Film: Non-Aligned

Tonight, I went to Non-Aligned. It's a documentary with footage of Tito travelling the world during the Cold War, trying to find a "third way", non-aligned to either of the major powers! Honestly, this is something I never heard of.. Narrated by the cameraman who took the original footage, who describes what it was like. Showing, of course, in the Curzon Bloomsbury - and I had initial trouble booking it on the app, but it worked in the end. Funny thing about that app, though - it's impossible to find your booked tickets! Oh, a certain time before the show starts, they'll ask whether you want to see it - take a picture of it at that point, because you'll never find it again! Of course, it's also available on email - just odd..

Speaking of not finding things, I had grave doubts about my bus coming.. whatever the issue is, I was waiting for the better part of half an hour. Just as well I left early. And my second bus was stifling.. so, not the pleasantest of journeys. Anyway, I made it on time - skipped the buying of chocolate, considering I'd just scoffed a load of it at home! And made the screen just before the trailers started - a few more very interesting-looking documentaries on the way, it seems.

This one is certainly fascinating. It switches from the footage, to interviews with the cameraman, to shots of the researchers rummaging in the archives. We get to see the decrepit old ship that was once the pride of the country, as Tito sailed out on it to unite the Third-World nations. You know, it's a really interesting stated aim - "the freedom to be free", with the express intention of eliminating all traces of "colonialism and imperialism", as the man said. This was the occasion of independence for a lot of African countries - Algeria, mind you, was still fighting for its independence from France. Which was a war supported by Yugoslavia..

As stated in the film, of course the major powers of the Cold War weren't a bit pleased about all this. And we do get to see some very derogatory American coverage of the inaugural Non-Aligned Nations Summit, in Belgrade. The film also claims that the formation of this movement was the reason for the major powers abandoning developing nations, and for their current poverty. I'm really not qualified to comment, but there might well be some truth in that.

It's also fascinating purely from a name-dropping point of view - we get to see Nehru, Nasser, Haile Selassi (complete with a lion on a chain!), Fidel Castro, Khrushchev banging the table, Eisenhower.. The cameraman himself professes himself a great fan of Che Guevara. Yep, those were interesting times indeed.. and this is a terrific window back to them. Recommended.

Dinner afterwards was, of course, in GBK - where I asked for onion rings, and by George, they had them for once! Delish..

Tomorrow, back with Buddies on a Budget (BoB) in London for The White Mouse, a play based on the true story of Nancy Wake, a spy for the SOE during the Second World War. Showing at The Theatre on Barnes Pond, who've given us a discount code, lovely! (Two actually, one for each of her groups.) I also accidentally booked with her other group, London Herstory Walks - it's no harm. Anyway, the theatre turns out to be right next door to Cote, so I've booked that as well.

On Wednesday, I was supposed to be back with London Literary Walks for The Camden Walk. Booked for dinner beforehand in The Blues Kitchen Camden, just down the road - well, the Shoreditch branch is excellent, thought I'd try this one! The walking group, however, was to meet in The World's End. Unfortunately, I have to be in the office that day.. meaning I'd be dragging the laptop on a walk! However, now the walk's been cancelled - and much as I enjoy his walks, I'm delighted. Not only do I now not have to drag the laptop on a walk, I get to attend The Horror Book Club's event of the month, where they're discussing Cujo - a book I've always loved. So I've just bought the Kindle edition, and am enjoying a re-read! I've cancelled the dinner reservation, of course - I can eat in the pub the book club is meeting in, the Prince of Wales.

On Thursday, back in Southwark Playhouse - original venue, this time - with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for The Bleeding Tree, a drama involving a murder and a conspiracy of silence. Booked on their excellent PAYG system, where a prepaid amount counts for five shows, no time limit. Can represent a good saving! We're eating in Mercato Metropolitano again. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Next Monday, back with UITCS again for Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder - a musical comedy about the presenters of a murder podcast, finding themselves in the position of sleuths! Showing at the Ambassadors Theatre, cheapest tickets from the official source, with a promo code! Stupidly, when I was booking it though, I forgot all seats would be the same price - could have got a better one, never mind. And I've booked Bella Italia St. Martin's Lane again.

On the 11th, BoB is off to the Yamato Drummers at the Peacock Theatre. Their tickets were sold out by the time I came to booking this, but it's the best thing on Meetup for the day - so I booked my own ticket. Eating in Cote Covent Garden.

On the 12th, back with UITCS for The Finellis, a musical in Wonderville. I remember the food not being great there - will see what my options are nearby.

And on the 13th, back with CT for a talk on The Peasants' Revolt, at Southwark Cathedral.