Counter Culture

Saturday 17 September 2022

Archive on 4: Paris-Zurich-Trieste: Joyce l’European BBC 8pm Radio 4

Professor Andrew Hussey examines the massive impact that James Joyce’s self-proclaimed exile in Continental Europe, where he spent more than half his life, had upon his work.

The Girl With A Bracelet (2020) 9pm BBC4

A teenager stands trial for murdering her best friend. A good film but La fille au bracelet (the 2019 version) is better.

Sunday 18 September 2022

Bloodlands (1/6) 9pm BBC1

When the murder of a crooked accountant threatens to expose secrets, Tom (James Nesbitt) and the accountant’s widow, Olivia (Victoria Smurfit), must keep each other close. As they try to solve the riddle her husband left behind and become more immersed in each other Tom and Olivia draw in Tom’s fellow officers DS Niamh McGovern (Charlene McKenna), DCS Jackie Twomey (Lorcan Cranitch) and DC “Birdy” Bird (Chris Walley), as well as his daughter, Izzy (Lola Petticrew), until deceit and betrayal build to a shattering climax.

Michael Clark’s To A SImple, Rock ‘n’ Roll Song 9.45pm BBC Four

Award winning choreographer Michael Clark present his acclaimed trio of contemporary dance pieces, to music by Patti Smith, Erik Satie and David Bowie.

Monday 19 September 2022

Clydebuilt: The Ships That Made the Commonwealth (4/4) 10.30 BBC 4

David Hayman explores the stories of four ships built on the River Clyde that helped forge links with countries throughout the world. In this episode David meets men who sailed on HMS Hood and travels to Scapa Flow to experience what life was like for those people working to protect vital North Atlantic convoys.

Find episodes on BBC iPlayer here

Tuesday 20 September 2022

Michael Palin: Into Iraq (1/3) 9pm Channel 5

Michael Palin’s Into Iraq is an eye-opening look at a country that is often in the news but rarely understood. Palin takes readers on a journey down the Tigris river, starting in eastern Turkey and ending in the Persian Gulf. Along the way, he visits Mosul and Erbil, Tikrit, Baghdad, and Babylon and Ur, giving readers a thorough understanding of what life is like in each of these locations

Palin provides a fascinating glimpse into the tumultuous history of Iraq and its people, as well as exploring the country’s rich culture and natural beauty.

View the official trailer here

Wednesday 21 September 2022

Just One Thing with Michael Mosley: Eccentric Exercise 1,45pm BBC Radio 4

The University of Northampton has revealed that running downhill after a brutal run up to the peak or lowering weights rather than lifting them can actually enhance your workout. Prof Tony Kay speaks about how eccentric exercise works and why it’s more effective than contracting muscles during normal training sessions, which in turn helps you get stronger by building new calcium deposits throughout body—including bones! He also shares some interesting findings on what this type of activity could do for burns calories when done right after tough cardio workouts are finished with–so give these tips a try next time around

Thursday 22 September 2022

Archive on 4: Dear Adolf – Letters to the Führer 9pm Radio 4

A rare and unique look at America’s war aims and values during World War II. The programme features Hollywood stars reading fictional letters based on those written by ‘ordinary citizens’. Pulitzer prize winning writer Stephen Vincent Benet drew on their inspiration for six fictional missives to Hitler.

It provides an interesting perspective on the US public’s attitude towards the war. Although the programme is short, it is well worth watching to gain a better understanding of America’s motivations for entering the war.

Friday 23 September 2022

Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records (2018) 2.15 Sky Arts

If you’re a fan of classic reggae and ska music, then you’ll love Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records. This film tells the story of how one of the most iconic record labels in history helped to shape Jamaican and British youth culture in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

The film features legendary artists Lee “Scratch” Perry, Toots Hibbert, Ken Boothe, Neville Staple, Marcia Griffitrick Morgan and more. Rudeboy is a must-see for any music lover.

And in Film

Those of us lucky enough to live in or within travel of Edinburgh and Glasgow will have the opportunity to see some pre-code films (produced in the early 30s before the Hays censorship code was fully enforced in the United States). Two of the most risqué will be featured with Q&A sessions with the series co-curator Pamela Hutchinson. These are Re Headed Woman (1932) at the Filmhouse on 21 September and Baby Face (1933) at the GFT on 22 September.

Selections by Patrick Harrington