Editor’s Note Contents

School Life 3

Current Affairs 10

The Long Reads 12

Science and Technology 18

Environment To say that this has been an interesting year for us at the 22 Runnymede Times would be an understatement. Even before the outbreak of Covid19, our team was busy sifting through the steady (and often overwhelming) stream of constant The Story Behind the Picture news, ranging from politics to scientific advancements, pop 26 culture and all the events taking place at school.

During quarantine, our enthusiastic team continued working with impressive diligence, adapting to our new digital routine Art & Culture 28 and overcoming all technological adversaries, now armed with new, relevant stories. It was also so wonderful to see how dedicated everyone was to environmental issues, and Photography how many articles were written about the climate crisis, and 31 all the creative alternatives and tips suggested.

I would like say a huge thank you to Ms Clague for making the Runnymede Times a possibility, as well as a massive Reviews congratulations for the new edition to the family. I would also 32 like to thank Ms Howarth for all the help putting together the physical edition of the newspaper and Angelica O, for all the professional and hard work put in as co-editor.

Last but in no way least, I would like thank all the incredible writers and illustrators, from Year 7 all the way to Year 13, for all the consistent creativity, enthusiasm and high quality brought to every Runnymede Times meeting and piece of work produced.

Being the editor during my last year at Runnymede has been a wonderful opportunity— and one that will be very much missed. I wish everyone in Runnymede the best of luck next year.

You can read our weekly publications for The Runnymede Times at www.runnymede-times.com

Sofia C, Year 12

2 School Life

School Life: Experiencing Berlin

Every year, Year 11 students travel to Berlin to see first hand the state Germany found itself in before, during and after the Second World War as a way of educating and enhancing the learning experience for the IGCSE course that delves into that period of history.

It was an intense and fascinating couple of days in which we visited Berlin’s parliament, ‘The Reichstag’, the Olympic stadium, various museums that provide detailed and interesting information, and many more. These historic sites and museums all show what Germany was like during the Nazi regime, and how it recovered its democracy as well as rightfully marking the massacres that occurred during that time, by creating several monuments, such as ‘The Holocaust Memorial.’

One of the most vital visits during our stay was the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum, which in the past had been one of the many concentration camps created by the Nazis, where thousands of people (such as Jews, homosexuals, people of other races and political beliefs) were imprisoned and murdered. That visit was the most shocking and eye-opening for students to witness, because we got so see first hand the horrors that were committed in the past.

One of the most impressive things about the trip was learning about how Germany managed to reconstruct itself to tell its story and the truth, and how respectfully and solemnly this was done, making sure to give access to as much information as possible, and displaying it in an honourable way.

Everywhere we went, something was learnt, and it didn’t matter how tired the students were; the trip was so interesting, we wanted to take in as much information as possible before going back home. I think Berlin is a trip that all the students who were lucky enough to experience will never forget.

Maya M, Year 7

3 School Life

School Life: November: The Moustache is King

Some or most of us have heard of the term history of cancer. Since 2004, this charity “Movember” but what does this term really has run Movember events to raise awareness mean? Movember fuses the word moustache and funds for men’s health issues, such and the month November to represent as prostate cancer and depression, in the annual event of growing moustaches Australia and New Zealand. In 2007, events during said month to raise awareness about were launched in Ireland, Canada, Czech men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Spain, testicular cancer and men’s suicide (men are the United Kingdom, Israel, South Africa, statistically four times more likely to commit Taiwan and the United States. suicide than women). While you won’t usually see students or The Movember Foundation runs this teachers with moustaches all year round, month-long charity event with the goal two singular individuals: Mirko M and of changing “the face of men’s health” Mr Holtham, have been spotted sporting by encouraging men to adopt healthier moustaches for the past few weeks. We have lifestyles and become aware of any family therefore decided to interview them:

̶ Is this your first time growing a moustache for Movember?

̶ Mirko: It’s not the first time I’ve grown a moustache. When I was in a British boarding school, there was a big thing where teachers and students shared some laughs growing moustaches, however, I wasn’t very successful considering I was younger. Now I would like to think that I am.

̶ Mr Holtham: No, it is the second time.

̶ If not, when did you first do it?

̶ Mirko: the first time I did it was 5 years ago at my boarding school in England.

̶ Mr Holtham: I did it once about four to five years ago.

̶ How did you come to learn about Movember?

̶ Mirko: I came to know about Movember because in my British rugby team, my coach grew a moustache and we kept on laughing about how ridiculous it looked. One day he explained the meaning of it and I found it to be a wonderful way of spreading awareness.

̶ Mr Holtham: I like rugby an awful lot so I watch a lot of rugby and in the teams it’s been very popular to grow moustaches as a way of calling attention. I don’t know if it’s because of the Australians or as you say the Kiwis, but it has become very popular. The popularity has also grown in the UK because of the rugby players’ involvement in it.

4 School Life

̶ Why did you decide to grow a moustache now?

̶ Mirko: From the moment my rugby coach explained the meaning of Movember, I decided to grow a moustache every year, which I have done. It’s a beautiful way to spread awareness about male specific illnesses. If you’re not donating money or getting involved in your community, I think that it’s a nice way to educate and inform.

̶ Mr Holtham: I don’t know if it was the Rugby World Cup; when I saw all the rugby players with moustaches it reminded me of when I had done it four or five years ago, when Movember had been reasonably successful, but there wasn’t a lot of interest in the school. I watched the World Cup and I thought I’d do it again, and then it came to half-term where I didn’t shave and I thought: oh, I’ll just leave it on.

̶ Will you do it again next year?

̶ Mirko: I will do it again next year because I also think it’s fun as well as necessary.

̶ Mr Holtham: I hope so, yes. Especially because I think this year it has been far more successful. I’ve been very impressed by Mirko, I think that its a really good thing that he’s done it. I’ve explained this all to my students and I even know that Elena R has been interested by it. I think that it is something that we should be talking about.

̶ What does Movember mean to you?

̶ Mirko: Movember to me means being conscious about acting well as a man as well as thinking about others. I think we have to sympathise with families who have lost their fathers, brothers or sons to prostate cancer or suicide, because it is something that we have to realise exists. These illnesses are as powerful as this form of awareness is. It is good to know that lots of people want to battle these illnesses by supporting their communities.

̶ Mr Holtham: It means just drawing attention to male health issues which men are not always good at dealing with. Whether it is mental health, prostate cancer or testicular cancer, these are all things it represents and I think it is just getting people to think a little bit about that.

Federica D, Year 12

Illustration by Federica D

5 School Life

School Life: Anti-Bullying week and Odd Socks Day at Runnymede

What is bullying? Bullying is a very serious matter because outside the classroom in the form of cyberbullying. This in it can happen to anyone. It is very important to help many ways can be even more detrimental than physical prevent bullying because it affects lots of young people bullying, as the anonymity provided by the internet makes in serious ways, especially their mental health, and the it easier for people to say things they may not dare to say effects of bullying can stay with a person for the rest of to someone face to face. their life. The National Centre for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice estimates that around 20% of students This is why, to celebrate Anti-Bullying Week, we took part aged 12 to 18 experience bullying, 30% of young people in many activities against bullying, such as Odd Socks admit to bullying, and around 70% have said they have Day. The whole school had to wear 2 different types witnessed bullying at their school. of socks, to represent that being different is not a bad thing, and that we can all be ourselves because we are Due to the increased use and accessibility of social media, all different and unique, yet equal. bullying has spiked over the years, and now extends to Year 8

6 School Life

School Life: Model United Nations

Model United Nations is an academic activity which aims to allow students to simulate the functioning of the United Nations in order to improve their debating and oratory skills as well as allowing them to fully engage with current affairs. Some members of the current Year 12 had the chance to attend one of the multiple European conferences set up by the organisation this January in the Colegio Ayalde in Bilbao.

Each student who took part in the conference had the task of representing a different country in a wide range of committees such as Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals or Disarmament and International Security. Before arriving at the conference, the delegates had to prepare position papers, exploring their designated country’s stance on the issues discussed in each committee, such as the question of access to international schools during the mixer organised after healthcare in prisons or the prevention of an arms race the ceremony and exchanged impressions and initial in outer space. comments about the issues discussed. Upon arrival to Bilbao, the students attended the opening Three days of intense debating ensued, during which ceremony in which those acting as Ambassadors for the delegates attempted to find other countries who their country gave a short speech outlining their interests shared similar opinions on the subjects discussed in and goals for the conference (Runnymede has several order to get resolutions approved that were aligned with ambassadors such as ambassadors for North Korea their designated countries’ interests. The resolutions and China). The students were able to meet people from submitted were presented in front of the committee and debated by all participants who were able to propose amendments in order to alter the resolutions. After a series of amendments, the resolutions were voted on by the committee, with those passed being selected to be discussed at the General Assembly on the final day of the conference. The students were also able to explore the centre of Bilbao in the evenings, taking the opportunity to enjoy the local food as well as admiring the city’s impressive architecture such as the Guggenheim.

Several students from the school were honoured to receive awards during the conference such as ‘Best Position Paper’. The experience was extremely rewarding for students who were able to expand their knowledge of current affairs and improve their public speaking while meeting people who share their same interests. Moreover, they also had the chance to listen to some speakers who took part in the conference such as Mr Evan Wesley, the Vice-president for student activation of Thirst Project, an organisation that aims to build freshwater wells in developing communities as well as Kudzai Mukaratirwa, a consultant for the United Nations office for Drugs and Crime who started exploring international affairs through MUN.

Angélica O, Year 12

7 School Life

School Life: Seminar with Sarah Waters

Alongside studying Wilde’s brilliantly timeless ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, this year’s English Literature A Level class also read Sarah Water’s 2009 ‘The Little Stranger’. Despite the vast timeframe between both novels, they provided interesting comparisons for themes of class, love, reputation and the supernatural. Last week, the class had the wonderful privilege of having a seminar with Sarah Waters herself via Zoom, as well as the chance to ask her about her writing process, inspiration and research for the book, and its links with ‘Dorian Gray’. This is what the students had to say about the experience:

“It is not everyday that, as a student studying a text, one has the unique and outstanding privilege of being able to meet face to face (a figure of speech given our current Zoom reliant way of life) with the author of said work. Being able to take part in a seminar with Sarah Waters, critically and commercially acclaimed author and nominee for the prestigious Man Booker Prize, was an unparalleled opportunity, and a charm. To read critical analysis and reviews or compare haphazard improvised ideas and interpretations on a novel is one thing, but to be able to be guided through the nuances, subtleties, the details missed or misinterpreted, the true meaning of a plot point or purpose of an ending by the very person who put pen to page (or more accurately in a digital age, finger to keyboard) is an experience I have seldom been offered, not to mention imagined. As an aspiring author myself (fingers crossed) the chance to see the creative process dissected, unravelled, laid bare, to be able to absorb new ideas and learn new truths (the evolution of characters, the fickle nature of inspiration, the staggering amount of research needed for a piece of historical fiction) is a godsend, improved only by Ms Water’s extraordinarily humble, modest and kind demeanour— to her; no question is ever too obvious, no explanation too taxing. It was an experience that allowed me to see the trials of writing, yet always present, its beauty, the unrivalled magic of being able to create, to give light to something, and share it with the world.”

Pablo L, Year 13

8 School Life

“Having the opportunity to speak to Sarah Waters was a wonderful experience, and I particularly enjoyed the insight she gave us into her writing process. It was so interesting to see how the initial idea for ‘The Little Stranger’ was sparked by a nightmare, and the incredibly detailed research that went into setting the context of the novel. Her perspective on writing itself was also fascinating— the way that certain stylistic decisions (having an unreliable narrator for example) were seen as a form of challenging herself, and that even though the overall plot was very much planned before she started writing, she spoke of the characters and their reactions to the plot as sometimes surprising. There were moments in the novel that she was not expecting, and it was interesting to hear her talk of her characters as if they were acting altogether independently.

“This seminar also made me rethink the way I perceived certain themes in the book. It wasn’t until now that I realised the importance of the theme of entrapment, both physically through the use of isolated locations like Hundreds Hall, but also in a more abstract sense, through ideas of gender and class, and how these pent-up frustrations and negative emotions mean that everyone in the house could be equally responsible for the manifestation of the poltergeist. Furthermore, Sarah Waters made a very interesting point about how Faraday and Caroline’s romance is doomed from the start, as he sees her as his gateway into the house Illustration by Sharon W, Year X while she sees him as her way out, which fully encompasses the lack of communication and romantic connection between them in a way I hadn’t really seen before.

“Finally, Sarah Waters’ discussion of her changing opinions of the book after it was published was fascinating, as she mentioned certain aspects she would perhaps change in hindsight. This struck me as particularly curious as I had always imagined that after writing a book, an author’s opinion of it would remain the same forever, but I now realise that it must change once it is published and other people start developing opinions about it too. People’s response, and Sarah Waters’ interaction with her readers was also something that intrigued me, especially hearing her talk about the different theories readers had come up with about the characters, the causes behind the supernatural manifestation, and perhaps most interestingly, the reasons behind the lack of openly LGBT representation in the book.”

Sofie C, Year 13

9 Current Affairs

Current Affairs: What’s Going On: The Trump Administration and Impeachment

Every week Samuel and Lorenzo take on the challenge of explaining to the students of Runnymede College what is really going on in the strange and wonderful world of politics:

The campaigns have started. The electoral race is getting fiercer and fiercer. Already nineteen Democrats are running for president, including Joe Biden (the front runner), Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Beto O’Rourke. Republicans running include Donald Trump and someone else. It is understandable that the sitting president would feel threatened by the overwhelming amount of competitors for the presidency. In this article, we will examine how his necessity to stay in control has led him to break the law (more than he already has). However, before this, we must talk about Hunter Biden.

Robert Hunter Biden (born February 4th 1970) is the son of former vice-president Joe Biden and the co-founder of an international consulting firm called Rosemont Seneca To manipulate the president of Ukraine. Partners. This firm began working for a Ukrainian gas company called Burisma Holdings in 2014. At this time, During a phone-call with the President of Ukraine, Trump back in America, Joe Biden was heading the Obama repeatedly mentioned how much money they were administration’s efforts to suppress corruption in Ukraine. supposed to send, and how much America does for Ukraine. Joe Biden communicated with the Ukrainian government And afterwards, Trump said “I would like you to do me and asked them to remove a Ukrainian prosecutor who favour though”. Then, Mr. Trump proceeded to ask Ukraine was investigating, get this, Burisma Holdings. Although to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, this act was frowned upon by ethics watchdogs, there and possibly dig up some dirt on the Burisma Holdings was no legal encroachment involved. Biden had objective scandal. Although a quid pro quo is not explicit, it’s glaringly reasons to suggest the removal of said prosecutor for he obvious. Asking a foreign country to investigate a political was genuinely corrupt. rival and his son is already illegal, but Trump basically said that if Ukraine doesn’t investigate Biden, they will not This scandal was then gone with the wind, forgotten, receive American support. That’s blackmail! And therefore lost, stuck in 2014, until now. With so many Democratic even more illegal! So yeah, that’s why impeachment is seen candidates nibbling at his presidency, Trump finally as a viable option in the Democratic House. snapped, and tried to take his largest threat down. Yet before I tell you about this I should tell you about Crimea. (I But, what is an impeachment? The American legislative do promise that I will reach the impeachment). system is called Congress, and it is made up of two branches: the House and the Senate. The House is mainly Crimea is a province in Ukraine. It used to belong to Russia Democratic congressmen and it is there where they begin in the days of the Soviet Union. In March 2014, President an impeachment inquiry. An impeachment inquiry is when Vladimir Putin took action and invaded Crimea. He literally the House conducts a series of investigations into the took over a part of Ukraine like it was nothing. This act met alleged crime. They have subpoena power, which means heavy opposition from organisations such as the UN, NATO they have a right to call anyone to testify or they can call to and the EU, and Russia faced many trade sanctions. Also, see any document necessary for investigating the crime. Ukraine has been receiving money to defend themselves from Russia and that money has been coming from countries This process has already begun, and during this process, such as those in the EU. The USA has also been frequently Trump, yet again, broke the law. When the House sending Ukraine funds and they have been doing this for subpoenaed certain staff members belonging to the over 5 years. In fact, America was to send Ukraine 500,000 Trump Administration, Trump refrained them from going. dollars. However this funding was stalled by Trump. Why? He ordered them to deny the legal rights of the House to

10 Current Affairs

subpoena ANYONE who they thought necessary. Trump also prevented the House from getting their hands on certain documents.

This behaviour is a crime. It’s called obstruction of justice. Therefore the impeachment inquiry may consider accusing him of obstruction of justice as well. Once the House believes it has sufficient evidence, they will vote on whether to take this case to the Senate. The Senate is then to vote (yet again) on whether to hold a trial. Then, if a trial is held, it is held in the Senate. Due to the fact that the Senate is mainly Republican, the impeachment will be a very delicate matter to handle.

Samuel and Lorenzo, Year 8

Current Affairs: Mayhem in Chile: Is there a Bigger Scheme Behind It All?

So… what’s really happening in Chile? Why is the 2019 On the other hand, we cannot deny the overall progress United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) of the country as poverty in Chile has declined over the not being held there anymore? Why has the country last 19 years; 30% of the population used to live with suddenly been plunged into turmoil and unrest? salaries of under 6$ a day compared to a 2% nowadays. This economic prosperity was to be shown in the Mayhem, riots and soldiers have taken hold of a country international Climate Change Conference, and the Asia- usually envied by its South American neighbours for Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting, both of which its economic prosperity. The protests started after a were going to be held in Santiago later on this year, but seemingly minor event: a meagre fare hike for public have been cancelled due to the civil unrest. transit by the central-right winged president Sebastián Piñera. Young protesters came out to the street on the The OAS (Organisation of American States), an organisation 18th of October as ticket prices rose by about 30 pesos, committed to strengthening the peace and security equivalent to 0.04$. The public demonstrations, where of the Western Hemisphere by promoting democratic students swarmed metro stations, quickly escalated as governments, and preventing and resolving conflict millions of residents spilled out onto the streets and the between member states, warned on the 16th of October central plaza of Santiago, the capital. Protestors lost that the Cuban and Venezuelan dictatorships following control and started setting fire to buses, metro stations Bolivian movements, were scheming and promoting and ATMs. Piñera’s government imposed a national the destabilisation of democratic regions by promoting curfew and police have been liberal with tear gas, batons polarising social and political conflict, Chile is most likely and metal pellet-loaded guns in an attempt to being one of the countries influenced by this manipulation. control the pandemonium, during which 7,000 citizens have already been arrested and 18 Federica D, Year 12 others found dead.

The horrifying and unceasing events in Chile may have been triggered by the 4 cent increase in ticket prices, however, the bullets loaded into the gun weren’t those of the price rise. The events had been foreseen, as social and wealth inequality seems to be inextricably tied to the country’s current trajectory. Whilst the wealthiest citizens spend 2% of their salaries on transport, the poorest citizens are more likely to spend around a 30% of already painfully low incomes; lots of these earn near to the national minimum wage of 382.20 € per month. Moreover, out of the 56 wealthiest countries in the world, Chile has the 9th most expensive public transport in relation to average salaries of its population.

11 The Long Reads

The Long Reads: Songs Against Stalin: How Rock And Roll Helped The Berlin Wall Fall

In November of 1991, the Berlin Wall, separating the East and West zones of the city, fell, torn apart, demolished and obliterated by swarms of citizens from either side of the city who took to the crumbling, pitted mortar with chisels, picks and sledgehammers. It has since become one of the 20th century and history’s most enduring images: the visual representation of the destruction of one of the most tangible symbols of oppression, the rallying cry in the face of tyrants and despots.

Erected practically overnight on the 13th of August of 1961, the Berlin Wall was the ultimate show of force by the (rather misleadingly named) German Democratic Republic, the Communist sector of Berlin that sought to isolate its population of close to 16.11 million citizens from their democratic, capitalistic, Western counterparts. Families were torn apart, lives crushed, thousands forcibly confined to Communist rule. Those who tried to make a wild bid for freedom would usually be shot to death by the border guards that lined the wall. At least 140 souls were murdered.

The legacy of the USSR, which had risen more powerful than ever like a fetid plague from the necrotic ashes of the Third Reich’s defeat, a regime that screeched words like ‘class traitor’ ‘bourgeois capitalist’ and ‘people’s revolution’ to mask a reign of terror that tortured, executed, starved, purged and ethnically cleansed the population of Russia and its satellite states, the Berlin Wall stood for thirty years, its dreary, grey surface scarred with graffiti barring the population of East Berlin from any access to the luxuries the West was so privileged to have.

Huddled under the shadow of the Cold War, as both the USA and USSR amassed nuclear stockpiles and children huddled under school desks in practice drills, anticipating the ever-present threat of searing nuclear holocaust, East Berlin rapidly became a hotbed for disillusionment, bitterness, resentment and disenchantment with the supposed ‘socialist paradise’ to flourish— especially when a golden promise of the American Dream hovered so close, yet so far out of their reach.

Rock and Roll has always been about rebellion, ever since Elvis Presley exploded onto television, inciting a wildfire of teenage liberation to rage rampant across the world, ever since Little Richard howled the war-cry “a-wop- bop-a-loo-bop,a-lop-bam-boom” across the airwaves, it has throughout history been a tool for the voices of the enraged, the indignant and the frustrated (no surprise considering its undeniable roots in African-American folk music). For the Communist government of East Germany, such riotous, rebellious music was anathema to their vision of a socialist utopia: rock and roll was branded as “decadent”, “counter-propaganda” and seen as risking reducing the youth into recalcitrant, apathetic or even murderous delinquents.

Yet mere laws were not enough to dissuade the Communist youth, who since the stilyagi counter-cultures emergence in the late 1940s harboured desires to access and enjoy the commodities and adolescent trends of the West (despite the government also denouncing the stilyagi as effeminate, laughable figures of derision in state propaganda). Elements of censored culture found their way into the hands of the East Berliners, and among these, was music.

12 The Long Reads

American artists had rarely played in Eastern Bloc Following the Starman, came The Boss, as Bruce territories- Elton John broke the mould in 1979 after Springsteen, blue-collared poet from the backstreets of storming the USSR, a ground-breaking moment New Jersey, drew crowds of 160,000 during his July 19, regarding the thawing of tensions between both East and 1988 concert in East Berlin— though in a stunning act of West— but their music nevertheless struck a chord with rebellion, a further 100,000 people stormed the gates, the people of Eastern Berlin. Punk had proved popular ignoring the threat of force from the police. Springsteen’s among the burgeoning underground scene, with the concert was an incendiary tribute that lent a voice Ramones even bringing their ‘Blitzkrieg Pop’ to the city through song to the millions of disaffected, blasting ‘Born in the early 1970s (bass player Dee Dee Ramone grew In The USA’ to the cheering mobs, as well as a rendition up in Berlin). of Bob Dylan’s ‘Chimes of Freedom’. At the concert’s apex Springsteen famously declared: In 1977, whilst living in Germany with proto-punk legend Iggy Pop in Schonenberg, David Bowie, having discarded the glittering carapace of his alter ego Ziggy “I’ve come to play rock ‘n’ roll Stardust years prior, released the monumental epic ‘Heroes’. Penned after witnessing a couple kissing under for you in the hope that one the shadow of the Wall from the windows of his Hansa day all the barriers will be Studio, the song is a soaring, heart-rending triumph, an exaltation of the power of love and the common man torn down.” staring down the barrel of dictatorship, of the bravery of rebellion in the simplest, purest way: to show passion, care, to dare to be happy. Ultimately of course, rock and roll was not the main cause of the Berlin Wall’s fall. Far from it. The praise for that In 1987, a decade later, the English rocker played a goes to the people of East and West Berlin, who fought concert in West Berlin- so loud, that an enormous crowd and stood their ground under the yoke of Communist amassed on the other side of the Wall to sing along. repression, who yearned for a freedom they deserved Though playing alongside artists including Genesis and yet had never been granted. As the foundations of the the Eurythmics, it was Bowie’s anthemic single that led to Soviet Union cracked and shattered in the wake of the crowd breaking out into chants of “Gorby (Gorbachev) Perestroika, after the death of Stalin sent ripples across get us out!” and “the Wall must fall!” An enraged East Europe, rock and roll was simply another nail in the coffin German police brutally beat back the crowd, but the of the USSR, a coup de grace sang by a million throats, damage had already been done. to punch through the receiver of a hundred pirate radios, chords and drums beating the tattoo to which the youth of Eastern Berlin marched to tear down an Iron Curtain stiff with rust.

“And the shame, was on the other side Oh we can beat them, forever and ever Then we could be heroes Just for one day”

David Bowie.

Pablo L, Year 13

13 The Long Reads

The Long Reads: The World to Come

As a new decade dawned on us at the beginning of the year, with a clear sense of foreboding, we nervously observed China’s surreal situation. A new virus was taking the lives of many and was forcing the government to lock down the entire country. Images of desolate, empty cities that were more appropriate for an apocalyptic film than real life were not the New Year greeting we wanted. Everyone’s wish that 2020 would represent a year of success and wellbeing was starting to vanish – and we were only in the month of January. It was not long before Western countries such as Italy started confirming COVID-19 cases, and so as April arrived we were in the midst of a global pandemic that was challenging the most basic notions of daily life. While the current focus lies in trying to make this nightmare subside, many are starting to ponder the effects the spread of the Coronavirus will have in the future as a global crisis of this scale can trigger a dramatic transformation of society, for better or worse.

ECONOMY The spread of COVID-19 represents an immense blow to activity to a halt. Lockdown has meant consumers have the economy, similar in scale to events such as 9/11 or had to stay home, frontiers have been closed, and the 2008 credit crunch. The IMF has described it as the businesses forced to shut their doors. This has lead worst crisis since the Great Depression. So, the economic to most businesses such as restaurants receiving no consequences of the pandemic are profound. Measures sources of revenue whilst still needing to cover costs. imposed to fight Coronavirus have brought economic The result of this is bankruptcy. With businesses going

Illustrations by Joey L, Year 11

14 The Long Reads

bust, many people will be left unemployed, exacerbating In addition, this global pandemic could lead to a dried up consumption levels. This is why economists political transformation as it could change how elections predict a 3% shrink in the global economy this year. function. Nations that are scheduled to hold elections this year such as the USA will have to devise a strategy These grim predictions have shattered confidence in for people to vote safely. This will most probably lead to global stock markets leading to historical falls. The FTSE the development of an online system of voting. Once this 100 has seen its biggest quarterly drop since 1973 as a infrastructure is implemented, it will most certainly stay result of Coronavirus. This is a cause for concern because as people will recognise the convenience of this system. this economic disaster could lead to more deaths than This is significant because a more convenient voting the virus itself, considering that for every 1% increase in system, will likely lead to higher voter turnout, especially unemployment, around 40,000 people die due to the dire from millennials, meaning electoral fates would no longer effects of poverty. be mostly decided by OAPs.

Furthermore, the spread of the virus will also affect the Coronavirus will also massively affect international future of global supply chains. This crisis has left many relations. One possibility is that it will strengthen global nations lacking necessary resources as international cooperation as governments will recognise how important supply chains have been disrupted. This could lead to the international assistance is to prevent global fiascos. realisation that robust domestic-based supply chains are This could result in the strengthening of international better than global supply chains as it will make an economy and global alliances. However this doesn’t seem likely resilient to trade shocks such as global pandemics. This since Trump has already announced plans to stop US might encourage governments to engage in protectionism funding for the WHO. So, a more likely outcome is that in order to create a strong domestic industry that will this crisis will lead to a rise in xenophobia. Populists will provide the nation in times of crisis. seize on the opportunity to state that other countries are the source of dangerous diseases and thus are a threat. Additionally, as a result of Coronavirus we might see a Therefore, it is clear that Coronavirus could lead to a rise in inequality as the poor are less able to adapt to severe shake up in global politics, as local governments the needs of the current situation. Children from less and even international organisations will not be immune affluent backgrounds might not be able to be educated to this virus. remotely, as their parents aren’t able to teach them or they don’t have high speed internet that enables virtual ENVIRONMENT teaching. This is important because a lack of educational The environment will also experience massive changes opportunities reduces the possibility to break out of the as a result of the Coronavirus. In the short term, the poverty cycle. Moreover, such households are likely halting of economic activity will be extremely beneficial employed in jobs that put them directly in contact with the for the environment. Lockdown measures have meant virus such as delivery services. So, this global pandemic that factories have been forced to close, airports have could create the worst economic crisis seen in the last become ghost towns and roads are rarely used, leading decades and has the potential to have lasting impacts on to less resource exploitation and less pollutants being equality and economic integration. released. The ESA has registered an impressive fall in pollution levels across Europe and for the first time in a POLITICS while people can see wildlife in Venice’s clear canals. The global crisis that Coronavirus has unleashed could also lead to the transformation of the political world. This This global pandemic could also have long term effects pandemic will possibly shake up the composition of on the environment. The devastating health effects of governments around the world. This is because ill judged Coronavirus have led to the realisation that expertise measures to fight the virus will put governments under matters. People are clearly seeing that experts’ health public scrutiny as their irresponsible measures have led warnings about the virus are true. This could lead to people to a massive loss of human life. taking scientists more seriously, which might translate to people reducing their carbon footprint due to experts’ Also, the economic disaster this pandemic will cause warning about climate change. will make the fulfilment of electoral promises extremely difficult, leading to widespread discontent. This could Furthermore, infrastructure that has been put in place mean many governments are forced to resign. For to enable remote living will stay in place after the crisis, example, the Spanish government has been publicly as people start to realise that meetings, classes or criticised by sources such as the NY Times for amateurish appointments can be easily done online. This could measures to contain the virus and encouraging mass reduce traffic congestion and energy consumption, which demonstration despite previous knowledge of there will benefit the environment tremendously. Additionally, if being many COVID-19 cases. Moreover, the Coronavirus we are able to overcome the challenge of dealing with a crisis has led to the realisation that it is vital for institutions global pandemic, this could potentially callus the minds of to be full of renowned experts rather than political people around the world, triggering an urge to solve the loyalists, as this will ensure that future catastrophes are enormous challenges our society currently faces such as professionally and appropriately managed. climate change, in order to avoid future catastrophes.

15 The Long Reads

Lastly, Coronavirus could be a transformative force was national health, leading to the creation of the NHS in for the environment because it will finally make people the UK. Linked to changing priorities, we might also see a realise that we need to stop exploiting the world’s change in social values. This crisis might see the death of resources. If wildlife habitats are preserved, animal individualism and the rise a sense of community, as people viruses such as COVID-19 will stay in animal bodies and will begin to realise the interdependent nature of a society will not be transferred to humans. Therefore, both in the and how not having a safety net for the poor or adequate short and long term, this global pandemic could bring health services leaves everyone more exposed to threats about massive environmental change. such as global pandemics. So, in the future we might see people more concerned for the well being of their society SOCIETY rather than their own individual wellbeing, which could see The Coronavirus debacle also has the power to transform rising support for interventionist policies. the way societies around the world function. This crisis will seriously impact the social perception of health and A further social impact this pandemic will have is a huge hygiene. People that live through this global pandemic loss of human life. There is a big question mark on how will possibly wash their hands much more frequently – such a huge loss of life affects society. The figures we see it might become second nature, and they could reduce in news channels are not statistics, they are human beings. human contact to avoid germs. It is likely that people will We can recall from previous events that this is bad news. experience PTSD and will try to limit how often they meet The tragic losses the USSR endured in World War II led others. This could lead to societies experiencing greater to a whole generation being raised without a father figure social distance and the birth of a truly online world. which resulted in many social ills such alcoholism. Thus, the Coronavirus disaster could dramatically change people’s Moreover, this crisis has put a particular spotlight on many lifestyle, which will have substantial social effects. unmet needs, which might lead to a social change in priorities going forward. Coronavirus has clearly demonstrated the So, ultimately, due to the amount of possible scenarios this importance of health services, meaning we could see health global pandemic could lead to, it is hard to predict what the becoming a priority for governments, leading to hospitals post-COVID19 world will look like. Nevertheless, we can be around the world no longer being underfunded. Past events certain that, as has happened with previous global crisis demonstrate that this is a very likely possibility. When World such as 9/11, the paradigm will shift - for better or for worse. War II came to an end, one of the main post-war priorities Carlos B, Year 13

16 The Long Reads

17 Science and Technology

Science and Technology: What is 5G?

5G is the fifth generation of wireless communication standards. First there was 2G used for the earliest wireless telephone calls. Then came 3G which was the first wireless communication signal which made it possible to surf the internet on a smartphone. The last one made before 5G was 4G, the speeds of which made it possible to enable video streaming and an entire storage of various apps by giving it a reliable connectivity to the internet.

Now the next wireless communication standards will be 5G which is one of the most eagerly awaited developments in technology so far. Its gigabit speed is supposed to allow you to download full- length movies in just a matter of seconds. One of the major drawbacks of using a 5G network is that it hasn’t reached its full potential yet.

Things that will happen once 5G starts being used internationally:

Video streaming is expected to be the major use for here’s a more simplified explanations of the frequencies 5G. In a survey, 78% of people expect to increase their 5g can operate on; sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (20- video streaming habit once 5G arrives to the market. 60 GHz). One of the main problems discussed earlier about the problem with using high frequencies is that for Businesses will evolve rapidly in a short space of time example a millimeter wave use such a high frequency due to the speed at which communication will be allowed that it cannot even pass through a window, meaning the to go. device which uses this wave will have to be extremely close to the operator. One of the worries about 5G is whether it may be able to go through walls. That is the main worry since 5G uses Nico P, Year 9 a very high frequency to reach its potential. However a higher frequency means a lower distance in range.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which is the company which creates the rules for wireless connectivity, recently decreed that 4G is allowed to coexist with 5G once its created. Adding to it the new standards stated that the implementation of 5G in a company requires the company bringing a new device to the market. This new device is said to be able to reach a speed of 1Gbps (Gigabits per second) and at its climax reach 10Gbps which could allow you to download a film in a matter of seconds.

Now...... How 5g works is really complex and I personally find it very confusing and difficult to understand, yet

18 Science and Technology

Science and Technology: Dogs: The Next Detectors of Malaria?

When we hear the word Malaria, many notions surge, The logic behind this is that the parasites give off a none of them being too pleasant. It is a life-threatening particular smell, which is different from someone that disease that burdens global health by being responsible has not been bitten by the mosquito. Dogs can be for the death of millions across the world. Scientists have trained to freeze or walk around depending on whether successfully been able to find a cure for it. However, the smell is the one they want to look for. that is not the only problem faced when dealing with malaria. Being able to first find the carriers of this There is still a lot of room for improvement as there disease is also a significant issue. This is because if are different stages of malaria when contracted. The there is a certain immunity towards the disease, they parasites go through many stages and when they can develop an infection, be able to pass it on, and not reach a level of maturity, the odour that is produced develop any significant symptoms. Progress in the field may be different. This increases the difficulty for the of malaria has stalled during the past two years, with the trained dogs. number of diagnosis increasing. The delay of diagnosis However, Medical Detection dogs are an innovative is the main cause of death by this disease. So how do way of applying an unexpected tool in the detection of we find all of them? malaria. This also shows that solutions for scientific and New research shows that dogs can diagnose the infection medical problems may come from the most unexpected quickly, accurately, and in a noninvasive way. “People of places. This also shows how important research and with malaria parasites generate distinct odours on their support is, as the aim of eradicating malaria is once skin. Our study found dogs, which have an incredibly again within our reach. sensitive sense of smell, can be trained to detect these Laura L, Year 12 odours even when it’s just on an article of clothing worn by an infected person,” says lead investigator for Durham University, Steven Lindsay. Statistics show that dogs sniff out 70% of the malaria cases.

19 Science and Technology

Science and Technology: The Most Significant Advancements of the Decade

The 2010s have marked a very important decade in the scientific world with many milestones and breakthroughs. Scientists of all fields worked together to come to a better understanding of the world and created a more globalised and collaborative environment.

THE DETECTION OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES ways to cure patients. For example, following the 2014- 1 - 2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, we have finalised The detection of the ripple through the fabric of space rVSV-ZEBOV, a vaccine for the Ebola Virus. HIV patients and time confirmed Einstein’s proposal that when massive are also now seeing a more restricted spread as people objects accelerate they create waves in the fabric of are taking antiretroviral drugs to reduce the spread. space and time itself. The discovery has helped us to understand gravity better and was made in 2015 by the VISUALISING THE COSMOS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY US based observatory LIGO. 5 - The universe is a tempting idea that nobody can map THE CRISPR ERA out; however some major observations are creating 2 - a 3D movie to help us to visualise it. This has been The new, relatively easy, and cheap way to precisely edit achieved with Gaia, a spacecraft launched by the ESA DNA has revolutionised many science fiction possibilities in 2013. Furthermore, the first ever image of a black that are now able to be turned into reality. The CRISPR - hole’s silhouette was captured by the Event Horizon Cas 9 System is able to store snippets of DNA, recognise Telescope with the help of global scientists and teams. them in different sections of the genome, and cut out the precise section needed. It was first identified in bacteria’s INNOVATIVE REPRODUCTION WAYS immune system to fight viruses but it has been confirmed 6 - that the customised technique works on human DNA In order to avoid diseases that are genetically passed too. However, this triggers a big ethical debate, as this on and to introduce new reproductive methods for powerful tool allows scientists to be able to edit the same sex couples, many clinical births are being tried. genome of humans in any way they want. In 2016, a baby with three parents was born with a father’s sperm, a mother’s cell nucleus and a donor’s CLIMATE CHANGE ALARM BELLS egg that has been enucleated. Using gene editing, 3 - same sex mice conceived pups. Chinese scientists also Across the globe, the consequences of global warming are announced the birth of two cloned macaques, primates deepening and most of the world is ringing its alarm bells that had been cloned like Dolly the sheep. to try to slow down climate change. We are seeing spiking new temperatures across the world especially in Europe, an LIFE’S BUILDING BLOCKS accelerated melting rate of the poles, global coral bleaching, - and the extinction of many species. Activists like Greta 7 Thunberg and scientists are spreading awareness and In this decade, scientists have been exploring new ways working together with countries in events like Madrid’s 2019 of looking for life and studying the chemistry and biology Climate Change conference, whilst the Paris Agreement of other planets and worlds. NASA’s proof confirmed and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are that the watery plumed of Enceladus (Saturn’s moon) creating solutions and plans for the future. has large organic molecules, similar to Earth, which means that it has the right conditions for life to flourish. NASA’s rover on Mars also found organic compounds CHANGING THE COURSE OF MORTAL DISEASES on the planet and revealed more information on the 4 - atmosphere’s methane levels. Many deadly diseases that took away thousands of lives are starting to lose the fight as scientists are finding Nico P, Year 9

20 Science and Technology

Science and Technology: Women in Particle Physics

The International Day for Girls and Women in Science strives to celebrate the often unknown achievements of women in scientific fields and encourage the participation of girls in STEM fields. It is with this purpose that the CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas) organised a particle physics masterclass for girls aged 16-18 in which they could interact with female researchers while exploring the wonders of sub-atomic physics.

Not only were the students who participated able to attend a lecture given by Begoña de la Cruz, a senior staff researcher in the Particle Physics division of the organisation but also ask any questions involving their interests beyond the classroom to a group of Phd students working at CIEMAT. The girls were also able to see a cloud chamber built in the CIEMAT’s laboratory as well as a Geiger counter and understand the processes behind the effectiveness of the equipment.

After the masterclass, the students were able to do a practical exercise on the computer in which they analysed data from CERN in order to try and categorise particle decay according to the paths taken by the quarks emitted from the process. This data was later analysed and commented on as a group. The students then proceeded to have a conference call with two researchers currently working a CERN who gave their input on the results obtained. Moreover, the conference call with the scientists was an invaluable experience for the girls who could learn more about the experiences of these female researchers and their daily life working in such a prestigious organisation.

The Runnymedians who participated were treated wonderfully by all the researchers involved in the masterclass who were not only willing to help with any difficulties during the practical tasks but also answered all questions with enthusiasm and interest.

Angélica O, Year 12

21 Environment

Environment: This house believes the burning of the Amazon is the most dangerous threat to our environment

For

I’d like to ask you all a question. Why are we deciding to kill our planet, and without knowing it killing ourselves, and why aren’t we doing anything to stop it? Most of you probably don’t know that the Amazon rainforest has been burning for the past months and that more than 2,240,000 acres of land have been destroyed. And if you did know you’re probably thinking: “I don’t care; that’s never going to affect us”. Well, you’re wrong.

According to the Associated Press, the Amazon absorbs 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year— about 5% of global emissions. Thus, fires in the region eat away at this carbon-absorbing capacity while at the same time adding carbon to the air through burning. And so if the forests continues to burn, the quality of the air will be worsened and so people suffering with lung problems may be affected.

Rainforests add large amounts of water to the atmosphere when plants release water from their leaves during photosynthesis. But if those trees are destroyed it will mean less rainfall all around the world causing potentially devastating impacts in agriculture and farming.

And it doesn’t stop there. Many anti-cancer drugs come from rainforest plants. Compounds from rainforest plants are used to treat different health problems. If those plants are burnt in the fires many of the cures for many diseases could disappear.

The forest fires are also destroying the habitats of hundreds of species of animals and plants all over the Amazon. Not only is this affecting the species that live on land but also the diverse species of the rivers. Trees and plants on river banks help stop the river flooding but however, now that those trees have been burnt to ashes, the river’s course is changing, altering the Amazons aquatic ecosystem.

But why is this happening? Most of you were probably quick to blame dry weather for these fires but they are actually a human-made disaster. The fires are set by loggers and cattle ranchers who use a “slash and burn” method to clear land. Feeding off very dry conditions, some of those fires have spread out of control. 12% of what was once Amazonian forest- about 93 million acres is now farmland.

So who is letting this horror go on? The reason the Amazon is burning is because Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wants it to. He thinks the Amazon should not be protected, and that lands reserved for indigenous peoples should not be recognised — all in the name of economic growth. He has not merely permitted these devastating fires, but has encouraged and fuelled them.

The burning of the Amazon rainforest is making most of the environmental threats we are facing much worse. Climate change, deforestation, air pollution and loss of biodiversity are all being worsened because of the fires. They are indeed the most dangerous threat of all to our environment.

Adriana S, Year 10

22 Environment

Against:

Imagine I were a genie. I know it’s a weird way to start an argument but bear with me. I can grant you one wish, but there’s a catch. You can only use this wish to stop one factor that is causing climate change. No you can’t choose to eradicate humanity, though that would a a solution, however psychopathic. You can choose to find an alternative to plastic, or maybe even an alternative to fossil fuels. Or, you can choose to stop the burning of the Amazon. Your choice. I want you to think about that as I argue my point.

Climate change is the biggest threat our world faces today. Climate change affects our ocean glaciers and ice caps are beginning to melt due to increasing temperatures, resulting in entire islands being flooded. Warmer temperatures make weather more extreme, meaning more violent storms, and longer and more frequent droughts. Growing crops has become more difficult, and water supplies have diminished. Even our health is at risk, the atmosphere in urban areas traps smog, causing lung cancer, asthma, and heart disease.

Climate change is a huge problem; there’s no doubt about that, and a huge cause of climate change over the past couple years has been the burning of the largest rainforest on earth, the Amazon. The amazon represents over half of the planet’s rainforests, and it’s burning has caused a huge amount of CO2 being released into the air.

But however dangerous this is to the environment, this is not the factor that increases climate change the most. The gases we produce from our cars yearly exceed the amount of CO2 released from the burning of the Amazon, by far. Just think about how much your parents drive on a yearly basis; every day they drop you off at school, drive to work, pick you back up, drive home. All the holidays you go on, all the times you go visit your grandparents, all the times they need to go do the shopping, or just drive into the city. A car burns one gallon per 35 km, for me that’s the distance to school everyday. So, think about how much you drive yearly, and now think about how much everyone else drives yearly, or uses public transport, or has a yacht or speedboat in Mallorca, Alicante, Barcelona, wherever. The amount of CO2 released from vehicles yearly exceeds the amount of CO2 produced from the burning of the Amazon, greatly.

Now, let me talk about plastic. Primarily single use plastic. Single use plastics are used only once before they are thrown away, or recycled. The process of breaking it down releases toxic chemicals. Maybe some of you try to prevent this in your daily lives and maybe some of you don’t. But you probably do, everyone here drinks soft drinks from a can, everyone’s used glitter or stickers, and, don’t lie to me, everyone’s been to Starbucks. But what about some of the other, less noticeable single use plastics? How many of you knew that chewing gum contains plastic? Or, I doubt that many of you drink tea, but tea bags also contain plastic. Our daily lives are filled with plastic.

The reality is that there are much more destructive forces than the burning of the rainforest. And so I want to return to your one wish. If you could choose to stop one factor that is causing climate change, what would you choose?

23 Environment

Environment: The 1975: How this Band is Tackling the Climate Crisis on a Whole New Level

We have all heard of people with large platforms stepping could be so polluting?). As a result, the record label is forward to speak up and spread awareness of the deadly working to minimise the impact of vinyl production. climate crisis that is destroying our planet. However, the music industry has never particularly been a faction of pop There are some who criticise their efforts, as they have culture renowned for its sustainability. That is until now. taken such a public stance on the climate crisis before becoming 100% carbon efficient, whilst also still taking Pioneering this change is The 1975, a four piece indie international flights for touring which is a significant pop group who launched their first major piece of climate contributor to climate change. However, the point of advocacy with one of their latest singles, featuring a climate activism is not to point out the hypocrisy of those powerful spoken piece by Greta Thunberg. Despite being around us whose every single decision is not necessarily notorious for never having guest stars on their songs, the dedicated to the environment. Obviously our time is band’s collaboration with the 16 year old climate activist running out, and in an ideal world everyone would be has been incredibly well received by fans, and all the living completely green and non-polluting lives. However, proceeds generated by sales of the song are going to taking into account how the music industry has never Extinction Rebellion. been renowned for its dedication to minimising its carbon footprint, The 1975 are way ahead of the game, not only Their sustainability scheme is present not only in their with their pioneering initiatives but also with how said produced music but also at their live shows. Over the initiatives will hopefully set a precedent for bands and summer they played at a series of festivals, such as Reading record labels to come. and Leeds and Glastonbury, and their merch stands have been very different than previous years, as printing presses Sofie C, Year 13 have been set up, encouraging fans to bring in old t-shirts to print over rather than producing thousands of new items of clothing. An even better initiative has been set up for their upcoming tour, where they have teamed up with the non-profit organisation One Tree Planted, which focuses on combatting forestation in the Amazon. One tree will be planted for every ticket purchased- something completely unheard of in the music industry.

These changes come as part of the initiatives their record label, Dirty Hit, are introducing to try and become a more sustainable and environmentally friendly company. Their office no longer uses single-use plastic, and are now wrapping CDs and vinyls in paper packaging instead of plastic. Furthermore, research shows that the new boom in vinyl making is extremely anti-green as it involves the use of toxic acids and PVC, as well as huge amounts of energy in the process of steaming and cooling (who knew hipsters

24 Environment

Environment: Radioactive Waters

After the nuclear disaster of Fukushima in 2011 the of the nuclear power station, the Tokyo Electric Power international attitude towards nuclear power and its Company (Tepco) has been storing the radioactive potential risks changed irrevocably. A magnitude-9 residue in tanks that they predict will be completely full earthquake caused three of the six nuclear reactors of by 2022. the power station to melt down, causing one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. The company, which had already issued a statement in 2018 warning the government about the dangerous The Japanese ex-minister for the Environment, Yoshiaki levels of tritium and other toxic chemicals, is currently Harada has stepped down from his role in the government working to properly deal with the issue. Tritium is a after a series of statements in relation to the increasing radioisotope of hydrogen that undergoes beta decay to nuclear waste caused by the accident. produce helium.

A constant stream of thousands of litres of water is Worryingly, high levels of the substance have been pumped through the nuclear station to keep the impaired linked with an increased risk of cancer and other reactor cores from melting; this water is contaminated genetic mutations affecting small children and infants by radioisotopes and stored in special storage units especially. Tepco is still building tanks in order to store in order to avoid harm to the population. The owner the waste but estimates that the current rate at which they are building the storage facilities will be insufficient to hold all the nuclear residue in the near future.

As the Japanese government is threatened by an impending environmental crisis of monstrous magnitude, Harada has said that the only option available is to dispose of approximately 100 million tons of radioactive water in the Pacific. This announcement has been met with outrage by members of the international community. The South Korean government amongst others has voiced its concern about the possible impact this could have to its fishing industry as well as drinking water (tritium remains impossible to remove from the waste) and could have unheard of consequences for not only humans but also flora and fauna.

Angélica O, Year 13

Illustration by Sharon W 25 The Story Behind the Picture

The Story Behind the Picture: The Ultimate Confrontation

There were an estimated 100,000 anti-war activists at this particular protest, organised by the National Mobilisation Committee to End the War in Vietnam, when photographer Marc Riboud took this iconic picture of Kasmir holding up a chrysanthemum in front of the gun-wielding National Guard soldiers. It was said that Kasmir was beckoning the soldiers to join them, but none of the soldiers made eye contact with her. The photographer later informed her that they were shaking, frightened that they were going to receive orders to fire at the peaceful crowd. “She was just talking, trying to catch the eye of the soldiers, maybe trying to have a dialogue with them,” Riboud recalled years later. “I had the feeling the soldiers were more afraid of her than she was of the bayonets”.

Jan Rose Kasmir was not aware that day, that a photograph had been taken of her. The photo was featured in the 1969 special edition of ‘Look’ magazine, titled ‘The Ultimate Confrontation: The Flower and the Bayonet’, but it was not until the 1980s that Kasmir herself found out about the photograph.

“If you look at my face, I am extremely sad: at that moment I realised how young these boys were. They were just as much a victim of the war machine as anyone else.”

Flowers used to contrast wars and violence has always been an extremely powerful image, and a recurring one when thinking of the poppies used to remember World War I and the carnations in Portugal’s 1974 Carnation Revolution. In the backdrop to the Vietnam War and growing resentment towards American involvement, this image of image of Kasmir became a worldwide symbol of the pacifist and flower power movement within the Cold War. It shows the dawn of a new era of counterculture embodied by her generation, who were not interested in pursuing war, violence and destruction, and who were willing to present the offering of flowers in the face of menacing, cold, metal barrel of a gun in the hopes of giving peace a chance.

Sofia C, Year 13

The Story Behind the Picture: Sophie Scholl and Her Courage to Confront Evil

This image is undoubtedly recognisable around the world. This photograph is a portrait of Sophie Scholl, a figure that embodies the courage to resist evil and tyranny. Almost 80 years after this picture was taken, Scholl’s story still resonates with thousands who use her courageous actions and groundbreaking recollection of thoughts to confront sources of evil

The protagonist of this picture, Sophie Scholl, was born in the 1920s, a dark period in German history. These were times of international embarrassment, hyperinflation and misery as the nation attempted to recover from its WWI defeat.

These circumstances ultimately led to rise of Hitler and the National Socialists who offered simple solutions to the complex problem that was recovery. Like many others, Sophie was initially enthusiastic about this movement. However, during her time as a student in the University of Munich accompanied by her brother Hans, the awful truth finally dawned on her.

26 The Story Behind the Picture

By 1933, the atrocities the Nazis are now widely known for had begun. Dachau was built just a few miles away from Munich - where Sophie Scholl lived, with the purpose of holding political prisoners. This later became the model for concentration camps that would exterminate millions of lives. In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were passed, which stripped Jews of their citizenship and effectively all of their basic human rights. This marked the start of the campaign to eradicate ‘untermenschen’, a campaign more commonly known as the Holocaust.

Sophie and Hans were aware of these actions and watched them with a tremendous sense of guilt as they knew someone had to stand up and fight for the rights of those being slaughtered in order for such measures to stop. After the Nazis announced Germany’s involvement in WWII, Sophie Scholl realised silence was no longer an option. It became apparent to her that in order for justice to be achieved, someone needed to confront the Nazis. “How can we expect righteousness to prevail,” Sophie once asked, “when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually for a righteous cause?”

With full awareness of the risks involved, she decided, alongside her brother, to embark on a moral war against evil. A brief glimpse into her eyes in this photograph highlights how deeply she felt about being the agent that brought about change. The determined look in her face clearly demonstrates that she would not rest until the atrocities that were being committed came to an end, as she knew the powerful impact her actions could have.

Just by looking at her eyes, we can get a sense that the only thing that would stop her from confronting the Nazis would be death – a determined statement that eventually became true. In 1942, Sophie and Hans created the White Rose Movement, culminating their transformation from supporters to resistors (the white rose was intended to represent purity and innocence in the face of evil). This would become a student led resistance movement involving peaceful protest (“we fight with words”) that wanted to shed a light on the awful truth that many people were casting a blind eye to so that support for the Nazi regime would collapse.

Leaflets were distributed and graffiti was sprayed, highlighting Hitler’s genocides and the plight of the ‘untermenschen’. The movement quickly began gaining momentum, which meant the risk of being discovered grew too. The Gestapo - the German secret police, quickly started receiving information about the actions of Sophie and Hans Scholl. Nevertheless, this didn’t scare the siblings.

After years of opting for the genre of silence, they came to the powerful realisation that conforming to the status quo would bring about the same ending as standing up for human rights - death is inevitable, which led to them to do something powerful with their lives. They would rather die young standing up against evil rather than live a long life with the regret of being bystanders of evil.

Ignoring what was going on to stay out of trouble and live a comfortable life was something the Scholl siblings were no longer interested in. Sophie described this with the following quote: “Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn.”

In 1943, as Sophie and Hans distributed their sixth leaflet, they were spotted by a janitor of the university, which lead to their arrest. After four agonising days of interrogations, they plead guilty to the charge of high treason. However, during these gruelling days when they were facing death, Sophie and Hans’ courage did not come to an end.

The prison guards recalled that they took refuge in the word of God and rather than being overwhelmed by fear, they both radiated feelings of pride. Hans and Sophie knew their actions had a powerful impact and thus their lives would not be taken in vain. As their integration read: “Both said their activities had only one purpose: preventing an even greater calamity from overtaking Germany and, if possible, helping to save the lives of hundreds of thousands”. One of Sophie’s last words to her parents were: “What we did will make waves.”

At 5PM on the 22nd of February 1943, Sophie was led to the execution chamber. Although she had died, it was clear that her gallantry to confront evil would live on forever. Many nowadays look at this photograph and draw inspiration from the determined look in Sophie’s face to find the courage to confront evil.

James 1:22 “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.”

Carlos B, Year 13

27 Art and Culture

Art and Culture ‘Rapture’ Inspired Poetry

Your Voice Waiting

Your voice, like a river, Alone, I count the days, hours, seconds, Baptising me, Trace the slow, circular passage of the Slowly sending signals in small drops, loading screen wheel Running down my cheeks. Chasing Hope and tracing Time The air, like your breath, across the the hopeless, lifeless fields of Asphodel. Ruffling trees, to and fro, whispering in my ear, My mind chases its tail and swallows it Songs of love filling me with fear, A Ouroboros devouring itself Aphrodite envying Psyche. A task fit for straining Sisyphus. She hasn’t called. Wreaths of carnations, Refresh. Refresh. An echo of our love. Drink deep of bitter memory - Constanza P, Year 13 - Long for the Lethe as I read my old attempts to connect. Left me on read.

I wish the wheel broken. I wish to hear her voice.

Refresh. Refresh.

- Alvaro R, Year 13 -

28 Art and Culture

Art and Culture Tutankhamun’s Treasure

Of all the treasures that are not books, Tutankhamun’s is and persuasiveness that he managed to involve Lord probably the most stunning, wondrous and marvellous. Carnarvon in the desperate search of Tutankhamun’s Maybe murdered, possibly killed in a hunting accident, tomb at the Valley of the Kings, despite the fact, as or perhaps simply struck down by malaria, three everyone knew, that the Valley was completely out of thousand years later still, in many ways his death is still secrets. They spent five years digging rocks and taking a mystery. out sand. Then, in November of 1922, the luck of Tut changed; Howard Carter found the entrance of what So if you have any sense of adventure, take your hat would be the first recorded intact tomb of a pharaoh. and Indiana Jones style whip, and embark on a journey to IFEMA. Once there, only when you have passed That is all in the exhibition, and now it is up to you. If you through the long desert (from the distant parking), decide to accept the challenge, when somebody asks you arrived to the dark cave (what they call the warehouse what you saw you can reply like Carter, “wonderful things”. number 5.1), and have overcome the security members (which you can do by buying a ticket) will you arrive at Valeria A, Year 7 the threshold of the KV23 (Tutankhamun’s tomb). Then the real adventure will begin.

When your eyes get accustomed to the shadows you will be, possibly for the first time, in a real treasure chamber. Infinite shining objects covering everything, every space, from one extreme to the other, but there are no jewels, no coins, nor ingots. It is like the Victorian play room of an old castle or the attic of manor house but with all its toys and gadgets made of gold: scale models of Nile’s ships, war trumpets, beds shaped like lionesses, antelope or a hippopotamus, hunting bows, thrones, colourful daggers, bracelets, treasure chests, spears, toy soldiers, an astounding chariot for racing and hunting, boomerangs, ... And, incredibly, dozens of packets of food, like a three thousand year old McDonalds picnic-lunch, for the afterlife... And this is only the antechamber. Moving on you will find the Annexe, the Burial Chamber, and the Treasury.

You might know that Tutankhamun (for us, at this point, Tut), lived between 1336 and 1327BC and was the last pharaoh of the XVIII Dynasty. He was the son of Akhenaton ,the crazy reformer, and probably the half- son of Nefertiti, the prettiest of the queens of Egypt, as you can see, even today if you go to Berlin). He was also a descendent of the dazzling Hatshepsut, the unique pharaoh woman among pharaohs, and also of the intrepid Tutmosis III, erudite and warrior. Interestingly, Tutankhamun, in spite of his fame, was only “the pharaohteen”. He died at only 19 years of age, and that was all. Well, and then Carter came, three thousand, two hundred and forty nine years later.

Howard Carter was a British Egyptologist with not much luck, but a dreamer with so much persistence

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Art and Culture ‘Mientras Dure la Guerra’: A deeper look into the life of a great intellectual

The life and works of Miguel de Unamuno have long more accessible, it was nothing extremely original been regarded with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. within the biopic genre. The soundtrack of the film was His eccentric personality and political opinions have unremarkable, so much so that after leaving the screening surrounded his figure with an air of fascination that is you wondered if there was one at all. A better soundtrack rarely seen with other historical figures. could have added another level of complexity to the film which was simply not present. A prolific writer and philosopher, Unamuno was born in Bilbao in 1864 and would move on to be rector of the Furthermore, there were some failures in relation to University of Salamanca and one of the leading figures the historical accuracy of the film. Some of these were of 20th-century Spanish literature. “Mientras Dure la somewhat understandable as they were probably altered Guerra” by Alejandro Amenábar portrays the life of the in order to make the scenes more engaging; however, philosopher from the start of the Spanish Civil War until details such as the placement of Unamuno in the film’s his death on the 31st of December 1936. main scene or the lack of mention of his sons, who are not portrayed in the film, make you leave the film ever The biopic is centred around one of the main moments so slightly frustrated. Amenábar himself has already in the life of Unamuno, a Nationalist meeting at the commented on the placement of Unamuno during his University in which he proclaimed his disgust towards speech, reporting that one of the technicians asked him the battle cry of the Spanish Legion (Viva la muerte!) to place him there to facilitate the shooting of the scene. and uttered one of the most infamous phrases in Spanish All of these made the film less enjoyable to those who history in an enormous act of bravery ‘Venceréis pero no had already seen pictures of the event or were more convenceréis’ (you shall defeat but not convince). The familiar with the main character’s life which caused the man had showed his support to the Nationalist movement atmosphere that had been created to be slightly dispelled. in the months before the meeting, making his protest all the more surprising. However, the biggest fault in the film which made it slightly disappointing, was the lack of depth of the character of The choice of cast was undoubtedly sound, with Karra Unamuno. It is extremely difficult, or perhaps impossible, Elejalde (Ocho Apellidos Vascos) playing the eccentric to fully transmit a sense of a person’s character to an and confrontational protagonist and Eduard Fernandez audience. However, the film does not show Unamuno’s as José Millán Astray. Karra Elejalde performed the role more intellectual side or his work. His intelligence and with success perfectly embodying some aspects of the importance of his influence on Spanish culture is the man’s personality, managing to give a sense of the mentioned occasionally by the other characters but, had writer’s character in a holistic way. Eduard Fernández’s you entered the film without knowing who he was, you depiction of Millán Astray and his contempt towards would have left without knowing that he was one of the Unamuno was especially effective; the actor looked quite greatest minds of Spanish history. terrifying as he marched with his legions. All in all, the film was quite pleasant to watch and made the Moreover, the film was very aesthetically pleasing with character of Unamuno more accessible while portraying the golden stone of the buildings in the ancient town of a different side of the Spanish Civil War. Although we all Salamanca, Unamuno’s desk filled with leather-bound expected to be met with a constant stream of wisdom books and the countryside which the writer loved so from the intellectual the director chose to concentrate on much. As the rector walked through the streets of the town the action rather than his work or his complex past in with his flowing overcoat the director managed to create relation to different political figures. The biopic was quite some beautiful frames which added quality to the film. well executed, if slightly too generic and unoriginal. Despite all of this, some aspects of the work could have been improved. Although the film as a whole was Angélica O, Year 12 acceptably good and made the character of Unamuno

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Photography Christmas Competition

Mikayil S, Year 8M

Winner: Eduardo B, Year 7A Luna P , Year 7A

Moira Hanna P, Year 8I

Pablo R, Year 7P

Runner up: Lola A, Year 7A

Pelayo A, Year 7A

31 Reviews

Review: A Silent Voice

Of the many films touching on the topic of bullying and mental health in the movie industry, the Japanese animated film “Koe no Katachi” (or “A Silent Voice” as translated for Western audiences) presents a particularly exceptional take on this commonly mentioned yet rarely confronted problem. Centred on a former bully Ishida Shouya’s experiences as a high-school student years after the victim of his harassment, Nishimiya Shouko, a deaf girl, transferred away from his grade-school, “A Silent Voice” brings in a deeply touching, emotionally stirring story from the perspective of a former bully and his desperate attempts to redeem himself. The film, directed by Naoko Yamada, is an adaptation of a manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Oima, first published and serialised in 2011.

Although the storyline of the film may not seem particularly eye- catching for some due to its rather typical setting of “Boy bullies girl as a child, and the two fall in love afterwards”, “A Silent Voice” definitely abolishes this initial ‘teen romance’ expectation as its storyline is primarily dominated by the character development of its protagonist, Ishida Shouya, and his attempts to atone for his mistakes, to finally succeed in moving past his deep feelings of guilt.

What “A Silent Voice” succeeds in executing phenomenally is its realistic portrayal of classroom relationships and attitudes, as Ishida, after seeing how other friends excluded Nishimiya from their circles, begins to bully her for fun, as if to impress other classmates, shouting into her ear on purpose, ripping up her books, tearing out her hearing aids and breaking them in front of her. As viewers, most would hesitate to excuse Ishida from his actions, although admittedly his behaviour can still be explained by his young age and inability to empathise with the girl, who despite all of his harassment and mistreatment, still insisted on befriending him and forgiving him. The 12-year-old Ishida couldn’t understand her, and so when she finally transferred from his school only a few months after her arrival; this cued the beginning of his transformation.

He soon becomes the victim of bullying himself, used as the scapegoat by his complacent teacher and self-serving friends for the bullying suffered by Nishimiya. He is labelled as “A Bully” for the rest of his time in grade school and middle school, a name which he carries all the way to high school. Only then does he begin to understand the severity of his actions, and as a mature, regretful teenager, the film starts with him standing on the ledge of a bridge about to hurl himself off it, before finally stopping himself, and resolving to properly find her and redeem himself for his past cruelty.

The whole film’s plot revolves around Ishida’s journey out of social isolation once he succeeds in reconciling with the kind and forgiving Nishimiya. They begin to spend more and more time with each other, with Ishida forming a firm friendship with her younger sister Yuzuru, and finding a new friend in his old classmate, the overdramatic but caring Nagatsuka.

What “A Silent Voice” really illustrates exceptionally is the deep guilt felt by Ishida throughout the story. He never puts aside the fact that he’s a “horrible person” (although it becomes clear to the audience that he wasn’t one from the start), and suffers an extremely grating mental burden of shame throughout his daily life. His simple mannerisms of avoiding his classmates’ eyes and the self-disgust he experiences whenever his past bullying is brought up all show his deeply ingrained shame, all of which cause viewers to inevitably sympathise with him and his agony. The movie also brilliantly explores the extent of his guilt-inflicted turmoil as he resorts to a form of escapism by visualising “crosses” on people’s faces surrounding him, ambiguously symbolic of how he avoids interaction and doesn’t talk to his classmates out of fear of moral condemnation, just as his classmates had done to him before, post Nishimiya’s transferal from his school. He symbolically removes his hands from his ears by the end of the film, suggesting that he’s finally stopped running away from the judgement of others (which was the root of him setting a wall between himself and all other classmates), and has decided to stop blocking out other people’s voices out of fear for what he might hear being said about himself. This heart-wrenching epiphany moves him, and most likely the audience, who have accompanied him from the start of his journey to the end, into a torrent of tears.

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Nishimiya Shouko, the female lead of the story, and the deaf What was perhaps the most powerful scene of all is actually girl who was the victim of Ishida’s bullying as a child, serves one that happens early on in the story when Ishida’s mother as another focal point of the film’s message, as throughout confronts him casually about his suicide attempt, after deducing the whole film it is clear that she is trying her best to make it from his strange behaviour. His reluctance to admit it causes friends, and stop herself from being alienated by those who his mother to break down into tears and fury as she bellows at cannot understand her, as shown through her ever-forgiving him to swear to never think of doing it again, threatening him by kindness and never-resentful attitude despite all of the holding a lighter next to the bundle of money he had earned hardships she’s suffered. More realistically, the film portrays over months to “repay” his mother before committing suicide. how she herself has lost a huge part of self-esteem and An emotionally stunning scene brimming with maternal love love for herself, and is incredibly pained by her disability, and a child’s desperate attempts to not worry her, this was the with the film’s most heart-wrenching moments depicting the only time in the film where I was genuinely brought to tears, way she blames herself and apologises for the “misfortune” the pain and desperation felt by Ishida’s mother upon finding other people have experienced, when it is clear to the out that her son wanted to kill herself strikingly transmitted in audience that nothing is her fault. “A Silent Voice” powerfully the most moving way. “A Silent Voice” draws compelling conveys the importance of standing up against bullying and demonstrates how suicide isn’t in fact the end of everything; misconceptions, and helping those lacking self esteem it has an effect on everyone around you, from family, friends, regain their confidence and sense of value, just as Ishida simple acquaintances, everyone, and once more reiterates the does for Nishimiya throughout the course of the film. It is this message of how people in need of support should not be left beautiful message delivered in such a natural, yet touching alone, and that should anyone have thoughts of suicide they way that truly sets this film apart from so many other ones of should always rethink these decisions by considering those the same genre. people who love them and wish them to live.

Kyoto Animation has always been known for its godly The title of the film “A Silent Voice”, is actually an inaccurate animation and visually outstanding art style, demonstrated translation of what it actually means in Japanese - “Koe no in its other exceptional series “Violet Evergarden” and Katachi”, literally meaning “The Shape of Voice”. This difference “Hyouka”, and the studio’s production of “A Silent Voice” is is incredibly significant in the understanding of the film, as it is no exception to this rule. The film is full of emotion, subtle, evocatively symbolic of the film’s inspirational driving message. yet inexplicably powerful, and the vivid and striking colour Whilst it can be taken as a phrase representative of how schemes along with the production team’s skilful usage of Nishimiya would probably perceive ‘voices’ as someone unable scenery and natural images (particularly the shades of green to hear or speak articulately, hence how the “shape” of her and blue of water) transmit striking emotions throughout voice alone when she tries to speak is enough to transmit her every second of the film, whether quotidian and carefree, or raw emotions, it can also hold a deeper meaning in the eyes of heart-wrenching and bittersweet. This visual heaven is further Ishida himself. He couldn’t understand the girl he ‘d bullied as a enhanced by the selective choices of background music to 6th grader, and only tries to do so once he experiences bullying accompany it, whether it be the calm, even flow of the piano himself, and just as he blocked himself off from all the people playing behind the scenes showing the transitioning of time he felt had turned against him in condemnation he had blocked and development of relationships, or the sudden crescendo out the voices of everyone around him because of his regret of powerful instruments to build up to a moment of silence to and shame. The journey throughout the film as he begins to express bursts of pent up emotions, all of them combining to open up more and more and allow these imagined ‘crosses’ on construct an awe-inducing mixture of emotions throughout people’s faces to peel off is symbolic of how he gradually allows the film, brimming with childish memory and nostalgia, their voices, the shapes of those voices and what is said by crammed with sadness and bittersweet regret, and woven these voices, to reach him, as he stops wandering in an abyss with touches of warmth and contentment to draw out a of guilt to move forwards as a new person. “A Silent Voice” is by fulfilling end. no means a perfect production with a flawless story; of course, like most films it overdramatises a lot of the scenes and the sequences of events that follow them, and viewers may find themselves thinking “not everyone is as good of a person as Ishida turned out to be”. Nonetheless, it certainly does convey an important message of support for those being bullied as well as for those that do not understand the severe consequences of their bullying, and with the torrent of emotions induced by its brilliant scripting and use of cinematographic and animation effects, “A Silent Voice” is definitely a wholesome film to watch for those anticipating a bittersweet, yet strangely fulfilling ride.

Winner of The 2016 Japanese Movie Critics Awards for Best Animation Feature Film and The 2017 Japanese Academy Awards for Excellent Animation of the Year, as well as five others coupled with 11 nominations from different film festival awards.

Ignacio A, Year 10 Sharon W, Year 12

33 Reviews

Review: Jojo Rabbit Review

Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich may perhaps not strike jaded, cynical soldier who has quickly become estranged many people as the ideal fodder for a comedy. After all, from Hitler’s ‘glorious cause’ and Stephen Merchant, the Nazi Party is undoubtedly the pinnacle of depravity, uncharacteristically chilling with reptilian ooze as a gaunt monstrosity and, quite simply, evil in our collective Gestapo officer, the cast blend together perfectly. Scarlett mindset. Responsible for the most heinous crime in Johansson plays Jojo’s secretly anti-Nazi mother, whose human history, championing bigoted, backwards and moments with her son make up much of the heart of this loathsome rhetoric, it is hard to find a group so universally movie, whilst the young actor Archie Yates as Jojo’s best reviled - but, worryingly, that is not quite the case. friend Yorki, is easily the funniest part of the entire film, and his talent alone is sufficient to carry Jojo Rabbit. 75 years after the crumbling of Hitler’s lunatic empire, and there appears to be an alarming increase in Neo- Particular praise must go to Waititi, who in his turn as Nazism, White Power, racism and anti-Semitism from imaginary Hitler is responsible for some of the film’s both the alt-right and (in a far smaller capacity, but there biggest laughs, whilst also belittling and ridiculing the nonetheless) even, rearing its ugly head tentatively, in diminutive dictator as a megalomaniacal, pompous, the mainstream left. priggish and utterly deluded clown (which, lets be honest, is never a bad thing to show). Which is why I was delighted when New Zealand born director Taika Waititi (creator of the sidesplittingly funny Roman Griffin Davis must be singled out as the film’s ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ and ‘What We Do In The lead character, who whilst also landing comedic beats Shadows’) helmed Jojo Rabbit, an anti-hate satire that perfectly, is magnificent in his range in exhibiting the gleefully and mercilessly spits in the face of the Third emotion at the core of this movie. At the end of the day, Reich to deliver a resounding blow to the pestilent legacy Jojo is nothing but a lonely, scared child manipulated of National Socialism. by vile adults, and watching his gradual evolution from

Based on Christine Leunen’s novel ‘Caging Skies’, Jojo Rabbit’s story is straightforward, with a touch of Waititi’s customary idiosyncratic comedic flair. Broadly, it follows Johannes ‘Jojo’ Betzler, a credulous, naive ten-year old member of the Hitler Youth who discovers his mother has been harbouring a Jewish refugee in the attic of their home. Following Jojo, is Adolf Hitler himself (played by Waititi) or rather, an imaginary version of Adolf Hitler created by the ten-year old’s blind adoration and exposure to propaganda. Wrestling with the hate he has been taught his entire life, the ten-year old’s world view is radically changed as he experiences first-hand one of the Jews he has been instructed to revile his entire life, whilst his inner senses of empathy, doubt and childishness begin to slowly overcome the poison injected into him by the Nazi Party.

From a comedic perspective, Waititi goes straight for the jugular, aided in no small part by an outstanding ensemble cast. Within its first half-hour, the film strikes left, right and centre at the Nazis, using the hyperbole of satire to expose the hypocrisy, stupidity and nonsensical nature of Nazi rhetoric. Whether it be through Rebel Wilson’s moronic, brutish, Fraulein Rahm, who has one of the most cutting jabs in the movie (“we Aryans are a thousand times more civilised than any race” she crows proudly, “now, who wants to burn some books?”) or Sam Rockwell, excellent as always as Captain Klenzendorf, a

34 Reviews

blindly singing the Reich’s praises to emerging from out of nowhere, and are dealt with with such seriousness, the fog of propaganda is one of the film’s greatest solemnity and respect that it feels like a sudden punch to triumphs. That, and the heartbreak of its message and the gut. They succeed admirably in transmitting, mixed in its implication when focusing on the ten year old and between the jokes, the film’s greatest strength. his friend. These are no cold-hearted, psychopathic, sadistic SS officers or Einsatzgruppen members: they are A cautionary tale of the power of hatred and its manipulative children, their innocence and joy ripped mercilessly from horror, of the death of innocence and the terror of losing them as they are thrust into the forefront of brutality and our humanity, of the self-destructive nature of evil, the hatred, corrupted and tarnished. Alongside Thomasin pain it causes and, for me, most importantly, the power McKenzie as Elsa Korr, the Jewish refugee, who is also of empathy, love, kindness and hope. Call Jojo Rabbit’s stellar in conveying the bitterness, loneliness, rage and faith in the strength of love naïve or sentimental, for me injustice of an innocent rejected and betrayed by her it is a philosophy that is more important now than ever fellow human beings, Jojo Rabbit soars in its bittersweet before. Of how in the face of the small-minded, pathetic, moments, as well as the increasing nature of Jojo’s vicious buffoons and monsters that encapsulates men struggle, as throughout the movie the clownish ‘Hitler’ like the Nazis, our greatest strength is our respect, our begins to evolve into his true self, (credit again to Waititi) morality and our integrity. a selfish, brutish, abusive thug. And as the film’s ending sequence, another scene of Though not exactly a masterwork in subtlety (then again many that elicit the question ‘who’s cutting onions in nuance is not exactly vital when deriding the literal worst here?” unfolds, to a German cover of David Bowie’s people to walk this earth) Jojo Rabbit more than makes Heroes ,the beauty of Waititi’s anti-hate satire becomes up for it with its strain of witty, sly and often acerbic dark beautifully clear, no matter how simple its message. How comedy, which thankfully strays away from mocking the we can all be heroes. Just for one day. atrocities of the Nazis and focuses on their ideology and character. The serious scenes of this movie in fact come Pablo L, Year 13

Review: The Crown: New Season, New Decade, New Actors

Warning! Spoilers ahead!

The lavish big budget Netflix drama The Crown, which centres itself on the irresistible topic of the British royal family, is back for its third season and once again does not disappoint.

Whilst I am surprised by the fact that I have yet to finish a season which I’d been eagerly waiting for, I’m hardly surprised by the series’ success. When Claire Foy signed up for the role of the Queen in the series which premiered in 2016, she knew, unlike a large percentage of us, that she would only be staying for the first two seasons of the historically based narrative. Whilst we were sad to learn that we would not see the Golden Globe prized actress performing in the subsequent seasons, her successor was warmly welcomed. In order to portray the ageing of the royal family, the cast was reselected and centred around the new 1964 Queen: Olivia Colman (largely known for her role in Les Misérables and The Favourite amongst other titles) and the new Duke of Edinburgh: Tobias Menzies (Black Jack Randall in STARZ’s Outlander). Interestingly, Olivia Colman is the only actress to have played Queen Elizabeth II (The Crown) and the Queen Mother (2012’s Hyde Park on Hudson).

The latest season pulls us into the economic and political struggles Harold Wilson’s labour government faced in the late 60s (the season hinting that Lord Mountbatten was willing to stage a Coup against the democratic government), we are also

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historically enlightened on the morbidly terrifying events of Aberfan and intrigued by Princess Margaret’s negotiation skills with the American President Johnson in times of debt. I once again admit to only have watched 5 episodes of the 10 released on the 17th of this past November; however, I’m not quite sure that I’ll find any of the following episodes more fascinating than the 4th: “Bubbikins”.

The episode named after Princess Alice’s (performed by Jane Lapotaire) nickname for her son, the Duke of Edinburgh, focuses on a hidden figure of the royal family. In the first two seasons of The Crown viewers had been entranced by the brief forays into Prince Philip’s turbulent childhood (a boy famously smuggled out of a war zone in a small crate). However, this episode chose to stop sidelining a memorable figure: the elusive Princess Alice of Battenberg.

The episode shows a congenitally deaf woman who learnt how to read lips in several languages and kept an altruistic life of service as a military nurse during World War I. We also learn that she sheltered Jewish refugees during the Holocaust and finally founded an Orthodox order of nursing nuns in Greece. The series even goes as far as hinting that the Greek Princess was treated by Sigmund Freud as she said “He was not a kind man. I was there for just over two years, and I managed to escape”. Historically, we know that the Princess was removed from her family against her will and sent to two sanatoriums in quick succession, both of which were run by protégés of Sigmund Freud.

With storylines as intriguing as these it’s no wonder that The Crown has failed to disappoint.

Federica D, Year 12

36 Reviews

Review: Fouché by Stefan Zweig

In a time of romantic legends where names like Danton, Mirabeau, Lafayette and Napoleon stand on the shoulders of Universal History, a single man in the shadows, overcomes them all. Joseph Fouché is an overlooked yet fundamental figure in every government from the Revolution to Louis The XVIII as the schemer, and two faced advisor. A man whose beginnings as a clergy man are all the more ironic, for his true amoral character, his inner love of treachery constitute his very being. A man who was bound to die kneeling at the guillotine for conspiring against Robespierre, and who, against all odds, turned every member of the Convention against his executioner. There have been many figures in history whose lives have shone more brightly, but few have achieved so much in the darkness of plotting.

Joseph Fouché was the sort of man to conspire with the British Government behind Napoleon’s back. On the grounds of an almost confirmed suspicion, Napoleon in a typical bout of anger stated that Fouché “was a traitor and should be hanged” at which Fouché merely replied “I do not share the opinion of your Majesty”

Capable of being the most radical Jacobin, ordering the murder of hundreds in Lyon, tied and killed at 10 feet’s distance by cannons filled with shrapnel, yet promptly turning to the Gironds, the moderates, when the tide swayed in their favour.

Stefan Zweig’s Fouché is full of vital prose and excitement as the life of the politician is recounted. At no point does the biography become a tedious description of the facts- Zweig’s talent as a novelist makes every event gripping with vision and imagination.

Even more strikingly, we feel Zweig’s vicarious enthusiasm as he narrates, and the reader’s vision of the events blends with the authors. This makes Zweig’s Fouché a very fruitful piece of literature, though not a scholarly one. Zweig’s has the rare ability to capture essence, condensing, summarising entire periods like The Revolution and the Napoleonic reign, giving a broad impression of Fouche’s era. The historical element however, remains always as a backdrop, giving depth to the scene without being the object of our attention: this is of course, Fouché’s strife for power and his pleasure in power.

Zweig’s critical examination of the mind, the mind and it’s cravings for power makes Fouché fascinating, particularly when desires collide: Talleyrand, his arch-rival, wasteful, libertine and a brilliant improvisor, against Fouché: the austere and scheming civil servant. Zweig describes their mutual espionage, to the profit of Napoleon, as the rivals avoided all and every mistake in their role.

At the very end, when Fouché is finally cast from the monarchy of Louis XVIII for his role in the King’s brothers death 20 years prior we too, like him feel the power abandon us. Like an exiled and wrinkled Fouché we turn the last pages with the hope he will be called to court once again so we may feel his machinations with elation- a little complicity comes a long way. Our thirst of power remains when the cover closes.

Jerónimo O, Year 12OD

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