Thursday, April 30, 2020 Ramadan 7, 1441 AH

Doha today 270 - 350

Farewell, Irrfan

A tribute to one of the finest actors of his generation, who Cover Story is mourned — and will be missed — by millions. P4-5

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Purest celebration of ‘We have to be united friendship, creativity. like never before.’ Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON AMAZON PRIME

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.35am Shorooq (sunrise) 5am Zuhr (noon) 11.32am Asr (afternoon) 3.01pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.06pm Isha (night) 7.36pm

The Feed implant that allows people to instantly share thoughts and USEFUL NUMBERS CAST: Guy Burnet, David Thewlis, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah emotions. However, when the technology falls into the wrong SYNOPSIS: In near-future London, a man invents a brain hands, users start to become murderous.

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Carnival Row the grimiest section of the city – forbidden to live, love, or fly Corporation 44464444 DIRECTION: Travis Beacham, René Echevarria with freedom. But even in darkness, hope lives, as a human CAST: Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, Simon detective, Rycroft Philostrate, and a refugee faerie named Humanitarian Services Office McBurney Vignette Stonemoss rekindle a dangerous affair despite an (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) SYNOPSIS: Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne star increasingly intolerant society. Vignette harbours a secret Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, in Carnival Row, a Victorian fantasy world filled with that endangers Philo’s standing during his most important 40253369 mythological immigrant creatures whose rich homelands case yet: a string of gruesome murders threatening the Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 were invaded by the empires of man. This growing uneasy peace of the Row. As Philo investigates, he reveals a Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 immigrant population struggles to coexist with humans in monster no one could imagine. Qatar Airways 40253374

ote Unquo Qu te “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

30 Rock and turn around TGS, which for years has been unable to Community Editor DIRECTION: Tina Fey find the proper audience it deserves. So to do so, he brings Kamran Rehmat CAST: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan on unhinged, wildly unpredictable star Tracy Jordan (Tracy SYNOPSIS: Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Lemon (Tina Fey) is the Morgan) to turn the series into a ratings hit. But Liz soon finds e-mail: [email protected] executive show runner for a late night sketch comedy show out that controlling her oddball writing staff, the NBC page Telephone: 44466405 called The Girlie Show, that stars her close friend and major programme, keeping Tracy on a short leash, and getting him Fax: 44350474 drama queen Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski). When GE hires to get along with Jenna proves to be one disaster after another. a new Executive Vice President for NBC named Jack Donaghy Will TGS ever see true success? And will Liz find the right (Alec Baldwin), he decides to take Liz Lemon under his wing partner to get married and start a family? Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Why social distancing is such a challenge for them

RELIENT: The totally blind are completely reliant on their caning and auditory skills to manoeuvre in the current environment.

CHALLENGING: Closed spaces, like elevators, can be ‘a petri dish full of it,” he said. Blind since birth, Lance, Public transportation specific situations. Now, they use germs’ and particularly challenging for the visually impaired. 56, says he is independent and Public transportation including their covered forearms and elbows to enjoys walks around his Aventura buses, Metrorail and Tri-Rail help guide them when fresh gloves neighbourhood. But, with a mask poses particular challenges for are not a possibility,” Stiefel said. talking to that person. With social on, he finds the experience a bit the visually impaired, particularly By Howard Cohen distancing, this tactile information disorienting, a not uncommon those who are totally blind. One Using websites is lost,” said Virginia Jacko, Miami feeling in these strange new times. strategy suggested by staffers at Miami Lighthouse’s Lighthouse for the Blind’s chief He has previously hosted a radio the Lighthouse is to travel during Learning Services programme ocial distancing rules can executive officer. reader’s service on the former periods of the day when there is offers children’s educational be difficult to follow. Closed spaces, like elevators, can WSBH 1490 AM in the 1990s. less traffic and fewer pedestrians, opportunities in collaboration We all have been inside be “a petri dish full of germs” and We reached out to Miami such as early morning or evening with Miami-Dade County Public grocery stores and see particularly challenging for the Lighthouse about the challenges hours. Schools, Early Steps and the Early tape on the floor marking visually impaired, Jacko said. of being visually impaired in Learning Coalition. Soff six feet. And the stickers “Regrettably, I cannot see the current social distancing Making touching safer One way in which they do so is designating one-way aisles. whether someone is on an elevator environment. Spokesman David Touch is such an important through advances in technology. We’ve seen the photos of people when it arrives on my floor and by Stiefel gathered a distillation of sense for the visually impaired “Websites can easily be made cramming into beaches in parts the time I ask, “Oh, is anyone on staff observations. but when that is fraught with risk accessible, for example, by of Florida. Miami-Dade will open the elevator?” and they reply, the during the Covid-19 pandemic designing them with specialised parks, marinas and golf courses elevator door attempts to close, Social distancing and use of Lighthouse therapists suggested toggles embedded on web pages soon – with new rules to follow. since newer elevators are designed canes the wearing of long sleeves to to increase font sizes and colour Now, imagine you are blind or not to hold the door open,” she said. “Social distancing creates minimise skin on surface contact, contrasts to accommodate the have compromised vision. How different challenges for the visually protective glasses and, if possible, visually impaired,” Jacko, the CEO, do you manage to navigate public Blind Side of Living impaired, depending on the level of gloves, along with face masks. said. “Similarly, descriptive text spaces under the coronavirus Motivational speaker Mike their sight loss. The totally blind are That advice can apply to the can be embedded in graphics to restrictions? Lance, who is blind, hosts a call- completely reliant on their caning sighted, too. Yes, we know it’s describe purely visual elements to “As a totally blind CEO, I like in programme for the blind and and auditory skills to maneuver in generally 90 degrees in South the blind and equalise the level of to shake hands and even hug visually impaired, reached out to the current environment. Those Florida. available information. Consider because it gives me feedback which the Miami Herald recently. “We do with partial vision loss can rely on “It is vital to remember to the impact that the Internet has every sighted person gets without not talk about the situation from a their visual cues to sense shapes never touch your face, even when on commerce, on education, on touching. Is this person tall, short, blind person’s perspective. How do and assist them. Many now resort wearing gloves. In fact, wearing research and even on our politics fat, skinny, with sweaty hands, large you do social distancing – staying to longer-than-usual canes and gloves can serve as a reminder not and you will have some idea of how hands, petite hands? The touch of six- to eight-feet apart? Most blind walk somewhat slower than usual to touch one’s face. The blind and maximised website accessibility the person also gives me a sense of people are scared of this situation to anticipate what is in front of visually impaired normally rely can benefit the lives of the blind.” direction, as to where to look when and don’t know how to deal with them,” Stiefel said. on their hands to guide them in – Miami Herald/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Wannabe cricketer who became actor

VERSATILE: There was little that could not do. For an aspiring cricketer, it was as if he belonged to the screen.

ahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan stone for under-23 cricket in . Irrfan was just about noticed. the arthouse and crossover circuit film industry had noticed. seriously nurtured the Irrfan could never make it, some say What followed are years of — Basu Chatterjee’s Kamla Ki Maut A year later, two films released desire to be a cricketing owing to lack of finances. struggle. For most of the Nineties, (1989), Govind Nihalani’s Drishti within a span of months would turn hero. In small town India, His entry into the world of films, he was stuck with forgettable roles (1990), Tapan Sinha’s Ek Doctor the tide for the actor. Tigmanshu where cricket and cinema on the other hand, was far less in television, ignored by bigtime Ki Maut (1990), and Akashdeep’s Dhulia’s debut directorial feature Sare the twin intoxications that of a fairytale story. He faced the Bollywood. Those were the days Ghaath (2000). But these roles, Haasil and ’s normally drive notions of heroism, camera for the first time in Pravin of mainstream perfection in despite being well-acted out, didn’t Maqbool in 2003 gave Bollywood the young boy of a tyre seller in Nischol’s Doordarshan TV series commercial films, which told tales give Irrfan the sort of traction he a very different option in screen Jaipur couldn’t realise the dream, so Shrikant, based on Sarat Chandra of the perfect hero setting things would hope for, to create an impact. villainy. His small town goon- he shifted focus to acting, his other Chattopadhyaya’s novel Srikanta right in an unsettled world. Irrfan, Interestingly, that happened politician in Haasil and the passion that he had been honing and starring Farooq Shaikh and with his unconventional face and with a ‘foreign film’ — which brooding don in Maqbool, a doing street theatre. Sujata Mehta in the lead roles. The persona, would seem too outlandish perhaps explains his sustained Bollywood revisit of Macbeth, gave It is ironic, actually, that his show ran between 1985 and 1986, to be a hero. His rich voice and demand in the international screen menace two very different entry into the field he would and made very little impact. Irrfan’s screen presence matched any market right till the end. When hues. never make it big seems far easier, big screen break happened when screen villain’s, but at that point of British filmmaker Asif Kapadia It was the early 2000s, compared to his entry into the field Mira Nair came looking for fresh time he was considered too young was making his directorial debut Bollywood was undergoing a that would eventually give him and interesting faces in National to be the traditional bad man. in 2002 with The Warrior, he was churning, with new faces being fame and fortune. For, the young School of Drama (NSD), to cast in Back then for a male actor in looking for a new face — preferably welcomed. Most importantly, Irrfan from Khajuriya village near her 1988 film Salaam Bombay!. mainstream Bollywood to make a Indian and unlike any — for the the advent of multiplexes had Tonk district of Rajasthan was in no She picked Irrfan, a student at the mark, you had to be either hero or title role. Irrfan fitted the bill. The thrown open the genre of realism time in contention to play in the CK drama school back then, for a small villain. Irrfan was a misfit for both. film was an international success, in entertainment. Actors like Irrfan Nayudu Tournament — a stepping role. The film went to the Oscars, There were a few interesting roles in and people who mattered in the were suddenly in demand. Over Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

the next years, roles in Life In A... was upon Hollywood, and Irrfan Metro, Rog, 7 and 1/2 Phere, Sunday, bagged pivotal roles in The Amazing Meri Jaan and New York Spider-Man (2012), Jurassic World worked at propelling his popularity. (2015), and Inferno (2016), besides The big bang role in Bollywood voicing Baloo the bear in The Jungle would come in 2012, with Paan Book. Singh Tomar. Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Juggling his acts between the remarkable real-life story of an varying shades of athlete who becomes a dacoit under (2013), Haider (2014), (2015), circumstances needed an actor who Talvar (2015), (2017), could be vulnerable and resilient and Karwaan (2018), Irrfan had at the same time, in projecting clearly reached his best phase of a complex torrent of emotions career in Bollywood. with understated ease. Irrfan’s At the same time, in veteran effort won him a National Award director Marc Turtletaub’s 2018 as Best Actor. It also underlined Hollywood drama Puzzle, Irrfan an important fact that had been finally got to play the hero, opposite happening through the years — Kelly Macdonald. The film won the actor was a brand on his own critical acclaim and found favour accord, not a mere prop in big among the niche audience. productions for major commercial Irrfan’s finest hour — in stars. Bollywood as well as Hollywood — What worked for Irrfan in was just. Which makes his demise setting up his unique brand power an irreparable loss for us, on the was the fact that he managed other side of the screen. to crack the international scene BREAKTHROUGH: What worked for Irrfan in setting up his unique brand power was the fact that he managed to The 53-year-old actor is after The Warrior. Michael crack the international scene after The Warrior. survived by his wife Sutapa and Winterbottom’s 2007 release A their sons, Babil and Ayan. For the Mighty Heart saw Irrfan essay a immediate outcome was his for exotic faces, suddenly found a in the West. This translated to record, the actor has been ailing Pakistani cop in the grim account turnaround project — Danny viable deal in Irrfan. important roles in films such as ever since he was diagnosed with of journalist Daniel Pearl’s killing. Boyle’s 2008 global blockbuster It helped Irrfan for two reasons. New York I Love You (2009) and Life neuroendocrine tumour a while The film did not work, but when Slumdog Millionaire. The film’s First, Indian and Asian origin of Pi (2012). Secondly, Indian roles back, and has been under medical you play an almost parallel role success and massive Oscar haul directors such as Mira Nair and in mainstream Hollywood projects attention for the same. in a film starring Angelina Jolie, made everybody associated with it Ang Lee, with Indian and Asian were no longer about playing For his fans, Irrfan will live on. you get noticed worldwide. The famous. Hollywood, forever looking characters, had grown in stature the cabbie. The age of inclusion Incredibly, on the screen. — IANS

10 times Irrfan Khan proved he is master of versatility

Irrfan Khan was a true on-screen an interview to The Star in 2014. chameleon who smoothly transformed from a top athlete to a Piku bandit to a common man looking for It was essentially a father-daughter a bride to a doting dad in films. The film that was appreciated by many actor is no more, but his memorable for Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika roles in Bollywood films will stay Padukone’s natural acting. But Irrfan forever in the hearts of his millions knew how to make his presence felt in of fans. the Shoojit Sircar directorial that had Here’s a guide to his top 10 Bollywood released in 2015. He played the role of films: a man who ran a cab service in Delhi. His profession makes him join the fun Paan Singh Tomar yet emotional ride with the father and He brought the life story of the late daughter in Piku. Paan Singh Tomar, a champion athlete “The script was so new. The flavour of who later became a bandit, to the the film, the emotions were all so new big screen. It wasn’t easy to get into and fresh. That attracted me. Also, the the skin of Tomar, who later came to team... Shoojit and Juhi (Chaturvedi, be known as the ‘Bandit King’ of the the writer of Piku). I was dying to work Chambal Valley. with them,” Irrfan had told India Today “Two months before the shoot, I took in 2015. physical training from a Delhi-based national-level coach on Steeplechase. Maqbool It was difficult but enjoyable. I The 2004 crime drama about passion also undertook lessons on voice and power was an adaptation of the modulation and pronunciation as I play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. had to speak in local dialect,” Irrfan In the Vishal Bhardwaj directorial that LAST APPEARANCE: Irrfan’s last film was which was released only days before Covid-19 took had said in a 2012 interview with had Ames like Pankaj Kapur and Tabu over and forced a virtual close-down of the film industry. Indian Express. attached to it, he played the title role The film, helmed by Tigmanshu — right-hand man of an ageing don. he is 37 years old now and still has not Hindi Medium Haasil Dhulia, fetched him National Award touched a girl. So one can imagine the In the 2017 comedy-drama, he With a focus on student politics, the for Best Actor. Life In A... Metro desperation one feels when he has played a rich businessman who did 2003 movie showed him as a student The multi-starrer had multiple not touched a girl,” he had said in an everything — even pretended to be leader of Allahabad University that The Lunchbox stories in one film dealing with topics interview to movietalkies.com. underprivileged — just to get his fetched him Best Villain The 2013 film was a romantic movie like extramarital affairs, love and daughter enrolled into an English Award. but not the usual one with actors heartbreaks. He essayed the role of school. His co-star was celebrated lip-syncing to love ballads. He a straightforward man desperately The 2016 movie showed him as a Pakistani television star Saba Qamar. Angrezi Medium played a lonely man on the verge looking for a bride. grieving father who later kidnapped a The 2020 film was a spin-off toHindi of retirement. But before his office “I did not do any preparations for the top politician’s son. Karwaan Medium. Angrezi Medium, primarily days are over, a mistaken lunchbox role. My preparation was that I did not “I play a man who feels the system The 2018 movie took the audience a father-daughter story, was one of delivery changes his life. prepare for the role. I had complete has collapsed completely and there on a fun road trip with Irrfan, the last films that released before the “I long to explore romance in different faith in (director) Anurag Basu. The is a need for a reform. My character is and ’s Covid-19 lockdown virtually closed ways. I don’t often get that chance. kind of character it was, it had to not based on any one individual. Nor characters. Irrfan portrayed the friend down the film industry. This concept of love, we misuse the be done spontaneously. The only is the film an attack on my political who everyone would want in real He played a sweet shop owner and term. Love is a pure connection, a preparation was to think like a man ideology,” Irrfan had told IANS life too. It showed his comic side and single father set to fulfil his daughter’s strong longing,” the actor had said in who has not met a girl even though in 2016. romantic sides too. dream to study in London. — IANS 6 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY GU-Q alumni take their master’s programme exhibition project at UCL Qatar online

Five Georgetown University Qatar (GU-Q) alumni enrolled in UCL Qatar’s Master’s (MA) in Museum and Gallery Practice were part of the team to work on the transition of an exhibit into an interactive online experience in the wake of the pandemic crisis. The exhibition, called Umoumah, which is Arabic for motherhood, is a collaboration between QF partner institutions UCL Qatar, Sidra Medicine, and Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar. It seeks to explore the process of becoming a mother and the support for expectant mothers in Qatar through a range of artistic mediums. Originally planned for a campus-based showing, the project has now found a new home on its own website. Aleesha Suleman, who was part of the exhibition design team, said, “This exhibition aims to create awareness for the larger community and the family unit, but also for the mother-to-be who can be harder on herself than anyone else as she experiences this transition – the process of becoming a mother.” Others who were involved in the project included Walli Ullah and Ameni Abida, marketing and evaluation team; and Layal Mashhadi and Nabilah Asarow, interpretation and education team. Though the exhibition build was nearing completion, the pandemic crisis meant that physically presenting their hard work to visitors was now impossible. “Most of the practical elements of the programme that we were looking forward to like the exhibition project and work placement got changed or cancelled. I was really looking forward to these, but the situation is not one that anyone could have foreseen.” The team decided to move forward with a virtual exhibition instead, but the decision of transition to an online space, said Aleesha, presented new challenges. “We had to think carefully about how to balance our original concept with the experience of a user in the digital world. It wasn’t a copy-paste exercise but involved a serious back-and-forth process with our web developers to come up with an interactive and heartfelt experience online. “It took a lot of hours of work and collaboration – to design both the physical and online exhibition. Aleesha Suleman, member of exhibition design team I think we all experienced such a major shift in the way we work and communicate over the last few weeks, using so many platforms to stay connected online.” of the exhibit has the ability to reach more people around the world and it’s been really The experience, she said, gave her the opportunity to innovate, problem solve, and ultimately, gratifying to hear about reactions of family, friends and members of the museum and cultural create something with its own unique set of advantages too. “I can see how this online version heritage community. I’m really proud of how it turned out.” BOOK REVIEW Engaging, moving and well crafted

This Is All I Got: A New Mother’s Search for Home by Lauren Sandler chronicles one year of a single mother, Camila’s life in New York and her struggles, writes Erica Pearson

The world couldn’t see her her to spend hours waiting for her “The Brooklyn that Camila as someone who belonged number to be called and ultimately occupied may have shared the in a shelter.” That’s what letting her slip through the faulty same sidewalks with such a bizarre New York City journalist safety net. In the months after parallel economy, but she acted as Lauren Sandler writes about she leaves the private Park Slope, though it was an unseen dimension “the woman – who she calls Camila Brooklyn, shelter for pregnant to her,” Sandler writes. – at the centre of her engaging and women where Sandler first meets Sandler describes her own moving new book. her, Camila ends up losing her position of relative privilege in the Camila is a whip-smart, beautiful, Medicaid coverage, child-care same city, and details how she and put-together homeless single mom. payments and eligibility for her family become very close – but In This Is All I Got: A New emergency shelter, even though only up to a point – to Camila as the Mother’s Search for Home, Sandler she ably fights to keep on top of the months go on. In one memorable chronicles one year of Camila’s paperwork and endures two-hour passage, Sandler’s 8-year-old life, beginning in the spring of 2015 commutes, to try to make it all work. daughter begs her parents to just as she gives birth to her first child “She simply didn’t have time. invite Camila and her son Alonso to and manages, despite impossibly Everything was a fight, it seemed, live with them. long subway commutes and many an exercise in Sisyphean futility “It was so clear to her: They had obstacles, to keep up her college every hour of every day. Her nowhere to go. We had a living coursework and maintain a spot determination and focus couldn’t room. Her simple moralism wasn’t on the dean’s list while struggling make more minutes in the day any wrong. I felt it too, constantly. How to find a stable place to live in an more than it could shrink subway could I make any other choice and increasingly unaffordable city. tracks or eliminate paperwork,” try to teach her rightness, fairness, Sandler deftly includes writes Sandler. equality in society, she’d rage at me, context, history and clearheaded Also churning behind the day- searching for a word to encompass explanations of the public welfare to-day realities of Camila’s life what she was trying to express,” system and its dysfunctions in her are changing neighbourhoods and Sandler wrote. “I explained what the detailed account of Camila’s life, skyrocketing inequities, creating word ‘hypocrite’ meant. That was the story of just one woman among two dimensions of life in the same the word, she said.” the 14% of all community college city. Sandler describes these details Throughout the book, Camila students in the U.S. who were (like the $2,500 price tag on rusting makes persistent yet largely futile homeless that year, and one of the lawn furniture she spots on the attempts to connect with her more than 20% who were single sidewalk outside a Brooklyn vintage own family, and holds onto many mothers. furniture shop as she and Camila of her goals despite everything. The ‘system,’ ostensibly there to walk by) as effectively as she details Ultimately, the story of her first year help Camila, who became a ward of the way Camila carefully eats exactly of motherhood is heartbreaking, the state at age 15, almost becomes half of each meal, saving the rest for inspiring and infuriating, all at once. a character in the book, requiring tomorrow. – Star Tribune (Minneapolis)/TNS Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 NOTES COMMUNITY “Think about what you have, not what you don’t have”

By Ruba Osama

Dear Diary,

oday, I was watching TV and noticed one thing: so many people have different rooms for almost everything! TI also noticed a big house in a magazine; it had a backyard and big rooms and all that I dream of. All I have is a bunk bed, a desk for our books and accessories, a little wardrobe for a pantry and a small, covered area as a bathroom. Here I am, writing in this diary with nothing but hope to rely on. I miss going out to the junkyard and finding things to play with. I miss running around the streets. Pray that one day, I’ll have a bigger home. Pray that one day, I will have more than hope to rely on. Pray that one day, I can live a normal life. A normal life with friends, a big house, games and hopefully, enough money to buy normal things. REALITY BITE: Ruba Osama trying to grasp harsh life on the other side of reality. I always hope that someone will notice us and treat us like normal people. “You will I always tell myself that if I keep praying, my wish will come true eventually at the best of times, when I need it the most. realise that Even though I have been being grateful waiting, I never lost hope that one day, at least one of these prayers for what you will come true. Until that day, I will just have to have is the live like this. best feeling I am grateful that I have things to keep me alive, but I can’t help ever. Think wanting more. These days, all I can do is about all of this sit here and pray that this coronavirus ends soon. and spread It’s been 35 days since I’ve this message seen sunlight, since there are no windows. I’m not even allowed to when you see go and find some toys people leave behind anymore. someone being All those people with big homes: would you be able to ungrateful for survive this? what they have” I think everyone can, but if you are grateful, it will make you realise that there are people who sort in their life is reading this, Author’s note had a house roughly the size of a about what it might be like being have less. think about how many blessings This is not my life I am talking bathroom. stuck in just one small room with I need to keep up my positivity, you have and stay grateful. about, but I wrote this as a person I can only imagine what it would all of your belongings. I need to keep hoping and praying Hope for the best, pray for the who does have this life. be like for those people, but I know It would be terrible, right? for the best. best, and you will eventually have Many people have lives like how I it’s probably terrible. Now think about what you have, And I am sure that all this the best you can, but it will be have described. It broke my heart to see people live not what you don’t have. hoping will eventually pay off. given to you at a time when you After finding quarantine boring, like that while I have a wonderful You will eventually realise that I am sure that I can survive this really need it. my father showed me pictures of house with so many blessings. being grateful for what you have is if I keep praying. people with tiny rooms they call Many people have less than me the best feeling ever. I have more positive thoughts home. and I want to help them, or at least Think about all of this and than negative, and that is what’s The author is Chief Green I decided that other people who show them that we care and we are spread this message when you see keeping me healthy and grateful. Warrior, Green’s Better are bored in quarantine should trying our best to help them. someone being ungrateful for what If anyone with luxury of any Student, Doha College. know what it would be like if they I want everyone reading to think they have. 8 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY CUTTING EDGE The 10 big lockdown hair conundrums – answered by experts Should you cut your own hair, cover up your roots or forgo shampoo for the coming months? Here’s everything you need to know about home grooming

this up. But most stylists have one By Leah Harper word of advice: don’t. “I feel sorry for all the stylists who, after this, will be dealing iven that we are with a lot of DIY disasters,” says housebound amid a Keri Daniel, the owner of Danique global crisis, you may Hairdressing in Leicester. “If you think that a short back really have to, then it’s worth and sides would be the investing in the right tools – even Glast thing on anyone’s mind. But you a professional would struggle would be wrong. Physical distancing to get a good result using the has not stopped people around the kitchen scissors. You can get cheap world, from Phillip Schofield to hairdressing scissors and cutting Malala Yousafzai, reaching for the combs online – even razors – and scissors – with varying degrees of they’ll give you a better finish.” success. Since the temptation to give What about fringes? yourself, or your loved ones and Being poked in the eye by housemates, a quick cut appears your own fringe is no fun. Many matched only by the desire to bake fringe-wearers will have already banana bread, here are a few points experimented with DIY trims, but, to consider. if you are new to this, the advice is to cut upwards, not across, using Should you cut your own hair? just the tips of the scissors. Daniel Hairdressers advise regular goes further: “I’d suggest using a appointments to keep your hair wide-tooth comb, pulling the hair in good condition and your cuts down to the eyebrows and then looking fresh, so it is little wonder lifting it slightly [before cutting]. that so many of us are keen to keep Any lifting of the fringe will give

SPOTTED: With hairdressers and barbers closed, some people like actor Riz Ahmed have opted to simply lop off the lot. It is quite the lockdown look, but it is PRO TIP: Brush the hair down, have the head tilted forward and cut the very, very ends off. not as simple as you might hope. Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 CUTTING EDGE COMMUNITY The 10 big lockdown hair conundrums – answered by experts

it a slight graduation and make it How should you care for afro look softer. This way, even if you do hair? make a mistake, it’s unlikely to look “An inch of growth in afro hair horrific.” doesn’t make as much difference,” says Stevens, whose salon specialises Should you just shave it all off? in afro hair. “It’s easier to disguise With hairdressers and barbers that it’s overdue a cut. Relaxed hair closed, some people – Riz Ahmed will have curly roots, but I would and David Beckham among them – never recommend using a home have opted to simply lop off the lot. relaxant – you will get snappage. It is quite the lockdown look, but it You could go through it with is not as simple as you might hope. straightening irons, but it would “You need to make sure that be very time-consuming. I would the guard you put on the clipper suggest just wearing your hair up.” is secured properly – otherwise you can go from a grade four to a What if you run out of grade zero by accident, and there’s shampoo and conditioner and no fading that out,” says the salon can’t get to the shops? owner and celebrity stylist Jamie Join the “no-poo” movement Stevens. “You may think you can and break free from the shackles just do grade three all over, but the of commercial haircare! Well, it parietal bridge and the occipital is one option – and the lockdown bone [towards the back of the head] offers a chance to wait out the initial protrude slightly, and a few days greasy period in relative privacy. later it will start to have a weird Otherwise, shower gel can substitute shape because these areas should be for shampoo if you are desperate, slightly tapered.” according to Stevens, while mayonnaise, avocado or coconut oil Should you do it yourself or can replace conditioner. “If you look hand the scissors to someone at what branded products use in their you live with? ingredients, you can get an idea of “Think about what’s best for the kitchen cupboard alternatives,” your household, because you have says Daniel. Of course, you are to live with these people,” warns probably washing your hair far more Daniel. Like most professionals, than you need to anyway. hairdressers have a knack of making their job look easier than it is. How often do you need to “If you cut your own hair, you’ll bother washing your hair when need one mirror in front and one no one can see? behind you,” says Stevens. “I’ve “Realistically, you don’t need to seen people using their phones, but CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge is when they don’t sit still. wash your hair more than once a it gets a bit tricky because you need week, unless you are doing a sport or to hold that, the comb, the scissors lot of red tones [to get the colour you products they used and investing “Dyes that you might buy in the have a job in a kitchen,” says Daniel. and the clippers. Get help if you want]. Also, always do the patch in those. “You may be able to buy supermarket are not professional For those of us who like to wash our can.” test.” them through the salon, which can products, and it can make it a lot hair daily, this may seem like a big Daniel suggests visiting your be a great way to support them harder when it comes to colouring ask. But she assures me it is possible. How do you cut kids’ hair? salon’s website to find out which while they are closed,” she adds. in the future.” “On the third day, you could spritz it “The biggest challenge when with some water and blow-dry again cutting children’s hair is that they to give it a bit of lift. Stay away from don’t like to sit still,” says Kelly the straighteners if you can. On the V, the owner of Pixal-Rose Hair fourth day, you can start to wear your Design, a vegan salon in Swindon, hair up. Dry shampoo and texture who suggests keeping them sprays can also give unwashed hair a occupied with a tablet or a book. little bit more life. You’re with your For short hair, a simple cut with family and loved ones, staying home clippers is advised. For long hair, – it’s the best chance to give your “brush the hair down, have the hair a rest.” head tilted forward and cut the very, very ends off”, she says. “Don’t Is now a good time to attempt anything too drastic.” experiment with hairstyles? Rather than shaving your head, What about your roots? Stevens suggests men try growing This can be the biggest giveaway their hair long or cultivating a beard. that you are overdue a trip to the If you are tempted by a complete salon, but there are better solutions restyle, he suggests ordering a wig than home-dyeing. online: “Walk around the house “A zigzag parting can help and see how you feel. What kind disguise that regrowth line and, of reaction do you get when you’re depending on the colour of your FaceTiming friends and family?” hair, mascara can be a great way Daniel believes that, aside from to cover up greys,” says Stevens. the buzzcut, other hair trends are “Or just have a bit of fun – we put likely to emerge after the lockdown. a luminous green feather in one “It’s exciting from a hairdressing parting. It looked like Billie Eilish’s point of view. People who wanted to green roots.” grow out their grey hair, or go from Kelly V says the biggest problem being very blond to a more natural with DIY dyeing is when those with colour, have an opportunity to do blond hair switch to brunette to that.” avoid root regrowth. “The trend is to “Ultimately, chill out,” says go for ashy, cool, brunette colours, Stevens. “Embrace your new hair but this will simply leave your blond ROOT HIDING TECHNIQUE: Zigzag parting can help disguise that regrowth line and, depending on the colour of your and, if you’re really that bothered, hair khaki,” she says. Instead, “you’ll hair, mascara can be a great way to cover up greys or just have a bit of fun and put a luminous green feather in one put a hat or a scarf on.” need to select a dye that contains a parting like Billie Eilish’s green root. – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY How home environment can put kids at depression risk later

esearchers have found that carefully screened and undergo a rigorous children’s rearing environment selection process to ensure their ability has a major impact on their to “provide a supportive and generally risk for major depression later advantaged home for their adoptive child.” in life. In the full sibling group, the risk for major RFor the findings, published in the depression among adopted siblings was 23% American Journal of Psychiatry, the research lower than the sibling raised in the home team analysed the health records of full and with their birth family. half-siblings with at least one biological In the group of half-siblings, the risk of parent with depression who were raised by depression was 19% lower for the adopted either their biological parents or in carefully siblings. screened adoptive homes. For both the full and half-sibling groups, Generally, the children in adopted the protective effect of adoption disappeared homes showed lower risk, but whatever the when an adoptive parent or step-sibling had setting, episodes of major depression in major depression. the parents meant the children were more According to the study, results susceptible to depression themselves, the demonstrate the strong impact of the rearing researchers from Virginia Commonwealth environment on risk for major depression University (US) and Lund University and support the importance of intervention (Sweden) said. efforts to improve the rearing environment They identified 666 high-risk full in high-risk families. sibling pairs and 2,596 high-risk pairs of The study authors concluded that their half-siblings each with at least one child results “further strengthen the evidence reared at home and one adopted. High that high-quality rearing environments risk was defined as having at least one can meaningfully reduce rates of major biological parent with major depression. depression in individuals at high familial In Sweden, the adoptive parents are risk.” — IANS

Aries Taurus Gemini March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Have you been thinking about taking a course in one of the arts, If you own your own home, Taurus, you may learn today that its Some down-to-Earth conversations with a partner could result in Aries? Whether your preference is painting, music, drama, dance, or value has increased substantially. If you don’t own a home but advancing the relationship to the next level of commitment, Gemini. creative writing, if you commit now, you’ll probably continue with it. want to buy one, this is the time to start looking. Any investments The communication should be loving and supportive, but practical The practical arts of cooking, building, or interior decoration are also made now, particularly in land, will probably be solid and apt to matters like money, work, and personal habits could be discussed. possibilities. Whatever it is, it won’t be quickly abandoned. If you begin gain in value, although results might take some time to materialise. You’ll probably find that you and your partner are more compatible with the idea of eventually doing it professionally, chances are you will. Carefully consider all contingencies before committing, however. than you thought. Move ahead, but with caution. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

The desire to make a particular purchase could have you reworking Suddenly you seem more glamorous than usual, Leo. You may exert Your visionary tendencies are in the ascendant today, Virgo, although your budget today, Cancer. This is a good time to do this, as your a mysterious appeal that in the 1920s was called “it.” Current and they take more of a practical than mystical bent. You might look at your business and money sense are operating at a high level, and you’re potential partners may take a second look and be intrigued. Don’t be living room or backyard and suddenly find yourself redecorating it in likely to be savvier about finance than usual. You may take more surprised if you attract admiring glances from strangers! This could your mind’s eye. If you’ve wanted to start some sort of long-term project time than you need, however. Remember not to beat it to death or make a big difference in your life. Make the most of it! to improve your surroundings, this is the day to get started. You’ll not you’ll lose your focus. Don’t be afraid to take breaks. Good luck! only attain your vision, you may surpass it. Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

As a person who enjoys being gregarious and outgoing, days like Corporate kudos and increased income that you may have been This is a great day to deal with legal matters of any kind, Sagittarius, this provide a wonderful outlet for your energy. You might spend working toward for a long time may finally manifest today, Scorpio. including plans for a wedding, if one is in the offing! Your financial a lot of time with your family today, Libra, but you’ll also probably Your effort and energy haven’t gone unnoticed. What you’re doing situation should be thriving and stable, and long-term educational goals touch base with many others. At some point you might find yourself now has impressed those in a position to advance your interests. may come to the forefront. Now you should be strongly focused on in the spotlight. You’ll feel especially fond of everyone around you Positive changes in your career situation could well take place, even matters that are particularly important to you. Work performed today and appreciate your good fortune. Enjoy your day. if what you’ve been wanting is a whole new career. Congratulations! toward those ends should be accomplished quickly and efficiently. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

A keen ability on your part to blend the worlds of intellect and Relationships of all kinds become stronger and more enduring today, An interest in health and nutrition could come to the surface for you, intuition could well surface today, Capricorn. The ability to focus Aquarius. Successes boost the strength of business partnerships; Pisces. New discoveries regarding the benefits of certain nutrients, both these methods of perception into material reality is apt to relationships advance to the next level of commitment. Bonds of any exercise programs, or other forms of alternative therapy could attract give a boost to your career and educational efforts. It also could kind formed now are likely to be strong ones, marked by honesty, your attention. You might want to attend a lecture of some kind in order enhance your home life. Anything begun or completed today has an loyalty, and affection. This is a great day to get together with anyone to learn more about it. You’ll probably stick with any new program advantage. Try to look closely at this new tendency and make it last. close to you; your relationship is very likely to grow. begun now, so go for it. Dare to strive for optimal health! 12 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe COCCYX PARIETAL VOMER MAXILLA TIBIA ILIUM STERNUM FRONTAL RIB CRANIUM PATELLA ZYGOMATIC METATARSAL ULNA LUMBAR TALUS HUMERUS SACRUM FEMUR PELVIS MANDIBLE OCCIPITAL VERTEBRAE SCAPULA TEMPORAL HYOID FIBULA RADIUS

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Scrap metal’s last to be 1 German woman beginning to removed in plane trip (5) detect criminal deception (5) 4 They’re a bit fed up, especially 2 They are used for boring as they’ve been tricked (5) cocktails (7) 7 Volunteer force’s excessive 3 Very little time in year (4) enthusiasm for island state (8) 4 Drinks provided for men on 8 Competent learner in Lincoln board (8) (4) 5 Fruit with large stone (5) 9 Barrymore produced pictures 6 As leaders of law enforcement (4) go in for peace (7) 10 Mature pine lasting many 11 Stick with musical animals (8) years (3-4) 12 A second reformation for 12 Stop getting involved in clergymen (7) seduction (11) 13 Dreadful nuisance - I lost 14 Cold tea knocked back subtle shades (7) outside pub for entertainment 15 Some Arab horses can’t stand (7) (5) 16 Soothing ointment used in 17 Colleagues forming teams (5) some herbal medicines (4) 18 Dull river crossed by fish (4) 19 Fly-by-night revealed by parent without hesitation (4) 20 Fruit - it’s a crop to be gathered (8) 21 One is not well out of these arrangements (5) 22 Foundation and front of Answers building unchanged (5) Wordsearch Codeword Solution 14 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY REVIEWS Purest celebration of friendship, creativity how the Beastie Boys came together and at the centre of it all, their By Katie Walsh as young punk kids growing up in friendship and the respect for each New York City in the early ’80s other that created the safe space for and found their sound over years experimentation and growth. remiering recently of experimentation, trial and error, The live performance becomes on Apple TV+, and painful periods of growth. a crucial element in the film’s Spike Jonze’s new Early on, a production goof exploration of memory, nostalgia documentary, Beastie becomes a running gag, as Horovitz and regret. We see Mike and Boys Story, is an calls out Jonze for failing to project Adam react in real time to photos Punconventional rock doc about the a visual punchline, and Jonze and video of themselves with a trio of merry hip-hop punksters comes on over the PA system as a mix of affection, fondness and who created their own sound over “voice of deity,” discussing whether embarrassment. “I love that photo the course of three decades and or not to include it. It’s a clever, of you,” Adam tells Mike, while became a generation-defining deliberate acknowledgment of the Mike asks Jonze to play back a clip band. Much like the Beastie Boys filmmaking apparatus, revealing the of Adam’s performance in a cheesy themselves, the film is a blast of cameras and teleprompter screens, ’80s movie. They have a loose, energy, humour and catharsis, a reminding the audience that this is playful dynamic together, and as we sheer joy that’s also imbued with a construction in its own imperfect see who they were then, we also get poignancy and pathos. And in its way. to see who they are now: Horovitz nontraditional form, it reveals Revealing the film’s own rueful and sometimes somber, yet something essential about the “made-ness” falls in line with still able to immediately turn on Beastie Boys and the key to their the story’s thesis, which is in the brash Ad-Rock persona; Mike unique, ever-evolving sound: large part about the Beastie Boys’ is goofy and prone to silly, yet collaboration. struggle to find and establish accurate vocal impersonations. Filmed in front of a live audience their own voice, especially after The power of the project lies at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, the runaway success of License in its willingness to hold the the documentary is a filmed to Ill, shepherded by Rick Rubin beloved musicians simultaneously version of a staged storytelling and Russell Simmons, driven by as their past and present selves, show hosted by Mike D (Michael goofball party rock parody hit and to share that with fans who Diamond) and Ad-Rock (Adam (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right joined them for their musical, Horovitz), the surviving Beasties (To Party). Recoiling from the philosophical and political journey, (Adam Yauch aka MCA died of industry, they found it by jamming having grown and changed too. cancer in 2012 at the age of 47). It’s together, following their muses Beastie Boys Story is so much a casual, fun slideshow with Mike and riding waves of creativity. The more than just the story of the and Adam, who share the story of Beasties used what was around Beastie Boys: It’s a treatise on the their friendship and their career, them to shape their sound: deep cut tragedy and beauty of time, loss along with photos and archival samples, pop culture references, and memory, and one of the purest footage. Their hits rock the house inside jokes, different instruments celebrations of friendship and as the two MCs recount the tale of and vocal styles, spiritual quests, creativity. – TNS Classic Aussie lore gets punk rock vibe Shaun Grant play with the elasticity mother and takes up the family business By Katie Walsh of the story, imbuing the bloody bit of of horse-thievery and murder after a feud Aussie lore with a punk rock attitude and with a local English constable, Alexander avant-garde style. Fitzgerald (Nicholas Hoult), lands Ellen he legend of notorious The True History of the Kelly Gang in jail. Australian bushranger Ned is a tale of bodies and brutality, and of To a throbbing score by Jed Kurzel, Kelly is a tale that’s been skin slick with blood spatter. It violently strobing spotlights reveal Ned, writhing told on screen many times: wrestles with the value of human life among gray, broken trees, transforming There have been 11 feature in a lawless and unforgiving frontier. into what he has been groomed to filmsT about the outlaw, seen by many It’s a story of nature versus nurture, of become. He has been broken, beaten as a Robin Hood-type figure who a boy who is forced to be a man, and a and bloodied, manipulated, exposed to fought British oppression in colonial man who just wants to be a boy, and the torture, death and sexual exploitation at Australia. In fact, the very first feature crashing, crushing inevitability of his a young age. It’s no wonder he ends up film ever made, The Story of the Kelly grisly destiny. It’s a fable of mother’s love fully feral with his gang of miscreants, Gang, produced in Melbourne in 1906 turned toxic and a father’s love that can face smeared with soot, wearing lace (just 26 years after Kelly’s execution never be fulfilled. gowns and tin helmets, wielding rifles in 1880), followed the exploits of Kelly With an emphasis on building a against their English oppressors. and his cohort. He’s been played by unique aesthetic and tone, the narrative The fierce performances from McKay, Mick Jagger and Heath Ledger, and now structure is ragged almost to a fault. Davis and Hoult, combined with the George McKay, in Australian auteur The guiding device is a letter written by daring mood and atmosphere Kurzel Justin Kurzel’s highly stylised take on the Kelly to his as yet unborn child, detailing builds to a fever pitch, makes for a film myth, The True History of the Kelly Gang, his rough upbringing as the son of an that doesn’t seek to explain Kelly, which adapted from Peter Carey’s 2001 novel. Irish convict. His beloved mother, Ellen has been done so many times before. Kurzel, who took on Australian true (Essie Davis), uses every skill she has to Rather, it wants to climb into his skin, crime in his debut, Snowtown, and epic keep her family intact, and as a boy, Ned to experience the mud and blood and myth in his film Macbeth, is well-suited is pressed into service with bushranger adrenaline (aided by anachronistic punk to tackle the material. But the film is Harry Power (Russell Crowe) in a savage rock), and suggests Ned’s yearning for not so much a retelling of the facts, servitude that drives a wedge between love and purpose. It wants to understand but an interpretation, an abstraction, a young Ned and his family. When he him. And while this version of the story psychoanalysis. Using Carey’s ironically returns, grown, with a reputation as a may seem more obtuse than even the titled book, which is fiction loosely based child assassin and successful bareknuckle facts, what it evokes is something deeply on Kelly’s life, Kurzel and screenwriter boxer, he mends his fences with his elemental, and deeply human. – TNS Thursday, April 30, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Lockdown diaries: Priyanka learning piano

Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas says her husband and pop singer Nick Jonas is teaching her to play the piano while self-isolating together amid the coronavirus pandemic. In an article written for Vogue, the actress shared how she and her husband have been passing time, reports people.com. She said that they have been encouraging each other to “sharpen our creative skills and develop projects we want to produce”. The actress said that the singer has been giving her piano lessons. I’ve also started the piano - I make my husband teach me,” the 37-year-old said, adding: “I’ve never played, but I’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, so I make him give me a half-hour or 45-minute lesson every day.” CANDID: Rahul says that whether you are The “Quantico” actress stressed that Nick is also “an in-house a celebrity or not, the only responsibility you physical trainer, and in-house writing partner”. have is to be a good human being. She went on to share that she has taken a “hip-hop dance class too, because I miss dancing!” KEEN: Priyanka says she has always wanted to learn to piano. Rahul Bose: Onus of I’ve also been working on my book a lot, and this time is going social responsibility to help me finish it. This time is, fortunately, and unfortunately, month now. We were supposed to be in India for Holi, but we cut on celebs unfair at times given me time to think about finishing that book,” she said. our trip short and came back to America because we were worried Priyanka and Nick have been self-isolating for more than a about borders being locked down,” she said. — IANS Bollywood actor and social activist Rahul Bose, who lent his voice for a digital campaign against domestic violence, says that the major responsibility of any individual, including celebrities, is to be a good human being with a set of high values. Reports have stated that cases of domestic violence have increased during the What to stream: The ongoing lockdown. “Articles and anecdotal data published across the world say how domestic violence has increased in European countries, in North America and other parts of the world including India. During Wretched, Deerskin the lockdown when the male members of the family are staying at house, they get frustrated. Females, who had a little freedom in the absence of the males, are also not getting it. So, the frustration is building up among new picks for both. Naturally, there is more domestic violence under these situations,” Rahul told IANS. The campaign By Katie Walsh #LockdownOnDomesticViolence is initiated by Akshara Centre and promoted by several celebrities like Karan Johar, Vidya Balan, s Hollywood adjusts to movie Madhuri Dixit, , Virat Kohli, theatre closures mandated Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Dia Mirza, by stay-at-home orders, Farhan Akhtar along with Rahul among many distributors, exhibitors and others. It is great that along with prominent streamers have found some Bollywood faces, the Chief Minister of Acreative solutions to deliver new movies to Maharashtra also supported the campaign,” audiences hungry for fresh entertainment. he added. Drive-in movie theatres have seen This is not the first time when the actor resurgence in popularity, with IFC Pictures has come forward to address social issues. releasing many of their new titles, like The True He has been constantly working on social History of the Kelly Gang, on drive-in screens. initiatives like education for underprivileged This week, IFC drops the witchy horror flick children, climate change, and gender equality The Wretched, directed by brothers Brett and among other issues. Drew Pierce, on all digital platforms and at On the social responsibility of a celebrity, seven different drive-in theatres around the Rahul said: “Whether you are a celebrity country So for stir-crazy movie fans, perhaps or not, the only responsibility you have now’s the time to try the drive-in. HORROR: John-Paul Howard in a scene from The Wretched. is to be a good human being with the Many distributors are also supporting value of tolerance, non-discrimination, movie theatres during this tough time by and Haenel play well together on screen, and of Brown’s story, through her biological compassion, non-violence etc. I think that partnering with them for “virtual releases.” it knows not to overstay its welcome. mother and grandmother. It’s a riveting is the responsibility that we all have. When a Proceeds from the virtual “ticket price” to Netflix, which has a seeming never-ending film because of Brown herself, and it will be popular personality lends voice to a cause, he stream the film supports theatres that have well of true crime content to get us through fascinating to see her story in her own words or she believes in that. The onus that we put been impacted by the Covid-19 shutdown, these times, launches Murder to Mercy: when the time comes. on celebrity, that ‘if you are influential, you often the theatres that were initially planning The Cyntoia Brown Story on Wednesday. Netflix also launches a new film on Friday should talk about social issue’ is something to screen the films, usually arthouse or Brown, whose case went viral in 2017, (tomorrow) in their other wheelhouse: teen I disagree with. It is enough to deliver your independent theatres. This week, Greenwich was not involved with the making of the romance. The Half of It, written and directed best in your respective field and just be a Films releases the 2019 Cannes Film Festival documentary, which is comprised largely of by Alice Wu, is an updated twist on the good human being with a lot of compassion. selection Deerskin, by French filmmaker footage shot throughout the 15-year process Cyrano de Bergerac tale, wherein a teenage If you do anything extra, then that is great. Quentin Dupieux, through virtual release. of her arrest, trial, appeals process and girl, Ellie Chu, serves as the tortured scribe But it is not incumbent of contingent on This weirdo French-language dramedy parole hearings. Directed by Dan Birman, for a popular boy who enlists her services to you. It does not make you less of a human starring Jean Dujardin and Adele Haenel is an who made a film about Brown for PBS write letters to his crush. being if you do not do it. I think that way, odd bit of VHS-inspired ephemera about a Independent Lens in 2011, Murder to Mercy Also new to streaming is the acclaimed there are a lot of unfair responsibly placed mysterious but hapless man (Dujardin) who seems to be repackaging of old footage plus Canadian zombie flick Blood Quantum, on the shoulder of a celebrity. Having said stumbles into a whole new identity when an update about Brown’s clemency, granted available on horror/genre speciality that, our ‘Lockdown On Domestic Violence’ he purchases a used Western-style deerskin in 2019. What’s remarkable about Murder to streaming service Shudder. Directed by campaign has crossed five million views in jacket. The jacket soon takes on a life of its Mercy, a fairly standard criminal justice doc, Canadian First Nations filmmaker Jeff just two days, and it is growing. That would own while our hero bumbles about a small is Brown herself, who is astonishingly self- Barnaby, this gory zombie movie is all too have not to happen without the involvement village, pretending to be an independent possessed, genuine and forthright, even as a timely, following an undead outbreak on of celebrity. Yes, we have the power and if filmmaker, befriending a local bartender and 16-year-old in pigtails, facing trial in adult an isolated Red Crow reserve, where the that is used in an effective manner, society is aspiring film editor (Haenel). It’s a strange, court for shooting a man who harassed her. indigenous inhabitants prove to be immune benefitted ,” he explained. — IANS dry-as-a-bone, one-joke film, but Dujardin Birman also explores the generational trauma to the contagion. – TNS 16 GULF TIMES Thursday, April 30, 2020 COMMUNITY “We have to be united like never before” Ugandan community leader Aliguma Saul Rayan sees Ramadan as the perfect time to learn to face the pandemic

for someone else, an angel is By Mudassir Raja appointed to say Ameen to his dua and to makes dua for him or her in return by saying may you be his Ramadan is unique. granted the same.” Challenges such as Aliguma also highlighted the health concerns, need of unity during difficult economic uncertainty, times. mental stress, and “We have to practice unity socialT distancing created by the and be united like never before. novel coronavirus pandemic As one Ummah, one body, one have further highlighted the unity. Prophet Muhammad significance of this holy month (PBUH) said: “The believers in for the Muslims. their mutual love mercy and The true spirit of Ramadan is compassion are like one body. If to be considerate, patient, kind, one organ complains, the rest of generous, and strengthening the body develops fever.” United connection with the Creator. we stand and divided we fall.” These are the qualities that The Ugandan community everyone seems to be talking leader urges people to take about as the world continues precedent in Ramadan to take to fight against the cornavirus care of each other. “The Covid-19 outbreak. situation has left many in grave Aliguma Saul Rayan, chairman danger. It is time that we show of Ugandan Community in care to those in need mostly. As Qatar, is a very active member Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of his community. The energetic said: “A Muslim shall never leave volunteer while interacting with other Muslims helpless in time Community recently underlined of need.” This is the month when the necessity of practising the most of the Muslims distribute true spirit of Ramadan to cope their zakat. This year we can with the global pandemic. look for the most distressed and Citing multiple saying of affected by the pandemic to give Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), our zakat to.” Aliguma highlighted how Aliguma underlines the need important it was for people to of good manners and respect take inspiration from Ramadan for each other. He believes it to face the health crisis. is needed more than ever as “Unfortunately, the holy month people are getting into desperate has come when the world is situation. facing a deadly pandemic which “Good manners, gentleness, has claimed lots of lives around calmness and patience bring the world. I can’t fail to thank respect to an individual. If we governments of Qatar and the see staying at home during the Republic of Uganda alongside health crisis as an act of love volunteering organistaions who and care for others, we should are working hard to keep people do that to keep our society safe. safe at home.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was The Ugandan expat sees once asked what admits people Ramadan a great opportunity to –paradise, he said: “Piety “Ramadan this year is special in a way as mobility for all of people to practice love, respect and good manners.” We unity, respect and care like never need to show respect and follow is restricted and families have got much more before. community guidelines and “We can give love in secret by regulations during the pandemic. time to stay together. Moreover, this Ramadan has praying for one another. Masjids He further said: “Ramadan are closed in Qatar because of the this year is special in a way also taught us another important lesson. While Covid-19 but we can still pray as mobility is restricted and from home and make lots of dua families have got much more observing social distancing, we don’t need to be for the people all over the world. time to stay together. Moreover, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has this Ramadan has also taught us available physically to take care of someone or said: “None of you will have faith another important lesson. While till you wish for your brother / observing social distancing, make their life more meaningful. We are staying sister what you like for yourself.” we don’t need to be available As you wish the best for yourself, physically to take care of close to our families and that is the greatest act of wish the same for your brother someone or make their life more and sister by making prayers for meaningful. We are staying close kindness” them. to our families and that is the “When a Muslim makes dua greatest act of kindness.” — Aliguma Saul Rayan