The Big Issue Edition 339

Actor Hugh Laurie’s career shift – from playing English nincompoops to an American nephrologist – is put under the microscope; and the man himself describes the challenges facing his character, Dr Gregory House.

Also in this issue:

Journalist Mick Barnes tries to make sense of the life, and death, of a loving, talented and tormented son in ‘Jason’s Story’; in ‘Seriously Funny’, Superbad director Judd Apatow pursues a more nuanced comedy; and in ‘Roving Eye’, photographer Josh Robenstone …

Edition 338

Thanks to the seductive appeal of TV and film, vampires are cool again: bitten by TV-series True Blood, Monique Hohnberg ponders the mass appeal of the undead in ‘Blood Lust’; in ‘Art of Darkness’, Anthony Morris explores the eternal reign of cinematic vampires; and in ‘Caught in the Twilight’, self-confessed ‘Twi-Hard’ Emily Wan explains what it’s like to be possessed by the popular vampire romance, Twilight. 

Also in this issue:

Lindy Burns charts the industrial fall and artful rise of downtown …

Edition #337

Australia’s Street Socceroos head to the Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy, to kick goals, make friends and increase their self-confidence.

Also in this issue:

Michael Green follows the growing number of communities taking global issues into their own hands in ‘Towns in Transition’; music industry veteran Stephen Cummings has a cautionary tale for aspiring young rock stars in ‘On the Road; Off the Rails’; The Big Issue’s Marketing and Advertising Coordinator, John Currey, shares his personal journey of adoption and …

The Big Issue Ed #336

Actor Johnny Depp has pulled off a difficult double act: maintaining popularity and credibility. Rochelle Siemienowicz reflects on Depp’s eclectic career, while the man himself talks about his latest roles as bank-robber John Dillinger in Public Enemies and Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Roving Eye’, Australian photographer Rodney Dekker documents the lives of Bangladeshi fishermen, who are increasingly threatened by climate change; Antony Harding explains what it takes to compete at the World …

Whether it’s Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain or…Giuseppe Verdi, as Alan Attwood explains, the death of popular musicians can have a very personal effect on their fans.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Music and Memories’, Nicholas Yallop describes how music crystalises life’s dramatic moments. Patrick Witton’s ‘In Defence of the Banjo’ champions a much-maligned instrument. In ‘Balibo Uncovered’, director Robert Connolly explains the importance of telling the story of five journalists killed in East Timor, 34 years ago. And in ‘Roving …

The Big Issue Edition 334

The Big Issue regulars Debbie Lustig and Aislinn Andrews join first-time contributors James May and Nico Taylor in sharing their very personal experiences dealing with illness.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Australian Story’, director Kriv Stenders explains his desire to capture a 1900s Australia devoid of glamour, but not of drama, in his new film, Lucky Country; in ‘Roving Eye’ a range of South African photographers document their country’s troubled history and precarious future; while in ‘Dirt Music’, …

The Big Issue Edition 333

Fiction lovers are being treated to a special edition of The Big Issue this fortnight with the release of the magazine’s fifth short-story edition, bringing together established and emerging writers.

The Contributors:

Established writers include Cate Kennedy (widely regarded as Australia’s leading short-story writer), Debra Adelaide (author of the Orange-longlisted bestseller The Household Guide to Dying), Alice Pung (author of the memoir Unpolished Gem). We also feature a sneak peek at Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton’s …

The Big Issue Edition 332

True-crime writer Rochelle Jackson investigates why more and more women are making and consuming stories about society’s seamier side while Underbelly author Andrew Rule examines the women who in real-life are attracted to bad men.

Also in this issue:

In ‘A Terracotta Angel’, …

Edition 331: Points of Order

Celebrating The Big Issue’s birthday, we examine our relationship with lists and the number 13: Alan Attwood explains why everybody loves a list; The List Operators tell us how the Bible should have started; Fiona Scott-Norman lists the reasons why everybody shouldn’t love a list; the editorial team lists their favourite things and we reveal the myths behind why the number 13 is considered unlucky.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Far From Disgraced’, Australian filmmaker Steve Jacobs explains …

The Big Issue Edition 330

Exploring our changing relationship with food in tough times: Anna Krien goes back generations for culinary inspiration; Martin Volz reports on some southeast Queenslanders who are eating local to support their community; Drew Turney ponders whether or not it is acceptable to roast a roo; Camille Hayton describes her quest to be a mini Martha and make the perfect jam; and Big Issue friends share memories, recipes and tips.  

Also …