@chrisdbroughton.bsky.social
Will write for food.
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/chris-broughton
Also on Instagram, where I'm more active (and popular):
https://www.instagram.com/chrisdbroughton/
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/chris-broughton
Also on Instagram, where I'm more active (and popular):
https://www.instagram.com/chrisdbroughton/
Here's my How we made... piece from today's Guardian. I held out a little too long in the hope make-up effects maestro Craig Reardon would materialise as the 2nd interviewee, but without marvellous Marty Casella I wouldn't have heard about maggot handlers or got to include the phrase "ghost semen."
‘If I’d known the skeletons were real I’d have been even more disgusted’: how we made Poltergeist
‘Steven Spielberg lit up when I told him I couldn’t do the face-tearing scene. Those are his hands you see in the film. I could never have ripped my face off with the same joie de vivre’
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Here's my How we made... piece from today's Guardian. I held out a little too long in the hope make-up effects maestro Craig Reardon would materialise as the 2nd interviewee, but without marvellous Marty Casella I wouldn't have heard about maggot handlers or got to include the phrase "ghost semen."
Heads-up for those in or around the Scottish capital:
The phantasmagorical new feature by maverick artist, filmmaker and drum-banger Andrew Kötting gets its world premiere in Edinburgh on Friday, with additional screenings next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I appear as a badger-faced folklorist.
The phantasmagorical new feature by maverick artist, filmmaker and drum-banger Andrew Kötting gets its world premiere in Edinburgh on Friday, with additional screenings next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I appear as a badger-faced folklorist.
The Memory Blocks - Edinburgh International Film Festival
An experimental reflection on the changeable and complex nature of memory through the lens of neurodivergence. The latest project from filmmaker Andrew Kötting sees his daughter Eden, dressed as Dorot...
www.edfilmfest.org
August 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Heads-up for those in or around the Scottish capital:
The phantasmagorical new feature by maverick artist, filmmaker and drum-banger Andrew Kötting gets its world premiere in Edinburgh on Friday, with additional screenings next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I appear as a badger-faced folklorist.
The phantasmagorical new feature by maverick artist, filmmaker and drum-banger Andrew Kötting gets its world premiere in Edinburgh on Friday, with additional screenings next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I appear as a badger-faced folklorist.
For this week's My best shot, I talked to Michael Rababy about his 30 years spent photographing casinos and those who frequent them.
Is that Elvis hitting the Vegas slot machines? Michael Rababy’s best photograph
‘I use a hit and run approach when photographing inside casinos. On one occasion, the sound of my camera woke a guy up and he wanted a fight’
www.theguardian.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:41 AM
For this week's My best shot, I talked to Michael Rababy about his 30 years spent photographing casinos and those who frequent them.
When Yes turned 30 recently, I saw some suggesting it was the best song of 1995 - a bold claim given that Common People, Farmer in the City, C.F. Kane, Game of Pricks and Boombastic also came out that year. But it's up there, isn't it?
I asked Mr McAlmont and Mr Butler how it happened.
I asked Mr McAlmont and Mr Butler how it happened.
‘It was an I Will Survive for the 1990s’: how McAlmont & Butler made Yes
‘David only had words for one verse. “Just sing it twice,” I said. “We can worry about that later.” But we never got around to it – and people don’t seem to notice’
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 7:38 AM
When Yes turned 30 recently, I saw some suggesting it was the best song of 1995 - a bold claim given that Common People, Farmer in the City, C.F. Kane, Game of Pricks and Boombastic also came out that year. But it's up there, isn't it?
I asked Mr McAlmont and Mr Butler how it happened.
I asked Mr McAlmont and Mr Butler how it happened.
What links Chappell Roan, a 72-mile penis and a cocker spaniel? Read my fearless four-page investigation from this week's Guardian Saturday magazine to find out.
‘The giant penis took shape easily, as I passed through a village called Three Cocks’: meet the artist athletes drawing with GPS
From the phallus on a Welsh hillside, to a huge portrait of Chappell Roan, these Strava runners, riders and skaters have been busy …
www.theguardian.com
May 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
What links Chappell Roan, a 72-mile penis and a cocker spaniel? Read my fearless four-page investigation from this week's Guardian Saturday magazine to find out.
"It's hard to find help in this country."
For this week's My best shot I spoke to Dutch photographer Robin De Puy about her project American in general, and Indiana twins Derek and Quentin in particular.
For this week's My best shot I spoke to Dutch photographer Robin De Puy about her project American in general, and Indiana twins Derek and Quentin in particular.
Derek and Quentin, twins from Indiana who live in the woods: Robin de Puy’s best photograph
‘I spotted them in a town called Elkhart, jumped out of the car and ran towards them. If you didn’t know their story, you might think they were runners or cyclists. Then you see the tattoos’
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"It's hard to find help in this country."
For this week's My best shot I spoke to Dutch photographer Robin De Puy about her project American in general, and Indiana twins Derek and Quentin in particular.
For this week's My best shot I spoke to Dutch photographer Robin De Puy about her project American in general, and Indiana twins Derek and Quentin in particular.
For this week's My best shot, I talked to Baldwin Lee about the remarkable body of work he accumulated across the American south in the 1980s, before concentrating on teaching photography rather than diluting his reputation.
" I really felt that I had done my best work, and I was exhausted.""
" I really felt that I had done my best work, and I was exhausted.""
A husband and wife kiss in a doorway: Baldwin Lee’s best photograph
‘I wanted to create a dialogue between the couple kissing and the plaque showing two people in a similar pose. I didn’t ask about the hats. That wasn’t the kind of questioning I engaged in’
www.theguardian.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:32 PM
For this week's My best shot, I talked to Baldwin Lee about the remarkable body of work he accumulated across the American south in the 1980s, before concentrating on teaching photography rather than diluting his reputation.
" I really felt that I had done my best work, and I was exhausted.""
" I really felt that I had done my best work, and I was exhausted.""
Thinking about the time an interview I did for this column led to me being followed on Twitter by a Dimbleby. If either of us still posted on there, I suspect this would have been the day that David finally, wearily clicked 'block Chris Broughton'.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Experience: ‘I was hospitalised after being trapped in a full-body plaster cast’
It was torture. It took six people to carry me to an ambulance
www.theguardian.com
May 3, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Thinking about the time an interview I did for this column led to me being followed on Twitter by a Dimbleby. If either of us still posted on there, I suspect this would have been the day that David finally, wearily clicked 'block Chris Broughton'.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
In today's My best shot: nature conservation photojournalist Thomas Nicolon. No space, alas, to include his rhapsodies on Lake Télé, which sounds like the kind of place explorers used to stumble upon in Jules Verne novels (reportedly home to Mokèlé-mbèmbé, the Loch Ness Monster's Congolese cousin).
A dwarf crocodile carried home by a hunter: Thomas Nicolon’s best photograph
‘As a species, these crocs are easy to find and easy to catch. Brice Itoua is the most skilled hunter in his village. But they kill the crocs to eat – not to sell’
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
In today's My best shot: nature conservation photojournalist Thomas Nicolon. No space, alas, to include his rhapsodies on Lake Télé, which sounds like the kind of place explorers used to stumble upon in Jules Verne novels (reportedly home to Mokèlé-mbèmbé, the Loch Ness Monster's Congolese cousin).
Had a chat with 'Raymondo', during which we tried to determine who the daddy is. Conclusion: it's him. He was quite insistent on this point.
Phil Daniels also dropped in to offer guidance to anyone seeking advice on how to get "kicked in the arse rather than the balls."
Phil Daniels also dropped in to offer guidance to anyone seeking advice on how to get "kicked in the arse rather than the balls."
‘Every slap we got from the screws was real’: Ray Winstone on brutal borstal drama Scum
‘During the riot scene, all the baked beans and mashed potato ended up on the floor. It became like an ice rink. It looks fantastic – but it was pretty hairy’
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Had a chat with 'Raymondo', during which we tried to determine who the daddy is. Conclusion: it's him. He was quite insistent on this point.
Phil Daniels also dropped in to offer guidance to anyone seeking advice on how to get "kicked in the arse rather than the balls."
Phil Daniels also dropped in to offer guidance to anyone seeking advice on how to get "kicked in the arse rather than the balls."
For this week's My Best Shot I talked to Niccolò Rastrelli about how, an age where many rock and pop stars look more conservative than their parents, he's found a latter-day equivalent to John Olson's 70s portraits of Frank Zappa and Grace Slick 'hanging out with the folks'.
Monaka wears her cyclops mask to work: Niccolò Rastrelli’s best photograph
‘Japan is the mecca of cosplay. Monaka runs a cafe in Tokyo called Monster Party, where people go dressed as characters from a subculture known as tanganmen. Her brother is holding a picture of their ...
www.theguardian.com
April 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
For this week's My Best Shot I talked to Niccolò Rastrelli about how, an age where many rock and pop stars look more conservative than their parents, he's found a latter-day equivalent to John Olson's 70s portraits of Frank Zappa and Grace Slick 'hanging out with the folks'.
This week's My best shot: Richard Sharum on a dramatic photograph from his Spina Americana series.
A storm-chaser beneath ferocious rotating clouds: Richard Sharum’s best photograph
‘Our hair stood on end as the air around us became supercharged. There were telegraph poles and hailstones the size of oranges dropping out of the sky’
www.theguardian.com
March 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
This week's My best shot: Richard Sharum on a dramatic photograph from his Spina Americana series.
I must confess to still deriving a mild tingle of childish glee whenever I smuggle a swearword into the national press. Disappointing, then, that when I got a full 12 minutes talking to Samuel L. Jackson for this piece he didn't say "m☠️therf🦈cker" once - even when I mentioned Snakes on a Plane.
Samuel L Jackson on shark thriller Deep Blue Sea: ‘I’ve had many deaths – but everyone remembers this one’
‘I had no idea I’d get so wet. I was in water for a month. For the storm scenes, they were dumping it on us from towers. There were big-ass waves flying everywhere’
www.theguardian.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I must confess to still deriving a mild tingle of childish glee whenever I smuggle a swearword into the national press. Disappointing, then, that when I got a full 12 minutes talking to Samuel L. Jackson for this piece he didn't say "m☠️therf🦈cker" once - even when I mentioned Snakes on a Plane.
I've been every bit as bad at remembering to post occasionally on Bluesky as I was with the broken place but here, if any of you are interested, is my most recent interview for the Guardian's My best shot page.
A sculpture made of fire: Murray Fredericks’ best photograph
‘We walked three kilometres into this Australian lake, to where the water was still only a metre deep. Then we set up the gas pipe – and waited until the air was really still’
www.theguardian.com
March 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I've been every bit as bad at remembering to post occasionally on Bluesky as I was with the broken place but here, if any of you are interested, is my most recent interview for the Guardian's My best shot page.
In today's My best shot... Ragnar 'Rax' Axelsson. We talked about how climate change is affecting the Arctic regions and what Greenlandic Inuits make of recent deranged proposals made by some blowhard golfer, but the chosen photograph captures one of Rax's fellow Icelanders.
The whole Icelandic nation in one face: Ragnar Axelsson’s best photograph
‘Guðjón was kind of angry that day. He was looking for a mink that had been killing his eider ducks. This image opened doors for him, leading to advert and movie work’
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2025 at 8:23 AM
In today's My best shot... Ragnar 'Rax' Axelsson. We talked about how climate change is affecting the Arctic regions and what Greenlandic Inuits make of recent deranged proposals made by some blowhard golfer, but the chosen photograph captures one of Rax's fellow Icelanders.
I wrote this months ago, but an article about bickering insurgents opposing a totalitarian regime is perhaps more timely now and will hopefully provide any would-be rebels with the encouragement they need. (Luckily the director and cast member I spoke to didn't mention the baddies win at the end.)
‘When Star Wars came out, one of our directors was close to tears’: how we made Blake’s 7
‘I thought I’d be rushing around doing stunts. But instead, it was all about my tight, sexy outfits. After three episodes, I was thinking, “I hate this big hair!”’
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2025 at 8:06 AM
I wrote this months ago, but an article about bickering insurgents opposing a totalitarian regime is perhaps more timely now and will hopefully provide any would-be rebels with the encouragement they need. (Luckily the director and cast member I spoke to didn't mention the baddies win at the end.)
I know envy is a deadly sin and I'm very happy with the lovely books I received for Christmas. Nevertheless, I can't stop thinking about this (spotted yesterday) and wondering if it's too late to ask for a time machine for my birthday so I can go back and amend the list I wrote to Santa.
January 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I know envy is a deadly sin and I'm very happy with the lovely books I received for Christmas. Nevertheless, I can't stop thinking about this (spotted yesterday) and wondering if it's too late to ask for a time machine for my birthday so I can go back and amend the list I wrote to Santa.
The first 'animal assault' interview I've done for a while - even after covering big cats, bears, snakes and hawks there's always new ground still to be broken. I did wonder at one point, "Is this too James Herbert?" but these are Mariasella's actual words, so truth is sometimes stranger, etc.
Experience: I was viciously attacked by a group of otters
The attack was relentless – there were 10 otters in all, tearing my arms, my legs, even the back of my scalp
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2024 at 2:18 PM
The first 'animal assault' interview I've done for a while - even after covering big cats, bears, snakes and hawks there's always new ground still to be broken. I did wonder at one point, "Is this too James Herbert?" but these are Mariasella's actual words, so truth is sometimes stranger, etc.
Available now from Entropy Press: the new book from roving folktographer Max Reeves. This time he's been following the tinkling of bells and the clash of sticks and look! Introduction by Ben Edge and Hastings RX Morris are the cover stars.
Entropy Press - Books
Photography, Morris Dancing, Folk Culture Winter of 2024/5 A5 164 pages full colour ISBN 978-1-8382859-1-3 Forward by Ben Edge
www.entropypress.co.uk
December 13, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Available now from Entropy Press: the new book from roving folktographer Max Reeves. This time he's been following the tinkling of bells and the clash of sticks and look! Introduction by Ben Edge and Hastings RX Morris are the cover stars.
Reposted
As Guardian & Observer journalists go out again on strike today, it felt like a good moment to write about journalism. And the philosophical crisis that comes with understanding its limits. Inc details of bloodbaths in both Syria & liberal news orgs.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
How to depose a dictator
No, not the Guardian's management. Though lessons may apply
open.substack.com
December 12, 2024 at 8:10 AM
As Guardian & Observer journalists go out again on strike today, it felt like a good moment to write about journalism. And the philosophical crisis that comes with understanding its limits. Inc details of bloodbaths in both Syria & liberal news orgs.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted
Celebrating all the new followers with a giveaway. Win a signed hb of my 'weird, astonishing' debut, THE NORTH SHORE, limited edition ON MIRRORS (Nightjar) and DISSOLUTION (The Aleph). To enter just like, follow and repost. I'll draw a winner on 8 Dec. Good luck!
#booksky #weirdfiction #folkhorror
#booksky #weirdfiction #folkhorror
December 4, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Celebrating all the new followers with a giveaway. Win a signed hb of my 'weird, astonishing' debut, THE NORTH SHORE, limited edition ON MIRRORS (Nightjar) and DISSOLUTION (The Aleph). To enter just like, follow and repost. I'll draw a winner on 8 Dec. Good luck!
#booksky #weirdfiction #folkhorror
#booksky #weirdfiction #folkhorror
The Electric Palace, Hastings will be showing the BBC's 1984 adaptation of The Box of Delights over two Sunday afternoons in December (15th and 22nd). I'll be introducing the first three episodes and Roger Limb, who composed the incidental music, will share his memories before the second screening.
December 1, 2024 at 9:18 AM
The Electric Palace, Hastings will be showing the BBC's 1984 adaptation of The Box of Delights over two Sunday afternoons in December (15th and 22nd). I'll be introducing the first three episodes and Roger Limb, who composed the incidental music, will share his memories before the second screening.
(Internal monologue while waiting for Judi Trott to appear on Zoom): "You may have had a childhood crush on Maid Marion, but you're not 13 now. Don't say anything stupid."
(Actual voice as Judi Trott appears on Zoom):
"Oh, look! We're both wearing green jumpers!"
www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...
(Actual voice as Judi Trott appears on Zoom):
"Oh, look! We're both wearing green jumpers!"
www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...
‘I hit the boom operator’s car with an arrow. He was inside’: how we made Robin of Sherwood
‘We’d invite famous actors to guest star for a fee topped at £3,000. “Come and have some fun!” we’d say – and nobody ever turned us down’
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2024 at 8:42 AM
(Internal monologue while waiting for Judi Trott to appear on Zoom): "You may have had a childhood crush on Maid Marion, but you're not 13 now. Don't say anything stupid."
(Actual voice as Judi Trott appears on Zoom):
"Oh, look! We're both wearing green jumpers!"
www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...
(Actual voice as Judi Trott appears on Zoom):
"Oh, look! We're both wearing green jumpers!"
www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...
Ahead of The 80s: Photographing Britain exhibition which opens at the Tate on Thursday, Charlotte Jansen and I each spoke to five of the photographers whose work is included.
Hot snogs, fizz-fuelled city boys and a hilltop homage to Duran Duran: nine photos that capture the 1980s
Hot snogs, fizz-fuelled city boys and a hilltop homage to Duran Duran: nine photos that capture the 1980s
It was a tumultuous decade characterised by street riots, financial excess and big-haired bands making big-budget videos. As a major exhibition of shots from the 1980s prepares to open, we talk to the photographers who caught the era
This image is…
dlvr.it
November 18, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Ahead of The 80s: Photographing Britain exhibition which opens at the Tate on Thursday, Charlotte Jansen and I each spoke to five of the photographers whose work is included.