Latest news with #Lana
CairoScene
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
What If Tumblr Was Built on Mashrou' Leila, Not Arctic Monkeys?
So I grew up on Tumblr. It shaped the way I write. It shaped my music taste. And both of those things ended up shaping me into a music journalist, a career that started somewhere between obsessively reblogging The 1975 edits and being a hardcore Arctic Monkeys fan. I went to their concerts more times than I can count (still waiting to see Lana live… one day). Back then, my phone background was a grainy black-and-white picture of shirtless Matty Healy that I had to hide inside a folder on my Samsung Corby so my mom wouldn't find it. I had entire pages filled with 'aesthetic' gifs, lyrics in Courier font, and that eternal search for curated melancholy. So I had this random idea one day at work, and I sent out a quick survey, just asking my friends and coworkers if they remembered the Tumblr era. And they did. Deeply. Not just the photos and the filters, but the feelings. The obsessing. The quiet heartbreak we all romanticized at 2AM. Everyone had their version of it, but somehow the memories all rhymed. It felt like we were remembering something sacred we'd all built together. And maybe that's what we miss the most, this collective act of reimagining. So I decided to take it one step further: to imagine what Tumblr might've looked like if it had been built here. Around us. Around our music. Our lyrics. Our dramas. Because let's be real: we didn't just have the aesthetic, the makeup, the fashion, the deep stares out of taxi windows. We had the language. Arabic poetry can make you want to isolate yourself from the world and cry on the bathroom floor. We didn't need to scream 'Lovin' you is hard, bein' here's harder', we had 'Inta Eh' by Nancy Ajram in a goddamn nightgown. Why did Lana get the monopoly on sad-girl seaside rage in 'High by the Beach' when Nancy literally did it first? That's what this is, Tumblr-core reimagined. A world where the Middle East and North Africa shaped the internet's soft grunge aesthetic instead of watching from the sidelines. Where we didn't just reblog, we created the canon. What If Our Nostalgia Didn't Need Translation? Let's talk about it. The feel of Arab Tumblr would've been split into two parallel universes - one revolutionary, one romantic. But at their core, both were built on the same thing: feeling everything all at once. And for many of us, this wasn't an aesthetic we curated, it was just life. On one end, you've got revolutionary-core: the gritty grayscale of resistance. Protest footage reblogged with Arabic graffiti across the walls. Photos from the streets of Syria, Egypt, and Tunisia during the Arab Spring, tear gas clouds, raised fists, cracked asphalt and hope. Martyr dedications in bold white text on black backgrounds. Smoke curling in slow motion over lyrics like 'صوت الحرية بينادي'. Sadness, yes, but with purpose. Melancholy layered over memory, over movement, over mourning. And the soundtrack? Bands like Cairokee with 'Yal Midan' and 'Matloob Zaeem', whose rise was directly carved out by the revolution. The kind of music that made you feel like history wasn't something that happened, it was something you could scream into existence. Jadal playing in your headphones on the bus ride to a school that might be closed tomorrow because of political unrest. 'Akher Oghneya' lyrics scribbled in your notebook like a secret prayer. You'd scroll past rainy street photos of downtown Cairo captioning 'Kenna Netlaka' by Fayrouz. Or find an old radio playing protest songs in the background of a grainy kitchen snapshot. A Darwish quote pasted over a photo of a scribble 'قف علي ناصية الحلم وقاتل' The vibe was grief, but it was alive. Then there's fluffy-core - soft revolution. Glitter in tea glasses. Pomegranate seeds on Persian rugs. Cats stretching in window sills as the call to prayer echoed in the distance. Henna tattoos, evil eye bracelets, Tarot decks next to Nagat cassettes. The kind of mornings where you wake up on your teta's balcony to the smell of coffee and the soft hum of Fayrouz from a neighbor's radio, a memory so shared it feels collective. Girls in fake Doc Martens & skinny cigarettes (or shisha) typing lowercase captions like 'normal people scare me'. Books stacked on a nightstand, Gibran, Qabbani, and a half-read English translation of Rumi. The nostalgia wasn't performative. It was rooted in something tangible. Something that smelled like jasmine and sounded like hope in the background of a childhood memory. And the architecture? Already Tumblr-coded. Cracked walls with vines growing through them in Palestinian cities. Hand-painted ceramic tiles from Morocco. Yellowed photos of old balconies from Lebanon. Mashrabiya shadows in Old Cairo filtering sunlight like God himself applied a sepia preset. It was all there, the melancholy, the romance, the rebellion, long before hashtags or aesthetics told us it was cool. Arab Tumblr wouldn't have been an aesthetic we borrowed, it would've been one we invented without knowing. What If Our Fangirls Looked Like Us? Let's be honest: if you were on Tumblr, you had a secret fanbase. Whether you were writing moody poetry in the tags, or just reblogging edits at midnight, you were definitely hiding something. One Direction fanfics, Alex Turner thirst edits, maybe even a Lana Del Rey shrine. But imagine if our fanbases looked like us. Instead of The Neighborhood or 5 Seconds of Summer, we'd be posting Mashrou' Leila lyrics like they were gospel. Zooming in on 'Lil Watan' w 'Raasuk' and setting it in bold white Arial on a low-res photo of a protest in Beirut. We'd be crying over 'Shim El Yasmine' the way we cried over 'Robbers.' There'd be Jadal song lyrics in the captions of selfies taken on Retrica app with tangled headphones. Elmorabba3 edits floating around with glitchy VHS filters. Teen girls would be wearing their band t-shirts with denim skirts, fishnets, and that signature chipped black nail polish that says i overthink everything and romanticize heartbreak. And don't even get me started on the Arab girlie pop icons. There would've been a whole soft pink Tumblr niche dedicated to Sherine, Ruby, Nancy, Haifa, Elissa—dark hair, blonde highlights, lip liner, spaghetti straps. CD covers scanned and shared around like holy relics. Posters taped to every bedroom wall. Let's be real: Arab girls started all the aesthetics that are trending now (specially Y2K core). We just didn't get the credit. What If We Typed in Arabic? If you were on Tumblr between 2012 and 2017, you know that lyrics weren't just lyrics, they were personality traits. Black text on a white or pink background, no punctuation, always lowercase. Halsey said 'I found god / I found him in a lover' and suddenly everyone had a flower crown and a god complex. Lana Del Rey breathed 'we were born to die' and it felt like heartbreak had a soundtrack. Melanie Martinez had us romanticizing our trauma and crying in pastel, baby-doll fonts. Now imagine that energy, but in Arabic. Imagine posting the lyrics of 'Yumain O Leila' from Jadal, قلت نام وقوم تنساها ، او عد عيوبها تكرها، بس حتي العيوب بتحليها after a late-night argument with your highschool boyfriend. Arabic is already a poetic language, but when those lyrics hit just right, it's devastating in the best way. Heartbreak, nostalgia, identity crises, all already Tumblr, just waiting for the aesthetic treatment. If the Tumblr girls knew about Mashrou' Leila in 2014, their dashboards would've never recovered. What If It Was Still Ours? This piece started with a question, and a bunch of replies that said 'hey, I remember this too.' Maybe we didn't have a Tumblr-core Arab world in real time. But maybe we didn't need to build it. Maybe we already had it, in old Sakia concert flyers, in stolen lyrics in our Notes app, in blurry phone clips of someone covering an indie song in a bedroom somewhere. One Mashrou' Leila reblog at a time. One sad girl anthem. One grainy gif of Cairo at night. It's late. But it's here. And it's always been ours.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
When the Phone Rang review – meditation on memory, displacement and the trauma of exile
Hovering between memoir, docu-essay and drama, Serbian artist Iva Radivojević's third feature opens with a phone call that changes everything. Eleven-year-old Lana (a proxy for Radivojević, played by Natalija Ilinčić) receives the news that her grandfather has died; home alone, she is told by the speaker to communicate that to her mother. The Bakelite clock on the wall says it is precisely 10.36am on a Friday in 1992, 'when the country of X was still a country'. Friday 10.36am 1992 becomes a point and a rift in time, through which the historical erupts into the personal; a more intimate companion piece, perhaps, to the 2006 Romanian new wave classic 12.08 East of Bucharest. The news of Lana's grandfather's death melds with the start of the Yugoslavian war (perhaps the two events are linked, as he was a retired colonel). Suitcases are packed; Lana, in her memory always wearing a pink Nike shell suit, is driven by her father to the airport, presumably to emigrate. With these dramatised fragments – as well as ones of everyday Serbian life – threaded together in a third-person narration later revealed to be hers, Lana seems to be reconstructing her own exiled past. There's something detached but obsessive about these remembrances, contained and framed like keepsakes by Radivojević in a tight 4:3 ratio. Her focus on the every day – tailing strangers with her mate Jova (Anton Augustinov), playing piano down the phone for another friend, her fascination with local junkie Vlada (Vasilije Zečević) – conveys the general state of denial in the face of impending war: 'a pressure in the air'. The stream of minutiae also shows Lana's need to preserve this lost reality and, through her insistent commentary, give it significance; sifting through it breeds strange slippages and correspondences. The western pop music that interrupts a Serbian concert she watches with Vlada prefigures her new life. A story about her father's mafia dealings dovetails with her reaction to a TV production of Carmen she watches immediately after the fateful phone call; both contain 'just enough unbelievable drama to keep her entertained'. But the drama of Lana's own life remains off-screen and implied, always slipping between the fingers of this disquieting meditation on memory and exile. When the Phone Rang is at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, from 6 June
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive: Veteran writer calls Rusev's latest WWE run 'horrible', reveals what has gone wrong
Rusev returned to the WWE on the Raw after WrestleMania 41 and destroyed the Alpha Academy (Otis and Akira Tozawa) in the cruelest way possible. Many expected this to be the beginning of a dominant run for the star who was previously with the Stamford-based promotion from 2010 to 2020. However, over a month later, he is yet to make a major impact. In an exclusive interaction with Indiatimes, veteran writer Vince Russo called its second stint with the company 'horrible' and revealed why it is not working. Vince Russo is not a fan of Rusev's latest run with the WWE Rusev has had merely two matches since returning to the WWE on the Raw after WrestleMania 41. In the first one, he beat Otis. The other one saw him squash Akira Tozawa in a matter of minutes. There was also a significant time gap in his matches against the lower midcard talents as the WWE relied on packaged promos to build an aura around the powerhouse. In them, the former Miro spoke about wanting to 'redeem' himself. According to Vince Russo– a writer who worked with the WWE in the 90s– the promos are 'meaningless' and Rusev does not have a storyline to work with. '(The run is) horrible. Nothing special. There is no story upon his return. Those vignettes are meaningless,' he told Indiatimes. Rusev was paired with Lana, who later married him in real life in 2016, during his first run with the company. Lana acted as his manager and helped him generate heat through her caustic promos. This established him as a bankable heel and paved the way for him to win the US title on three occasions. Russo feels that Lana's absence too has detailed the second run even before it started. 'They needed him to come back with Lana. He's going to be just another name on the roster,' said the writer. Interestingly, Lana too is currently with the WWE under a 'Legends' deal. As such, there is a possibility of her being paired with Rusev again. What's next for Rusev? As seen on the latest episode of Raw, Rusev is likely to feud with Sheamus now that his rivalry with Otis and Akira is the rearview. The Irish brawler confronted 'The Bulgarian Brute' on the red brand this week and stopped him for doing some permanent damage to Akira. This may pave the way fore meatier feuds down the line
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
45 Affordable Summer Finds That Have Got You Covered
A high-waisted bikini if you want to look cute and actually enjoy swimming. The sporty top gives you support without digging in, while the adjustable straps and drawstring bottoms let you customize the fit so you're not fidgeting the whole time. It's stretchy, comfy, quick-drying, and basically built for beach days, pool hangs, or running through sprinklers with an ice pop in hand. An inflatable pool lounger that's big enough to stretch out in as you float around your in-ground pool — or you can fill it with a few inches of water, grab a drink, and create a DIY splash zone to stay cool while tanning. A hook and ring game to bring some laid-back beachside bar vibes right to your backyard. It's a total crowd-pleaser that you can mount to a post, fence, or wall for some fun lowkey competition. A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker that turns frozen fruit into a delicious ice cream-esque dessert. This is a great solution if you don't like (or can't have) all the added sugar in premade sorbet and really just want the authentic fruit flavor. Plus, now you'll always have a delicious cold treat on hand anytime it's simply too hot to function! A pack of SweatBlock wipes for the peeps whose pits get drenched the second the temperature hits 70 degrees. These clinical-strength, pre-soaked wipes are made to keep you dry for up to seven days (yes, really!) with just a few swipes. No white marks, no reapplying, and no awkward pit stains mid-day after being outside for 20 minutes. A two-pack of waterproof, wireless Bluetooth outdoor speakers with a flickering LED light that makes them look more like lanterns. You can hang them up or stake them into the ground wherever you like, and reviewers rave about the sound quality — so whether it's a chill barbecue or a full-blown dance party, the vibes (and the music) will be on point. An outdoor misting system that you will be *loving* once the summer heat fully hits. Just attach it to a hose and hook it to your fence, umbrella, or gazebo, and boom — instant cool-down. Whether you're lounging, grilling, or trying to survive a heatwave, this misting system will deliver a refreshing breeze that feels like you're under a cabana in Tulum. A sun-printing paper kit to channel ordinary sunlight into extraordinary art by combining science and creativity. Each kit includes specially treated paper to create mesmerizing blue prints. Just place your objects on the paper, expose them to sunlight, rinse them, and reveal your one-of-a-kind art — no two will be the same! A lightweight Milani SPF 30 setting spray that locks your makeup in place for up to 16 hours while adding a layer of sun protection. A huge selling point: You can reapply it throughout the day without ruining your makeup! Or a Nyx matte setting spray for those hot summer nights, mid-July (Lana gets it) when you don't need sunscreen but can't have your makeup sliding off. One quick spritz, and this magic mist locks in your look for up to 16 hours with zero shine. An indoor-outdoor hammock chair you can sink into and it'll mold to your body like a comforting hug, with cushy pillows to make it even cozier. No matter what kind of day you're having, it can definitely be made better by curling up in a hammock and FaceTiming your long-distance best friend! A set of luxury hotel bedsheets made from a super soft, moisture-wicking microfiber fabric that usually goes for hundreds of dollars. They also have a wonderful cooling effect — something you'll appreciate more and more as temps start to climb. But, seriously, only get these if you can fight the temptation to stay in bed all day! A breathable, moisture-wicking waffle weave blanket for hot sleepers who still want to snuggle up under a blanket without overheating. It's ridiculously soft and has a cooling effect that will make it your go-to blanket during the warmer months. A sports and yoga tank with a built-in padded bra and snug fit that'll ensure everything stays in place during that sunrise yoga session in Bali or while sprinting across the airport. Plus, the moisture-wicking fabric will help keep you cool and comfortable while clocking over 20,000 steps in Paris. A flowy tank dress that has the comfort of nightgown but the look of a daytime dress. Plus, it's super versatile — wear it with heels and jewelry to a destination wedding, or pair it with sneakers for the morning after when you're nursing that post-wedding hangover. A pair of breathable drawstring wide-leg linen-blend pants featuring an adjustable tie waist. You can pair them with baby tees for the iconic "tight top, loose pants" combo or rock the baggy-on-baggy look that's supremely comfortable. And some linen-blend overalls you can reach for on those scorching days where you have to wear clothes, but don't want to feel like you are. They're loose and breezy enough to help you beat the heat without sacrificing coverage. E.l.f's brand new Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara that wraps each individual lash in tiny, lightweight "tubes" (hence the name) made of flexible polymers for maximum length and volume. And the real magic happens when you remove it: Instead of smudging or smearing, these tubes cleanly come off with just a little warm water and gentle wiping — so NO raccoon eyes, even in the sweatiest of climates! A pack of towel bands designed to wrap around your lounge chair and keep your towel securely in place — instead of it being swept up by the wind and carried to the other side of the beach. They're designed to last for years without rusting, breaking, or losing strength. An easy-to-install fence bubble so your pup can satiate their curiosity without jumping over or trying to burst through the fence! It's also a great way for your furry friend to greet neighbors and people passing by without completely bulldozing them. A scum sponge you just toss into your pool or hot tub, and it'll absorb those icky oils, scum, and slime that keep you from wanting to go swimming. And not only does it help keep your water cleaner, but it also reduces the strain on your filters! A compact watercolor palette so you can be the mysterious, cool person creating art while eating alone at a café instead of just scrolling on TikTok. This kit even comes with water brush pens, so you won't need to deal with finding a cup for water! A pack of DEET-free mosquito-repelling bracelets that use essential oils like citronella to stop those little bloodsuckers from turning you into their afternoon snack. They come in a pack of 10 in a variety of colors, so you can always have it match your 'fit! And a Bug Bite Thing to relieve irritating itchiness, swelling, and redness if you *do* get bitten. The portable size makes it easy to take on the go, because unfortunately, bugs are everywhere and you never know when one will getcha. 😳 It's super easy to use — just place the tool over the bite, pull up on the handles 'til you feel a suction, hold for 20 seconds, then push the handles back down and you're done! A Neutrogena moisturizing face sunscreen combining the lightweight feel of a serum with the power of broad-spectrum SPF 60, giving you serious sun defense without the greasy feeling. Plus, it creates a smooth, flawless base for your foundation while nourishing and hydrating your skin with vitamin E! Coppertone Glow with Shimmer SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray so you can 🎶 shine bright like a diamond 🎶 instead of 🎶 burnin' up 🎶. This will be a great incentive to *actually* remember to use sunscreen, and it's water-resistant, so you can stay protected from the sun no matter what you're up to. A roll-on after-shave treatment for anyone prone to post-shave irritation (especially in the bikini zone). Just swipe it on and let ingredients like salicylic acid and witch hazel handle the angry red bumps, because shaving should leave you smooth — not spotty and itchy. An aluminum-free, all-over deodorant designed to keep you smelling and feeling fresh from head to toe. Reviewers love the scent and say it applies smoothly without causing any irritation! A portable Chill-O-Matic Instant Beverage Cooler to transform any room temp 12-ounce can of whatever you're drinking into a refreshing ice-cold beverage in only ONE minute. It's perfect for the folks who don't have the patience to wait for a drink to cool in the fridge or freezer. And you can have it outside, so it's the perfect thing to bring to any outdoor functions! A pair of magnetic barbecue lights because the grilling doesn't have to stop when the sun sets. Stick these onto any metal part of your grill, and they'll give you steady, adjustable light so you can see everything clearly while you cook. A pair of durable, retro-inspired rounded square aviator sunglasses so you can get the cool guy Top Gun look. But they aren't just for show; these are super lightweight and have polarized lenses for better sun protection and visibility. If your habit of losing sunglasses has you too scared to invest in a designer pair, then these are the perfect compromise, getting you the high-end look without the splurge. A set of affordable wireless Bluetooth earbuds because the sweaty ear community deserves earbuds that stay in, and this is the hardest season for us. These are completely waterproof (reviewers have even worn them in the shower with no complaints!), have a built-in mic for taking hands-free calls, and come with different silicone covers to find your best fit. And if that's still not enough, just look at the over 165,000 5-star ratings! A set of blackout curtains to block out the blazing sun and turn your space into a cool, dark retreat — perfect for sleeping in, watching movies, or simply escaping the heat. They can help regulate your indoor temp and keep AC bills down, even when it's scorching outside. A magnetic screen door so the fresh air can come in, bugs can stay out, and pets can come and go as they please (*without* you having to get up). Plus, it's super easy to install — simply attach the screen to the door frame with the included hook-and-loop tape! A pack of Craftmix mocktail mixers (or cocktails, depending on your mood) for when it's your turn to host movie night — or you just feel like treating yourself to a tropical getaway at home. This brand offers a delightful assortment of flavors to tantalize your taste buds. Just add sparkling water or (*ahem*) other beverages and have a delicious drink in literal minutes. And a set of insulated freezable cups you can put them in, because one of the best ways to beat the heat is enjoying a nice, cold drink. These mini tumblers are equipped with freezing gel to keep your favorite beverages chilled without being watered down, and for waaaaay longer than ice — a need in this sweltering weather! A portable handheld fan as your pocket-sized lifesaver for blazing summer days and unexpected heat waves. This nifty gadget pulls triple duty as a fan, phone charger, and flashlight — it's basically a summer survival kit that can fit in your purse, ready to save the day when the heat (or a low battery) hits. Or a USB-chargeable hands-free portable neck fan so you can stay cool without lifting a finger — perfect for those tightly scheduled Disneyland days or outdoor festivals when you need relief but can't afford to slow down. This one will def have people side-eyeing you out of envy, wondering if it's appropriate to ask to borrow it. A polar bear hydrating eye stick that feels so good on hot, tired skin. Just keep it in the fridge and roll it over your face after a long day in the sun for an instant refresh. Plus, its cooling and smoothing effect can help lessen dark circles! A Burt's Bees sunburn soother you'll be very glad to have on hand after accidentally taking a three-hour nap under the blazing sun. Packed with aloe vera and coconut oil, this lotion brings cool, calming relief to red, irritated skin — like a tall glass of ice water on a hot day. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum if your goal is to have sleek, glossy hair, even when it feels like the humidity is plotting against you. Just a pump or two on damp or dry strands can help tame flyaways, add a silky shine, and keep your look polished for up to 72 hours. And the best part? It smells like a juicy melon cocktail! A pack of water- and shatter-proof outdoor lights you can string up outside or hang along your roof for an HGTV-level transformation. They instantly create a cozy, charming vibe — perfect for hosting your next dinner party or just enjoying a peaceful evening outdoors. A pack of SPF-sensing stickers so you know when it's time to apply another layer of sunscreen without the guesswork. Plus, they're latex-free, hypoallergenic, and painless to peel off so anyone with sensitive skin can get in on the game. A catch-and-release aquarium that transforms any outdoor excursion into an interactive aquatic adventure! Just remove the lid (it stays attached), submerge the bowl, and see what you catch! Perfect for chilling by the beach or river, this kit turns boredom into excitement as you discover and observe marine life up close. A waterproof pouch so you can use your phone 🎶 under the sea 🎶 and get those cool underwater pics without worrying about ruining your expensive device! It's also a great fix for keeping out sand and dirt, which will really come in handy when you're spending the whole day at the beach.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Too Hot to Handle: Spain OTT Release Date - When and where to watch first Spanish edition of global phenomenon
Too Hot to Handle: Spain OTT Release Date - Netflix is bringing the heat to Spain this summer with the launch of the first Spanish-language edition of its globally popular reality dating series. Set to premiere on June 13, 2025, Too Hot to Handle: Spain promises to deliver the same blend of temptation, drama, and emotional growth that fans have come to expect. What's the premise of Too Hot to Handle: Spain? In this Spanish adaptation, ten attractive singles believe they're participating in a fictional reality show called Masters of Seduction, hosted by model and television personality Alba Carrillo. Unbeknownst to them, the real challenge begins when they're introduced to Lana, the show's AI assistant. Lana lays down the rules: to win a €100,000 prize, contestants must abstain from any form of physical intimacy. Each time a rule is broken, the prize money decreases, testing the participants' self-control and commitment to forming deeper connections. Too Hot to Handle: Spain consists of eight episodes and is produced by Fremantle España. Directed by Paco Novales, with Mario Briongos, Belén Martín, and Francesco Boserman serving as executive producers, the show aims to capture the essence of the original while infusing it with Spanish flair. Too Hot to Handle as a global phenomenon Too Hot to Handle originated in the United Kingdom and first aired on Netflix in April 2020. The show's unique concept quickly gained international popularity, leading to several localised versions: Brazil: Brincando com Fogo: Brasil premiered in July 2021 and has released two seasons. Germany: Too Hot to Handle: Germany debuted in February 2023, offering a fresh take for German-speaking audiences. Mexico: Jugando con Fuego: Latino launched in 2023, catering to the Latin American market. Italy: Too Hot to Handle: Italy recently premiered on May 9, 2025, bringing the series to Italian viewers. Excited to watch Too Hot to Handle: Spain? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes.
