Andrew Kelly
@andrewkelly.bsky.social
Writer, festival director, interviewer. Projects: Future City Film Festival, John Boorman, John Berger, William Gray Walter, revisiting J B Priestley, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel book. Writing/ interviewing/ editing: https://festivalofideas.substack.com
A great man and writer. And forever associated with Bristol. I’ve been watching his work most of my life. Thank you Tom Stoppard.
Sir Tom Stoppard, award-winning playwright, dies aged 88
It was an honour to know him, agent says in statement confirming death
www.thetimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
A great man and writer. And forever associated with Bristol. I’ve been watching his work most of my life. Thank you Tom Stoppard.
This is a stupid country.
Soon-to-be-axed 7am Manchester-London train will still run – but without passengers
Exclusive: Rail regulator pulls Avanti service from timetable from mid-December but it is needed for staff travel
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
This is a stupid country.
Met with Spike Island yesterday to discuss their 50th anniversary plans next year and possible collaboration. They are part of the Bristol Renaissance since the 1960s.
The Newcomers 4: Bristol's Cultural Renaissance - Learning From the Past 65 Years
Andrew Kelly
festivalofideas.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Met with Spike Island yesterday to discuss their 50th anniversary plans next year and possible collaboration. They are part of the Bristol Renaissance since the 1960s.
For more than two decades I’ve been arguing for a tourism tax to support culture and the infrastructure needed for culture. It needed national government action and legislation. Now we have got this far, it would be wrong if it was seen as general revenue and not for specific support.
'Crucial' that new tourist tax 'is not stuck in mayor's coffers'
It will be up to the mayor of the West of England to decide how to implement the new overnight visitor levy
www.bristol247.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:59 AM
For more than two decades I’ve been arguing for a tourism tax to support culture and the infrastructure needed for culture. It needed national government action and legislation. Now we have got this far, it would be wrong if it was seen as general revenue and not for specific support.
This upcoming @swsilents.bsky.social Gloria Swanson event is a treat - a triple treat in fact with two films and Meg Morley on piano. Book here: ti.to/film-noir-uk...
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This upcoming @swsilents.bsky.social Gloria Swanson event is a treat - a triple treat in fact with two films and Meg Morley on piano. Book here: ti.to/film-noir-uk...
I have experienced magical and transformative moments of culture in Bristol. The Wills Girls by Show of Strength…Adventures in Motion Pictures at Arnolfini; the ship appearing in Up the Feeder Down the Mouth in Bristol docks, perhaps the most magical moment of all…. More in the link.
The Newcomers 4: Bristol's Cultural Renaissance - Learning From the Past 65 Years
Andrew Kelly
share.google
November 25, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I have experienced magical and transformative moments of culture in Bristol. The Wills Girls by Show of Strength…Adventures in Motion Pictures at Arnolfini; the ship appearing in Up the Feeder Down the Mouth in Bristol docks, perhaps the most magical moment of all…. More in the link.
One of the best films I’ve seen this year. I wish I had had chance to see this at the cinema.
Train Dreams | Final Trailer | Netflix
YouTube video by Netflix
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
One of the best films I’ve seen this year. I wish I had had chance to see this at the cinema.
Always a highlight of the year. I’m booked to see 20 events. Follow @slapstickfest.bsky.social for updates. Full Slapstick programme here. slapstick.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Always a highlight of the year. I’m booked to see 20 events. Follow @slapstickfest.bsky.social for updates. Full Slapstick programme here. slapstick.org.uk
Lance Richardson - @lancerichardson.bsky.social - has written a fine biography of one of the great writers. This is a good introduction to his book, though I’d like to know Matthiessen’s CIA code name in Paris, too.
An ‘accidental biographer’ on Peter Matthiessen
Lance Richardson talks about “True Nature,” his biography of an acclaimed, versatile and fascinating writer
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Lance Richardson - @lancerichardson.bsky.social - has written a fine biography of one of the great writers. This is a good introduction to his book, though I’d like to know Matthiessen’s CIA code name in Paris, too.
Delighted to be hosting three sessions on Adolphe Menjou @slapstickfest.bsky.social 2026. A remarkable actor, I wrote about him and his role in Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory here: festivalofideas.substack.com/p/festival-o.... We’ll see him in very different roles in Slapstick 1/
Festival of Ideas 3: Paths of Glory and the Brutality of Military Incompetence
Andrew Kelly
festivalofideas.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Delighted to be hosting three sessions on Adolphe Menjou @slapstickfest.bsky.social 2026. A remarkable actor, I wrote about him and his role in Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory here: festivalofideas.substack.com/p/festival-o.... We’ll see him in very different roles in Slapstick 1/
Here’s a nice Bristol short film: Harley Jones’ and John Hooper’s Jazzboat - a river cruise on the Avon in 1962.
Jazzboat
YouTube video by Harley, William Jones
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Here’s a nice Bristol short film: Harley Jones’ and John Hooper’s Jazzboat - a river cruise on the Avon in 1962.
Pope Leo XIV: ‘…when the magic light of cinema illuminates the darkness, it simultaneously ignites the eyes of the soul’.
Don’t often quote the Pope. But as someone who has invested much time at the pictures I agree.
Don’t often quote the Pope. But as someone who has invested much time at the pictures I agree.
Pope Leo XIV Gives His Blessing to the Theatrical Experience: ‘Cinemas and Theaters Are the Beating Hearts of Our Communities’
Pope Leo XIV championed cinema and the theatrical experience in remarks at the Vatican to representatives of the world of cinema.
www.indiewire.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Pope Leo XIV: ‘…when the magic light of cinema illuminates the darkness, it simultaneously ignites the eyes of the soul’.
Don’t often quote the Pope. But as someone who has invested much time at the pictures I agree.
Don’t often quote the Pope. But as someone who has invested much time at the pictures I agree.
Watched this last night as preparation for our The Likely Lads event @slapstickfest.bsky.social 6 February 2026. Chosen very nice clip to show. Book here: slapstick.org.uk/events/the-l...
November 23, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Watched this last night as preparation for our The Likely Lads event @slapstickfest.bsky.social 6 February 2026. Chosen very nice clip to show. Book here: slapstick.org.uk/events/the-l...
On Camus, this is coming soon.
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
On Camus, this is coming soon.
Terrific evening on 6 February 2026 as the Slapstick Gala returns. Follow @slapstickfest.bsky.social for updates. Book for gala here: bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/sla...
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Terrific evening on 6 February 2026 as the Slapstick Gala returns. Follow @slapstickfest.bsky.social for updates. Book for gala here: bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/sla...
I’ve wanted to read these for many years. Coming next month from University of Chicago press.
November 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I’ve wanted to read these for many years. Coming next month from University of Chicago press.
Excellent afternoon with @swsilents.bsky.social seeing The Battle of the Somme and Paths of Glory. If you want more on Paths of Glory, my latest essay is online.
Festival of Ideas 3: Paths of Glory and the Brutality of Military Incompetence
Andrew Kelly
festivalofideas.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Excellent afternoon with @swsilents.bsky.social seeing The Battle of the Somme and Paths of Glory. If you want more on Paths of Glory, my latest essay is online.
Reposted by Andrew Kelly
Coming up 22 November: I’m introducing @swsilents.bsky.social events on The Battle of the Somme and Paths of Glory. Here’s my latest piece on the anti-war cinema of the First World War. Details of events are in the article. Sign up for more essays there, too.
Festival of Ideas 2: Anti-War Cinema and the First World War
Andrew Kelly
festivalofideas.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Coming up 22 November: I’m introducing @swsilents.bsky.social events on The Battle of the Somme and Paths of Glory. Here’s my latest piece on the anti-war cinema of the First World War. Details of events are in the article. Sign up for more essays there, too.
Reposted by Andrew Kelly
Join us this Sat, 12PM, for our special #WW1 double bill with #SilentFilm The Battle of the Somme (1916) with live music by Stephen Horne + Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory (1957) on #Bristol’s biggest cinema screen: ti.to/film-noir-uk...
Thanks to @filmhubsw.bsky.social & @20thcflicks.bsky.social
Thanks to @filmhubsw.bsky.social & @20thcflicks.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Join us this Sat, 12PM, for our special #WW1 double bill with #SilentFilm The Battle of the Somme (1916) with live music by Stephen Horne + Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory (1957) on #Bristol’s biggest cinema screen: ti.to/film-noir-uk...
Thanks to @filmhubsw.bsky.social & @20thcflicks.bsky.social
Thanks to @filmhubsw.bsky.social & @20thcflicks.bsky.social
Darren Jones MP speaking in our Festival of Economics meeting today which made me feel more hopeful than I have felt for a while.
November 21, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Darren Jones MP speaking in our Festival of Economics meeting today which made me feel more hopeful than I have felt for a while.
This is simply disgraceful.
3,000 cows trapped at sea for 58 DAYS on stinking & corpse-filled ship
THOUSANDS of pregnant cows are trapped on a hot, stinking ship that has been stuck at sea for two months after being blocked from docking. A rotten smell and swarms of flies hang over the boat, acc…
www.thesun.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This is simply disgraceful.
Sarah O’Connor and Tim Harford recording tonight’s Cautionary Tales Podcast Festival of Economics about AI. Sarah’s book - We Are Not Machines: The Fight for the Future of Work - is out from Allen Lane next June.
November 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Sarah O’Connor and Tim Harford recording tonight’s Cautionary Tales Podcast Festival of Economics about AI. Sarah’s book - We Are Not Machines: The Fight for the Future of Work - is out from Allen Lane next June.
In my latest piece I write about Paths of Glory, Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant film about the opportunism and greed of the French High Command and the brutality and slaughter of the First World War.
Festival of Ideas 3: Paths of Glory and the Brutality of Military Incompetence
Andrew Kelly
festivalofideas.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
In my latest piece I write about Paths of Glory, Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant film about the opportunism and greed of the French High Command and the brutality and slaughter of the First World War.
Tim Harford rehearsing for his live podcast recording tonight at Festival of Economics.
November 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Tim Harford rehearsing for his live podcast recording tonight at Festival of Economics.
Reposted by Andrew Kelly
Anti-war films are the best war films. And are, in fact, the only war films worth watching.
A week today - 22 November - we’re showing with @swsilents.bsky.social The Battle of the Somme and Paths of Glory. In my latest essay I look at the anti-war cinema of the First World War. open.substack.com/pub/festival.... Subscribe for free for more.
November 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Anti-war films are the best war films. And are, in fact, the only war films worth watching.