Talk of the town

It’s a Green Light for Squid Game’s Season 2

You’ve clearly been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of the South Korean series Squid Game. Since the dystopian thriller series hit our screens last September it became Netflix’s number one ‘must-see’ show across 90 countries and the streaming platform’s most successful non-English show. It soon also became Netflix’s biggest ever series launch (surpassing Bridgerton’s record earlier last year), and the hashtag #squidgame had over 27.5 billion views on TikTok in weeks.

In June 2022, a post shared via the show’s official Twitter page read: ‘On your marks. Get set. Greenlight. Squid Game continues, only on Netflix.’ Although the second season is still in its early stages, writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that there will be some familiar faces returning this season. Last year’s winner Gi-hun will be back with the Front Man, in addition to a brand-new character. Everyone’s favourite killer doll Young-hee is officially off the market and viewers will be introduced to her boyfriend Cheol-su. Maybe we’ll get a romantic duet from the couple right before they give you that deadly look. Will we see more of The Salesman slapping people in the face? “The man in the suit with ddakji might be back,” teased Hwang. It’s time to cue up the Pink Soldiers’ theme song because the game isn’t over yet.

In January 2021 Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos opened up about the platform’s plans for a second season of Squid Game and the ‘Squid Game Universe’, which he believes has the potential to involve live experiences, merchandise and mobile gaming.

UAE bans Disney Pixar’s Lightyear over same-sex relationship

The animated film Lightyear from Disney Pixar is set to visit theatres this week, and it is likely to entice Toy Story lovers from all around the world except the UAE. The UAE’s Media Regulatory Office announced that it would ban the movie’s release, based on what it said was the violation of the country’s media content standards. The feature film was scheduled for release in UAE theaters on June 16. The government authority didn’t say which part of the movie violated their content but Executive Director Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi told Reuters that it was because of the inclusion of homosexual characters. The movie features a same-sex relationship as well as a brief kiss.

The decision to ban the film gathered mixed views from fans and netizens with some appreciating the ban and others criticising it. The UAE ban comes despite an announcement last year that the country would no longer censor movies. That change was part of a broader raft of modernizing reforms to be more competitive globally and attract additional foreign investment and talent. The movie has also been banned in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Indonesia and even Malaysia. A Lightyear producer told Reuters that authorities in China had asked for cuts to the film, which Disney declined to make, and she assumed the movie would not open there either.

Shahzia Sikandar wins a Fukuoka Prize in Arts and Culture

Shazia Sikander, a Pakistan-born miniature artist, has won Fukuoka Prize in Arts and Culture for introducing innovation in the traditional art forms using the latest digital technology of miniature painting, which follows conventions dating back to the Mughal Empire.

The Fukuoka Prize was introduced in 1990 by the Japanese city of Fukuoka and the Fukuoka City International Foundation to honour individuals, groups, and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to the preservation of Asian culture. The prize aims to raise understanding of Asian cultures and create a broad framework for Asian people to exchange ideas and learn from one another. The Fukuoka Prize is celebrating its 32nd year this year. The prize has been given to 118 notable personalities in their respective disciplines during the last 31 years.

Fukuoka Prize is awarded in three categories that include Grand Prize, Academic Prize and Arts and Culture Prize. Besides Shazia Sikander, this year’s Prize recipients also include Japanese Taiko Drummer Mr Hayashi Eitetsu for Grand Prize and Historian Prof. Timon Screech from the U.K for Academic Prize. In September this year, the laureates will be invited to Fukuoka, Japan officially for receiving their respective awards.

There were three Pakistani recipients of the Fukuoka Prize in the past. Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the legendary qawwali maestro, Dr. Uxi Mufti, a specialist in the preservation of folk heritage, and Yasmeen Lari, architect, architectural historian, and heritage conservationist.