Habemus Papam (2011) is an Italian-language dramedy that follows the fictional cardinal Melville, who is elected by the college of cardinals but does not particularly want to be pope. Photo: 01 Distribution

Habemus Papam (2011) is an Italian-language dramedy that follows the fictional cardinal Melville, who is elected by the college of cardinals but does not particularly want to be pope. Photo: 01 Distribution

Between Swedish psych-funk music and a documentary about the dark side of Fifa, Delano’s staff has selected ten things to watch, read, listen to or eat from the comfort of your house. 

Current reads

If you’re into gallows humour and want to know more about the death industry, I’d recommend reading Caitlin Doughty’s Pleading for a healthier attitude to the dead and dying, Doughty in this 2015 novel shares her experiences as a mortician. TH 

Digital highlights

Over a long weekend in Paris this month, I finally made it to the Atelier des Lumières, where we were immersed in the paintings of Paul Cézanne and Wassily Kandinsky. A magical experience--which can be “extended” through . The app includes images of the  paintings used in each exhibit, plus there’s a carefully curated playlist for each exhibition. NG 

Listen to this

Oh Death, the latest release from Swedish pysch-funk collective Goat, is a fantastically unsettling album. It features plenty of bouncy rhythms, afro-beat, tribal drums and glam rock guitars all topped by lyrics that veer between the absurd and the down-right disturbing. DR

Weyes Blood returns with her entrancingly soaring new album And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow. Lush orchestration and beautiful vocals give Natalie Mering’s gorgeous pop songs a timeless feel, but the album is definitely contemporary in outlook as she tackles climate change and the impact of technology on our lives and loves. Magnificent. DR

Essential viewing

The Inside Man is the show to pick up if you like sitting on the edge of your seat, but also don’t like long series. The show features Stanley Tucci, a former criminology professor on death row in the US for killing his wife, and, in a seemingly unrelated narrative, David Tennant in the role of an English vicar ready to do anything to protect his family. We picked this show to watch because it only had four episodes--that we intended to watch over a few days--but the tension and thrill of it led to a full-blown binge. Expect blow after blow and twist after twist! TH 

(2022) is a delightful, heartwarming film that focuses on the friendship between a singing, scarf-wearing crocodile and an anxious boy who recently moved to New York City. Every member of the family gets transformed by the presence of their unusual houseguest. I cried, I laughed, I hummed along while Shawn Mendes sang. I do have to admit that I pined for the poor chocolate-covered cherries that got tossed in the bin and will never look at dumpster diving in the same way. A lovely remake of a story from my childhood. LL

Based on Erich Maria Remarque’s homonymous novel, All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen nichts Neues) follows a young German soldier on the Western front during World War I. Depicting the moments of absolute horror and deep connections between comrades of misfortune, as political figures and diplomats struggle to come to an agreement, the story is a hard one to stomach. The acting, cinematography and attention to detail, however, keep your attention on the screen. The film premiered on Netflix at the end of October. TH 

(2011) is an Italian-language dramedy that follows the fictional cardinal Melville, who is elected by the college of cardinals but does not particularly want to be pope. He experiences a panic attack and refuses to appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s, thus trapping the cardinals in the Vatican. Desperate, the pope’s spokesman reaches out to a psychoanalyst (and the psychoanalyst’s ex-wife) to see if they can help the reluctant new pope overcome his depression. A thought-provoking film that provides a different perspective into one of the world’s most public offices. (Side note: the scene where the cardinals play volleyball in the Vatican is a gem.) LL

FIFA Uncovered: The four-part Netflix documentary series delves into some shocking revelations of corruption and racketeering that have plagued the global organisation for decades. A must-see for both amateurs and die-hard fans looking to understand the vicious politics of the game. AO

For foodies

On my never-ending search for a good bowl of ramen, I stumbled upon near the Place de Metz. They make a delicious curry version--the perfect lunch for a cold day. Their sushi is also excellent, and the service is fast and friendly. NG