Revolutionary Reads – What books got us through 2021?
We asked rs21 members what they’ve been reading in 2021, whether new works of revolutionary theory, fiction, or old classics. These were some of the examples our members had. James B – Psychoanalysis and Revolution (2021) Pyschoanalysis and Revolution argues for the relevancy of psychoanalysis as a tool for those of us involved in liberatory […]
Review | Red Metropolis
Danny Schultz reviews Red Metropolis, the latest work by acclaimed political thinker and architectural critic Owen Hatherley. Schultz argues it provides an insightful history of radicalism within London, yet falls short in considering the importance of the working class struggles which make municipal socialism possible. Owen Hatherley, Red Metropolis: Socialism and the Government of London […]
Review | Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age
Andy N reviews Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age, a new collection discussing political upheavals since 1989. He finds a wide ranging and insightful work, which will deepen both the theory and practice of the modern left. Colin Barker, Gareth Dale, and Neil Davidson, Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2021) 410 […]
Hummingbird Salamander – An idea that won’t go away
Reviewing Jeff Vandermeer’s latest novel, Hummingbird Salamander, Jack Pickering finds not only a thrilling and unsettling work of climate fiction, but also a genre bending critique of modern capitalism and its destruction of nature.
Review | Migration Beyond Capitalism
Baindu Kallon reviews Hannah Cross’ new book Migration Beyond Capitalism. Kallon celebrates a book that brings a new left-wing response to the narrative around migration. Cross, Kallon argues, effectively demonstrates why an internationalist working-class response is the key to defeating neoliberal power and creating a new world. This review was originally published by the Review of […]
Review | The world turned upside down
In Leo Zeilig’s recent novel, the global elite are targeted for murder amid a growing social upheaval that sweeps the central character around the world. Andrew Stone reviews this focused and ‘righteously angry’ book.
Review | Fight the Fire
Jonathan Neale’s new book calls for a global mass movement to confront the capitalist forces driving climate breakdown, linking analysis with real world action and what must be done to fight climate disaster.
Revolutionary Reflections | Antisemitism and the Russian Revolution
A new book by Brendan McGeever casts new light on the role of antisemitism in the 1917 Russian Revolution and illuminates the struggle against the rise of antisemitism today.
The Good Lord Bird: John Brown’s militant abolitionism
Bill Crane looks at the life of militant US abolitionist John Brown and his portrayal in a recent TV adaptation of James McBride’s novel The Good Lord Bird.
Reading Women, Race & Class 40 years on
Rose Whitehorn reflects on some of the key themes conveyed in Angela Davis’ Women, Race & Class, and this work’s significance during the resurgences in anti-racist and feminist organising.
Review | It’s a sin
It’s a Sin is a compelling account of the human suffering of the AIDS epidemic and homophobia in the 80s, but the show sometimes seems to be dodging the big political questions.
Cultural commodities that got us through 2020
From Netflix binges to a new theory of ‘alternative hedonism’, here are the shows, films, music, and books that kept us going in 2020.
Review: Epstein: Filthy rich
Kate Bradley reviews a documentary series focusing on giving a voice to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein.
Review | Sorry We Missed You
Colin Revolting reviews director Ken Loach’s latest film, which centres on the family of two workers in the gig economy
Review: A Climate Emergency – Beyond a Capitalist Solution
Mike Downham reviews Ken Ferguson’s new pamphlet, A Climate Emergency – Beyond a Capitalist Solution.
Review: The World Transformed 2019
Seb Cooke writes on his experiences at The World Transformed festival in Brighton.
Years and Years: An Inquiry into the Human Prospect
Russell T Davies’ new BBC drama Years and Years picks up on important themes, but struggles to fully develop them, writes Escee.
Review: Deportation Discs: A Public Hearing
A multimedia installation exposed the cruelty at the heart of the ‘hostile environment’.
Review: The Young Karl Marx
How far is it possible for a film to bring to life the ideas, energy and humanity of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels? Mark Winter enjoys Raoul Peck’s new film. Raoul Peck, the director, studied Marx for four years as a student of economics, and says that the purpose of the film is as follows: “How do […]
The Death of Stalin: first as tragedy, then as farce
Estelle Cooch reviews Armando Iannucci’s latest film, The Death of Stalin
Review: She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry
This documentary aims to celebrate the women’s movement of the 60s and 70s. But, argues Kate Bradley, it does little to offer inspiration to feminists today. “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry resurrects the buried history of the outrageous, often brilliant women who founded the modern women’s movement from 1966 to 1971.” So claims the website […]
A Syrian Love Story
A Syrian Love Story tells the story of a Syrian family, whose lives are torn apart by the repression and turmoil of the Syrian revolution, and their enforced exile from home. Mark Boothroyd went to the showing at the Frontline Club earlier this week, which was followed by Q&A with Sean, the documentary maker, and Amer […]
“We’ve got shit to deal with…”
Colin Revolting reviews the new film from Russell Brand, The Emperor’s New Clothes. “Some people have soo much, and some people have nuttin,” Russell Brand divides opinion. Including among the left. This film is about a far more profound division, that of wealth and power. In the film Brand sets out to speak to people […]
Nobody need see Fifty Shades of Grey for fun
Magpie Corvid reviews Fifty Shades of Grey Nobody need see Fifty Shades of Grey for fun. For a smart, sexy film about dominance and submission, check out Secretary. Fifty Shades fails utterly. It is beautifully shot, hollow, and chilling in its implications. The kinky sex is weak, and poorly done. The characters are paper, meritless; […]
Review: (Still) The Enemy Within
Just out on DVD, (Still) The Enemy Within is an ideal Chirstmas gift, one that offers us a glimpse at the past but also suggests lessons to be learned for the future, says Jonny Jones. (Still) The Enemy Within is available on DVD or as a download from the official website (Still) The Enemy Within […]
Film review: Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Becca Short reviews Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, the first part of the finale of the Hunger Games trilogy was released on the 20th November. On its opening night, the Mockingjay made $55 million, a figure down from $67 million for The Hunger Games and $70 million for […]
The Babadook – a film about life’s real horrors
Where does fear come from? Jen Izaakson, PhD student and revolutionary socialist, examines this question through a psychoanalytic review of new horror film, The Babadook. Jen tweets at @izaakson. If we accept the psychoanalytic stance of a ‘continual return of the repressed’, ghosts and demons offer a way to battle unconscious psychic constellations of horror […]
Pride: How solidarity in struggle changed the world for British LGBT people
The new film Pride shows the solidarity between the miners and a group of lesbian and gay supporters during the strike of almost thirty years ago. Struggle can change the world in ways we never thought possible, writes Luke Evans. Full disclosure; I am neither gay nor a miner. I also feel compelled to state that I […]
Film review: Starred Up
What gives the prison film its tension is a dynamic between trapped, animalistic energy and the dream of liberty.