Film: Last Resort
I found Last Resort to be an unexpected and understated modern British gem.

Bleak documentary-style camera work and grey urban backdrops of the concrete hell that is ‘The Resort’, lead the viewer to expect a similarly bleak storyline and conclusion. The mocking irony of 'holding' bereft refugees in what is a seaside pleasure beach - all be it a decayed shell of its former self - cannot be ignored. (Its rougher than Porty!)

However, despite the main characters - a refugee mother and son – undergoing depressing experiences, this is surprisingly a touching and somewhat uplifting wee film. An uncomplicated and innocent love affair that develops between the mother and the local hard-bitten arcade owner proves that love can grow even where there is no light. On one level the film is a simple human micro-story and yet on another, it is a stark commentary on the ludicrous British asylum bureaucracy that can actually 'trap' people in this country and render them helpless.

The film certainly raises the question of just who would want to put themselves through such a de-humanising process, if at all, they had any other choices? The story inherently acknowledges that far from all asylum seekers are in genuine fear for their lives. However, it also recognises - through the actions of its main characters – the aspirations and dignity of some refugees who would certainly not choose to idly subsist on state handouts.

Whatever, your political viewpoint on the asylum question, this film is worth a watch, depicting a more rational view of an issue that the press has often depicted as a modern-day bogeyman.

Special Guest: Marley Cat

Marley Likes: Jan & John Campbell, occasional fighting with other cats, eating, sleeping and purring. He is affectionately known as the purr factory. Marley is a man cat and he seems to prefer man hugs more than womanly cuddles. He is also very pliable and allows my brother (John) to bend him into almost any shape. As you can see from the pics, Marley also really likes to work the camera!
Marley dislikes: Tara (my Mum's dog) being mean, Vicky 'the abandoner' and being sprayed with water.

Background: Marley was rescued as a very young kitten from a house-fire in Dunfermline by my sister. When she could not look after him, Marley came to my Mum (Jan) and he continued to have black soot coming out his wee nose for some time. Coming from Dunfermline, he is technically a Fifer, but we do not hold that against him. The early separation from his mother has, however, meant that Marley missed out on some basic cat grooming skills - I won't go into that.
Famous exploits: Marley recently broke into and ate an entire bag of novelty chocolate coins, biting the metallic wrappers off each coin.
Political Outlook: Like many cats, Marley feels disconnected with the current political system. However, were he to vote, I suspect he would have a sort of Dutch liberal attitude.
Worst moment: Having his temperature taken at the vets and not at the front end! (My brother believes that he and Marley really bonded over this experience).
Trivia: Marley occasionally uses his indoor, state-of-the art covered cat-litter, which has a roof and a cat-flap door. This household amenity is known within my family as Marley's Pooping Palace. He also enjoys 'sunbathing' under his favourate lamp on the dresser.