? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
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A decade after his last feature-length production and retirement, Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki returns to the silver screen to prove that he’s still got it. The Boy and the Heron is inspired by the Japanese novel How Do You Live?, but the story is influenced by Miyazaki’s childhood and memories.

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A boy lost in war… Mahito (voiced by Soma Santoki in the original Japanese version, Luca Padovan in the English dub) is a twelve-year-old living in Tokyo during the 40s. As war ravages the country, his city falls victim to a violent attack in which he loses his mother. A year later, what remains of his family moves to the countryside, into a mansion staffed by aging maids, containing an abandoned tower that is the subject of legends, and a lake where a heron (Masaki Suda, Robert Pattinson) lives, plaguing Mahito with promises of finding his mother.

…And a parallel universe. Mahito’s grief fills his sleep with strange and disturbing dreams surrounding his mother. At the mansion, the strangeness becomes reality, and his aunt, who is now his stepmother, disappears into a parallel universe. Mahito, alongside the heron and an elderly maid, dive into it after her.

The film feels personal and intimate — a visual memoir of Miyazaki’s childhood and upbringing during wartime and the loss of his mother at a young age. In The Boy and the Heron, we find Miyazaki unchained, free to create something from the hopeful mind of a young boy who has known war and loss, a testimony to the importance of finding and holding on to beauty and love in an unforgiving world.

The film has all the hallmarks of a Studio Ghibli film that Miyazaki became famous for — A young hero facing hardships and a threat from another world, standing against it with a host of unfamiliar creatures. The captivating soundtrack conducted by Joe Hisaishi is awe-inspiring, and no doubt played a part in the film being heralded as a masterpiece and garnering 35 awards, most notably the 2023 Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

WHERE TO WATCH IT- You can find The Boy and the Heron on Netflix, or watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 1:55).

⚽ Nothing to tune into today folks. We are eagerly waiting for the return of the major leagues this weekend.

? EAT THIS TONIGHT-

Mouthwatering steak sandwiches, delicious burgers… and bamya. Chomp offers a multifaceted menu with a variety of unique dishes that will satisfy your taste buds regardless of what you’re craving.

Our #1 pick is the steak platter. This showstopper features a perfectly cooked sirloin steak on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, beautifully topped with mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a special mayo-based sauce.

Did somebody say bamya? You’ll find fried okra on Chomp’s menu — don’t knock it till you try it. Because it’s fried, it doesn’t have the same texture as the cooked version we’re familiar with, and lovers of a perfectly crispy bite will find what they want here.

We couldn’t not have their signature offering. The Philly Chomp is a delicious sandwich packed with grilled onions, American cheese, provolone, and mayo, all stuffed in a soft hoagie roll.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Chomp in Golf Central Palm Hills or order it through Talabat if you’re a resident of Sheikh Zayed or Sixth of October.

? OUT AND ABOUT-
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HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

A reunion of five wealthy friends in Sahel takes a turn in the play Sa7ebna. From tomorrow until Sunday, 20 October at AUC Tahrir you’ll get to follow the narrative where tensions rise, and buried emotions and conflicts come to light. You can grab tickets at Ticketsmarche.

City Centre Almaza is hosting a comedy night with The High Five group on Friday, 18 October. Doors open at 7pm, so catch a spot at the fun-filled evening of laughter on Ticketsmarche.

Calling all plant parents. The autumn edition of the International Flower Expo has begun on Thursday, 10 October at Al Horreya Garden. Take home anything from ornamental plants, trees, and all different kinds of flowers. The expo will continue until Sunday, 10 November.

For the love of tapestry. Today in History is Amsterdam-based Egyptian artist Dina Danish’s first exhibition in Egypt in nearly a decade. Composed of a collection of appliqué tapestries that resemble medieval banners, the exhibition is still open at the Gypsum Gallery till Saturday, 30 October.

HAPPENING LATER-

Got the moves? The 16th edition of Cairo International Jazz Festival will take place from Thursday, October 31 to Friday, November 8, 2024 at the American University in Cairo campus in Tahrir. Tickets available on Ticketsmarche.

The fourth edition of Forever is Now is approaching. This year, a lineup of 12 global visionary artists are ready to display their work at the iconic Pyramids of Giza — including two groundbreaking AI-powered projects. The exhibition will start on Thursday, 24 October and continue till Saturday, 16 November.

Prepare for the sixth edition of The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon, organized by the TriFactory. Pick your race of choice and start training, because the marathon will take place on Saturday, 14 December. Note: Ticket prices will increase in a week, so get in line for early bird registration on the marathon’s website.

? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

Shred Sisters is a candid depiction of sibling dynamics. Betsy Lerner’s novel follows the complicated relationship between two sisters, Amy and Ollie Shred. Set against the challenges of mental illness, the book begins with Amy’s observations of her older sister, Ollie, who doesn’t fit the typical mold of an eldest daughter.

Ollie’s confidence is suddenly replaced by wild, self-centered, and often reckless behavior, keeping the family on edge. Through Amy’s sharp wit and observation skills, we follow her journey from a lonely childhood in 1970s Connecticut to her college years at Columbia University. As Amy grows up and becomes a successful book editor, Ollie’s unpredictable behavior continues to cast a shadow over her life.

While Ollie steals the spotlight with her wild ways, Amy observes from the sidelines, trying to build her own identity amid the chaos. Lerner explores themes of sibling rivalry, family expectations, and the search for individuality in a troubled home.

Instead of relying on clinical labels of mental illness, she offers a more relatable view. As Amy reflects on her sister’s struggles with what we now call bipolar disorder, the narrative shifts from a medical perspective to one filled with empathy and understanding.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Shred Sisters is available on Amazon.