@andrewkelly.bsky.social
Writer, festival director, interviewer. Projects: Future City Film Festival, John Boorman, John Berger, William Gray Walter, revisiting J B Priestley, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel book. Writing/ interviewing/ editing: https://festivalofideas.substack.com
Another read of this wonderful book as preparation for my interview with Julian Barnes 16 March for Toppings Bath: www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/...
2026 Watching #63: Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945). Bing Crosby sang: ‘The bond you bought before bought the bomb that won the war’ appealing for more sales to win the peace. Good songs, music and dances. Bob Hope and Crosby are typically good, though Hope does make one tasteless remark.
Good to see the brilliant humanity of @ecetemelkuran.bsky.social last night in Bath. In her new book Nation of Strangers she shows us the problems we face and how we might live together better. ‘Refugees are the defeated of the world but the pioneers of history’. Lessons we all need to learn.
The kind of breaking news I need as a Marmite lover. 60 years of eating Marmite and this is news to me.
2026 Watching #62: Vladimir. New Netflix drama about cancellation (and a lot more) in US HE. First four episodes not very good; next three picked up nicely; ending poor. Guardian gave it five stars; FT two. I’d give it three, mainly because John Slattery is in it.
A nice treat to see the others. I have a great affection for them.
Looking forward to reading Alan Bennett’s new book. Managed to get him to the Glasgow Book Festival for a charity event. Terrific fun. He drew a sketch of David Hockney for me and talked about how they were sometimes mistaken for each other.
Books Read March 2026 #5: Ece Temelkuran: Nation of Strangers - Rebuilding Home in the 21st Century. Temelkuran is in Bath tonight.
Books Read March 2026 #3 and #4 Dan Kavanagh: Putting the Boot In and Going to the Dogs. Barnes rereading continues with his Dan Kavanagh series of Duffy crime novels. Duffy is a fine creation and Barnes clearly had fun writing these. And each written in just a few weeks it’s said.
And I’d like to see this: www.festival-cannes.com/en/2024/my-l...
My first Truffaut season - I was very fortunate to have seen these - was on BBC or C4, when terrestrial TV ran long seasons of films. There’s some good ones on BFI Player. I have the Artificial Eye DVD collection which has a similar range. Have you read the Truffaut letters? A fine collection.
2026 Watching #61: Shoot the Pianist. Decided this year to watch the complete Truffaut - or as much as is possible. This is his fine, atmospheric film from 1960 based on the work of the great crime novelist David Goodis. It is remarkably short - just 78 minutes. Less is more here.
Books Read March 2026 #2: Julian Barnes: Elizabeth Finch. Continuing Barnes reread ready for event 16 March at Toppings Bath. Elizabeth Finch is a fine creation. As is Neil and his search for the story of her life. And her philosophy. Book for evened here: www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/...
Saw this last month. ‘…as he becomes more skeletal in appearance, the movie becomes more painful to watch. He can’t be irreverent about his impending death forever, but it’s oddly uplifting to see him so committed to trying — while encouraging every viewer to get a colonoscopy.’
NYT on The Bride!: ‘It doesn’t always make sense tonally and intellectually, but the whole thing is energetic, handsome and stocked with enough expert, appealing performers to hold your interest through the rougher, less coherent passages.’
Fine obituary of Kenith Trodd by Ian Greaves. Thanks @illuminations.bsky.social for the link.
‘Our state, our politics, behaves as if the past and the status quo are more important than the future. But the future is more important than the past. The settlement between generations needs to reflect that truth.’
In 2016 we ran a project on Mary Shelley and Frankenstein. We commissioned artist Alys Jones to illustrate this. Very good work.
From the obituary. Fine story about Dan Quayle and The Candidate.
The Candidate is one of my favourite films. ‘When Mr. Larner accepted the Oscar for best original screenplay, he thanked “the political figures of our time, who’ve given me terrific inspiration,” drawing laughter from the audience.’
2026 Watching #60: Dragonfly. Now streaming. Two fine central performances by Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn ably supported by Jason Watkins. It’s about aging, loneliness, the importance of neighbours and friendship, a decaying social care system and the breakdown of family.
2026 Watching #59: First Comes Courage. Last film directed by important Hollywood film director Dorothy Arzner where Merle Oberon fights the Nazis in Norway. Routine wartime propaganda.
It is for me, too.
2026 Watching #58: The Bride! I’ve had a lifelong obsession with the story of Frankenstein and have seen most films and read the book many times. I didn’t like del Toro’s Frankenstein but thought The Bride! brilliant and bonkers. The first film seen this year I thought I must see again.
The brilliant Kenith Trodd has died. His work was wide-ranging but famous mostly for his sometimes troubled partnership with Dennis Potter. He was also fortunate, and we were fortunate too, to have been able to work in a strong period of television drama in both BBC and ITV, something we have lost.
Looking forward to discussing with Natalie Bennett (former leader of the Green Party of England and Wales) her book, 'Change Everything'. Bristol Talks 28 July. Book here: bristoltalks.co.uk/event/change...
2026 Watching #57: Mother’s Pride. Predictable plot but it has its moments. British feel-good movie.Titters rather than belly laughs. I liked the disco Morris Dancers and seeing local landmarks: Bath Guildhall and back of Watershed. Trailer below includes plot spoilers. youtu.be/SgbkUl0jHJk?...
Commitment to ‘high quality journalism, not commodified journalism’, books coverage (others eliminating), added 50 journalists to its newsroom in 2025, profitable, and strong reader and subscription growth.
The Atlantic is a fine example of making fine journalism and critical coverage pay.
Books Read March 2026 #1: Sarah Perry: Death of an Ordinary Man. Perry turns to non-fiction with an account of the last nine days of the life of her father-in-law. I doubt I will read a more powerful book this year, nor one with such important lessons for caring for someone and dealing with death.
This is a fine series. I’ve just ordered the McBride/ Peary book. The Ciment interviews are terrific.