Armchair Escapism 5

FILMS

Flamenco
Against a glowing orange backdrop, director Carlos Saura takes us through the beauty, the depth, the range, and the intricacies of flamenco dancing. Aside from a very short introduction of this Spanish artform at the start of the film, no words are spoken. Instead, communication is made through dance, music and singing. Beautiful, sensual, and emotive filmography brings these mesmerising performances to life.

French Kiss
If you can look past Kevin Kline’s sometimes questionable French accent and a few cringeworthy clichés, French Kiss is one of those quintessential 90s rom-coms that make for an easy and charming watch. Kate’s (Meg Ryan) fiancée Charlie visits France where he falls in love with a beautiful Parisian. In an attempt to win him back, she rushes to Europe where she meets Luc (Kline), a thief with a conscience. At every turn, events go awry for Kate and with an ulterior motive in mind, Luc offers to help her win Charlie back. Against the backdrop of elegant Paris, sun-drenched Nice, and the luscious wine country, perhaps more than an unlikely friendship will evolve for Kate and Luc.

Avanti
Starring one of Hollywood’s true gems, Jack Lemmon, Avanti is a classic golden oldie comedy set in coastal Italy. Lemmon plays Wendell Armbruster Jr, a successful American businessman who must hasten to Italy where his father has just died in a car crash. In his attempts to deliver the body back to the US, certain sordid details of his father’s personal life come to light. One hilarious mishap after another ensures belly laughs from start to finish.

BOOKS

All our Yesterdays, Natalia Ginzburg
In 1930s Italy, Anna, a teenager on the brink of womanhood falls unexpectedly pregnant. To cover up the scandal, she marries Cenzo Rena, an eccentric older family friend. The newly-weds move to the rural south whilst tensions rise across the entire country with the approaching war and rise of fascism. Despite this great looming threat, Ginzburg tackles the characters’ personal plights with similar severity. The novel is a delicate examination of human emotions, the making and breaking of relationships, and of what goes on behind closed doors.

Journeys, Stefan Zweig
Not exclusively set in the Mediterranean but then again, Zweig’s ‘Journeys’ is not really set anywhere. It is always in motion. This is a collection of travel writings by one of the most important writers of the 20th century as he traverses through France, Italy, Spain and further afield in Europe. Zweig offers insights into his encounters with various cultures, landscapes, and people, as well as his musings on the impact of travel on the human spirit. Displacement, identity, and the transformative power of travel lace the pages. It will inspire you to keep your own journal on your next big adventure.

Conclave, Robert Harris
Amidst the hype of the recently released film of the same name, Conclave by Robert Harris is worth reading too. This political thriller is set within the guarded walls of the Vatican, where the election of a new pope is underway after the sudden death of the incumbent. Cardinal Lomeli is the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who is tasked with overseeing the papal conclave. The secret voting does not run smoothly as Lomeli must navigate fierce tensions, conflicts and power struggles within the tight-knit circle of cardinals. Harris uses Lomeli as his vessel to explore the intricacies of the Vatican’s most inner circles in a moment of crisis and utter suspense.