Autumn is upon us, and we're eagerly anticipating cozy evenings with a good book and binge-worthy TV series. As the days grow shorter, there's no shortage of ways to brighten up the nights, with exciting new exhibitions, movie releases, community events, festivals, and gatherings that encourage shared meals and drinks. Light some pumpkin-scented candles, pour a warm cup of coffee, and get ready for a season filled with intriguing (and increasingly spooky) suggestions.
'Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights' at the Wellcome Collection (London, UK) - Work is a daily part of life for most, but in the digital age, its impact on our bodies has become less visible and more sanitized. For centuries, humans have endured jobs that severely damaged their physical and mental health. This exhibition at the Wellcome Collection exposes the harsh realities of human labor, addressing issues like slavery, migrant exploitation, and the abuse—and sometimes murder—of sex workers. It's a raw exploration of deeply troubling truths about a society that has, and often still does, exploit and harm the most vulnerable under the guise of productivity.
'Open House Festival' (London, UK) - Walking through any great city, you often feel that something fascinating lies behind every door. London's Open House Festival is a dream for snoops, inviting local artists and architects to open their homes to the public. This event allows people to explore incredible spaces while connecting with the local community, meeting interesting individuals, and experiencing their visions of life. An interactive map helps navigate accessible locations, with highlights including a 'Tin House' by architect Henning Stummel in Shepherd's Bush and Surman Weston's textured 'Peckham House'. There are also guided tours of cultural landmarks like Dalston's iconic Rio Cinema and workshops at art studios. This event ties in nicely with the upcoming European Heritage Days, featuring dozens of cultural events across the continent that invite the public to learn about national monuments, rituals, and traditions.
'Oktoberfest' (Munich, Germany) - Get ready to raise your steins! Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, is hosted in Munich. As mentioned, beer is the main focus—5.7 million attendees consumed 5.6 million liters of it in 2022, according to Eater. Starting September 21 and running until October 6, it's time to don your lederhosen and dirndl, clink glasses, ride carnival attractions, and indulge in as much bratwurst sausage as possible (or big pretzels for vegetarians!).
'World Paella Day' (global) - Who needs an excuse to enjoy paella? This global celebration of the vibrant rice dish, considered Spain's national dish and originating from València, is infused with saffron, vegetables, and a variety of meats or seafood. The official page states: 'This special day invites people to share and enjoy its rich tradition, strengthening ties between different cultures through a dish that transcends language and fills hearts.' So, all you have to do is eat paella, talk about paella, maybe learn more about paella, then eat more paella? Count us in.
'Megalopolis' - Francis Ford Coppola's self-financed $120 million passion project, largely panned at Cannes, is almost here. Our film critic David Mouriquand called it a 'disastrous folly' and the fabricated film quotes on the trailer didn't help its case. However, some say there's no such thing as bad press, and the controversy might generate heightened curiosity. It's set to be one of the more intriguing cinema experiences of the year—will they make cinema staff talk to the screen like they did at the Cannes premiere? We're still unsure of the plot, but it's best to go in blind and embrace the madness.
'The Substance' - Coralie Fargeat's bold body horror gem is officially out across most European cinemas. This violently visceral genre movie features aerobics star Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) injecting herself with a mysterious yellow liquid known as 'The Substance,' promising a younger, better version of herself. Things don't go as planned, leading to a mind- and body-meltingly mad finale. Euronews Culture's critic David Mouriquand called it 'a deliriously visceral cautionary tale—one that reminds audiences that you are always your own worst enemy.'
'My Favourite Cake' and 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' - Two years after Mahsa Amini's death, two Iranian films defying state censorship and exposing the crimes of the Islamic State begin their European rollouts. Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha's 'My Favourite Cake' and Mohammad Rasoulof's 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' premiered at the Berlinale and Cannes, respectively. Both films challenge oppression, misogyny, and tyranny. The directors have faced bans and prison sentences, with Rasoulof fleeing Iran just two weeks before his film's Cannes premiere. Be sure to check them out—they remind us of the power of film to fight against despotic regimes.
Agatha All Along (Disney+) - Disney+ has just released a 'WandaVision' spin-off series focused on Wanda's powerful witch neighbor Agatha (Kathryn Hahn). Following the previous series, she's escaped the suburban town setting but lost her powers. The solution? Assembling a witch coven with her cool teen goth friend to face witch trials. Like its predecessor, this is a fun and original addition to the MCU that plays with pastiche and genre creatively.
Manu Chao: 'Viva Tu', Jamie xx: 'In Waves', and Katy Perry: '143' - Instead of one album suggestion, we bring you three—all from artists seeking a comeback. Manu Chao returns after 17 years with 'Viva Tu'; Jamie xx after 9 years with 'In Waves'; and Katy Perry after four years with '143'. Euronews Culture's David Mouriquand and Theo Farrant have listened to each album—yes, even Katy Perry's—here are their verdicts.
Also worth checking out: Bon Iver's new song 'SPEYSIDE'. Justin Vernon's first new release since 'i,i' in 2019, it captures his familiar moody-forest-folk-and-feels style. It's from his upcoming EP titled 'Sable,' due out on October 18.
