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 8th MAY – SUNDAY 10th MAY 2015

“Mickey and Mallory know the difference between right and wrong, they just don’t give a damn.”
This week’s film recommendation comes in the blood-splattered form of Oliver Stone’s breakneck paced seminal flick Natural Born Killers.

At the centre of the film are Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), a young couple united by their desire for each other and a common craving for violence. Together, they embark on a gory Bonnie and Clyde-esque killing spree that captivates the tabloid media. Their fame is guided by Wayne Gale (Robert Downey, Jr.), who reports on Mickey and Mallory for his show, American Maniacs – a biting satire on the media’s thirst for violence.

The film’s hyperkinetic cinematography is visually overwhelming, shifting between documentary-style black-and-white, surveillance video, lurid coloured psychedelia, and animation in a rapid-fire fashion that parallels the psychosis of the couple and as well as the media-saturated culture that propels them to infamous heroes.

Natural Born Killers, 122 mins is being screened Friday 8th May at 9pm at the Prince Charles Cinema, WC2H 7BY
Buy tickets here

So good they named him twice
As unconventional artist go, AA Bronson is pretty out there. Bronson is one of the most revered and radical artists living today, as the founding member of legendary art collective General Idea he is infamous for his early involvement in punk, AIDS activism and manifestations of ‘other’.

Since the 1960s the Berlin-based Canadian artist has used progressive forms of expression from existential psychotherapy to forming a commune and commonly exchanges the orthodox paintbrush and pencil for a range of unconventional tools, from rooster feathers to butt plugs (you probably won’t find those in your local Hobbycraft). 

Bronson’s latest UK exhibition, titled AA Bronson: Hexenmeister, is being shown atMaureen Paley. Two works by General Idea will be shown in the lower gallery while Bronson will present new work including zany installation, Treehouse – ‘a kind of shamanic fortuneteller’s tent, with animal protectors and woven tapestries’, in Bronson’s own words.

Check out our interview with AA Bronson about the new exhibition here.

AA Bronson: Hexenmeister is being shown at the Maureen Paley gallery, E2 6JT until May 31st

From a Basement on the Hill to the big screen
Elliott Smith is one of those musical enigmas who’s name is surrounded by myths that collate a story of their own. Separating myth from fact, director Nickolas Rossi set out to unravel the narrative surrounding the late tunesmith through his newly released documentary Heaven Adores You.

Often overlooked in the poignant canon of musicians who died before their time, Smith spent much of his life being his own best eulogizer. His candidly meek approach to songwriting transparently laid his demons on the table for all to read, this led to a cult following, his raw personal lyrics appealing to fans; just a guy and an acoustic guitar, Smith was as true as they come.

Funded by Kickstarter Heaven Adores you explores the brilliance of Smith’s musical talent as well as the tragic narrative that came hand in hand with his genius. Instead of a traditional narrative documentary structure the story of his life is told by Smith himself through his music and past interviews with the singer-songwriter. It’s a personal insight into one of the most intimate and tortured artists of the 21st century.

Heaven Adores You, 104 mins. Out at selected cinemas from Friday 8th May. Check listings for session times.

Lusts for life
Hailing from Leicester, brothers Andy and James Stone are better known as Lusts, a nascent outfit out to lull you with their endearingly dramatic sound.

Taking their cue from New Wave, their music reeks of shimmery reverb-drenched 90s shoegaze, a smooth puree of 80s glimmering noir synth lines and the swirling chugging hypnotic rhythms of Krautrock psychedelia.

Lusts are the real deal, catch them whilst they’re still relatively under the radar. We assure you it won’t be for long. Dress code? Black on black on black we reckon looking at the brothers’ attire.

Lusts play at The Lexington, N1 9JB on Friday 8th May w/Kate Miller and Suns
Tickets are available here

Oh we do love to be beside the seaside!
One of the biggest bummers about living in London is that, when the sun finally arrives, there are no seasides within the capital to escape to. Well wipe away those salty tears, for Selfridges are bringing the great British seaside to the city by means of their new rooftop restaurant Vintage Salt.

With a retractable roof for when London weather attempts to be a killjoy the new venue will, of course, be serving up fish and chips, albeit on plates instead of wrapped up in newspaper, and there’s nautical nods a-plenty, think deck chairs and beach huts

We know it’s not quite the same as being at the beach, but look on the plus side, you won’t be heading home with sand in every orifice. Kick back with a stiff drink and a battered fish. Once you’ve taken the bite you’ll be hooked (sorry not sorry).

Vintage Salt is open from May until September at Selfridges, Oxford Street

TOP GALLERY IMAGE CREDITS:
1. Still, Natural Born Killers, 1994 © Warner Bros
2. Still, Natural Born Killers, 1994 © Warner Bros
3. Still, Natural Born Killers, 1994 © Warner Bros
4. Still, Natural Born Killers, 1994 © Warner Bros
5. AA Bronson and Ryan Brewer ‘Red’, 2011 © AA Bronson and Ryan Brewer, Courtesy Maureen Paley, London
6. General Idea ‘Mondo Cane 2’ (Nine Figures), 1984 © General Idea. Courtesy Maureen Paley, London
7. AA Bronson: Hexenmeister exhibition view, Maureen Paley, London 2015 © AA Bronson. Courtesy Maureen Paley, London
8. Still, Heaven Adores You, 2014 © Blowback Pictures
9. Still, Heaven Adores You, 2014 © Blowback Pictures
10. Lusts. Image courtesy of band
11. Vintage Salt, image courtesy of Vintage Salt