UnCultured

Cabin Norderhov by Atelier Oslo

Located in Krokskogen forests, Norderhov, Norway, this modern cabin by architects Atelier Oslo sits on a slope overlooking scenic Lake Steinsfjorden. Laminated timber, plywood and steel rods form the frame, the open plan interior based around levels and against sweeping walls, allowing for division of the floor plan. Huge glass windows make the most of the incredible views, placed to catch as much precious sunlight as possible throughout the day, vital in those dark, Scandinavian winter months. The unusual cave-like ceilings and basalt stone slab layered onto a pre-fabricated structure add to the cabin’s cozy feel, while the central fireplace sets a similar focus for this clever, compact house.

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With Films From 72 Countries, TIFF Offers More Than Just Hollywood Fare

The films with big Hollywood celebrities usually get the most attention from the media and fans clamouring along the red carpet for pictures or autographs. They’re the films that usually make the “must –see” lists and become the hottest ticket of the night. But sometimes, the best film you see at the festival may be the foreign film you’ve taken a gamble on, picking up a ticket based on the time of the film or because sometimes there’s nothing else to see.

Finding small, independent, or foreign films are one of the best parts about TIFF. With films representing 72 countries in every genre imaginable, there’s always a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Some films may not have trailers or clips online so you are almost choosing blindly, based on a photo and description in the TIFF programme book.

It's still eaerly in the festival, but one of the best foreign films I’ve seen this year is the Norwegian film Kon-Tiki by directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. Already a big hit in its native Norway, Kon-Tiki is poised to become the highest grossing Norwegian film ever (behind Rønning and Sandberg’s film Max Manus which played at TIFF in 2009). A tense nail-biter, the movie chronicles the true story of a group of explorers who set sail from Peru to Polynesia aboard a wooden raft. When the explorers aren't fighting sharks, they're trying not to drown. Talk about intense. Picked from the over 350 films screening at TIFF this year based on a photo in the programme, Kon-Tiki was a great adventure story, and a gamble that paid off.

Sure, not every foreign pick or unheard of film is great, and just like Hollywood films, some are downright unbearable. Throwing a foreign film or a genre that you normally wouldn’t see into your TIFF schedule is a great way to get a full taste of the festival and discover a nation’s film scene. Maybe you'll fall in love with Icelandic films, or discover that your next favourite film is a Spanish-language thriller. With a schedule that’s fifty percent foreign, I’m looking forward to seeing my very first film from Paraguay, 7 Boxes, later this week!

Versace’s Second H&M Collection Shrouded in Mystery

We thought we knew that the pre-spring Versace for H&M collection would include some awesome shortswith fruit on them. We also thought we knew that the collection would hit stores in a couple of months, according to a story that was posted on WWD this morning, but which has since been removed. Huffington Post blogged about the article, though, so details are still available:

If that's true, the annoying people who buy these collaborations just to put them on eBay might actually do shoppers here a service. But why H&M would be so secretive about line number two is a bit of a mystery. It's not like this is Beyoncé and she's having twin daughters. This is H&M and they're having two Versace lines.