Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1496720
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 APRIL 2023 8 ALMANAC My essentials BRADLEY CACHIA 19, performing artist and writer I am currently a student reading for a B.A. in Communication Studies and Maltese at the University of Malta. I also work as a freelance writer and performing artist, so my involvement in the arts varies from theatre to literature. Apart from my artistic side, I also work in various voluntary organisations, in different social spheres. 1 4 5 1. Book 2. Film 3. Internet 4. Music 5. Place I find the internet to be a great resource that allows me to garner more knowledge and to develop my ideas. De- spite it's many negatives, it's a great tool when used proper- ly. In the case of TV, a series I really enjoyed watching was After Life, as it depicts the harsh reality of a suicidal in- dividual who lost everything that was dear to him in a sa- tirical and comedic way, with the Existential and Absurdist philosophies blended into it all. CHIPS (Album: Bambinel- la) by Brodu – In a nutshell, I like this track because it devi- ates from the usual music we hear in the Maltese language, i.e. what I would call "festival songs". The alternative music produced by artists such as Brodu, Djun, Brikkuni, Kafena, Michael Azzopardi, and so on is simply exquisite. In the case of Chips, besides it being mu- sically catchy, its lyrics are also quite interesting as the narra- tive it conveys through collo- quial, everyday language feels very raw, without any unneces- sary clichés. LONDON, England, United Kingdom – I've been to Cen- tral London twice and it's one of those places that I feel like I would never get tired of vis- iting. Perhaps it's because of its iconic landmarks, its rich history, or maybe since it is home to the theatreland that is the West End. The street signs, the houses, the underground – it all just feels so special. If I ever visit again though, I wish to get out of the Central sub-region to explore the oth- er sub-regions more. FL-ISEM tal-Missier (u tal- Iben) by Immanuel Mifsud (2010) – this poignant novel explores the intricate relation- ship between a father and son. The novel is narrated from both perspectives, and delves into themes of love, grief, and self-realisation. Mifsud masterfully depicts how the choices and actions of each character affect one another, painting a heartfelt and genu- ine picture of familial bonds. His writing style is excep- tional and his examination of masculinity in this work is certainly something many men, young and old, can relate to. THE Band's Visit (2007). Re- cently, I've become particu- larly intrigued with the Arabic language and Middle Eastern cultures, so I've begun to con- sume some media from this part of the world. This Israeli 2007 trilingual film (English, Arabic, and Hebrew) follows an Egyptian police band who mistakenly end up in a small Israeli town and have to spend the night there. It beautifully explores the interactions be- tween the band members and the locals they encounter. It was also turned into a stage musical in 2016. 3 2