Dear Reader
Hello from Brooklyn, where the trees are blooming in all their magnificence. The way I walk around these streets, it’s as if I’ve never seen trees before. Stopping to take pics, no matter if I’m running miles or walking to do some errands. And I’ve been having conversations with random people about the trees. Anecdotally, it seems to be that we are really feeling the spring vibes so much more this year here in the city. It makes sense, given all we’ve been through (all everyone has been through all over the world — except New Zealand). After an extra-tough winter, these trees aren’t just blossoming as usual; they’re a sign of the life force that’s coming back to New York. It helps that the vaccines are rolling out swiftly too and the weather is making outdoor meet-ups more possible.
I got my first vaccine shot last week. "Congratulations!" One of the ladies working at the vaccine site said to me, as I took my #IGotTheShotNYC sticker off the table.
"Thanks! I finally bagged a ticket to the hottest show in town," I joked in reply.
Well, half-joked.
It took many after-midnight refreshes on my phone to land my appointment. But that Friday morning, my name was on the list and my first dose was administered. Afterwards, I walked out and put the sticker, along with the card that has the date of my second appointment, in my jacket pocket. While waiting for the train back, I saw someone who was wearing her sticker, so I decided to put mine on too. We got to chatting about our experience and how we were feeling, and on the subway ride back, shared one of those NYC moments that used to be so common pre-pandemic days.
We spoke about how we both missed going to the theatre and concerts and the movies. She told me how she dashed out to get the vaccine in between taking care of her 4- and 7-year-old kids.
I shared with her that on this day, exactly a year ago, one of my dearest friends came out of intubation ten days after contracting Covid-19. We exchanged names before I hopped out, saying we’d see each other on the 30th, when our follow-up is due.
Walking up the stairs to exit the subway, I almost bumped shoulders with a man who was running up too close past me. I let out a “Duuuude!”
Just one of those NYC moments that used to be so oh-so common in the pre-pandemic days.
If you follow me on social media, you may know I wrote about African fashion on film and the pivotal role Ruth E Carter has been playing in this for BBC Culture. I've been wanting to write about Ruth’s work in how African fashion is seen onscreen ever since I sat in the cinema with my jaw dropped, watching Black Panther, in 2018. I also wrote about the Oscar-winner’s collaborations with South African designers like Maxhosa for Quartz. What a thrill it was to see Eddie Murphy rocking the Laduma Ngxokolo-designed vest in Coming 2 America. I’m excited about what Carter does for the Black Panther sequel, which she’ll soon start working on.
Speaking of Oscar winners, I somehow keep forgetting it’s almost Oscar time. They’ll be taking place on April 25th. I spotlit a few of the films for this Billboard piece about the collaborations that led to songs in Sound of Metal, Minari and One Night in Miami. I spoke to Abraham Marder a little more for American Songwriter about how working on the film’s script helped him create the score — or lack of it. I’ll take this opportunity to also remind you that if you haven’t see Sound of Metal, pleeeease do. It’s one of those films that really will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Another film that I’ve been mentioning a lot, This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection, has finally been made available in the US, so do make a plan to see that one. If I haven’t convinced you enough, let Bilge Ebiri, who calls it a masterpiece, do so.
I have one more recommendation, although it is a much more intense and dense watch. Raoul Peck (who also made Lumumba and I Am Not Your Negro) gives us the four-part series, Exterminate All Your Brutes on HBO Max. It’s an incredible batch of films that looks into the history of colonialism, racial injustice and white supremacy. As with Peck’s previous work, it’s impeccably shot and he brings in the role of cinema as well, and personalizes the film with his own life story as a Haitian-born, Brooklyn-raised filmmaker. “It’s not the knowledge we lack, but the courage to understand what we know and to draw conclusions,” he says, in the film.
To end on a lighter note, if you’re wanting to enhance your spring mood (or, if you’re in South Africa where the weather is turning in the opposite direction, want to lift your mood), my pal Stevie has put together this fun playlist.
It doesn’t feature the new Years and Years track, “Starstruck,” which lends its title to this edition of the newsletter, but there are plenty of other uplifting jams on it. Enjoy!
Thank you for reading.
Stay safe, stay sane.
Your neighbour
Nadia