Issue 13: 20 Days in Mariupol

Currently on war, glass, ships, and spirits.

📝 Reviewing: 20 Days in Mariupol (2023)

I will be the first director on this stage who will say I wish I’d never made this film. I wish to be able to exchange this [award] for Russia never attacking Ukraine. We can make sure history record is set straight and that the truth will prevail.
— from director Mstyslav Chernov’s Oscar acceptance speech

With its recent Oscar win for Best Documentary Feature, I’d like to keep the momentum going by spotlighting my third favorite film of the last year, ‘20 Days in Mariupol’.

Let me get this out of the way from the start: this is an incredibly difficult watch, and discretion is advised. ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ offers a personal and raw account of the events that unfolded when the Russians invaded Mariupol, Ukraine in early 2022. The documentary offers first-hand accounts of the human cost of conflict through the lens of a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in a besieged city. The film navigates the complexities of the situation, highlighting the spirit of the people, while also exposing the harsh realities of living under constant threat.

‘20 Days in Mariupol’ serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of war on civilians. It’s brave, honest, harrowing, and sadly, even more relevant today than it was upon release. This isn’t just a documentary, it’s a cry for help and the urgent need for peace. ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ is currently available to stream on PBS.

This is an impossible documentary to watch. But it's a documentary everyone has to see.
— Marianna Neal, Impression Blend

🎧 Listening To: Glass Beams

I am often on a quest to find ambient music to play when hosting guests—music that strikes a balance between being upbeat and interesting without being recognizable enough to be distracting. This quest leads me to explore genres ranging from jazz to lo-fi beats and world music. While searching for artists similar to Khruangbin, I discovered the new-to-me band Glass Beams. Hailing from Melbourne with roots in India, Glass Beams has been described as offering cosmic instrumentation with eastern scales and psychedelic polyrhythms. The band recently announced a 2024 North American tour.

📺 Watching: Shōgun

‘Shōgun’ is a new television miniseries based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell. The story is set in the early 17th century and follows the adventures of an English navigator, John Blackthorne, who becomes stranded in Japan after his Dutch trading ship wrecks. He finds himself in a country torn by political intrigue and cultural conflict as he adapts to the intricate social hierarchy of Japanese diplomacy.

The series blends historical drama, adventure, and romance set against the backdrop of feudal Japan. While some may consider it another white savior story, it does seem the creators have relied on consultants and a largely Japanese cast for support with historical accuracy. It is something I’m cognizant of, and only time will tell if it succumbs to that familiar trope. But based on what I’ve seen so far, ‘Shōgun’ has the potential to join 'The Bear,' 'The Americans,' 'Fargo,' and 'Fleishman is in Trouble' as another captivating series from FX. ‘Shōgun’ is available to stream on FX on Hulu.

🎲 Playing: Distilled

$86.99 // 1-5 players // 30 minutes per player // competitive

‘Distilled’ is a board game that invites players into the world of artisanal spirits, blending thematic strategy with resource management and a dash of push-your-luck. In the game, players operate a distillery, performing tasks such as buying ingredients, hiring staff, upgrading infrastructure, and crafting spirits like gin, cachaça, soju, and rum.

The heart of the game lies in distillation: meticulously crafting spirits and aging them in the warehouse to refine their flavors. Players score points by bottling these masterpieces and gaining money, rewards, and recognition to become the revered Master Distiller. If you love ‘Wingspan’ and whiskey, this game is for you. Buy Distilled on Amazon.

Thanks for being here.
— Justin

P.S. I won my fantasy movie league. Yes, there’s such a thing as a fantasy movie league.

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