Anne Hathaway, Eight Big Questions and an Internet Meltdown
Also, the House of the Dragon finale, Banksy’s £150K bill, and a trip to Orlando
From the Editor
I’m a day late. I know. But there’s a legitimate reason. The internet.
I’ve had some serious connectivity issues that left me backed up with work - not fun. But I made it. Internet issues resolved (I believe) and it only took 40 hours of screaming.
The week has been particularly intense as after watching a delightful viral clip of Anne Hathaway talking about her favourite memes of herself, I spiralled into tangents of research on how the publics entitlement to celebrities faces, bodies, and lives. It’s a fun piece I promise, with lots to think about - scroll down for more.
Also, big news! I’m so excited to launch a new series here on The Culturelist, one that I’ve been thinking about and planning for a while. Great Big Questions is a new weekly artist interview series that explores some of the most fundamental questions about creativity.
What does it mean to be an artist? Where do ideas come from? What is the most challenging part of the process?
Every week I ask the same eight questions to different artists across disciplines, mediums, and styles, revealing surprising similarities, striking differences, and the deeply personal philosophy behind a life devoted to making art.
I’m honoured that the artist featured in Great Big Questions is the legendary Palestinian painter and sculptor Sliman Mansour. His body of work has become synonyms with contemporary Palestinian art and a people’s visual identity and culture. I was really fascinated by his answers - both straightforward and profound,
Read the full interview below along with all the usual bits and pieces.
Enjoy,
Maan Jalal
This Week on The Culturelist…
Anne Hathaway and Her Memes: A Portrait of What the Internet Does to Famous Women
Anne Hathaway is the moment. She has been for a while. If anything, 2026 continues to prove her talent and range as an actress and cultural icon.
Great Big Questions: Sliman Mansour
Sliman Mansour’s name has become synonymous with contemporary Palestinian art and a people’s visual identity and culture.
45 Upcoming Book-to-Screen Adaptations for 2026 and Beyond
This is your ultimate list, a full guide to every single novel (if I missed one, do tell me) that’s being adapted for the screen.
The Exhibition List: The Art of Looking Closely
This week’s curated exhibition list focuses on the idea of observing closely.
Listen on The Culturelist…
The Culturelist Recommends…
Virgina Wolf’s Orlando is such a vibe.
It is one of the strangest, most fascinating, and intriguing literary ventures about love, the self, and societal structures. It’s was beautifully adapted into stunning film that really feels like a novel starring Tilda Swinton and directed by Sally Potter. If you haven’t read it yet, I implore you to spend some time with it.
This Week’s Quote…
I don’t often have this week’s quote come from the recommendation of the week, but I couldn’t help it. While reading Orlando this quote struck and has stuck with me:
“Illusions are to the soul what atmosphere is to the earth.”
This Week’s Question…
Given my mini drama this week, it feels only fitting to pose this question to you:
Could you survive without the internet?
As always, thank you for you subscription to The Culturelist.
See you next week.
Maan Jalal