How can you sit straight and not be changed after watching this cat really really kill this song. @NemoAchida watch the fuck out.
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We receive our copy of Shing Shing Regime’s debut “The Invincible Swordplay EP” (cover art: Dawud Anyabwile) and give the QR code on the back of the CD packaging a try.
“In Forrest Gump, the activity of subcultures is typified through the life history of the other major character in the film: the love of Forrest’s life, Jenny. Through the opposition of Jenny and Forrest, it becomes clear that Forrest represents not all of American experience, but merely the experience of mainstream culture; Jenny represents an alternative path through recent U.S. history-the dark side of Forrest’s generally blissful (or at least, blissed out) experience. The film is unambiguous in its portrayal of American counterculture. If Jenny is unable to follow Forrest’s path through the major institutions of American life-college, the military, small business, sports, and so on-it is because she has been sexually abused by her father. Her immersion in the counterculture is treated less as a conscious choice than the consequences of a psychic trauma that she never gets to adequately address.
Counterculture and subcultures, the film seems to tell us, are for damaged souls. Jenny drifts through the American underworld: she appears in Playboy; while Forrest is in the mud of Vietnam, she gets involved with hippies and peaceniks (who drive a VW van painted with rainbow colours); she becomes involved with the SDS (Students’ Democratic Society) in Berkeley, which is led by her physically abusive boyfriend; she becomes suicidal after doing lines of coke as part of the early-1980s “me” generation; and, when she finally shows up again in Forrest’s life to introduce him to their son, she tells him: “I have some kind of virus and the doctors don’t know what it is and there isn’t anything they can do about it.” If Jenny’s trauma leads her into the U.S. counterculture, it is her involvement with the latter that leads to her death.
It is not difficult to see that the film suggests that subcultures and countercultures are dangerous, destructive, and misguided, especially for those involved in them. In the world narrated by Forrest Gump, happiness and fulfillment are achieved only by following the path of the straight and narrow (which in Forrest’s case has the added advantage of putting him into contact with important people, like Presidents Kennedy and Nixon). Forrest’s own happiness is impeded only by the fact of Jenny’s death, which is the direct consequence of her alternative lifestyle. Forrest’s son who represents the future of American society, is in some respects the product of both the mainstream and the counterculture, of Forrest and Jenny.
But what the film actually seems to argue is that America has a future despite the presence of the subculture. It’s up to Forrest, after all, to raise Forrest Jr. It is not accidental that Forrest Jr. is raised in the same place as his father; for all the things that have happened, the real America perseveres, unchanged by the challenges that the counterculture and history seemed to have posted to it. Near the end of the film Jenny suggests: “ I was messed up for a long time.” Forrest Gump exemplifies very clearly one of the dominant ways in which subcultures are represented—simply as the actions of misguided, messed-up people.
And yet, there are elements of the film that make us question its representation of American counterculture. Most obviously, it is the character of Forrest himself who causes us to wonder about the narrative we are being sold. Jenny is far more intelligent and self-conscious than Forrest; if Forrest represents the mainstream, then the mainstream is shown to be unthinking—emotional and intuitive rather than reasoned and reflective. Forrest suggests that “for some reason I fit in the army like a round peg.” His successes come out of his ability to slide into pre-existing systems and institutions; he challenges nothing and accepts everything.
In Forrest Gump, the options in post-Second World War American society come down to two equally problematic positions: either one joins the counterculture and challenges norms and limits, but at the price of one’s own happiness, health, and life; or one unthinkingly accepts “what is” even if this means participating in an imperialist war or raping the environment (as recorded by Forrest’s enormous haul of shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico). This is a false choice, of course; we need not acquiesce to the either/or that the film constructs for us. Nor need we accept its stereotypes of the counterculture, even if we should note that it is precisely such representations of sub- and countercultures that inform the way in which we view their activities, as well as the people that participate in them.”
Here’s the latest music video from Canadian Hip-Hop act Shing Shing Regime. “Shing Till Infinity” is from the buzz-worthy I AM SHING Mixtape. The Regime have a knack for mood-creation and this one more than delivers the visuals worthy of the song. Of note, the Regime haven’t abandoned their formula of using underrated Hamilton locations and re-birthing them through supreme lens-work. Must watch!
Files from Original Source Hani Taha
At the 2011 PFDC Sunsilk fashion week in Lahore, Designer/Creative Director Omar Farooq’s label Republic debuted the ‘Mediterranean Affair’ collection. Purveyor of sharp tailoring and contemporary, slim cuts, the palette consisted of salmon pinks, dusty oranges and cobalt blues along with a smattering of crisp whites. Here’s a short interview with the man behind the Republic Label:
Where did the idea of Republic germinate from?
The idea came when I moved back to Pakistan from Dubai in 2007. I felt that in Pakistan you either find very expensive clothes for men or clothes of poor quality; there was no grey area in between these two extremes. I wanted to therefore start a luxury band but without charging the luxury brand prices. I wanted to create a brand for those men who love fashion and love to wear something extraordinary. For putting this vision into reality I needed the best possible set up in terms of a factory, quality suiting fabrics from Italy and cutting and pattern masters who would understand my sense of style and passion.
What are the challenges of doing fashion in Pakistan?
Mens wear is challenging and difficult since men don’t care about high fashion or luxury brands as such. Menswear is more about style than fashion. Women are more susceptible to fashion and trends and will carry a look if other women are doing so as well. Men carry their personality through their clothing. The price has to be just right. Although 99.9% marketing efforts do work, you can’t force a man to follow a trend just because someone else is doing so. Men like to be given options and then they make up their own mind.
What are your brand’s strengths?
Our main strength is trying to cater to the customers needs in the best possible way, Our brand follows fashion trends with a collective emphasis on quality fabric, stitching and affordability. If you combine these three essentials of a garment, you get the perfect package for the consumer. Luxury brands abroad manage to get the first two correct but have suffered with the crucial aspect of pricing which makes their products difficult to sell.
You showcased your garments for the very first time at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week in November 2010. How was the doing a debut show at fashion week?
It was amazing! I had the best time ever! I was thinking of doing a solo show prior to fashion week but then decided to capitalize on fashion week instead since it gives me direct access to foreign buyers.
What did you learn from the fashion week experience?
The most important lesson I learnt was of how to put a collection together for the ramp. Its also crucial that a collection should always be wearable. Runway gimmicks can last only till the fashion week and cannot be sustained economically in the longer run in terms of sales.
How receptive are Pakistani men towards campaigning?
I have been very fond of doing regular campaigns and have discovered that men do respond well but you need to be very careful about what you want to portray. The Republic man has always been a strong well dressed, well groomed man since I believe that a well dressed man is a leader in his own way.
What is your direction/aims for this year for the brand?
We have several goals to achieve this year such as establishing an outlet in Islamabad. I truly believe that Islamabadis are the true connoisseurs of style. With the diplomatic community based there, the brand will do well there. We will be showcasing our winter 2011 collection at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week in March. Winter wear is a lot of fun since it allows for more experimentation with lots of layering. Then we will be showing at the Pitte Uomo fair in Florence which will help us garner international exposure and buyers.
Omar Farooq
Shing Shing Regime – Not For Minors (Compassion Club)
Michael Rita-Procter is an up and coming canadian cinematographer most famous in these circles for working on “We Strive” for Shing Shing Regime alongside Director Robbie J. On his own, the artist carries an impressive portfolio that speaks for itself. No doubt, his scope is vast working in multiple music and business genres. This is a short film detailing his work from throughout 2010. Look for more of his creative work in the future. He also runs a lively tumblr that deserves a thorough browsing. Follow him on Twitter @unlikelyfuture