Culture
The Essentials: Top Cultural Highlights In October
Raking the leaves can wait: a fresh harvest of new films, books, shows and activities this October has arrived
THE WORD: Crackle
Leaves crunching underfoot. A warm fire to curl up beside. A bowl of popcorn on the couch, just waiting for a scary movie marathon to begin. Crackle is the soundtrack for every cosy, comforting treat that autumn is and ought to be. It is a curious thing, though, if you think about it long enough: for a season purporting to be a prelude to death, autumn sure has a preternatural capacity to inspire delight. Just the thought of a crisp October day, red leaves blazing against a painted blue sky, is enough to make many of us go giddy with anticipation. Perhaps it’s all the knit-wearing and pumpkin-carving and casserole-baking, the implicit permission to nest but also the many excuses to gather. Well, whatever it is about autumn, we’re here for it. The crackling season has begun.
Perfect If: You, like us, love everything about autumn.
THE SHOW: The Peripheral
A TV experience that will bend your mind: this upcoming sci-fi series is set in a future where technology has completely altered society. Protagonist Flynne Fisher (Chloë Grace Moretz) stumbles upon a secret connection to an alternate reality – and her very own dark future. If you were looking to get your latest dose of futuristic sci-fi, this show, from the creators of Westworld, is likely to satisfy your cravings. Mark your calendar for 21 October, when it’s released on Amazon Prime Video.
Perfect If: You count Stranger Things and Westworld among your favourite shows.
THE STREAMING SPOOKTACULAR: Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities
If there’s one person in the whole entire world, just one, who we can trust to deliver a good monster, it’s Guillermo del Toro. From the creatures of Pan’s Labyrinth to the Amphibian in The Shape of Water and Hellboy himself, the celebrated Mexican filmmaker always comes through. Just in time to satisfy our spookiest cravings, this month will see the debut of del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, a horror anthology featuring eight original and uniquely spine-tingling tales of terror, written and directed by del Toro himself along with a set of talented filmmakers. Get the popcorn ready for the show’s Netflix release on 25 October.
Perfect If: You’re no wimp and love a good horror show. And you’re definitely not afraid of the dark.
THE CAUSE: World Habitat Day
We are all responsible for creating the world that next generations will call home, and while this sentiment shouldn’t be reduced to one day a year, dedicating a time to consider this fact and bring awareness to pressing issues never hurts. The UN, for their part, marks the 3rd of October as the day to reflect on ways we can help everyone, regardless of geography or economic status, access their basic right to safe shelter. With this year’s theme, ‘Mind the Gap: Leave No One and No Place Behind’ in mind, you can volunteer to build houses in nearby rural communities, donate to housing organisations, or simply help call attention to the importance of creating strong, stable and affordable homes for everyone.
Perfect If: You know you have power in the place you inhabit, and would want to put it to a good use.
THE FILM: Catherine Called Birdy
A mediaeval English town sets the scene for the riotous tale of Lady Catherine, otherwise known as Birdy (played by Bella Ramsey, aka the badass giant slayer Lyanna Mormont from Game of Thrones), the child of a now destitute Lord Rollo (Andrew Scott, who you may know as The Hot Priest from Fleabag), who sees poor Birdy as his way out of financial ruin. His plan? To marry her off to the wealthiest possible suitor. Of course, Birdy won’t make that an easy feat. Written and directed by Lena Dunham, and based on Karen Cushman’s eponymous novel, it’s bound to be a hit.
Perfect If: Out of all of Jane Austen’s heroines, you’re partial to Emma. Or you just love a mediaeval comedy, of which there are shamefully few.
THE EVENT: BFI London Film Festival
Celebrate the art of filmmaking and the entire creative process behind it during the BFI London Film Festival from 5-16 October. With a selection of new titles representing over 50 countries, including Del Toro’s stop-motion animation Pinocchio, dark comedy White Noise and murder mystery Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, the full programme will feature 23 world premieres along with short films, documentaries and a series of discussions and debates with leading international filmmakers and actors. The venues will be spread around London and ten other cities across the UK, while select screenings will also be available online from 14 October.
Perfect If: You’re into reimagined classics, cult novel adaptations, horror romances – or all of the above.
THE ACTIVITY: Autumn Leaves Arts & Crafts
With so much of autumn’s beautiful bounty raining red, yellow and gold all around, it would be a pity to leave it lying on the ground. What the trees no longer need, we can use to make creative crafts to entertain the kids, or turn into rustic-chic seasonal decor for a Halloween gathering or autumnal dinner party. We recommend making a day of it: round up the kids – or a few grown-up friends – and go for a walk among the falling leaves, gathering the prettiest and most interesting colours and shapes. Variety is the name of the game. Next, select an artistic destiny for your harvest. Perhaps make leaf rubbings or suncatchers with the little ones, or fashion vibrant wreaths, bunting or napkin prints with more sophisticated crafters.
Perfect If: You love seasonal crafts and deco, but don’t like taking too much out of the piggybank to make them.
THE SOUND: Arctic Monkeys’ The Car
The Arctic Monkeys are no strangers to hit tunes and viral love songs. From their stellar debut with “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”, to mainstream success with “AM” (yes, back when Tumblr was still a thing), as well as their experimentation with various musical styles, the Sheffield band never disappoints – and they’re set to make waves on the contemporary music scene once again with The Car, their forthcoming seventh studio album. If you want to know what it will sound like, listen to “I Ain’t Quite What I Think I Am” or “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball”, the album’s first two singles. As for us, we’ve already got our leather jackets ready for the sound party.
Perfect If: You’ve accepted the fact that the “AM” era is long gone, and are ready for brand new tunes.
THE VISUAL INSPIRATION: Pop Art Style
Assouline, creators behind many of the most covetable coffee table books of the last 30 years, turn their attention from travel to style with a new series of tomes examining iconic art and design aesthetics across the world. Out in October, Pop Art Style tells the story of the Pop movement, revealing the key moments in its rise from fringe trend to pop culture phenomenon, and exploring its continued influence on visual culture today. Never thought you could draw a line straight from Warhol to TikTok? You’re in for a surprise.
Perfect If: You’ve got enough sweets for a legion of trick-or-treaters and are in need of some eye candy for yourself.
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