DONDA, Stray, and The Fifth Season
Featuring an interview with Samuel Kishi Leopo
Welcome to the sixty-fourth installation of The Q : your one-stop weekly newsletter of culture recommendations.
Album
DONDA by Kanye West
Through DONDA, we get to experience Kanye’s divine inspiration, as we hear him search for meaning in his sadness while using God as his vehicle.
Film
Stray directed by Elizabeth Lo
The stray dogs of Istanbul, Turkey are the subjects of Hong Kong filmmaker Elizabeth Lo’s Stray — a documentary that takes the viewer into the day-to-day life of stray lab Zeytin and her fellow dogs, carefully following and filming them as they wander through the streets of Istanbul.
Book
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Her 2015 Hugo-earning novel, the first in a trilogy of subsequent winners, uses its apocalyptic bleakness for a tangible, relevant impact. It avoids navel-gazing and violent spectacle, channeling its uglier elements into hard-hitting commentary on marginalization, climate change, and sexual politics. It says what it means without flinching, redefining “dark fantasy” and unearthing the specific literary purpose it should serve.
Playlist
Florence’s “tiny shirt big pants” features Kali Uchis, COBRAH, and Amber Mark
Florence’s favorite track: “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” by Amaarae
Description: “The songs in this playlist are inspired by the sound of one of my current favorite artists, Amaraae. For nights out in the city wearing my favorite fit (tiny shirt + big pants!)”
Podcast
Episode #59: Peppermint Tea and an Interview with Samuel Kishi Leopo
On this week's episode of Two Virgins, Sam and Teresa interview Samuel Kishi Leopo over a cup of peppermint tea. Samuel Kishi is a Mexican writer and director. In 2019, he premiered Los Lobos at the Berlinale on Category Generation Kplus 2020, where he won Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury Award and Peace Film Award. His film, Mari Pepe, also won the Mexican Academy Award for Best Short Film. Teresa and Sam talk to Samuel about how he got interested in film, the autobiographical roots of Los Lobos, as well as the art of acting.
