AUGUST 2022

LIFE & FAMILY

Anne With An E Netflix

Based on the book Anne of Green Gables , this three-season series (2017-2019) takes us back to 19th-century Avonlea, a small Canadian town. An orphan girl with a devastating past, Anne was accidentally adopted byMatthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister pair. Anne’s talkative, compassionate and highly imaginative nature immediately captures the heart of shy Matthew, and they decide to let her stay. Anne is full of new ideas that are ahead of her time, which are not always welcomed by the folks in the conservative town. Still, she remains positive. As the story progresses, she starts to inspire

many around her, especially women, which leads to positive changes. The characters are well played and the scenery is breathtaking. The story also addresses problems that are still relatable today. Whether you’ve read the book or not, this will keep your eyes glued to the screen. Judit Gál Reva or Third Sister, played by Moses Ingram, which forces him off-world. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reprise their roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader respectively. The show follows the same “babysitter” formula that has been embedded into Star Wars in recent times. And while I was excited to see that Deborah Chow was directing this series, as she did wonders on her episodes in The Mandalorian , the constant shaky camerawork, close-up shots during action sequences and lacklustre writing made it hard to follow the plot. Star Wars has always had its cheesy moments but not at the expense of plot convenience. The series does a good job of showing the PTSD experienced by Obi-Wan through flashbacks; overall, though, the story feels like an excuse for “the rematch of the century” and it doesn’t feel natural. Lim Hunor

Turning Red Disney+

This Pixar movie runs on a simple albeit outlandish premise: Mei Lee, a 13-year old Asian American girl, discovers that she has inherited a rare family condition that turns her into a red panda whenever she encounters strong emotions. This is in addition to facing pressures from school and dealing with her “tiger mum”. While it may initially seem silly, this coming-of-age story is relatable with its familiar characters and representation of the universal challenge of parent-child relations. The movie also thrives on nostalgia of the early 2000s such as the prevalence of Nokia phones and a fictional boy band called 4 Town delivering catchy, would be hits. Most poignant is Mei Lee’s alter ego – it’s messy, chaotic and a reminder to us that it’s okay to not always be in control. The adorable animation certainly drives up the likeability. Yimin Huang

Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+

Obi-Wan. That’s a name I haven’t heard for a long time. This six-part series about the legendary Jedi Master is set 10 years after the devastating events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith . Inquisitors from the Empire are hunting Jedi. Leading the hunt for Obi-Wan is

BOOKS

What We Inherit: Growing Up Indian Conceived by AWARE during a rise in hate crimes against Indians, this is an anthology of 38 personal essays and poems by Indian women and men in Singapore. It’s divided into five sections: What We Inherit, What We Endure, How We Speak, How We Identify and How We Find Joy. Contributors include Akshita Nanda, Balli Kaur Jaswal, Constance Singam and others, who, through their writing, question the expectations foisted upon them, discover new ways of looking at traditions, and create space for joy amid anger and sorrow.

Copies are available from ethos.com.

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