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Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Dhul-Qa’da 7, 1440 AH

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COVER STORY

Film critics Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan pick the best movies of 2019. P4-5

MAKING AN IMPACT: Zhao Tao in a scene from Ash is Purest White.

GLAMOUR BACK PAGE

Pakistani stars sizzle on ‘Find your why’. A cancer memorable award night. survivor’s story. Page 8-9 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.20am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.52am Zuhr (noon) 11.41am Asr (afternoon) 3.05pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.29pm Isha (night) 7.59pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Kakshi:Amminipilla no opinion about anything in life is suddenly forced into DIRECTION: Dinjith Ayyathan a marriage by his family and a few months later he seeks CAST: Asif Ali, Shibla, Ashwathy Manoharan, Ahmed divorce? Emergency 999 Sidhique, Srikant Murali, Basil Joseph, Nirmal Palazhi Worldwide Emergency Number 112 SYNOPSIS: What would it be like when a man who has THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza 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) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374

Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion a druid to whom Miraculix can pass the mystery of the potion DIRECTION: Alexandre Astier, Louis Clichy onto. While the three seek a worthy successor, the evil Heretix CAST: Christian Clavier, Guillaume Briat, Alex Lutz works out a dark plan to get hold of the recipe. SYNOPSIS: Asterix, Obelix and Miraculix set out to fi nd THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Royal Plaza ote Unquo u te Q “We shall The Mall Cinema (1): Spider-Man: Far 11:15pm. never know all the good From Home (2D) 2:15pm; Spider-Man: Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): O.P Far From Home (2D) 4:30pm; Spider- 160/18 Kakshi: Amminipilla (Malayalam) that a simple smile can do.” Man: Far From Home (2D) 7pm; Spider- 2:15pm; Spider-Man: Far From Home — Mother Teresa Man: Far From Home (2D) 9:15pm; The Magic Potion (2D) 4:30pm; O.P (2D) 4:45pm; Spider-Man: Far From Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) 160/18 Kakshi: Amminipilla (Malayalam) Home (2D) 7pm; Spider-Man: Far From 11:30pm. 6:15pm; Oh! Baby (Telugu) 8:45pm; O.P Home (2D) 9:15pm; Spider-Man: Far The Mall Cinema (2): Toy Story 4 (2D) 160/18 Kakshi: Amminipilla (Malayalam) From Home (2D) 11:30pm. 2:30pm; Asterix: The Secret Of The 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Magic Potion (2D) 4:15pm; Spider-Man: Landmark Cinema (2): Spider-Man: Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) Far From Home (2D) 6pm; Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) 2:15pm; Spider- 2:15pm; Asterix: The Secret Of The Magic Far From Home (2D) 8:30pm; El Mama Man: Far From Home (2D) 4:30pm; Potion (2D) 4:30pm; Malaal (Hindi) (Arabic) 11pm. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) 7pm; 6:15pm; El Mamar (Arabic) 8:45pm; O.P The Mall Cinema (3): Oh! Baby (Telugu) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2D) 160/18 Kakshi: Amminipilla (Malayalam) Community Editor 2pm; One Day: Justice Delivered (Hindi) 9:15pm; Spider-Man: Far From Home 11:30pm. Kamran Rehmat 4:45pm; Aladdin (2D) 7pm; Raatchasi (2D) 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): e-mail: [email protected] (Tamil) 9:15pm; O.P 160/18 Kakshi: Landmark Cinema (3): Oh! Baby Kalavani 2 (Tamil) 2:15pm; Toy Story 4 (Telugu) 2:15pm; Toy Story 4 (2D) 5pm; Telephone: 44466405 Amminipilla (Malayalam) 11:30pm. (2D) 4:45pm; Oh! Baby (Telugu) 6:30pm; Landmark Cinema (1): Raatchasi Toy Story 4 (2D) 6:45pm; El Mamar One Day: Justice Delivered (Hindi) Fax: 44350474 (Tamil) 2pm; Asterix: The Secret Of (Arabic) 8:30pm; Kalavani 2 (Tamil) 9:15pm; Raatchasi (Tamil) 11:30pm. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

Summer Camp for Special Needs Hobby Classes WHERE: Step by Step Centre for Special WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art Needs Centre WHEN: Ongoing till August 1 WHEN:Wednesday – Monday TIME: 8:00am – 12:30pm Mamangam Performing Art Centre, is a During this time, all therapists and holistic performing arts institution and a one teachers will be working together, running stop solution for adults as well as children individual, peer and group sessions within looking to explore their talents in various classes. The children will continue learning art forms. We off er classes in contemporary, age-appropriate concepts, work on social Bollywood, hip hop, indian classical dance, skills, life skills training, arts and crafts, music (Hindustani and Carnatic), arts and craft, music, and fun activities such as water play. karate, yoga, percussion (Chenda, Thimila, Elathalam and Madhalam), violin, harmonium, Career Guidance public speaking. WHERE: Right Track Consultants, Al Additional services include dance education, Sadd choreograph music videos and dance cover WHEN: Sunday – Thursday albums, choreograph dance musical projects, TIME: 6pm – 8pm corporate workshops and events, choreograph Career guidance for course, country, events for schools, colleges, alumni meets and college and entrance for students of Grade corporate and choreography events. For details, IX-XII, of all curriculum. Career assessments call 33897609. administered for stream preference, career test, branch preference, personality, multiple intelligence and learning styles and productivity. For more information, 55448835.

Artistic Gymnastic Classes WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm The olympic sport using horizontal bar, EVENTS FBQ Museum brings together the treasures rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the of the museum owned collection in children from age 4 till 16. MF Husain: The Horses Of The Sun order to promote mutual understanding, Exhibition recognition and appreciation between WHERE: Mataf: Arab Museum of Modern Qatar and India. Composed of five main Art topics, including community, trade, arts, WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 food and incense, the exhibition takes TIME: 9am – 7pm one on a journey to explore the rich and Arabic Calligraphy Workshop The exhibition presents Husain’s pluralist diverse Indian cultures, the long historic WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday approach to the divine and cosmic aspects of links between Qatar and India, and cultural TIME: 6pm being, articulated through the myths, symbols similarities between Qatar and India. Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. and narratives of the world’s religions and Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic philosophies. M. F. Husain: Horses of the Sun handwriting and calligraphy at Music and bears witness to a recurrent motif in his art, a Arts Atelier. personal symbol of self-renewal and vitality. The lessons will take place every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For Summer Entertainment City more information, contact registration@ WHERE: DECC atelierqatar.com WHEN: Ongoing till July 13 TIME: 1pm – 11pm The biggest indoor VR and Gaming zone,over 50+ new activities and 45 food options along with 114 retail shops, for the whole family under one roof. Entry fee QR15 After School Activities per head. WHERE: Atelier WHEN: Ongoing Music and arts activities for students taking place after they fi nish their day in school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 years old after school hours.

Dance and Instrument Classes WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times Building WHEN: Wednesday – Monday Ballet Lessons Learn the movements of dance styles in India to Qatar – Symbiosis of WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical Cultures WHEN: Ongoing instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard WHERE: FBQ Museum TIME: 4pm – 8pm for adults as well kids and move in the world WHEN: Ongoing till July 31 For more info e-mail at registration@ of music. For details, contact 66523871/ Under the context of cultural exchange, atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839. 31326749.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The big screen Film critics Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan give the lowdown on the fare this year, rounding up with the list of their favourites

he Times’ fi lm critics, Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang, sat down for a midyear conversation on the state ofT movies and moviegoing, and to list their favourite fi lms of 2019 so far. Their conversation ranged from worthy studio hits (Us, Toy Story 4) and pictures that deserved wider audiences (Late Night) to exceptional documentaries (Apollo 11, Black Mother).

Kenneth Turan: The calendar may say we’re halfway through 2019, but in terms of the fi lm year it doesn’t quite feel that way. Rather, the vibe is more like “Is that all there is?,” a lyric that Peggy Lee made famous. There’ve been good fi lms, that’s for sure. But so much has been unsettling, from the agents-writers imbroglio to the eternal concern about the threat streaming services pose to the theatrical experience, that despite some big numbers for select fi lms a malaise seems to have settled over everything. Or is that just me?

Justin Chang: Not just you. That malaise has many diff erent faces, which is why it’s hard to pin down. You could sense it in some of the grim box-offi ce MULLING CHOICES: Film critics Kenneth Turan, right, and Justin Chang talk through the year’s best. reporting from this summer alone, which has seen one overextended more often means looking beyond year, and perhaps the only one that that have themselves become trite Souvenir, Mary Kay Place in Diane, blockbuster series after another it. Either way, I fear that audiences feels even remotely vital. And in the from overuse) by the addition of Julianne Moore in Gloria Bell or (X-Men, Godzilla, Men in Black) fall are less and less willing to put in characters of Bo Peep and Gabby tokenistic female characters and Elisabeth Moss in Her Smell — well, short of commercial expectations the eff ort and that they are in some Gabby, it beautifully integrated two strained “you go, girl” shout-outs? there’s a knockout quadruple bill — with the record-shattering ways refl ecting the industry’s own smartly written and acted female As we’ve seen, meaningful change that awaits you. Avengers: Endgame, of course, confusion and fatigue. characters into a fl agship Pixar — and meaningful storytelling being the exception that proves franchise that, over a quarter- — happens when the industry Turan: Though it is a hoary the rule. Perhaps, some good will Turan: Glad you mentioned century, has tended to put its foregrounds women in fresh roles lament, I continue to wish the come of this if Hollywood learns Late Night, a smart entertainment (ahem) boy-toys front and centre. and stories that haven’t been done studios would stop ghettoising (there’s a fi rst time for everything) written by and co-starring Mindy Toy Story 4 managed this to death. their best fi lms in the fall and that that audiences are not immune Kaling that touches on serious rather more eff ectively than, The Brie Larson-starring audiences would take more risks to franchise fatigue. But it’s an issues but never forgets to be really say, Dark Phoenix, Men in Black: Captain Marvel, which you cited, on fi lms when they are on off er. expensive lesson. funny. The fact that theatregoers International, Disney’s live-action is an example. Lupita Nyong’o I enjoyed The Sun Is Also a Star, You could also feel the pinch at stayed away makes me worry that Aladdin remake and even the gives one of the year’s great a sweet-natured YA romance this year’s Sundance and Cannes the middle has dropped out of viciously entertaining John Wick performances in Jordan Peele’s Us, released by Warners and directed fi lm festivals, where we both saw the moviegoing market, that the — Chapter 3: Parabellum, all of which itself is one of the few studio by independent veteran Ry Russo- many strong movies but emerged mainstream adult audience for which attempted to broaden their releases this year to off er a surfeit of Young, but moviegoers chose not to feeling perhaps less certain than fi lms like this has been neglected female audience with halfhearted intellectual and political ideas. And get involved. ever that enough of them would for so long they don’t recognise that gestures that seemed more as usual, the independent realm has As always, there were some really fi nd the wider audiences they something is for them even when pandering and performative than brought us no shortage of superb strong and compelling independent deserve. The biggest crowd- it’s on a nearby theatrical screen. fully felt. Does anyone really feel roles for women: If you haven’t yet features like Julia Hart’s Fast Color, pleaser at Sundance this year was But enough with the negativity, “seen” or “empowered” (words seen Honor Swinton Byrne in The a superhero movie with the ability — the very enjoyable comedy Late as they used to say. I have to admit and nerve — to do things diff erently, Night, but despite its star names, that even the biggest of fi lms that audiences did not fl ock to. strong reviews and considerable provided palpable satisfactions this THE BEST FILMS OF 2019 (SO FAR) I’ve been worried for years that we topical value, it recently became year. Yes, I am thinking of Captain are headed toward a two-tiered the latest in a string of theatrical Marvel, which I quite enjoyed, but Our critics list their favourites, in alphabetical order. system where smaller fi lms will not disappointments for Amazon most of all of Toy Story 4, which have theatrical releases, and the Studios, which, unlike its streaming had the brilliant notion of bringing Kenneth Turan Justin Chang fact that High Flying Bird, Steven rival Netfl ix, has maintained an back Bo Peep and made the most Birds of Passage Ash Is Purest White Soderbergh’s excellent basketball admirably dogged commitment to of it. Maiden Her Smell melodrama, debuted on Netfl ix theatrical distribution. Peterloo High Life made it something of a harbinger. As you say, good movies are Chang: I wasn’t as high on Toy Story 4 Long Day’s Journey Into Night plentiful — they always are, Toy Story 4 as I was on its three Working Woman The Souvenir Chang: That Fast Color was provided that you’re willing to predecessors, but it’s undoubtedly, the freshest and most original seek them out, which sometimes the creative standout of the many One to watch for: The Bears’ Famous Invasion of Sicily superhero picture released this means going to the multiplex and sequels that have proliferated this year remains sadly lost on most Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY of the moviegoing public. And I’m convinced audiences would be 2019 documentaries so far? while I certainly hope they take as swept away as I am if they gave the time to catch up with Hart’s them a chance. Turan: Documentaries, as movie at home, it won’t be the same Just the most successful from the always, have been a great source experience it was in theatres, even past six months are a remarkable of joy and frustration this year. if the Netfl ix allegiant would have group: Birds of Passage from So many of them are so good, so us believe that these distinctions Colombia, Non-Fiction from dramatically satisfying, and so don’t matter. Or — and I’m not France, Woman at War from few of them perform at the box unaware of the nuances of the Iceland, The Reports on Sarah offi ce. Just to mention some of argument — that one’s access to and Saleem from Palestine and the more recent: the operatic theatres is dependent on a measure the galvanising Working Woman Pavarotti; The Spy Behind Home of economic privilege. from Israel. Even fi lm people don’t Plate, about catcher/spy Moe Berg; Of course it is. But is there a necessarily make the time to see a theatrical reprise for Apollo 11 way to democratise this movie them all, and everyone is the poorer and its unexpected examination medium we love without, y’know, for that. of the moon voyage; and The Edge throwing aesthetics completely Plus, I want to put in a good word of Democracy and its surprisingly out the rapidly shrinking theatrical for an Italian fi lm I saw and loved at compelling look at Brazil’s political window? How are you supposed to Cannes, a delightful animated work turmoil. fully appreciate one of the year’s with the most straightforward of And, of course, there is the great visual experiences, Bi Gan’s titles: The Bears’ Famous Invasion documentary of the moment, rapturous Long Day’s Journey of Sicily. Crossing my fi ngers that Maiden, which relates the thrilling Into Night, with its staggeringly a US distributor is as enchanted as story of the fi rst all-women crew to choreographed hour-long 3D I was. compete in the Whitbread Round tracking shot, if not in a theatre? the World yachting race. Forget Surely more people should have Chang: My own non-English- what you think about yachting, bought tickets to Claire Denis’ language picks would have to about sports or sexual politics. Just High Life and Pella Kagerman and include Transit, a taut but richly go to this fi lm and make your day. Hugo Lilja’s Aniara, two beautifully ambiguous wartime thriller from made outer-space thrillers that the great German director Christian Chang: One of my favourite ingeniously expand the parameters Petzold, and Ash Is Purest White, Jia documentaries this year is one that of what science fi ction can do on Zhangke’s deeply moving gangster ingeniously blurs the boundaries the big screen. melodrama starring a never-better of the form, as its very title, Rolling And, Kenny, I know you’ll Zhao Tao. Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story share my frustration that more Between Ash Is Purest White by Martin Scorsese, bears out. This moviegoers didn’t show up for and Long Day’s Journey Into Night, glorious tribute to that 1975 concert Peterloo. Not just because a new plus Zhang Yimou’s ravishing tour would be a treasure for its Mike Leigh movie is always an event, martial-arts drama Shadow and performance footage alone, but it’s but because this brilliant re-creation the late Hu Bo’s hauntingly bleak the movie’s sense of mischief — its of a 19th century English massacre An Elephant Sitting Still, it’s worth mock-doc inserts, its structural has so much to say — about the noting that 2019 has brought sleight-of-hand — that elevates language of protest and the violence with it an astonishing renaissance it to a new level of Dylanesque that awaits an inherently disordered for Chinese art-house cinema. showmanship. It also made quite society — and demands to be seen The sheer number of reductive a few people angry, which is and heard by anyone with a stake headlines we hear about China wonderful. in our present political moment. at present — as a formidable Another standout is Black Which is to say, everyone. economic and technological rival, Mother, a visually and sensually as an oppressive regime, as a overpowering 77-minute portrait Turan: Frustration shared about human-rights nightmare — is all of Jamaica from the director and Peterloo, that’s for sure, and about the more reason to seek out and cinematographer Khalik Allah. fi lms from overseas in general. The refl ect on this vital, expansive Shooting on 16-millimetre and diffi cult time they’re having is a work from some of the nation’s 8-millimetre fi lm, Khalik has made a shame not because it would be good great cinema artists. fl eeting, fragmentary poetic collage EPIC: The rise and fall of rival Wayuu clans in northern Colombia unfolds as for people in some abstract sense Speaking of headlines: What that is also strangely complete. — an epic tragedy of pride, greed, and the clash between old and new worlds in to experience them, but because have been some of your favourite Los Angeles Times/TNS Birds of Passage. 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEW Shining dark in debut book BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg continues to combine the emotions of depression and addiction in Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory, a collection of short stories and the 34-year-old’s first book, writes Chris Barton

or all the oddball avenues explored in Peak TV, none have so successfully balanced the absurd with the tragic like Raphael Bob-Waksberg’sF BoJack Horseman. On the surface, the Netfl ix series is the story of a celebrity horse who walks upright, starred in a hit ‘80s sitcom and navigates a parallel, at times surreal version of Hollywood as drawn by illustrator Lisa Hanawalt that’s populated by a fl awed mix of anthropomorphic animals and humans girded by puns like Fred Seagull, MSNBSea and the Chateau Marmoset. Looking deeper, however, it’s maybe the clearest, most human depiction of depression and addiction ever seen in a half-hour TV comedy that’s not afraid to set aside being funny. This is the heartfelt and occasionally silly wheelhouse for Bob-Waksberg, who continues to combine both emotions in Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory, a collection of short stories and the 34-year-old’s fi rst book. Some stories, like Lunch With the Person Who Dumped You and the bulleted Lies We Told Each Other (a partial list), are tragi-comic briefs threaded with biting details that leave a mark, like a fl icked jab in a boxing match. The punch hits hardest in Move Across the Country, which fi nds a rushed narrator fl eeing their stubborn companion ‘the Sadness’ only to discover its return just as a new life has begun. STORY-TELLER: Raphael Bob-Waksberg already appeared to have mastered “When the Sadness smirks at you short-form storytelling as the creator and writer of BoJack Horseman, one of and says with a wry insistence that the best TV series of the last decade. unravels you in an instant, ‘This is the real love story here, buddy, you was exciting and terrifying and confection, one whose sweeter and me,’” Bob-Waksberg writes, romantic, as anything that’s sides shine that much brighter with and in a few short pages the story one tends to be all three,” Bob- its balance of bitterness. In one of transitions to horror. Waksberg’s curious yet stubbornly its strongest stories, You Want to Longer stories, like the more unhappy narrator says as the Know What Plays Are Like?, Bob- elaborately drawn presidential boundaries of space and time begin Waksberg uses a character whose theme park imagined in the fi rst- to fray. “You walk through the story is being partly retold by her person narrative of More of the Anti-Door and suddenly you’re a playwright brother to mock the You That You Already Are, conjure diff erent person. Something is lost conventions of the theatre with struggles for connection in grimly and something is gained.” the second person while off ering a surreal alternative realities that The book proves Bob-Waksberg loving sort of appreciation for those recall the probing comic imaginings can conjure many modern miseries conventions. of George Saunders. beyond those of a talking horse, “You fi nd yourself applauding for Mentioning a Man Booker Prize but not all his ventures pay off so this broad burlesque puppet show winner alongside the showrunner COMBINATION: As his most famous creation has taken off on Netflix, Bob- well. Up-and-Comers struggles of your life, as if you really found for a series about a depressed Waksberg has also been writing fiction. As it turns out, his short stories also under the weight of combining a the whole thing to be a marvelous talking horse can seem like risky combine imaginative and surreal concepts with the deep and dark emotions superhero origin story with a sort endeavor,” writes Bob-Waksberg, a business, and while this book may of being human. of Behind the Music document of playwright himself. “You will think be less likely for such shortlists, young rock decadence, and The about this night a lot in the months it’s easy to draw a dotted line from negotiating how best to satisfy His story We Men of Science Average of All Possible Things fails ahead, and the one thing you will Saunders’ dystopian visions to the friends, family and their budget imagines a university professor to fi nd much exceptional after ask yourself over and over is: Why at times fantastic worlds Bob- in a pagan reality where Shrieking charged with protecting a newly establishing the middle-of-the- did you clap?” Waksberg sets in motion. Choruses, Promise Eggs and goat invented door to an opposite reality, road nature of its central character, Sometimes, whether onstage or Bob-Waksberg’s piece A Most sacrifi ces exist alongside. It’s an and his inevitable explorations of a lawyer rebounding from a bad on the page, after seeing something Blessed and Auspicious Occasion extension of the comic rule of alternative versions of himself and offi ce aff air. you recognise with all its sadness rises from the many odd traditions following the absurd to its most his loved ones yield increasingly That said, for all its darkness, and imperfections, that’s all you one encounters in wedding extreme, and Bob-Waksberg strange yet aff ecting results. “This Someone Who Will Love You should can do. planning to imagine a couple’s follows it beautifully. new universe I had discovered be considered a lighter, amusing – Los Angeles Times/TNS Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 GARDENING COMMUNITY

BENEFITS: Houseplants don’t just clean the air, they off er a sense of domestic stability and continuity. Growing indoor plants teaches patience My plants remind me that my impatience is really a feeling of disempowerment, writes Mel Campbell

wo Shepard avocado mix, topped with an insulating In Wurundjeri country where seeds balance on layer of moss – also harvested from I live, it’s the season of waring, toothpicks in glasses my back yard. I enclosed them in the wombat. The slow-moving of water on my kitchen bells made from cut-down plastic marsupials emerge to bask in the windowsill. They have bottles. You’re meant to keep the crisp sunlight that peels away the beenT there since April, when I was cuttings out of direct sunlight, so I morning frosts. In the misty hills, seized by some primal urge (home put them in my bathroom. I misted the Wurundjeri feasted in winter ownership, perhaps?) and decided I them occasionally with a spray on tender hearts of kombadik, tree wanted to grow my own. bottle. ferns. I got so excited when I saw a Then I waited. I bought a sad, mostly dead taproot growing from the bottom My plants remind me that my fern from the Bunnings discount of one seed. It was happening! I impatience is really a feeling of trolley because it had a few furled lost myself in fantasies of huge, disempowerment fronds I hoped might grow. What I glossy houseplants. But then … Impatience can be an adaptive love about ferns is their resilience. nothing. response to chaotic, anxious But for weeks, this one remained I’m not a patient person. As a environments; my body feels stubbornly unchanged. child, I once cried on Christmas the urgency of a world moving at Then, it began. The smallest night because it wouldn’t be eschatological speed, and wants frond had unfurled, and a new Christmas again for another whole to act. A fi st grips my chest from frond was heaving the potting mix, year. I rage against the grinding the inside, sending my hands and a tiny green fi st. It was giving me travesty of the NBN. I sigh heavily teeth into an answering clench. My Rossetti’s gift: its heart. I lifted when it turns out I’ve chosen the limbs fi zz with restraint: a leashed the bell from an apple twig and joy slow-moving supermarket lane. At dog, a reined horse, a car revving in bloomed in me like the swelling bus stops, the minutes drag by like neutral. I look at my cuttings and bud I saw. I rejoiced to see white aeons. pips, those stubbornly inert sticks roots uncurling, fi nger-like, from My avocado was no magic and stones, thinking: come on! the avocado’s taproot, and a stem bean; rationally I knew it could Come on! bursting like newborn Athena from take months to sprout. Yet I still This season isn’t the best time the seed’s crown. managed to feel disappointed that to grow plants. But I don’t have My plants remind me that my the taproot hadn’t immediately a choice: the boomer who owns impatience is really a feeling of presaged a cavalcade of growth. my home is renovating, and in disempowerment – my inability to Had the seedling failed? The other JOY: The joy in plants remind that good things can happen with time, and two months I’ll have to leave my control the pace, and place, of my seed hadn’t sprouted at all. care. beautiful garden with its apple tree. own life. My joy in them reminds Still, that primal urge hadn’t The thought chills me with despair. me that good things can happen quite gone away. In mid-May, as a 45-degree angle. I stripped the of myself to the cutting. But I Everything I’ve read suggests with time, and care. So I tend my the taproot blackened and the bark from the bottom inch of the dipped the moistened cuttings in apple cuttings don’t take well. But leafl ess apple twigs, and imagine glass water grew cloudy, I took two cutting, and spat on the raw wood. commercial rooting hormone, just nor does the insecurity of inner- their roots unfurling slowly, slowly branch cuttings from the apple I’d read human saliva is a natural to be sure. city renting. Houseplants don’t just in the dark soil. Like the fern fronds tree in my backyard, snipping rooting hormone, and I liked the I planted the cuttings in a damp clean the air; they off er a sense of and avocado roots. Like hope. them just below a growth node, at witchiness of giving something blend of vermiculite and potting domestic stability and continuity. – The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY GLAM Pakistani stars sizzle on m

POWER-PACKED: Saba Qamar sizzles the stage at Lux Style Awards 2019.

By Muhammad Asad Ullah LSA you see on television is not the entertainment and if a certain issue LSA on ground. From Yasir Hussain’s is rubbed in the face or overdosed, fl awless act to Saba Qamar’s not- people yawn and leave. Mehwish erformances at the Lux so-perfect stint with constantly Hayat got on stage to express the Style Awards (LSA) repeating most of her script to get bravery with which not only her but serve as dramatic it right, and Ahmed Ali Butt’s witty public fi gures have to face negative punctuation in between sense of humour along with power criticism, mockery, cyber bullying ogling designer dresses packed performances — it was nice to and hate. andP tuxedos, listening to nervous see all coming together though. The highlight of the event was gratitude aimed at parents, It was a fantastic night of racy Yasir Hussain proposing to his spouses and project crew after a performers, some of them a lot rumoured girlfriend Iqra Aziz, win, and the generally not so great of fun — Maya Ali’s performance making their relationship offi cial. scripted dialogue of presenters. was by far the most rousing stage He put a ring on her fi nger as the As usual, music uplifts and 2019’s performance witnessed that evening. stunned actress smiled tearfully and performances shouldn’t disappoint. However, the most “dhuaandaar” the couple indulged in PDA. Where The recently held Lux Style Awards (steamy) performance belonged to the rumour has it that the couple has 2019 in Karachi, Pakistan, was all Saba Qamar who set the stage on fi re been engaged before the show and it high and low lows and it marked an as she arrived to move on Mera Babu was just a re-enactment, too much occasion where Pakistan is heading to Chail Chabeela; all those jhatkas intimacy followed by the proposal grasp the importance of stardust all and thumkas! Maya and Saba both between the two is to be noticed! too well and is happy to put out there, performed on the remixed songs of Kids and families watch this show, spending millions and showcase Pakistani veteran actress, Shabnam, for God’s sake! what talent Pakistan Entertainment as a tribute to her, who also received Unfortunately, despite having so industry holds; a celebration of fi lms, the Unilever Chairman’s Award. many stars in the house, there were music, drama and fashion. Watching Meera shake a leg with fl aws that left much to be desired Meanwhile where the jury was all the energy of a diva was equally throughout the evening. A poor out, the judges were in and LSA was gorgeous. Meera’s 100-watt smile script and weak direction made besieged under controversies. LSA was enough to tell us how happy some segments very dull and they jury received backlash for snubbing she is with her recent hit Baaji and were unable to hold the audience’s some of the most prominent now the LSAs being her celebratory attention. projects of 2018 and celebrities premise. Talking of performances, While the show lacked the including actors, producers and let’s just ignore what Momina presence of some major stars infl uencers took over social media to Mustehsan did and let’s pretend of the Pakistani entertainment express their concern without any that her dance performance never industry –Fawad Khan, Sajal Aly, curtailment. happened, although as an opening and Adnan Siddiqui to name a few The Lux Style Awards (LSA) act it set the bar quite low for the – Lux has patently raised the bar collaborated with Frieha Altaf’s night. for acknowledging the fashion and Catwalk for production, Nabila for The award ceremony subtly entertainment of Pakistani industry. Makeup and Farishteh Aslam of touched upon the topic of cyber Well here’s Kudus to Frieha Altaf and Talking Point for PR. bullying as well. We couldn’t thank her team for putting up glamorous The Lux Style Awards 2019 was a enough for subtlety – because an show and a fabulous line-up of red- CENTRE STAGE: Meera Jee with a 100-watt smile during their performance on fi nale of not so rehearsed scripts. The award show is an all masala and carpet appearances. stage with Asad Siddiqui. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 MOUR COMMUNITY memorable award night

The list of Lux Style Awards 2019 And the winners are: FILM Best Film (Actor) Ali Zafar for Teefa in Trouble (Winner, Viewer’s Choice) Best Film (Actress) Mehwish Hayat for Load Wedding (Winner, Viewer’s Choice) Best Film (Actor) – Critic’s Choice Fahad Mustafa for Load Wedding Best Film (Actress) – Critic’s Choice Sohai Ali Abro for Motorcycle Girl Best Film (Jury) Cake Best Film Director (Jury) Ahsan Rahim for Teefa in Trouble

TELEVISION Best TV Actor Feroze Khan for Khaani (Viewer’s Choice) Best TV Actor (Critic’s Choice) Noman Ijaz – Dar Si Jati Hai Sila (Jury) Best TV Actress Iqra Aziz for Suno Chanda (Viewer’s Choice) TRIBUTE: Atif Aslam during his performance as a tribute to legendary Pakistani actress, PACKING A PUNCH: Iqra Aziz bags the Best Iqra Aziz for Suno Chanda (Jury) Shabnam. TV Actor Female Award. Best TV Play Suno Chanda (Viewer’s Choice) Best TV Play Writer Bee Gul - Dar Si Jati Hai Sila (Jury) Best TV Play Director Kashif Nisar for Dar si Jati Hai Sila (Jury) Best Emerging Talent TV Rida Bilal (Jury)

MUSIC Best Original Sound Track Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – Khaani (Viewer’s Choice) Best Playback Singer - Film Atif Aslam – Tham Lo (Viewer’s Choice) Singer of the Year Mohsin Abbas and Sohail Haider for Na Jaa (Viewer’s Choice) Song of the Year Khumariyaan – Ya Qurban (Viewer’s Choice) Best Emerging Talent (Music) Saakin – Saaqi E Bawafa (Jury)

FASHION Model of the Year (Female) Sadaf Kanwal (Jury) DUO: Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui, left, and Maya Ali hosting the award ceremony. Model of the Year (Male) Shahzad Noor (Jury) Achievement in Fashion Design-Pret Chapter 2 (Jury) Achievement in Fashion Design - Luxury Pret Sana Safinaz (Jury) Achievement in Fashion Design-Menswear Republic by Omer Farooq (Jury) Best Fashion Photographer Rizwan ul Haq (Jury) Best Hair & Make-up Artist Qasim Liaqat (Jury) Best Emerging Talent in Fashion (Mushk Kaleem) Jury Achievement in Fashion Design- Bridal Couture Kamiar Rokni (Jury)

EASY PICKINGS: Omer Farooq, right, of Republic by Omer Farooq wins LEGENDARY: Veteran actress Shabnam receives the Unilever the Best Menswear Designer award. Chairman Award at LSA2019. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY

An innovative interpretation of Qatar’s architectural heritage

Katara Cultural Village, also known as Valley of diff erent regions and the visitors can stroll around. beaches of Qatar and covers nearly 2km. There are cultures, is a centre to explore traditions, theatre, The paths around the centres depict a feeling of many adventurous beach activities, water sports art and architecture. It is open to everyone, located narrow walkways and alleys, shaded by ribbons of and games for both children and adults. Sport between the Pearl-Qatar and West Bay. cloth. activities include sailing, water skiing, parasailing, It was opened in 2010, and conceptualised to The amphitheatre overlooks the radiant blue sea. windsurfi ng, boat rides and banana rides. It is a replicate Qatari culture through conventional The Katara amphitheatre is an architectural beauty place to enjoy at night time, for a stroll along the architecture. and created as a fusion of the Islamic design and promenade, with its expansive views of Doha’s The facilities include heritage centres, opera classical Greek theatre concept. It has a seating skyline, as well as a rich array of seaside food stalls house, libraries, amphitheatre, art galleries, capacity 5,000 persons. and markets. academic facilities, cafes, restaurants, museum There is a public beach that adorns the Katara — Text by Keerthana Kandaraja, photos and outdoor greenery spaces. Katara is divided into as well. This is one of the most beautiful natural by Santhiya Kandaraja (@santhiya.09) Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Playing video games can make you more creative: Study

laying video games may creative while playing Minecraft were the not be as bad as we always least creative. “It’s not just that Minecraft thought and certain games that can help induce creativity. There seems foster creative freedom can to be something about choosing to do it help in increasing creativity, that also matters,” said Douglas Gentile, Presearchers say. Professor at the Iowa State University. In the experimental study published There is no clear explanation for this in the Creativity Research Journal, the fi nding but there could be some possible researchers analysed 352 participants. reasons why the instructed Minecraft They compared the eff ects of playing group scored lower, said study lead author Minecraft, with or without instruction, to Jorge Blanco-Herrera from the varsity. watching a TV show or playing a race car “The instructions may have changed video game. subjects’ motivation for play. Being told to After 40 minutes of play or watching be creative may have actually limited their TV, the participants completed several options while playing, resulting in a less creativity tasks. To measure creative creative experience. production, they were asked to draw a “It’s also possible they used all their creature from a world much diff erent than ‘creative juices’ while playing and had Earth. More human-like creatures scored nothing left when it came time to complete low for creativity and those less human- the test,” he said. like scored high. Most video games encourage players It was found that those given the to practice some level of creativity. For freedom to play Minecraft – a game that example, players may create a character allows players to explore unique worlds and story for role-playing games or and create anything they can imagine be rewarded for creative strategies in – without instructions were the most competitive games, said researchers. – creative while those instructed to be IANS

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

If you have a tendency to do a little too much dreaming, reality could Everyone has impulsively bought something without really thinking You’re in tune with the atmosphere around you today because of catch up with you now. The time has come to react immediately, about it first. As far as you’re concerned, Taurus, it happens a little your tolerance, humanity, and the respect you have for everyone, Aries. Certain financial or professional goals may see some delays. more often than it should. Have you looked at your closet full of the no matter what their position in society or intellectual capacity. You need to figure out how to get things going again in a more clothes you never wear? Why do you keep them? Is it reassuring? Generosity is coming alive inside you, Gemini. The one thing you concrete and secure direction. Don’t let anything get past you today. Don’t get caught up in fashion crazes. Try to be more careful with want to do is understand the people close to you. Support them and your money. show them that they can count on you. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

If you tend to be a little anxious about solitude, Cancer, it doesn’t Sometimes it’s hard for you to believe something unless you see it Love is in the air, Virgo! You may encounter some wonderful necessarily mean you’re dependent on the people close to you. That firsthand, Leo. However, the period you’re in now may be pushing situations today. You’re ready to live these marvellously rich isn’t the only contradictory thing about your behaviour. You tend to you to try and understand some of the mysteries on faith. Though and emotional experiences to the fullest. Put your doubts and want to bring people together while keeping your distance. From you probably aren’t one to do this very often, you may be feeling insecurities away for the time being. Have a great time! now on, you should try to be a little clearer in your relationships. some kind of mystical impulse that makes you think about the nature of your beliefs. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Today’s powerful astral phenomena will encourage you to develop It’s time to get down to work, Scorpio. At the moment, you can’t What do you want? It isn’t always easy to live with others, Sagittarius. your skill as a visionary, Libra, no matter what you do with your depend solely on your natural creativity, spontaneity, imagination, You may ask too much of the people close to you and not be able day. You’re one of those rare people who can sense before anyone and originality to get by. You need to demonstrate a certain amount to stand it when they don’t live up to your high expectations. Your else the changes that will happen in the world. Let these feelings of pragmatism and self-discipline to reach your goals. This will idealism makes it hard for you to compromise. This attitude can encourage you. Use them to believe in tomorrow. certainly seem more diff icult than it really is. It’s time to have faith in cause conflict and make you hard to live with. Change it. attributes other than your intuition. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

It’s possible you took a chance on someone who has disappointed Have been letting yourself go lately, Aquarius? Now it’s time to Have you recently lost some faith in the future, Pisces? Isn’t it time you, Capricorn. You were especially tolerant and patient, but now it’s take better care of your body. This new initiative will make you feel to do something about it, especially where your personal life is time to finally settle things and put your cards on the table. Don’t be happier and more ready to tackle life again. You may hesitate over concerned? You could find the answers to these questions if you’d afraid to do what you have to do in order to protect yourself and the whether or not you should try some of the alternative medicines take a second look at the quality of your close relationships. Who people you love. that you hear about. This is only a small dilemma. Be glad you’ve knows? Love might give you back your enthusiasm for life. finally decided to live a healthier lifestyle. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

ASSAY TEST RESEARCH MEASURE EXPERIMENT INVESTIGATE SCAN PROBE REVIEW CHECK WATCH ASSESS MONITOR INQUIRE APPRAISE STUDY PROVE AUDIT EXAMINE WEIGH OBSERVE INSPECT

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. Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Drug found on Arctic trip (8) 2 Father’s about to turn out 6 Runner appearing in sports OK (7) kit (3) 3 European vet, we hear (5) 9 Fruit pip one ignored in drink 4 No rest, oddly, for singers (6) (5) 5 Greek character opposed to 10 No one takes part - it’s Italian wine (7) disgusting (7) 6 Lacking money for a drink of 11 Someone else embraced by spirits (5) Hera - not Hercules (7) 7 Model and I do business (5) 12 African province once 8 One who’s learned to park a concerned with delivery? (5) vehicle in the street? (6) 13 Deep part of ocean or river 14 First-class sort of letter (7) surrounded by fish (6) 16 Sure to have new crate at 15 Record American event (6) home (7) 19 Animals seen initially by 17 Material, we hear, moved to Dickensian villain (5) and fro (6) 21 Al has left one country for 18 Possibly making Andrew another (7) stray (6) 23 About time faulty device is 19 Pete’s stumbling and falling thrown out (7) sharply (5) 24 Fish for small girl (5) 20 The best part of Chinese 25 Something to eat that literature (5) provides constant energy (3) 22 Name of Russian who’s 26 Girl in part of France (8) ashamed to take part? (5) Answers Yesterday’s Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY TRAVEL Belgrade, a real-life film set with 5-star scenesters If Belgrade were a film, it would be hard to pick a genre. In resurrected neighbourhoods and on one sparkling beachfront, the city’s characters are writing their own lines. And there’s popcorn included, writes Laura Lewandowski

TYPICAL: A typical street in Belgrade.

Tropical Heat, named after the the city. An international airport, Canadian action series of the early aff ordable rent and inspiration on 90s. “An absolute hit back then in every corner make this one of the Serbia,” says Pesic as he turns on the most sought-after locations for popcorn machine. The feeling of creatives in the world at the moment. being stuck in the 90s grows a little Dorcol, Belgrade’s oldest stronger; they really must be onto neighbourhood, gets compared to something here. Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York, “If I’m honest, a lot hasn’t Lazukic explains. “It used to be the changed,” Pesic says. He has been most dangerous part, now it’s cool.” living on Ada for over 20 years now, Once you know that Belgrade is BIRD’S EYE VIEW: Young people congregate at the Kalemegdan car park to enjoy a view of the city. although he was abroad for six of full of hidden hipster gems, you start them in Russia, South Africa and on seeing them everywhere: concept rriving at Belgrade dreariness of the airport. The taxi the crumbling brickwork, are Cyprus. stores, vintage bazaars, co-working Airport, the fi rst thing ride into the city centre feels like a picturesque in their own way. It looks But the city drew him back after a spaces. In the Beogradski market, you notice is the smell. journey into the past. The car passes like a handyman simply gave up at while, as it did with many others who 20-somethings work on laptops. The It’s coming from the massive concrete construction some point – or ran out of money, had sought to get away after the war. 1,000-square-metre market hall toilets. In the stalls, projects and seemingly endless rows which is more likely. “Belgrade has a unique pull,” he adds. is home to designer shops, fl orists, Awomen wearing stiletto heels and of high-rise fl ats. Berlin’s mayor once declared the “More and more people want to craft breweries and vegan food stalls. generous slicks of lipstick puff away, The architecture has a coldness, city “poor but sexy.” So, what does put the city back on the world map,” There’s no dreariness to be seen here. fi lling the place with a stuff y fog of showcasing the best of late-20th- that make Belgrade? Luka Lazukic says as he tokes on a Have we stumbled into another fi lm? smoke. century brutalism. One example is Which brings us to the artifi cial cigarette. His voice is hoarse, his hair In a country where politics often Other airports might greet tourists the Genex Tower, or Western City peninsula of Ada, or Ada Ciganlija, slicked back. The IT specialist hides descends into the absurd, many with a selection of green smoothies Gate, made up of two conjoined to give its full name. Locals often his tired eyes behind XXL glasses. observers are writing their own and vegan eateries. Not in the Serbian skyscrapers that give off an air of a recommend this place in response to “You don’t get into the scene scripts. “Politics is acting as if people capital. Is this really the up-and- diffi cult past. queries about where Belgrade life can so easily. But once you’re in, you were stupid,” singer Maja Louis says. coming metropolis that travel Belgrade has been repeatedly be experienced at its most authentic. discover another Belgrade under Her father, known simply as bloggers claim it to be? destroyed and rebuilt over the years. Here you can enjoy while sitting the surface,” Lazukic says in the “Louis,” was a much-loved musician Belgrade, it is said, is now cool – a What’s left is a little bit of everything on the beach – an experience upmarket 5A Soba restaurant. in the region. Now Maja Louis has cheap and vibrant hub of culture like that has touched the city in the past not necessarily associated with Lots of people left the war-torn made a name for herself. Again, Berlin in the 90s, the hidden gem of few centuries: neoclassical works landlocked Serbia. city for cultural hubs like New York. Berlin comes up as a comparative the Balkans. of splendour, art-nouveau villas, The peninsula is about a “Now they’re bringing the trends standard for Belgrade’s creative For those who haven’t yet been remnants of the Ottoman Empire. 10-minute taxi ride away from back,” he adds. scene today. So is Belgrade really the to the former Yugoslavia, a trip to Belgrade itself is like a fi lm set. the city centre. A stroll around the And alongside local businesses, must-see place for culture-hungry Belgrade can be compared with a trip And so it’s fi tting that you can get lake passes by numerous stalls and there are entrepreneurs from the travellers going off the beaten track? to the cinema: it’s less about what’s popcorn on every street corner. Every restaurants. If there were a dress surrounding countries of Bosnia- In a lot of ways, yes. But the city playing on screen and more about hundred metres, there is a stall that code, it would be jogging bottoms Herzegovina and Montenegro, doesn’t need to be told it’s cool; it what’s on display, from La Dolce Vita looks like a period piece at an indie and trainers. making Belgrade a melting pot for already knows. “Twenty-four hours, with Balkan fl air to historical drama. cinema. “It gets really hot in the summer, Balkan culture. Monday to Friday,” Louis says. And the popcorn’s included, but Even the air-conditioning systems 35 degrees [Celsius], easily,” says For those with deep pockets, Perhaps Belgrade isn’t a more on that later. perched on the facades of buildings, Radovan Pesic. Together with his Belgrade is a playground. But those melodrama, but a love fi lm. Just not First thing’s fi rst: escape the the tangled messes of cables and brother, he runs the beachside club with less cash to spare also come to at fi rst sight. – DPA Wednesday, July 10, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY Country star Young is now a headliner

By Kevin C. Johnson

ans of country star Chris CONTROVERSY: Kangana Ranaut recently had an ugly spat Young have seen him in with a wire service journalist. front of big crowds before – opening for top-tier acts Media demands apology such as Rascal Flatts, Jason from Kangana Ranaut Aldean,F Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley and George Strait or at the CMA Fest. Actress Kangana Ranaut has been asked to tender a But these days, the audiences are public apology by the media fraternity in the wake of her bigger – and they’re all his: Young recent ugly spat with a wire service journalist at a press is one of country music’s newest event of her forthcoming fi lm JudgeMentall Hai Kya. headliners. He’s currently on his Raised The incident occurred when Kangana questioned on Country Tour. the journalist’s negative comments on her last release, “This is far and away my biggest Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi. tour, where I’m doing things my way A heated exchange followed, setting off a debate on and putting it together,” Young says. social media, leaving netizens divided over whether the “It’s been insane. This is obviously actress’s behaviour was right. something I’ve been building up to all Condemning Kangana’s behaviour towards the these years. It’s overwhelming, but it’s journalist, a section of social media users asked the media also very cool.” NEW SENSATION: Country musician Chris Young plays during the Losing Sleep tour to “boycott” her. In bringing his new tour to the stage, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Sick mindset. If this doesn’t deserve an apology now, Young has been involved in everything then Bollywood media should boycott Kangana,” a user from set design to the set list. was looking for a song with a fun, surprised.” tweeted. He says the set accommodates the anthem vibe, and Raised on Country The title of the album likely will be “See this unruly behaviour of Kangana Ranaut clearly show’s various moods, from over-the- fi t the bill. He also says the song is Raised on Country. It’ll be his eighth misusing her position to intimidate and falsely accuse the top to intimate and acoustic. autobiographical. album (including a 2016 Christmas journalist,” wrote another user. Young also promises to play new The album will also include album). According to reports, some senior journalists are songs, new covers and include some Drowning, a song he wrote with Corey Young has come a long way since scheduled to meet producer Ekta Kapoor of JudgeMentall surprises. His experience touring with Crowder and Josh Hoge about a friend winning TV’s Nashville Star in 2006 – Hai Kya on Tuesday, seeking Kangana’s apology over the country legends has helped shape his who died a few years ago in a car a feat that doesn’t exactly come with issue. own show. accident. the same allure as winning, say, an The fi lm is slated for a July 26 release. – IANS “It was just awesome to watch their “I hadn’t written a song that early season of American Idol. But it shows and learn from them,” he says. discussed anything like that before,” ultimately paid off big. “I liked what they did with their video Young says. “I was talking with one of “Most people don’t even remember I content and thought I could work with the co-writers about it being sad and was on Nashville Star,” he says. “I had a that and make it work for me.” heavy, ‘but let’s write this and see what friend who told me to audition.” He says he learned the most from we got.’ He followed that TV win with a 2006 Brooks. “That guy is one of the best “We played it at the (Grand Ole) self-titled debut album that included performers of all time, not only the Opry, and everybody said, ‘What’s Drinkin’ Me Lonely and You’re Gonna way he handles the crowd but the this?’ It’s the fi rst time I broke down Love Me. He racked up much bigger hits things he does stylistically in his show. singing and couldn’t get through to the after that. Everybody should watch him, no end of it. It’s a really special song, and Since then, he describes his career as matter what genre they’re in.” a lot of people reached out about it, a crazy ride. The tour precedes a new album, the telling stories of people they’d lost.” “I’ve always been a slow grower,” follow-up to Losing Sleep (2017). One Anyone seeking insight into what Young says. “I look back at where I of the songs on the upcoming album direction he’s going with the album started, when everybody was in a van will be Raised on Country, which came only needs to look at those two and trailer driving around. Now I’m on about while Young was on the road singles, Young says. “It’ll defi nitely be a huge amphitheatre tour with moving BUSY: Parineeti Chopra has detailed an erratic three-week with some songwriting buddies. He a country record, and people will be parts.” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS schedule on Instagram.

Parineeti ‘dying of nerves’ The Lion King is a deep part story of Simba and used pioneering ahead of hectic schedule of our culture: Favreau fi lmmaking techniques to bring the iconic characters to the big screen in a whole Parineeti Chopra has a busy work schedule coming up Filmmaker Jon Favreau feels The Lion new way. and the actress says she is “dying of nerves” because of it. King has become a deep part of our It was a trip to Africa that pointed him Parineeti on Tuesday took to Instagram to share details culture, and says he felt a tremendous in the direction of The Lion King. of her erratic three week schedule. responsibility while re-imagining the “I went on a safari to Africa six months In her Instagram stories, she wrote: “Three weeks left world of Disney’s classic with the use of prior to fi rst talking to Disney about doing for Jabariya Jodi to release. Three weeks to start shooting technology. this fi lm,” recalled Favreau. for Girl On The Train. Saina Nehwal training going on “It’s such a beloved property. Disney “I remember when a warthog ran by simultaneously because I fi nish Girl On The Train and has had tremendous success with the our safari vehicle, one of the people in our start shoot immediately! Shifting my house this week. original animated version and then the group started singing Hakuna matata. “Jabariya Jodi promotions, Girl On The Train prep, Broadway musical. I knew that I had to be And then when we saw lions up on a rock, ‘Saina’ prep, house shift-all in three weeks! Guys I’m very careful with it. I felt a tremendous they all said, ‘Oh, look, it looks like Lion dying of nerves.” responsibility not to screw it up,” Favreau King’. This story has become a frame of Parineeti will be seen in the offi cial remake of said in a statement. reference that everybody now knows and Hollywood thriller The Girl on the Train starring Emily “I wanted to demonstrate that we could accepts. Blunt. be respectful of the source material while “It pops up in music, on TV shows, in She currently awaits the release of Jabariya Jodi along bringing it to life using mind-blowing comedy routines, as part of sketches. It’s with actor Sidharth Malhotra. The fi lm is scheduled for techniques and technologies,” he added. continually referenced. It’s such a deep release on August 2. Directed by Prashant Singh, Jabariya The Jungle Book fame director Favreau part of our culture that it felt like there PRESSURE: Filmmaker Jon Jodi is based on ‘Pakadwa Vivah’ (forced marriage), which has re-imagined the world of Disney’s was a tremendous opportunity to build on Favreau says he felt a tremendous was once rampant in Bihar. – IANS 1994 classic to bring alive a live-action that and to retell the story in a diff erent responsibility while re-imagining fi lm. He has stayed true to the classic medium.”– IANS the movie. 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 10, 2019 COMMUNITY ‘Find your why’ Cancer-survivor Sondra Hope says everyone needs to have a reason to fight odds in life

By Mudassir Raja “From a medical care point of view, if I tell e must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for you the truth, Qatar our journey. This is the philosophy of life being basically gave me practised by Sondra Hope, a WDoha-based South African expatriate and a life. The expensive cancer-survivor. Earlier an IT professional, after being cancer medicines diagnosed with cancer for the third time, Sondra became nutrition and wellness coach that I always as well as a fi tness trainer in an attempt to start taking control of her health, especially need, I am getting after her daughter was born. She specialises in personal, sports and them through my child nutrition. She is the founder of HopeFit, which specialises in online and healthcare. Qatar has personal training and nutrition coaching. She had groomed herself to be an exciting given my daughter motivational speaker. She is also a professional photographer and dabbles in her mom” painting and fi ne art. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer when — Sondra Hope I was 24 in 2009, and now have my fourth cancer recurrence. I will be on treatment in Qatar. The doctors in South Africa had told me feel better that I am doing something. very strong person. “I tell them that what are indefi nitely to slow down any disease me that there was nothing much that they If you do nothing, you get more depressed. my choices – die or fi ght? It’s not even about progression and have had two surgeries,” could do medically for me. They told me that Unfortunately, a lot of people do that.” choices I have. I exist but I am living instead shared the resolute-looking Sondra with I had 12 to 18 months left.” For Sondra, the biggest key to her success of existing and that is the diff erence. I am Community. “That was the day when my life changed. so far was the realization of the importance actually living more than those people who Suff ering from cancer at a very young age I came back from the doctor and was sitting of your attitude and to fi nd your “why”. are totally healthy. was shocking for her but what really made in my room making my daughter go to sleep. She said: “Why I do what I do and why “I have also realised that I need to reach out her change course of her life was when her While looking at her, I realised I would die for do I fi ght? We as people are okay with to other people to make them understand that daughter was born in 2012. “In 2010, I got her. Then, a thought came to my mind that if disappointing ourselves. But, we are less you have the power to be able to not just exist cancer recurrence. After the treatment, we you are willing to die why are you not willing likely to want to disappoint other people and but to actually live.” wanted to start the family. The doctors told live for her? That was the moment that want other people’s perception about us to The cancer-survivor in her fi ght also gives me that being under treatment for cancer; I changed everything for me.” change. Finding your ‘why’ and the reason very high credit to her husband and Qatar. will not be able to have a child. The doctors Sondra started studying nutrition and to carry on is a huge key to success. I can “When it comes to support, it is my husband were not even hopeful even after I got wellness. She started to try and control her just say that I have had enough of treatment – Geoff Hope. He is the humour in my pregnant. On August 21, 2012, my little girl life. “I have a very strong belief in our control but the diff erence is when I wake and see situations. We believe that if you cannot beat was born, totally healthy. And, in December over our bodies and life, by controlling our my daughter sleeping there, it changes it, humour it. 2012, I was re-diagnosed with cancer. The attitude and mind. When we are in a situation everything for me. I remind myself that “From a medical care point of view, if I tell doctors said it was bad and was basically where we are out of control, we start tomorrow morning I am go to fi ght it for her. you the truth, Qatar basically gave me life. The spreading everywhere. I was in UAE and despairing. But that is not true for me. I took She is my ‘why’.” expensive cancer medicines that I always need, I went back to South Africa to get family my anger of not being able to do something Sondra became a motivational force for I am getting them through my healthcare. I have support. I remained under treatment there till and put it into focusing on those things that others after she realised how other cancer been getting proper medical care here. Qatar March 2015 when I came to join my husband I can control. Psychologically, it also makes patients listen to her and tell her that she is a has given my daughter her mom.”

Sondra with daughter during the Warrior Obstacle race for Sondra was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of Sondra Hope with daughter Aliyah. cancer awareness in South Africa. 24 in 2009.