STEVEN ANDREW is moved beyond words by a historical account of mining in Britain made from the words of the miners themselves

WITH the synchronised media overkill on the Ukraine war, you could be forgiven for thinking there was nowhere else in the world where brutal occupations are taking place. This year’s Leeds Palestinian Film Festival attempts to redress that media deficit.
How many of us today are familiar with the miseries and injustices of life for Palestinians after 55 years of illegal occupation, and how the Israeli occupation impacts on every aspect of daily life?
This year’s Leeds Palestinian Film Festival (November 10 to December 9 2022) shines a light on this barely mentioned occupation. In 10 events, the issue of Palestinian rights is highlighted at diverse venues across Leeds.
The programme includes debut Leeds screenings of four new films, including films by Palestinian, Israeli, British, and South African directors. There is a double bill of Mai Masri’s beautiful, inspiring films, plus discussion with campaigning journalist Victoria Brittain, followed by a Middle Eastern buffet.

JOHN GREEN recommends a German comedy that celebrates the old GDR values of solidarity, community and a society not dominated by consumerism

JOHN GREEN welcomes an insider account of the achievements and failures of the transition to democracy in Portugal

Mountains of research show that hardcore material harms children, yet there are still no simple measures in place

Peter Mitchell's photography reveals a poetic relationship with Leeds