@andrewkelly
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
![MOTHER'S PRIDE Official Trailer (2026) Martin Clunes, James Buckley, Comedy Movie [HD]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7mavnsge2gplj4nwdwis5ml7/bafkreiem6my3ghirdtyea6tv7abqeee7mtvpyxpff6st7h4i3dvtcyhe4e@jpeg)
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.
Good work by Louise Casey. I doubted that much would result from the social care review - we have had too many and the results were mostly kicking the problem into the long grass. But Casey’s focus here means recommendations implemented. It could all still end in the long grass but a good start.
Important piece by @chakrabortty.bsky.social. Some of the best research on dealing with the problems identified here is the TRUUD work in Bristol (with partners). It’s good to see some of this being applied in government. www.truud.ac.uk
Looking forward to reading this book when it’s out. Congratulations Pamela Hutchinson.
I must be the last person in the world not to have seen Slow Horses!
Third set of concept drawings for Bristol Harbourside development. The project didn’t turn out like this but some things worked. 3/3:
Second set of concept drawings for Bristol Harbourside development circa 1995 2/3:
One of the biggest projects I worked on was Bristol Harbourside. I’m writing a longer piece reflecting on what worked and didn’t work, the politics and challenges, as well as its history. Here’s the original concept drawings for proposals including a new concert hall, At-Bristol and squares. 1/3:
2026 Watching 56: Under Salt Marsh. Superior TV series. A small coastal community tries to solve two murders and battle past traumas and failures, a waste disposal scandal and the elements as a storm approaches and sea walls fail. It develops slowly but stick with it. Good to see Jonathan Pryce.
2026 Watching 55: The Testament of Ann Lee. Strange film, not uninteresting, about Shakers in Manchester and America. The music and dance works at first but pales after a while. The most weird cinema visit so far of 2026 and I doubt it will be beaten. Just two believers left now as credits note.
Slapstick Festival is proud to announce that the 2026 Legacy Medal has been awarded to physical comedian and filmmaker Mulindua Freddie, a passionate contemporary champion of silent screen comedy working in Uganda.
The Bristol Archive, alas, does not do clothing. They do have 200 boxes of our paper material and gigabits of digital material so it’s a terrific collection and will be available for use soon. But what should I do with this nice jacket?
Hoping to do series of events next year on the crisis 20 years on and lessons for now and the future. Perhaps as part of Festival of Economics.
‘Best to see “Pompei: Below the Clouds” on the biggest screen you can, while you can, before the theatres of today become the ruins of tomorrow.’
Hope to include this in a forthcoming Future City Film Festival season on Naples.
The legendary Bristol 2008 bid jacket, found in the loft after 23 years. Donating this to the archive.
2026 Watching #54: Arthur & George. Pedestrian adaptation of Julian Barnes fine book. My advice: read the book. And do come and see Julian Barnes 16 March at Toppings Bath. I’m looking forward very much to interviewing him. A few tickets left.
www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/bath/...
Watching the TV series Arthur & George based on the Julian Barnes novel. As usual the automatic subtitles are risible. The news vendor shouts ‘assassination attempt on Spanish [something]’. The subtitle talks about the Spice Girls.
One of the most interesting writers of the last 60 years and a pleasure to host in our festival. Remarkable career with more to come. His new focus on maintenance is very welcome. Look forward especially to his work on maintenance and cities, which has been a long-standing interest.
Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797)
Self-Portrait in a Black Feathered Hat
about 1770-73
In National Gallery exhibition: Wright of Derby: From the Shadows.
For background on this film, this is useful: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/m...
2026 Watching #53: Summer of Rockets. Continuing Poliakoff season with this partly-autobiographical account of spies, family trauma, nuclear fear and race in late 1950s Britain. Ending not as strong as rest of series but overall good watching. Not available on iPlayer like some of Poliakoff’s work.
2026 Watching #52: Wasteman. Well acted and made but this is a bleak watch.
2026 Watching #51: EPiC. This is a terrific way to spend 100 minutes - and make this at the cinema. Wonderful work.
Picked up in library yesterday. I remember being captivated by Verne as a young teenager and have read and reread some of his books since. But not this one. Looking forward to it.
These automated subtitles on Prime are interesting. These refer to the sound of a wood pigeon.
2026 Watching #50: Steal. A fine binge watch, a gripping heist, though I found it implausible at the end.
2026 Exhibitions #8: Wright of Derby - From the Shadows. Small but perfectly formed National Gallery exhibition.
