Every week, an Observer critic recommends the best things to see, do and watch this weekend. This week: Wendy Ide on a queer post-punk band and a series about a great American film-maker.
50 minutes
Time by Luxmuralis at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, SE10
Saturday 22 November is the final night of Luxmuralis’ latest touring light installation at Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College. With this immersive event, son-et-lumière specialists Luxmuralis (a collaboration between sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper) explore the concept of time, and humanity’s relationship with it. Expect to traverse wormholes, explore the inner workings of clocks and travel back to the very beginning of the universe. Tickets available at ornc.org.
1 hour
Mr. Scorsese on Apple TV+
The first episode of Rebecca Miller's enthralling deep dive into the life and works of Martin Scorsese focuses on his early years, weaving his childhood experiences – asthma, the mob wiseguys of his Lower East Side neighbourhood and, of course, vast amounts of movie-viewing – into his vision as a filmmaker. Perhaps put aside an extra four hours in case you end up bingeing the whole series at once. Read our interview with Rebecca Miller.
An afternoon
Lee Miller, Tate Britain
A fashion model and surrealist muse in front of the camera, a fine art photographer and war reporter, Lee Miller had a career that was as wide-ranging as it was ground-breaking. Comprehensive and extensive, this exhibition, which features something in the region of 250 prints, some of which are previously unseen, delves into her impressive body of work. Tickets available at tate.org.uk. Read Laura Cumming’s review.
An evening
Model/Actriz at Heaven, London, 21 November; Band On The Wall, Manchester, 22 November; Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 23 November
A queer post-punk Brooklyn-based four-piece, Model/Actriz combine grinding, percussive rhythms that sound as though they were recorded in an industrial metal-working facility with, they claim, Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue as influences. All with added sweat, glamour and a flourish of theatricality. Tickets available at modelactriz.com
A day
Too Much @ BFI South Bank on Sunday. Melodrama season (also other cinemas around the country)
One can never have too much drama, darling. Fortunately, the BFI’s melodrama season, Too Much, is on hand to dispense a whole day’s worth of smudged mascara, broken hearts and crushed dreams. Sunday at the BFI Southbank offers a wrenching triple bill of Madame X, starring Lana Turner as a bored housewife who goes off the rails; followed by a deliciously overwrought Gainsborough studios double, The Wicked Lady and Madonna Of The Seven Moons. Tickets available at bfi.org.uk.
Photograph courtesy Lee Miller Archives