raised in Moss Side, Manchester and founded ‘Keeping It Real 24/7.’ The food bank focuses on delivering culturally important foods to those in need, such as yams and sweet potatoes, which generally are not provided by other food banks.

Captain Preet Chandi is a British Army Captain who holds three world records for polar trekking, most recently in December 2023 for becoming the world's fastest woman to complete a solo South Pole ski expedition.

Barbara Smith is a psychotherapist who has served over 16 years with @BritishRedCross, offering psychosocial support in disaster and war zones, aiding those in trauma.

Sarina Weigman began her role as England Women’s Head Coach in September 2021, leading The @Lionesses to Euro 2022 victory. She was presented with an Honorary CBE in June last year.

Renee Salt is a Holocaust survivor who was born in Zdunska Wola, Poland in 1929. She survived both Auschwitz and Belsen, but her family did not. Renee has spoken to thousands of young people as part of @HolocaustUK's programmes.

Professor Uzo Iwobi founded @rcccymru to boost art, heritage, and culture for minority groups in Wales. She empowers African Caribbean elders through learning initiatives and mentors young people to fulfil their aspirations.

In 2024, @hmsoardacious will be represented by Team Valkyrie, the first all-serving women's military team to row across the Atlantic. The @toughestrow challenge raises money for military charities and organisations that support veterans and their families.

- The Prince and Princess of Wales

[justforbooks]

Sir Roger George Moore,

KBE (14 October 1927 – 23 May 2017) was an English actor. He was the third actor to portray fictional secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions/MGM Studios film series, playing the character in seven feature films: Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985). Moore's seven appearances as Bond are the most of any actor in the Eon-produced entries.

On television, Moore played the lead role of Simon Templar, the title character in the British mystery thriller series The Saint (1962–1969). He also had roles in American series, including Beau Maverick on the Western Maverick (1960–1961), in which he replaced James Garner as the lead, and a co-lead, with Tony Curtis, in the action-comedy The Persuaders! (1971–1972). Continuing to act on screen in the decades after his retirement from the Bond franchise, Moore's final appearance was in a pilot for a new Saint series that became a 2017 television film.

Moore was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1991 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for services to charity. In 2007, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry. He was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 2008.

Moore was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1999 New Year Honours and was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2003 Birthday Honours for charitable services, especially UNICEF and latterly Kiwanis International, which had dominated his public life for more than a decade. On being knighted, Moore said that the citation "meant far more to me than if I had got it for acting... I was proud because I received it on behalf of UNICEF as a whole and for all it has achieved over the years".

On 11 October 2007, three days before he turned 80, Moore was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work on television and in film. Attending the ceremony were family, friends, and Richard Kiel, with whom he had acted in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. Moore's star was the 2,350th star installed, and is appropriately located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard.

On 28 October 2008, the French government appointed Moore a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. On 21 November 2012, Moore was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire for his outstanding contributions to the UK film and television industry for over 50 years, in particular film and television productions in Hertfordshire.

After his death, the Roger Moore Stage was opened at Pinewood Studios at a ceremony held in October 2017 to celebrate his life and work. His wife and family were in attendance along with Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and guests at the event included Joan Collins, Michael Caine, Stephen Fry, Tim Rice and Stefanie Powers.

In the 2018 film My Dinner with Hervé, Moore was portrayed by actor Mark Umbers.

Moore became a tax exile from the United Kingdom in 1978, originally to Switzerland, and divided his year between his four homes: an apartment in Monte Carlo, a holiday house in the coastal Tuscan town of Castiglione della Pescaia, a chalet in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, and a home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. Moore became a resident of Monaco, having been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador of Monaco by Prince Albert II for his efforts in internationally promoting and publicising the principality. Moore was scathing of the Russian population in Monaco, saying, "I'm afraid we're overstuffed with Russians. All the restaurant menus are in Russian now."

Moore was vocal in his defence of his tax exile status, saying that in the 1970s, with taxes levied on top earners under the Labour government of James Callaghan, he had been urged by his "accountants, agents, and lawyers" to move abroad because, "At that point we were taxed up to 98% on unearned income, so you would never be able to save enough to ensure that you had any sort of livelihood if you didn't work." Moore said in 2011 that his decision to live abroad was "not about tax. That's a serious part of it. I come back to England often enough not to miss it, to see the changes, to find some of the changes good...I paid my taxes at the time that I was earning a decent income, so I've paid my due".

✔ Roger Moore is contentiously credited with inspiring the Walls Magnum ice cream. In the 1960s, he reportedly said that his one wish would be for a choc ice on a stick. Walls created this product and sent one to Moore. They later launched the Magnum in 1989, which is now the world's top-selling ice cream brand.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

2024 Paralympics 🇫🇷 Versatility is the mantra of wheelchair fencing 🤺

Unlike their able-bodied counterparts, fencers at the Paralympic Games switch between weapons to compete in multiple disciplines, an aspect that presents various challenges. There are three different weapons used in fencing: the foil, épée and sabre - each of which has different compositions, techniques and scoring target areas. All weapons in general, are based on the same basic set of rules making it relatively easy to switch between foil, épée and sabre.

Why is everyone speaking French? 🇫🇷

Like its Olympic equivalent, the official language of wheelchair fencing is French. The referee will say “En garde” ( On Guard, come to the start line), “Prete”(or “Ready” if English), then “Allez” (literally “Go!”; or “Fence if English) to start bouts.🗡️ 🤺 ⚔️

The use of French dates back to the 19th century when Napoleon established fencing as a mandatory discipline in the military. Fencing grew in popularity in France and made its way to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Wheelchair fencing was pioneered about half a century later by Ludwig Guttmann at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England UK 🇬🇧 after World War II as part of rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injuries. It made its Paralympic debut at the inaugural Games in 1960.

Historical, Stoke mandeville games, 1955 two female competitors in wheelchairs taking part in the fencing competition, Stoke Mandeville hospital, Aylesbury, Bucks, England, UK.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann CBE* FRS** (3 July 1899 – 18 March 1980) was a German-British neurologist who established the Stoke Mandeville Games. In September 1943, the British government asked Guttmann to establish the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. The initiative came from the Royal Air Force (RAF) to ensure the treatment and rehabilitation of pilots with spine injuries, "who often crashed on approach with their bombers damaged".

When the centre opened on 1 February 1944, the United Kingdom's first specialist unit for treating spinal injuries, appointed Guttmann its director (a position he held until 1966). He believed that sport was an important method of therapy for the rehabilitation of injured military personnel, helping them build up physical strength and self-respect.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann and the birth of the Paralympics.

An ever-present in the Paralympic sports programme since Rome 1960, wheelchair fencing is governed by the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS).

The wheelchair fencing competition at the Paralympic Games is in full swing, taking place under the prestigious glass dome of the Grand Palais in the heart of Paris.

📹 Behind the scenes: the process of getting ready for wheelchair fencing 🤺 And yes, well done to the volunteers, well done to the technical Teams.

📹 Passage en coulisses: les détails de la préparation d'une compétition d'escrime fauteuil🤺 Et oui bravo aux Volontaires. Bravo aux Équipes techniques

*CBE Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)

**FRS Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS, ForMemRS and HonFRS) is an award granted by the Fellows of the Royal Society of London.

#Paris2024 #wheelchairfencing #Paralympics #escrimepourfauteuil #SirLudwigGuttmann #NationalSpinalInjuries #Buckinghamshire #CentreatStokeMandevilleHospital

Posted 6th September 2024

[georgefairbrother]

Remembering British film director and writer Sir Alan Parker CBE, who passed away July 31st, 2020, aged 76.

Born to a working class family in Islington, North London he made his early reputation as a pioneer of creativity in television advertising. He formed a creative partnership with David Puttnam and went on to become one of his generation’s most accomplished film directors.

He directed Jack Rosenthal’s television play, The Evacuees, for the BBC (BAFTA and International Emmy), and his first international cinema success was Bugsy Malone (1976), a musical gangster pastiche featuring a cast of children, including Jodie Foster, Scott Baio, Andrew Paul (The Bill), Bonnie Langford and an uncredited Phil Daniels. He said that he wrote Bugsy Malone out of frustration, as his work was constantly being rejected on the grounds of being 'too parochial'.

He went on to create a commercially successful, diverse and at times controversial body of work, including Midnight Express (written by Oliver Stone: they didn’t get on), Fame, Pink Floyd-The Wall, Mississippi Burning, The Commitments, Evita and Angela's Ashes. His final feature film was The Life of David Gale in 2003.

According to his official website;

"...In all, his films have won nineteen BAFTA awards, ten Golden Globes and ten Oscars...In January 1998, Parker took up his post as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the British Film Institute and in August, 1999 he was appointed first Chairman of the UK Film Council; a position he held for five years...In November, 1995, Parker was awarded with a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the British film industry and he received a knighthood in 2002. He is also an Officier des Arts et des Lettres, awarded by the French Government..."

He was also fascinating to listen to on the subject of the film industry generally, and gave a number of entertainingly grumpy interviews over the years. In the mid 1980s, his Thames TV documentary, A Turnip Head’s Guide to the British Film Industry, which according to his own website ‘lambasted the British film establishment and film critics’, seemed to upset just about everyone but won the British Press Guild award for the year’s best documentary.

He was interviewed by Warner Brothers executives as a potential director for the first Harry Potter, however during a teleconference (from his kitchen table at home) didn’t seem to express enough interest or gratitude at being asked. When a Warner exec told him that lots of directors would just love to do it, Parker said, 'Well go and ask them, then', and that was the end of that.

In conversation with David Puttnam for a BFI function, Alan Parker explained why he gave up making films, and talked a little about his art and drawing.

"…I’m out of it, I’ve had enough, I think it’s time for someone else to do it. I get more pleasure out of doing my art…I’ve been directing since I was 24, and every day was a battle, every day it was difficult, whether you’re fighting the producer who has opinions that you don’t agree with, the studios or whoever it is, because film, unlike art, pure art, film is hugely expensive, and the moment it gets expensive, you have people you have to serve…I’ve been punching out, all my life…to fight for the work…for our right to make our movie, the way we want to do it, and that’s hugely difficult, because it seems that you’re forever punching out. There comes a time, when you think, I don’t want to do that…I showed (a friend) one of my art works, and he said, who’s your audience here? Because that’s what film people think. I said the audience is me, and that’s all I care about, if someone likes my art, fine, if they don’t, fine…If they don’t like my movies, I want to kill ‘em…"

He was Michael Parkinson's first guest on Desert Island Discs in 1986, (a great interview) and featured once again 14 years later talking to Sue Lawley.

[maaarine]

MBTI & Directors

Christopher Nolan: INTJ

"Christopher Edward Nolan CBE (born 30 July 1970) is a British and American filmmaker.

Known for his Hollywood blockbusters with complex storytelling, Nolan is considered a leading filmmaker of the 21st century. (…)

Nolan gained international recognition with his second film, Memento (2000), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

He transitioned from independent to studio filmmaking with Insomnia (2002), and found further critical and commercial success with The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012), The Prestige (2006) and Inception (2010); the last of these earned Nolan two Oscar nominations—Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

This was followed by Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), Tenet (2020), and Oppenheimer (2023)."

Sources: video, wiki/Christopher_Nolan

[saxafimedianetwork]

Lord Polak's Insights: The Significance of the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU for Regional Stability

@Lord Polak praises historic #Ethiopia-#Somaliland MoU, highlighting its significance for #RegionalStability & economic growth. The deal addresses crucial economic & security needs, setting a new path for regional diplomacy & international recognition.

Continue reading Lord Polak’s Insights: The Significance of the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU for Regional Stability

[servants-hall]

ACGAS S4 Press Release & Article Round Up

PBS: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4 New and Returning Cast

Radio Times: All Creatures Great and Small casts Shetland and Doctor Who star for season 4

TV Line: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4 Cast: Who’s Returning? Who’s Not? And Who’s New at Skeldale?

What to Watch: All Creatures drops huge hint major character isn't in new series

Deadline: ‘All Creatures Great And Small’ On Masterpiece Announces Return, New & Returning Cast Members

Yorkshire Post: All Creatures Great and Small Series 4: Star cast returns without Tristan actor Callum Woodhouse - but new vet Richard Carmody joins the team

Primetimer: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4: Everything We Know So Far

PBS’s press release is copied below:

PBS: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4 New and Returning Cast

Boston, MA; June 27, 2023: MASTERPIECE on PBS, Channel 5, and BAFTA and Golden Globe®-winning production company Playground (Howards End, Wolf Hall) today announce the casting of the much-loved drama All Creatures Great and Small as it gears up for its fourth season.

Based on the cherished collection of stories by best-selling author James Herriot, the critically acclaimed adaptation returns to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of timeless and heart-warming stories, picking up in 1940 as Churchill takes office and Europe is under serious threat. The seven new episodes (including a Christmas Special) will air on MASTERPIECE on PBS in early 2024 and Channel 5 this autumn with All3Media International as the global partner.

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Susanne Simpson adds, “I can’t wait for our MASTERPIECE audience to see this new season of All Creatures Great and Small. It continues to be full of the warmth and humor that has made it one of our most successful series ever.” MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.

Sir Colin Callender CBE, Executive Producer and CEO of Playground said: “We are thrilled to be back in the glorious Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of family, community and, of course, animal hijinks. Our wonderful cast and crew are all delighted to be returning to adapt more of James Herriot’s joyful and life-affirming stories.”

Season 4 sees Nicholas Ralph reprise his role as young country vet James Herriot, now happily married to Helen Herriot, played by Rachel Shenton (White Gold, For Her Sins). Samuel West (Slow Horses, Small Axe) returns as James’ capricious and erratic mentor Siegfried Farnon while Anna Madeley (Time, Patrick Melrose) continues as Mrs. Hall, matriarch of Skeldale House. Patricia Hodge (Miranda, A Very English Scandal) also reprises her role as the wonderfully eccentric Mrs. Pumphrey, and Derek as her adored and pampered Pekingese Tricki.

With Tristan away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Siegfried and James bring in some extra hands to help around the practice. Neve McIntosh (Shetland) joins the cast as highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle, alongside James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses, Pennyworth) as studious undergraduate vet student Richard Carmody who arrives at Skeldale as part of his placement under the guidance of James.

A colorful ensemble of farmers, animals and townsfolk living in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1940s will also star, including Tony Pitts and Imogen Clawson as Helen’s father and sister, Richard and Jenny Alderson, Paul Copley as Ned Clough, Cleo Sylvestre MBE as Anne Chapman, James Bolam MBE as Mr. Dakin and Will Thorp as Gerald Hammond and Sam Retford as FO Woodham.

Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, commented: “Over three seasons All Creatures Great and Small has offered heartwarming, escapist viewing that has connected with audiences and become a firm fan favorite all around the world, and as Playground’s wonderful series enters its fourth season I am delighted to continue to build the brand globally.”

Returning for Season 4 is Executive Producer Ben Vanstone (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Last Kingdom) who will write the Christmas special. Writer Jamie Crichton (Three Pines, Grantchester) also returns, this time as lead writer and Executive Producer. Joining them for season four are writers Maxine Alderton (Emmerdale Farm, Doctor Who) and Helen Raynor (A Discovery of Witches, Call the Midwife).

Andy Hay (The Last Kingdom, Jamestown) is Lead Director and will direct episodes 1 and 2. Stewart Svaasand (Tin Star, Death in Paradise) will direct episodes 3, 4 and 6, while BAFTA winner Jordan Hogg (Ralph and Katie, Screw) will direct episode 5 and the Christmas Special.

All Creatures Great and Small is a timeless classic that continues to be much loved by generations. Never out of print, the books have sold 60 million copies internationally becoming a global cultural phenomenon with devoted fans around the world. With a sharp focus on community and its importance in our lives, Herriot’s world and spirit is a very much needed antidote to the challenges of modernity and reminds us all that belonging to a community makes us part of something greater than ourselves.

Season 4 is currently filming on location in Yorkshire.

All Creatures Great and Small is a Playground production for Channel 5 and MASTERPIECE in association with All3Media International. Executive Producers are: Colin Callender, Melissa Gallant, Jamie Crichton and Ben Vanstone for Playground, Susanne Simpson and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE, and Louise Pedersen and David Swetman for All3Media International.

[hanskinlavina]

These are pictures from Thailand of our team working diligently✨

Our team visited ‘COSMOPROF CBE ASEAN BANGKOK’ on 13–15 JUNE 2024.

About Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN

Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN — the B2B show in Thailand to expand the beauty business in the fast-growing market of Southeast Asia. The third edition of Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN will take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand from 13 to 15 June, 2024.

1,500 exhibitors and brands occupy approximately 22,000 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing innovative products tailored to meet the needs of consumers in South East Asia.

Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN represents the ASEAN destination of the Cosmoprof network, a 360° worldwide platform for the international beauty community, with shows in Bologna, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Mumbai and Miami which all together involve over 500,000 professionals and 10,000 exhibitors from all over the world.

If you have any questions, please contact us Han's kin :)

[47burlm]

One of the all time greatest

Petula Sally Olwen Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932) is a British singer, actress, and songwriter.   She has had one of the longest careers of a British singer, spanning more than seven decades.

Clark's professional career began during the Second World War as a child entertainer on BBC Radio. In 1954 she charted with "The Little Shoemaker", the first of her big UK hits, and within two years she began recording in French. Her international successes have included "Prends mon coeur", "Sailor" (a UK number one), "Romeo", and "Chariot". Hits in German, Italian and Spanish followed. In late 1964 Clark's success extended to the United States with a four-year run of career-defining, often upbeat singles, many written or co-written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent. These songs include her signature song "Downtown", "I Know a Place", "My Love", "A Sign of the Times", "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love", "Who Am I", "Colour My World", "This Is My Song" (by Charles Chaplin), "Don't Sleep in the Subway", "The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener", and "Kiss Me Goodbye". In the US, Clark was sometimes called "the First Lady of the British Invasion".

Clark has sold more than 68 million records. She has also enjoyed success in the musical film Finian's Rainbow and in the stage musicals The Sound of Music, Blood Brothers, Sunset Boulevard and Mary Poppins.

[film-classics]

Greer Garson - The Duchess

Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (born in Manor Park, Essex on September 29, 1904) was a British-American actress. Her air of controlled maturity and understated elegance lent to her being referred to as "The Duchess."

She graduated with a B.A. with honors in English in 1926 at King's College London and did postgraduate work and studied French theater at the University of Grenoble in 1927. Starting out later as an actress, her early professional appearances were on stage, starting at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Louis B. Mayer discovered Garson while in London looking for new talent. In 1937, Garson signed with MGM, where she became a major box-office star. Her portrayal of strong women brought her critical acclaim, earning Oscar nods in films such as Mrs. Miniver (1942) and  The Valley of Decision (1945).

She only made a few films after her contract expired, but continued to appear on television. In 1967, she retired at Forked Lightning Ranch in New Mexico and focused on philanthropic interests.

She lived her final years in a penthouse suite at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where she died from heart failure at 91.

Legacy:

Is the fourth most-nominated woman for the Best Actress Oscar, with seven, including a record-tying five consecutive nominations (1941–1945)

Won the Academy Awards: Best Actress for Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Won the Golden Globe Best Actress for Sunrise at Campobello (1960)

Awarded Best Acting by the National Board Review for Pride and Prejudice (1940), Mrs. Miniver (1942), and Sunrise at Campobello (1960)

Listed by the Motion Picture Herald as one of America's top-10 box office draws from 1942 to 1946

Won Best Actress for Random Harvest (1941) from the 1944 Picturegoer Awards

Awarded Most Popular Female Star by Photoplay Awards in 1945 and 1946

Honored with the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1961

Donated land and money to the Department of the Interior to protect ruins in 1966

Awarded the Golden Gavel by Toastmasters International

Honored as one of the Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles Times in 1968

Received an honorary degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1973

Presented by the American-Scottish Foundation with the William Wallace Award in 1977

Granted an honorary doctorate in 1977 from Ulster University for her endowments of the Greer Garson Film Award and Gree Garson Theatre Award

Established the Greer Garson Theatre Center in 1985 and Greer Garson Communications Center and Studios in 1989 in Santa Fe

Awarded the Conservation Service Award by the Department of Interior in 1981

Set up the endowment for the E. E. Fogelson and Greer Garson Fogelson Distinguished Chair in Urology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and the Greer Garson and E.E. Fogelson Distinguished Chair in Medical Research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 1982

Funded the E. E. Fogelson Visitor Center at Pecos National Historical Park in 1987

Honored with an Award for Excellence and Achievement in the Arts by the Governor of New Mexico in 1987

Received the Golda Meir Fellowship Award of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1988

Set up the Fogelson Forum at Texas Christian University in 1990

Received an honorary doctorate and the Medal of Distinction from SMU Meadow School of the Arts in 1991

Presented with the TACA Silver Cup Award in 1991

Has been the namesake for the Texas Health Presbyterian's annual fundraising event, the Greer Garson Gala, since 1992

Established the Greer Garson Theatre at the Southern Methodist University Meadow School of the Arts in 1992

Appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1993

Set up the E.E. Fogelson and Greer Garson Fogelson Charitable Foundation in 1996, with numerous philanthropic interests in the arts, education, environment, and medicine

Donated personal memorabilia as part of the Greer Garson Collection in the SMU Bywaters archival collection

Honored as Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month for March 2013

Inducted in the Online Film and Television Association Hall of Fame in 2014

Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1651 Vine Street for motion picture