may CULTURE EDIT
Books, podcasts, TV, film and virtual masterclasses— this is an edit of everything you need on your virtual radar this month…
FASHION
THE CHIFFON TRENCHES BY ANDRE LEON TALLEY
Gird your loins people! From the man who inspired Stanley Tucci’s iconic role in The Devil Wears Prada comes a searing expose of Anna Wintour’s ruthless persona. Discover what truly happens behind the scenes of a high fashion magazine in this detailed, storied memoir from style icon and former Vogue creative director Andre Leon Talley. 28 May.
@CONNELLSCHAIN
From the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People comes an unlikely breakout star. Follow the new Instagram stan account devoted to Connell’s H Samuel necklace — aka the third wheel in Marianne and Connell’s relationship that everyone’s thirsty for. The hype surrounding this humble chain has even sparked a new interest in male jewellery, with sales of neck chains up by 130 per cent at ASOS in April.
INCHARGE: DIANE VON FURSTENBERG’S PODCAST
Diane von Furstenberg has launched her first podcast, “InCharge”. Join her as she interviews successful women—from Elaine Welteroth and Karlie Kloss to Priyanka Chopra—about overcoming adversity and accomplishing their goals. New episodes drop every Thursday on Spotify.
POLIMODA
Renowned Italian fashion school, Polimoda, presents a new format for its annual open day— future students can remotely experience the institute on Zoom with a schedule that includes live sessions, and the possibility to interact with teachers in dedicated live virtual rooms. Starting from 8 May.
BOOKS
RODHAM: WHAT IF HILLARY HADN’T MARRIED BILL? BY CURTIS SITTENFELD
How might things have turned out for them, for America, for the world itself, if Hillary Rodham had really turned down Bill Clinton? With her sharp but always compassionate eye, Sittenfeld explores the loneliness, moral ambivalence and iron determination that characterise the quest for high office, as well as the painful compromises demanded of female ambition in a world ruled by men. 19 May on eBook.
FREE CYNTOIA BY CYNTOIA BROWN-LONG
As a teenager, Cyntoia Brown, a survivor of human trafficking, was sentenced to life in prison for killing a man who had picked her up for sex. Her case became national news when celebrities made the hashtag #FreeCyntoia go viral in 2017, and she was eventually granted full clemency. Written over the fifteen years she was incarcerated, Cyntoia shares the difficult early life that lead to that fateful night and how she found the strength to not only survive, but thrive, in prison. 5 May.
GOOD CITIZENS NEED NOT FEAR BY MARIA REVA
A brilliant and bitingly funny collection of stories united around a single crumbling apartment building in Ukraine. A bureaucratic glitch omits an entire building, along with its residents, from municipal records. As the dwellers of 1933 Ivansk Street weather the official neglect of the authorities, they devise cunning and hilarious ways to survive. Good Citizens Need Not Fear moves from moments of intense paranoia to surprising tenderness, exploring what it is to be an individual amid the rolling forces of history. Out now.
EXHIBITIONS
VIRTUAL LOUVRE
The Louvre is now offering virtual tours— which includes an exclusive look inside the spectacular Galerie d’Apollon which had just reopened in February after a 10-month revamp. You can also enjoy a “walkable” scroll through the Ancient Egyptian wing. Prepare to marvel at the sphinxes and mummies.
MoMA CLASSES
New York’s MoMA is now offering free online courses — from studying What is contemporary art? to Fashion as Design and Post-War Abstract Painting, this is your dinner party material sorted. Head this way to enrol.
OPEN COURTAULD HOUR
The Courtauld Institute of Art has launched a month-long programme of digital mini festivals. Held every Thursday evening via Zoom, you’ll enjoy talks from expert speakers, live performances and exclusive explorations of The Courtauld archive. Each week will follow a different theme— such as Art in Isolation, Art and Wellbeing, and Women Artists with the founder of @TheGreatWomenArtists Katy Hessel. Registration is free but must be pre-booked through their website, places for each session are limited. Book here.
FILM
HOW TO BUILD A GIRL
Beanie Feldstein stars as 16-year-old Johana Morrigan, who escapes her overcrowded home and humdrum life by reinventing herself as a glamorous music critic called Dolly Wilde. Based on the best-selling novel by Caitlin Moran, the sassy coming-of-age comedy also stars Alfie Allen, Jameela Jamil, Chris O'Dowd, and Emma Thompson. On demand 6 May.
THE ASSISTANT
In this powerfully understated #MeToo drama, Julia Garner (Ozark) stars as a junior assistant to a predatory media mogul boss (not that one). Matthew Macfadyen plays the role of Wilcock, her manipulative HR manager, as she becomes aware of the insidious abuse taking place in her new office. Streaming on multiple platforms now.
BECOMING
An inspiring documentary from Michelle Obama drops this month (as if she knew!). Based on her best-selling memoir of the same name, Becoming shines a light on her life, her time at the White House, and follows her on the road for her 34 city book tour. Netflix on 6 May.
HAVE A GOOD TRIP: TAKE A PSYCHEDELIC ADVENTURE
Directed by Donick Cary, this comedic documentary about psychedelics features celebrities – including Sarah Silverman, A$AP Rocky, Paul Scheer, Ben Stiller and Nick Kroll – as they recall their most mind-bending trips via animations, reenactments, and more. 11 May on Netflix.
TELEVISION
SPACE FORCE
The Office but make it extra-terrestrial — is the vibe behind Steve Carell’s new Netflix show Space Force. This workplace comedy is a satirical take on President Donald Trump’s decision to establish a sixth branch of the US military, called ‘Space Force’. Starring Steve Carell, John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz and Diana Silvers. Netflix on 29 May.
THE EDDY
Hotly-anticipated Netflix drama by Damien Chazelle, Oscar-winning director of La La Land and Whiplash. In a nutshell, the owner of a Paris jazz club gets tangled up with dangerous criminals as he fights to protect his business, his band and his teenage daughter. Expect less razzmatazz, more gritty family drama. Netflix on 8 May.
HOLLYWOOD
Ryan Murphy's new Netflix series Hollywood promises to be an exciting retelling of the story we think we know about the Golden Age of cinema. The series follows a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers—many of whom are outsiders because of their race, gender, or sexuality—trying to make it big in the post-World War II film era. Starring Laura Harrier and Darren Criss. Netflix on 1 May.
FOOD
QUAR EYE: COOKING LESSONS IN QUARANTINE
'Queer Eye' food expert Antoni Porowski is hosting leftovers-inspired cooking tutorials while in lockdown, aptly named “Quar Eye: Cooking Lessons in Quarantine”. Head to IGTV for the video series.
THE ROASTING TIN AROUND THE WORLD: GLOBAL ONE DISH DINNERS
From Rukmini Iyer (author of The Roasting Tin series) comes the latest instalment, The Roasting Tin Around the World. Expect bold, punchy flavours as Rukmini brings us culinary hits from all corners of the globe— but reworked into her signature one-tin meals. As ever 'minimum effort, maximum flavour' is the guiding principal.
GET COOKING!
Check out my “Quarantine Recipe Guide: The Comfort Food Edition” for some inspiration here.
THEATRE
(as featured on The Virtual Culture Edit)
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE
Craving a trip to the West End already? Then you’ll be delighted to hear that the National Theatre is bringing the stage to your screen — streaming its past productions to YouTube every Thursday night. This ‘National Theatre at Home’ initiative will take place over the next two months, starting with One Man, Two Guvnors and Twelfth Night. Tune in here.
FLEABAG LIVE
Remember when Fleabag tickets sold out in mere hours? Well, you can now stream the live production via Soho Theatre’s On Demand streaming site. Viewers are asked for a minimum £4 donation, with the recording then available to them for 48 hours — all proceeds go to helping those most affected by the pandemic. Thank you PWB!!
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MUSICALS
One for the musical theatre fans — Andrew Lloyd Webber is opening up his archive to the public. The West End maestro has launched a YouTube channel (appropriately) called The Shows Must Go On! where he'll stream a different musical for free every week. Each musical will be available for 48 hours from 7pm on Friday evenings. What a superstar!
OPERA AT THE MET, NEW YORK
Get dressed up in your finery and live out your Gossip Girl fantasy with a front row seat to the Metropolitan Opera. They are putting on nightly opera streams, which are only available until 3:30 p.m. ET the next day. Very civilised. Check it out here.
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON
Once a place for teen makeup tutorials, YouTube has emerged as the purveyor of high culture. The Royal Opera House's channel has a selection of incredible performances from famous operas and ballets. Think Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet— worth a watch for the incredible costumes alone.