Minchester

欢迎收听The Minchester Review! 这期节目来聊聊最近挚爱的一本小说《春天，相遇在巴尼斯百货》，这是日本作家吉田修一的作品，是前作《最后的儿子》的续篇。小说从五个章节一窥东京普通上班族筒井彰的人生。
当三十有几的筒井带着妻子、儿子在巴尼斯百货商店购物时遇见了前男友阎魔，筒井的心中会泛起多少波澜？

Hi!! Have you missed me? ;)

In this episode, I talk about a Japanese fiction called Spring, at Barneys (2004) by Yoshida Shuichi, one of my favorite writers.

Spring, at Barneys is a sequel to Yoshida's early novella The Last Son (1999). The early work tells the story of Tsutsui, of how he navigates his life as a young gay man, lives in a world that is malignant and violent to his community, and sways between a life as the boyfriend to someone he does not love and parents' demand of him to form a family. Spring, at Barneys sees Tsutsui in his 30s as he bumps into his former lover in the department store and ponders on his current life as a married man with a kid.

I was mesmerized by Yoshida's nuanced writing, which looks into the seemingly mundane moments of life, and the eventual emotional outbreak of a man who seems to be living a life he is contented of. The writing is effortless and piecing. I tried to translate a few passages that I am very fond of. (23:39)

I talk a bit about the adapted film, which stars Nishijima Hitedoshi (*swoon*).

I also talk about how the idea of 'the past' intertwines with Tsuitsui's escapism. By analyzing a small episode where his father rejects his dream of studying in the US, I argue that the idea of studying/living abroad, as it invites a new form of language, allows physical detachment, and forms a space of literal 'different time zone', embodies the ultimate illusion of freedom and possibilities.

02:30 Introduction of The Last Son
08:00 Introduction of Spring, at Barneys
29:04 TV-Film of Spring, at Barneys
36:54 Some expanded readings including how 'the past is a foreign country' plays out in Yoshida's novel.

References:
《最后的儿子》 [日] 吉田修一
《春天，相遇在巴尼斯百货》[日] 吉田修一
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
电视剧《昨日的美食》
电视电影《春天，相遇在巴尼斯百货》
The Go-Between by L.P.Hartley

Music:
Comes a Time by Grateful Dead

这一集，我与烂木头一起来聊聊一部电影《前程似锦的女孩》，这部电影由凯瑞•穆里根主演，是《杀死伊芙》第二季的制片人Emerald Fennell的第一部剧情长片。
这部讲述女性复仇的影片究竟看了让人拍手称快，还是一部撒着喜剧糖霜的悲剧？使用流行歌曲会不会削弱为好友复仇的沉重主题？这部充满糖果色的影片竟让烂木头想起了金基德电影中不按常理出牌的救赎戏份？反高潮的结局中是否暗含希望的种子？


Hello! In this episode, I've invited Lassie to join me in discussing Promising Young Woman, a film starring Carey Mulligan and is the first feature film by British director/writer/author/actress Emerald Fennell. She is a show runner for Killing Eve S2 and plays the part of the Duchess of Cornwell in the Crown.

You might spot a girl like Cassie in a Friday night club. She's wasted – apparently, phoneless and friendless. 'Do you need help?' you ask and she takes the favor. Minutes later when you tell the cab driver to change the destination to your place, it is, however, you who have no idea how this night will unfold.

We talk about how we love the unforgettable character Cassie yet can't help but feel doubtful of her motivation and if her plan can actually work. We try to read behind this enigmatic title, and discuss the costumes, music, and cinematography. Lassie also compares the film with Samaritan Girl《撒玛利亚女孩》and Pieta《圣殇》by Korean director Ki-duk Kim（金基德）, drawing attention to the atonement between women.

While Cassie is not a good model, PYW is hilarious and heart-breaking at the same time; it is urgent and thoughtful. Highly recommended!

01:40 Spoilers - film introduction
13:17 Why the film is called Promising Young Woman when Cassie is neither promising nor young
20:49 Cassie's behavior reminds Lassie of what happens between the female characters in Ki-duk Kim's Samaritan Girl and Pieta.
32:06 Warning from Lassie: Do not follow Cassie's actions! They can be dangerous to you.
32:45 The relationship between Ryan and Cassie is a false glimmer.
43:15 Catherine finds hope from a lineless small character.

music
Toxic by Britney Spears
Last Laugh by Fletcher

Lassie is the co-host of Rotten Cherry (search 一车烂话），a talk-show which you can find on almost any podcast platform. Go give them a follow!

欢迎收听第二季的“敏彻斯特评论”广播节目！今天这期，我来讲讲喜爱的歌手路易•汤姆林森（Louis Tomlinson）的故事。我将用五首歌曲，带你了解丝丝（昵称，虽然s不发音）从一名One Direction的乐队成员成长为一名优秀的solo歌手的历程。
开头是我关于“粉丝如何讲述偶像故事”的一些思索，介绍丝丝从04:15开始。

Hiiii Welcome to Season 2 of the Minchester Review! I'm very happy to introduce you to one of my favorite singers Louis Tomlinson. Through five tracks, I talk about his music and life.

00:05 'Defenseless' - Early this Feb, this track single from Louis's debut Album WALLS was promoted by fans to reach No.1 on iTunes Worldwide Chart, one year after its release.
08:40 'Strong' by One Direction – Louis is a co-writer of this one and he has written over 1/3 of 1D songs; Strong is one of my fav :)
12:52 'Back To You' by Louis and Bebe Rexha – Fans see this duet a metaphor of Louis's not-always-smooth relationship with his label; highly recommend this MV! A duet that refuses to sexualize females.
15:25 'Two of Us' – a song Louis dedicates to his late mother Jay.
20:56 'Kill My Mind' – a Louis's favorite (and mine!) that tells much about his music inspirations (Oasis, Arctic Monkey etc)

Before I start talking about Louis (from 04:15), I go through a question list that I've been thinking about lately: how do we (fans) tell the story of an artist that we like? How do we prove our point that (s)he is excellent/brave/inspirational? Where do we draw the line between their professional achievements and what happen to their personal life? How do we decipher the agenda of media coverage while relying on them as our limited sources?

How do we find truth; how do we share passion; how do we talk about love?
I guess that's the point of writing and talking about things on podcast; it is this process that requires me not just to collect 'evidences', to prove a point, but also to examine this process itself.

I hope you like this episode; do check Louis's music!! xx

在年末奉上最新磕研成果：一篇三千多字的关于《到了30岁还是处男，似乎会变成魔法师》的小论（tu）文（cao）。节目中，我细数这部让我魂牵梦萦的日剧怎样在奇幻的门类下，呈现真实动人的绝美爱情；我也过度解读了这部剧怎样在清水的情节中，依然探讨了酷儿的渴望与身份；当然，我也发出了lsp的呐喊。《樱桃魔法师》有瑕有瑜，但这次同步追番、研究嗑学家小论文+购入同款的立体观剧经历，着实十分难忘。

On New Year's Eve, I want to share with you my review of a Japanese TV show called: Cherry Magic! 30 Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
It tells the story of a socially awkward 30-year-old virgin called Adachi. After gaining the magic to read other people's mind, he quickly finds out his colleague Kurosawa has been secretly in love with him for 7 years!

---剧透分割线 Spoiler Alert----

05:55 A timely show for me because I was turning 30 when I heard of it
08:34 CM and the genre of fantasy
11:55 Both Cheri Maho and Netflix's YOU discuss 'boundary' in relationship
17:08 My take on ep11 and why I like how the focus of the show turns to the interior
24:03 Cheri Maho creates queerness inside of queer people; magic as an allegory of coming out

Music:
産声 by Omoinotake
Good Love Your Love by Deep Squad

这集来聊聊《知晓我姓名》与《What Makes Us Stronger》，两本书都出自于勇敢的年轻女性之手，回顾了她们遭遇的巨大创伤，以及其自我拯救之路。

These are the real-life stories of two brave young women. One is Chanel Miller, a rape survivor. Chanel authored Know My Name, a brilliant and beautiful memoir about her traumatic experience and how she was helped and self-helped to navigate the long and difficult trial process. Another is Freya Lewis, who survived the Manchester attack, which took her friend Nell's life and caused her 29 injuries. However, she managed to bounce back and ran 2.5 km one year after the attack while raising 60,000 GBP for the hospital.

In Know My Name (01:10), what I found most touching and inspiring is how Chanel argues against the myth of 'perfect victim'. She is not perfect - and that makes her real, genuine, vulnerable, honest and brave.

In What Makes Us Stronger (12:05), apart from the details of the attack, I also learnt about the stories behind the photos taken by 1D fan Freya and Harry who also comes from Holmes Chapel, and Louis who presented her with the NHS Hero Award.

They are two truly inspiring books and I highly recommend them!

music: Moonlight by Ariana Grande

这期节目，我与烂木头（Lassie）继续探讨勃朗特姐妹的话题，我们聊了聊三姐妹如何从卖出三册书并遭恶评的打击中振作起来，社恐夏洛蒂与社交达人盖斯凯尔夫人的友谊，“逾矩”的哥特小说之魅力，我在斯卡布罗的海边吃海螺失败的经历等等。

Hiya! In this episode, Lassie and I continued our topic of the Bronte sisters: this time, we focused on their life stories and their wonderful novels (and poetry). We also talked about other Bronte-related places one could visit.


05:33 Thackery had guessed the author of Jane Eyre must&`&ve been female.
07:30 What would the common readers&`& reception of Brontes&`& works be like?
09:23 Not all English local people know George Elliot was a woman.
16:40 Their poetry collection sold 3 copies, but that didn&`&t kill the dream of the Bell brothers aka Bronte sisters.
18:07 Publisher Newby claimed the Bells are the same person, saying Tenant&`&a author wrote Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.
19:17 Emily refused to disclose her real identity to the publishers.
31:36 Virginia Woolf&`&s comment on the difference between JE and WH may shed light on the changing perception of the two novels.
33:55 Lassie once hid JE under her duvet.
39:35 Catherine was delightfully shocked by the scandalous plots in WH.
43:05 Chinese TV shows《梦幻花园》(Dream Garden) and《庭院深深》(A Very Deep Manor) played with familiar motifs of JE.
44:04 The timeless story of the Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
51:45 Catherine found it difficult to grasp the religious and historical context of the novels, but their life story was easily accessible.
56:19 Catherine was food poisoned in Scarborough when paying visit to the place where Anne Bronte passed away.
01:00:18 In The Poet&`&s Corner of Westminster Abbey, a plate was dedicated to the sisters.
01:03:14 Recommended Readings


Music: John Williams, Jane Eyre (1970) OST - Jane Eyre Theme; Reunion.

这一期“敏彻斯特评论”节目，我和烂木头（Lassie）一起聊一聊我们在不同的时候去到英国约克郡哈沃斯村子的旅游感想——那里，也是蜚声文坛的勃朗特姐妹的老家。

Hiiiii Welcome back to The Minchester Review.
In this episode, Lassie joined me in discussing her recent trip to Haworth, a town in northern England where the Bronte sisters lived. Haworth has a special place in my heart: I've been a passionate Bronte fan since I was young and I was fortunate to have visited the parsonage museum twice. I enjoyed every minute there and I was glad so did Lassie (maybe minus the waiting time at the bus stop)!

Lassie's Haworth experience was a special one because Bronte Museum was freshly reopened and put on some special policies to ensure the safety of staffs and visitors. Also when the bus didn't come in due time, the local people were very kind to help her. We also discussed how the real deal writer's museum/house asks for such a friendly entrance fee while some place with no real deal (cough cough Jane Austen Centre in Bath) charges a lot and how the experience at a National Trust estate differs from that in the Bronte museum.


04:15 Lassie's first taste of Yorkshire was to Shibden Hall, Halifax
09:00 Unlike the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, the Bronte Parsonage Museum presents real life objects that allows visitors to build an indirect connect with the writers
13:33 Catherine's first time to Haworth was a 'very very sunny day', the second time 'not Brontely' neither
15:35 With the uncertain prospect of author's house, Lassie finally decided to make the trip to Haworth
17:00 You can support Bronte Museum via its Just Giving website
18:45 Lassie wants to find out more about Yorkshire because her friend Joe worked there for 6 months as a crew member of ACGAS
21:10 Lassie departed from Manchester Victoria Station to Hebden Bridge
22:07 Catherine's two travelling experience: one time from Bradford, another from Keighley
24:40 National Media Museum, Bradford - a hidden gem in the north
25:50 The north provides lots of opportunities for British TV industry talents
27:35 The schedule of Covid19 test required Lassie to put the trip on a Sunday when the bus to the museum didn't show up...
31:22 The local people in Haworth stepped out to help
36:45 Visitors need to book their time slot now
39:10 Entrance ticket price is very friendly!
43:28 A normal house on the outside, a lot of wonderful things in the inside
46:05 Catherine was surprised to find Lassie only spent 1 hour in the main building of Chatsworth House
49:20 The museum's policy to control the number of visitors
53:08 Anne Bronte's embroidery introduces Lassie to this youngest sister of the Bronte family
56:20 Patrick Bronte used to send his daughters' pieces of belongings to fans as souvenirs
58:53 Experience in National Trust places can be quite different
59:20 Why there is no tea room in the museum?
01:01:00 There seemed always to be a study room for the males of the house, but the female writers (Brontes and Elizabeth Gaskell) did not own a study
01:12:10 A real wedding at the Haworth church!


Music: Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights

Hi! Welcome to this episode where I talk about my favorite American TV show - Homeland.

This is the first episode with a written script - hopefully it sounds more polished and finally I can get hold of the time.

Homeland follows its iconic female lead Carrie Mathison's CIA (or independant) career. Starting as a US version of Isreal's hit show 'Prisoner of War', Homeland reinvents itself after season three, which sees it expanding the stories and settings. It is an excellent show in that it reflects and comments on the current affairs. The characters are captivating and the performances are ace.

I talk through the story, compare the first seasons and the later ones, share my story as a long-time Claire Danes fan, my West End experience to see the Damian Lewis play, and my Homeland-themed Berlin visit.

In the end, I also introduce some of the advices given by Lesli Linka Glatter, the amazing executive producer and director of Homeland (and Mad Men & Twin Peaks among others!). I found the advices helpful and inspiring.

Hope Homeland can have won a few nods from Emmys this season, but no matter what, it is one of the best shows, and will always be that special show for me.

Hello! It's been a while.
This episode is dedicated to a lovely indie movie Departure featuring young British actor Alex lawther. Departure is a coming-of-age story set in southern France. I find the movie refreshing in that it presents a complex palette of characters. I also look into its abundant narcissism-related metaphor/motifs and try to understand/defy the connection between myth, metaphor and queer culture.

I continue to talk about Alex's film/TV/theatre works, among which Imitation Game and The End of The F***ing World are my favorite.

As Alex says, be like Sally Hawkins and stay hydrated!

References:
Greg Goldberg, 'Though the Looking Glass: The Queer Narcissism of Selfies'
Elizabeth Lunbeck, 'The Narcissist Homosexual: Genealogy of a Myth'

Welcome to the fourth episode of The Minchester Review!
This is a very special episode 'cause guest Lassie joins me ;) We talk about a Netflix TV show we adore - it's called Feel Good. It will make you feel good after watching it!
The 6-episode show tells the story of stand-up comedian/Canadian girl Mae Martin (played by Mae Martin), following her journey of falling in love with another girl George (Charlotte Ritchie) and her life of trying to stay clean and pursuing a career in the UK. It is a comedy but it also looks into heavy topics such as addiction, parent-child relationship (mum played by Lisa Kudrow), etc. We CANNOT RECOMMEND IT enough!!

In this episode - SPOILER ALERT - We share our passion of the show. We also talk about other shows including Closer, CMBYN, The L Word, Killing Eve, Sex Education, and Girls. (I criticize Killing Eve a bit; for the record, I still love it.)

Some key points:
2:30 What is Feel Good about?
6:20 Does 'being in love' promise happiness?
11:30 Some facts about Mae the writer/actor
13:12 Wait...did I hear Lisa Kudrow?!
14:46 The beginning of the story
22:45 The L Word overlooks the daily concerns of lesbians, Feel Good doesn't.
24:20 Mae and George's learning journey of pain and sober
26:05 The fantastic sex scenes
30:00 Favorite lines
35:40 Is Mae/George good for each other?
40:35 Binky and co.: Shitty friends or genuine friends?
43:00 A diversified cast
44:00 Me criticising Killing Eve S2
48:10 Favorite episode (ep4)
51:00 Did I hear Pride and Prejudice?
54:00 Our predictions

Apart from Feel Good, Mae has also done a lot of podcasts such as GrownUpLand. Go check them out!