- Words Maria Mukaranda
Whether you're braving the cold with a cup of mulled wine or wrapped up under a blanket, here's everything you need to see in December.
Staying In
Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song, by Judith Tick
In the forthcoming biography, Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song, music historian Judith Tick casts a light on the jazz legend. Leveraging a trove of recently digitised newspapers and intimate family materials, Judith’s biography unveils Lady Ella as a daring risk-taker and a socially conscious force, dispelling the lingering shadows that have cloaked her legacy since her passing. In this hauntingly vivid narrative, the writer’s exploration of Ella’s life transcends mere biography, painting a portrait of an artist whose legacy continues to live on.
Scheduled for release on December 5, 2023
May December
Todd Haynes’s May December is a drama film inspired by the Mary Kay Letourneau story. The emotionally charged narrative follows a woman in the public eye. It traces Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman), an actress delving into the life of Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), entangled in a controversial relationship with her husband Joe Yoo (Charles Melton). With its grand scope, two Oscar-winning stars, and Todd’s reputation for sumptuous melodramas, May December emerges as one of the most anticipated holiday-season releases.
May December will be available to watch on Netflix from December 1, 2023
Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas Netflix Games release
Netflix Games is set to roll out Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas from the iconic Grand Theft Auto series on mobile devices this month. This gaming bonanza precedes the highly awaited Grand Theft Auto VI, marking the series’ first major launch in a decade. In a strategic move, Rockstar Games has announced the imminent release of the first trailer for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto, strengthening anticipation as we head into early December.
GTA: The Trilogy will be available to download from December 18, 2023.
An Audience with Kylie
Kylie Minogue is poised to take centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall for an uber-anticipated An Audience With episode, airing exclusively on ITV 1 & ITVX. The global icon will perform hits, tease her awaited album Tension, and field questions from a star-studded audience, spanning decades of musical success and over 80 million album sales worldwide. From ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ to ‘Padam Padam,’ Kylie is poised for an unforgettable night, even more so than her iconic An Audience With duet with Kermit the Frog, which aired over two decades ago. Get ready for star power and surprises!
An Audience with Kylie will air on December 1, 2023.
Going Out
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s self-made film opus, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, offers a focused lens into the performer’s artistic prowess. Merging concert allure from the iconic Renaissance World Tour with intimate backstage insights, the documentary stands as a testament to, not just her directorial finesse, but the all-important relationship between performer and audience – and her globally-acknowledged cultural impact.
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé will hit cinemas on December 1, 2023
Muphoria opens its doors in the heart of Soho
Muphoria, London’s inaugural permanent music art gallery on Berwick Street in Soho, unveils a visual curation celebrating an array of iconic artists including Oasis, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, and The Ramones. This groundbreaking space not only marks London’s first-ever permanent gallery intertwining musical instruments and fine art but also promises a showcase of global emerging and established artists’ work in music-themed fine art and photography. It’s a harmonious blend for art and music enthusiasts alike.
Muphoria opens its doos in the heart of Soho on December 1, 2023
Wonka
The wait is over. Wonka excitement grew exponentially this month following London’s premiere of the new film, unravelling the tale of a young Willy Wonka. On November 28, the capital saw its first screening of this chocolate maker-themed movie, turning central London into a cinematic spectacle on the Southbank. The star-studded cast, alongside many eager fans and spectators, converged along the Thames to celebrate the much-anticipated debut – and now, following in the wake of the film’s buzz, Chalamet is set to grace screens in the UK early December in yet another iteration of a perennial classic.
Wonka will hit cinemas on December 8, 2023.