‘The Rehearsal’: A surreal, genre-bending ‘comedy’
Olive Ruadh, Wood Green
After a stretch of bad weather, I finally decided to binge The Rehearsal – Nathan Fielder’s surreal ‘comedy’ series in which he constructs increasingly elaborate scenarios to help both others and himself navigate complex social situations.
The show masterfully blurs the line between the real and the unreal, until by the end of season two, that boundary completely collapses. What emerges is a profound unity between the two, challenging our perceptions of authenticity and performance.
Its genre bending totally shatters what could be conventionally considered a ‘comedy’.
With what seems like an almost unlimited budget, The Rehearsal demonstrates what art can achieve when it isn’t constrained by market forces. I won’t say too much more, this is something everyone should experience for themselves.
I guarantee your jaw will be on the floor. Some scenes had me laughing out loud, but others had me crying. But what struck me most was the show’s ability to reveal deeper truths; about ourselves, how we navigate interpersonal relationships, and the potential of comedy to probe the fundamental problems of society.
It also offers profound insight into our own psychology, that through performance we can become more true to ourselves and others.
‘The Rehearsal’ is available on NOW TV.
‘Red Square’ (1970): The life-and-death struggle of a young workers’ state
Josh Upton, Manchester
I recently watched the fantastic Soviet film Red Square (1970).
Split into two halves, the first part of the film follows charismatic Commissar Amelin, tasked with forming the Red Army in late 1917. With a letter from the Petrograd Soviet in hand, Amelin struggles to persuade the soldiers of the 38th Grenadier Regiment to join him.
With the help of an anarchist agitator, Koltsov, the Commissar prevails. He then begins work transforming the rag-tag regiment into a fighting-fit unit, ready to fend off the invading imperialist forces. Later in the film, the Red Army regiment defeats a superior German Army and successfully defends Petrograd.
The second half of the film kicks off at the height of the Civil War, in 1919. It showcases the extraordinary tactics deployed by the Red Army in defence of the young workers’ state. This time, we follow a skilful Red Army Officer named Kutasov.
In order to divert the White forces’ attention, Kutasov devises a daring feint that involves sending some men to certain death. Unable to order his men to die, Commissar Amelin volunteers for the mission.
Despite minimal losses, Kutasov nevertheless grapples with the moral dilemma of his decision. In the film’s epilogue, Colonel General Kutasov visits Red Square, where Amelin’s ashes are interred in the Kremlin Wall.
Red Square brilliantly displays the crucial role that the Bolshevik Commissars played in forming the Red Army.
Its bold script immerses the viewer in the life-and-death struggle of the young workers’ state. Most importantly however, the film is a testament to the revolutionary sacrifice of the Russian masses.
‘Red Square’ is available on YouTube.
