Before I started down the wormhole of my current televisual addiction, I had no interest in reality TV. I had ignored many cultural phenomena including every season of *X-Factor,* *The Kardashians* (I’m still not 100% sure which sister is which) and, like the rest of Britain, *Love Island*. Missing out on office chit-chat seemed a small price to pay to keep my mind clean and my thoughts pure; uncluttered by what many – including fans of the genre – term as ‘garbage’ TV.

Then, the year before the pandemic, I had to take time off work sick. Confined to my bed I had time to kill, but my previous viewing habits of prestige series from years gone by like *The Wire* or *The Sopranos*, or feature-length documentaries didn’t seem as absorbing as hours of *RuPaul’s Drag Race*. And there was plenty of material to binge, an entire universe constructed by drag superstar RuPaul, with multiple seasons, international franchises, and spin-offs. When I recovered, the obsession receded, but I’d set up a coping mechanism – hours of TV, followed by *Drag Race* podcasts. I felt comfortably distracted, able to bear the solitude. 

Then, in 2020 the pandemic hit, followed by two years that were very hard to deal with – my long term relationship ended, and having left my in-house creative job pre-COVID, I got stuck in temping work and fruitless job hunting.


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This time, I needed something stronger than drag queens to cope. I turned to the mammoth, *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills*. The characters made me laugh at a time when I really needed it. There were many things not to like; the obviously exaggerated conflicts forming the “storylines”; their dictator-style taste in homes, clothing and pets; the racial bias and rigidly heteronormative standards, but I still found myself drawn to it. Strangely, while watching I’d be so engrossed I wouldn’t feel sad about my own problems at all. Every evening I’d chase down the episodes with recap podcasts.  Gabrielle de la Puente, one half of millennial art critics and activists; The White Pube, wrote an engrossing [longform essay ](https://www.thewhitepube.co.uk/rhobh)about how, while suffering with long COVID, she “tied herself” to the Housewives; “so that it could drag me through the long hours of a day and the long days of a month” while confined to bed with fatigue, muscle aches and other unenviable symptoms. 

Hollywood actress and host of the Housewives-themed podcast *Bitch Sesh*, Casey Wilson, described the roots of her obsession in her book of essays, T[he Wreckage of My Presence](https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-wreckage-of-my-presence/casey-wilson/9780062960580); “I discovered the [Housewives] franchise during the darkest period of my life. My mom had passed away suddenly, and I was back in Los Angeles, a city I now loathed due to its relentless sunlight. I spent my days lying on a stained couch in my apartment” engrossed by the then brand-new Bravo series. Wilson adds that to her, the sound of Housewives’ screaming is like “waves crashing upon the shore”.

I described the syndrome to psychotherapist and [podcaster](https://www.undergroundconfidence.com/) Shelley Treacher, and asked her what we are doing to ourselves when we outsource responsibility for our emotional wellbeing to a group of overdressed reality stars attacking each other in restaurants. Binge-watching, she says, can be a positive pastime. “If you are grieving and you get to cry through someone’s grief, that could help. If someone is lonely and watching a community where they relate to the characters, they could feel oxytocin” (the ‘happy’ hormone produced when hugging, or when babies breastfeed). 

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Treacher works mainly with people who struggle with binge eating, which as she says, is; “not a million miles away from binge watching.” Why do her clients binge? “Mainly, because they don’t know how to stay with how they feel and honour that, so they are escaping those feelings.”

Treacher continues; “they’re also getting hooked on the chemicals produced in our brain – a dopamine hit which makes you want more. People creating reality TV know this and create a hit.” Modern life is deliberately built around this principle and many of our familiar temptations work in the same way, as Treacher identifies; “food, TV, shopping, scrolling Instagram all give you a dopamine hit. It’s a reward system that makes you think you want it.”

“My work is finding other ways of dealing with these uncomfortable feelings,” Treacher says, and recommends techniques such as mindfulness to bring us back to [actual] reality, and to ground ourselves in the present. “The problem could be [TV] replacing intimacy, or you could become afraid of real intimacy,” she says. “It’s a good way to cope short term, but like any other drug, it won’t solve underlying problems.” 

Although reality stars’ finances and glam squads make them less relatable, their emotional lives often are a funhouse mirror on our own. A friend going through a painful breakup admitted she was inspired by Chrishell Stause from *Selling Sunset*, whose parents both died, and then her husband told her he was divorcing her... BY TEXT! Then, he got married to someone else, weeks later.

“I mean, if Chrishell can survive that, then maybe I can cope?”

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Author and meditation expert, [Emma Mills,](https://emmamillslondon.com/) has a theory about the TV escape hatch. “During my psychology degree, I studied research on whether playing violent video games made people more violent. Some studies concluded it does, while other research found it had a more cathartic effect and discharged peoples’ violent impulses.” Could it be that watching people divorce, argue, scream, and cry on screen is a form of catharsis for me while I’m experiencing difficult transitions? 

Mills pondered; “It’s an interesting topic – does the drama reduce your feelings of stress or make it worse?” She doesn’t think everyone would react in the same way to the same programmes and advises; “be mindful – observe yourself and see whether it has a good effect on you or if it's detrimental”. 

Despite working as a practitioner of mindfulness, Mills says, “in times of crisis, do what you need to do. When you’re totally stressed you might not be in the right state of mind to meditate.” Some tips she gave for simple exercises once you do feel calm could be “a mindful walk – fresh air, the outdoors and movement which is good. Pay attention to sounds of traffic, birds, looking around you, noticing the temperature of the skin.” Another exercise she recommends is “a cup of tea and 10 mindful breaths with the out breath longer than the in breath.” 

Mills reminds us; “meditative or mindful acts work better when you do small things regularly and make it part of your routine, rather than waiting till you feel bad to use it.”



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Is Drag Race a comfort blanket? Which Real Housewives hits different? Screenland is a tempting space for escaping our problems

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Is bingeing reality TV a form of self care? 

Naomi Attwood

Could bingeing reality TV ever count as self care?

Following toddlers, while they set off to run errands seems like a pretty random premise for a reality TV show. Yet the Japanese hit docu-series *Old Enough* on Netflix has already seemed to win the hearts of audiences across the globe. 

Nestled amongst all the endless scrolling of Netflix originals and wacky true-crime documentaries, *Old Enough* feels like a breath of fresh air. While the show is new to the streaming service, it has been on screens in Japan for the last three decades. The stripped-back 10-15 minute long episodes secretly follow the tots, some living in rural countrysides others in big cities, as they take on mini-adventures on their own for their family. 

Something that feels relatively small for us adults like popping to the local shop for some flowers becomes an epic quest for the kids, some of whom are as young as 2 years old – it’s hard not to get completely invested in their journeys. We watch as the kids tell white lies, get a little lost, and struggle to remember what they’re meant to be doing in the first place, but ultimately *Old Enough* displays that toddlers are probably far more capable than we give them credit for. 

While in the UK, young kids aren’t allowed to be out of earshot of an adult without expecting a visit from social services, the culture for young children in Japan seems worlds away. It’s pretty normal for children to spend time on their own, and public safety seems to be far higher in a way that seems unimaginable over here. 

That’s not to say their parents don’t get emotional or worried watching their children waddle off alone for the first time, even with [the routes being checked by them and the production team prior](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/07/old-enough-the-japanese-tv-show-that-abandons-toddlers-on-public-transport), it would be near impossible for any parent not to feel a little dread. 

“He’ll come back won’t he?” asks one teary mum after her son Yuta sets off home from the mandarin orchid to make some juice from the fruits. “It’s his first time doing it so I was worried.” Yuta on the other hand, cheerfully hums with not a care in the world as he walks back home. However, he soon gets distracted from the task at hand and decides to play with the dog and his tractor instead.  

After the news that Netflix, [along with other major streamers,](https://www.ft.com/content/fd376c16-f8d7-49fd-9b13-9ed2f001eaa1) is experiencing a dip in subscribers, perhaps more shows like *Old Enough* hold the answer to retaining audiences. 
You can’t help but smile, as the youngsters get ingredients from the shop or drop bits and bobs off at a neighbour. It’s a heart-warming glance into the secret life of children and a wonderful insight into Japanese culture through the eyes of these kids. Ultimately it's a reminder that we’re all probably far more similar than we are different. 

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This docu-series about Japanese toddlers running errands is the show you didn’t know you needed 

Why Is Everyone Obsessed With ‘Old Enough’ on Netflix? 

Niellah Arboine

Here’s Why Everyone’s Watching Old Enough on Netflix

The internet was blessed with the *Don’t Worry Darling* trailer over the bank holiday, and everyone has lost the plot. A psychological thriller starring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh as husband and wife – get your popcorn deluxe meal preordered now.

Olivia Wilde is producing, directing, and co-starring in *Don’t Worry Darling*, joining forces once again with screenplay writer Katie Silberman, who also co-wrote the critically acclaimed *Booksmart*, Wilde’s directorial feature debut. This is Wilde’s second feature film, which she [describes](https://variety.com/2022/film/news/dont-worry-darling-first-look-harry-styles-olivia-wilde-florence-pugh-1235241238/) as “a love letter to movies that push the boundaries of imagination.” 

The trailer centres Pugh’s character, Alice, who becomes increasingly suspicious of her husband Jack and his job. Specifics of the plot are still strictly hush-hush, but we do [know](https://deadline.com/2020/04/dont-worry-darling-florence-pugh-shia-labeouf-chris-pine-star-in-olivia-wilde-movie-1202917171/) that it is “set in an isolated, utopian community in the 1950s California desert”. Expect vintage glamour, convertible cars, stunning cinematography and disturbing secrets. And last but not least, we can't forget [*that*](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/harry-styles-fans-go-wild-26853787) steamy bedroom scene that everyone is obsessing over. 

Wilde and Styles started their romantic journey off-screen during filming, with Wilde [admitting](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a33995312/dont-worry-darling-news-cast-spoilers-date/) that she “did a little victory dance when we heard that we officially had Harry in the film, because we knew that he has a real appreciation for fashion and style”. How sweet is that?

Alongside Styles and Pugh is an impressive, star studded cast that is leaving the world eagerly anticipating the release, including; *Star Trek*’s Chris Pine, *Eternal*’s Gemma Chan, *Big Mouth*’s Nick Kroll, *Coming 2 America*’s KiKi Layne and burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese.

*Don’t Worry Darling* is set to to hit UK cinemas on September 23. Until then, here is our [round up](https://woo.itv.com/posts/met-gala-meme-round-up-2022) of the very best reactions online.

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via @lomlrry13 on Twitter

The trailer for Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling dropped this week, and so did our collective jaws

Don’t Worry Darling: Harry and Florence spark a million memes

Eve Walker

Here at Woo, we’re all about feeling good – whether that’s through meditation, exercise, finding (or dumping) a therapist, pleasure, or adding joy to your space. Although, TBH, sometimes all you really need is to curl up with a classic, mood-boosting film to get lost in, spark some joy, or to jumpstart your creativity.

If that happens to be the case, you’re in luck: we’ve rounded up a list of the best feel-good films to stream online – from 90s classic *Clueless* to Wes Anderson’s *Moonrise Kingdom*, British rom-com *About Time*, and coming-of-age comedy *Dazed and Confused*. While it’s likely you’ve seen one (or a few) of the films on the list, there’s something about their joyful nature that we just can’t get enough of, whether it’s Paul Rudd’s kind, incapable-of-ageing face as he plays Cher Horwitz step brother Josh, Wes Anderson’s nostalgic wilderness adventures, or Matthew McConaughey’s weed-infused “*Dazed*” one-liners. With that in mind, scroll through the full list below.

## CLUELESS (1995)

Rich 90s-era fashion and young Paul Rudd… it really can’t get better than this. The 1995 comedy stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz: a stylish, popular, and slightly spoiled Beverly Hills teenager who falls for her socially-conscious ex-step-brother (emphasis on the ex!), Josh. Come for unforgettable one-liners (see: “You’re a virgin who can’t drive”) and stay for the cute, light-hearted storyline.

*Clueless is available to stream on Now*

## DAZED AND CONFUSED (1993)


*Dazed and Confused* takes viewers back to the late 70s, providing a glimpse into different groups of teens on the last day of school – the seniors attending a keg party, the freshman trying to avoid (or survive) getting hazed, and lots of stoners cruising around town. With a cast including Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Mila Jovovich, Parker Posey, and Joey Lauren Adams and plenty of quotable lines, the film will keep you laughing the entire way through.

*Dazed and Confused is available to stream on MUBI*

## ABOUT TIME (2013)


Okay, sure… there’s some sad moments in this one, but we like to think that main character Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) discovering the secret to a happy life in the end makes all the mid-movie tears worth it. Alongside, the funny moments from Tim’s awkward friend Rory (Joshua McGuire), housemate Rupert (Harry Hadden-Paton), and his iconic dad (Bill Nighy) keep the film upbeat as Tim navigates life and love while travelling back in time. We know it sounds cringey, but we promise, somehow it works.

*About Time is available to stream on Netflix*

## MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)


Meanwhile, Wes Anderson’s *Moonrise Kingdom* sparks joy in a more subtle way. Following two young pen pals – an orphan boy-scout and a young girl with an aggressive temper – on their adventure running away from home to an isolated beach, the film blends fantasy and nature to create a nostalgic story of childhood and young love. Meanwhile, as with all Wes Anderson films, the visuals are perfumed with warm, muted colour palettes and pristine symmetry – perfect to get lost in for a few hours.

*Moonrise Kingdom is available to stream on Amazon Prime*

## LITTLE WOMEN (2019)


A remake of the 1994 film, Greta Gerwig’s *Little Women* sees an iconic cast of Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Emma Watson, and Meryl Streep tell the story of the March sisters – Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth – living in Massachusetts in the 19th century. Between the sisters’ quirky antics, Jo’s writing ambitions, Amy’s continuous chaos, and love triangles, the film creates a silly and sincere narrative of growing up without being too cringey.

*Little Women is available to stream on Netflix*

## DIRTY DANCING (1987)


It wouldn’t be a feel-good film list without at least one cult 80s film. Here, Patrick Swayze (Johnny) and Jennifer Grey (Baby) star in the coming-of-age film which sees the unlikely plair fall in love as they train for the end-of-summer performance at a holiday resort. Basically, watch two hot people dance and have fun behind an Oscar-winning soundtrack – it’s a win-win. 

*Dirty Dancing is available to stream on Netflix*

## 13 GOING ON 30 (2004)


This classic Y2K rom-com sees 13-year-old Jennifer Garner transform into a “flirty and thriving” 30-year-old after making a wish to fast-forward through life. Keeping the mind of her teenage self, the wish results in hilarious, awkward moments and a sweet reminder to stay true to who you are. To top it all off, the soundtrack is totally banging.

*13 Going on 30 is available to stream on Amazon Prime*


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The mood-boosting films you can watch over and over, from Clueless to Moonrise Kingdom and Dazed and Confused

Woo’s ultimate feel-good film guide

Hannah Bertolino

Woo’s ultimate guide to feel-good films

It’s been almost three long years since Black Mirror’s fifth season made its Netflix premiere – and I think it’s safe to say the world back then is almost unrecognisable to today. Luckily, the binge-worthy show is back, with season six in the making by creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones. 

The chilling drama first started on Channel 4 back in 2011, where it ran for two seasons before moving to Netflix. In a nutshell, each episode places the viewer into a dystopian storyline, largely centred around the way we interact with technology. The name ‘black mirror’ is actually inspired by the dark reflection we see ourselves in when our phone screens are turned off – creepy, right?

Each plot within the dread-inducing dystopian series – which blends horror, sci-fi and comedy – is built upon “extrapolations of whatever was already happening,” Brooker told [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/dec/01/charlie-brooker-dark-side-gadget-addiction-black-mirror). In another interview with [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/black-mirror-charlie-brooker-interview-season-5-annabel-jones-smithereens-striking-vipers-a8936981.html), Brooker went further to argue that the stories weren't “warnings” at all and instead based on technological progress which is “completely inevitable.” 

And so, on that bright note, here’s our pick for the top five Black Mirror episodes to binge while we wait for season six to be released:


# San Junipero (Season 3, Episode 4)

Season 3 marked serious changes for the Black Mirror series, as it moved from the lower-budget but classic aesthetic with Channel 4 to Netflix’s American dream sheen (with a sizeable budget to match). Out of all episodes in this series, San Junipero embodies this change the most. 

The story follows two characters, Yorkie and Kelly, who visit San Junipero, a fun-loving beach town full of surf, sun and sex. Yet the town isn't what it first appears and is actually part of a simulated reality the elderly can inhabit, even after death. 

Beyond the plot, however, is what makes this episode a top choice for us… It symbolises a moment where the show ditched its trademark grisly charm for something deeper – more authentic, emotional and human. Grab the tissues because this episode is a sad one.



# Be Right Back (Season 2, Episode 1)

In keeping with this sad story theme, we’re ranking “Be Right Back” as number two. The episode tells the story of Martha, a woman who has been devastated after her boyfriend dies in a car crash. In an effort to console herself – and come to terms with her grief – she interacts with AI that mimics her lost lover based on their previous social media activity. 

This episode in particular hits hard because it forces you to reflect on how you interact with others online – how social media posts are, essentially, permanently etched in digital space and how we can become emotionally hooked on to our devices. 

This is something the Domhnall Gleeson, who played the boyfriend in the episode, told [Vulture](https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/domhnall-gleeson-little-stranger-black-mirror.html). “There’s one moment where my character’s desperately searching for his phone. He just stands in the hallway and looks around blankly. I forget what the stage direction was, but it was really good. That’s when I realized I had done the same thing so many times, looking for my phone and feeling lost without it. So, yeah, I’ve tried to use my phone less since then. Sometimes, I fail. But at least I’m mindful of it.”


# “Bandersnatch” (Interactive Episode)

This episode is a little different and if you fancy diving straight first into an interactive Black Mirror episode, then this might be for you… At its core, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure episode; it feels kind of like you’re playing a video game – or even, at a stretch, the metaverse. The episode allows viewers to make choices that impact the story, as well as the actions of each character, which gives it an added level of depth – giving you control over how the story goes. 




# USS Callister (Episode 1, Season 4)

Coming in at number four is USS Callister, from Season 4 – an episode more grounded to the real world, as opposed to Black Mirror’s usual freaky through-provoking storylines of technology running wild. The story follows a man who creates a virtual world in which he imprisons and abuses avatars of colleagues who’ve wronged him – which, granted, is far from reality. However, what the story really encapsulates is a man who’s angry at the world and takes his grievance to a virtual space because he’s incapable of confronting them in the real world. This is an issue we sadly see paralleled in reality. 

# The National Anthem (Season 1, Episode 1)

We couldn’t make this list without including the very episode which started it all – The National Anthem. This iconic episode undoubtedly set the tone for the Black Mirror universe and walked so that episodes (like those listed above) could run. Watching this back you can see how far the series has come in recent years, from humble – and farcical  – beggings on Channel 4, to the critically-acclaimed Netflix-funded episodes we see today. 

This is summed it pretty well in just the first five minutes of this debut episode when the British Prime Minister is ordered to have sex on live TV or face the execution of a kidnapped princess. Believe it or not, this aired four years before David Cameron’s alleged University love affair with a pig’s head came into public knowledge. To this day, Brooker insists he had no knowledge of this when writing the script. 

Coincidence? Perhaps – but Brooker has a knack for predicting the future in his years of dystopian script writing. You can find out more about [the making of season six here](https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/black-mirror-season-6), as well as watch all previous episodes on Netflix now.



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Charlie Brooker's dystopian drama is returning for a sixth season...

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Top Black Mirror episodes to watch while you wait for season six

watch

Jack Ramage

As fast fashion continues to plague the world – with fashion being the planet’s largest polluting industry – it seems the climate-threatening trend has finally given *Love Island* the ick… 

There has long been criticism of the ITV reality dating show’s brand partnerships, with mammoth deals in previous years including [I Saw It First](https://www.isawitfirst.com/) and [Missguided](https://www.missguided.co.uk/). Now, *Love Island* has announced it is instead linking up with eBay for the 2022 edition, offering contestants secondhand fits instead. 

The change in direction was made in a bid to inspire fans to ditch the lure of fast fashion and shop more mindfully. “We strive to be a more eco-friendly production, with more focus on ways in which we can visibly show this on screen,” executive producer of the show, Mike Spencer, [told *Vogue Business*](https://www.voguebusiness.com/sustainability/reality-show-love-island-dumps-fast-fashion-sponsor-for-ebay).

“The impact of *Love Island* and its stars across the UK is undeniable and together we want to inspire the nation to choose preloved first when shopping,” he continued. 

“We want to inspire the nation to choose preloved [clothes] first when shopping,” Jemma Tadd, head of fashion at eBay UK, said in a statement. Tadd noted that *Love Island’s* influence across the UK is “undeniable.”

“It’s a step in the right direction,” she added, “even if this means buying or selling one or two preloved items to start with.”

eBay UK has recently recruited celebrity stylist and secondhand enthusiast, Amy Bannerman, to style this year’s Islanders. Amy has styled celebrities including Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Sophie Turner, Jonathan Van Ness, and Lena Dunham.

*Love Island* is one of the most successful reality TV shows in the nation, amassing [3.2 million viewers](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/love-island-final-hits-series-high-32-million-tv-viewers) in last year's finale. In a nutshell, the show features a group of single contestants who live together in a specially constructed villa that is isolated from the outside world in an attempt to find love. 



Critics argue that the fast fashion industry is fundamentally built to be addictive, with marketing and brand deals with shows such as Love Island, fuelling impulsive and addictive purchasing. And it’s for this reason that fast fashion brands are valued in the multiple of billions – only this month, the Chinese fast-fashion giant, Shein, was [valued at $100 billion](https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-04-10/shein-s-100-billion-valuation-is-fast-fashion-s-big-moment).

Previous Love Island contestants usually go on to sign brand deals, designing or editing their own collections, as well as becoming fashion influencers. 

Former contestant Molly-Mae-Hague, is one of the show’s biggest success stories. You might remember her recent controversial [comments about work and poverty](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/molly-mae-hague-criticised-poverty-b1987817.html), and a general lack of knowledge regarding wealth inequality, but she was also appointed as creative director of fast fashion retailer Pretty Little Thing last year. Likewise, Millie Court, who won the show in 2021, caused searches on PLT to rise 127 per cent when she appeared in a one-shoulder marble dress, and 114 per cent when she wore a hot pink co-ord. 


The hope is that this deal with eBay reflects a change in motivation for the show – a push for a more sustainable and ethical fashion which will have a trickle-down effect on the consumer. A previous contestant, Brett Staniland, noted how this new deal was “an unbelievably big step for the show.” 

“It will have a massive impact on reducing the stigma of secondhand clothing, especially since the fast fashion consumer overlaps so much with the Love Island viewer.”

New research from eBay highlights that British shoppers are becoming increasingly conscious of fast fashion. 20% of Brits admit that they buy more second-hand fashion compared to two years ago, and say that on average, 16% of their wardrobes are made up of pre-loved clothes.

The research also shows 18 to 34 have the highest average percentage of second-hand clothes in their wardrobe at 22% of participants surveyed. Searches on eBay for ‘preloved clothes’ in 2021 have multiplied eightfold from previous years, with Gen Z driving the trend – 80% say they have recently bought something secondhand.



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love island

2022’s Islanders will wear second-hand clothes, in a first for the show which has previously aligned itself with brands like Missguided

love Island ditches fast fashion sponsors for eBay in new deal

While we wait to find out what happened to Fez, Jules, Faye, and the rest of our *Euphoria* faves after the intense season two finale (2024 can’t come soon enough), the show’s director has another internet-breaking HBO drama up his sleeve.
 
Titled *The Idol*, and co-created by *Euphoria* mastermind [Sam Levinson](https://www.instagram.com/samlev1nson/?hl=en), [The Weeknd](https://www.instagram.com/theweeknd/?hl=en), and his close friend [Reza Fahim](https://www.instagram.com/rezafahim/?hl=en), the seven-episode A24-produced music-drama is set to follow a female pop star’s romance with an enigmatic LA club owner who also happens to be the leader of a secret cult. Vibe? Vibe.
 
However, while stars previously gathered up in Los Angeles to start filming last year, HBO has announced that *The Idol*’s creative team will be mixing up the project a bit to take the show in a new creative direction – including reshooting some episodes, fine-tuning the plot, and adjusting its cast and crew.
 
Although neither Levinson nor The Weeknd has dropped specifics on the makeover, there have been rumours that Britney Spears – who previously shared in a post that she was filming for the show before it was taken down by her team – might make a cameo. Could she be the next Maddy? We hope so.
 
While we wait for more details, read below to catch up on everything we know about *The Idol* so far.

## It’s also co-written by and starring the Weeknd
 
Besides co-creating *The Idol *with Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye (AKA The Weeknd) is also listed as co-writer and producer, and will take on the starring cult-leader role. While his career has largely focused on his music over the past decade, the singer delved into film and television last year – co-writing an episode of *American Dad* where he played himself, and in 2019, making his on-screen debut in directors Josh and Benny Safdie’s *Uncut Gems*.
 
In a 2020 interview with [*Rolling Stone*](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-weeknd-after-hours-grammys-interview-1061041/), The Weeknd explained this newfound passion. “I just want to be a filmmaker,” he said. “I want to make great cinema.” Meanwhile, speaking to his *The Idol* screenplay, he said: “This is my first time even opening up to anything, because I had to spend the last decade invested in this project, the Weeknd. It really does consume me, so I’ve learned to step away from it a little bit, to miss it a little bit.”

## They’re re-working the plot and team
 
Even though the re-work’s details aren’t exactly clear, it has been confirmed that The Weeknd’s character will drop his club owner storyline to play a self-help guru-slash-secret cult leader, and the show’s focus will shift to focus more on this character’s perspective, rather than the up-and-coming pop star. Meanwhile, *Stranger Things*’ actress Amy Seimitz – who originally took on the role of lead director – left the project, allowing Sam Levinson to take on a larger role in directing the series and one of the “main stars” was allegedly dropped from the show. 
 
While HBO has not confirmed how much of the series will need to be re-filmed, it did release a statement about the changes. “*The Idol*’s creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction,” a HBO team member told *[Deadline](https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-idol-hbo-adjusting-cast-crew-on-music-industry-series-from-the-weeknd-sam-levinson-1235009377/)*. “The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series.”
 
## It will feature a star-studded cast
 
While *Euphoria* introduced us to a cast of mostly unknown actors, *The Idol* seems to boast a star-studded cast. So far, besides its co-creator, the show will feature model and actor Lily-Rose Depp as the leading pop star role in her television debut and pop musician Troye Sivan as an unnamed role. The All-American Reject’s Tyson Ritter, *This Is Us*’ Melanie Liburd, *Booksmart*’s Nico Hiraga, and *Teen Wolf*’s Maya Eshet will also feature.

## Britney Spears has teased a cameo
 
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated cast member is Britney Spears, although we aren’t exactly sure whether or not she’s taking on a role. Last year, the pop icon [posted](https://twitter.com/NewsWeeknd/status/1463506523594895361?s=20&t=TWQIzDfxngbLmuH822t2FQ) on Instagram hinting that she had wrapped up filming a project of the same name. “I just shot a movie titled *The Idol*,” she captioned her post. “It’s guaranteed to have hits and a lot (of) bright pics to put in my beautiful family’s faces!” Shortly after, however, her team shut down the rumours. 
 
Now – after posting a selfie to Instagram with Levinson and The Weeknd on Wednesday (May 25) – fans are speculating that she might make an actual cameo in the series. 
 
## Its release date is TBD

As we all know from *Euphoria*, Sam Levinson likes to take his time, and *The Idol* seems to be no exception. While the release date has yet to be announced, between the new directors and re-shoots, perhaps we can hope it’ll hit our screens later on in 2022, if not 2023. As long as it’s quicker than *Euphoria*, we can’t complain.


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The Weeknd

Britney Spears might be involved with the hyped A24 show about a young pop star

The Idol: what we know about the Euphoria director’s new drama

Ahead of its premiere next week, Love Island has announced that this season will feature the show’s first-ever deaf contestant: 23-year-old Tasha Ghouri from Thirsk. The model and dancer, who wears a hearing aid and cochlear implant, is the fifth cast-member to be confirmed for the show’s eighth series.

Besides confessing to her love life being in “shambles”, Ghouri stated that her friends – who also describe her as “wild” – find her “inspirational because of my hearing and my cochlear implant”. She continued: "I inspire quite a lot of people because I’m really open about it.” Last year, the model went [viral](https://twitter.com/faaithhyyy/status/1490899306941157380?s=20&t=hmdL1Z0TczTuNfUQLpvkrQ) online for showing off her cochlear implant in an ASOS earrings advert. 

After last year’s cast line-up – which drew in criticism for perpetuating the show’s long-standing lack of diversity and representation – news of Ghouri’s casting has exploded online, with fans sharing their reactions to the historic reveal.

“I was super excited to see Tasha cast in the show,” Sarah Vilela Da Silva, who also deals with “ear difficulties” tells Woo. “I deal with ear issues that aren’t visible (as so many ear issues can be), and Tasha openly wearing her cochlear implant and talking about her journey takes away some of the weird shame that comes with an invisible ailment/disability.” 


She adds: “Tasha being cast is such an important reminder that disables people are still being regularly excluded from mainstream media, and it’s up to us to question why that is, and what we can do to change it.” 

While Ghouri’s feature marks a step in the right direction, some fans of the show expressed that there’s still progress to be made in terms of representation. “Tasha is doing an amazing job at breaking the mold of what a ‘typical’ Love Island girl is, but there’s still a long way to go,” explains Viela Da Silva. “I understand that reality TV isn’t an accurate portrayal of the real world, but it could be and should be.”

The show seems to be taking action on fans’ criticisms from over the years. This week, it was announced that cast-members will receive training on how to avoid micro-aggressions, using appropriate language surrounding race, creating safe spaces, and being a good ally following complaints from previous seasons.

Meanwhile, this season’s cast-members will be dressed in pre-loved clothing supplied by Ebay, rather than the show’s usual fast-fashion sponsor I Saw It First. 

*Love Island premieres on Monday 6 June at 9pm on ITV2.*

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Tasha Ghouri, who wears a hearing aid and cochlear implant, is the fifth cast member to be revealed before next week’s premiere

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This year’s Love Island will feature the show’s first-ever deaf contestant

Based on Suzanne Collins' 2020 novel of the same name, the film serves as a prequel to the [The Hunger Games trilogy ](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/)which first came to our screens a decade ago in 2012. It will take fans back to the teenage years of the Panem despot Corliolanus Snow, played by Donald Sutherland in the original trilogy.

“Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, this time played by Tom Blyth, is the last hope for his fading lineage,” [The official synopsis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGcH2T53XY&t=87s&ab_channel=LionsgateMovies) for the new film reads. “With the 10th annual Hunger Games on the horizon, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12.”

“But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.”

Returning to the directing chair is Francis Lawrence, who took the helm of the final two of the Hunger Games trilogy, helping the franchise to earn a staggering £3bn worldwide, making it one of the most commercially successful trilogies of all time.

Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the lead character Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games was full of praise for, Rachel Zegler, the new star of the upcoming prequel, [telling Deadline](https://deadline.com/): “Like everybody, I first saw Rachel Zegler in West Side Story, and like everybody, I knew I was watching a star who would command the screen for a generation.”

Don’t take her word for it, take a sneak peak at the trailer for Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes below.


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An exclusive first look at The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was aired last night before the MTV & TV Movie Awards


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A first look at The Hunger Games prequel

Patrick Heardman

Let the Games Begin: A first look at The Hunger Games prequel

And just like that… another series of *Love Island UK* is upon us once more. Tonight, the nation will watch a new set of Islanders set off on their quest for love on ITV2. Soon, we’ll have a fresh array of “icks”, types on paper, and dramas to obsess over. But if you’ve watched *Love Island* before, you’ll know that romance doesn’t happen for everyone. That’s OK, though, because in the last few years we’ve seen friendship become the real star of the show. When sexual chemistry has been elusive, platonic love has shone through.
As the Islanders navigate the tense environment of the villa and try to work out where their heads are at, a good friend can come in handy: a shoulder to cry on, a strategist, a confidante. It seems like budding couples are always trying to avoid the “friend zone”, but what if that’s actually the best place to be?
 
Here are some of the sweetest friendships we’ve seen unfold inside the world’s most famous villa.


# Chris and Kem: Series 3 (2017)

Let’s start with the big one: Chris Hughes and Kem Cetinay. The mischievous duo both ended up in the final of Love Island 2017 – the series which broke viewing records and cemented the show’s status as a cultural phenomenon. While both ended up splitting from their respective partners after the show (Olivia Attwood and Amber Hughes), Chris and Kem’s bromance continued to blossom. They released a rap song together and even had their own reality show, which saw them travel far and wide across the UK to take on the public in various challenges and test their skills. Kem might have won the series alongside Amber, but his hilarious friendship with Chris was surely the bigger prize. 


# Paige and Shaughna: Series 6 (2020)

Season 6 was full of cute friendships, but the bond between Paige Turley and Shaughna Phillips won over peoples’ hearts the most. They were sarcastic, loyal and happy to sit and chat for hours with one another. Finn Tapp accepted the fact that Shaughna essentially became a third member of their couple after her brutal Casa Amor dumping by Callum Jones. Although Shaughna left the villa before the end, the popularity of their friendship propelled Finn and Paige to become the winners of the season.


# Ovie and Amber: Series 5 (2019)

Ovie Soko and Amber Gills are two of the most popular Love Island Contestants to have ever graced our screens. With Casa Amor completely changing the dynamic in the main villa, Ovie came in and quickly formed a friendship with a scorned Amber, who, like most of the viewers, seemed to appreciate his calm demeanour. After Micahel Griffiths betrayed Amber's trust (and branded her “Chaaaaaldish”), Ovie was the source of zen energy and sound advice. Ovie made it into the final three while Amber won the show – and their friendship was undoubtedly a big part of why the public warmed to them both.


# Anna and Amber: Series 5 (2019)

Absolutely everyone deserves a best friend like Anna Vakili, a true icon from series five who had the back of every girl in the villa whenever they were wronged. Amber and Anna had a ride-or-die friendship throughout their tumultuous conflicts with Michael and Anna’s dramatic breakup with Jordan Hames. Although neither of them ended up with their villa romance, their sisterhood remains. (And we really wouldn’t want to end up on Anna’s bad side).

# Kaz and Liberty: Series 7 (2021)

Last year’s Love Island was full of high drama, but the most wholesome part of the series had to be the friendship that developed between Kaz Kamwi and Liberty Poole. From day one, there was a definite spark of friendship between them. Although Liberty would experience heartbreak in the end, breaking up from Jake Cornish – one of the most controversial contestants ever – and dramatically leaving the show, Kaz was always there for her. The fans were drawn to their connection, with Kaz eventually coming fourth in the series.


# Lauren and Josh: Series 1 (2015)

Now let’s go right back to the start. Lauren Richardson and Josh Ritchie went on quite different paths when first entering the villa. Lauren couldn't seem to find a couple for herself and instead ended up being in plenty of friendships. Josh, on the other hand, fell hard and fast for eventual winner Jess Hayes, before moving on with Naomi Ball. When those couples broke up, Josh found himself in a new “friendship couple” with Lauren. The two hit it off and fans loved the hilarious dynamic that they had going. They made history ultimately by becoming the first friendship couple to make it to third place on Love Island, which was a pretty cute tribute to platonic love.


# Alex and Samira: Series 5 (2019)

Who remembers Doctor Alex George? The contestant who, despite plenty of attempts, just couldn’t seem to find that romantic spark. Sometimes, it seems like being a little bit posh can be a bit of a hindrance in the Love Island villa. But all was not lost: Alex sparked up a very cute friendship with co-star Samira Mighty, after she was similarly unlucky in love. One of Samira’s most endearing qualities was her crusade to stop Alex from burning, like a classic Brit abroad, in the sun. (That was one battle she wasn’t going to win). Samira made a tearful exit shortly before the final to pursue a spark with another man, Alex Dean, outside the villa. But just like many of the other platonic bonds on this list, her friendship with Dr Alex outlasted the show.


*Love Island starts Monday 6 June at 9pm on ITV2*

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Love Island

From Chris and Kem to Ovie and Amber: maybe the ‘friend zone’ isn’t so bad after all?

how love island became friendship island

Louis Staples

For those waiting on an album drop, here’s something to hold you over: according to *[Discussing Film](https://discussingfilm.net/2022/06/01/frank-ocean-in-talks-to-direct-first-feature-film-with-a24-exclusive/)*, Frank Ocean is linking up with production companies A24 and 2AM to write and direct his first-ever feature film. 

The Grammy Award-winning musician – who, since his critically acclaimed 2016 studio album *Blonde*, has released singles “DHL” and “In My Room” – has been known to delve into different projects over the years. In 2017, he launched his Apple Music 1 radio show Blonded Radio, and in 2018 he opened up his own luxury jewellery label, Homer. 

Now, Ocean’s feature film debut – which has been internally nicknamed “Philly” – is set to start production this fall. On brand for the *Blonde* artist, most of the film’s details have been kept under wraps. While we wait for more details, however, read through everything we know so far.

## IT’S CO-PRODUCED BY A24 AND 2AM 

Besides having Frank Ocean at its helm, the project will be backed by young, London-based production and management company 2AM, and its parent company A24 (known for producing *Midsommar*, *Uncut Gems*, *Mid90s*, and ​​*Everything Everywhere All at Once*). However, this won’t be Ocean’s first collaboration with A24. In 2016, the musician penned a personal essay on being a queer person of colour as the foreword for Barry Jenkins’ published *Moonlight* screenplay. Meanwhile, in 2019, he offered up multiple songs to feature in Trey Shults’ drama film *Waves*.

## IT MIGHT BE SET IN NEW MEXICO

While the project may be nicknamed “Philly”, it was reported that Ocean is scouting out filming locations in New Mexico – leading fans to guess that the plot may feature an east coast-west coast storyline. Meanwhile, reports state that the team is aiming to wrap up filming before the new year… perhaps we’ll have a film to stream while we wait for album three? 

## THIS ISN’T OCEAN’S FIRST RUMOURED FILM PROJECT

While this may be Ocean’s feature film debut, the musician was previously rumoured to be creating a music video with *Call Me By Your Name*’s director Luca Guadagnino in 2020. While the music video was never released in the end, Guadagnino did share that he’s open to working with Ocean in the future. "We were collaborating on a music video that never happened,” said the director in an [interview](https://twitter.com/kylebuchanan/status/1296099335705264131?s=20&t=TtyodGcRf_SoQw8aLdUILg). “I use (The New York Times) to launch an appeal to Frank: Frank, let's do that video. Come on.” Could “Philly” be the long-lost collab between the two artists? We hope so.

## IT MIGHT DRAW INSPO FROM FRANK OCEAN’S FAVE FILMS

While we’ve yet to find out any clear details about the plot, it’s possible that “Philly” could draw inspiration from Frank Ocean’s all-time favourite films. In fact, shortly after releasing *Blonde*, Ocean released a lengthy list of his personal favourites, including *The Good, The Bad And The Ugly*; *The Godfather*; *Paris, Texas*; *Basquiat*; and *Annie Hall*. Elsewhere, the list featured multiple films by Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kar-wei, Werner Herzog, David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick and the Coen Brothers… we suggest hosting a “Frank Ocean’s faves” movie night while we await more news.

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While we wait for new music, the Blonde artist is gearing up to release his first feature-length film

Frank Ocean is directing an A24 film: here’s everything we know so far

Another day, another Harry Styles trailer, and we aren’t complaining. This time around, a sneak preview for queer romance film *My Policeman* has been released, offering up the most full-length look at Styles in a starring role as Tom Burgess, a gay policeman married to school teacher Marion (Emma Corrin).

The film – which is adapted from Bethan Roberts’ 2012 novel and premieres on October 21  – will follow Burgess’ secret affair with museum curator Patrick Hazelwood (David Dawson). Set in 1950s Brighton, when being gay was still illegal, the plot will explore the two men’s messy love triangle with Marion.

Opening up the one-minute teaser, Styles and Dawson’s characters are pictured in an art gallery, standing side-by-side before a painting. “How does it make you feel?” asks Dawson, before Styles answers: “You can sense the waves.”


The clip also shows scenes of Styles in 50s-era short-short swim trunks on the beach with Corrin, on their wedding day, and playing games on the Brighton pier. However, as the love triangle’s chaos ensues, the teaser reveals Styles and Dawson holding each other in a close moment and sharing knowing glances before Corrin is pictured angrily ripping up papers and burning clothes in a fire.

On Twitter, fans have shared their anticipation for Styles’ upcoming role. “There’s absolutely no way I'm surviving *My Policeman*,” said one user. “This movie is going to be so good I'm not ok.” Another stated: “*My Policeman* is going to be epic. Harry Styles as a closeted gay man hits too close to home and it’s going to be impossible not to see it. I can’t fucking wait.”

Meanwhile, the trailer for Harry Styles’ other major film-role in Olivia Wilde’s [*Don’t Worry Darling*](https://woo.itv.com/posts/don-t-worry-darling-memes-harry-styles-florence-pugh) dropped last month, and well… the plot was definitely lost. The psychological thriller  – set in an “isolated, utopian community in the 1950s California desert” – follows Harry Styles and Florence Pugh as husband and wife, featuring a number of highly-anticipated, steamy bedroom scenes (stream “Watermelon Sugar” for hints). 

*Don’t Worry Darling* is set to hit UK cinemas on September 23; *My Policeman* will premiere on October 21 and will be available to stream via Amazon Prime from November 4 – check out the best fan reactions below.

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The film stars the Harry’s House musician as a policeman in the 1950s, hiding his sexuality and trapped in a chaotic love triangle

Watch the teaser for Harry Styles’ queer romance My Policeman

We are living in the golden age of contemporary Indian filmmakers, which makes June’s London Indian Film Festival such an exciting moment. The festival, which runs from 23 June – 3 July at cinemas across London, including BFI Southbank, Barbican and Picturehouse Central, will feature world premieres of some of the most hotly-anticipated Indian films of the next 12 months.
The festival was established in 2010 to showcase Indian independent film. The festival attracted media attention in its first year, premiering films such as *Love Sex aur Dhokha* by Dibakar Banerjee. Since then it has continued to dispel outdated stereotypes about kitschy Bollywood films, by celebrating the diverse, boundary-breaking filmmakers that India has to offer. It really feels like South Asian cinema could be about to have a “moment” in the western mainstream, just like we’ve seen Korean films such as *Parasite* prove can happen.

Accompanying the selection of high-impact films, there will be a selection of “in conversation” events, with actors Konkona Sen, Taapsee Pannu and Nandita Das.

Here are five of the most hotly-anticipated films coming to the London Indian Film Festival 2022.

**DOBAARAA**



Directed by Anurag Kashyap 

India’s internationally best-known director, Anurag Kashyap, returns to the festival with this surreal *Sliding Doors*-style story. The film follows a young nurse (Taapsee Pannu), who moves in with her husband and daughter, next to an abandoned house. Searching through the new place they come across an old camcorder. Playing it during an electric storm the nurse, freakishly connects live to a little boy who lived in the house decades before, but died. In an attempt to stop the boy’s death she begs him not to go next door to the deserted house. He delays and this not only disrupts time, but her own life story with terrible consequences. There will be a live showing of this nail-biting film, followed by a Q&A, at BFI Southbank on June 23.  

**SUPERFAN: THE NAV BHATIA STORY**



Directed by Amar Wala

This unique and uplifting documentary focuses on the life of the Toronto Raptors biggest fan, Nav Bhatia, and the massive impact he has had on the city’s basketball community. The film charts his journey to Canada as a low-income immigrant worker from India and how his relentless passion for life not only built his career, but quickly expanded into supporting a struggling team. Bhatia not only inspired the players, but inspired generations to get into the sport and has brought together the city’s black and South Asian communities. This is a film that is bound to leave everyone who sees it with a smile on their face. It will be shown at Picturehouse Central on Sunday July 3, followed by a Q&A with director Nav Bhatia and Producer Rinku Ghei.

**AMERICANISH**

Directed by Iman Zawahry

Set in Jackson Heights, New York, is a heartwarming comedy about a first generation immigrant Pakistani mother (Lilette Dubey), who is still recovering from her husband abandoning her and her daughters. She finds herself conflicted by the pressure to match her daughters, Maryam and Sam, with suitable Pakistani boys. The daughters are not impressed by the potential husbands who come to dinner at their home, so they decide to take matters into their own hands, with hilarious results. (This film is sort of like *Bend It Like Beckham*, except minus the football and plus the Big Apple).

**LITTLE ENGLISH** 



Directed by Pravesh Kumar

Pravesh Kumar’s debut feature is a laugh-out-loud story of a dysfunctional Punjabi family in the pressure-cooker life of a terraced suburban home in West London. Newly-arrived from India, naive Simmy has come to marry the family’s eldest son, Raj, who shockingly does a runner, leaving Simmy locked in the house by her domineering mother-in-law. However, Simmy is smarter than she appears, and soon enlists the support of the family’s disgruntled in-laws, including a sugar crazed, diabetic grandpa and dangerous, but hot, brother in law, fresh out of jail. Together, they plan Simmy’s big escape.

**ONCE UPON A TIME IN CALCUTTA**





Directed by Aditya Vikram Sengupta

World premiered at Venice Film Festival, *Once Upon A Time in Calcutta* follows the story of Ela, a failed actress. She has recently lost her daughter, who was the only reason for Ela to stay with her husband. Ela faces various setbacks in her personal, professional and love life, but she doesn’t lose hope and sets out to find a new identity, love and independence in the booming streets of Calcutta. Helmed by beautifully nuanced performance from Sreelekha Mitra, the film captures the hustle and bustle of a city constantly in a state of flux. 

*[Find out more about the London Indian Film Festival here](https://londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk/)*

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London’s Indian Film Festival showcases renowned filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap alongside newcomers like Pravesh Kumar

The film festival shattering stereotypes about Indian cinema

With Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, and Taika Waititi being just a few of the names lighting up the all star cast, *Lightyear* is the latest movie in the beloved *Toy Story* franchise and the first Pixar movie to hit the cinema since 2020. The animated movie follows the story of the ‘real’ Buzz Lightyear (who the toy in the original movie was based on), as he embarks upon an intergalactic adventure. Our inner children are collectively screaming. 

The movie has been banned in multiple countries due to the same-sex kiss between two lesbian characters, which is a lovely moment of [LGBTQ+ representation](https://woo.itv.com/posts/queercircle-opens-historic-lgbtq-culture-space-in-london) to experience in a children’s movie during pride month.

Following the buzz of Lightyear (if you’ll pardon the pun), Woo took to the red carpet to find out what makes the stars [happy](https://woo.itv.com/posts/how-to-be-happy). What lights them up from within, hm? 

For Chris Evans, who stars as our fave Buzz as well as Marvel’s Captain America, he says that “happiness is about trying to live in the moment, and being present.” Evans has spoken openly in the past about his experience of severe anxiety and panic attacks that have almost made him quit acting, leading him to turn down the Captain America opportunity several ties. He cites his friendship with Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jnr., therapy, friends, and family as real pillars of support.

Vlogger Louise Pentland says that, for her, “happiness is feeling calm, feeling safe, feeling secure in where I am and being with my children”, to which her daughter confirms, “a great life and a happy family” is the key to feeling content. 

Keke Palmer expresses that family is what makes her happiest, too, “I really have so much pride in my family and how much they’ve sacrificed for me. What they believe in and what they stand for, and their love for the arts... I just want to make them proud”. Aww. The actor, musician, host, and author has spoken candidly about her past struggles with depression, as well as her experience of endocrine disorder polycystic ovary syndrome. 

Taika Waititi’s short but sweet answer that “happiness is feeling seen” sums up human nature pretty nicely, and Waititi’s approach to life generally. He’s often highlighted the mental health crisis in his home of New Zealand, and championed hope and joy across his previous films like *Jojo Rabbit*.

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The cast and crew of Pixar’s latest movie share their secrets to happiness

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Following a six month hiatus, everyone’s favourite comfort YouTuber Emma Chamberlain made her return to the platform. 

Titled “what’s good in new york” the 18 minute vlog follows Emma around the city during one day as she meanders around from her hotel over to Central Park asking to chat to New Yorkers because “this is how I make friends”. Hustling for locals’ tips she ends up having some dilemmas at a burrito shop, discovering some sartorial delights at a store, rails against the glut of ‘eye boogers’ that appear when she puts almond milk into her coffee and scales the Empire State Building. 

The video, captioned “happy to be back”, dropped just after her appearance on [Jimmy Fallon’s late night show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPLBNRkxt5U) where she told the presenter  “I truly do not know” why people love her so much, and admitted “my favourite type of person to meet who watches my videos” are mums, because “I love the unexpected”. 

So does her audience, because while the new vlog is a little different from what we’ve come to expect, this is Emma right now and we wouldn’t have her any other way. It’s like we’re embarking on a new era with her, as this is the first video where she’s been of legal drinking age and she commemorates this by swapping out her regular coffee for a lunch-time margarita.


Though Emma’s not exactly been in full invisibility mode - we all remember that viral interview she did with Jack Harlow for May’s Met Gala - YouTube has been bereft of her presence. This is because in late 2021, after gaining over 11 million followers, she took the decision to step away from posting because, she told her podcast at the time: 

“The pressure to be a weekly YouTuber, 365 days a year, is unrealistic, yet it’s the standard,” Chamberlain said in an episode titled “the truth about YouTube’” She added: “It is the standard that YouTubers hold themselves to but yet it is an impossible thing to keep up mentally.”

Emma also recently told [Vogue](https://www.vogue.com/article/emma-chamberlain-talks-anxiety-burnout-perfectionism) “I’m feeling a little burnt out right now….I’ve been pushing myself to film videos more ahead of time and record more podcasts ahead of time and I think I might have overdone it a bit.” So honestly, we’re happy for whatever she’s willing to share.

So while we’re delighted Emma’s brand of YouTubery is back, we also want to add, like…no pressure at all. The churn of uploading constantly, of feeding the obligation she must feel to a following no smaller than the population of literal Belgium, must take its toll. So welcome back, Emma, we’ve missed you, we’re excited to see what you do next, or just…don’t do next. As long as you’re happy, so are we.



Raise your coffee cups! Emma Chamberlain has returned


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Emma Chamberlain returns to YouTube following mental health hiatus