We bring you our guide to living well in the world’s capitals, from exhibitions to cinema, food, drink, fashion, music and beyond. Just call it culture and take it, it’s yours.

LONDON, FRIDAY 20th MARCH – SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2015

Mommy’s boy
Kicking off this weekend is a film that’ll draw you in as quickly as it will have you on the phone to your mum. Describing French-Canadian writer, director and actor Xavier Dolan as prolific seems an understatement; at only 25 years old his latest film Mommy is his fifth directorial effort in as many years.

The film, which debuted at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and won the prestigious Jury Prize, depicts the relationship between working single mother Diane ‘Di’  Deprés (Anne Dorval) and her troubled, violent teenage son, Steve (Antoni-Olivier Pilon), who arrives to live with her after a stint in juvenile hall.

Shot entirely in 1:1 aspect ratio with a shaky handheld camera, Dolan’s technical ability has won him much acclaim. Mommy gets you in, the intimate way in which it is both shot and written mirrors the intense relationship between mother and son. It’s a raw watch at times but one worth every heart pulsing second, you’re among characters, through it all, the laughing, the crying, the screaming and the fighting.

Mommy, 140 mins. In cinemas from today, Friday 20th March
Check listings for session times

Tracey Emin bathing, Fuckface and Sarah Lucas with fried eggs for tits
The stale art scene of the late 80s was wholeheartedly slapped aside by the Young British Artist movement. What began as a group of Goldsmiths students in a Soho pub swiftly evolved into a defining period of art history.

YBA became their name, and provocative creativity was their game, with two fingers permanently stuck up at the world they challenged art conventions with controversial flair.  With the backing of renowned art dealer Charles Saatchi, who showcased the artists’ work in the now legendary 1997 Sensation show at the Royal Academy (the art equivalent of The Sex Pistols’ 1976 gig at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall), the group of artists and friends went on to shape the face of modern art.

Now’s your chance to turn back the clocks to the YBA’s hey-day. A new exhibition at the Shapero Modern gallery called Rack ‘em up: British Contemporary Editions, 1990-2000 gathers together work by the likes of Damien Hirst, Gary Hume, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Sarah Lucas, Tracey Emin, and The Chapman brothers, Jake and Dinos, forming a compelling survey of the YBA movement. Alongside the artwork sit candid photographs of the young artists at rest and play by Johnnie Shand Kydd, providing a behind the scenes insight into the lives of some of art’s biggest names.

Take a look through the 10p sized peephole, placed at an adults only height, and gawp at the Chapman Brothers’ infamous film Bring me the Head of Franco Toselli!  

Two women, one sculpture of a man’s head complete with phallic nose and a whole lot of tongue in cheek (no pun intended) shock value… Right on. 

Rack ’em Up: British Contemporary Editions 1990 – 2000 runs until 27th March at Shapero Modern gallery, 32 St. George Street, W1S 2EA 

Turn up, tune in
Beach Coma have put together a mega mix for their latest showcase at The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch, and there’s something for everyone (in the right way) in this batch.

Want some grungy fuzzed-out psych rock? Brighton trio Tusks tick that box. Think Tame Impala, The Pixies and post-Syd Barrett Floyd stuck in a blender then left to ferment and stew. Then there’s the sweeping 90s aesthetic conjured by Lazy Day, the solo side-project of Tilly Scantlebury, also known as one quarter of the London/Brighton-based, Hella Better Dancer (throw their track Like A Child on the speakers, it’s a belter).

Last but by no means least is Lou E, a one man hybrid of sun-melted reverb and soft blues riffs with a voice that can turn smiles into tears and back again through the slightest of pitch changes.

Beech Coma Presents #3 at The Old Blue Last,Shoreditch on Friday 20th March. Free admission at the door

Whilst we’re on the topic of music, Goon, the debut record from Tobias Jesso Jr. is out this week. Piano balladeer supreme, this is Randy Newman for the Apple generation. Well worth a tenner.

For one Knight only (and a Kardashian-cameo)
One of photography’s most recognised names, Nick Knight has provided the fashion world with some of its most arresting and innovative imagery. As part of the fifth annual Fashion in Film Festival, Knight is in conversation with lecturer Nick Rees-Roberts, addressing topics surrounding his impressive oeuvre, merging film and fashion, and the progressive nature of the industry.

Founder and Director of SHOWstudio, Knight bridges fashion and film to high impact, pioneering innovative ways to keep fashion apace with technological advances. The photographer’s talents are far reaching, and past creative collaborations name-check the likes of Yohji Yamamoto, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. Continually challenging conventional ideals of beauty he has engaged with a range of controversial issues during his career – from racism, disability and ageism – encouraging dialogue around taboo topics.

Knight will be reflecting on it all: from photographing Kate Moss and David Bowie and directing the Kim Kardashian cameoed romp that was the video for Kanye West’s Bound 2. We’d go just to find out whether that tits-to-waist proportion is the real deal.

Nick Knight conversation takes place on Saturday 21st march at 4pm, Hackney Picturehouse, E8 1HE
Book tickets here

A raw-ing success
Sticking with the East London theme, check out newly opened The Richmond, London’s first and only raw seafood bar. A joint venture between Brett Redman – known for his popular spot Elliot’s on Borough Market – and Margaret Crow you’ll find it located on Queensbridge Road, Haggerston.

Alongside their raw bar, serving a variety of oysters, clams, carpaccio, tartare and fish The Richmond also serves a range of snacks, comfort food and on Sundays roast dinners are on the menu all day. Oysters, famously known for their aphrodisiac quality (it’s said that Casanova used to breakfast on fifty per day, randy bugger) will be sold for £1 during happy hour on weekend evenings.

Oh, and with Negronis on tap, they’re really speaking our language.

The Richmond is located at 316 Queensbridge Rd, E8 3NH

TOP GALLERY IMAGE CREDITS:
1. Still, Mommy (2014). Image © Metafilms
2. Still, Mommy (2014). Image © Metafilms
3. Still, Mommy (2014). Image © Metafilms
4. Damien Hirst with Sarah Lucas, photo by Johnnie Shand Kydd
5. Jake & Dinos Chapman, ‘Fuckface’. Courtesy the artist
6. Sarah Lucas, ‘Self-Portrait with Fried Eggs’. Courtesy the artist
7. Tusks (2014). Photo by James McCully
8. Lazy Day. Photo by Billy Boyd Cape
9. Nick, Knight, ‘War’ 1997
10. Oysters at The Richmond. Photo by Paul Winch-Furness