Ali Catterall
@alicatterall.bsky.social
Hello!
Writer, filmmaker & actor - roughly in that order
ADHD
Cat lover
My co-directed debut 'Scala!!! Or the incredibly strange rise & fall of the world’s wildest cinema & how it influenced a mixed-up generation of weirdos & misfits' is now on BFI Player
Writer, filmmaker & actor - roughly in that order
ADHD
Cat lover
My co-directed debut 'Scala!!! Or the incredibly strange rise & fall of the world’s wildest cinema & how it influenced a mixed-up generation of weirdos & misfits' is now on BFI Player
Pinned
Ali Catterall
@alicatterall.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Laurie Anderson's O Superman. By Chas & Dave.
YouTube video by alicatterall
youtu.be
One I made earlier. O Superman, by Chas and Dave.
Just flagging up a wonderful, forthcoming BBC Radio 4 series for Christmas, in which Children's Laureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social asks celebrated UK children's writers, including @francescasimon.bsky.social, which Winnie-the-Pooh character they identify with. Here's some notes from me.
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Just flagging up a wonderful, forthcoming BBC Radio 4 series for Christmas, in which Children's Laureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social asks celebrated UK children's writers, including @francescasimon.bsky.social, which Winnie-the-Pooh character they identify with. Here's some notes from me.
In July 2011, I hosted the film strand of the Port Eliot festival. I made such an amateurish cock-up of it, I was never invited to host it again.
But I did ask one of my guests, as a unique freebie, to take my picture. So this is a literal Martin Parr original, taken 21 July 2011.
RIP Martin Parr
But I did ask one of my guests, as a unique freebie, to take my picture. So this is a literal Martin Parr original, taken 21 July 2011.
RIP Martin Parr
December 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In July 2011, I hosted the film strand of the Port Eliot festival. I made such an amateurish cock-up of it, I was never invited to host it again.
But I did ask one of my guests, as a unique freebie, to take my picture. So this is a literal Martin Parr original, taken 21 July 2011.
RIP Martin Parr
But I did ask one of my guests, as a unique freebie, to take my picture. So this is a literal Martin Parr original, taken 21 July 2011.
RIP Martin Parr
This morning's dream.
December 6, 2025 at 10:11 AM
This morning's dream.
Just been interviewed as a case study (ha) by a friendly student journo - which allows you to explain why, at least in theory, it's so exciting - and for insanely curious lovers of stories & storytelling, one of the best gigs in the world. Hope he got something out of it, because it did cheer me up.
December 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Just been interviewed as a case study (ha) by a friendly student journo - which allows you to explain why, at least in theory, it's so exciting - and for insanely curious lovers of stories & storytelling, one of the best gigs in the world. Hope he got something out of it, because it did cheer me up.
Tick box options that rarely (or never) occur on questionaires, including the NHS:
MIXED ETHNICITY: White / Arabic.
Never an option. As in, *never.* Nearest is "Asian".
Arabs, even in their own category, don't exist on questionaires.
And neither, as my Jewish friends tell me, do Jewish people.
MIXED ETHNICITY: White / Arabic.
Never an option. As in, *never.* Nearest is "Asian".
Arabs, even in their own category, don't exist on questionaires.
And neither, as my Jewish friends tell me, do Jewish people.
December 2, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Tick box options that rarely (or never) occur on questionaires, including the NHS:
MIXED ETHNICITY: White / Arabic.
Never an option. As in, *never.* Nearest is "Asian".
Arabs, even in their own category, don't exist on questionaires.
And neither, as my Jewish friends tell me, do Jewish people.
MIXED ETHNICITY: White / Arabic.
Never an option. As in, *never.* Nearest is "Asian".
Arabs, even in their own category, don't exist on questionaires.
And neither, as my Jewish friends tell me, do Jewish people.
Left to right - Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, and Martin Sheen.
Or is it Rorschach test inventor Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), Bolero hitmaker Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), and Theatre of Cruelty creator Antonin Artaud (1896-1948)?
Or is it Rorschach test inventor Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), Bolero hitmaker Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), and Theatre of Cruelty creator Antonin Artaud (1896-1948)?
November 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Left to right - Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, and Martin Sheen.
Or is it Rorschach test inventor Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), Bolero hitmaker Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), and Theatre of Cruelty creator Antonin Artaud (1896-1948)?
Or is it Rorschach test inventor Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922), Bolero hitmaker Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), and Theatre of Cruelty creator Antonin Artaud (1896-1948)?
DT is a Russian asset. A literal traitor. I feel fucking embarrassed for the US. And terrified for Ukraine.
November 21, 2025 at 10:21 PM
DT is a Russian asset. A literal traitor. I feel fucking embarrassed for the US. And terrified for Ukraine.
American Cooking with Ali.
November 19, 2025 at 11:45 PM
American Cooking with Ali.
I don't know where this ends.
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I don't know where this ends.
If you ever receive an "estimated" bill - in this case Thames Water - whose charges have rocketed this year by 40%...
*never, ever* make the mistake I did of calling them this freezing morning to see if they've possibly made an error - as they'll re-calculate the bill and sting you for more on top.
*never, ever* make the mistake I did of calling them this freezing morning to see if they've possibly made an error - as they'll re-calculate the bill and sting you for more on top.
November 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
If you ever receive an "estimated" bill - in this case Thames Water - whose charges have rocketed this year by 40%...
*never, ever* make the mistake I did of calling them this freezing morning to see if they've possibly made an error - as they'll re-calculate the bill and sting you for more on top.
*never, ever* make the mistake I did of calling them this freezing morning to see if they've possibly made an error - as they'll re-calculate the bill and sting you for more on top.
Guardian picture desk must be rubbing their hands with glee at these open-goals. "Do we have any pics of him looking like a soon-to-be-defenestrated clueless fucking wanker?" "How many do you need?"
November 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Guardian picture desk must be rubbing their hands with glee at these open-goals. "Do we have any pics of him looking like a soon-to-be-defenestrated clueless fucking wanker?" "How many do you need?"
Kraftwerk sound absolutely *astounding* on ADHD meds. Obviously they were pretty incredible already. But there's an undeniable synergy between a recalibrated, fine-tuned, deeply focused brain, as if one's head were in a velvet clamp, and the mesmeric, precision-tooled perfection of these wizards.
November 15, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Kraftwerk sound absolutely *astounding* on ADHD meds. Obviously they were pretty incredible already. But there's an undeniable synergy between a recalibrated, fine-tuned, deeply focused brain, as if one's head were in a velvet clamp, and the mesmeric, precision-tooled perfection of these wizards.
Today's book review: the brilliant Ultra-Processed People, by Chris Van Tulleken.
November 14, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Today's book review: the brilliant Ultra-Processed People, by Chris Van Tulleken.
"We were always told comedians are often sad or depressed – but if you meet many male stand-ups in real life they are really angry"
@jnraeside.bsky.social in Metro about her brilliant debut novel, Don't Make Me Laugh, and the scene that inspired it.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/09/i...
@jnraeside.bsky.social in Metro about her brilliant debut novel, Don't Make Me Laugh, and the scene that inspired it.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/09/i...
'I wrote a book about toxic male comedians - they hate not being in control'
‘Stand-up comedy is probably the worst profession within showbusiness when it comes to male behaviour.'
metro.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
"We were always told comedians are often sad or depressed – but if you meet many male stand-ups in real life they are really angry"
@jnraeside.bsky.social in Metro about her brilliant debut novel, Don't Make Me Laugh, and the scene that inspired it.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/09/i...
@jnraeside.bsky.social in Metro about her brilliant debut novel, Don't Make Me Laugh, and the scene that inspired it.
metro.co.uk/2025/11/09/i...
Reposted by Ali Catterall
Joe said Cat
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
November 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Joe said Cat
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
Good God, the White Album's magnificent, isn't it? A proto-punk, proto-grunge, proto-glam, proto-metal lo-fi ragged masterpiece. And in Martha My Dear, practically a history of 20th century Northern music, from English classical to musical hall and brass band. It routinely reduces me to tears.
November 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Good God, the White Album's magnificent, isn't it? A proto-punk, proto-grunge, proto-glam, proto-metal lo-fi ragged masterpiece. And in Martha My Dear, practically a history of 20th century Northern music, from English classical to musical hall and brass band. It routinely reduces me to tears.
Joe said Cat
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
November 7, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Joe said Cat
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
Nick said Joe
So did Dave
What a blow
The pouches cast
The fire glowed green
Alan smirked
A nation screamed
Nick said Fuck
David sighed
Claudia winked
And Alan cried
I *was* one of those kids in the public information film who grabbed the sparkler at the wrong end on Bonfire Night. Cremorne Gardens, 1975, aged five. And yes, it bloody hurt. But preferable to electrocution by telegraph pole, while the grim reaper loitered nearby like a rubber-necking bastard.
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I *was* one of those kids in the public information film who grabbed the sparkler at the wrong end on Bonfire Night. Cremorne Gardens, 1975, aged five. And yes, it bloody hurt. But preferable to electrocution by telegraph pole, while the grim reaper loitered nearby like a rubber-necking bastard.
Reposted by Ali Catterall
Barry Adamson's soundtrack for the @alicatterall.bsky.social co-directed Scala!!! is great. Every track conjures up the spirit of a time when Central London was far less gentrified and there was overlooked space in which to roam and be creative. mutebank.co.uk/collections/...
Barry Adamson - SCALA!!! - CD | Pre-Orders | Mute Bank
Release Date: 16th January 2026Catalogue Number: CDIONIC20 CD - Eco card pack, also banned, but not vinyl Barry Adamson, original member of Magazine and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and a celebrated s...
mutebank.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Barry Adamson's soundtrack for the @alicatterall.bsky.social co-directed Scala!!! is great. Every track conjures up the spirit of a time when Central London was far less gentrified and there was overlooked space in which to roam and be creative. mutebank.co.uk/collections/...
Reposted by Ali Catterall
**SCALA!!! News**
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Barry Adamson - Babs Johnson Is Divine [Official Audio]
YouTube video by Mute
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
**SCALA!!! News**
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Reposted by Ali Catterall
And then episode 3 of Girlbands Forever lands, and introduces a group that bears as much relation to any of the others as Pulp did to Britpop. That is to say: a different class. Songwriting, talent and style so streets ahead of the rest, they may as well have come from Mars.
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
Sugababes – Overload (Official Video)
YouTube video by Sugababes
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
And then episode 3 of Girlbands Forever lands, and introduces a group that bears as much relation to any of the others as Pulp did to Britpop. That is to say: a different class. Songwriting, talent and style so streets ahead of the rest, they may as well have come from Mars.
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
And then episode 3 of Girlbands Forever lands, and introduces a group that bears as much relation to any of the others as Pulp did to Britpop. That is to say: a different class. Songwriting, talent and style so streets ahead of the rest, they may as well have come from Mars.
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
Sugababes – Overload (Official Video)
YouTube video by Sugababes
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
And then episode 3 of Girlbands Forever lands, and introduces a group that bears as much relation to any of the others as Pulp did to Britpop. That is to say: a different class. Songwriting, talent and style so streets ahead of the rest, they may as well have come from Mars.
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
youtu.be/wqZMWzFPQHQ?...
**SCALA!!! News**
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Barry Adamson - Babs Johnson Is Divine [Official Audio]
YouTube video by Mute
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
**SCALA!!! News**
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Thrilled to announce the second single from Barry Adamson's fantastic forthcoming soundtrack for our movie SCALA!!! released by @muterecords.bsky.social, the world's coolest record label, 16 Jan.
This one's a tribute to the Scala's patron saint, John Waters.
youtu.be/TNBygReYcIo
Would the daft little fucking racists and far-right-curious like to shut the fuck up now? Also - I hope that auto-profiled, completely innocent black guy sues whoever he needs to, for as much as he fucking can.
November 2, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Would the daft little fucking racists and far-right-curious like to shut the fuck up now? Also - I hope that auto-profiled, completely innocent black guy sues whoever he needs to, for as much as he fucking can.
RIP the great Peter Watkins; alongside Alan Clarke, one of THE absolutely essential English directors. Yes, the War Game; yes, Punishment Park. But for me, it's Privilege - even more hideously pertinent in 2025 than the days the radical left sat around discussing Marcuse.
youtu.be/fpzOLvDIBPk?...
youtu.be/fpzOLvDIBPk?...
PRIVILEGE trailer
YouTube video by Richelle Charkot
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 AM
RIP the great Peter Watkins; alongside Alan Clarke, one of THE absolutely essential English directors. Yes, the War Game; yes, Punishment Park. But for me, it's Privilege - even more hideously pertinent in 2025 than the days the radical left sat around discussing Marcuse.
youtu.be/fpzOLvDIBPk?...
youtu.be/fpzOLvDIBPk?...