Mogwai Play Atomic at Admiralspalast

Mogwai Play Atomic

30.08.2016 Admiralspalast Berlin

Judging by the crowd gathered outside the Admiralspalast on a calm Tuesday evening for the German premiere of Mogwai Play Atomic, two things were clear:

a) it was an event not to be missed and

b) there was no way it would start on time.

Thirty minutes after the scheduled “doors open” time, the queue stretched all the way along Friedrichstrasse to the edge of the river Spree, while amused waiters and passers-by wondered what on earth was going on. The waitress at the Café Madrid had never seen a queue like that outside the restaurant.

Once inside, there were more queues for the toilets, but the most impressive one was for the drinks. As the bar queue got longer and ticket-holders still kept streaming in through the main doors, an usher spoke in an agitated tone into his walkie-talkie: "We have run out of cold beer!". Clearly, this was not your typical evening at the Admiralspalast, a rather grand 1920s Art Deco theatre, which normally hosts more mainstream events. As if by magic, a crate of cold beer materialised within five minutes and was delivered to a relieved barman.

As the venue finally filled up, the lights were dimmed and Mogwai quietly settled on stage, while the projection of the film began.
The documentary itself was a collection of powerful images based on the atomic theme. The majority focused on the deadly aspects of nuclear energy: the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and its horrific impact on the land and its inhabitants, as well as the devastating effects of Chernobyl and Fukushima. There was also interesting footage of the anti nuclear movement, the Cold War, as well as instructions to the British population on how to prepare in the event of an atomic bomb. Towards the end there were some references to the more hopeful and positive applications, such as nuclear medicine. 

Mogwai’s music entirely captured the mood of the film and reflected both the horrors and the more hopeful and beautiful moments.  The live music experience made the emotions generated by the images on screen all the more powerful.  As the film came to a conclusion, the sounds continued to propagate from the amps and one by one the musicians left the stage. The lights came back on, while a satisfied crowd applauded warmly.

Mogwai’s live performance of their soundtrack to Mark Cousins’s documentary Atomic: Living in Dread and Promise was part of the Pop-Kultur festival.

Special thanks to Nils for the photographic contribution 
http://www.nilswittephotography.de/

Currywurst in Berlin... lobster in Paris

When Theresa May met Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, Bio-Currywurst was probably not on the menu (or at least one would hope so). 
In a pre-dinner press conference, the German Chancellor agreed with the British Prime Minister that more time is needed before Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty can be triggered. She also did not dismiss the possibility of a deal that combines free trade with controls on immigration. However, Angela Merkel also added that there will be no negotiations until Article 50 has been invoked.


Before setting off on her EU travels, Theresa May announced through a spokesperson that the UK is giving up its planned presidency of the European Council (due to start in July 2017) to focus on Brexit negotiations. The decision was reached in a phone call between Theresa May and Donald Tusk, the President of the EU Council.

 

When Theresa May met François Hollande the following evening in Paris, the French President was not quite so accommodating. Although he did recognise that the UK needs more time before it can trigger Article 50, he was very clear about France's position on free trade. If the UK wants access to the single market it cannot put immigration controls on EU citizens, i.e. free trade cannot be granted without free movement of people.
In case you are wondering what was on the menu in Paris: lobster salad as a starter, veal with spinach as a main course, vanilla mousse with strawberries and cheese for dessert. Bon appétit!

Back to Brexit

One week ago...

David Cameron was still the UK Prime Minister.
Theresa May was still the Home Secretary and one of two contestants in the Conservative leadership race.
Boris Johnson had disappeared into oblivion.

Five days ago...

David Cameron shared a few jokes with his colleagues at his last Prime Minister's Questions before moving out of Downing Street with his family.
Theresa May paid a visit to the Queen and became the new Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson popped into number 10 and was made Foreign Secretary.  

The reaction to the news of Boris Johnson's appointment was shock, disbelief, bemusement, amusement and apprehension. The sign on the railings outside Boris' home in London "SORRY WORLD" summarises all of these feelings.
On his first day as Foreign Secretary, Boris was challenged with the difficult task of locating his car, while trying to avoid questions from journalists.

While the world focussed on the alarming news of the promotion of the former Mayor of London to the third-most powerful position in UK politics after Prime Minister and Chancellor, Theresa May made other controversial decisions.

David Davis was made Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

Liam Fox (who resigned in 2011 from David Cameron's government after he "mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred") was made Secretary of State for International Trade.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change was abolished. 

What about Brexit?

Although Theresa May was officially on the Remain side, she insists that "Brexit means Brexit" and that there will be no second referendum on the EU. She has also said she will not trigger Article 50 until the UK's negotiating position has been defined.

Meanwhile, David Davis, the minister in charge of Brexit, has recently said that the UK can formally trigger its departure from the EU by 2017.

What about Scotland?
Scotland wants to remain in the EU.
Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, says a second referendum on Scottish independence from the UK is being considered.
Theresa May is against this idea.

The mess continues...

There is a petition to have the pudding Eton Mess renamed as Brexit!

Eton Mess is a traditional British dessert made with strawberries, pieces of meringue and cream. 

Eton is an exclusive school for boys in England. It's called a public school, but it's actually private and very expensive. Both David Cameron and Boris Johnson were educated at Eton.