What to watch, listen to and read this week, brought to you by RTÉ Culture...

FILM 

IFI French Film Festival

This year the Irish Film Institute will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the IFI French Film Festival, which will run from November 11th-22nd. Get ready to sit back and relax this weekend from the comfort of your own home, as the IFI brings Ireland's largest French cultural event straight to your home via their video-on-demand platform, IFI@Home. Over the course of the festival, 23 films will be streamed, including the Cannes 2020 Selection, The Big Hit. Other festival film highlights will include Night Shift, My Donkey and Mama Weed. 

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The Life Ahead 

One of Netflix’s big releases this year is The Life Ahead, starring Sophia Loren, arriving on the streaming platform on November 13th. Bringing screen icon Loren out of a decade-long acting hiatus, the film has been hotly tipped for an Oscar nomination; it's the inspiring tale of a Holocaust survivor with a daycare business, known as Madame Rosa, who takes in a 12-year-old street kid called Momo, who recently robbed her. The two loners go on to develop a special bond, becoming each other's protectors and anchoring an unconventional family.

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MUSIC

Sorcha Richardson - The Starlight Lounge

Many artists have been busy creating new music throughout the lockdown period and Irish singer-songwriter, Sorcha Richardson is no exception. This Friday, her new single The Starlight Lounge will be released for public consumption. A collaboration with James Vincent McMorrow, it's bound to be hugely exciting:

Kylie Minogue - Disco 

Despite the lack of club nights and parties happening this year, 2020 has been huge for pop with releases such as Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia and Lady Gaga’s Chromatica - now Kylie Mingoue is adding to this list with her new album Disco. This album leaves us longing for the dance floor and reminds us of the sheer power that Kylie has as a crowd-pleasing performer. 

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TELEVISION 

The Crown

One of the most eagerly anticipated series releases of this year is finally arriving to Netflix this Sunday. Prepare yourself for the return of the royals, alongside the infamous Margaret Thatcher (played by Gillian Anderson!) and Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin). This season certainly promises to be as drama-filled as the last, with Oscar-winning actress, Olivia Coleman once again essaying the role of the gracious queen. 

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BOOKS

Are You There God? It’s Me, Ellen - Ellen Coyne

While many people have chosen to leave the Catholic Church in recent times, award-winning journalist Ellen Coyne has chosen to take the opposite route and re-evaluate her relationship with Catholicism. In her book, Are you there god? It’s me, Ellen, she comes to terms with her faith, and although it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is certainly interesting to see a book that takes an alternative view of faith and religion within modern society.

ART 

The Crawford Gallery in Cork City have been providing art fans with their cultural fix through their Work Of The Week series on their website. Each week, they select a work of art and provide some educational background and context to it. This week, it's the Consultation of Physicians, in celebration of the ongoing science week. The work is a piece of medical satire underscoring the mistrust that often greeted physicians before the standardisation of medical training and practice. See more here. 

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PODCAST

Dr. Death Season 2: Dr Fata

Following on from the success of its first season, Dr Death has returned. Laura Beil hosts the award-winning series that looks at how wrong things can go when we put all of our faith in the hands of doctors. Dr Death is a riveting listen dealing with medical malpractice, but be warned, it isn't for the squeamish or easily frightened. From the makers of true-crime podcast Dirty John, you can expect vivid storytelling and plenty of plot twists...