Five for your radar: TV, books, film - top tips for the week ahead
Some of Michelle McGlynn's selections for next week. L-R: Ken Loach delivers heartfelt new film, The Old Oak; Journalist Aoife Moore explores dangers of online dating; and Rita Duffy's exhibition should not be missed.
Apps have become unavoidable in today's dating world but along with the potential of finding romance, they present countless dangers to users, especially women. No stranger to online harassment herself, journalist Aoife Moore delves into the dark side of online dating in this documentary. Users share personal stories ranging from identity theft to abusive messages to image-based sexual abuse. Moore questions why there is a lack of regulations in this area and meets people looking to make online dating safer for everyone.
Ken Loach returns with a film that delves right into one of the most pressing matters in Ireland today. The Old Oak sees the arrival of Syrian refugees to a small, working-class community in England. The former mining town has turned into a ghost town of sorts - businesses shut, schools closed, derelict buildings scattered throughout. Some residents take out their frustrations about a society that has forgotten them on the new arrivals. With the perfectly balanced storytelling we have come to expect from Loach, we watch as this community learns to stand in solidarity with one another.
Three of Ireland's finest singers come together for this unmissable show as part of the Cork Folk Festival. The singers have collaborated previously as part of the Woman's Heart albums and tours. Each of them will do a solo set before returning to the stage to sing together. They will delve into their extensive back catalogs, mixing their chart-toppers and old favourites with more recent hits, to create an unforgettable night. With these three Irish icons performing, it's little surprise that tickets are flying out the door.
It's October and if you aren't already deep into spooky season then here is the perfect book to get you in the mood. With the tagline 'Be gay. Solve crimes. Take naps.' I'm not sure I need to say much more. This fantasy novel follows a loveable rag-tag group of witches/detectives as they hunt The Whistler. This magical serial killer has a very unique calling card that I won't give away here. But needless to say, you may see The Whistler in your nightmares after reading this.
There's just a month left to see Rita Duffy's striking exhibition at the Cork gallery. The Belfast-born artist uses a large dollop of humour in paintings that address issues such as climate change, and America's lurch to the right.
