Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523932
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JULY 2024 4 ALMANAC My essentials ANDRÉ AGIUS Edinburgh-based Maltese director and theatre-maker My education and training include MFA in Directing at Edinburgh Napier University under the mentorship of Mark Thomson, BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies (University of Malta), Diploma in Speech and Drama (Trinity, UK), and further training at Rose Bruford College, Odin Teatret (Denmark) and the Facing-the-Gap Workshops (Budapest). 1. Books 2. Film 3. Internet/TV 4. Music 5. Place THIS year I've gotten a lot more into podcasts. One day my girlfriend was listening to a podcast, and I was working in another room - and I got so into the podcast she was listening to, that I stopped working and just listened in. The podcast was I-weigh by Jameela Jamil. Jameela is an English actress, presenter, and activist (you've probably seen her in The Good Place) and her podcast is fantastic because it challenges societal norms through conversations, amplifying and empowering diverse voices in an accessible way to celebrate progress, not perfection. THIS is a tough one, I think a breezy summer evening by the sea in Marsalforn with a strawberry grani- ta, the smell of salt and the sound of crashing waves is definitely one of my favour- ite places to be. Last year though, as we were walking through the botanic gar- dens here in Edinburgh, we came across this particular bench off the beaten track of the gardens, completely engulfed by the plants and trees surrounding it. We sat there, and it was just so peaceful and tranquil, that it's now one of my favourite places. SO, a book I read that I liked is Bar- bara Bonansea's biography Il Mio Calcio (which translates to my style of football). For those who might not know, I am an avid football fan and a Juventino - and in her book Barbara has documented her perspective on the rise of woman's football within Italy within the last 10 years, through her journey as a female Italian foot- baller within what's still a heavily patriarchal game – not only on the pitch, but also those who ultimate- ly make the rules and the decisions. She really focuses on the divide that still separates male Italian football compared to the female one, and the struggles and inequalities not only in pay but also in conditions between them. SO, a film that I rewatched recently was Steven Spielberg's "The Terminal" - I try to rewatch this film from time to time but not too regularly. This was my grandma's favourite film, me and her would rewatch it, and I would marvel at the fact that she still used to find it funny and moving. It reminds me of her, but the film's message is al- so a great reminder, that "home" isn't a physical place but people and mem- ories; and that everything happens for a reason - it's great to have a goal or a target in the future - but you might be in this particular position at the mo- ment, because you need to learn or understand something about yourself that will make that goal or target more attainable, just like Tom Hanks' char- acter. ON demand media, like Netflix and Dis- ney Plus, played such an important part in the pandemic, in keep- ing people entertained with more variety at a cheaper price. There are also positives though, some thea- tres decided to change their models and for- mula, re-evaluated their aims and mission statements, particu- larly how they work with freelancers. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com This page is supported by Arts Council Malta 4 5 1 2 3