FRIDAY 22nd October – SUNDAY 24th October 2021

It’s out of this world
It’s a big weekend for cinematic releases and here’s your second dose: Denis Villeneuve’s wildly-anticipated remake of Dune (based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel) will be making its debut across cinemas this week. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya star in the epic sci-fi spectacle set nearly 20,000 years in the future on an alien planet far-flung from our own, where a fight for survival ensues as vital resources run low. Finally giving Herbert’s story the treatment it deserves after a Marmite take by David Lynch and a legendarily ambitious failed attempt by Alejandro Jodorowsky, Villeneuve’s Dune is set to live up to the hype. We’ll be seeing it at the Imax for total immersion.

Dune is out in cinemas now.

Now for a proper Western brawl
Having premiered at the BFI London Film Festival earlier this month to rave reviews, now Jeymes Samuel’s directorial debut, The Harder They Fall, is ready to hitting cinemas for a limited theatrical run. Loosely a classic cowboy tale of revenge, Samuel gives the genre a major spin, presenting a much-needed reimagining of the genre. Based on real Black cowboys that have been neglected from the mainstream narrative (the Smithsonian estimates that one in four cowboys were Black), Samuel’s cast boasts a stellar line-up as Idris Elba stars alongside Regina King and Jonathon Majors, while Jay-Z takes the reigns as producer.

The Harder They Fall is out in cinemas now. 

Always wanted to live in a Wes Anderson world? 
OK, we lied a little, there are actually three major film releases this week, but this one’s a little different. London has gone Wes Anderson mad recently with the iconic auteur premiering his latest work, The French Dispatch, in the capital – attended by the likes of Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Jarvis Cocker playing a range of French crooner classics. As the film lands at cinemas this weekend, needless to say, it’s a must-see, but be sure to follow it up with a trip to 180 Strand, for a special one-month exhibition dedicated to Anderson’s new vision.

With original sets, props, costumes and artwork all on show, visitors will also be able to grab something to eat at the Le Sans Blague Cafe (as seen in the film), which will be offering the same classic French refreshments served to Timothée Chalamet (yep, him again) and co on-screen. Plus, you’ll also receive a copy of the limited-edition The French Dispatch magazine.

The French Dispatch Exhibition runs at 180 Strand until 14th November.

Let’s get crooned
Up in Stoke Newington, crooner Hemi Hemingway – the project of London based New Zealander Shaun Blackwell – is ready to lull us all into a lovely state of sonic rapture at his Waiting Room gig this Friday. A product of the impeccable PNKSLM Recordings, Hemingway lives up to his surname in terms of prolific storytelling; blending tales of lust and love with sixties garage textures. This is going to be good – check out his The Lonely Hunter EP below as proof.

Hemi Hemingway plays at The Waiting Room on Friday 22nd October – buy tickets here. 

Tickle those senses
After the success of Ryoji Ikeda’s recent immersive exhibition, 180 The Strand has curated LUX: New Wave of Contemporary Art, another sensory-stimulating show of installations that transform the brutalist space into a psychedelic wonderland; blurring the boundaries between physical and virtual. Collaborating with Korean curatorial body SUUM to bring together thirteen large scale installations from the world’s most celebrated media artists – including the likes of Es Devlin and Refik Anadol – the show focuses on manipulating light and colour to challenge your perceptions.

LUX: New Wave of Contemporary Art is currently running at 180 The Strand until 18th December. 

The Scottish play
An apocalyptic take on Macbeth has arrived in the city. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are no strangers to a modern-day reincarnation, but Yaël Farber’s latest theatrical work is a cut above. Olivier Award-nominee James McArdle and four-time Academy Award-nominated Saoirse Ronan star as the leading pair, taking on a timely re-enactment of the power-hungry couple tackling a world in turmoil. While tickets remain scarce there are still plenty up for grabs – is this a good time I see before me?

The Tragedy of Macbeth runs at Almeida Theatre until 27th November, more info here.