The latest issue of LWLies is particularly close to my heart – or, more accurately, my right thigh. After seeing Julia Ducournau’s incendiary, Palme d’Or-winning Titane at the Cannes Film Festival back in May, I returned to London waxing lyrical about it, and pretty soon my colleagues David and Adam were in agreement – we should make it the cover film for our November/December issue.
Smash cut to a month later: I’m sitting on a clingfilm-covered bed in a London tattoo studio, wearing my Fast & Furious-branded pyjama shorts and feeling suitably self-conscious as my friend Sophie tattoos my leg with one of her bespoke designs for our Titane cover. All the while, the cameras are rolling to capture the event for posterity.
In the spirit of the film, we knew we wanted to do something bold for this issue, tied into the themes of transformation and body modification that Titane whole-heartedly embraces, and when David came up with the idea of a tattoo cover, I volunteered. I already had ten tattoos at the time, so it wasn’t something new for me – though this is the first time quite so many people will have seen quite so much of me, which is vaguely terrifying. Even so, I’m proud to have some part of this glorious film become a part of me.
Beyond this being the first issue of LWLies to involve inking human flesh, I’m also moved by how our team of writers and illustrators rose to the challenge and produced an issue that reaches beyond the salacious headlines to get to the metal heart of this extraordinary and unique film. It’s an exploration of cinema and self, from our family to yours. Buckle your seatbelt – it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
In this issue
The Titane Review
Sam Bodrojan wrestles with Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winner in our feature review.
Sacred Hearts
Anna Bogutskaya and Hannah Strong speak to Julia Ducournau and her muse, Agathe Rousselle, about religion, gender and why Titane is actually a spiritual love story.
L’Homme Du Café
Sophie Monks Kaufman meets French acting titan Vincent Lindon, who extolls the virtues of people watching.
The Gore Gore Girls
SFX and gore make-up is traditionally a man’s world; Marina Ashioti meets five women who are challenging that perception.
Flesh and Metal
Kambole Campbell delves into the weird and wonderful world of cinematic metal fetish, exploring Japanese cinema’s enduring fascination with biomechanics, mecha and modification.
Only Human
David Jenkins attempts to track down Marina de Van, the elusive director of shocking cult horror In My Skin.
Threads #20
Christina Newland investigates the cinematic history of a deadly accessory: the humble hairpin.
Pack your stillsuits, we’re going to Arrakis for our special 90th edition dedicated to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune.
In celebration of Kelly Reichardt, one of America’s greatest working filmmakers, and her extraordinary new film.
Brighten up your year with our illustrated celebration of Lee Isaac Chung’s charming immigrant fable.
Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.
