Students on De Montfort University’s Music, Film and Entertainment Journalism module pick the films, plays, music, TV shows and books that shaped them
My favourite film
My favourite film changes all the time but my current favourite is The Passion Of The Christ. As you may be able to guess from the title, it documents the final days of Jesus’ life and his resurrection, as utterly brutal as it was described. I finally plucked up the courage to watch it last week after being told I would find it too intense and gory, and it was certainly worth it. Although I did cry throughout the entire film, as my parents told me I would. Learning how it was made and the vision behind certain choices was also so interesting as it was such a revolutionary film.
My favourite TV show as a kid
I remember when I was around 10 years old I was absolutely obsessed with The Next Step on CBBC. The show follows a dance troupe as they go to competitions and there is a ridiculous amount of drama. Looking back I don’t know how I didn’t realise how absolutely awful the acting was.
My first gig
When I was nine or 10 my dad took me with him to see an AC/DC tribute band. I had to be 14 to get in so my sister did my makeup and gave me her leather jacket and somehow I got in. My dad had to cover my eyes for some of it but I absolutely loved it.
The best gig I’ve ever seen
I’d probably have to say when I saw $uicideboy$ live in 2023 because they are my favourite emo-rap duo ever so I had an absolute blast. But I also really loved seeing Anthrax with my dad in 2022 so it’s between those two.
My first album
My earliest album memories bring up Highway to Hell By AC/DC. Growing up, my dad played his CDs all the time but especially on car rides. So my earliest and happiest memories are car rides with him listening to Highway to Hell, along with so many other albums from bands like Kings of Leon, Nirvana, ELO, Led Zeppelin.
My desert island disc
My desert island disc would have to be Viva La Vida by Coldplay. Listening to this on car rides growing up gave it such a good amount of memories to associate it with that the album can really get me through anything. To me it is the album I associate with my family and it reminds me of how lucky I am to have such a good family. When I listen to the album I’m usually thinking about how lucky we are to be able to hear music and how beautiful music is, which I think is a good sign for an album….
The lyrics I love
A classic I can think of from the top of my head would have to be the lyrics in Piano Man by Billy Joel.
The instrument I can play
When I was younger I played the recorder, steel pans and the flute. I do miss playing the flute sometimes but my teacher didn’t seem to like me. I don’t know why – I was an 11-year-old child. Aside from that it was enjoyable though. Flutes have a very beautiful sound.
Read more Culture Kick columns by DMU Journalism students here.