Ayana Ahuja - The Brown Daily Herald

Still from “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” showing two women covered in blood looking at each other in a convenience store.

Review

‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ is a film you’ll feel but might not follow

By Ayana Ahuja | September 21

Director Jane Schoenbrun bends horror tropes into a language for desire.

From left: photos of movie scenes from “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “Hamnet,” “Sentimental Value,” and “Weapons.” Courtesy of Neal Street Productions, NEON, and Warner Bros. Pictures.

Arts & Culture

After months of reviewing the year’s biggest films, here are The Herald’s picks for the 2026 Oscars

By Ayana Ahuja and Manav Musunuru | March 13

“One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” stand out in several categories.

Photo of a girl looking at something she's holding while she kneels in front of a large painting of a man gesturing with his hand. She is next to a street, and a woman in the background looks towards her.

Review

With childlike whimsy, ‘The President’s Cake’ paints nuanced picture of everyday Iraqi life under ’90s fascist rule

By Ayana Ahuja | November 23

Director Hasan Hadi speaks the language of Western media while still respecting and honoring Iraqi identity.

Josh O'Connor mid-bow on stage with Kelly Reichardt behind him. Both are wearing suits and holding mics.

Review

‘The Mastermind’ is a prescient, unconventional look at art theft

By Ayana Ahuja | October 23

The last few days have seen a flurry of news about the recent jewelry heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Ironically, the $100 million theft coincides with the world premiere of Kelly Reichardt’s latest film, “The Mastermind.” The film was inspired by the 1972 heist at the Worcester Art Museum ...

A blue x-ray of Lorde's pelvis with a zipper, belt buckle and an intrauterine device visible.

Arts & Culture

Lorde’s ‘Virgin’ feels like a lit fuse that never quite ignites

By Ayana Ahuja | September 2

“Virgin” is a worthy contribution to Lorde’s discography.

Photo from the film in which two people are looking at one another on a rolling hill landscape with a sunrise in the background

Review

‘No Other Land’ resists sensationalism to present devastating reality

By Ayana Ahuja | April 20

The documentary depicts the aftermath of the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.

People in a blackbox theater with a rug in the middle of the room with someone kneeling on it.

Review

Residual Noise uses sonic and spatial art to create unique, immersive experience

By Ayana Ahuja | April 7

The latest in the IGNITE Series, the concert was part of a weekend-long festival.

A photo of a lecture hall with a large zoom screen displaying Charlie Covell's face.

Arts & Culture

Television writer Charlie Covell on redefining worlds, breaking boundaries in ‘Kaos’

By Ayana Ahuja | April 4

Covell spoke to The Herald about their experience writing the 2024 Netflix series “Kaos.”

Visiting lecturers Jennifer Levin and John Eisendrath, wearing matching black-rimmed glasses and black and gray sweaters, smile against a white background.

Arts & Culture

Students get a taste of the writers’ room in LITR 1010E: ‘Advanced Screenwriting’

By Ayana Ahuja | April 2

Every Tuesday morning, a dozen students walk into a classroom in the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts and are treated to pastries courtesy of their professors. But beyond baked goods, students in LITR1010E: “Advanced Screenwriting” have the opportunity to hear from a slate of Hollywood professionals, ...

Still from the film "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" of a man's face.

Events

‘Cinema Ritrovato on Tour’ returns to Brown, showcases restored film classics

By Ayana Ahuja | March 14

The 12th edition of “Cinema Ritrovato on Tour,” a European film festival focused on film restoration and preservation, is back at Brown.