Todd Solondz is a film-maker who’s built his entire career on a divine ability to severely divide audiences – and really anger his dissenters. Happiness, his most memorably divisive film, was a dark comedy that mined uncomfortable laughs from a storyline largely centred on the activities of a paedophile. It was so controversial in fact, that the Sundance film festival, known for screening edgy fare, flat out refused to show it in 1998 due to its illicit content.
No child molesters creep into Solondz’s eighth feature, Wiener-Dog, but his latest proves the film-maker, at 56 years old, has lost none of his bite. However, the plot description would lead you to believe otherwise.
Sundance’s official summary of the film reads: “Wiener-Dog tells several stories featuring people who find their life inspired or changed by one particular dachshund, who seems to be spreading a certain kind of comfort and joy.” Indeed, that “one particular dachshund” features prominently in each of the four mostly unrelated vignettes that make up the film, although Solondz leaves it unclear how the canine lands with each of its strange owners. But Wiener-Dog doesn’t find Solondz going light to deliver an inspirational medley. Instead, he’s created arguably his most caustic film since Happiness. The cast including Trendengel favorites Greta Gerwig, Zosia Mamet, Danny De Vito and Julie Delpy do the rest.
One of the highlights of this years great escape in Brighton was the show of Blaenavon. Premiering tracks from an incoming debut album, Blaenavon prove there’s far more to them than tender ages and fresh-out-the-printer A-Level certificates. ‘Hell Is My Head’ from last year’s ‘Miss World’ EP was the first hint at their gothier side, and ‘Orthodox Man’ from that aforementioned full length proves they’ve done well to succumb to the smoke. “
Seattle startup 
Right now, the company offers three individual lenses – Wide, Tele, and Macro – each of which attach to a “DSLR-like” case that turns your iPhone into a far more versatile camera setup.
Since its opening a year ago, SILO has operated a strict zero-waste model – including a package free supply chain, up-cycled furniture, locally sourced/foraged ingredients and a ‘nose to tail’ policy on meat. Modelled on pre-industrial food systems, the restaurant was founded on principles of a ‘respectful’ food culture – respecting the environment through a wholesome approach to food production as well as nutrition. SILO maintains total commitment to whole foods; milling ancient varieties of wheat for its in-house bakery, churning its own butter, and brewing its own botanical wine.
And no – the restaurant isn’t in London, New York or Pars but in the beautiful seaside town of Brighton. As 4-course meal won’t set you back much more than 30£ and is worth every cent. They have one of the most thoughtful vegetarian menus on the planet and if it comes to meat they are pretty damn good too. Why not combine a trip to Silo with a visit to the Fringe Festival, the Brighton Festival or The Great Escape? Just as thought…
The divine and unusual comedian 
Food concepts made in Switzerland with an international appeal are rare. But when TrendEngel discovered Rice Up! in the train station of Bern of all places it was obvious that they are on to something. The line was long and the people couldn’t wait to mix and match their rice bowl wit curry sauce, vegetables and all kind of tasty ingredients.
It takes 30 seconds to mix your favorite dish and the prices are exceptionally low (for Swiss standards). Created by Zurich gastro moguls Two Spice this concept could go global. oh- and yes guys: We know you copied the concept shamelessly from 
They began at a time when podcasts barely existed and they invented this podcast and themselves. It’s evolved over time (15+ years!) as the hosts themselves also have evolved. 