Sweden film festival played to audience of one

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. go ahead / goʊ əˈhɛd / (phrasal) – to happen or proceed
    Example:

    Despite the rainy weather, our company picnic went ahead as planned.


  2. castaway / ˈkæst əˌweɪ / (n) – someone who is left all alone on an island, especially after a shipwreck
    Example:

    The movie tells the story of a castaway who spent several weeks on an island by himself.


  3. remote / rɪˈmoʊt / (adj) – far away and difficult to get to
    Example:

    The remote village can only be reached after a three-hour hike up the mountain.


  4. console / kənˈsoʊl / (v) – to make someone feel less sad or disappointed
    Example:

    My friend was disappointed that he didn’t get the promotion, so we tried to console him by taking him to his favorite restaurant.


  5. drained / dreɪnd / (adj) – very tired
    Example:

    Barbara needs a vacation because doing so much overtime has left her drained.


Article

Read the text below.

Scandinavia’s biggest film festival went ahead this year despite the coronavirus pandemic, but was hosted on an isolated island and admitted only one attendee — a health care worker selected from 12,000 applicants.


Swedish nurse and film fan Lisa Enroth was chosen to be the 2021 Gothenburg Film Festival’s castaway. She spent the week beginning Jan. 30 on the remote island of Pater Noster watching film after film.


“In health care, I seem to have spent ages listening, testing and consoling. I feel like I’m drained of energy,” Enroth said before the festival began.


Pater Noster, on the boundary of a dense archipelago off Sweden’s west coast, is known for its lighthouse.


“The wind, the sea, the possibility of being part of a totally different kind of reality for a week — all this is really attractive,” said Enroth. She kept a daily video diary, posted on the festival’s website.


The festival’s CEO, Mirja Wester, said: “It feels particularly right to be able to give this unique experience to one of the many heroes of the health care system who are all working so hard against COVID-19.” (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Enroth spent the week as the 2021 Gothenburg Film Festival’s castaway, the only attendee for the whole festival. Would you be interested in spending a week alone like that, or would you prefer to go with a friend? Why? Discuss.
  • Enroth spent the week on a remote island watching film after film. If you could spend one week on a remote island doing just one thing, what would it be (ex. painting, relaxing on the beach)? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Enroth said that as a health care worker, she felt like she was drained of energy. Aside from offering unique experiences like the film festival, what else can be done to help health care workers now? Why? Discuss.
  • The festival’s CEO said that it felt right to give such a unique experience to one of the many heroes of the health care system. Aside from health care workers, who else would you consider a hero right now (ex. supermarket staff, delivery service workers)? Why? Discuss.