WEATHER ALERT

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

Uncategorized

Different kind of identify crisis faced in secretly shot film

Different kind of identify crisis faced in secretly shot film

Alison Gillmor 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

The latest film from Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi (The White Balloon, Offside, This Is Not a Film) is both morally serious — its political message made even more urgent by the arrest last weekend of the project’s co-screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian — and darkly, unexpectedly funny.

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

WEATHER ALERT Feb. 13, 6 AM: -12°c Partly cloudy Feb. 13, 12 PM: -3°c Sunny

Winnipeg MB

-5°C, Clear

Full Forecast

Vulnerable memoir chronicles Griffiths’ marriage to Salman Rushdie, the attempt on his life and the sudden loss of a friend

Reviewed by Leigh Haber 6 minute read Preview

Vulnerable memoir chronicles Griffiths’ marriage to Salman Rushdie, the attempt on his life and the sudden loss of a friend

Reviewed by Leigh Haber 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Poet and novelist Rachel Eliza Griffiths’s The Flower Bearers is an open wound of a memoir. In it we are introduced to a talented, fragile 42-year-old woman on the eve of her marriage to author Salman Rushdie. Griffiths writes that at the time she wanted “to be exposed and immersed in the name of a love that was as marvellous as the love of words and life itself we both shared.” Ecstatically, she proclaims: “Yes! I am in love — again.”

In the book’s opening scene, Griffiths revels in her wedding preparations, describing in sensual terms the experience of having her body decorated with henna: “Brown and slender, long arms stretch above their parallel shadows on the white sheet,” she writes. “The wrists, palms, and knuckles are embroidered with a hand-drawn world of diamonds and delicate curlicues. On my left palm, a man’s name has been inscribed.” She is giddy with joy, but that joy is tinged with foreboding: “When I whisper that I’m happy today,” Griffiths writes, “when I murmur that nothing can hurt us, I foolishly believe myself.”

Griffiths and Rushdie first met four years before, in 2017, at a literary soirée in Manhattan, and their attraction was immediate. Minutes into their conversation, Rushdie suggested they move to the terrace, where they could talk more easily. On the way out, Rushdie “collided with a massive plate glass door,” Griffiths recalls. “Hitting the glass at full momentum sent him immediately to the floor. He was sprawled there with blood flowing down his nose, his glasses cracked, and a sizable knot blooming on the dome of his head.” Stunned and embarrassed but not badly hurt, Rushdie attempted a hasty exit, but Griffiths insisted on accompanying him to his nearby apartment. There, she placed an ice pack on his head, and the two talked and laughed until the sun came up.

At the time, Griffiths was an aspiring poet and visual artist who struggled to make ends meet and was beset by anxiety and mental illness. She reports being plagued by “alters” — voices and visions that had tormented her since childhood. In her 20s and early 30s, she was hospitalized multiple times following a suicide attempt and other incidents of suicidal ideation. She initially resisted seeking psychological help because of shame and the view that “therapy was for white folks,” but at 30 she began regularly seeing a therapist and was ultimately diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder.

Read
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Rachel Eliza Griffiths photo

There are moments in Rachel Eliza Griffiths’ memoir that are almost too raw to bear, as she revisits the spiral she experienced as grief and fear accrued.
Rachel Eliza Griffiths photo There are moments in Rachel Eliza Griffiths’ memoir that are almost too raw to bear, as she revisits the spiral she experienced as grief and fear accrued.

CSU Fullerton secures 86-82 win against Long Beach State

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:50 PM CST

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Joshua Ward scored 22 points to help CSU Fullerton defeat Long Beach State 86-82 on Thursday night.

Ward added five rebounds and seven assists for the Titans (13-13, 8-6 Big West Conference). Bryce Cofield added 18 points while going 7 of 11 and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line. Jefferson Monegro shot 3 of 7 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the line to finish with 12 points.

Petar Majstorovic finished with 22 points for the Beach (8-17, 4-9). Long Beach State also got 12 points apiece from Shaquil Bender and Gavin Sykes.

The Beach prolonged their losing streak to six in a row.

Australia wins the toss and fields against Zimbabwe at the T20 World Cup

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Australia wins the toss and fields against Zimbabwe at the T20 World Cup

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:41 PM CST

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Captain Mitchell Marsh continued his recovery from a testicular injury as Australia won the toss and elected to field against Zimbabwe at the T20 World Cup on Friday.

Marsh sustained the injury in the nets on the eve of Australia’s opening Group B game and missed Australia’s 67-run win against Ireland. Travis Head will continue to lead the side in Marsh's absence.

Tim David was one of the two changes Australia made from the first game as the middle-order batter returned for his first game since a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Big Bash League. David replaced Cooper Connolly with fast bowler Xavier Bartlett making way for Ben Dwarshuis.

It is the first T20 World Cup game between the two nations since Zimbabwe’s stunning five-wicket win over Australia in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007.

Read
Yesterday at 11:41 PM CST

Australia's captain Travis Head, second right, toss the coin as Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza, right, watch it before the starts of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Australia's captain Travis Head, second right, toss the coin as Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza, right, watch it before the starts of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Mahaney’s 20 lead UC Santa Barbara over UC Riverside 76-68

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:41 PM CST

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Aidan Mahaney scored 20 points as UC Santa Barbara beat UC Riverside 76-68 on Thursday night.

Mahaney shot 7 of 17 from the field and went 4 for 4 from the line for the Gauchos (17-8, 10-4 Big West Conference). CJ Shaw scored 18 points and added five assists. Zion Sensley shot 4 of 6 from the field, including 3 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 4 from the line to finish with 13 points.

Andrew Henderson led the Highlanders (8-18, 3-11) in scoring, finishing with 22 points. UC Riverside also got 15 points and eight rebounds from Jailen Daniel-Dalton. Marqui Worthy also had 14 points.

___

Vasilic scores 18 as Cal Poly defeats UC Irvine 79-73

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:38 PM CST

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — Guzman Vasilic scored 18 points as Cal Poly beat UC Irvine 79-73 on Thursday night.

Vasilic also contributed five rebounds for the Mustangs (10-16, 6-8 Big West Conference). Austin Goode added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Cayden Ward had 15 points and shot 4 for 8 and 6 of 11 from the free-throw line.

Derin Saran and Jurian Dixon each scored 19 points to lead the way for the Anteaters (16-9, 9-4). Kyle Evans also had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

___

Tennessee State secures 73-71 victory over Southern Indiana

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:33 PM CST

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Travis Harper II scored 22 points, Carlous Williams capped the scoring with 1:16 remaining and Tennessee State defeated Southern Indiana 73-71 on Thursday night.

Harper also added seven rebounds for the Tigers (17-8, 11-4 Ohio Valley Conference). Aaron Nkrumah scored 17 points while going 5 of 15 from the floor and 6 for 8 from the line. Dante Harris shot 5 of 12 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.

Cardell Bailey led the Screaming Eagles (5-20, 2-13) in scoring, finishing with 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Southern Indiana also got 13 points from Ismail Habib. Tolu Samuels also had nine points and 12 rebounds.

___

Thomas, Dudley lead Louisiana Tech to 79-78 double-overtime win over Missouri State

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:30 PM CST

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Avery Thomas scored 19 points and DJ Dudley added four points in double overtime as Louisiana Tech knocked off Missouri State 79-78 on Thursday night.

AJ Bates made his first basket of the game for Louisiana Tech with 0.5 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 68-all. Then the Bulldogs scored the final five points of the first overtime for a tie at 75.

Dudley scored the opening four points of the second overtime and Missouri State went 1 of 9 from the field.

Thomas added nine rebounds and three steals for the Bulldogs (14-10, 7-6 Conference USA). Kaden Cooper scored 17 points and added 13 rebounds. Scooter Williams Jr. shot 5 of 15 from the field and went 5 for 6 from the line to finish with 15 points.

Lundblade’s 31 lead Belmont over Northern Iowa 91-86

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:23 PM CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tyler Lundblade scored 31 points and made 7 3-pointers to lead Belmont over Northern Iowa 91-86 on Thursday night.

Lundblade shot 9 for 14 (7 for 12 from 3-point range) and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line for the Bruins (23-4, 13-3 Missouri Valley Conference). Sam Orme scored 15 points, shooting 6 for 10.

Leon Bond III finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Panthers (16-10, 8-7). Trey Campbell added 19 points and three steals for Northern Iowa. Max Weisbrod also had 18 points.

Orme scored 11 points in the first half for Belmont, who went into halftime tied 45-45 with Northern Iowa. Lundblade scored 21 points in the second half.

Diaz Graham scores 18 as Oregon State takes down San Francisco 90-63

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:22 PM CST

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jorge Diaz Graham scored 18 points off of the bench to help lead Oregon State past San Francisco 90-63 on Thursday night.

Diaz Graham also had five rebounds for the Beavers (14-13, 7-7 West Coast Conference). Isaiah Sy and Dez White each had 17 points.

Ryan Beasley led the way for the Dons (14-13, 6-8) with 17 points. Legend Smiley added 14 points and Vukasin Masic had 11 points.

Oregon State took the lead with 19:34 remaining in the first half and did not trail again. Sy led his team in scoring with 13 points in the first half to help put them up 50-28 at the break. Oregon State pulled away with a 13-0 run in the second half to extend a 15-point lead to 28 points. Diaz Graham led the way with a team-high 13 second-half points.

Dengdit scores 20 as UC San Diego beats UC Davis 68-51

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:17 PM CST

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Bol Dengdit scored 20 points as UC San Diego beat UC Davis 68-51 on Thursday night.

Dengdit also had seven rebounds for the Tritons (17-9, 7-7 Big West Conference). Hudson Mayes added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Tom Beattie shot 4 for 6, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points.

Marcus Wilson finished with 13 points and two steals for the Aggies (15-10, 8-6).

___

Hubbard puts up 21, Abilene Christian knocks off UT Arlington 67-63

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:16 PM CST

ABILENE, Texas (AP) — Bradyn Hubbard had 21 points in Abilene Christian's 67-63 win over UT Arlington on Thursday night.

Hubbard shot 8 of 18 from the field and went 3 for 3 from the line for the Wildcats (11-13, 3-8 Western Athletic Conference). Yaniel Rivera scored 13 points while going 4 of 6 (3 for 4 from 3-point range). Chilaydrien Newton went 3 of 10 from the field to finish with nine points.

The Wildcats snapped a seven-game slide.

Casmir Chavis led the Mavericks (14-10, 6-6) in scoring, finishing with 20 points and four assists. Marcell McCreary added 14 points and nine rebounds for UT Arlington. Raysean Seamster finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Bullock scores 19 as Hawaii knocks off CSU Bakersfield 89-74

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:14 PM CST

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Quandre Bullock scored 19 points as Hawaii beat CSU Bakersfield 89-74 on Thursday night.

Bullock shot 5 for 13 from the field and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line for the Rainbow Warriors (18-5, 10-3 Big West Conference). Isaac Johnson added 17 points while going 7 of 10 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. Harry Rouhliadeff shot 5 of 8 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 17 points.

AJ George finished with 23 points for the Roadrunners (8-18, 2-12). Dailin Smith added 20 points for CSU Bakersfield. Ron Jessamy finished with 13 points and two steals.

The Roadrunners extended their losing streak to nine in a row.

Stevenson scores 16, North Texas takes down Memphis 76-69

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:12 PM CST

DENTON, Texas (AP) — Je'Shawn Stevenson's 16 points helped North Texas defeat Memphis 76-69 on Thursday night.

Stevenson shot 5 for 14 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Mean Green (14-11, 5-7 American Athletic Conference). David Terrell Jr. scored 14 points while going 3 of 8 and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. Reece Robinson shot 3 of 3 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points.

Sincere Parker led the Tigers (12-12, 7-5) in scoring, finishing with 20 points. Memphis also got 12 points from Julius Thedford. Zachary Davis finished with 10 points.

The teams entered the break with North Texas ahead 33-32, while Robinson led his club in scoring with nine points. North Texas took the lead for good with 2:07 remaining in the second half on a free throw from Stevenson to make it a 70-69 game.

Moses’ 19 help Eastern Washington defeat Idaho State 88-75

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:08 PM CST

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) — Isaiah Moses had 19 points in Eastern Washington's 88-75 victory over Idaho State on Thursday night.

Moses added five assists for the Eagles (8-17, 6-6 Big Sky Conference). Kiree Huie scored 18 points, shooting 8 of 10 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line. Alton Hamilton IV shot 5 of 8 from the field and went 8 for 9 from the line to finish with 18 points.

Connor Hollenbeck led the Bengals (10-16, 3-10) in scoring, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds. Idaho State also got 14 points from Jamison Guerra. Caleb Van De Griend finished with 13 points.

The loss was the Bengals' eighth straight.

Saine scores 29 in Weber State’s 83-72 win against Idaho

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 11:05 PM CST

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Tijan Saine had 29 points in Weber State's 83-72 win against Idaho on Thursday night.

Saine shot 10 of 18 from the field, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 5 from the line for the Wildcats (13-13, 7-6 Big Sky Conference). Viljami Vartiainen scored 13 points, going 4 of 8 (3 for 3 from 3-point range). Malek Gomma shot 4 of 5 from the field and 4 for 6 from the line to finish with 12 points.

Isaiah Brickner finished with 18 points for the Vandals (13-12, 5-7). Idaho also got 11 points from Brody Rowbury.

___

LOAD MORE