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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JULY 2024 4 ALMANAC My essentials KARL BALDACCHINO 33, social theorist and researcher Karl Baldacchino is a PhD candidate in the department of sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he is also a graduate affiliate at the Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought. His research focuses primarily on political resistance, indifference, power, subjectivity, and ethics through the lens of twentieth and twenty-first century French and Italian thought. He also contributes to the Maltese literary journal, Aphroconfuso. His forthcoming publication is a translation into Maltese of Franco 'Bifo' Berardi's Breathing: Chaos and Poetry (2018), titled Nifs: Kaos u Poezija. 1. Books 2. Film 3. Internet/TV 4. Music 5. Place I have a couple of albums or more on rotation. At the mo- ment I'm listening a lot to Kali Malone's All Life Long, which is full of beautiful organ compositions. On a loop there's also the latest synth-pop album of Il Quadro di Troisi, titled La Commedia. I'm also going through Greg Foat's extensive cat- alogue. His blend of contemporary jazz with ambient elec- tronic sounds is sim- ply irresistible. PALERMO is one of my favourite cities. When I'm there, I cannot help but think of how Malta would have looked like if our medieval heritage survived over the centu- ries. The stunning Norman-Arab architecture offers a unique fusion of Western and Islamic influences that reflects the city's diverse cul- tural heritage. Iconic landmarks like the Palermo Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel and the Zisa Pal- ace showcase intricate mosaics, ornate arches and majestic domes, highlighting the city's architectur- al splendour. This visual element, along with Palermo's lively mar- kets, delicious cuisine, and pictur- esque seaside locations, makes it a must-visit destination. A book that stuck with me this year is definitely The Rebel's Clinic by Adam Shatz. The text delves into the life and work of Frantz Fanon, a psychiatrist, philosopher, and revolutionary. Shatz explores Fanon's profound impact on anti-colonial movements and his en- during legacy in contemporary political thought. The book is rich with histor- ical context, shedding light on Fanon's experiences in colonial Algeria and his influential writings, such as The Wretched Of The Earth. Shatz's analy- sis is both insightful and engaging, of- fering readers a nuanced understanding of Fanon's theories on race, identity and resistance. It is simply a must-read for those interested in postcolonial studies and the complexities of revolutionary thought. ONE of the last films I saw and highly recommend is L'Aiguille (The Needle), a Tunisian film directed by Abdelhamid Bouchnak. It tells the captivating story of a young couple who become parents to an intersex newborn. The narrative delves into the emotional and social challenges faced by the family, highlighting the contrasting reactions of the parents. The father is distressed and struggles with the situation, while the mother shows unwavering love and determi- nation to protect and support their child. The film's exploration of in- tersex identity in a Mediterranean setting is particularly significant as it sheds light on a topic that is often marginalised and misunderstood. I particularly en- joyed the recent remake of Da- vid Cronenberg's Dead Ringers (1998) film into a series. The se- ries stars Rachel Weisz in dual roles as twin gy- naecologists, El- liot and Beverly Mantle, who share everything from lovers to their practice. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com This page is supported by Arts Council Malta 4 5 1 2 3