Neil Cooper

Brian Beacom

The Metamorphosis

ASHLEY STORRIE, COMEDIAN

THIS year, more than ever, we need to see a love story played out on stage. We need to see Covid-19 killed off as convincingly as Snow White’s wicked step ma. We need lines such as: “He’s two metres behind you!” Or the Uglies throwing scorchers at each other like: “Did you get that face mask in Poundstretchers?” “Whit? A’m no’ wearing a face mask, ya cheeky madam.”

FIRST it was Bond, then Peter Rabbit, followed by The Secret Garden. Due to the coronavirus crisis, film distributors have been pulling movies from the schedules left, right and centre and postponing their releases till later in the year.

Keira Knightley plays a feminist activist who disrupts the Miss World contest in 1970 in the new film Misbehaviour.

RADIOACTIVE (12A)

WHILE we may not be able to venture far from home in the coming weeks, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the wonders of Scotland – city skylines, beaches, mountains, woodland and rugged wilderness – safely from the comfort of our sofas.

The Conversation

IT’S all too easy to lose track of many of the quirky, moving, interesting films that have been shot in Scotland over the years. Some of the sparkling gems on these pages attracted decent reviews upon release before fading from view; others slipped under most people’s radar. The 10 films here are funny, or dark, or insightful. All have something to say; all are worth tracking down, and watching, whether it’s for the first time, or the first time since they were released.

“THE little island of Todday is a completely isolated community,” declares the voiceover at the start of the 1949 Ealing Studios classic Whisky Galore. “100 miles from the mainland, 100 miles from the nearest cinema or dancehall. Oh, but the islanders know how to enjoy themselves. They have all that they need. But in 1943, disaster overwhelmed this little island. Not famine, nor pestilence, nor Hitler’s bombs, or the hordes of an invading army, but something far, far worse: ‘There is n

What's the story?

FOOTBALLERS are performers, we all know that. But can they tackle a film script? Can they find the head space to turn out a tricky line on a crowded set? And what of football managers? Can they take to acting? We’ve long believed them to have the ego of an oligarch and to make the demands of a dictator. Does any of this suggest those born to kick balls around a park can turn their hand to thespianism?

Saskia perseveres through language learning and connects with a young Albanian girl who becomes a follower of Jesus.

Jose, an Argentinian worker serving in Southeast Asia, tells of how he entered overseas service and what he has seen God do through his not-so-typical ministry.

During special Easter outreaches to women in red light areas, outreach workers go in the knowledge that Jesus is with them and His resurrection power gives hope, strength and life.

Rosario, Argentina :: Crewmembers with experience working with least-reached people share a message of unity between churches.

An Albanian man's heart is forever changed after suffering a heart attack and meeting Jesus in his recuperation.

Rosario, Argentina :: Church members from a vulnerable community learn about human trafficking and experience care and respect.

For years, Gustavo, an architect from Central America, felt drawn to working in the Arabian Peninsula. Then, on a short-term trip, he saw what it could be like to use his profession overseas.

From age 17, Ana Maria prayed to serve God in Switzerland. While she waited, she became a dance instructor with no idea dance would become her ministry.

Doron's experience on Logos Hope shows him God's faithfulness and uncovers leadership abilities he is using today in a new role.

Despite being aware of the need for discretion when talking about Jesus, Argentinian Cecilia felt no fear while she was in Central Asia.

An OM worker in Cambodia shares about how a new training she is attending is transforming the way she does ministry.

Buenos Aires, Argentina :: Maintenance crew share Christ's love with local welders helping repair Logos Hope.

OM Japan Tsunami April Update

Since it was announced publicly that OM Japan were ready to receive volunteers, many people wrote to express interest and requested for more information. This past week (23 - 27 May), OM Japan took their first volunteer group, consisting of 3 foreigners and 4 Japanese to Miyagi prefecture to help with clearing up rubble and bringing encouragement.

A Japanese man's heart changes during the few days an OM team and a group of volunteers help restore his home.

OM Japan and an outreach team encourage and help people who suffered from the tsunami in Ishinomaki and the area around Minami Sanriku.

A woman whose home was damaged by the tsunami accepts Christ after witnessing the lives and attitudes of the volunteers working in her house.

OM Japan feels honoured to have played a small part in helping bring hope and relief to tsunami survivors.

Seeing an opportunity to talk about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the staff at SonRise Café in Tokyo sells Easter eggs before Easter.

Through contemporary worship, the OM team seeks to create an atmosphere of worship in which the younger generation in Japan can experience God.

At a recent event to build relationships, OMer Chris guides participants through the process of making juggling balls before teaching them how to juggle.

"Are all my elves ready? OK, off we go!" A group of Santa and his elves head out into Karuizawa, Japan, to share God’s love.

Despite freezing temperatures and snow, ministry with Café Hope has been both challenging and exciting for Michelle from Singapore.

Over 50 people attended OM Japan’s first Worship Here service held in Kanazawa, Japan, on 4 March.

A pastor and OM couple start a new church in Tonami, Japan, a rural town of 50,000.

A Japanese girl once weighed down by the guilt of sin accepts Jesus’ complete forgiveness and is baptised. She now exudes “radiant joy”.

Nagasaki, Japan :: Crewmembers serve with a local group of volunteers who provide food for the few homeless in Nagasaki.

Leung Wai, from Hong Kong, is burned to pray for Japan after dressing as Santa Claus and being warmly greeted by passers-by last December.

A couple launches a monthly class for children and their parents despite low numbers. Through prayer and free advertising, more begin to come.

OMer Chris Griffioen was asked to perform a juggling show at an elderly care facility, and has since been invited to visit regularly.

In Japan, the birth and life of Jesus Christ is hardly known. For this reason, Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to point people to Him.

Responding to God’s call to reach out to survivors of the 2011 tsunami in the Tohoko region, OM Japan starts a ministry called 4 Friends Network.

Matto Christ Church in Ishikawa prefecture experienced many answers to prayer since they were introduced to prayer walking by an OMer.

Two OMers were asked to help a church network deliver relief supplies to churches in Kumamoto after two large earthquakes had struck the area.

"We can do better," Germany coach Silvia Neid concluded after her side joined France and Sweden in making it to the quarter-finals of the Olympic tournament in unspectacular fashion.

Lisa Dahlkvist's penalty won Sweden an Olympic shoot-out against favourites the United States, and Germany forged on, but France did not make it to the last four.