The best things to do and see in Europe this week

Happy Pride month! Here’s to a month of June full of sun, rainbows, smiles and… the European elections! However, there are a lot of fun things going on, like festival season, the release of new exhibitions and the summer cinema blockbusters.

Let’s dive right in.

Exhibitions

‘Materialism and Mach’ by David Mach at Anise Gallery (London, UK)

The image that heads this article is not surprising, but it is a three-meter figure made of hangers, whose cables protrude from a crucified figure called “The Thief”with his face distorted by pain.

It is a formidable presence that shadows thoughts and shakes perceptions. Made with meticulous detail by the Scottish sculptor David Mach, nominated for the Turner Prize, it can be seen alongside a selection of collages large scale of his other works, known for using everyday objects that become complex artistic installations.

Don’t be upset, but we’re a little ahead of ourselves: It opens on June 13 and will remain open until July 6.

Festivals and events

Fourvière Nights (Lyon, France)

With the Fourvière hill as a backdrop, where an impressive Roman amphitheater sleeps, this music Festival It is one of the most picturesque and varied in France. Plus, it takes place over two months (May 30 to July 25), with a line-up packed with exciting musical performances including (to name just a few) LCD Soundsystem, Cat Power, Patti Smith, Justice and AIR, along with other performances in dance, theater, comedy and much, much more.

“It’s a really vibrant event, and the best thing is that you can come and go, and spend time explore Lyon and its magnificent surroundings as you recover from whatever night you went on,” wrote Euronews Culture Editor David Mouriquand in our summary of the best festivals Europeans.**

Films

‘Hit Man. Killer by chance’

In 2001, Texas Monthly magazine published an article titled ‘Hit Man’ by Skip Hollandsworth. It detailed the strange and fascinating life of Gary Johnson, an undercover “killer” for the Houston Police Department who helped convict those who sought murders for hire. Richard Linklater, the director behind classics like the ‘Before’ trilogy and ‘Dazed and Confused’, read this article at the time, but couldn’t figure out where the story was going after Johnson left. Almost twenty years later, one of the most charismatic and handsome men to ever walk the planet, Glen Powell (‘Top Gun: Maverick’), brought the idea back to Linklater and together they made it a reality. The resulting film is an ingenious and charming anti-romantic comedy in which cats appear named after Freud’s structural model of the psyche and the fiery sexual energy of Powell and Adria Arjona. What more could you want?

T.V. series

‘Becoming Karl Lagerfeld’ (Disney+)

He was the creative mastermind behind Channel’s 1980s revival, the modernization of Fendi’s fur line, and the development of his own hugely successful fashion brand. He also left 1.5 million dollars (1.38 million euros) to his cat. German designer Karl Lagerfeld was a legenda, eccentric and fascinating. A new show, based on the book ‘Kaiser Karl’ by Raphaelle Bacque, documents his slow rise to success, which began in Paris in 1972. A richly textured period piece to immerse yourself in. Just don’t wear sweatpants while you’re doing it (Lagerfeld said they’re “a sign of defeat”).

Music

David Lynch and Chrystabell: ‘Sublime eternal love’

It was the announcement that all fans of David Lynch were eagerly awaiting after the director of ‘Eraserhead’ announced last week that something “to see and hear” was coming. Although it is not the return of ‘Twin Peaks’ or a feature film, it is another exciting collaboration with Chrystabell, Lynch’s long-time muse. Her new album, titled ‘Cellophane Memories’, will go on sale on August 2. The first single has already been shared on YouTube, a flicker of haunting harmonies that immerse you in a haunting dreamscape of beauty and doom. We expected nothing less.