Sibling writers, comic, actress and political activist Francesca Martinez and philosopher, artist and filmmaker Raoul Martinez, shed much needed light on the domino effect Covid-19 is having on the various systems we live and work within.
The Covid-19 pandemic is revealing many issues within the many systems we live within, exposing deep racial inequalities, pulling the rug from under businesses big and small, changing how we work, the prices and availability of necessary products, how we teach and educate our children, and how politicians campaign and our access to vital healthcare.
It can be overwhelming to engage with these changes regardless of how affected we may or may not be. We may not even be aware of the extent of many of these changes.
Francesca is a comedian, writer, and speaker who has toured internationally with sell-out international runs. Her TV appearances include Extras, Russell Howard’s Good News, The Jonathan Ross Show.
Her best-selling book, also called What The **** Is Normal?!, garnered rave reviews from critics and the public alike. In 2016 she supported Frankie Boyle on tour and was commissioned to write and perform a new comedy show: ‘Francesca Martinez’s Wobbly Manifesto’.
A committed campaigner, Francesca is a regular on Channel 4 News and has made several appearances on Radio 4’s hugely popular The News Quiz alongside Jeremy Hardy. She has spoken about austerity, climate change, and disability cuts at numerous events, meetings and rallies.
Raoul Martinez is a philosopher, artist, and award-winning filmmaker. Creating Freedom is his first book. It is informed by over a decade of research and is accompanied by a documentary series of the same name.
Episode One, The Lottery of Birth – produced, written and co-directed by Raoul – premiered in 2012. It was nominated for Best Documentary at London’s Raindance Film Festival and went on to win the Artivist Spirit 2012 Award at Hollywood’s Artivist Festival.
It has been translated into several languages and the second film is currently in production. Raoul lives and works in London, where his paintings have been selected for exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery.
WoWFest: Lockdown, Facebook Live, 29 May, 6pm-7pm. Tickets by donation.