Photos: Benj Story
”I call it Forest therapy, everything here inspires me,
the sounds, the air, the sunlight reaching in.
Every forest is enchanted I believe,
it has its own music and a magic power.”
Realign
Left: Film poster for “Il était une fois Michel Legrand”, 2024
Right: Winged Words: Illustrated Romanian Proverbs
Viewing
Il était une fois Michel Legrand (Once Upon a Time: Michel Legrand), 2024
David Hertzog Dessites
Michel Legrand’s music left an indelible mark on the world of film and music and it is the music that takes us on the journey of the man in the documentary Il était une fois Michel Legrand.
8 femmes, 2002
François Ozon
A deliberate look of a 1950s Hollywood film and the iconic presence of French cinema stars, from Danielle Darrieux and Catherine Deneuve to Fanny Ardant and Isabelle Huppert. François Ozon’s comedy musical-mystery set in an isolated mansion during a white Christmas is a celebration of French and world cinema.
Three Days of the Condor, 1975
Sydney Pollack
I’ve made a habit of watching this film over the holidays, and here it is why.
The Holdovers, 2023
Alexander Payne
The Holdovers may be set in a New England prep school, during a snowy winter break, but it wouldn’t be fair to call it a Christmas movie. Alexander Payne’s uncanny vision makes sure to avoid sentimentality and to remain honest to the very end, by steering from humour to drama and back again. The Holdovers is a film interested in human beings and allows room for everyone to behave in an unconforming manner, to disagree and still find a way to stick together and like the person next to them, on a different level, a more human level. I think we miss that in human relationships on screen, probably in life as well. That’s why it is a film one can watch time and time again, regardless of the time of year. After it premiered last year, I repeatedly sang its praise, and even got to talk to production designer Ryan Warren Smith about the transportive recreation of the 70s and settling the characters, and us the viewers, in that world, and The Holdovers scene that we both absolutely love, and to costume designer Wendy Chuck about how Paul, Angus and Mary’s clothes become the fundamental pieces to put their stories on. I can not wait to watch the film again and for that scene with Labri Siffre’s Crying Laughing Loving Lying playing in the background that truly has the power to make you feel you are witnessing something special.
Home Alone. Every. Single. Year. It’s a classic.
Reading
I was recently mesmerised by the new graphic rendition of one of the world’s greatest literary achievements, Lord of the Flies, with illustrations by Aimée de Jongh.
Cuvinte înaripate: Proverbe ilustrate româneşti (Winged Words: Illustrated Romanian Proverbs), a book that’s sharp for the mind, good for the soul and beautiful for the eye, featuring the unique illustrations of Ars Ana, whom I am looking forward to welcoming as a guest here on Classiq Journal later this week.
This wonderfully uplifting book: Sophie Blackall’s Things to Look Forward To.
A few favourite children’s books that are for every age: The Flying Classroom (The Holdovers bears a certain reminiscence of it), by Erich Kästner, The Polar Express, by Chris van Allsburg, The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs, Letters from Father Christmas, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Listening
The soundtrack: Il était une fois Michel Legrand
The album: Liam Gallagher MTV Unplugged
Making
A beautiful winter collaboration: The Enchanted Forest – Classiq Journal x Realign
“Real eyes realize we realign. We grow our future from our inner world. This time I chose moonlight and water as my brush and paper, with a new take on watercolor for me. Forest is my home and fungi my companions, where I heal, where I feel whole. I call it Forest therapy, everything here inspires me, the sounds, the air, the sunlight reaching in. Every forest is enchanted I believe, it has its own music and the magic power to connect you to your true self.
Walk these paths without worries of getting lost, with gentle movements in a safe and sacred space, stretching and unstretching your perception of reality. Align perception with intention. I realign with love for planet, people, life. We all do, I am You.” – Realign
… and making a note for playtime with Vertigo playing cards or the Macmillan Alice in Wonderland pack of playing cards, with the original illustrations by John Tenniel but now variously and beautifully coloured by Harry Theaker, John Macfarlane and Diz Wallis.
Exploring
The mountain scapes of Benj Story. The way Benj captures the mountains year round (I’ve always said that the mountains in summertime and hugely underrated) has a timeless appeal and quiet beauty. And this travel guide, The Dolomites on Film, would make for the best unexpected gift.
The regulars: The interviews, newsletters and podcasts I turn to every week and/or every month because they are that good. Fashion Neurosis, with Bella Freud. Craig Mod’s newsletters: Roden and Ridgeline. Soundtracking, with Edith Bowman. Alicia Kennedy’s newsletter. Racquet’s Rennae Stubbs tennis podcast. Gone to Timbuktu with Sophy Roberts. Wachstumsversuche, with Sarah Schill. Sirene Journal, Racquet, and Waves & Woods in print.
The Enchanted Forest print illustration available in the shop, a Classiq Journal x Realign collaboration
