Monthly Archives: March 2011

From Casablanca to Calais: refugees on film

Posted on March 30, 2011 by samiraahmed

On 10 June last year I chaired a panel discussion at BFI Southbank with directors Stephen Frears, Mat Whitecross and Kenny Glenaan and cultural commentator Professor Terence Wright. We were looking back on the portrayal of refugees in film as … Continue reading →

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Whose Bible is it anyway? A discussion on the King James version

Posted on March 21, 2011 by samiraahmed

After all the celebrations for the poetry and power of the King James Version, I chaired a rather more revisionist public panel discussion for the Royal Shakespeare Company on March 9th. In the atmospheric setting of the Stationers’ Hall, off Ludgate … Continue reading →

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The romance of Apache: RIP Jet Harris

Posted on March 20, 2011 by samiraahmed

I’ve always loved The Shadows, and when important figures in music die amidst major world events, I feel sad that their contribution gets overlooked. Jet Harris, apparently one of the first people to play electric bass guitar in Britain, as … Continue reading →

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Do They Mean Us? A lecture at the Three Faiths Forum about journalism

Posted on March 18, 2011 by samiraahmed

This is posted with kind permission of the Three Faiths Forum. (Links to video clips of my speech are on their website.) I spent much of February 28th at the National Liberal Club just off Embankment in London today — my … Continue reading →

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How to re-programme your children in 6 easy steps.

Posted on March 15, 2011 by samiraahmed

I’m of the generation supposed to be blessed with the Golden Age of children’s TV (the 70s and early 80s).  Fortunate enough to be on the Royal Television Society jury judging Children’s TV and TV Drama this year, I was delighted to see … Continue reading →

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The Guinea Pig — experiments in schooling deprived teenagers

Posted on March 2, 2011 by samiraahmed

Looking at all the wistful posters for the new TV series, Jamie’s Dream School immediately made me think of the Boulting Brothers’ fascinating film 63 year old film The Guinea Pig — also for popular entertainment — about an educational … Continue reading →

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Women Prefer Jane Russell

Posted on March 1, 2011 by samiraahmed

Ain't There Anyone Here For Love by avinot In my early 20s I started working my way through a lot of old movies I hadn’t yet seen. When I sat down to watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes this eye popping clip of Jane … Continue reading →

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