London Spy: Ben Whishaw, dreamy lover/genius Ed Holcroft and sage Jim Broadbent

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

LONDONSPYCALLING:

Tomorrow:


The Makers: Tom Rob Smith
Thursday 24 March, 3pm - Studio, BFI Southbank

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Film_Institute
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_Southbank




http://www.bfi.org.uk/flare



https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp
2016: BFI Flare turns 30
In 1986, the National Film Theatre ran a short season of nine LGBT films called ‘Gay’s Own Pictures.’ Now, 30 years later and with a couple of name changes along the way, BFI Flare has grown into one of the world’s most significant LGBT film festivals. To celebrate our forthcoming anniversary edition this March, we’re looking back at some of the defining films to have screened over the festival’s vibrant history. Up first: two classics of New Queer Cinema: Poison (1991) and The Watermelon Woman (1996). In February, we revisit two classic love stories from the 90s – in time for Valentine’s!


http://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-flare-industry-programme-2016.pdf


The Makers
The Makers is a series of one-to-one interviews with filmmakers who have made
a major contribution to LGBT representation in the mainstream.


The Makers: Tom Rob Smith
Thursday 24 March, 3pm - Studio, BFI Southbank

Screenwriter Tom Rob Smith joins us to discuss the making of London Spy. At once a gay love story and a thrilling tale of mystery and international espionage, London Spy was one of the UK’s landmark television moments in 2015. The show tells the story of Danny (Ben Whishaw), who is drawn into a complex and dangerous game after the disappearance of his boy friend, Alex (Edward Holcroft). With a knockout supporting cast including Charlotte Rampling, Jim Broadbent, Harriet Walter and Mark Gatiss, London Spy presents a modern view of the city, where chemsex and covert ops are both a daily reality. This event will explore the show’s resounding success, and what this means for the future of LGBT storytelling on television.  

Host: Jack Casey (BFI Flare)

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

London Spy trickery! It took me a long time to figure out HOW that image had been manipulated; in the end, it was simply FLOPPED left-right, with Norman
Foster's City Hall flopped to the right of the Shard rather than left (from that perspective). Also, as the surviving, struggling figure's hand (Danny!) is raised
through the water, the diagonal lines in the image shatter and break, and the section of the flopped City Hall moves further to the right--very urban version
of Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871). Especially interesting as Ben Whishaw (I think) said that his agent likened TR Smith's
story to Alice meeting a series of strange characters and situations Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865)--






The Thames in Southwark with City Hall, where campaigners gathered to protest against privatisation of public spaces in London and throughout the UK.
Saturday 13 February 2016 11.52 EST Photograph: Robert Harding/Rex Shutterstock
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/13/will-self-mass-trespass-london-protest?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g26ZXL2PxFg[/youtube]
Published on Nov 24, 2015.

http://thetvshows.us/displayimage.php?album=528&pid=649884#top_display_media

https://twitter.com/momocolondon

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2015/december/momocos-watery-title-sequence-for-london-spy/

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

London Spy trickery! It took me a long time to figure out HOW that image had been manipulated; in the end, it was simply FLOPPED left-right, with Norman Foster's City Hall flopped to the right of the Shard rather than left (from that perspective). Also, as the surviving, struggling figure's hand (Danny!) is raised through the water, the diagonal lines in the image shatter and break, and the section of the flopped City Hall moves further to the right--very urban version of Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871). Especially interesting as Ben Whishaw (I think) said that his agent likened TR Smith's story to Alice meeting a series of strange characters and situations Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865)--

http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/film/news/a9101/ben-whishaw-if-i-had-a-career-plan-itd-stop-feeling-like-an-adventure/
Keeping with the Bond theme, next up Whishaw plays Danny, a Londoner who falls for a secret agent in new BBC miniseries London Spy.

“Danny reminds me of a lot of people I know, of how easy it is when you’re young and living in the capital to lose your way and feel directionless,” he says.

It is in part a love story, though Whishaw promises the drama, written by Child 44 author Tom Rob Smith, “has a lot of twists and surprises, and nothing is quite what it appears.”

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/london-spy-edward-holcroft-ben-whishaw-bbc-america-143336553.html
At the Television Critics Association’s recent press tour, Whishaw said his agent likened the tale to a kind of dark Alice in Wonderland. “Every episode, Danny is meeting a new set of people who very rarely are exactly what they appear to be,” Whishaw said. (The cast includes Oscar winner Jim Broadbent as Danny’s most trusted confidante, and Charlotte Rampling as the hardest nut to crack.)

[southendmd]

John, dear John, you are such a font of London Spy wonderfulness!  Thank you for all this!

I love my Amazon-bound-up London Spy.  I couldn't wait for the dvd. 

I need to re-watch it in a marathon soon.

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

John, dear John, you are such a font of London Spy wonderfulness!  Thank you for all this!

Gosh, thank you Paul! But don't you mean to say 'London Spy CRAZYPERSON nuttiness??  

I love my Amazon-bound-up London Spy.  I couldn't wait for the dvd.

I have my Amazon Prime London Spy streaming video, of course, but I have ALSO pre-ordered the 2-disc DVD, which will be released in, let's see, 19 days. Obsessional, me? I mean, perish the thought! Heaven forfend!

 

I need to re-watch it in a marathon soon.

We ALL agree!

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

romance is a good thing.

Sigh! Yes, it is.

No one will do this for you   Trust in hope   Cross fingers for love.

17 NOVEMBER 2015

#LONDON SPY #LONDONSPYEDIT #BEN WHISHAW #EDWARD HOLCROFT  
#* MADE BY ME #TELLY: LONDON SPY #PEOPLE: BEN WHISHAW #PEOPLE: EDWARD HOLCROFT
#I JUST WANT ALL THE DOMESTIC FLASHBACKS ALL THE TIIIIIIIIMMMMEEEE

http://aviateurs.tumblr.com/post/133424556198/no-one-will-do-this-for-you-trust-in-hope-cross

#I JUST WANT ALL THE DOMESTIC FLASHBACKS ALL THE TIIIIIIIIMMMMEEEE

Or rather--is it TWEE-time??




HAPPYLONDONSPYFANART_EKSDY (or X/D)
http://eksdy.tumblr.com/post/135848796050/man-that-christmas-special-was-great-i-decided-to

By Eksdy 24th December 2015

Man that Christmas Special ( http://eksdy.tumblr.com/post/135351321000/london-spy-episode-6 ) was great! I decided to draw one of my favorite scenes. This is from the bit where Alex and Danny are both over at Pavel’s for his annual Christmas Party- wearing fairly awful x-mas jumpers of course (except Pavel, but Pavel never wears anything but t-shirts- it’s part of his charm).

Danny has had his jumper forever- so long that the seams have started ripping open a bit. Sara is wearing some kind of weird fitted jumper with bells attached- every time she moves the bells jingle and she’s really regretting wearing it now. Alex did not have anything festive to wear so Danny took him shopping. He bought this jumper with a kitten on it because Danny thought it was cute.

Happy Christmas Eve fellow London Spies!

Tagged: #I am in denial  #London Spy  #christmas special  #the episode that never happened
#not super happy with Zrinka Cvitesic's likeness but I don't have any more time to work on this

HAPPYLONDONSPYFANFIC
METASERIES2

By seugene793
(with thanks to @festivedakin)
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25


http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/post/134679786476/happy-london-spy-series-2-episode-1
Happy London Spy: Series 2, Episode 1
7 December 2015

Saturday.
Danny and Alex spend the day perusing travel guides at Daunt Books in Marylebone and then feed the ducks in Regent’s Park. Danny gets bitten by a goose. Alex is concerned and fusses, but Danny laughs it off. Back at Danny’s place, Alex codes a hostile goose detection algorithm while Danny makes a stir fry. They have a bit of wine then dose off on the sofa whilst watching the 1972 sci fi classic “Solaris”. They wake up, make out for a bit, then go to bed.
Episode ends.

http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/post/134679796231/happy-london-spy-series-2-episode-2
Happy London Spy: Series 2, Episode 2
6 December 2015

Monday.
Alex starts new job at completely innocuous NGO. Hilarity ensues when he accidentally wears Danny’s reindeer socks to work. Danny nervously gets Scottie (who is not dead or evil) to critique the poem Danny has written for Alex’s birthday. Danny and Alex go out for sashimi in Soho then meet some friends for drinks. We learn that Danny can make a mean Bloody Mary.
Episode ends.

http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/post/134679804066/happy-london-spy-series-2-episode-3
Happy London Spy: Series 2, Episode 3
6 December 2015

No plot. Alex and Danny: various gorgeously-lit sex scenes followed by a nap and a light lunch.
Episode ends.

http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/post/134679811866/happy-london-spy-series-2-episode-4-cypher-the
Happy London Spy: Series 2, Episode 4
6 December 2015

Cypher the Cat.
Danny and Alex settling into new flat in Kentish Town. After much pleading from Danny, they adopt a cat, who takes a shine to cat-dubious Alex and sheds extensively on his nice clothes. Scottie pops over for dinner and the boys mull a camping trip to Jurassic Coast to celebrate 1 year anniversary. After a few glasses of Scottie’s excellent Bordeaux, Alex gets very excited about fossils.
Episode ends.

http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/post/134679819026/happy-london-spy-series-2-episode-5-market
Happy London Spy: Series 2, Episode 5
6 December 2015

Market drama (Last in series).  
Alex wants to test his latest face detection code by wearing Google glass in public. Danny embarrassed. Awkwardness ensues when Alex and Danny bump into Rich at Camden Town Market but Danny is shocked to find Rich is now a reformed Baha'i and has opened a chain of hot yoga studios. Mild threat when Danny and Alex are separated in the market crowds but a reunion and prolonged, anxious kisses follow. Alex buys a first edition Asimov. Home, followed by gentle, giggly sex.
Series ends.

http://seugene793.tumblr.com/page/25
http://seugene793.tumblr.com/post/134749681066/happy-london-spy-90-minute-christmas-special
THE FOLLOWING EXTENDED EPISODE SYNOPSIS OF
“HAPPY LONDON SPY: CHRISTMAS IS RUINED?”
7 December 2015

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Early December, wet, cold and gray. Alex competes in a World AIDS Day 10k. Rain-soaked Danny meets him at the finish line with a thermos. We discover Danny is sad he’s never had a white Christmas in London.

http://cinematic-literature.tumblr.com/tagged/london-spy-tea-thermos

Later that week, Alex distressed as Danny plans to host a wacky Christmas jumper party. Meanwhile Danny is suspicious that Alex won’t reveal the purpose of the countless Maplin boxes http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/hammond-waterproof-extruded-aluminium-enclosure-80x59x309mm-n29hg arriving in the flat. Alex begins mysterious drilling and wiring near the terrace.

Mid-December, Christmas party. Danny and Cypher the Cat wearing matching reindeer antlers, Alex unhappy in a “Bah Humbug” jumper. Sara, Pavel and Magda the Magician arrive with treats. Marcus awkwardly brings Ferrero Rocher and has forgotten his festive wear. Alex and Marcus argue about the flawed time travel science in last year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special. Magda insists on playing Jenga with Danny using only her toes.

Scottie arrives with a dashing man in late 40s. A toast to his new-found happiness.

 

Amidst the cheer, Cypher the Cat destroys the Christmas tree.

Much later that night, all guests gone. Danny drunkenly singing carols and picking up rest of felled Christmas tree. Alex silently fiddling with rows of plugs and switches.

Mounted projectors flicker to life. A bank of transparent screens descends over the terrace.

An immersive projection of gently falling snow engulfs the flat and blankets their view of the night city.

Danny cries.
Episode ends.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuLqEgD3T-Y[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOyZojbYUEA[/youtube]

http://wilberia.tistory.com/m/post?categoryId=662185
http://wilberia.tistory.com/m/post/47



#london spy  #danny holt  #alex turner  
#ben whishaw  #edward holcroft  
#meta
#I HAD TO  #ALEX IS ALIVE  
#DANNY TO THE RESCUE

[CellarDweller]

Or rather--is it TWEE-time??

HAPPYLONDONSPYFANART_EKSDY (or X/D)
http://eksdy.tumblr.com/post/135848796050/man-that-christmas-special-was-great-i-decided-to

By Eksdy 24th December 2015

when I first saw the sweater, I thought he'd be tied up in tree lights. 

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

when I first saw the sweater, I thought he'd be tied up in tree lights. 

Like THIS??
(The layered meta-meta of the growing Smaug-like fanhoard of trivia
is becoming DENSE and VAST!)

[CellarDweller]

pretty much!  LOL

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

when I first saw the sweater, I thought he'd be tied up in tree lights.  

Like THIS??
(The layered meta-meta of the growing Smaug-like fanhoard of trivia
is becoming DENSE and VAST!)

pretty much!  LOL

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fandom

"Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the object(s) of their fandom and spend a significant portion of their time and energy involved with their interest, often as a part of a social network with particular practices (a fandom); this is what differentiates "fannish" (fandom-affiliated) fans from those with only a casual interest.

A fandom can grow around any area of human interest or activity. The subject of fan interest can be narrowly defined, focused on something like an individual celebrity, or more widely defined, encompassing entire hobbies, genres or fashions. While it is now used to apply to groups of people fascinated with any subject, the term has its roots in those with an enthusiastic appreciation for sports. Merriam-Webster's dictionary traces the usage of the term back as far as 1903.[1] It is formed of the word fan plus the suffix -dom (as in kingdom).

Fandom as a term can also be used in a broad sense to refer to the interconnected social networks of individual fandoms, many of which overlap."



(Does this sound like some people we know?)