Culture

Our curated articles offering new takes on the big themes and questions in our culture. Plus reviews of books, film, media and experiences. Culture is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Explainer
  1. Culture
  2. Freedom of Belief
A data map shows circles of varying size across a map of Nigeria

From Nigeria’s killing fields to Europe’s shores, the data behind the domino effect

Chris Wadibia
While Nigeria thrives, some left-behind are desperate to escape.
7min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
The gaunt face of a dishevelled man stares into the distance

Small Things Like These: putting the spotlight on backstage goodness

Kevin Hargaden
What it means for a film to be good.
4min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A cartoon bear, wearing a blue duffel coat and red hat, rests his arms on a rock against a mountainous background

The Paddington paradox

Krish Kandiah
With a tip of his hat, he brings a trace of grace to every life he touches.
4min read
Review
  1. America
  2. Culture
An 1980s business man looks contemptuously at the camera.

Trump: from apprentice to master of contempt

Yaroslav Walker
The Trump biopic is a morality tale for our times
5min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Death & life
A woman leans on a table, talking into a microphone.

Zoe Clark-Coates: re-enchanting life and loss

Nick Jones
Sharing her own experience of baby loss, Zoe talks with Belle and Justin about grief, sorrow and faith.
1min read
Review
  1. America
  2. Books
Riot police stand guard outside a White House fence line.

James Davison Hunter: diagnosing America’s health

Roger Standing
A great experiment is depleted, and nihilism slips into the void.
8min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A book cover depicts a yellow and white chessboard with pieces casting shadows of people.

My open letter to Sally Rooney: dilatasti cor meum

James K.A. Smith
You enlarge my heart.
6min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Mental Health
A woman stand at a mixing desk playing a small keyboard.

Dark, sweet and subtle: recovered music orientates us

Jonathan Evens
The alt-folk music seeking inspiration from forgotten hymns.
5min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A regency woman dabs her mouth with a bloody hankerchief.

Zombies: a philosopher's guide to the purpose-driven undead

Ryan Stark
Don’t dismiss zombiecore as lowbrow.
5min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Comedy
On a TV chat show, guests look to one of their own talking to the audience.

Miranda Hart's diagnosis of the unseen

Belle Tindall
Beyond a medical illness she's on to something supernatural.
5min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
In profile a woman speaks into a microphone and holds her hands up from a desk.

Talia Dean: re-enchanting X Factor madness

Nick Jones
Talia talks about dealing with the celebrity world.
1min read
Review
  1. Community
  2. Culture
A couple together on a sofa watch a laptop,

Nobody Wants This: the rom-com for tense times

Lauren Westwood
Warning: contains warm depictions of strong community and belief.
5min read