Front Row Review of films No Other Choice, The History of Sound and Julian Barnes' final novel
Jan 22, 2026
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, a savvy film critic, and Lawrence Norfolk, an insightful novelist, dive into Park Chan-wook's thrilling film, No Other Choice, discussing its genre-bending style and humanized violence. They also analyze Julian Barnes' poignant last novel, exploring themes of memory and love amid mortality. As Oscar nominations spark lively debate, they dissect frontrunners and surprises while also questioning the effectiveness of a new £1.5 billion cultural funding initiative. Expect humor, depth, and plenty of cultural insights!
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Episode notes
Playful Tone Meets Mortality
- Departures mixes playfulness with gravitas, using humour to probe mortality and memory.
- Larushka Ivan-Zadeh highlights Barnes's playful opener about involuntary autobiographical memory.
Calm Curiosity Toward Mortality
- Barnes frames death with curiosity rather than panic, reflecting a calmer stance than earlier work.
- Larushka notes his measured tone and observational stance toward aging and mishaps.
Funding Focused On Buildings, Not Running Costs
- The DCMS £1.5bn cultural package emphasises capital works and regional distribution but largely repackages prior commitments.
- Georgia Luckhurst warns it won't meet the sector's deeper operational needs.
