Fjord’s cultural storm, wellness myths and grid costs: UK’s Friday culture & environment briefing

Fjord: When a film exposes Europe’s cultural fault lines

Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord, winner of this year’s Cannes Palme d’Or, has become more than a cinematic event—it has reignited a simmering debate about values within the European Union. The film, which dramatises the real-life case of a Romanian couple whose children were removed by Norwegian authorities, drew an unprecedented 40,000 viewers in a single night across 96 Romanian cinemas this June. The response, as The Guardian notes, was less about art and more about a long-standing grievance: the perceived clash between Nordic liberalism and Eastern European family traditions.

Norway’s child protection services, known for their strict interpretations of parental rights, have long been a point of contention in Romania, where family bonds are often seen as sacrosanct. Fjord has given this tension a public stage, with Romanian commentators framing the film as evidence of a broader hypocrisy: Western Europe’s insistence on its moral superiority while enforcing policies that, in this case, separated children from their parents over allegations of neglect that might be viewed differently in Bucharest. The film’s arrival at the London Film Festival this month will test whether UK audiences see it as a human drama or a political provocation.

What makes Fjord particularly timely is its resonance with ongoing EU debates about sovereignty and cultural autonomy. As member states grapple with migration, rule-of-law disputes, and now energy transitions, the film’s subtext—that Europe’s unity is fragile when values collide—could not be more relevant.

Wellness industry under fire: The myths that won’t die

Xand van Tulleken’s new book, Make Me Well, arrives at a moment when the wellness industry is both booming and under scrutiny. The TV doctor and public health advocate dismantles what he calls the "spurious science" behind many of the products lining pharmacy shelves and Instagram feeds—from collagen supplements to turmeric elixirs. His critique is not just about wasteful spending; it’s about the way these products exploit anxiety, particularly around ageing and chronic illness.

Van Tulleken’s approach is methodical. He takes vitamin D—a supplement even the NHS recommends in winter—and subjects it to the same scrutiny he applies to more dubious offerings. His findings? Much of the wellness industry thrives on half-truths and selective evidence. For instance, while vitamin D deficiency is a real concern in the UK, the marketing of high-dose supplements often ignores the fact that most people can meet their needs through sunlight and diet. The book’s broader argument is that the wellness industry has filled a gap left by underfunded public health systems, offering quick fixes where long-term solutions are needed.

The timing of Make Me Well is significant. With the UK’s National Health Service stretched thin and waiting times for mental health services at record highs, the allure of self-administered wellness solutions has never been stronger. Van Tulleken’s work serves as a counterpoint to the influencer-driven narrative that health is a commodity to be purchased rather than a public good to be protected.

UK energy grid: The £50m daily cost of windfarm curtailment

Britain’s energy grid is facing a paradox: while windfarms generate record levels of electricity, the cost of balancing supply and demand has surged to nearly £50 million a day. The issue, as reported by The Guardian, is one of transmission bottlenecks. On Wednesday, the grid operator paid £47.9 million to switch off windfarms in areas with excess supply while simultaneously firing up gas plants in regions where demand outstripped local generation.

This is not a new problem, but its scale is growing. The UK’s renewable energy capacity has expanded rapidly, yet the infrastructure to distribute that power has not kept pace. The result is a system where clean energy is wasted—curtailed rather than stored or transmitted—while fossil fuel plants are called upon to fill the gaps. The irony is stark: the UK is paying to turn off its greenest energy sources at a time when energy bills remain a political flashpoint.

The solutions are not straightforward. Upgrading the grid is a slow and expensive process, and battery storage technology is still catching up to the scale of the problem. For now, the UK finds itself in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between wasting renewable energy and relying on gas—a choice that undermines both its climate goals and its economic efficiency.

Prison literacy: Half a million books and a question of rehabilitation

Nearly half a million books will be distributed across UK prisons this autumn as part of a campaign to improve literacy and reduce reoffending. Backed by bestselling author Lee Child, the initiative is a collaboration between the Reading Agency and the Quick Reads programme, which produces short, accessible books designed to engage reluctant readers. The selection of titles was made with input from prisoners and prison staff, ensuring the books resonate with their intended audience.

The campaign is more than a charitable gesture. Studies have consistently shown that literacy is a key factor in reducing recidivism. Prisoners with better reading skills are more likely to find employment upon release, which in turn lowers the likelihood of reoffending. Yet the UK’s prison system has long struggled with literacy rates. According to the Ministry of Justice, around 57% of prisoners have literacy levels below those expected of an 11-year-old.

Lee Child, the UK’s first prison reading laureate, has framed the initiative as a practical step toward rehabilitation. "This isn’t about charity," he said. "It’s about giving people the tools they need to rebuild their lives." The challenge, however, will be ensuring that the books reach those who need them most. With prison libraries often underfunded and overstretched, the success of the campaign may depend as much on distribution as on the quality of the books themselves.

What to watch this weekend

For those looking to unwind, Friday night television offers a rare appearance by Quentin Tarantino on The Graham Norton Show (BBC One, 10.40pm). The director will discuss his new West End farce, The Popinjay Cavalier, starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Joining him on the sofa are Ellen DeGeneres, Colin Farrell—who is promoting a documentary about a close friend—and Gemma Chan, fresh from her role opposite Channing Tatum in Josephine. The episode promises a mix of Hollywood glamour and Tarantino’s signature irreverence.