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Gulf Today
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
How War of the Worlds became most controversial movie
Al Horner, The Independet The threat had come from within; from 'right beneath our goddamn feet', as Tim Robbins's paranoid patriot Harlan Ogilvy would put it. Twenty years ago this week, Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds opened in British cinemas, offering us a big-budget replay of a trauma from which many of us were still recovering. The film wasn't subtle in its nods to 9/11. After an opening shot that lingers on the Manhattan skyline, a deadly attack unfolds, glimpsed at one point through a grainy home camcorder. Citizens sprint from collapsing buildings, a church being one of the first structures to fall (September 11 was, after all, the first strike in what both sides would frame as a holy war). Tom Cruise, playing divorced dad Ray, soon finds his face turned white from clouds of dust, echoing a famous photo of Marcy Borders, the New York legal assistant whose ghostly appearance after the towers fell resulted in one of that day's defining images. And perhaps most notably of all, these terrorists didn't launch their plot from afar, as is usually the case in alien invasion movies. Like the 19 Al Qaeda operatives who took control of planes on 9/11 — all of whom had been living in America, a sleeper cell waiting to strike — this destruction was wrought from upon US soil. Two decades on, it's easy to gloss over the echoes of 9/11 in Spielberg's 2005 adaptation of HG Wells's classic novel. After all, we're now living in a time of superhero cinema domination: what are those movies forged in, if not the iconography of that day? Toppling skyscrapers, plumes of smoke, rubble-strewn streets. War of the Worlds' 9/11-isms, by comparison, might not seem that remarkable to someone watching the film for the first time in 2025. But make no mistake, Spielberg's movie is one of the ultimate pieces of pop culture born of September 11. 'I'd even suggest that it's a key film in the evolution of how America processed [that day],' says Terrence McSweeney, senior lecturer in film and television studies at Southampton Solent University and the editor of a book of essays titled American Cinema in the Shadow of 9/11. He argues that, in War of the Worlds' acknowledgement of the horrors of that bright Tuesday morning in September, America found much-needed catharsis. More than half a billion dollars' worth of catharsis, to be precise. Spielberg's summer blockbuster was a commercial smash, exceeding the box-office takings of Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, released a few weeks prior. It had been a long road to this tale of mankind versus Martians for the director, as War of the Worlds executive producer Damian Collier explains. Back in the 1970s, Jeff Wayne — creator of the famous rock-opera version of Wells's book, and Collier's long-time business partner – 'sent a copy of the album to Spielberg with the hope that he'd turn it into a movie,' explains Collier. 'Spielberg sent a letter back saying: 'I've received your album and I found it absolutely incredible. But my schedule for 1981 to 1982 is far too crammed to take on a movie of this size.' It's quite an interesting kind of artifact, that letter, because it was sort of prophetic. Steven of course would end up making War of the Worlds. Just in his own way... when the time was right.' The right time was a troubled time. Spielberg is thought to have been in Los Angeles working on the edit for his Philip K Dick adaptation Minority Report when attacks on America's eastern seaboard claimed 2,977 lives. One image from that day stuck with him: 'Everybody in Manhattan fleeing across the George Washington Bridge,' he told a press conference in 2005. The sight of 'Americans fleeing for their lives, being attacked for no reason, having no idea why they're being attacked and who is attacking them' would form the basis for his movie. 'There has been a conscious emotional shift in this country,' Spielberg explained further, in a later interview with USA Today. The aftermath of the attacks saw warm, comforting entertainment — ideally with a streak of patriotism — become the de facto form of media in US homes, as Americans sought distraction from terror. Spielberg's movie, though, would press into the bruise, with imagery that confronted that painful memory. A crashed plane fuselage, evocative of the United 93 flight that came down in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Walls of photos of missing loved ones. Shots of distraught, shell-shocked Americans crossing a bridge, just like Spielberg had seen on the George Washington. These weren't just flourishes added to a film to give it real-world relevance; they were the film. Would Spielberg have made War of the Worlds without 9/11, one reporter for German magazine Die Spiegel asked in 2005? 'Probably not,' came his blunt reply. The director had made films before that 'repackaged cultural trauma for the consumption of mainstream audiences', McSweeney points out, 'whether it's the Holocaust in Schindler's List, the D-Day landings in Saving Private Ryan or slavery in Amistad'. Never before, though, had he tackled a trauma as recent as this one, and the jury was out among America's critical community as to whether it had arrived too soon. Stephanie Zacharek — now chief film critic at Time Magazine, then a writer for Salon – complained that Spielberg had lost 'his sense of decency' as well as his 'faith in the decency of his audience'. Timothy Noah, meanwhile, let his feelings be known in a piece for Slate reminding filmmakers that '9/11 was not a summer movie' to be mined for ideas. War of the Worlds, he wrote, appropriated the imagery of that day 'in a way that can only be described as pornographic'.
Daily Record
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Antiques Road Trip's Christina Trevanion's life off screen from 'unexpected' health scare to cancer heartbreak
Christina Trevanion's journey to BBC fame has not come without its ups an downs as we explore the life of the famous auctioneer and valuer... Christina Trevanion has become a well-known figure on the BBC's daytime programming, known for her appearances on popular antiques shows such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Show. The TV star's fascination with antiques began in her childhood, when she would visit various auctions with her parents. Her passion for antiques was sparked early on, inspired by her mother Hazel's own interest for vintage treasures and the story they hold. This shared interest led Christina to study Fine Art Valuation at Southampton Solent University, laying the foundation for her career in the field and on screens, the Express reports. In 2014, Christina transformed her lifelong passion into a successful profession by launching Trevanion Auctioneers & Valuers. The auction house quickly earned a strong reputation for quality and trust within the antiques industry. Over the years, Christina has established herself as a respected authority in the field. Her commitment and skills were formally acknowledged seven years ago when she became a member of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA). Now that the BBC TV personality has returned to the daytime series, The Travelling Auctioneers, here is everything you need to know about Christina Trevanion - from her life off screen to her recent health scare. Christina's home and family life Christina made her first appearance on TV in 2013 as a valuer and researcher on the BBC show Flog It!. Since then, she has become a familiar face on several other fan favourite shows - Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. According to her BBC profile, she lives in the gorgeous Shropshire countryside. While Christina prefers to keep her personal life out of the spotlight, it's known she is married to Aaron Dean, and the couple have two daughters together. She has previously described their family life as "noisy, hectic, and good fun" mentioning their dog named Welly. In a heartfelt post from 2019, Christina reflected on her wedding day and honoured the memory of her late father, David, who passed away in 2013. The year before, in 2018, she expressed her heartbreak on X (formally known as Twitter) while responding to a news headline about England having the "worst ever" cancer waiting times. She posted: 'My grandfather died from cancer. My father died from cancer. I have two close friends both currently suffering with cancer. Both on long waiting lists. Both getting poorlier. This headline is so desperately frustrating." Hospital scare In February 2024, The Travelling Auctioneers narrator sparked concern among fans after posting a photo from what appeared to be a hospital bed, revealing she had made an "unexpected" visit. Although she didn't disclose the reason for her hospital stay, the image showed her arm with a drip attached and a name tag around her wrist. Life outside of filming When Christina is not on the road for Antiques Road Trip or uncovering hidden treasures on Bargain Hunt, Christina loves to spend her downtime with her family and friends. "As a busy mum of two, with a full-time job and a part-time job, I don't get a lot of free time, so when I do it is spent with my family and friends, in my garden, at home," she previously told the BBC. Based on her instagram posts, Christina seems to have a love for the outdoors, posting photos of her relaxing in her flower-filled garden or on various trips across the world. Cornwall appears to be one of her favourite spots. In September, the TV star shared a snap of the stunning coast alongside the caption: "And breathe! A thalassophile in her happy place. Oh to be back in #Cornwall."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Students get chance of a lifetime to report live from Wembley Stadium
Eight Southampton Solent University students reported live from Wembley Stadium. The sports journalism students were given press box accreditation for the English Football League (EFL) 2025 League One and League Two play-off finals. The students, who were given the opportunity by a Solent University graduate now working for the EFL, watched on as Charlton and AFC Wimbledon gained promotion. They were tasked with producing web, TV, and social media content for their university outlet, Solent Sports News. Ed Groves beneath the Wembley arch (Image: Southampton Solent University) Third-year student Freddie Dorman said: "I had the best time ever and still can't get my head around it." Second-year student Ed Groves said: "It was the best experience ever and I felt like I learnt a lot. "The noise is something I could never have anticipated - the roar of the Wembley crowd took getting used to when writing the live blog. "However, I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush of providing quick updates as they happened." Freddie Dorman in the press box at Wembley (Image: Southampton Solent University) First-year student Harvey Gerring was a camera operator who also produced a behind-the-scenes video. He said: "It was wonderful to be surrounded by journalists and pundits, such as Jobi McAnuff, Mark McAdam, Geoff Shreeves, and Gary Taphouse. "Recording interviews with fans on Wembley Way whilst thousands of Wimbledon and Walsall fans headed towards the stadium was a unique experience that doesn't come around often." David Reilly, senior lecturer in sports journalism, said: "There are many experienced sports journalists who have never got to report on a live game at Wembley Stadium, so this is a huge experience for our students. "On the course, we make sure that they gain match-day experience, and enforce tight deadlines, but there is nothing like doing it for real on the biggest stage." The 2025 play-off weekend was officially the most successful ever, with 209,000 fans in attendance over three days. Graduates of Southampton Solent University's BA (Hons) Sports Journalism and MA Sports Broadcast Journalism are working in TV, radio, social media, and newspapers at Sky Sports, TNT Sport, BBC Sport, TalkSport, IMG, Premier League Productions, ESPN, Two Circles, Tottenham Hotspur, and Southampton FC, to name a few.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Southampton students livestream prestigious Royal Television Awards
A group of students from a Southampton university livestreamed a prestigious television awards night. Some nine television production students from Southampton Solent University were tasked with delivering a professional broadcast for the 2025 Royal Television Society (RTS) Southern Awards on March 25. The awards, which celebrate the best in local television, were attended by industry professionals from ITV Meridian, BBC South, and Woodcut Media. The students were approached by RTS Chair, Stuart Ray, to provide the live stream for the annual event. They were responsible for every aspect of the production, from liaising with RTS and conducting location recces to working with lighting and sound professionals. READ MORE: Student team recognised for 'outstanding achievement' in live broadcast project The team used the university's state-of-the-art equipment, including five Sony PMW-400 cameras, a Blackmagic Atem Vision Mixer, and streaming iMacs, to create a high-quality broadcast. They used fixed tripod cameras for the main stage, wireless handhelds to capture live audience reactions and winners' walk-ups, and on-stage graphics monitors to help presenters stay in sync with the show flow. Final-year student Alex Dobson, who was the unit manager for the broadcast, said: "The most challenging part was the last-minute switch in our room position. "We had to rethink our whole setup, check for power availability, and completely change our streaming approach. "It was a moment that really tested our teamwork and problem-solving under pressure." Despite the challenges, the team was ready ahead of schedule, with enough time to fully test everything before going live. READ MORE: Solent University takes home several awards from major student TV event Senior lecturer Kate O'Driscoll said: "What makes Solent stand out is its emphasis on hands-on, real-world learning. "These live projects are central to the curriculum, giving students the chance to work directly with real clients, build their CVs, and showcase their skills to professionals, before they graduate. "Alex and the rest of the team did a great job and should be proud of the enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism that they brought to the project." Alex, who hopes to join an outside broadcast company as a camera operator and broadcast engineer after graduation, said: "These projects are essential. "They let me prove that I can handle these jobs at a professional level. "I feel confident stepping into the industry knowing I've already done it - with the support and guidance of my course."
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Southampton Solent University to host first-ever sports festival
Southampton Solent University is set to host its first-ever 'Sport at Solent' festival. The event will run from Wednesday, April 30, to Sunday, May 4. The festival aims to provide a fresh competitive challenge for the university's sports teams while strengthening local community ties. Solent's students will compete against various local teams and other universities. Among the external teams participating are Millbrook FC, Weston Park Blades, and the Southampton Aztecs. These teams will face off against Solent's football, netball, and futsal teams, respectively. The fixtures are intended to provide a friendly yet competitive test for Solent athletes at the start of the summer term. The festival is a collaborative effort by Solent's department of sport and health and the students' union. Dominic Cunliffe, head of sports and health at Solent University, said: "It's great to see all the effort that has gone into organising this event, our sports clubs are some of our best ambassadors and we wanted to ensure they finish the academic year with a chance to celebrate. "I'm very thankful to all of the clubs that have agreed to participate this year, going forward we hope to grow the festival and find as many fixtures for our teams as possible." A large crowd is expected to attend the event, which will feature a diverse range of sports across Test Park, Solent's East Park Terrace sport complex, and the Spark. In addition to traditional sports such as football, rugby, and netball, there will be e-sports, pickleball, powerlifting, and darts. This ensures maximum student participation. Chinmay Darji, president of Solent's students' union, said: "We're so excited to be celebrating our amazing Solent sports teams at the Sport at Solent Festival. "Campus will be buzzing with sports, great music and community vibes. "Whether you're cheering from the sidelines or just soaking up the atmosphere, it's the perfect way to come together, show your support, and make some great memories before the summer break." The festival promises to be a lively week, testing the university's teams and showcasing Southampton Solent University's dedication to community engagement and athletic excellence.
