Live-Action ‘Gundam’ Movie Switches Its Director And Ditches Netflix

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

In not altogether surprising news, the live-action Gundam movie is getting a new director and moving away from Netflix.

Previously, Netflix was going to handle the distribution of this live-action movie along with Jordan Vogt Roberts attached to direct.

However, now that Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance has finally been released and hasn’t exactly done all that great, it appears that the prior setup has now been dropped in favor of a new director and with no involvement from Netflix.

As reported by Deadline, the new director will be Jim Mickle, and I think that is an interesting and good choice. Not that Jordan Vogt Roberts was a bad choice, as he clearly cared about Gundam, but he was likely collateral damage with how Requiem for Vengeance landed in terms of its recent viewer count.

Mickle will also produce this new Gundam live-action movie along with his partner Linda Moran, which bodes well as their Sweet Tooth drama has been genuinely and consistently excellent.
Sweet Tooth is also a noteworthy work because it shares some parallels with how it deals with younger protagonists, which is an important and core staple of the Gundam saga.
That aside, it’s worth highlighting that the Deadline piece does get some things wrong about Gundam. The first is that last year Gundam actually generated $1 billion in revenue last year, rather than $600 million, and the second is that this live-action film will be the second for the Gundam franchise.

The first Gundam live-action movie was, in fact, G-Saviour back in 1999, which was to commemorate the then 20th anniversary of the saga. For many fans, G-Saviour tends to be thought of as being a pretty poor instalment in the Gundam franchise, but it has its charms. It also spawned a surprisingly decent PlayStation 2 game for the era.

All that aside, it seems that Sunrise and Legendary Pictures are pivoting away from the Netflix model for this live-action movie and are moving more towards something that may fit Gundam better overall.

It’s still too early to say how this new setup will work out, but for now, I am cautiously optimistic. Not least because this will now dodge the curse of being a Netflix live-action adaptation.
Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.

Free Movies You Can Stream This November on Freevee, Fawesome, Plex and More

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

If you’re overwhelmed by the endless increases in the cost of your favorite streaming platforms, don’t forget that free TV services like Tubi, Plex, Freevee and Fawesome have new originals and movie classics premiering every month. These services are updated frequently, and this November, there are some great films on all of them, all available for free.On Tubi, you can check out one of their many new original movies, including thrillers like The Stepdaughter 2 (Nov. 8) and Married to a Balla (Nov. 14), plus loads of other acquisitions like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, 13 Going on 30, and The Silence of the Lambs. For kids, Freevee is the place to be, with the arrival of hits like The Lego Movie, Puss in Boots and many more.Over on Fawesome, you can check out Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, along with spooky hits like Zodiac and The Descent. On Plex, modern cult classics like But I’m a Cheerleader, Singles and Jackie Brown arrive this month, too. Here’s a look at some of the best free movies streaming in November.Read more: Best Free TV Streaming Services: Tubi, Pluto TV, Freevee and MoreTubi

Eco-Friendly Adventures: Discover 5 of Egypt’s Sustainable Tourism Destinations

Travel

By: Buthayna El Haggar

As the world increasingly embraces sustainable tourism and biodiversity conservation, Egypt deserves to catch attention as a beacon of eco-friendly travel.

The country boasts diverse landscapes, a rich culture, and initiatives focused on environmental conservation. Here, we highlight prominent ecotourism destinations and offer practical tips for responsible tourism.

1. Siwa Oasis

Via Instagram

Nestled in the Western Desert, Siwa Oasis is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant local culture. Home to the indigenous Amazigh community, Siwa has developed eco-lodges that use sustainable materials and promote water conservation practices.

In 2024, initiatives aimed at preserving Siwa’s unique biodiversity are ongoing, with visitors encouraged to engage in community-led tours that highlight traditional agriculture and Siwan hospitality.

Eco-friendly activities include visiting the ancient mud-brick structures and exploring the many natural springs that dot the oasis.

2. Nubian Villages (Aswan)

Via explanders

The Nubian villages, particularly Gharb Suhail near Aswan, offer an intimate look at traditional Nubian culture. Recent initiatives focus on empowering local women through the Nubian Women’s Project, which supports artisans and preserves traditional crafts.

Travelers can contribute to responsible tourism by opting for homestays, engaging in cultural exchanges, and purchasing handicrafts directly from local artisans. This not only provides economic support but also ensures the continuation of Nubian heritage.

3. Wadi El Gemal National Park

Via YouTube

Wadi El Gemal, located along the Southern Red Sea in Marsa Alam, is another highlight for eco-conscious travelers. Home to rich biodiversity and the Ababda and Bishari tribes, the park promotes conservation initiatives aimed at protecting its ecosystems.

Local tribes offer guided tours that educate visitors about traditional conservation practices, such as sustainable fishing and flora preservation. Eco-tourism activities here often include camel treks, wildlife watching, and participation in environmental restoration projects.

4. Fayoum Oasis

Via CNN

Fayoum Oasis, with its picturesque lakes and archaeological sites, is a treasure trove for eco-tourists. The Wadi El Rayan area is particularly significant for its unique waterfalls and wildlife.

Eco-lodges in Fayoum focus on sustainable practices, and travelers are encouraged to engage in activities such as bird watching and kayaking, all while minimizing their environmental impact. New programs aimed at waste management and local biodiversity conservation are gaining traction in 2024.

5. Ras Muhammad National Park

Via national-parks

Located in Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Ras Muhammad National Park is a prime destination for marine conservation. With initiatives aimed at protecting coral reefs and promoting sustainable diving practices, visitors can partake in guided eco-diving experiences.

These programs not only enhance the visitor experience but also contribute to local conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of protecting marine life.

Tips for Sustainable Tourism

Via TripAdvisor

When visiting these stunning destinations, here are a few tips to ensure your travel is environmentally responsible:

Respect Local Cultures: Engage with local communities respectfully, learn about their customs, and participate in cultural exchanges.

Opt for Eco-Lodges: Choose accommodations that prioritize sustainable practices and support local economies.

Reduce Waste: Carry reusable items such as water bottles and shopping bags to minimize plastic waste.

Support Local Artisans: Purchase handmade crafts directly from artisans to promote fair trade and preserve local heritage.

Participate in Conservation Efforts: Join local initiatives, such as beach clean-ups or wildlife conservation projects, to give back to the community and environment.

Egypt’s ecotourism destinations offer a unique opportunity to explore the country’s natural wonders while supporting local communities and conservation efforts.

By choosing to engage in responsible tourism, you can help protect Egypt’s rich landscapes and cultural heritage for future generations. Do any of these remarkable spots evoke memories for you? 

We Also Said: Don’t Miss It…Cosmic Wonders and Pink Lakes: The Middle East’s Most Extraordinary Natural Spots

Culture & Tourism Month begins! Lobster Fest in the line-up

Travel

in All News / By: BVI News on November 1, 2024 at 6:14 AM /

Junior Minister of Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith has officially launched Culture and Tourism Month 2024, spotlighting the Territory’s rich heritage and featuring the highly anticipated Anegada Lobster Fest—a marquee event on the Virgin Islands’ tourism calendar this November.
“This month is a time to reflect on our journey, celebrate our people, and explore how we can continue to share our culture with the world through sustainable tourism,” Hodge-Smith stated in a Facebook presentation on Thursday, October 31. “Let us work together to strengthen the bonds of culture and tourism for a prosperous future,” she added.
Tourism Director Katherine Smith spoke about the deep connection between culture and tourism, noting that “whenever tourists travel to a destination to experience its culture, this can include arts tourism, heritage tourism, or just a people’s everyday culture.”
Smith further outlined the diverse lineup of activities planned for November, including the popular Anegada Lobster Fest, running from Friday, November 7 through the weekend, and the Fungi Festival from November 15 to 17.
Other events include the 284 Excellence Film Competition on November 2, a history workshop at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on November 15, the unveiling of The Manatee mural at the Bamboushay Lounge on November 23, and the Cultural Food Fair featuring a coconut and guava tart competition on November 29.
Smith added that the Territory’s offerings reflect multiple facets of tourism, which will be showcased throughout November. Last year’s Culture and Tourism Month celebrated the theme, “Our Virgin Islands, Our Story: Tell Your Story.”

How Saints Star Derek Carr And David Carr Have Teamed Up In The Business World

Business News

Before Derek Carr was even a teenager, he would accompany David Carr, his oldest brother and the Houston Texans quarterback, to the Texans’ facility.

David would break down film with Derek, explaining how a quarterback manages the game along the line of scrimmage. He taught him how to spot different blitzes and the rationale behind certain protection calls.

“The 12-year age difference kind of set me up almost like,” David said, “more of a mentor.”

That mentorship has gone from the football field, where Derek became a four-time Pro Bowler and 11-year starter, to the business world.

With 33-year-old Derek busy and focused on quarterbacking the New Orleans Saints, 45-year-old David sometimes gives a first look at a business deal, doing research and even meeting the prospective business partners for lunch.

David cautioned to Derek that batting 1.000 on every investment is impossible and preached the importance of investing in people rather than products while also following your passion. Derek took the latter lesson to heart when becoming an equity partner in OOFOS.
“People will come to us all the time about certain opportunities, and I just can’t do it,” Derek exclusively shared. “When I am an ambassador or have a deal or even invest in something, I will only do it if I believe in it.”

The advice also goes both ways — from older brother to youngest and vice versa.
David was initially apprehensive about endorsing Table Mountain Casino, but Derek, who is a spokesman for MGM Gaming and played in Las Vegas from 2020 to 2022, gave it a thumbs up because the casino has roots in the community and supports Fresno State and Valley Children’s Healthcare.

In addition to his work with Table Mountain Casino, David is a spokesman for a home builder called Bonadelle Neighborhoods, The Iron Office Gym, The Good Feet Store and Motor City car dealerships. An NFL Network analyst since 2016, he also appears in regular segments on iHeart radio segment and ABC30 News in Fresno.

Derek’s OOFOS Investment
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, David played five of his 10-year NFL career for the expansion Texans before retiring in 2013.
Three years later, Derek was leading the Raiders to a 12-win season before breaking his fibula in Week 16 of the 2016 NFL season.
He started wearing OOFOS footwear as part of the recovery process.
“Immediately, my discomfort went from like a 10 out of 10 to a one out of 10,” Derek said. “I was like, ‘this insane.’”Derek Carr wears OOFOS, which is the footwear brand he invested in.OOFOS
Known for its foam technology, OOFOS sports slides, sandals and close-toed shoes are designed for post sports-recovery. Teachers, nurses, chefs and others who are on their feet all day also favor them.
Derek liked the footwear so much that he had his business team reach out to Darren Brown, the head of marketing for OOFOS.
Once one of the early founders of OOFOS sold off some of their shares, it opened up a rare opportunity, and Derek invested in the company in March of 2023.
“The rest is history,” Derek said. “Now we have a great partnership.”
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith, whose broken right leg required 17 surgeries, and current South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley also capitalized on the investment opportunity while Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman and Dancing with the Stars’ Emma Slater are OOFOS spokespeople.
Brothers Working Together
Derek was around sports stars from an early age.
When Derek came with David to the Texans’ facility, the 12-year-old kid got to throw passes to future Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson and went to nearly every offseason workout.
Now instead of being on the Texans’ field together, David and Derek are co-spokesmen for a couple of businesses in the Central Valley of California: Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU) and Valley Children’s Healthcare.
“What’s been fun about that is that we’ve been able to do it together,” David said. “We can bounce ideas off each other.”David and Derek Carr film an advertisement for Educational Employees Credit Union.Carla Cossy
Derek, who does commercials and appearances for EECU, has a very personal connection to Valley Children’s.
Derek’s oldest son, Dallas, was rushed into emergency surgery at Valley Children’s Healthcare in 2013 because of intestinal malrotation, a potentially life-threatening condition that affected his blood supply and intestinal tract, and spent several weeks there.
The Carrs even helped broker an agreement between Valley Children’s Healthcare and Fresno State, the university they both attended, in 2022. As a result of that deal, Valley Children’s provides $1 million a year to receive naming rights to Bulldog Stadium, and those funds go to operations, scholarships and youth programs at Fresno State.
The brothers even share the same business management team.
“Carla (Cossy) and I are most fortunate to be associated with the Carr brothers,” H Koal, the Carrs’ co-business manager, said. “They have a unique ability to put everyone at ease and make each person — with whom they interact — feel comfortable and valued.”
Video Venture
One of the Carrs’ newest entrepreneurial pursuits is working as creative collaborators with Moonracer Films, a Sacramento, Calif. video production company that makes documentaries, social media videos and commercials.
Moonracer produced Breaking Bread, a three-episode series exploring fine dining in Sacramento by having about a dozen chefs talk about their craft.
The Carrs are offering ideas on future cites and foods to feature.
“David and Derek are just different. They are creative. They’re humble. They’re kind. They’re also incredibly smart from a business standpoint,” Matthew Kolbert, president of Moonracer Films. “They’re also just great storytellers.”
The Carrs are also investors/executive producers in Moonracer’s two-hour documentary about the trading card/memorabilia industry tentatively called Billion-Dollar Hobby.
Considering the Carr brothers both work with some of the same companies, both are former Fresno State quarterbacks and both have first names that begin with D, it’s not surprising that fans often confuse David and Derek with the other.
When he goes somewhere with his family, David often plays a game, guessing how many times he’ll be called Derek vs. David.
“It’s usually about 50/50,” said David, who jokingly blamed his parents for the confusion. “That happens so much.”

Matt Haig goes off leash with new book, The Life Impossible: ‘I totally believe in aliens’

Arts & Culture, Books

Open this photo in gallery:Author Matt Haig.PETER FLUDE/The New York Times News ServiceLet’s just get this out of the way: Yes, an alien lifeform is one of the central characters in Matt Haig’s new book.La Presencia, as the otherworldly thing that exists in the waters off Ibiza is known to believers, might come as a shock to those who might know Haig best for his radically life-affirming non-fiction such as his bestselling memoir Reasons to Stay Alive or Notes on a Nervous Planet, which The Guardian praised as a “not smug self-help book.”If you know Haig as the author of TikTok-sensation, No. 1 international bestseller The Midnight Library (10 million copies at last count) you’ll be more primed for his particular brand of speculative fiction where fantasy meets philosophy.Books we’re reading and loving in November: Globe readers and staffers share their picksStill, Haig is the first to acknowledge that aliens can be a hard sell to readers.“People can take vampires, ghosts, libraries in the afterlife, but if you say, as a lot of scientists do, that it’s very likely that we’re not alone and there’s some other intelligent life,” he says, “suddenly that makes you a weirdo.”As he points out: The arc of human history bends toward humans realizing that we actually aren’t the centre of the universe.“We used to think the sun revolved around us, that we were the only animals with thoughts and feelings. Now we know those things are wrong,” he continues. “In the future, I think we’re going to find out that we’re not as alone as we thought we were. That could be fantastic in an E.T. sense, or it could be horrible in a Ridley Scott sense, but I totally believe in aliens.”Open this photo in gallery:The Life Impossible, Haig jokes, is the book where he’s allowing himself “off the leash,” embracing his early love of science fiction such as Cocoon. The first draft, in fact, had even more aliens.During his latest visit to Toronto, The Globe chatted with the bestselling Brit about finding success later in life, listening to reader feedback and ignoring the cynics.What is your relationship to the phrase “bestselling author,” especially at this point in your career?I’ve had quite an old-fashioned career trajectory, in the sense that I’ve built a readership slowly – too slowly for my liking at the start. Interestingly, Canada was the first place that I started to attract a strong readership, even before I became a bestseller. I wrote a book called The Humans, and I had quite a strong core of Canadian readers spreading the word.The good thing about my career, even though at the time I wanted to start off going on the bestseller list, is that it’s built organically. That means I really understand how precarious a career in writing is, and how rare it is to have a bestseller. I have zero expectations every time.[Being a bestselling author] is lovely, in the sense that you’ve got a lot of people reading your books. It’s why you write in the first place – to be read. I want to be a popular storyteller.That said, when you’re writing a book – as with thinking about reviews or Goodreads – it’s a thing you have to put aside. You can’t write from the outside in.Having had a bestseller, is there ever a temptation to reverse engineer your next book based on what worked in the previous one?It’s almost the opposite. After The Midnight Library, this one felt like, I’ve got a licence now to write a really personal, weird story. I’m not going to lie: In the past I have had that slight self-consciousness where you try and figure out what worked. With this one in particular, it gave me the confidence to not think like that. For me, it’s not just having a lot of people read a book, but having people read the book I want to write. That said, it’s always interesting to know what readers think, and even the negative opinions are sometimes valid. You can take them on board and learn from them.Is there anything specific you can think of where negative feedback influenced a choice you made?As readers of my books will know, I like to put a bit of philosophizing in. In the past, that’s felt a little shoehorned in. With my new one, The Life Impossible, the whole framing device is a teacher talking to a former student, trying to help him with his life. That was responding to feedback from people who say I do too much talking out to the reader. I love talking to the reader, but there is a valid point there where it has to feel natural to the voice and the story.This book explores a lot of big ideas. Are these things you’re working through yourself as you write them, or are you using the vehicle of fiction to share a perspective?It’s a bit of both, but more the first. With fiction, you’re working things out for yourself. This is why, even though I’ve written non-fiction books, I think I’m more of a fiction writer. I don’t feel like someone who has the answers. I do feel like my mind is quite chaotic, and there is a better way of being than the one I have. I shy away from non-fiction, where people are looking to me to have the answers. I like fiction for the fact that it’s not as solid. You’re philosophizing but there’s never a finish line to it.Also, because I had depression and anxiety for a long time, and I do still experience anxiety, often that voice I have in my fiction and non-fiction books – that kind of authoritative, guiding voice – is not necessarily my voice. It’s the voice I want to hear myself. I’m trying to be my own guide at the same time.I’m someone who went through an experience and nearly died. I’ve recovered, so I’ve got a story to tell and things to say about that, but I’m still very much a work-in-progress. What I’m trying to do is make people feel less alone, and what I can do in fiction is to articulate emotions that some people might have trouble articulating.One thing that strikes me about your work, and which I think is tremendously brave, is that it’s very sincere. We live in a world where it’s cool to be cynical, and sometimes there’s a vulnerability in, say, spending time thinking about aliens. Does it feel that way to you?I’m British, so I’m from a culture where people are suspicious of happy endings, optimism, self-help, all the things I’ve dipped my toe into. The way I see it is that when I was depressed, I had nothing but cynicism and pessimism, and that was ultimately wrong. I was convinced that I would be dead by the age of 25. I’m now 49. I was convinced there was nothing good ahead of me, I was a burden, I had nothing good to offer the world. Time has disproved 99 per cent of the things depression was telling me.Yes, optimism can sometimes be hollow, but I think it’s a challenge to go out there and find a true, earnest hope. Why not try to put out something that’s of use to people, and has something that will help people within it, and be direct about that? Especially in the British book world, there can be a lot of cynicism around that, and I used to get a bit affected by that. Now, I get strength from knowing that I’m writing honestly to myself. If you’re writing for the right reasons, and you’re connecting with readers, what else is there? Everything else is just noise.And it’s easier to block that out because I used to be that cynical person. I know often that cynicism is a defence against feeling, daring to hope.

Indonesia keen to improve halal tourism: ministry

Travel

Jakarta (ANTARA) –
The Indonesian government is continuing to push for improvement in halal tourism as part of its efforts to become the world’s top Muslim-friendly tourist destination.At the 6th International Halal Tourism Summit on Thursday, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said that Indonesia was named the best Muslim-friendly destination in 2023 and again in 2024 in the Mastercard Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index.According to a statement issued by her office on Friday, Indonesia also ranked first in the list of world halal tourist destinations in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) in 2023, outperforming 140 other countries.The minister said that the government is strengthening relations with industry players, expanding the market, promoting halal exports, increasing public understanding of halal tourism, and attracting investment to the halal industry to support the development of halal tourism.The implementation of activities such as the 2024 Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) has supported the effort to make Indonesia the main destination for global Muslim-friendly tourism, she added.”Such event offers more opportunity to promote the halal industry and make Indonesia as the top of mind for Muslim tourists in the world,” Wardhana explained.She then asked related parties to improve Indonesia’s halal tourism and introduce the nation’s beauty to the world.Meanwhile, the ministry’s deputy for industry and investment, Rizki Handayani, said that improvements in attractions, amenities, and collaboration between stakeholders can improve halal tourism in Indonesia.”This is not merely about defeating neighboring countries to become Number 1. However, we should improve ourselves according to the aspects assessed in the Mastercard Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index,” she emphasized.She added that the global Muslim population of around two billion offers a great opportunity for halal tourism businesses and the development of domestic halal products.Related news: Benefits of Islamic economy non-exclusive to Muslims: VP Ma’ruf AminRelated news: Tourism Ministry speeds up implementation of halal certification ruleRelated news: Ministry, MUI agree to cooperate in halal tourism and creative economyTranslator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta SulistiyandariEditor: Azis KurmalaCopyright © ANTARA 2024

‘I keep calling it a horror film’: Spaniards recount flooding as clean-up begins

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Miguel Aleixandre, a supermarket worker and competitive power-lifter who lives in the small Valencian town of Utiel, was mid-workout on Tuesday morning at his gym when the staff suddenly announced they were closing up because of the torrential rains that had been pummelling the streets since dawn.The sheer volume of those rains, which have so far claimed at least 205 lives across eastern, central and southern Spain, was becoming more and more apparent as the waters of the Magro – a river that is normally little more than a stream through Utiel – began to rise and rise.Almost an hour earlier, Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, had updated its severe weather warning, raising the alert level across the province of Valencia to red. “Be very careful!” it warned. “The danger is extreme. Stay away from rivers and watercourses as flooding is happening.”View image in fullscreenBy the time Aleixandre, 22, hitched a lift home to the house he shares with his mother and father close to the banks of the Magro, the water on the streets was about 30cm (12in) deep. Over the next few hours, it would reach ten times that height and kill six people in the town.“I only just managed to get into the house because of the water,” he says. “We went up to the top of the house and stayed there.”A few minutes’ walk away, Inmaculada Haba had also been starting to worry as the water seeped into the ground floor of her house.“We were watching how the river was rising – normally there’s hardly any water in it – and in a matter of seconds, the water started flooding in,” she says. “The wall they built next to it a few years ago did nothing and there was also water coming in from up the hill. In a matter of seconds, I grabbed my two dogs and rushed them up to the first floor.”When Haba came down that afternoon to get the dogs some food, the water was up to her knees. She and her family retreated upstairs – a decision that almost certainly saved their lives.As she and her relatives sweep the last of the water from their home and bin their sodden belongings – “I’m OK because we’re all safe and sound and material things can be replaced” – she points to the watermark the floods have left, 1.7 metres (5ft 6in) up her walls. “I’m not very tall and you can see how high the water was. It would have been over my head if I’d tried to come down,” she says.Fran Platero, 38, who runs a heavy machinery business, was trapped in his home with his wife and two terrified young children for five hours until salvation appeared around 8pm in the form of a neighbour and his tractor.“We climbed into the scoop and he took us to safety up at the hotel, which is the highest part of town,” says Platero. “There was an alert, but we never thought it would rain like it did here. Never. We’ve had floods before but nothing like this.”Platero repaid the favour by working through Tuesday night, using one of his own diggers to help rescue people from their homes. But not everyone could be reached in time. “A lot of people have died here,” he says. “They were old people who lived on the ground floor and who couldn’t save themselves.”Aleixandre will never forget the sights and sounds of that night. As he used a torch to tap out an SOS to the firefighters’ helicopter that was buzzing over the town, he felt he had stepped into a horror film.“You could hear the neighbours’ windows breaking because of the water pressure and then all the water getting in,” he says. “And then I saw old people appearing at their windows with candles to try to attract the attention of the rescuers.”Aleixandre and his family were rescued at 7am on Wednesday when a small boat from the military emergencies unit (UME) of the Spanish armed forces pulled up outside their house. It would be almost 12 hours before the family was allowed home; police spent Wednesday afternoon pulling the bodies of some of their neighbours from the mud.Like others in the town, the family are puzzled and angry as to why the Valencian regional government did not send out a civil protection alert to people’s mobile phones until 8.12pm on Tuesday.“By then, the water was 3 metres high,” says Aleixandre. “I keep calling it a horror film because I don’t know how else to describe it. When you see something like this on TV – or a tsunami or something – you feel sad and you feel empathy. But when you live that story yourself, it’s just unbelievable. A friend’s car was parked here and it turned up at a bus stop 500 metres away, split in half and with a rubbish container on top of it.”View image in fullscreenThe ferocity of the rains – forecast last week – that brought Spain’s deadliest floods in decades is plain to see in Utiel even in its half swept-up aftermath. UME personnel, firefighters and police and civil protection officers wade through a sticky carpet of mud that is still inches deep on streets veined with hose-pumps and clotted with loud generators. The mud itself has become a repository for the contents of people’s homes, clutching a child’s toy, a yoghurt pot, a bottle of olive oil, a sparkplug and a table leg in its stubborn, orange-brown grasp. Utiel’s streets are piled with soggy, ruined sofas, rugs, lampshades, mattresses and wardrobes, and washed-away walls offer glimpses of patios and dining rooms.Three upside-down cars lie in a patch of wasteland near the river. The bodywork of a Volkswagen Tiguan is peeling off like flayed skin. Close by, a BMW seems to have survived until you look through an open back window and see the pools of mud inside. The local Guardia Civil barracks was also hit and has bequeathed a stack of damp, official-looking chairs to a nearby skip.View image in fullscreenAmid the damage, destruction and mourning, however, there is also a potent sense of solidarity. Almost everyone in Utiel between the ages of five and 90 seems to be wielding a broom, and tractors, diggers, mini-diggers and farm vehicles beetle through the still-flooded streets offering help to anyone in need.“The solidarity people here in Utiel have shown has been amazing – and people have been risking their lives saving others,” says Ricardo Gabaldón, who has been the town’s mayor for the past 18 months. He sits, sleep-starved and anxious, in his town hall office, still palpably relieved that he gave the order to close Utiel’s schools first thing on Tuesday.“Six people died here, almost all of them were old and had reduced mobility,” he says. “But there could have been hundreds of deaths here. Hundreds. People come here for school from nearby villages and they would have been hit when they were in their cars or the kids would have been in school when the waters came.”Gabaldón’s priorities are re-establishing power to parts of the town, making sure there is enough water for everyone, and helping the hundreds of people who have lost their homes, cars and livelihoods.Recovery, both economic and emotional, will take a long time. Aleixandre’s sister, Carmen, is still trying to process events as she sweeps the water out of her parents’ house.“I can’t tell you what happened here,” she says. “I just don’t have the words to describe it.” Her brother, meanwhile, keeps returning to something his rescuers told him early on Wednesday.“This was all new for us, but the UME deal with disasters. But when they were getting us out of here by boat, they told us they’d never seen anything like this in Spain. Ever.”