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ELNAZ SHAKERDOUST PICTURES

2014-01-02T02:21:00.004-08:00

The Best Australian Films Of 2013

2014-01-01T11:48:00.003-08:00

Not everything we watch is American. Just most of it…

The Great Gatsby

Warner Bros. / Via movieinsider.com

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Written by: Baz Luhrmann (screenplay), Craig Pearce (screenplay), F. Scott Fitzgerald (based on the novel by)

You knew it would be here. Whilst the film itself divided opinion on both over-zealous production and truthfulness to the book (which, let’s face it, is always an issue with movie/books) it was still Australia’s most successful film of the year. If the purpose of film as a medium is to influence and effect the masses, then Gatsbydelivers - the myriad of fashion blogs and party themes associated with it a testament.
With a blockbuster cast many would hesitate to associate with Australian Film,Gatsby conquered. Whether we want to admit it or not.

The Rocket

Red Lamp Films / Via mumbrella.com.au

Directed by: Kim Mordaunt
Written by: Kim Mordaunt

A fantastically interesting Australian film which recently took out the “Best Debut Feature” at the Berlin Film Festival, The Rocket is unique in that it does not have many of the stereotypical tropes associated with Australian film. Gone are the red deserts and Akubra hats, instead replaced with the vegetation dense landscape of Cambodia. The Rocket is the most unique Australian film of both 2013 and the past couple years.

The Turning

Arena Media / Screen Australia / Via imdb.com

Directed by: Jonathan auf der Heide - “Fog”
Tony Ayres - “Cockleshell”
Jub Clerc - “Abbreviation”
Robert Connolly - “Aquifer”
Shaun Gladwell - “Family”
Rhys Graham - “Small Mercies”
Justin Kurzel - “Boner McPharlin’s Moll”
Yaron Lifschitz - (“Immunity”)
Anthony Lucas - “Damaged Goods”
Claire McCarthy - “The Turning”
Ian Meadows - “Defender”
Ashlee Page - “On Her Knees”
Stephen Page - (“Sand”)
Simon Stone- “Reunion”
Warwick Thornton - “Big World”
Marieka Walsh - “Ash Wednesday”
Mia Wasikowska - “Long, Clear View”
David Wenham - “Commision”,

Written by: Tim Winton

Australia’s much loved author, Tim Winton, achieves with The Turning what he failed to with TV series Cloudstreet. This interesting and new project brings together 17 different directors to tell a range of Winton’s short stories. The result is a touching compilation of humor, wit, drama and suspense with excellent performances all round.

Mystery Road

Mystery Road Films / Screen Australia

Directed by: Ivan Sen
Written by: Ivan Sen

This Australia western/crime hybrid may frustrate a few with its script and character arcs, however it is a beautifully crafted piece of art that director Ivan Sen can be proud of. There are great performances from Aaron Pedersen (who plays the main), Hugo Weaving and Tony Barry - and it’s this once paired with beautiful cinematography that ties the film together.

Tracks

Directed by: John Currean
Written by: Marion Nelson

Tracks is the adaptation of Robyn Davidson’s memoir, tracking her journey across the Australian desert with a group of camels and a dog. The film itself has been in the works since the ’80s, with Julia Roberts originally cast as the main. That project never transpired, however Mia Wasikowska (In Treatment, Alice In Wonderland, Jane Eyre) does a brilliant job in portraying a woman who is on a quest both internally and externally. It had a small release late this year, and is set for wider screenings come 2014.

What To Look Forward To:

Big things in 2014…

Around The Block

Set to be released in 2014, Around The Block has been making waves on the festival circuit. The film centers around an Aboriginal community, the introduction of American teacher Dino (Ricci), and the struggle for identity. Can’t wait for this one.

The Rover

Not much is known about The Rover except its release date (2014), the stars involved (Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson,) and a thin synopsis. So far, we know that Pearce and Pattinson are forced to work together to find a stolen car. Hopefully there will be a trailer soon! This aside, everything points to a great film.

More News About Robert Pattinson

The 19 Best Horror Films Of 2013

2013-12-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

19. The Lords of Salem

Anchor Bay Films

In discussions of the year’s best film, it’s easy for horror to get overlooked.Here are 19 of the genre’s best offerings in 2013.

Directed by: Rob Zombie
Written by: Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie’s unique style produces hit-or-miss results, even within the same series: 2003’s House of 1000 Corpses was a disaster, while its follow-up, 2005’sThe Devil’s Rejects, is a modern-day horror classic. The Lords of Salem feels like something new entirely, following radio host and recovering drug addict Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie) as she becomes possessed by a witches’ chant. In many ways, the film is subtler than Zombie’s past works, while still paying homage to classic horror. At times, it reads as Rob Zombie’s interpretation of Rosemary’s Baby, right down to the kooky neighbors who are actually witches.

18. Resolution

Cinedigm

Directed by: Justin Benson and Aaron Scott Moorhead
Written by: Justin Benson

The central conceit for Resolution would be frightening enough without any supernatural elements: Michael (Peter Cilello) handcuffs his junkie friend Chris (Vinny Curran) to a pipe in a run-down house as a last-ditch attempt to get Chris sober. But the psychological horror soon spirals into something even worse, as Michael discovers film footage that foretells a dark future. It’s a tense film broken up with moments of genuine comedy, culminating in an ambiguous and truly unsettling conclusion. There are no cheap scares, just a relentless sense of dread that runs through every scene.

17. Stitches

MPI Media Group

Directed by: Conor McMahon
Written by: Conor McMahon

It’s hard to do killer clowns right. Sure, clowns are inherently frightening, but they’re also absurd, and clown-centric horror films have a hard time striking the right balance between gruesome and funny. Stitches offers perhaps the perfect blend: Even at its goriest, it’s so over-the-top that it’s almost cartoonish. At the same time, Stitches (Ross Noble), a reanimated clown seeking revenge on the kids who accidentally offed him at a child’s birthday party, is appropriately menacing. He’s campy enough to delight you — he makes balloon animals with one victim’s intestines — but you’re still a little terrified.

16. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane

The Weinstein Company

Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Written by: Jacob Forman

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane is the oldest movie on this list: While it finally hit select theaters and DVD this year, it’s actually been lingering with a troubled distribution deal since 2006. What’s impressive is that, even seven years after the fact, the film still feels fresh. It’s a straightforward slasher — the titular Mandy (Amber Heard) is menaced by a psycho killer along with her attractive high school friends — with some genuinely subversive elements. Because the movie has been available (if not officially) for so long, you may have heard the twist by now. Knowing that doesn’t really diminish the effect, which is a gut-punch — or, more accurately, a gut-stab.

15. Berberian Sound Studio

Film4

Directed by: Peter Strickland
Written by: Peter Strickland

Berberian Sound Studio is about making a giallo, the kind of bizarre ’70s Italian horror popularized by Dario Argento, among others. And yet, there are none of thegiallo’s trademark visuals or gore. That’s because the film-within-a-film is heard but not seen, as foley artist Gilderoy (Toby Jones) tries to create sound effects for an increasingly brutal movie. Sometimes hearing is worse, though: Berberian Sound Studio is punctuated by screams, not to mention the sounds of flesh boiled in oil and hair pulled from its roots. By the time the film takes a surreal turn in its final act, we’re already trying to shut our ears, a more daunting prospect than closing our eyes.

14. +1

Process FIlms

Directed by: Dennis Iliadis
Written by: Bill Gullo (screenplay) and Dennis Iliadis (story)

At the beginning, +1 feels like the kind of movie you’ve seen before: A group of college students try to repair relationships and get laid at the biggest party of the year. But things quickly go south thanks to some mysterious alien intervention, and before you can say “keg stand,” time is slipping out of control. As guests at the party come face to face with their exact doubles, the wonder quickly turns to horror — the existential questions are heavy enough, but on a purely practical level, what happens when there’s two of you in one place at the same time? +1 is adept at conveying the anxiety these young people feel as the party devolves into chaos.

13. Maniac

IFC Midnight

Directed by: Franck Khalfoun
Written by: Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur, and C.A. Rosenberg

The original Maniac was controversial in 1980 for its extreme violence and perverse subject matter. The remake, of course, comes at a time of different standards. Yes, the gore is more explicit, but what Maniac does that’s far more interesting is put you in the mind of the killer, quite literally. For most of the film, the audience sees through the eyes of Frank Zito (Elijah Wood), a psychopath who scalps women to dress up his mannequins. The gimmick could wear thin, but Wood is so strong in this deeply twisted role — and the murders so brutal — that the overall experience is both satisfying and unbearable. By the end, you feel culpable. And filthy.

12. Contracted

Southern Fried Pictures

Directed by: Eric England
Written by: Eric England

The plot of Contracted is fairly straightforward: At a party, Samantha (Najarra Townsend) is drugged and raped by a stranger. The next day, she begins suffering from the symptoms of a strange STI. But Contracted isn’t merely interested in grossing out the audience. (It is, to be fair, really gross, showcasing the kind of body horror weirdness that will make fans of David Cronenberg squirm in appreciation.) There’s also a rather obvious allegory at play, as Samantha struggles to cover up the increasingly obvious signs of her sexual assault. That this was something done to her and not anything she asked for is lost on those around her.

11. Evil Dead

TriStar Pictures

Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Written by: Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues

Despite what some have claimed, 2013 wasn’t a great year for mainstream horror.The Conjuring and The Purge, for all their accolades, were weak and derivative overall. Surprisingly, it’s a remake that offered the year’s most original studio horror. Evil Dead doesn’t feel much like the original — gone is the humor, both intentional and otherwise — but it’s an interesting film in its own right. Jane Levy is great as Mia: She serves as both demon and Final Girl, culminating in a gloriously bloody final confrontation that rivals the original Evil Dead’s. And no, I’m not referring to Bruce Campbell’s split-second cameo.

10. V/H/S/2

Magnet Releasing

Directed by: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Eduardo Sánchez, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, and Jason Eisener
Written by: Simon Barrett, Jamie Nash, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, and John Davies

Like V/H/S, the first anthology film in this series, V/H/S/2 isn’t all great. But in this case, the strong segments outweigh the weak ones, and the overall result is a disturbing and legitimately frightening set of found-footage shorts. Special attention is due to A Ride in the Park, which documents a zombie outbreak from the perspective of a camera on a cyclist’s helmet, and Safe Haven, an incredibly disturbing look into an Indonesian cult. The V/H/S series knows how to use found footage to its advantage, not wasting time on shaky-cam tricks so much as assaulting the audience with truly in-your-face horror.

9. We Are What We Are

Entertainment One

Directed by: Jim Mickle
Written by: Nick Damici and Jim Mickle

The secret of the family at the center of We Are What We Are is teased out long after it’s obvious — but that doesn’t matter. The film is less about finding out what the Parker family is and more about the internal struggle within the family. When their mother dies, daughters Rose (Julia Garner) and Iris (Ambyr Childers) try to break free from their violent traditions, while patriarch Frank (Bill Sage) refuses to budge. It’s a thoughtful, slow-moving film with the occasional jarring burst of violence that underlines the horror. Without giving too much away, the final scene in particular is gorgeous but difficult to stomach.

8. Bad Milo!

Magnet Releasing

Directed by: Jacob Vaughan
Written by: Benjamin Hayes and Jacob Vaughan

While several of the films on this list employ humor, Bad Milo! is the most explicitly comedic of the bunch. And it is funny! Duncan (Ken Marino) learns there’s a demon living inside his ass — it emerges in the most uncomfortable way imaginable — bent on enacting Duncan’s hidden urges, especially when those involve murder. Milo’s rampage is violent and disgusting — I mentioned the part about him living in Duncan’s ass, right? — but it’s grounded in Duncan’s desire to be a good person without becoming a doormat. Even with blood and shit flying in various directions,Bad Milo! actually proves poignant in the end, a rare and impressive feat.

7. Curse of Chucky

Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Directed by: Don Mancini
Written by: Don Mancini

The trailer for the latest direct-to-DVD installment of the Child’s Play franchise didn’t exactly inspire confidence, which is why the joy of Curse of Chucky was such a pleasant surprise. It’s not the CGI-addled reboot fans incorrectly guessed it might be, but rather a true continuation of the story, returned to its sincere horror roots. At this point, the revelations we get about serial killer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) don’t add much — but it’s refreshing to see a sequel so fully committed to its origins, while also bringing something new to the table. Leave it to Chucky’s creator Don Mancini to get things so right.

6. The Battery

O. Hannah Films

Directed by: Jeremy Gardner
Written by: Jeremy Gardner

If The Walking Dead has taught us anything, it’s that the zombie story needn’t be about the zombies — the survivors are far more interesting. But The Battery proves more effective than AMC’s uneven series in fleshing out its characters Ben (Jeremy Gardner, who also wrote and directed the film) and Mickey (Adam Cronheim), two former baseball players doing their best to stick together and stay alive. There are some genuinely stressful moments, but most of the film presents horror on a different level, with a fantastic soundtrack doing all it can to drown out the ever-present zombie moans.

5. Dark Touch

IFC Midnight

Directed by: Marina de Van
Written by: Marina de Van

The story of a troubled girl who can move things with her mind has been told again and again — see Carrie, either the original or this year’s lesser remake. But Dark Touch is so much more than that. Missy Keating plays Niamh, a young girl whose parents and brother are killed when the furniture in her house literally turns against them. It’s clear pretty early on that Niamh is controlling the furniture — and her reasons for doing so, however subconscious, are heavily hinted at from the beginning. And yet, the awful revelations still get under your skin, as the telekinetic violence reveals a story about the cycle of abuse and its inevitably bleak conclusion.

4. Sightseers

IFC Films

Directed by: Ben Wheatley
Written by: Alice Lowe, Steve Oram, and Amy Jump

Sightseers is another comedy, albeit so dark and dry that it’s unclear when to laugh and when to shield your eyes. Tina and Chris (Alice Lowe and Steve Oram, who collaborated on the script) just want to go on a holiday in a caravan together, but that’s complicated when they keep killing people — first by accident and then for reasons only they understand. Their dysfunctional relationship and emotional problems would make for compelling viewing even without the occasional homicide. The joy in Sightseers, however, is seeing the plot elevate to something neither “serial killer” is equipped to handle — and watching them flail.

3. Byzantium

StudioCanal

Directed by: Neil Jordan
Written by: Moira Buffini

From Neil Jordan, the man who brought us the film adaptation of Interview With a Vampire, comes another vampire tale that’s more supernatural drama than horror film. And yet, Byzantium has enough scenes of genuine terror to qualify for inclusion here — they’re just secondary to the deeper character moments. Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan) is a sensitive vampire, killing only those who want to die, while her supposed sister Clara (Gemma Arterton) does whatever she can to keep Eleanor safe. The truth of their origins gets revealed in flashbacks throughout: It’s a new take on vampire mythology, rich with striking imagery and serious pathos.

2. Black Rock

LD Entertainment

Directed by: Katie Aselton
Written by: Mark Duplass

Feminist horror is hard to find, if only because so much of the genre is incorrectly labeled. Just because a female character is raped and then seeks revenge on her rapists doesn’t make the film a feminist statement — regardless of what other merits I Spit on Your Grave has. But Black Rock turns the rape-revenge genre on its head: It’s a true subversion of the tropes that actually has something to say, whether it’s that flirtation is not the same as consent, or that the strength to overcome their attackers lies in the bond these women share. Black Rock is also just plain scary, making it a strong horror debut overall from director and star Katie Aselton.

1. You’re Next

Lionsgate

Directed by: Adam Wingard
Written by: Simon Barrett

You’re Next got unfairly lumped in with The Purge, because both are home invasion thrillers in which the attackers wear masks. The truth is, You’re Next is in a separate class entirely — it’s an invigorating and fresh addition to the genre, combining familiar slasher elements and more modern conventions to form a contemporary classic. Erin (Sharni Vinson), in particular, is one of the best Final Girls in recent memory: Her willingness to not only survive but also fight back, at any cost, makes her a worthy successor to Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott, both of whom she could easily take in a fight. Seriously, she’s that good.

The Top Tattoo Designs Of 2013 According To Pinterest

2013-12-31T16:00:00.000-08:00

These trendy tats were crowned the most popular on Pinterest this year, based on repins and likes.

1. “Illuminate”

Via tinybytes.me

Probably hurt like hell, but who cares, it’s beautiful.

2. The Forearm Tree

Edwin Pabon Photography / edwinpabonphotography.com

Edwin Pabon Photography / via cute-tattoo.com

3. The Hardcore Sleeve

MP Photography / Brittany Bui / pinterest.com

4. The “High-Five!” Cats

taylorwilleatyouxx.tumblr.com

SO cute.

5. “Enough”

fyeahtattoos.com

One word can spur a million thoughts.

6. The Cat Scratch

dwoo-gee.deviantart.com

Ouch.

7. The Leg Trees

kikisloane.tumblr.com

These are actually leggings (probably from BlackMilk), but tree tats were HUGE in 2013.

8. The Bearded & Tattooed Man

tattoostage.com

This is model Ricki Hall — check out more pics of his beard and tats here.

9. The Snake In A Skull

tattoostage.com

This is inked on paper, so maybe next year we’ll see the real thing.

10. The Postage Stamp

Flickr: whitneyarlene

11. The Incredible Eye

facebook.com

WHOA, that eye looks a little too real.

12. The Minimalist Cross

bpieribeiro.tumblr.com

13. The Infinite Relationship

jRox Designs / jroxdesigns.wordpress.com

AWWW.

14. The Thigh Quote

cute-tattoo.com

15. The Watercolor Dreamcatcher

pinterest.com

16. The Tiny Cat

fashionselection.tumblr.com

And this isn’t the only one.

17. The Arrow Heart

tattooset.com

18. The Actual Heart

pinterest.com

Just an on-paper design, but this will make (or has already made) a bad ass tat.

OLD PICTURES OF LEILA FOROUHAR

2013-12-29T10:41:00.001-08:00

7 month old rides a Roomba

2013-12-29T10:31:00.001-08:00

PICTURES OF LEILA FOROUHAR WEDDINGS

2013-12-26T11:47:00.002-08:00

ELNAZ SHAKERDOUST IN MAJNOONE LEYLI

2013-12-26T11:44:00.001-08:00

14 Political Prisoners Spending The Holidays In Jail

2013-12-21T12:34:00.006-08:00

14 Political Prisoners Spending The Holidays In Jail

Mikhail Khodorkovsky walked out of a Russian prison today, but not everyone is as fortunate.Earlier today, in a very sudden turn of events, Russia’s most famous political prisoner Mikhail Khodorkovskywas set free.

Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters

After spending more than ten years in prison, Khodorkovsky has now fled to Germany to see his family.

While Putin’s pardon of Khodorkovsky has shocked the world, there are still countless political prisoners around the world who are serving time for similarly politically-charged sentences:

Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters

1. Mukhtar Dzhakishev (Kazakhstan)

Via dzhakishev.org

Much like Khodorkovsky, Dzhakishev was the head of the state-run uranium firm Kazatomprom before being imprisoned on charges of alleged corruption and embezzlement. Since March 2010, he’s been in a high security prison serving a 14-year term, with details of the trial remaining unknown due to the secrecy of the government. It is believed that his conviction is politically motivated partially because he participated in a petition for President Nazarbayev to pardon Mukhtar Ablyazov, another businessman who was also charged for fraud and claims thecharges were fabricated for political reasons.

2. Nabeel Rajab (Bahrain)

Stringer / Reuters

Rajab is the president of the Bahrain Centre For Human Rights and a well-known human rights activist who was arrested several times for protesting during the Bahrain uprising, aimed at achieving more political freedom for the Shia population. He was later arrested and sentenced for 3 months for an allegedly “insulting” tweet, then, while still in prison, had new charges brought against him related to the protests and has been serving a two year term since Dec. 2012.

3. Yulia Tymoshenko (Ukraine)

Gleb Garanich / Reuters

Currently in a hospital, Tymoshenko is the former prime minister of Ukraine and the leader of its largest opposition political party. It is widely believed that Yanukovych’s fear of her is what led to the embezzlement and “abuse of power” charges brought against her followed by a prison sentence of seven years that began in October 2011.

4. Ales Bialiatski (Belarus)

AP Photo/Sergei Grits

Bialiatski is a Belarusian award-winning activist and head of Viasna Human Rights Centre, an organization that provides aid to political prisoners. He was warned in February 2011 that Viasna was not officially registered by the government and would be investigated if it refused to cease operation. Shortly after, for what is believed to be sparked by political motivation partially due to his association with a memorial that commemorated the innocent people killed by the NKVD, the Soviet-era secret police, he was given a 4.5 year prison term in October 2011 for “tax evasion” and “concealment of income on a large scale”.

5. Liu Xiaobo (China)

AP Photo/Hu Jia via AP Video

Liu Xiaobo’s activism and writing against single-party communism in China is the reason he’s been incarcerated since December 2009, serving an 11 year sentence with an added two years of deprivation of political rights, for “suspicion of inciting subversion of state power”.

6. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja And The Bahrain Thirteen (Bahrain)

Hamad I Mohammed / Reuters

The “Bahrain Thirteen” is a group of prisoners (the most prominent being Abdulhadi al-Khawaja) who were arrested between March and April 2011 for helping organize and lead the anti-government uprising. The 13 were reportedly beaten, tortured and sexually assaulted in addition to their sentences, which range from one year to life.

7. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (Tibet)

Mansi Thapliyal / Reuters

Perhaps the youngest political prisoner in the world, according to human rights groups, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was only six years old when he disappeared after being named by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama. He was detained by the People’s Republic of China and has reportedly not been seen for over 18 years(though Chinese authorities claim that he is happy and going to school just like any ordinary boy — but they have failed to provide any evidence of that statement.)

8. Marwan Barghouti (Palestinian Territories)

Uriel Sinai / Getty Images

Marwan Barghouti, a prominent political figure known for his work defending Palestinian territories, is currently serving his five life sentences and 40 years sentence for supposedly organizing 37 attacks in Israel. While he is seen as one of the leaders of the First and Second Intifadas (or Palestinian uprisings), he claims that he only supported armed resistance to Israeli occupation, but would never condone attacks on Israeli civilians. Barghouti has gained increasing prominence as a potential peacemaker and politician since being jailed.

9. Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Medhi Karroubi (Iran)

Majid / Getty Images

Former prime minister of Iran Mir-Hossein Mousavi was put under house arrest for encouraging protests to the 2009 elections, as thousands of Iranians came out into the streets to protest the flawed landslide re-election of hardline leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mousavi and fellow opposition figure Medhi Karroubi were put under house arrest in Feb. 2011. President Hassan Rouhani has promised to release them.

10. Alaa Abd El-Fattah (Egypt)

Via youtube.com

Blogger and journalist Alaa Abd El-Fattah was arrested and released in 2006 and 2011, but his most recent arrest this year was for participating in protests against a new law that bans demonstrations without prior police approval. El-Fattah’s home was raided and he and his wife were assaulted by the police before he was imprisoned, and his detention has been extended for 15 days as of December 1.Other participants in the protests (such as Ahmed Maher, in jail on similar charges) have vocalized their support for El-Fattah.

11. Jean-Claude Roger Mbédé (Cameroon)

Via youtube.com

Jean-Claude Roger Mbédé was arrested for simply texting “I love you” to another man (homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon.) He was originally imprisoned for three years earlier in 2012 and was temporarily released due to illness (which was largely in part due to the prison conditions). His request for appeal was denied on Dec. 17, 2012 and he has since been returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

12. Anar Mammadli (Azerbaijan)

Via youtube.com

Anar Mammadli is the chairman of the EMDS in Azerbaijan, which independently monitors election results. After reporting that the October presidential election was rigged (with 85% of the votes going to President Ilham Aliyev), prosecutors began criminally investigating the EMDS for possible “tax evasion, illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of office”. Last week, Mammadli was arrested for “running business activity without registration” and was put in 3-month detention before his trial, which could result in up to 5 years in prison.

13. Ilgar Mammadov (Azerbaijan)

Via youtube.com

Mammadov is the leader of the opposition Republican Alternative (REAL) movement in Azerbaijan and has been in detention since February after being charged with organizing protests in Ismayilli back in February. In actuality, the protests startedspontaneously and before he even set foot in town. Ilgar then attempted to run as REAL’s presidential candidate from detention, but was prevented from doing so when the Central Election Commission claimed that the signatures submitted in support of his candidacy were invalid.

14. Filep Karma (Indonesia)

Via youtube.com

Since 2004, Filep Karma has been serving a 15-year prison sentence for raising a Morning Star flag in support of Papuan independence in Indonesia. The peaceful ceremony reportedly resulted in shots being fired into the crowd and Karma’s subsequent arrest and conviction.

30 Jewish Movies To Watch On Christmas

2013-12-21T11:37:00.003-08:00

30 Jewish Movies To Watch On Christmas

Being a chosen person on Christmas isn’t so bad. Here are 30 movies that capture something about Jewish culture.1. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

20th Century Fox

Directed by: Elia Kazan
Gregory Peck is a journalist who goes undercover as a Jew to expose antisemitism in Gentleman’s Agreement. This controversial film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, which was a nice “fuck you” to the Los Angeles County Club, who had refused producer Darryl Zanuck access after mistakenly thinking he was Jewish.

2. The Jazz Singer (1952)

Warner Bros.

Directed by: Michael Curtiz
The classic story of a man (Danny Thomas) in show business who breaks his rabbi father’s heart by not following in his footsteps has been told many times. You can also check out the 1927 original (warning: an uncomfortable amount of blackface) or the 1980 remake (warning: an uncomfortable amount of Neil Diamond).

3. The Graduate (1967)

United Artists

Directed by: Mike Nichols
There’s more to The Graduate than Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) getting seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) — but of course, that’s the moment everyone remembers. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching this awkward short Jewish kid try to navigate a very adult affair with an older woman.

4. Funny Girl (1968)

Columbia Pictures

Directed by: William Wyler
There are few Jewish heroines as iconic as Fanny Brice, portrayed perfectly by Barbra Streisand. (Accept no substitutes.) Babs’ most famous role has her singing classics “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” while reminding everyone that there’s more to fame than being a conventionally pretty face.

5. The Producers (1968)

MGM

Directed by: Mel Brooks
Alas, we will never get to see the stage production of Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden. But at least we have The Producers — multiple versions, in fact! — Mel Brooks’ film about Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), two Jewish producers who put on a Hitler musical meant to flop.

6. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

United Artists

Directed by: Norman Jewison
This quintessential Jewish musical offers a crash course in culture with the opening number “Tradition.” Beyond that, it’s a lovely and often sad story of rapidly changing times, as the Jews of Anatevka struggle to maintain their old-fashioned way of life.

7. Annie Hall (1977)

United Artists

Directed by: Woody Allen
Woody Allen’s greatest film — some will make a case for Manhattan, but nope — is a love story between “real Jew” Alvy Singer (Allen) and unpredictable shiksa Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Annie Hall encapsulates so much of the self-deprecating, death-obsessed Jewish humor that Allen fans love.

8. Chariots of Fire (1981)

Warner Bros.

Directed by: Hugh Hudson
Chariots of Fire tells the true story of Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross), an English Jew who becomes a competitive runner to combat antisemitism. The film played up Abrahams’ Jewishness, which was less central to his life in reality, but with so few depictions of Jewish athletes, it’s OK to exaggerate a little.

9. The Chosen (1981)

20th Century Fox

Directed by: Jeremy Kagan
Reuven (Barry Miller) is a modern Orthodox Jew with a Zionist father, and Danny (Robby Benson) is the son of a strict Hasidic rabbi. Though these two boys initially hate each other, they come to form a unique bond, challenged by their conflicting religious and political beliefs in this film adaptation of the novel by iconic Jewish author Chaim Potok.

10. History of the World, Part I (1981)

20th Century Fox

Directed by: Mel Brooks
Never has the torture of Jews been more hilarious than in Mel Brooks’ song-and-dance take on the Spanish Inquisition, which includes a cameo from the one and only Jackie Mason. The Inquisition aside, the film is infused with Jewish humor, but sadly, we never got to see Hitler on Ice in History of the World, Part II.

11. Yentl (1983)

MGM

Directed by: Barbra Streisand
Based on the short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Yentl is about a girl who disguises her identity in order to enter an all-male yeshiva school to study the Talmud. It’s also a musical starring Barbra Streisand and Mandy Patinkin, so even without the explicitly Jewish subject matter, it would qualify for this list.

12. Zelig (1983)

Warner Bros.

Directed by: Woody Allen
In the mockumentary Zelig, writer-director Woody Allen stars as the titular character, a “human chameleon” who can transform his appearance to match that of anyone around him. As many film scholars have noted, the film is something of an allegory for Allen’s Jewish identity, and the often-hidden presence of Jews throughout history.

13. An American Tail (1986)

Universal Pictures

Directed by: Don Bluth
An American Tail is probably the only kids’ movie in which a family is forced out of their home by the Cossacks’ pogroms. Of course, in this case, it’s a family of mice, the aptly named Mousekewitzes, who leave their native Russia to find a better life in America. The immigrant story transcends species.

14. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Lionsgate

Directed by: Emile Ardolino
Screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein based Dirty Dancing in part on her youth as a Jewish girl who summered in the Catskills with her family. The film itself may not be widely regarded as a Jewish movie, but it certainly should be: Baby’s (Jennifer Grey) coming-of-age is a distinctly Jewish experience.

15. Crossing Delancey (1988)

Warner Bros.

Directed by: Joan Micklin Silver
A more modern story than Fiddler on the Roof, Crossing Delancey is still deeply entrenched in Jewish tradition. As Isabelle Grossman (Amy Irving) searches for love, it’s her bubbe Ida who helps her find sweet Sam Posner (Peter Riegert), by way of the local matchmaker. A blessing on their heads.

16. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Columbia Pictures

Directed by: Rob Reiner
As it turns out, the elements for a great romantic comedy are the same as the elements for a classic Jewish movie: screenwriter Nora Ephron, director Rob Reiner, and star Billy Crystal. When Harry Met Sally is a standout no matter which genre you place it in, with more humor and heart than almost any other modern romance.

17. Avalon (1990)

TriStar Pictures

Directed by: Barry Levinson
Avalon, the third of writer-director Barry Levinson’s semi-autobiographical Baltimore films, tells the story of Jewish assimilation through Russian-Jewish immigrant Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) and his grandson Michael (a young Elijah Wood), who comes of age in the ’50s.

18. Barton Fink (1991)

20th Century Fox

Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen
Like many of the Coen brothers’ films, Barton Fink is tough to pin down. Most would call it a noir — or perhaps a satire of one. Either way, it has big ideas: Roger Ebertsuggested it’s an allegory for the rise of World War II-era fascism, as exemplified by its hero, the very Jewish — and very oblivious — Barton Fink (John Turturro)

19. School Ties (1992)

Paramount Pictures

Directed by: Robert Mandel
Brendan Fraser plays David Greene, a Jewish boy who transfers to a Massachusetts prep school in the 1950s. Once there, he is forced to hide his religion to protect himself from his classmates’ antisemitism. All that aside, there’s a lot of eye candy here — Matt Damon, Chris O’Donnell, and Ben Affleck also star.

20. Clueless (1995)

Paramount Pictures

Directed by: Amy Heckerling
Cher (Alicia Silverstone) never says that she’s Jewish in Clueless — but she doesn’t have to. Her last name is “Horowitz,” and she’s the creation of writer-director Amy Heckerling, who adapted Clueless from Jane Austen’s Emma. More to the point, Cher is the quintessential Jewish American Princess, truly an icon for the community.

21. Independence Day (1996)

20th Century Fox

Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Yeah, it’s a disaster flick about aliens, but what Independence Day is really about is the heroics of nice Jewish boy David Levinson, played by Jewish hunk Jeff Goldblum. Judd Hirsch does his best Jackie Mason impression as David’s father Julius, who is OK with gentiles, because “nobody’s perfect.”

22. Deconstructing Harry (1997)

Fine Line Features

Directed by: Woody Allen
Like so many of Woody Allen’s films, Deconstructing Harry feels very personal. Some have noted its similarities to his earlier (and also autobiographical) filmStardust Memories. In one scene here, Harry Block’s (Allen) devout Jewish half-sister Doris (Caroline Aaron) criticizes the way he represents Jews in his stories. And really, she’s not entirely wrong.

23. The Prince of Egypt (1998)

DreamWorks Pictures

Directed by: Simon Wells, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Hickner
Oh, sure, you could watch The Ten Commandments, but that’s the gentile version of the Exodus story. The Prince of Egypt has actual Hebrew, late Israeli pop star Ofra Haza, and Jeff friggin’ Goldblum as Moses’ brother Aaron. It doesn’t get much more Jewish than that.

24. The Wedding Singer (1998)

New Line Cinema

Director: Frank Coraci
Really, any Adam Sandler film counts as a Jewish movie, but The Wedding Singergets extra points for one of the best Bar Mitzvah scenes ever committed to film. For many young Jewish boys — including the one her character dances with in the film — Drew Barrymore was the ultimate dream.

25. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

USA Films

Directed by: David Wain
The summer camp in Wet Hot American Summer isn’t explicitly Jewish — but it totally is. (The campers’ names, for one thing. Booing at the cross in “Day by Day,” for another.) And for awkward, nebbishy Jewish boys, there is no greater role model than Gerald “Coop” Cooperberg (Michael Showalter).

26. Angels in America (2003)

HBO

Directed by: Mike Nichols
Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play was given the television treatment in this stunning HBO adaptation. It’s about the emerging AIDS crisis in 1985 — but it’s also very much about faith in all its forms. And it’s full of complicated Jewish characters, including Louis Ironson (Ben Shenkman) and real-life lawyer Roy Cohn (Al Pacino).

27. Munich (2005)

Universal Studios

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Munich is the film that the Jewish characters in Knocked Up (which is, you know, most of them) celebrate as a movie where the Jews kick ass. It’s a little more complicated than that — and indeed Munich’s apparent politics caused some controversy when it was released. Regardless, it’s a compelling drama.

28. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

The Weinstein Company

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
OK, so it’s not historically accurate, but if you’re looking for a Jewish revenge story, it doesn’t get much better than Inglourious Basterds. The badass Jews who form the titular gang kick ass and take names (also scalps). Plus, Hitler gets his in a way that’s much more satisfying than what actually happened.

29. A Serious Man (2009)

Focus Features

Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen
There are few film moments that better capture the inherent neuroticism of Jewish identity as the Bar Mitzvah scene in A Serious Man, which has young Danny (Aaron Wolff) struggling to read the Torah while stoned. The film, as a whole, is the Coen brothers’ most direct commentary on Jewish identity, and it’s one of their best overall.

30. Holy Rollers (2010)

First Independent Pictures

Directed by: Kevin Asch
Holy Rollers is a very strange movie, stranger still when you realize it’s based on a true story. Yes, Hasidic Jews were once used as drug smugglers in the late ’90s. As Orthodox Jewish drug mule Sam Gold, Jesse Eisenberg brings his considerable skill and nuance to a complicated role.

The Most Fab And Drab Celebrity Outfits Of The Week

2013-12-21T11:13:00.005-08:00

The Most Fab And Drab Celebrity Outfits Of The Week

5. Katy Perry At The 15th NRJ Music Awards In Cannes, France
With 545 “FAB” votes.

Pascal Le Segretain/Staff / buzzfeed.com

4. Laura Prepon At The AmfAR The Foundation For AIDS Gala In Hollywood

With 619 “FAB” votes.

Parisa/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES / buzzfeed.com

3. Adriana Lima Launches “Victoria Secret Fantasy Bra” In Dubai

With 697 “FAB” votes.

Francois Nel/Staff / buzzfeed.com

2. Alessandra Ambrosio At The AmfAR The Foundation For AIDS Gala In Hollywood

With 730 “FAB” votes.

Parisa/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES / buzzfeed.com

1. Amy Poehler At The Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Premiere In New York City

With 770 “FAB” votes.

Cindy Ord/Stringer / buzzfeed.com

5. Kelly Osbourne At The AmfAR The Foundation For AIDS Gala In Hollywood

With 507 “DRAB” votes.

Parisa/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES / buzzfeed.com

4. Uma Thurman At The 11th Annual Benefit Auction To Preserve Tibetan Culture In NYC

With 628 “DRAB” votes.

GG/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES / buzzfeed.com

3. Abigail Breslin At The “August: Osage County” Premiere In L.A.

With 645 “DRAB” votes.

Juan Rico/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES / buzzfeed.com

2. Lindsay Lohan At The Z100’s Jingle Ball 2013 In New York City

With 804 “DRAB” votes.

Diane Cohen/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES / buzzfeed.com

1. Kristen Wiig At The Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Premiere In New York City

With 851 “DRAB” votes.

Cindy Ord/Stringer / buzzfeed.com

21 Reasons Everyone Should Be Studying Finnish Street Style

2013-10-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

21 Reasons Everyone Should Be Studying Finnish Street Style

Inspiration overload. All images courtesy of Helsinki-based blog Hel Looks.

1. Iiris, 27

hel-looks.com

“This sweater makes me happy. It’s half Liberace, half Henrik VIII.” That’s a sweater?! Good god that’s amazing.

2. Heini-Maria, 22

hel-looks.com

Nothing to see here, it’s just a KIMONO WITH BIRKENSTOCKS. *faints* *moves to Helsinki*

3. Tim, 24

hel-looks.com

Tim sums up his style pretty well: “Because I’m a grandmother in heart, I decided to wear floral patterns and mix them with see-through shirts. I guess you could describe my style a mix of tomboy and crazy catlady.” Honestly, those pants, though. BOLD.

4. Elina, 31

hel-looks.com

Pretty inspired mixture of fabrics, colors, and patterns. There are a lot of creeper-esque shoes happening in Helsinki.

5. Tiina, 19

hel-looks.com

Actual quote: “I found these trousers at the recycling center and wanted to wear them tonight.” VISIONARY.

6. Oiva, 6, Teemu, 36

hel-looks.com

Honestly don’t even know where to start here.

7. Ama, 20

hel-looks.com

There is nothing that is not perfect and amazing about this. That jacket was 3 euros! Dammit, Finland.

8. Uula, 28

hel-looks.com

“I like to wear practical and long-lasting clothes in which I can walk straight from the forest to a restaurant.” Of course you do. You are wearing the best vest I’ve ever seen and you are amazing.

9. Lauraliisa, 34

hel-looks.com

First of all: cool name. Second of all: You are a delightful cartoon character.

10. Iida, 24

hel-looks.com

More color, fabric, and pattern madness. Bonus roses! Best accessory.

11. Silja, 23

hel-looks.com

Are you human, or are you Benetton?

12. Antton, 24

hel-looks.com

Wisdom from Antton: “I chose this outfit because I wanted to show up. Happiness is stylish. My style tip: wear a hat.” Perfection.

13. Emma, 22

hel-looks.com

Emma made that jacket herself. NO BIG DEAL. (Except yes, big deal.)

14. James, 24

hel-looks.com

Fact based on thorough research: Finland has the best sweaters.

15. Helene, 27

hel-looks.com

“I usually buy all my clothes at 1 euro days at Humana second hand store in Tallinn. I make and modify clothes myself. I like 80s Madonna and Boy George.”

Length, color, cut of that jacket… fantastic. Also: cool attitude.

16. Aaro, 20

hel-looks.com

First thing Aaro has to say about his look is, “This is my standard outfit.” The thing is, I believe him.

17. Katja, 21

hel-looks.com

“My husband gave me the jacket as a gift. I like it because it reminds me of Andy Warhol. The skirt is second hand.”

“MY HUSBAND GAVE ME THE JACKET AS A GIFT.” Helsinki husbands: so damn advanced.

18. Jalmari, 21

hel-looks.com

Somehow this is both casual and comfortable-seeming, but also, like, CRISP. Fisherman’s sweater turtleneck too — nice touch, guy.

19. Tia, 26

hel-looks.com

The contrasts are so good. Self-dyed muff + pearls. Long, elegant jacket + secondhand Docs. Just a little weird, but super fun.

20. Niia, 21

hel-looks.com

“Vice.com inspires me.” Bless you, Niia.

21. Hanna, 50

hel-looks.com

“I’m wearing my daughter’s hat, a 10 year old poncho, self-made gloves and socks and shoes I bought about 15 years ago in Salo… I think I don’t need to buy new clothes anymore. I have everything I need for the rest of my life.”

*nods vigorously*

19 Awesome Eye Makeup Ideas For Asians

2013-10-05T03:04:00.000-07:00

19 Awesome Eye Makeup Ideas For Asians

The monolid is your playground.

1. Add a little black eyeliner in the crease, and in the inner corner.

reddit.com

And remember to BLEND! This look is created with green eyeshadow on the lid, and brown eyeshadow halfway up to the browbone, and then blended to create a softer, more natural eye.

2. Double your eyeliner.

bloggang.com

en.stylenanda.com

Line your eyes with black eyeliner, and then top it with a thin strip of brightly colored eyeliner.

3. For a party-ready smoky eye, dab some glittery gold eyeshadow into the inner corners.

thebeautydepartment.com

4. Add a tiny flick of hot pink at the corners.

pinterest.com

5. For long-lasting application on oily eyelids, apply a cream eyeshadow base underneath a gel eyeliner.

bellasugar.com.au

6. Forgo eyeshadow and instead, cross-hatch gel liner onto lids and blend for long-lasting, budge-proof coverage.

cinnamongal.com

7. Add a little bit of ice blue shadow underneath the eye.

bloggang.com

8. Apply black eyeshadow in a “whale” shape to create this winged smoky eye look.

duitang.com

If your eyelids tend to hood a bit at the outer corners, this eyeliner shape is more flattering than a linear cat eye.

9. Monolids can take advantage of this simple vertical gradient eyeshadow look.

bunbunmakeuptips.com

If you’ve been following ye olde western makeup tutorials all your life, you might be familiar with the traditional “dark shadow in the outer corners” trick, which was always hard to get right without a lot of lid surface area. Instead, try using eyeshadow to make a gradient, with the darkest color closest to the lash line.

10. A really bright white eyeliner along the bottom waterline can look totally FUTURE.

pinterest.com

Forget rimming the bottom waterline lightly with white eyeliner to make your eyes look bigger. Make it bright and obvious, like it was really meant to be there.

11. Layer bright blue and silver eyeshadow over black cream shadow for a dramatic look with depth.

labmuffin.com

Get more instructions here.

12. If you love to play with color, use different colored eyeliners on top and bottom.

blog.naver.com

13. For a dramatic winged look, draw an outline, then fill it in.

pinterest.com

14. Orange eyeshadow can look amazing when blended with a dark color on the outer corners.

pinterest.com

15. Instead of adding a pop of color on the lids, add a little mint to the inner corner.

blog.birchbox.com

16. Create a more subtle winged effect by outlining the wing with liner and then blending.

duitang.com

17. When lining the bottom waterline, only bring the eyeliner three-fifths of the way back to the inner rim. It’ll open up the eye.

pinterest.com

18. For a sleeker, more upturned effect, do the opposite and only line the bottom inner corner with black eyeliner.

pinterest.com

19. As you can see, the way you apply eyeliner can really change the shape of your eyes.

pinterest.com

And for a couple of interesting reads on Asian eye makeup…

bunbunmakeuptips.com

Read Eye Makeup Tips for 14 Different Types of Asian Eyes, as well as Defining the Contour Area by Bun Bun Makeup Tips.

16 Moments From David Beckham’s New Underwear Ad Shoot That Will Cause Excess Sweating And Fatigue

2013-10-05T02:59:00.000-07:00

16 Moments From David Beckham’s New Underwear Ad Shoot That Will Cause Excess Sweating And Fatigue

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

When he played peek-a-boo with the camera and made us yearn for his presence:

Fameflynet Pictures

When he adjusted the inseam of his briefs:

Fameflynet Pictures

When he ran in mid-air with those weird toe-shoes on.

Fameflynet Pictures

When he began the process of taking his shirt off…

Fameflynet Pictures

And it was going really well.

Fameflynet Pictures

Then he was having difficulty with getting his arms out but it was OK.

Fameflynet Pictures

WE KNEW HE COULD DO IT.

Fameflynet Pictures

HE DID IT HOORAH.

Fameflynet Pictures

HIS SHIRT WAS OFF.

At this moment everything on the set got 17X better.

Fameflynet Pictures

The other guys thought long and hard about their life.

Fameflynet Pictures

And this one man couldn’t believe his eyes.

Then he began to swing high in the air with only his undies on.

Fameflynet Pictures

And his butt was swinging too.

Fameflynet Pictures

And things were great and all was good.

Fameflynet Pictures

The End.

17 Bizarre Foods Every Russian Grew Up With

2013-10-05T02:46:00.000-07:00

17 Bizarre Foods Every Russian Grew Up With

(Besides borscht).

1. Blini with caviar and sour cream

Via foodforfel.com

Cruel prank idea: Tell your American friend it’s whipped cream and jam and watch them experience the most intense sensory bafflement of their lives. Recipe here.

2. Herring Under Fur Coat

Via dishbase.com

Imagine a cake layered with salted herring, cooked vegetables, and a coat of grated beets and mayo. It sounds gross but it’ll grow on you, just like an actual fuchsia fur coat might. Recipe here.

3. Doktorskaya Bologna

Via whitemediadev.com

It’s the spongy lovechild of bologna and sausage, and every Russian-American kid who brings this in a sandwich for lunch is gonna get asked a lot of questions.

4. Olivye salad

Via everydayrussian.com

It’ll probably freak non-Russians out a little, but really, it’s just potato salad if it was jacked up on more veggies, mayo, and the aforementioned bologna. Looks foul, tastes incredible. Recipe here.

5. Pickled EVERYTHING

englishrussia.com

Pickled mushrooms, pickled tomatoes, pickled cabbage. All of this gets significantly tastier once you’re old enough to use it as a vodka chaser.

6. Kholodets

nasha-karta.ua

katik-romanova.ru

facebook.com

MEAT JELLO. The concept never feels completely normal, but it’s delish and fun to play around with! And look at all the shapes you can make! Recipe here.

7. Salo

Via russianzine.com

It’s raw pig fat, and the more of it you have, the better!

8. Kvas

Via 04varvara.wordpress.com

This rye-honey-berry concoction comes in the most badass bottles. And it’s slightly alcoholic! ;)

9. Herring, mayo and pickle sandwich

Via englishrussia.com

Basically, all the ingredients that complement vodka, plus mayo because WHY NOT. (Also popular in the Netherlands, sans the hard liquor component.)

10. Okroshka

Via guyssquared.com

It’s cold kefir with cucumbers, bologna, and dill — it’s like all the ingredients rejected from soup in the past got together and decided to puzzle us all. Recipe here.

11. Solyanka

Via foodperestroika.com

Every type of meat + every type of sour thing = soup? We’ll roll with it. Recipe here.

12. Kissel

Via famouswonders.com

“Fruit soup” made from fruit juice and starch and commonly served as a dessert. In case you weren’t sure yet, soup is kind of a big deal. Recipe here.

13. Kishka

Via ifood.tv

Chicken skin/an intestine stuffed with more meat and covered in gravy. In Russia, no meat is left uneaten. Recipe here.

14. Kompot

Via thekitchn.com

This one’s basically Eastern Europe’s version of fruit punch, except that it’s made by boiling fruits in water, which just seems like a more complicated way of going about the whole thing, but is totally worth it. Recipe here.

15. Vinaigrette

Via gorussia.about.com

(Not to be confused with salad dressing.) Beets, potatoes, pickles, and pickled cabbage are the vegetables used most frequently in Russian cuisine, so it’s no real surprise that they have a super healthy dish of their own. Recipe here.

16. Varenyky

Via dishesanddesigns.com

You can fill them with anything, but fruit is common. Fruit dumpling! Recipe here.

17. And then there’s this:

Via englishrussia.com

Canned Atlantic herring is a staple of Russian cuisine and is not supposed to look like this. Ever.

NOPE.

Sojuzmultfilm / Via scrawnycartoons.blogspot.com

Even Vinni-Puh rejects this.

The 23 Worst Parts Of Studying Abroad In Europe

2013-10-05T02:44:00.000-07:00

The 23 Worst Parts Of Studying Abroad In Europe

Studying abroad isn’t all fun and games.If you can survive a semester in Europe, you can survive anything.

1. Filling out the paperwork beforehand

Via 4shared.com

So. Many. Forms.

2. Trying to understand foreign languages

Via imgur.com

It doesn’t make any sense!

3. Packing

Via remotecontrol.mtv.com

50 lb. weight limit? HA!

4. Hang-drying your clothes

Via gifs.gifbin.com

What is this, Colonial Williamsburg?

5. Figuring out a phone plan

Via killthehydra.com

6. Good luck watching your favorite TV shows

Via glee.wikia.com

The struggle is real.

7. Having to pay to use the bathroom

Via mashable.com

But you have to go SO bad.

8. Men cat-calling you on the street

Via thats-normal.com

9. The bread on the table: NOT FREE

Via replygif.net

But you eat it anyway.

10. Flying on budget airlines

Via sarahadowney.com

Do these planes even fly?

11. Trying to figure out the metro system

Via degrassi.wikia.com

12. As an American, you stick out like a sore thumb

Via vulture.com

You’re not in Kansas anymore.

13. The exchange rate sucks

Via smg.photobucket.com

Your wallet is going to HATE you.

14. Trying to care about the “study” part

Via mrwgifs.com

Classes? What classes?

15. No peanut butter

Via businessinsider.com

Sometimes Nutella just isn’t going to cut it.

16. Sightseeing while hungover

Via glee.wikia.com

The worst.

17. Realizing what a bidet is

Via gifrific.com

18. Trying to run errands during siesta

Via thefrisky.com

Not gonna happen.

19. Walking on cobblestone

Via remotecontrol.mtv.com

Have a nice trip, see you next fall!

20. Travelling is exhausting

Via perezhilton.com

21. When public transportation workers go on strike

Via glee.wikia.com

22. Walking through tourist groups

Via wifflegif.com

23. Realizing despite all this, you’re going to miss it when you’re done.

Via gif-central.blogspot.com

Best. Semester. EVER.

21 Signs You’re French At Heart

2013-10-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

21 Signs You’re French At Heart

Whether you’ve lived there, studied there, or recently watched the Family Guy episode where Lois goes to Paris. Let’s face it, we all want to be Français.