Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1179886
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 OCTOBER 2019 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT sistance to any form of depth, playing out merely as a classi- er version of a vintage B-mov- ie slasher from the '80s 'video nasty' pile. One can complain of wasted potential: the aggressively absurdist streak of humour undercuts any attempts at interpreting this as a satiri- cal anti-consumerist screed, almost making us feel silly for even trying. But the experi- ence Strickland crafts can't be denied: from the legiti- mately funny jokes down to the impeccable production and costume design lending both an arched and lived-in effect. Aided along by cin- ematographer Ari Wegner's theatrically grainy lens-work, audiences will feel as though they've been transposed onto the stage of a Grand Guignol show after being maliciously misdirected on their way to the toilets. And it'll hurt so good. IN FABRIC IN THE CUT IN THE LOOP IN THE FADE IN TOO DEEP ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Linnets belong to a group of birds known as songbirds. Strictly speaking all birds that sing are "songbirds" but in Mal- tese bird culture when you speak of "tal-għana" you mean just seven highly-coveted finches, of which the linnet (M. ġojjin) is one. Linnets are graceful pink-breasted little finches that would nest regularly in Malta if left unmolested, as they once did. But for many decades linnets have been persecuted and caught in their thousands every year in nets, to spend the rest of their life in a cage singing for their jailer. Under EU law, the abomination known as finch-trapping became illegal in Malta in 2009, but was nonetheless allowed to continue for several years, risking court cases and fines. Finch-trapping is currently officially prohibited but it's no secret that illegal trapping is still widespread. Without an independent and well-resourced wildlife crime unit, the sad charade will, of course, continue. Text: Victor Falzon - Photo: Aron Tanti 683. LINNET Mirror, mirror Peter Strickland regular Fatma Mohamed stars in the British cult film- maker's latest darkly humorous foray, making an occult omelette out of High Street eggs Dress Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 581: Find out more and try our delicious recipe: www.foemalta.org/goodfood The verdict Peter Strickland's latest certainly showcases the di- rector's sensibility towards disturbingly-tinged humour, even if it's little more than a dark confection in the long run with very little by way of substance. Still, it remains that very British variant of in- tellectually undemanding en- tertainment, with gorgeously bedecked, Argento-inspired set pieces and music and a re- course to cruel jokes keeping our attention riveted to the strange spectacle. In Fabric will be screening at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema, Val- letta on October 31 at 7.30pm and November 2 at 8.30pm ★ ★ ★ IN FABRIC (15)