Surviving Earth

Written and directed by Thea Gajic, tells the story of Vlad, a Slovak refugee who fled Yugoslavia during the conflict of the 1990s and settled in Bristol. A talented harmonica player who works as a counsellor, his band 'Balkan Express' are on the verge of success in the local music scene. 

However, past traumas and addictions come back to haunt him threatening the relationships he has strived to build up and threatening the peace he has found in the relationship with his daughter. 

A quite illuminating film experience, a low budget film that is shot beautifully and technically sound - the relationships between Vlad and his band-mates feel authentic, the problems feel realistic. This is a knowing and well written film capably performed by a strong cast led by Slavko Sobin as Vlad and Olive Gray as his daughter, Maria.

The setting of Bristol, a small yet vital city on the outskirts of the big metropolitans, is central to the film's premise with the underground art cultural scene in full flow. The cinematography of Olan Collardy (Rye Lane) makes the small city look picturesque and inviting. 

This is a nuanced film touching upon feelings of insecurity, belonging in a community that is not your own, the ageing man and father in the modern day society. The use of folk music brought up to the present day is symptomatic of the current craving for nostalgia or simpler times in our world amidst the ongoing AI/tech boom that we live in fear of.

Shot with such care and with Vlad reminded us of British archetypes - notably, the angry young man from the 1960s - when ambition and the clamour to be better still resonates in this confusing age. Vlad yearns to be better than himself but he cannot get out of his own way at times and the guilt he feels for fleeing his homeland and not willing to return to see his ageing mother.

Funded by the BFI, distributed by Metis Films this is a film that speaks to the need for stories about the working class and refugee experience in this country. This is a reminder that addiction and insecurity are universal themes, they are not exclusive to the first world, white person experience - problems have a tendency to find you in any walk of life.

Heartfelt and honest, this film will garner a response in all who see it; the only hope is that it finds that audience in cinemas and home release.

Surviving Earth is out on limited release from 24th April.

In Praise Of....Star Wars Sessions

This past Saturday, I had the privilege to attend the first iteration a gathering called Galaxypalooza. A Star Wars fan convention in Rayleigh, Essex that is a con but on by fans for fans. The two men, who do probably Britain's best Star Wars podcast called Star Wars Sessions are Matt Hudson and Luke Bligh. Both live in Essex, and they are impassioned and proud Star Wars fanatics. Their long running podcast has been running for seven years and has over 300 episodes, it has built a devoted following. 

Galaxypalooza was as much a dedication and admiration to the two Essex legends and all they do for the Star Wars community. Both men are humble and genuine in their fandom, they do not attack bad content supplied in the Disney era of George Lucas' vision, they are constructive in criticism but do not fawn when something is good.

There episodes range from covering new releases to video games and books. The main feed podcast was a God send to this writer during the pandemic of 2020 and an appreciation was born. Saturday afforded me the opportunity to say thank you to the guys themselves getting to chat in person along with all their followers.

For me it was a 45 minute journey by car, but for others who I spoke to they travelled by train from Carlisle the day before; car from Northampton on the morning to make a 9am opening. Vendors, artists and merchandise sellers came from Norfolk and Surrey, cosplayers by the dozen came from Kent and Medway.

  

This was a gathering of joy and verve, like minded people all sharing in the wonder of a galaxy far far away. The venue at times felt too small and perhaps next year the clamour for a redo may lead to a larger venue; yet these are mere quibbling points on a day that will be long remembered.

A word now upon the panels which took place in the first floor. Eight different panels took place ranging from Lego builders to fan films and Emmy Award editors to the hosts themselves discussing the Greatest Television show of all time, Andor. The Star Wars Sessions guys themselves spoke to three performers from the series - minor characters but nevertheless, all were hugely grateful for the opportunity to work in something which universally adored.

Surrounding the panel where signers for those autograph hunters. From creature performer, Ross Sambridge to Ross Beadman, who was the youngling Jedi who asks the newly anointed Lord Vader, 'Master Skywalker. What shall we do?' Others have portrayed stormtroopers (Torin Pocock) or Imperial officers (Jonathan Cass) in the two season of Andor. All the guests when interviewed spoke of their own love for the original trilogy, fans one and all.

After a long day of talking and conversing in the ways of the force, it became apparent that while it was goodbye for now, any doubter in the power and reach of Star Wars would have been dismissed as all ages and creeds were present. If you wore a helmet or brandished a lightsaber, all were welcome. And you left safe in the knowledge that if you were at Galaxypalooza on 6th June you departed knowing you had friends everywhere.

Follow Star Wars Sessions here: Star Wars Sessions - Probably Britain's Greatest Star Wars Podcast