Weekend Combo

Maggie Gyllenhaal turns director, cheesy grins and the Aurora Borealis in London
17 December 2021
Above:

Still, ‘The Lost Daughter’, 2021 directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal

This article is part of Weekend Combo – What to do this weekend

FRIDAY 17th December – SUNDAY 19th December 2021

Film

Vacations don’t always go as planned
Having premiered at the London Film Festival in October and bagged Best Screenplay at Venice Film Festival – to an extended standing ovation – Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter arrives in cinemas this weekend before its Netflix release on New Year’s Eve. A psychological drama based on Elena Ferrante’s novel of the same name, Olivia Colman stars as a divorced mother confronting her unsettling past as she becomes consumed by a young mother and daughter on her solo Italian retreat. Set on the breathtaking island of Spetses, Greece, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson and Paul Mescal star alongside Colman in an arresting tale of motherhood and one’s sense of self.

The Lost Daughter is out in cinemas now. 

Installation

Northern lights down south
It’s the last weekend to catch Dan Acher’s London light installation, replicating the surreal euphoria of the Aurora Borealis – only in Guildhall Yard, near Bank. But don’t let the postcode put you off, Acher’s piece is a wonder of its own, painting the sky in a mix of ethereal lights and swirling smoke to create a scene of blissful escapism (which is exactly what we could do with right now).

Borealis by Dan Acher runs until December 22nd at Guildhall Yard, more info here

Market

Lots of stuff to buy – we like stuff
Shitting it because you haven’t bought a single Christmas present yet? Ho, ho, hold on a minute, this weekend take yourself to the Hackney Flea-Man Market and fill your sack. Basically, it’s a lot like the usual Hackney Flea Market (ie, very good) only with a sprinkling of Christmas kitsch. Oh, what’s that grandad? You didn’t want a lamp made out of antique sex toys?

Hackney Flea-Mas Market runs from December 18th-19th at Abney Public Hall, more info here.

Hackney Flea Market

Exhibition

Say cheese!
Abstract artist Rachel Jones is bringing a series of abstract cheesy grins to the city for her latest solo exhibition, SMIIILLLLEEEE. As one of the youngest artists in Hayward’s Gallery autumn exhibition Mixing It Up, she’s making a serious mark on the art world with her oil painting and pastel mixed technique.

Jones’ unique aesthetic focuses on the subject matter of the mouth throughout her artistic career, but teeth, in particular, take centre stage this time around. Showcasing pearly whites in every way possible as she drenches them in an eye-catching colour palette of pungent hues and abstract floral imagery.

Rachel Jones SMIIILLLLEEEE runs at Thaddaeus Ropace until February 5th 2022, more info here.

‘SMIILLLLEEEE’ by Rachel Jones, 2021

Food + Drink

Middle Eastern veggie eatery Bubala serves up a menu so good even carnivores won’t be missing out. Rustic interior with unplastered walls and tastefully dark wood finishings set the tone for a spread of wholesome indulgence as an array of tempting small plates fill the menu – but special mentions have to go to their signature laffa flatbread, fried aubergine and falafel with zhoug dip. Top tip – order the hummus first so you can eat it with everything, it’s quite something.

Bubala is located at 65 Commercial Street, E1 6BD, more info here

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