Monday, July 13, 2020 Dhul-Qa’da 22, 1441 AH

Doha today: 330 - 420

COVER STORY In the forefront With new series Stateless, Cate Blanchett tackles the human drama of immigration. P4-5

HOLLYWOOD BACK PAGE

Looking for a follow-up to DIY danger: ‘It’s not a sensible Tiger King? Watch these. thing to do when you get older”. Page 15 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON NETFLIX

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.23am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.53am Zuhr (noon) 11.41am Asr (afternoon) 3.06pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.29pm Isha (night) 7.59pm

USEFUL NUMBERS The Crown prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy DIRECTION: Peter Morgan while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister, CAST: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Matt Smith Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the SYNOPSIS: The show focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the a twenty-fi ve-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting throne....a new era is dawning.

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Riverdale of Riverdale investigates the murder. The series starts Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, DIRECTION: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa in September, the beginning of a new school year, that 40253369 CAST: K.J. Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes brings with it new students, relationships, and reveals the Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 SYNOPSIS: After the death of one of the rich and mysteries of the past 4th of July. The teenage high school Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 popular Blossom twins on the 4th of July, the small town drama follows the plot. Qatar Airways 40253374

ote Unquo Qu te “The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” — Gilbert K. Chesterton

Community Editor Kamran Rehmat e-mail: [email protected] The 100 humanity’s lone survivors sends one hundred juvenile Telephone: 44466405 DIRECTION: Jason Rothenberg delinquents back to Earth, in hopes of possibly re- Fax: 44350474 CAST: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos populating the planet, the mystery unfolds that there may SYNOPSIS: Set ninety-seven years after a nuclear be more survivors on Earth already than they were actually war has destroyed civilisation, when a spaceship housing anticipating. Monday, July 13, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 GARDENING COMMUNITY Growing plants inside Having green fingers is not as complicated as you might think, writes James Wong

fter months of self- isolating, this weekend I masked-up and joined the queue for my garden Acentre. As someone who normally visits nurseries or plant shops at least twice a week, it was a huge relief to be surrounded by all the greenery. But perhaps what was even more exciting were the enormous numbers of young people waiting patiently in line to get a houseplant fi x. Working in an industry that has struggled for decades to fi gure out how to make itself relevant and accessible to those under 50, it’s wonderful to fi nally see a new generation discovering the joys of the natural world through indoor SWEET AND INTENSE: Boysenberries ‘taste like someone has injected gardening. them with blackberry jam and raspberry cordial’. But with so much frankly terrible advice on houseplants out there (ironically on the very social media Sweet treats: berries they are extremely cheap to platforms that have created this new for tight spaces propagate from seed (each fl owering of interest), I also had to packet will produce 100 plants or repress the desperate compulsion When it comes to growing more) and can be crammed in as to advise the 20-somethings on the edible plants, market research has underplanting in any gap in a bed, plants they were buying. However, shown that home gardeners are pot or border, this is surprisingly doling out unsolicited advice is a LOW MAINTENANCE: A bird’s nest fern. still far more interested in growing easy to do. bit more socially acceptable in a vegetables than fruit. Perhaps Sticking with berries that grow magazine column than to random is almost always simple: lack environment within, which is a – because most vegetables are well in shade, raspberries are an people in queues, so here are my top of moisture – in particular, the perfect microclimate for plants from annuals – it is the promise of excellent candidate, too. A new tips for those starting out on their consistent, stable moisture levels the rainforest fl oor, but the exact faster results. Or maybe it’s down generation of dwarf varieties adventure in the great indoors. these plants love. As even the best opposite of what desert dwellers to perceived cost – after all, means you can grow them easily Cacti and succulents are gardeners can lapse from time to need. Go for ferns, mosses and vegetable seeds are far cheaper even if all you have are pots. ‘Ruby experiencing a huge spike in interest, time, the solution to this is to pick orchids instead. to buy than fruit bushes or trees. Falls’ has to be the best contender and there is one simple tip that will large, waxy-leaved species, such Finally, if you are a timid fi rst timer Or maybe it’s just that people are here, producing good yields on eliminate the key cause of death as bird’s nest ferns and staghorn and want something unkillable, ZZ put off by all the complex pruning plants no more than 1m high. and ill health. Place your plant no ferns. They have developed a shiny plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) and rules… They don’t have thorns or require more than 1m away from a window. coating as a way to prevent water cast iron plant (Aspidistra eliator) are However, if it is maximum staking, either, which is a real Despite glass appearing transparent, loss. Maidenhair ferns are lovely, but almost bombproof. A delivery man reward for minimum cost and godsend. it fi lters out almost all UVB rays. For not a great choice for total beginners, once left an aspidistra in my mum’s in minimum space that you are If you have a little more space every metre you go from a window unless you’re up for a challenge and bin cupboard, which she eventually after, fruit beats vegetables hands to play with, the weird, purple- this can halve, then halve again – lots of dedication. discovered a couple of months down by almost every measure. coloured fruit of ‘Glen Coe’ have something these desert dwellers When it comes to the oh-so- later, only for it to appear totally For starters, most fruit bushes a wonderful fusion of classic can’t handle. If you don’t have any trendy terrariums, the secret really unscathed. are perennial, so will come back blackberry and raspberry fl avour. sill space, consider another plant. is to ignore everything you have seen Most importantly, don’t give up. year after year without signifi cant They grow on thornless, silvery Ferns are the number one on Pinterest and never, ever plant I say it a lot, but it’s true: the only extra cost or eff ort. Add this to the blue stems. They are vigorous houseplant people tell me they cacti or succulents in them. The glass secret to having green fi ngers is fact that, generally, their harvests and will grow fairly tall without struggle to grow, and the problem creates a low-light, high-humidity persistence. – The Guardian cost more to buy, too. So, with a few snips of the secateurs, but this in mind, here’s my take on they will happily live in a 1m-wide the best fruiting plants for small border without spreading patches, all of which you can plant laterally. right now. Lastly, I have to give a shout If you are looking for the easiest out to the boysenberry, probably of all fruit to grow, it would be the least grown of the traditional hard to fi nd a better example than berries, yet undoubtedly the wild strawberry. Containing a the tastiest. This complex, whopping fi ve times the sugar of intergenerational hybrid of a the traditional cultivated variety, range of diff erent bramble species, plus a far heftier dose of aroma including both raspberries, compounds, each tiny fruit is so blackberries and more exotic intensely fl avoured, it’s like biting species like the American into living confectionery. Unlike dewberry, is essentially unbuyable regular strawberries, they don’t in supermarkets due to its short produce those pesky runners shelf life and low yields. But it that need constant trimming or has a fl avour, both in terms of replanting, either. They will even aromatic intensity and sweetness, fruit well in shady spaces where like no other. It’s as if someone most fruit plants would not be injected them with blackberry jam happy. and raspberry cordial. There are As their fruit are, at best, now thornless varieties, too, and thumbnail-sized, you will need to none will take up much room. I’d plant quite a few to get a decent say it was an absolute must-grow. harvest. However, considering – The Guardian INSIDE STORY: Ferns and mosses do well in a terrarium. 4 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “For me, it’s about balancing the pragmatic with the creative” — Cate Blanchett, Oscar winning actress, on new TV series Stateless

It’s human drama. It’s not just delivering some political message. It’s asking more questions than it answers ‘ — Cate Blanchett

German tourist who overstayed her By Meredith Blake visa. At the centre — in a parched, economically depressed corner of ebates over South Australia — she is held along immigration and with hundreds of so-called UNCs national identity (or unlawful noncitizens). These dominate the political refugees include Ameer (Fayssal discourse in the Bazzi), an Afghan ’man hoping D Trump-era United States, but many to reunite with his family after a Americans may be unaware that traumatic separation. Outfi tted Australia has grappled with similar in a silver wig and sequins gowns, issues for decades. Blanchett has a small role as Pat, That’s about to change with the the singing-and-dancing wife of a debut of Stateless, a Netfl ix series charismatic cult leader played by co-created by Cate Blanchett that Dominic West. dives into her home country’s As implausible as it may seem, treatment of refugees and asylum Sofi e’s story is partially inspired by seekers. the case of Cornelia Rau, a white The drama is set during the Australian woman who was held mid-aughts, as wars in Iraq and in an onshore detention centre for Afghanistan sent thousands fl eeing several months and helped bring to other countries, including attention to the country’s severe Australia, with the hopes of immigration policies. beginning a new life. The six-part Blanchett created the series series follows the unusual journey with Tony Ayres and Elise of Sofi e (Yvonne Strahovski), an McCredie. Though Stateless deals Australian fl ight attendant who with subjects that remain deeply gets involved in a cult, suff ers a polarising in the US and Australia breakdown and mistakenly winds — and are explored in greater depth up in an immigration detention in an accompanying podcast called centre, where she claims to be a Post Play: Stateless — Blanchett Monday, July 13, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY insists the series is “not a piece of “There’s so much agitprop.” “It’s human drama. It’s not just about Australia delivering some political message. It’s asking more questions than it that I am deeply answers,” says the two-time Oscar winner, who was also an executive proud of. But producer on this spring’s politically charged miniseries, Mrs. America. it’s been a great Blanchett and Ayres recently spoke via Zoom about the series source of shame and the diffi cult themes it explores. for me to hear What made you want to get the rhetoric involved behind the scenes on this series? Is producing around the satisfying in a way that performing isn’t? building of the Blanchett: The producers I truly admire are infi nitely wall, the rhetoric inventive. Some of them also happen to be performers or around Brexit. directors, as these skill sets are often interlinked. For me, it’s The DNA of that about balancing the pragmatic with the creative. Sometimes is absolutely I am compelled to be involved born inside in a project but know that to shoehorn myself artifi cially as of Australia” an actor into that project would capsize or pervert the material. — Cate Blanchett Then also knowing that if one is SPOTLIGHT: Playing Yvonne Strahovsky in a scene from Stateless. not in it, that certain fi nanciers may not be willing to take a risk on the material. Some of the most political to deal with what is still Blanchett: I had been inspired Ayres: The choice to enter reinvented. It’s all about being a fulfi lling creative experiences an ongoing situation in Australia by my work as a goodwill the story with a white Australian new you, a better you, a you that I’ve had, the most fascinating and globally. So we decided to set ambassador for the (UN High woman was a form of Trojan horse. is separate from anything that conversations, have been in and it slightly back in time, almost as Commission for Refugees) to It was strategic: Who can we give to you did in the past. That was kind around facilitating the work of a prequel to off shore detention, shine a light on the human stories. an audience that they can connect of a metaphor to what we saw others. It’s never been about what when refugees were processed Whenever I went on a mission to? I think that Yvonne in particular happening in Australia. role I play, more the quality of the onshore so that we could reverse- with UNHCR, I would speak to is so extraordinarily empathetic in When Tony and Elise and I grew conversation. engineer how we’ve got here. mothers, to daughters, to sisters. her performance. She brings us into up, “Brand Australia” was built There’s so much about Australia The profound takeaway I had is the story, but then we hopefully will on multiculturalism (and) the The idea for this series that I am deeply proud of. So many that this could be me in diff erent experience other people’s dramas welcoming embrace of refugees and originated with a kitchen-table of our cultural and scientifi c and circumstances. That was something within that, and the dramas of asylum seekers. And we saw that conversation back in 2013. Can athletic exports. But it’s been we carried into the DNA of the people who are not white. atrophy and calcify and we use that you tell me about that? a great source of shame for me series. metaphor of the cult to speak to Blanchett: We were thinking to hear the rhetoric around the We wanted to fi nd a window for How did you develop the cult that story. about telling stories that were building of the wall, the rhetoric people who hadn’t had interface storyline and the character of Ayres: For us, the idea of a elephants in the room, so to speak around Brexit. The DNA of that is with the refugee experience, to ask Pat? cult where you are made all these — those stories that everybody absolutely born inside of Australia. themselves, “What if it was my Blanchett: I was happy to be promises of what you could be needed to talk about. Drama is This has massive international sister? What if it was me, what if it involved as an actor in any way that felt a little bit like the experience the most inclusive way to have relevance and resonance. We need was my daughter who fell through would help the material, and Elise for the refugees — the promise of those conversations. It’s the to sort that out in our own country, the cracks as our character Sophie came up with the character where what Australia was, that you could space for long-form empathetic but that language has absolutely did in the mental health system, the I got to sing and dance. The show escape the past, all of those things. examinations of quite complicated been exported overseas. judicial system and the immigration is a lot about identity and what It’s not a direct parallel, but those and confronting stories in any system and ended up by complete happens to the identity of citizens two stories resonated against each culture. Australia’s treatment of Why make Sofi e one of mistake inside one of these when they are separated from their other for us. refugees over the last 20 years was the central characters? As a detention centres?” We felt like humanity. one of those subjects that wasn’t white Australian, she is not we could only create that through Cult Behavior 101 is you separate How conscious were you of being discussed. So we all wanted representative of the people a middle-class, white Australian yourself from your family, from trying to draw parallels between to fi nd a way we could bring it back who end up in detention. character. That was very deliberate. your past, and your future is the situation in Australia and into the national conversation in a similar issues in the US and nonfear-based, inclusive way. Europe? Blanchett: We’ve always been Can you talk about the of the belief that if you make inspiration for this series and something deeply specific and how you decided on setting it true and accurate and well- in the recent past — rather than researched, that it will have the present day? universal resonance. And that’s Ayres: We decided that the what we hoped the story would best period to tell our story was achieve. The only way to battle looking at when Australia still the pandemic is globally and yet had on-shore detention so that we’re still labouring under this we could understand the current rhetoric of nation-building and iteration. There were stories of how each country should deal Australian citizens that had been with it in their own, individual mistakenly put in detention, there way, but that’s not going to were stories of people breaking out solve the problem. The global of detention, there were stories displacement crisis is not going of Australian citizens who were to be solved by any one country, standing up for refugees, and there nor is climate change, nor is the were a lot of stories of trauma. pandemic. Blanchett: It took a long time Ayres: In Australia, we compare to fi nd partners who were brave how we’re dealing with the enough to look at the human LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Cate Blanchett has publicly supported UNHCR since 2015 and was named a UNHCR pandemic to the charts we’re seeing drama behind the obviously Goodwill Ambassador in May 2016. Her support ranges across advocacy, awareness raising and fundraising and from America. That’s the problem political patina. For us, it was focuses both on humanising the refugee issue and amplifying the voices of refugees so that their stories, experience — when it’s not a global issue. almost too hot and polarising and and needs can reach a wider audience. — Los Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY ICC organises webinar workshop for parents and teachers

Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), under the patronage of the Embassy of India, recently organised screen time and conversations around it for all age groups, including tiny tots, tweens, and a webinar workshop for parents and teachers on ‘Helping Children to be Good Netizens’ emerging adults, highlighting ways to deal with issues like grooming, abuse and addiction, and conducted by Neelanjana Grover, a certified trainer and a training consultant from Mumbai, false identities. India. Neelanjana has been working in the field of child development and child safety for the last 20 As education has moved to online learning and due to the lockdown, the children are years. She is an educator and advocate for the well-being and safety of children and emerging spending more time in the virtual world than ever before, raising concerns about their teen’s adults. She has worked with individuals and groups, schools, and communities at various digital well-being. The workshop provided new evidence-based tips and tools on ways to projects. manage and keep the children safe. Parents and teachers were briefed on ways to guide and Manikantan AP, President of ICC, welcomed the attendees. Rajesh Singh, Head of Finance of ensure the children to be healthy netizens. Workshop also addressed compelling questions ICC, hosted the session and proposed a vote of thanks. Nirmala Shanmuga Pandian, Cultural regarding the media and its impact on children’s development. The speaker elaborated on the Co-ordinator of ICC, was the Master of Ceremonies.

ICT holds Premier Awards Nite

Indian Club Toastmasters (ICT), one of the oldest and largest clubs in Qatar, recently conducted its annual Premier Awards Nite via online platform. The awards nite was attended by several luminaries from the Toastmasters fraternity, including Raghavan Menon, District 116 Director. Fifteen unique awards were given to chosen club members, in recognition of their significant achievements and contributions. The awardees, included Anita Samanta, Guiding Godmother award; Uday Shankar Shah, Mr Present Perfect; Jananee R, Youth Icon; KP Murali, Virtual Virtuoso; Rajendra P, Lifelong Learner; Uttam Vaidya, Enterprising Entertainer; Nirmala R, Super Sub; Mamta Babbar, Extra Mile; Shweta Shah, Most Improved; and Surya Narayanan, Brand Ambassador. Joseph Stanley and Alarmel Mangai were felicitated for reaching DTM status and were bestowed with Dr Smedley Speaker and Club Toastmaster of the Year awards, respectively. The executive committee of club led by Sekar Thangavel, President of ICT, were formally installed in their off ices for the year 2020-21. Chendil Kumar, renowned humorist, trainer and TedX speaker, delivered an engaging keynote speech, all the way from India, on finding and using humour eff ectively in daily life. Kumaran C S, outgoing president of ICT, presented the annual report card, outlining the all-round achievements of the club and its members, including record breaking 53 educational awards during the year 2019-20. The meeting was anchored by Ravishankar J. Monday, July 13, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 BOOK REVIEWS COMMUNITY ‘Eclectic’ work to feast on, now

for this moment, so I took a deep breath and started. To my surprise, I was riveted and glad it was so long so I could live in it awhile. It’s a nuanced portrait of a complicated man and also a sweeping history that illuminates our country today.

The Plague by Albert Camus Hmm. One spring a highly contagious disease arrives in a community. The authorities try to keep it quiet. But soon people are sick and dying. As quarantines are imposed, the people’s disbelief turns into anger, fear, grief, exhaustion. And still they lament they can’t go to the beach in summer. At the heart of the story is a doctor who keeps speaking the truth and doing his job. Sound familiar? Camus’ eerily prescient 1947 novel – there’s even a mention of fl attening the curve – is suspenseful, clear and full of memorable lines, like this from the heroic doctor: “There’s no question of heroism in all this. It’s a matter of common decency. That’s an idea which may make By Mary Schmich The Colour of Water by James print, but listening to Chicago-born coming of electricity but about some people smile, but the only McBride, read by Andre Braugher actor Andre Braugher inhabit the so much more – language and means of fi ghting a plague is and Lainie Kazan: words gave them a unique power. music, the nature of ageing and common decency.” n the earliest days of the A few weeks ago in my column change, young love and young love pandemic, I heard a lot of I recommended McBride’s recent This Is Happiness by Niall remembered. The sentences and The Dutch House by Ann people say they couldn’t focus novel Deacon King Kong, and many Williams insights stirred and surprised me Patchett, read by Tom Hanks on a book. I felt the same. Tribune readers wrote to say how This Irish novel made me deeply on every page and the plot, though I’ve loved some of Patchett’s IWhen yet another media much they enjoyed it. I found it happy. In the 1950s, a 17-year-old seemingly simple, kept me going. books so I was disappointed not organisation would issue a jolly so good that I yearned for more of boy leaves the seminary in Dublin to to love this one when it came out ‘Pandemic Reading List’ I would McBride’s work, which led me to his spend time with his grandparents in Frederick Douglass: ….. by last year. But when I saw that the think, “Are you crazy? Who can read bestselling 1995 autobiography. an Irish village that, like many at the David W. Blight audiobook, read by Tom Hanks, was anything but the news?” The story focuses on his mother, a time, still lacked electricity. Then a No way was I going to read an 892- available on Libby (the free public But something has shifted. white woman who grew up Jewish in stranger arrives, in charge of signing page book, even if it won the Pulitzer library app), I decided to give it Recently I’ve heard several people the South and married a black man. the villagers up for the electricity Prize and even if 121 of those pages another try. This time I did love it. say, “I’m ready to read again.” Me too. Through the tale of how she raised being imposed from the capital. are footnotes. But this biography Hanks breathes life and meaning In fact, I’ve read with more appetite 12 kids in New York City, McBride But the stranger has a secret, which of Douglass – who rose from into the characters that escaped me and pleasure in the past month than refl ects on family, race and place with involves a woman he left at the altar enslavement in the South to become on the page. normal. Here are an eclectic few the same energetic prose and wit he decades earlier. one of our nation’s great 19th- The story focuses on a brother books I’ve liked, a couple of them on brought to Deacon King Kong. Narrated by the 17-year-old as century orators and abolitionists and sister who grow up in a grand audio. I’m sure the book is wonderful in an old man, the story is about the – seemed like an important book glass house on an estate outside Philadelphia. Their mother walks out. Their father remarries. The past haunts them into middle age. I recommended the audiobook to my former colleague Barbara Brotman, who off ers this review: “A great and often funny multigenerational tale, with an unforgettable tough gal at the centre and Tom Hanks hitting it out of the ballpark.”

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips Two sisters, ages 8 and 11, are abducted one summer afternoon from Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula by a stranger they meet on the beach. Through a series of intertwined stories, Phillips evokes the remote landscape of this Far East part of Russia and how the disappearance of the sisters aff ects a wide variety of women. It’s been called a “literary thriller” but it’s less conventional than that sounds. The New York Times named it one of its 10 best books of 2019. Happy reading, and support your local independent bookstore if you can. – Chicago Tribune/TNS 8 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY BODY & Must-know: Are breathing tech

The market is flooded with books and classes claiming ‘breathwork’ can help with mental health, sleep and even Covid-19. But are experts convinced?

is controlled by the autonomous By Nic Fleming nervous system, which regulates subconscious bodily processes including breathing rate and blood lan Dolan couldn’t pressure. It is subdivided into aff ord market research the sympathetic nervous system, when he started out as which triggers “fi ght or fl ight” a breathing instructor responses such as increased heart Ain 2005. Instead, he rate and blood pressure, and the took soundings from London taxi parasympathetic nervous system, drivers. “I’d tell them I taught people which triggers “rest and digest” to breathe for a living – they’d be responses. in hysterics and say: ‘What a great Parasympathetic responses are scam!’” says Dolan. Recently their controlled by the vagus nerve, a reaction has changed: “Now they nervous system superhighway tell me about their sleep apnoea or that sends signals back and forth their wife’s panic attacks, ask me how between the brain and diff erent that relates to breathing and often parts of the body. The higher a download my app.” person’s HRV, the greater the Dolan, whose company is called strength of their vagal response to Breathguru, teaches people to stimuli and the quicker their bodies breathe deeply from their diaphragm, can activate parasympathetic inhaling for longer than exhaling, responses to stress. without pausing between the two. When psychologist Roderick He says this can, among other things, Gerritsen, of Leiden University release stress, alleviate depression, in the Netherlands, reviewed tackle sleep issues, ease respiratory physical and mental health benefi ts conditions, boost energy and the associated with contemplative immune system and eject emotional activities, he concluded that baggage. Until Covid-19, his retreats their common focus on breathing in Lanzarote were, he says, fully reduced stress by increasing booked. Such is the level of demand parasympathetic nervous system that Dolan has taught 24 trainees to activity. “By slowing the breathing lead sessions like his. down, your heart rate goes down, Other “breathwork” practitioners you stimulate your vagus nerve, and report similar surges in interest, you’re telling your body it doesn’t YouTube and Instagram Stories are have to respond to any immediate teeming with breathing courses, and threats,” says Gerritsen. publishers clearly agree it’s a wave Breathing exercises have been worth surfi ng. Books called Breathe proposed to treat symptoms of Well, The Power of Breathwork, The LINK: Breathing routines are also used to manage pain. Other research linked breathing exercises to reduced heart rates many other conditions. Researchers Breathing Book and Breathing for and blood pressure in cardiovascular disease patients. at Augusta University in Georgia, Warriors have already been published US, suggested that insomnia is this year. Still to come in 2020 are largely the result of an evolutionary Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, Thomas, professor of primary care delivery of oxygen around the body. course of pranayama breathing mismatch between the lifestyles by James Nestor, Exhale, by Richie at the University of Southampton, While Prof Thomas acknowledges exercises, while no change was seen in of our caveman ancestors and the Bostock, AKA The Breath Guy, and The who led the asthma study. Thomas’s that more nose-breathing might a control group. The pranayama group “toxic, long-term activation of Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof. emphasis on registered therapists help some asthma patients, he says also saw increases in their heart rate the sympathetic nervous system” All of which is a little puzzling to relates to the use by some of the Buteyko method’s emphasis on variability (HRV). When we breathe of modern life. They suggest slow, some. Sure, a bit of deep breathing at alternative therapies such as the increased oxygen intake and low in, our heart beats momentarily faster deep breathing can stimulate the end of a yoga class feels good, and Buteyko method, a controversial carbon dioxide levels in the blood is to speed the fl ow of oxygen around the parasympathetic responses that many use simple breathing exercises technique which includes taping the simplistic. “People with asthma don’t body. When we breathe out, our heart facilitate both initiating sleep and to help them relax. But most people mouths of people during sleep to train overbreathe, and we’ve measured CO2 slows down. HRV is the diff erence returning to sleep after night-time manage their 23,000 or so breaths per them to breathe through their noses. levels in asthmatics before and after between these two rates, and higher waking. Breathing routines are day without pause for thought, never Adherents say it can treat sleeping retraining and found no relationship HRV is seen as a marker of the body’s also used to manage pain. A study mind instruction. So are advocates disorders, depression, ADHD, chronic whatsoever between severity of resilience and fl exibility in response to involving 48 healthy volunteers right that breathwork has a long list of fatigue syndrome, asthma and other asthma and CO2 levels,” he says. outside stimuli. published in January found that physical and mental health benefi ts? respiratory conditions. “The claim that asthma is caused A study published in 2017 found deep breathing reduced pain caused Or is it just a load of hot air? Patrick McKeown, a Galway-based by hyperventilation and low carbon that a group of 20 Beijing-based IT by heat, especially at rates of about There is good-quality evidence to Buteyko practitioner who advocates dioxide are scientifi cally untenable.” workers had lower levels of the stress six breaths per minute. Other research support the use of breathing exercises mouth-taping during sleep, travels Many of those who turn to hormone cortisol in their saliva after linked breathing exercises to reduced for asthma. A randomised controlled widely to speak at conferences. Prior breathing exercises do so to deal with undergoing eight weeks of deep, heart rates and blood pressure in trial published in 2018 found that to Covid-19 he was booked up 18 stress or anxiety. The NHS website diaphragm breathing sessions – a cardiovascular disease patients. quality of life ratings were higher in months in advance. “Five years ago, suggests these can be alleviated change not seen in a control group. It has also been suggested that UK asthma patients who underwent it was sleep,” he says. “Right now, through short sessions of deep, belly Italian researchers who reviewed simple breathing exercises can help training in deep, slow, nasal and breathing is hot.” McKeown believes a breathing. Scientists have long been 15 previous studies found slowing people with Covid-19. In April, for diaphragm breathing. Guidelines range of conditions including asthma interested in studying the eff ects of breathing promoted short-term example, a London doctor recorded used by doctors in the UK state that are caused or exacerbated by a modern practices like yoga and meditation on increases in HRV, increased comfort a video advising patients to take breathing exercises can help reduce human mouth-breathing tendency stress and anxiety; however, there is and relaxation, and reduced anxiety. two sets of fi ve deep breaths held asthma symptoms. brought on largely by dietary changes. less research on breathing exercises. Scientists don’t know precisely for fi ve seconds followed by a big “The evidence is strongest for This, he says, causes excessive One study found that anxiety levels how slow, deep-breathing promotes cough, before lying on their fronts interventions that involve properly oxygen intake, low carbon dioxide dropped in a group of Indian medical relaxation. However, many believe its breathing deeply for 10 minutes. The trained physiotherapists,” says Mike levels in the blood, and sub-optimal students who underwent a six-week ability to increase HRV is key. HRV clip was widely shared online. Some Monday, July 13, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 & MIND COMMUNITY hniques good for your health?

patients reported that this helped, however the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care said such exercises were unlikely to help those with the dry coughs seen in the majority of Covid-19 suff erers. There are many animal and short- term laboratory human studies that show breathing slowly and deeply triggers changes in the body linked to healthy outcomes. That, however, is a long way from saying there is solid evidence that breathing exercises can help people change the way they breathe or improve their health in the long term. Italian physician Luciano Bernardi has shown that breath-control training helped chronic heart failure patients to signifi cantly reduce their breathing rate as well increasing the amount of time they could exercise. “A month after the study the benefi ts were still present, and we found that most had continued the practice,” says Bernardi. “Like any other training, if you continue to do it you maintain the benefi ts, and if you stop, after a while, you lose them.” US researchers found that people with high blood pressure who did daily slow breathing sessions for four weeks exhibited short-term but not long-term reductions in blood pressure. “The problem is that in most TECHNIQUE: Yoga enthusiast practises nadi suddi pranayama breathing techniques. human studies any eff ects of slow, deep breathing seem to be isolated to the lab conditions in which they 4-7-8 breathing are measured,” says Don Noble, a Designed to reduce stress, calm physiologist at Emory University, in anxiety and help people sleep, it Atlanta. “Despite some promising involves inhaling through the nose results, there haven’t been many for four seconds, holding your well-controlled human studies breath for seven seconds, breathing investigating long-term changes, so out through the nose for eight the jury is still out.” seconds. Yes, there are apps for Current gaps in the scientifi c that. evidence base is readily fi lled by those with books and classes to sell. Holotropic breathwork Extraordinary claims that breathing A psychotherapy method techniques can treat serious diseases developed in the 1960s that and improve performance in various uses rapid deep breathing, ways are based on preliminary music and physical support to fi ndings, small studies and research supposedly induce altered states of that shows only associations. The consciousness as a way to release claims on Wim Hof’s website, emotional blockages and heal for example, that his method “is buried traumas. Considered unsafe linked to reducing symptoms of” for those with cardiovascular diseases including rheumatoid disease, high blood pressure and arthritis, multiple sclerosis and mental health issues. Parkinson’s disease are unsupported by high-quality research. Dolan’s Butekyo method website quotes a US doctor as A controversial alternative stating: “Possibly one of the best therapy that uses exercises and therapies ever discovered for HIV, mouth taping to train people to other infectious diseases, and most breathe lightly and nasally. There degenerative, or chronic illnesses are GPs who say it can help people, (including cancer) is oxygen therapy.” but claims by advocates that many Many people undoubtedly benefi t health conditions are the result from breathing exercises. However, of chronic over-breathing are not overblown claims about these powers DIETARY CHANGES: A range of conditions including asthma are caused or exacerbated by a modern human mouth- supported by sound scientifi c are frustrating for scientists who breathing tendency brought on largely by dietary changes. evidence. believe they do have potential for more widespread use, but that this eye, and do proper scientifi c studies mystics and others have linked Pranayama Wim Hof method should be supported by good-quality to show whether or not it works. If disturbed breathing to illnesses Breathing techniques are key to Cycles of controlled hyper- research and trials. “It is likely there you are just generally worried about and advocated breath control both yoga. Breath retentions, alternate ventilation, extended exhalations will be uses for breathing techniques your health, it won’t do you any harm. for health and as part of the path nostril breathing, explosive exhales, and breath-holding, combined with in a variety of medical settings,” says Just don’t expect it to turn your life to enlightenment for thousands of stretching out the tongue and other exposure to cold and meditation, Thomas. “However, it’s not a magic around.” years. Breathing-based therapies techniques are used to calm or designed to trigger positive immune bullet. “There are a lot of people Breathing: what’s in and what’s proliferated in the 60s and 70s. Here invigorate the body, support yoga system changes. As seen on the peddling snake oil. What one has to do out? are just a few of dozens of diff erent poses and are considered integral to Gwyneth Paltrow Goop Lab series is look at these claims with a sceptical Breathwork is far from new. Yogis, ways to get your oxygen. reaching enlightenment. on Netfl ix. – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Monday, July 13, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Bringing opulence to your home on a budget

apitalising your life coupled with rows of radiantly add to your design resource. One savings in the house coloured books, kitchen cabinets can opt for reasonable, superior of your dreams is an designed in bright shades paired with quality foliage which is extremely exciting experience but marble counters, pantry decked up budget-friendly. Instead of making Cit is a huge responsibility with blue cabinets paired with gold use of large planters which will take as well. If you are a fi rst-time buyer, accents, master bedrooms done up in up a lot of space, you can arrange you may be tight on budget but shades of red with accents matching small groups of plants at diff erent your home can still be glamorous or the colour will all surely lend your heights. elegant depending if you want it to. space a magnifi cent appeal. Hemil Parikh, founder of Elysium Add-ons ramp it up Abodes LLP, shares with IANSlife Reshuffl e furniture pieces If you do not wish to splurge some tips to lend some high-end Prior to buying new fi xtures and more on furniture or fi xtures, appeal to your personal space furniture, fi rst consider doing up you can consider using attractive without you burning a hole in your your space with what you already embellishments like fringes, pocket. have. You can start by rearranging feathers and macram�. These your existing furniture like your are the most exceptional ways to Liven up with bright hues sofa sets being pushed against a add charisma and texture to your Spruce up your living room with wall and coff ee tables being in the space and transform it into an an entire home. Instead of investing functional appeal to your spaces. vibrant colour palettes like classic middle. You can also declutter some alluring one. in expensive pieces, you can always The best tip is to invest in blue, tangerine or red. Bright walls furniture pieces to make your room opt for fl oor lamps of diff erent statement pieces that are the fi nely paired with large textural look spacious. Vintage lighting heights that are sure to lend your highlight of your space, those that artwork and shiny brass accents lend Well-executed lighting can homes the required look at your can you help in building the entire nothing but sheer elegance to your Add some green defi nitely help to gear up a humdrum preferred budget. One can also opt room around it, concludes Hemil homes. Bright coloured upholstery, Plants are an eff ortless win to space and enhance the atmosphere of for vintage lighting to lend a rich yet Parikh. — IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Your slow and steady approach may need a sharp kick today, Aries. Try to seek freedom and new experiences today, Taurus. This is an If people insist on having things their own way, let them, Gemini. Don’t withhold your opinions. This is a time to get it all out on the important time for you to spread your wings and explore. Keep in Fighting isn’t going to do any good. This kind of reaction will only table, despite the tension that it may cause. Strong forces are at mind that something or someone may be working to restrain you cause more tension between you and the other person involved. work, so don’t be surprised if things get a bit more heated than emotionally. An opposing force is promoting war while you insist on Approaching the situation with a hostile attitude will most likely you’re used to. The fact is that incredible breakthroughs can be keeping things peaceful. Perhaps there’s an important lesson you result in a lose/lose situation. If arguments do occur, try not to take made through disagreements among diff erent types of people. need to learn. Be more assertive in your actions. things personally. Try your hardest to stick with the facts. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Suddenly you’ve found your energy again. Your engine is oiled You may be a bit daunted by the frenzy of energy present in the air Don’t be surprised if unexpected actions from others give your heart up and ready to go, Cancer. Put yourself in high gear and don’t let today, Leo. Try not to get thrown off balance by others who may be a jolt today, Virgo. You could find that a strong force of erratic energy anything stand in your way. If disagreements with others arise, try to more abrasive than usual. Use this as a time of release for yourself. aff ects your emotions. It’s working to stir things up quite a bit. Use keep focused on the lessons that come from the situation instead of By letting others open up the cold, hard truth to you, you have the your beliefs and morals as guideposts to help you navigate diff icult dwelling on the negative aspects. Take things to a higher level and opportunity to let out your own truth as well. Unexpected events are waters. Stay true to yourself and don’t let others make decisions for don’t be afraid to suggest radical change. likely to come on the scene. you. You have the power to make very significant breakthroughs. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Don’t be surprised if unexpected actions from others give your heart Your mood should be quite good today, Scorpio. Generally, you’ll Be a little braver than usual today, Sagittarius. Take some risks and a jolt today, Virgo. You could find that a strong force of erratic energy find that people will react to your tendency to take the lead. Keep in show others that you have the strength to accomplish anything. aff ects your emotions. It’s working to stir things up quite a bit. Use mind that this also indicates that they’ll probably be more likely to There is a lively, anxious feeling to the day that could make you your beliefs and morals as guideposts to help you navigate diff icult fight back. You may have the tendency to lean toward the bizarre restless. This energy is encouraging you to get up and get going. waters. Stay true to yourself and don’t let others make decisions for and unconventional. The route to take today is the one that fosters Initiate something rather than wait for someone else to take the lead. you. You have the power to make very significant breakthroughs. diversity and revolutionary thinking. Be a pioneer in every situation. Don’t be afraid to fail. You’ll never succeed if you don’t try. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

You may have the spark that wants to light things today, Capricorn. Interaction with others may not be especially satisfying for you The clouds have finally lifted, and you should be able to see clearly Indeed, there’s a fast-paced tendency to the day that is right up today, Aquarius. You could get the feeling that other people don’t again, Pisces. The fire is burning red hot and you’ll find people likely your ally. You should be able to accomplish quite a bit under the really care as much as you thought they did. Keep in mind that to stick up for themselves more than usual. You should do the same. prevailing trends. Just make sure you’re constructive with criticism everyone is doing the best they can. Most people aren’t as sensitive Arguments could be especially heated today, and interesting facts and be careful that you aren’t too abrasive toward the people you as you. They probably have no idea what sort of impact their words and revolutionary information will be passed from person to person. deal with. In other words, be nice. have on you. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Make sure you have your facts straight before you open your mouth. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AGATE GOLD SPINEL GALENA SCHIST FLINT QUARTZ BERYL MICA BASALT GRANITE TALC GNEISS SHALE GABBRO RUBY DIAMOND OPAL BAUXITE GYPSUM TOPAZ

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

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

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

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Tree feller may be civic 1 Examination of car taking little dignitary (8) time (5) 5 Be conscious of payment that’s 2 Monday’s awkward for current left behind (4) suppliers (7) 8 Foreign currency found in a 3 Rustic part of the lower Urals remote part (5) (5) 9 Dutch capital and part of 4 Poisonous snakes, they reckon London doing business (7) (6) 11 Glass for the acrobat (7) 6 Order used in the dictionary (5) 12 Start using some paint rollers 7 Sloe gin is bad for lots of (5) soldiers (7) 13 Fools start to suspect judge 10 Friendship? Girl embraces it (6) (5) 15 Persian king holding power in 13 Embarrassed sailor with a island (6) place for tools? (7) 18 Wide awake right after drink 14 Fight with animals turning up (5) right away (3-2) 20 Cut out tax before the start of 16 Rest cut short? One expected December (7) rest (7) 23 Animals after stolen food (3,4) 17 Popper with stand? (6) 24 Country seen when one’s left 19 Carpenter is to go in without Indonesia (5) fish (5) 25 Bogarde’s knife (4) 21 Go up and get caught on 26 Freedom of speech is blessing branch of tree (5) in disguise (8) 22 Churchmen carried away in sedan? (5) Answers

Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Wishes for speedy recovery continue pouring in for Bachchans

ishes for a Rakul Preet Singh shared: speedy recovery “Hoping you recover real have continued sooooon sir… sending across pouring in from lots of positivity”, while Preity Wfilm industry Zinta said: “Take care of yourself colleagues ever since Bollywood @juniorbachchan and get veteran Amitabh Bachchan well soon. Praying for you and tweeted on Saturday evening to Amitji… Love you loads.” say that he has been hospitalised “Oh no! Take care, Sir! Get well with Covid-19, followed by his soon! Sending you tonnes of love son, actor Abhishek Bachchan, and good wishes!” wrote Ranveer confirming that he too has been Shorey on Twitter. infected by the virus. Actor Vinay Pathak On Saturday night, Big B had said: “Wishing you and @ tweeted: “T 3590 – I have tested juniorbachchan a speedy Covid-19 positive .. shifted to recovery sir ! Pl get well soon. Hospital .. hospital informing This too shall pass… Our wishes authorities .. family and staff and prayers are with thee always.” undergone tests, results awaited Singer Yo Yo Honey Singh .. All that have been in close shared: “Wishing you a speedy proximity to me in the last 10 recovery sir lots of love and days are requested to please get prayers.” themselves tested!” Actress Genelia Deshmukh Soon after Bachchan’s tweet, said: “Dear Amitji .. Please get his son Abhishek tweeted to well soon.. We wish you lots of confirm that he too had tested love and a speedy recovery..” Covid positive. The Covid-19 Actress Sonam K Ahuja also antigen test reports of Jaya posted: “Get well soon amit Bachchan, her daughter-in-law uncle. All my love and prayers”, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and and sent good wishes to Abhishek grand-daughter Aaradhya are separately. negative, while swab test results Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj are awaited. wrote: “Get well soon. You are in Since then, the virtual world our prayers.” has been pouring with love and Shilpa Shetty shared: “Praying good wishes for the whole family. and sending you lots of positive Actor Akshay Kumar said: energy , strength and love to “Praying for your speedy recovery recover at the soonest”, while Sir. Love and prayers”, and for STABLE: Amitabh Bachchan was on Saturday admitted to a city hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. Tiger said: “Feel bad for The Abhishek he wrote: “Get well soon virus it messed with the toughest brother. Lots of love.” courageous younger brother...... Actors Ranveer Singh and Sr. Bachchan’s will to overcome hero! sending u power and Playback legend Lata he will soon be fit and fine in a day Bhumi Pednekar sent in “love and health hazards. Get well soon and positivity sir.” Mangeshkar wrote: “Namaskar or two ...Jaya, don’t worry...every positive energy”. become an icon again for survival “Never Have I Ever” actor Amit ji. Aap aur Abhishek dono thing will be fine my brave baby.... Among the earliest to wish Big and wellness.” Poorna Jagannathan shared: “The par bhagwan ki kripa hogi aur aap Look after yourself and everyone B was his Badla costar Taapsee Malayalam superstar speediest recovery to both of jald swasth hokar ghar aayenge at home.....Love you all...... take Pannu. “And you shall be back to Mammooty tweeted: “Get well you.” aisa mujhe vishwas hai. (God care.” health n happiness soon! champ!” soon sir.” Actress Neha Dhupia also will bless you and Abhishek and Actors Priyanka Chopra she wrote on Saturday night. “Get well soon sir! Wishing posted: “get well soon.. sending you will get well soon and come tweeted: Wishing you both a Actor-turned-politician Kamal you a speedy recovery,” tweeted you and sir @SrBachchan heaps home).” speedy recovery Amitji and Haasan wrote: “I wish both the Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu. of love and energy.” Bachchan’s Sholay co-star AB... sending you prayers and Bachchans @SrBachchan @ Tamil star Dhanush shared: Boney Kapoor tweeted: “Get Dharmendra Deol said: “Amit positive energy... @SrBachchan @ juniorbachchan a speedy recovery. “Get well soon sir, my sincere well soon Amit ji.” , get well soon. I am sure of my juniorbachchan I trust the Indian doctors and prayers for your speedy recovery.” — IANS

Singing therapeutic “Because that’s the pure bond results, ensure that your for me: Malaika Arora and trust I’ve built with him,” ACV is with mother and in its she said in an episode of Go Fun purest form. Just blend these Actress Malaika Arora says a Yourself, which streams on Voot. ingredients together and enjoy lot of people don’t know the fact Recently, Malaika has shared a its health boosting properties. that she can “actually sing”. “Make in India” home remedy to With all the immunity booster Talking about her hidden boost immunity. clutter suddenly available in talent, Malaika said: “People “This is a true blue Make in the in the name of Covid-19, don’t know the fact that I can India home remedy. Age-old stick to this homemade, quick actually sing. It is one of the most traditional, tried and tested and organic recipe for best therapeutic things for me.” homemade immunity booster. results. #HomeRemedies She also shared her love for Indian gooseberry (Aamla), fresh #Malaika’sTrickOrTip reality shows, saying: “I would organic turmeric and ginger root #LoveYourGut never give up hosting reality with some Apple cider vinegar #Malaika’sNuskha shows, as I really enjoy working and a dash of peppercorns is all it #HomeMadeWithLove.” on them.” takes to make this magic potion,” Earlier, she had posted a Talking about her bond with she wrote on social media along throwback photograph of herself her son, the dancing diva said: with a video showing how to with her son Arhaan Khan, asking “I would never check my son’s prepare it. fans to focus on their health and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: Malaika has asked fans to focus on their phone without his permission.” She continued: “For better their loved ones. — IANS health and their loved ones. Monday, July 13, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Elisabeth Moss not relevant as anyone else’s.” an invisible threat is terrifying afraid to put up a fi ght In a way, I suppose I’m good because you’re just powerless. I at fighting back if I need to. I could go on and on,” she said. Actress Elisabeth Moss feels think you always find strength One thing that doesn’t scare she has a strong personality physically and mentally when Moss is horror films. and says she is good at you need it,” she added. She said, “I have a very high “fighting back”. Asked what she is scared of, tolerance for dark material and In an interview with OK! she said: “Speaking publicly, am not easily frightened. I love Magazine, the 37-year-old especially at big events. Silence horror. I love scary movies. I actress shared that she is frightens me too. always have, ever since I was thankful, her parents always “I’m a city girl, so I’m not little. When I was 11 or 12, me taught her to believe in herself, used to silence. I would be and my friends from ballet reports femalefirst.co.uk. terrified if you put me in a school used to have sleepovers. She said: “I was raised to country home by myself, We would watch all the scary believe in myself. I was raised surrounded by woods and movies – It, Poltergeist, to believe that I should have a silence. And water, I’m afraid Halloween, Nightmare on Elm voice and that I have a place. of deep water.” Street and The Shining. I guess “I was raised to believe that “Also, something you can’t I’ve never been too afraid to my voice is as important and see – an invisible presence or watch them.” — IANS CONFIDENT: Elisabeth Moss says she was raised to believe in herself. Looking for a follow-up to Tiger King? Watch these

controversy until the anti-Vietnam By Chris Hewitt fi lm Hearts and Minds won in 1974. An inspiring portrait continues to be the clearest path to awards o save repetition, let’s — think of Muhammad Ali in just stipulate that When We Were Kings or last year’s “shocking” describes daredevil mountain climbers in every true-crime movie Free Solo — but Oscar has begun to Ton this list. reward compelling fi lmmaking, not Lots of excellent documentaries just compelling topics. examine crimes — The Times After years of pushback because of Harvey Milk climaxes with a of his use of dramatisations, Errol murder and little-girl-becomes- Morris fi nally won in 2003 for art-superstar charmer My Kid The Fog of War. In the aftermath, Could Paint That may involve fraud documentaries have become even — but, in my mind, a true-crime more open to experiments that get doc only pops if the crime itself is at deeper truths. It’s exhilarating front and centre. The Holocaust to see documentarians explore the was criminal, for instance, but the possibilities of animation (Waltz many fi ne nonfi ction fi lms about it With Bashir), re-enactments belong to a diff erent category. of events that weren’t captured As shown in HBO’s current on fi lm (Man on Wire), surreal HISTORICAL: This documentary looks at the legacy of the US Constitution’s 13th Amendment. true-crime series, I’ll Be Gone in storytelling (The Act of Killing), the Dark, these are the kinds of autobiography (Faces Places) and were there from the beginning. was shot by the participants, who The Thin Blue Line (1988) stories that lead to obsessively personal essay (Minding the Gap). Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, were hesitant to share their story. Often pointed to as an example of tweeting about Tiger King (I have Those experiments demonstrate who also made the heartbreaking Ultimately, all is revealed in a the power of movies, Errol Morris’ not seen it but, in any case, I’m that there’s no limit to what a Brother’s Keeper, about an elderly confl ict that comes to a head when classic led to the release of Randall only including feature fi lms) or, in documentary can do. These true- man on trial for the murder of a man, abused by a Roman Catholic Adams, who had been wrongly pre-social media days, jamming crime titles demonstrate there’s his sibling, went deep, following priest when he was a teenager, convicted of the murder of a police message boards with theories about also no limit to the peculiarity of multiple bad leads and false realises that not only has the offi cer. Weaving interviews and the unbelievably twisty murder the human experience. witnesses until the trail led to the priest escaped justice but he’s his re-enactments while accelerating investigation of The Staircase truth. neighbour. the pace of the story, Morris’ fi lm is (whose director made a previous, Dear Zachary (2008) a tense, provocative thriller— and it even better, movie you’ll fi nd on the Warning: It’s a gut punch. Murder on a Sunday Morning 13th (2016) wasn’t even the movie he planned list below). Director Kurt Kuenne originally (2001) Ava DuVernay’s best film, to make. Morris stumbled on the Given our fascination with crime, intended the fi lm, which can be The only true-crime currently free on YouTube, is case while researching what would there’s no surprise it features in seen in its entirety on YouTube, documentary Oscar winner is this disturbing look at the legacy eventually become his Dr. Death. so many nonfi ction fi lms, but it for an audience of one: a baby surprisingly obscure, given the of the US Constitution’s 13th is surprising it took Hollywood named Zachary who never knew phenomenon that was director Amendment. Unlike others Tower (2016) so long to take notice. Academy his dad, Andrew. He was murdered Jean-Xavier Lestrade’s next project, on this list, it doesn’t concern My favourite of a very narrow Awards have been handed out for by Zachary’s mother, who fl ed to The Staircase, the twisty true- one specific crime, but 13th subgenre of nonfi ction fi lms, documentary features since 1942 Canada, launching a jaw-dropping crime series that kept adding new convincingly argues that, in a way, animated documentaries, is this but no true-crime doc won until six sequence of events that ended chapters as new developments slavery never ended, continuing hypnotic one about shootings at decades later (Murder on a Sunday in unimaginable tragedy and, surfaced over a 14-year period. to the present with mass the University of Texas in 1966. A Morning). Trophies almost always ultimately, new Canadian laws. Equally gripping, Sunday Morning incarceration and an unfair justice gunman positioned himself in an went to World War II-themed is tidier — when it’s over, you system. Historian Kevin Gannon observation deck and took aim at documentaries before Oscar shifted Paradise Lost trilogy (1996- know what happened when a is one of many who argue that students and faculty, which this its attention to nature fi lms and 2011) Jacksonville, Fla., tourist was racism in America is a crime: “If poetic fi lm captures, with a special then biographies, including 1957 The story of the West Memphis murdered — but also turns on we are Black, we are the products emphasis on the heroes who helped winner Albert Schweitzer, by St. Three has been told in numerous issues of truth and subjectivity. of history that our ancestors did some people survive and others Paul native Jerome Hill. fi lms and books, but these movies, not choose.” avoid danger. The animation is In keeping with an organisation which follow the arrest of three Leap of Faith (2004) The subjects include the Central simple, beautiful and a unique that has usually favoured safety Goth teenagers for supposedly Its startling intimacy comes from Park Five, later the protagonists of solution for depicting events that over risk, Oscar docs avoided satanic murders in Arkansas, the fact that much of the footage DuVernay’s When They See Us. left little video evidence. — IANS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, July 13, 2020 COMMUNITY DIY danger: ‘It’s not a sensible thing to do when you get older’ Trauma researchers have found that even months after falling from a ladder, patients still suff er, and plead that people need to be more cautious

By Alyx Gorman

We see ladder climbing as quite a benign thing to do,” says Dr Helen Ackland, a researcher “at the National Trauma Research Institute. “When someone dies in a car accident we hear about it on the news, when someone dies from a ladder, it’s not on the news.” However, that perception does not match up to reality. In 2018, 22 people died in ladder-related falls in Australia – and for every death, there are dozens of people who suffer from debilitating injuries. A new study from Queensland University of Technology and Queensland Health, published in the journal Plos One, has found that, even six months after falling from a ladder, 49% of patients experienced a clinically significant deterioration in their quality of life, including depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping and pain. The study looked at 255 Queensland hospital admissions due to ladder falls, then followed up with 134 patients six months later, conducting qualitative interviews. Most of these injuries did not occur on worksites, where “We’ve had 80- and 90-year-olds up ladders, just to give an example strict occupational health and safety codes are in place, but in ... they’re used to doing things at home themselves, so they continue the home. The largest cohort of patients were men over the age doing it past the age where they probably should be delegating to of 50, “people who like myself, would know better than climbing someone else” up and down ladders”, says Dr Rob Eley, a researcher at University of — Dr Helen Ackland, a researcher at the Queensland’s faculty of medicine, who worked on the study. National Trauma Research Institute Over the course of the study, “we had a couple of people who been avoided. Often, they were ages, and more men enter into while most of the worst injuries also says “we’ve found that people died as a result of ladder falls”; the result of inattention – people retirement age, these types of both he and Ackland have seen who are working in jobs where “we had several more people who climbing back up a ladder to fix home improvement injuries are on were the result of falling onto hard they climb ladders all the time, were permanently disabled”; and one last thing or grab a tool; or the rise, says Ackland. “We’ve had surfaces such as piles of bricks, or and are guided by [occupational] “then large numbers of people reaching too far, then falling. 80- and 90-year-olds up ladders, fences) – but, he says “I have been health and safety, when they’re with abrasions and fractures”. Ackland, who also researches just to give an example ... they’re banned” from using ladders alone. at home they don’t use the occ “But,” Eley says, “there’s a lot trauma as a result of ladder used to doing things at home Now, Eley and his wife “do it health and safety regulations.” of psychological aspects to it as falls, sees a similar pattern. She themselves, so they continue together – you know somebody She says that while there’s some well, because as you get older says often these injuries are doing it past the age where they holds the bottom and the other evidence to suggest that wearing and don’t heal quite as quickly … “completely preventable, plus probably should be delegating to person climbs”. He recommends helmets while using ladders people end up off work, there’s in many ways the severity of the someone else.” having a ladder buddy as a basic in the home will help mitigate a financial aspect, and it’s just injury can be preventable with a Eley is well aware of the safety precaution for all home brain injuries in the case of a fall, very, very difficult. There are little bit of extra care.” temptation to climb a ladder ladder use. He has also set himself prevention is better. “How about a lot of consequences that you Ackland found the Plos One without thinking about it – he a height limit for climbs, because not falling to begin with?” don’t normally think of as being study “very good”, and says “in experienced a ladder fall himself, “it’s just not a sensible thing to do “The message that I say to the result of just a visit to the our current research project we while attempting to cut some when you get older”. people is be very careful when hospital.” followed up at 12 months and bananas down from a tree. Ackland points to a lack of you’re using a ladder, even more Eley found that almost all of the we’ve found a similar picture.” Fortunately, he was unharmed by legislation around ladder usage in careful of using a ladder with a injuries that occurred could have As Australia’s population this incident (he fell into bushes; the home as a driver of injury, but power tool.” —The Guardian