To end the year, we salute some of the brilliant articles that have graced Trespass in 2010. Of course, there are so many more we would like to include but for obvious reasons, we’ve had to keep it tight. In truth, aside from wanting to revisit some of the great reads we’ve had so far, this is also our way to say thank you to all our contributors for their stellar hard work and their wordsmith flair. So, in no particular order, here it is – enjoy!
Most Viewed Articles of 2010
1. 20 Young Actors/Actresses Under 30
The amazing film crew gathered up a comprehensive list of rising stars in film; amongst the actors/actresses that made it on the list are Elle Fanning, younger sister of the freakishly talented Dakota Fanning, The Reader‘s David Kross, and Shareeka Epps, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Half Nelson.
This particular article by Grace Edwards has topped the Trespass article charts for two years now, and for good reason too! The Body of Ballet provides an insightful and personal look into the ballet industry and its obsession with the ‘ideal physique’. The exploration uncovers how so many dancers around the world are turned away from elite dance schools simply because they possess the ‘wrong’ body type.
3. Alcohol – Nectar of the Gods
Though former columnist Brad Hills hung up his widely popular, That’s Hollywood Baby! column earlier this year, his article, Alcohol – Nectar of the Gods still cracks people up and ranks third on the popularity list. This piece explores the stupidity and peculiarities of drunken behaviour with much comedic effect, and carries with it that distinct Brad Hills humour with punchline included throughout the article.
Most Commented Articles of 2010
Any user of the Internet will know that there exists in cyberspace a humungous flock of agro-users that have no qualms dropping bombs of nasty comments, before running along to hide behind the safe haven of their computer screens and pseudonyms – a particular favourite under the latter category being the ubiquitous, ‘A Male Perspective’. Aside from those individuals, the comment zone is a great platform for intellectual and interesting debates, let alone a great space for readers to give writers the thumbs-up (or thumbs-down). At the end of the day, the most important thing to bear in mind is: Do not feed the trolls. Ever.
1. What is the funniest film ever made?
At Trespass, we love our collaborative articles – it’s a great way to gain insight into the things our writers love and hate, as well as provide a unique method for recommending new things. In this particular list, featured in Comedy Week, we asked a bunch of our writers what they thought were the funniest films ever made. Let’s just say there’s certainly a diverse mix of sense of humours at Trespass, but be warned, there are a few so-bad-it’s-funny films on the list as well – not to point fingers or anything, but a certain teenage vampire film falls under that category.
In this controversial piece – with the comments to back that adjective up – Zoya Patel explores feminism and what it means to be a feminist. In this well-written article, we hear opposing definitions of what people think feminism is – a question that will most likely be open for debate for a long time to come.
3. The Dilemma of Eating Animals
Where does our meat come from? How much do we know about where our food comes from? Have you watched Food Inc. yet? OK, the latter question isn’t raised in this piece, but it sure is relevant. In this insightful article, Antonia Hayes uncovers the truth behind the factory farming industry and provides us with some solutions as to how we can fight against animal cruelty. The Dilemma of Eating Animals is a comprehensive and well-researched piece on the morality of eating meat, and was also a highly regarded piece during Trespass’ Green theme Week.
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And now, we hear from our editors as they share some of their favourite articles of this year.
Liv Hambrett
1. Valerie Wagnet: The Un-Getting of Wisdom
I have loved seeing what Valerie has come up with this year – every column has been interesting and highly topical. I picked this one because I strongly believe our education system is lacking when it comes to teaching young Australians how to think - and Valerie summed it up beautifully.
2. Guest Photo Album, Santorini
This album shows my beloved island in all its myriad colours. From the dusty donkeys, to the brilliant Aegean, photographer Pierre Olivier has captured the sense of nostalgia that seems to dominate the island, beautifully.
3. What Does it Mean to be a Woman
A mother, an interpeter, to possess a tender strength and an ability to defy expectations – some of the magazine’s female writers all put in their two cents on what it means to them to be a woman and it made for smart, heart warming reading.
Lin Tan
Instead of victimising nature for our Green Theme Week, Beth Wilson gave us an entertaining list of Top 10 films in which nature fights back against humankind. In movies, when it comes to the natural world, we humans tend to feel a false sense of hubris whether it’s our refusal to acknowledge a volcano on edge (Dante’s Peak), the potential danger of creating a dinosaur farm (read: Jurassic Park), or signs that state ‘do not feed the birds (meat)’ – see: The Birds.
2. Invictus & District 9: A South African’s Perspective
There are many films out there based on a country’s history, yet it’s not often the case you get to hear back from a local’s perspective on the film itself. In this insightful article, our South African-based contributor Nikita Ramkissoon tells us what she thought of District 9 and Invictus, both of which brought South Africa’s culture and past into the Hollywood spotlight.
It’s always so satisfying to learn something new and interesting, which is why Trespass’ brilliant columnist Valerie Wangnet’s article, Resurrecting Lolita is one of my favourites. Well-written, clever and vastly fascinating, the article undercovers details behind the ‘Lolita Complex’ and its place in both Japanese and Western cultures.
Two-counts of cheating is occurring here – firstly, this isn’t quite a written piece or a photo album and secondly, I’ve gone over my 3-choice limit. However, the cottage pie cook-off – a challenge between Liv Hambrett and myself – was an incredibly fun process, and just so you know, no winner has yet to be announced…
Beth Wilson
For our women’s theme week this year, the film crew listed their top three women working behind the camera, highlighting the careers of some of the most exciting directors, cinematographers, editors and costume designers in the business. The point of the list wasn’t to celebrate women for women’s sake, but to focus on some of the best craftspeople in the industry, whose roles behind the camera means they aren’t always recognised for the impressive work they do.
2. Trespassing with… La Carmina
I love a good Trespassing With, and La Carmina’s great sense of humour and individual style resulted in some of the best answers this year.
3. Glenn’s Monthly Movie Poster Analysis
In the first in what has been a monthly column (the clue’s in the title), Glenn introduced us to his signature film poster analysis. With floating heads and bad photoshopping his pet peeves, Glenn’s eye for a good design had caused me to pay far more attention to the artwork of movie posters.
Aw thanks Beth!
Amazing articles, all of ‘em!
Aw big hugs guys! What a pleasure it was writing for Trespass – and what a pleasure it is to continue reading it