Kara Joubert: Writer, Journalist & Filmmaker

Author: Kara

  • Kara X Australia: Preparing

    Kara X Australia: Preparing

    Hello there! Join me, a British journalism student, as I venture into Australia to study at Melbourne’s La Trobe University as an exchange student.

    In this post, I will discuss everything I did to prepare for studying abroad. That includes the application process, the cover letter stage, interview and visa.

    Buckle up. Things are about to get a little “admin heavy”.

    Applying

    The year I applied to study abroad in the University of Lincoln, around 16,000 students were given this opportunity.

    Some partner universities would only be available for students studying media. Others were open to all 16,000 students who might want to apply.

    That included Melbourne’s La Trobe.

    My lecturers said that everybody wanted to study here. So, who was I to apply? I was only few months into my degree, still a newbie.

    It might sound underwhelming. But the answer to the above was simple:

    “Why not?”

    Studying abroad was a scary concept, but I was always up for a challenge. Especially if it meant I would be opening up my employability prospects.

    So, I registered my interest and applied. But first, I needed to write a cover letter. Ideally, using more than “why not?” as an argument.

    My Cover Letter

    A cover letter is not always the most exciting thing to write. Even if you are excited to apply for the job or opportunity that requires it.

    But genuine enthusiasm is definitely a necessity.

    Thankfully, I had grown more eager to go as the prospect became more real.

    In my cover letter, I included:

    • A general understanding of the culture and course to show I had done research.
    • An eagerness to go.
    • A promise to represent both universities well.
    • A specific understanding of why the international course is beneficial to my academic and personal interests.
    • Examples of me being a good student.
    • Some light reassurance that I could afford this.

    It must have worked, because sometime after, I was then called for an interview with my lecturers.

    But that did not go how I expected. At all.

    Stand Your Ground

    It felt quite intimidating at the time, but looking back I can understand why they needed to make sure I was sure of my decision.

    Before walking into that interview, I was mostly certain. But during a near-debate with my lecturers, I HAD to be certain. They gave me every reason to doubt I would ever be accepted, and tried to persuade me to consider joining other universities.

    But I stood my ground. By the time I left my interview I was very certain that La Trobe is where I wanted to go.

    Acceptance

    The acceptance stage is a funny one. Just because you are accepted does not mean you are enrolled. And just because you are enrolled does not mean you are going.

    Acceptance is the first step of enrolment, and enrolment is the first step of getting a visa.

    But I still punched the air when I saw that I was accepted. Now going to another country to study was a bit more possible.

    The To-Do List Stage

    If anyone wants to study abroad, I would offer them this tip above all else: BUY A NOTEBOOK. One dedicated just to studying abroad, because after I was invited to the pre-departure conference, my to-do-list was never the same…

    The conference was an informative session teaching us about the visa application process, when to purchase your ticket, how to fill in the risk assessment and so forth.

    It was also an opportunity to ask questions like, how to get a new sim card for your phone once you arrive and the importance of telling your bank you’re going abroad.

    This is where things started to get very informative.

    And a little overwhelming. Studying abroad had moved from being an abstract into a visible destination in the distance.

    GRANTS, GRANTS, GRANTS

    This headline can also be “DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES.” These are so important, especially if you don’t have a massive amount in your bank account. I set alarms on my phone and filled in my notebook to remind me of the deadlines to apply for things.

    There was a deadline for grants, a deadline to arrange a visa, and a deadline to select my subjects.

    Enrolling Is A Pain

    Remember when I said “just because you are accepted does not mean you are enrolled. And just because you are enrolled does not mean you are going?”

    That’s where this statement comes in.

    I was accepted by La Trobe. But I was not enrolled. That took much longer.

    In Australia, if you want a student subclass 500 visa, you need a certificate of enrollment (CoE).

    So, for a few months there was essentially nothing I could do but fill in paperwork and wait for a CoE.

    As soon as that came through, I could start the visa process.

    Am I A War Criminal?

    Filling the visa itself was not too grueling. I finished it after 2-3 hours.

    However, all global visas have different processes and ask different questions. One of the ones I was given was “Am I a war criminal?”

    To avoid any confusion, I should make it clear. The answer to that is no.

    It took two months exactly before the visa was approved.

    Packing

    This is where you find me now. I am writing this in part due to procrastination. I will be flying in a week, and have barely started cramming my suitcase. Wish me luck on the next phase.

    If you have any questions about the study abroad process, please feel free to ask!

  • Opinion: Trump and Musk, the “crypto influencers”

    Opinion: Trump and Musk, the “crypto influencers”

    There is a lot of discussion to be had over the value of cryptocurrencies in the modern world. It is a notoriously volatile market, and like any gamble, it can give as much as it can take away.

    Yet, if you are someone with influence, you can create your own odds. This is what individuals like the American president-to-be or Elon Musk have done in the last few weeks.

    These “crypto influencers” have generated interest in certain currencies. A recent example is the meme-inspired cryptocurrency, $Trump, unsurprisingly owned by Donald Trump.

    If someone invests in something in which they are directly involved, they can foresee its value. They have the capacity to increase its value by promoting it on their own platforms. This influence can make them a billionaire overnight.

    Politicians and figures of power have always been able to influence the markets. Their platform is bigger and louder than most. But what happens if they are using that platform for their own financial gain?

    As many of Trump’s supporters might say, this makes him a good businessman. But does it make him a good world leader?

    The value of gold often fluctuates whenever Trump says something radical. But so does fear and uncertainty.

    Global economic and political uncertainty tends to create an appeal for gold, which is an internationally recognised, physical and finite currency.

    The value of gold also increases during times of war.

    At the moment, it is the highest it has ever been.

    So, I do wonder how much of “Trump’s Talk” is led with a financial agenda, and how much he and Elon Musk are benefiting from the frenzy they are contributing to in the world of finances.

    In the stock market, a single statement (true or not, acted upon or not) has the potential to make a big difference in the value of something.

    I am not a political nor a financial expert, but Trump and Musk’s trend of behaviour, alongside the value of gold and the crypto they are involved in, does suggest that a current priority for them is in increasing their capital.

    Which begs the question, will that still be the case after tomorrow’s inauguration?

    There is a lot of discussion to be had over what happens next in America. It is a notoriously volatile subject, and like any gamble, nobody truly knows what will follow.

  • Gathering on Christmas day: meet the group aiming to overcome seasonal loneliness

    Gathering on Christmas day: meet the group aiming to overcome seasonal loneliness

    It is Christmas Day, and the roads connecting Louth and Alford are largely abandoned. Most people are spending the morning with their families. But some, like these rural roads, are lonely.

    Sarah Devereux was one of them. The Conservative, Alford-based councillor now runs a yearly Christmas gathering dedicated to people who have no one else to spend their Christmas with.

    “It’s one of those things that once you start it, you can’t stop.

    The 53-year-old tells me about the starting point for her idea: “I spent most of my time as a single mum. There are a lot of people out there that Christmas is difficult for, so I gave that some thought.

    “I went home and chatted to the kids. I had this idea, but I needed a location. And this is the perfect location, isn’t it?”

    For the last ten years – minus one during lockdown when it was cancelled – the gathering has been hosted in the Alford Cornhill Exchange.

    The 1850s building is a cheerful yellow on the outside with two white doors. In the first hour of the gathering, over 15 people enter through those doors to gather around tables.

    Me and Sarah talk at one of the tables. I ask what she thinks about Christmas, a subject she feels very strongly about.

    She says: “It can be a really hard time for people. It’s not all what you see on the TV. You see all these wonderful films and adverts. That’s not the reality for a lot of people.

    “Maybe they’re young and on their own. Maybe they have a difficult relationship with family. Maybe they’re a single person or maybe they’re in a coercive and controlling relationship. I just think that we are a society blind to so many different levels of loneliness.”

    According to Sarah, it can be a difficult subject for some people to speak about, as loneliness can be seen as a difficult and embarrassing thing to admit.

    The town of Alford is small, with a 2021 census reporting a population of 3,830. Over 50s make 45% of the Alford population.

    Among them is a local man who sits at the table with me and Sarah. He has chosen not to be identified, for that reason I will call him Robert.

    Robert, who lives alone, says: “Social media has ruined Christmas it means you lose out on the one-to-one. The thing here really is, it’s seeing people, you know, getting together and chatting and stuff, obviously it’s worthwhile, isn’t it?”

    Another gentleman joins us. He is a quiet presence and sits on the opposite end of the table. He has been attending the Christmas meeting for around five years. I ask him why the gathering is important to him.

    He says: “Well, people are living on their own, aren’t they? It’s about community, isn’t it? I come here every Friday for coffee mornings, too. I’ve just been to the service in church, and I’ve come here. The service was very good.”

    He eats a chocolate cake, one of the many snacks on the table purchased by Sarah. 

    Me and him continue talking. I ask: “If you weren’t here right now, where do you think you would be?”

    He says: “Doing the crossword and watching the tetly, I suppose.”

    “Do you have any family with you this year?”

    “No.” He says bluntly, “I’m all on my own.”

    Sarah jumps in: “You’re never alone. Not when you’ve got us rabble around you.”

    The councillor is joined by Alford Town Councillor Alan Whitcombe, who commends Sarah for establishing the gathering: “It’s really good. She is really good, isn’t she?”

    Sarah says: “Whether we get one person or a dozen people attending and you’re making a difference to one person, it’s worthwhile, isn’t it?”

    Later, Sarah calls me to talk about someone else who came to the Christmas gathering a low years ago. 

    “He was at breaking point. Ready to take his own life. 

    “Thankfully, he saw the lights through the door and came in and spent a long time with us I sign-posted him to the right people. 

    “He will say to this day, obviously privately, if we hadn’t been open that day he really genuinely believes he would have made that decision that he could never come back from.”

    I ask Sarah why Christmas means so much to people and why loneliness might play a part in that.

    “It is very interesting how media influences people when their Christmas doesn’t turn out like miracle on 34th Street, the media are setting them up for disappointment.

    “It is Christmas Day people want that connection; they want to feel part of something bigger than themselves.”

    Call for action (UK): if you are feeling isolated depressed or suicidal call the Samaritans helpline on 116123.

  • Let there be light: Lincoln Castle illuminates the festive season

    Let there be light: Lincoln Castle illuminates the festive season

    A lights display and carnival will illuminate the Lincoln Castle grounds this December, welcoming people into the festive season.

    The event will take place from the 29th of November to the 23rd of December, with more than 38,000 individual lights on display. Thousands of people will be expected to attend this year, with last year’s turnout at 24,500 visitors.

    There is something for adults and children alike. Stallholders will offer 400 litres of hot mead and more than 800 kilograms of sweets to visitors attending the 25-day exhibition. The castle grounds are open to visitors for £3 a head, but a ticket to walk along the castle wall will cost more.

    Among those visiting were foster carers, 55-year-old Anthony and 52-year-old Lucy Gent. It was their first time attending the event.

    Lucy said: “It certainly feels like the beginning of Christmas now with the lights on.”

    Anthony added: “I think it’s that time of year, were all getting excited towards Christmas, there’s nothing better than getting into that festive mood. Even if we are a little early, who cares? Let’s all feel good!


    “Christmas is about family, spending time with loved ones – eating nice things, drinking nice things, and having a lovely time.”

    With additional features such as a snow machine and light-up candy canes, the Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience is a colourful way to begin the festive season

  • Small Things Like These: understated acting saves vacant plot ★★★☆☆

    Small Things Like These: understated acting saves vacant plot ★★★☆☆

    Is Small Things Like These just another artsy-fartsy Cillian Murphy film? Well, mostly.

    The film focuses on Bill Furlong, a coal merchant who discovers dark secrets in the local convent. Pregnant women and girls are treated poorly by nuns in a sadistic environment of cruelty and carelessness. A quiet but sensitive soul, discovers this by accident. The film follows his actions thereafter.

    There is an overall oppressive atmosphere within the film, following themes of disconnected families, abuse and bullying.

    But fear not, for there is a happy ending. At 93 minutes long, there is a lot of unraveling that needs to take place before this ending is given.

    With an old film feel to it and its incredible performances, it is no surprise that this drama been given critical praise in film festivals.

    Regarding the visuals, the gritty soul of the film is shown through a soft lens. There is a genuine ache I feel when peeling back the layers of the actors performances, from the double takes of Bill’s wife and Bill’s gasps for relief, the acting is superior to most films being shown in the cinema today.

    Warm colours collide with cold moments, just as Bill Furlong’s (Cillian Murphy) sensitivity collides with the harsh world around him. His character is tragically human, fearing the cruelty of the world yet fearing the consequences of changing it.

    However, I am wary of falling into the artsy trap of calling this a masterpiece. Film critics sometimes fail to understand that unless you are a surveyor of the arts, you are not immediately interested in the deeper meaning or colour palette of a film.

    Thus, I will critique the film based on the face value. This is what matters to most movie-goers, after all.

    The storyline is made evident soon enough, although audiences who do not enjoy slow burns will certainly struggle to stay interested

    It does inspire thought, albeit through seemingly disjointed flashbacks and interactions throughout. Unfortunately, the disjointed nature of these occasionally boarders on incoherent.

    Thematically speaking, I feel Small Things Like These could have done better if condensed into a short film. However, the long-form storytelling is done with beautiful cinematography and incredible acting. It kept me interested, although I do wish more happened.

    The storyline was minimalist, which comes with its own disadvantages. The advantages are that audiences can focus more on the acting, visuals and subtle reveals of a character’s inner turmoil. But if you’re watching a film for the sake of watching a film, this might bore some.

    The ending is appreciated, and for a whole two minutes, I felt uplifted.

    Much like the coal Bill supplies, this is a slow burn that fails to warm the heart. Still, Small Things Like These is visually beautiful and a masterclass in understated acting.

  • Paddington in Peru: it was barely bearable ★★☆☆☆

    Paddington in Peru: it was barely bearable ★★☆☆☆

    This is the third instalment in the Paddington series, and often with third instalments (such as Venom), it’s more of the same with less of the punch. 

    I can imagine the filmmakers had many challenges to face. Since the success of the first two films, Paddington has gained a following, and I am among them. I went into the cinema with cautiously high hopes, and unfortunately these were not filled. 

    The reasons included the lack of a feel-good side quest. In the previous films, a refreshing variety of subplots were present, generally stemming from the overall goal by the characters. I would argue there wasn’t any of that in this film, as the missing aunt and the pursuit of El Dorado were indistinguishable plots. Additional shenanigans were far and few between. 

    I also found that things happened because they were supposed to. There was no organic cause and effect but rather a cause, then effect. If I were to describe the plot, I would be using the phrase “and then” often. When a film does this, it risks losing its sense of a natural narrative, which I felt happened in this film. 

    I would also use the phrase “and apparently” a lot too. Apparently the young Paddington had an ancient bracelet on him when Aunt Lucy saved him. And apparently that bracelet was one she wore all the time. And apparently that bracelet has a greater purpose… despite us never having seen it in the previous films. 

    So it goes, with most films part of a saga, there are additional plot points added and backdated. Marvel does it almost every time it makes up a new enemy (I’m looking at you, Venom). But it irks me. It’s not world building, it’s world reframing. And it virtually always feels forced. 

    Maybe I’m being pessimistic. Maybe Paddington’s overwhelmingly positive attitude and the nun’s surprise musical number failed to inspire excessive jubilation with me after a long week of work. Maybe I was just tired. But from my perspective, the humor was less “haha” and more “heh”. 

    With the previous films, Paddington’s clumsiness often paved the way for particularly funny moments. But if you’ve seen the trailer for the film, you have most likely seen all of those scenes before walking into the cinema. 

    One of the many things that the previous films did successfully was incorporate themes of homesickness and family in a surprisingly emotive way. This film took on a different theme by focussing on the concept of leaving the nest, and the idea that someone from another country has “mixed feelings” about their homeland when their current home is elsewhere. 

    This was a great idea, and I thought the film would go into it in more detail. I was wrong. Rather, it was the bow that tied the beginning and end together with Paddington’s letters to home. 

    Creatively speaking, this film felt more formulaic than previous ones. There were nice moments but missed opportunities to show more of the unique animation and special effects that were in the first films. 

    As for the “surprise” plot twists, they were not. It is hardly a spoiler to say you can’t have the talented Olivia Coleman as a mere secondary character. 

    Despite the crying toddler watching the film to my side (and boy, did she cry), Paddington in Peru isn’t very emotional. The moments of conflict were more moments of inconvenience. Still, it isn’t a bad film. Merely an average one. Box office money aside, there were good intentions behind it. Paddington is loveable, iconic and very very polite. 

    Overall, the film is an easy watch for the family. But do not make the same mistake I did. Lower your expectations, and possibly get some sleep before going to the cinema. 

  • Review: The Wild Robot ★★★★ 1/2

    Review: The Wild Robot ★★★★ 1/2

    The Wild Robot is a Family Adventure Animation produced by Dreamworks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures.

    Clearly directed to a broad audience, the story has a variety of messages. From being an outsider to the effects of climate change, the trials of motherhood, the brutality of nature and the advantages of humanity, this film covers enough moral ground to be reasonably thought-provoking for the entire family.

    It explores these themes with a genuine simplicity that is subtle enough to avoid the trap of seeming preachy. One of my favourite family films is WALL-E, and I have heard plenty of comparisons being made – particularly with one scene in which Roz and her “son” has a moment of connection that inspires her memory to come back alive. However, WALL-E is quite heavy-handed with its message (skyscrapers of rubbish will do that). Meanwhile, The Wild Robot focuses less on the environmental issues caused by humanity and more on the humanity of the characters themselves.

    All character-led films have the potential to show their world through a lens you can easily sympathise with (take A Quiet Place for example). This film does the same, with characters that are all very entertaining.

    Even with her robotic characteristics, Ros’s Lupita Nyong’o creates both humour and humanity for the character she portrays. She isn’t the only one. Kit Conner’s character of Brightbill was also amazing, although I do wonder why they could not select an American actor for this. Other honourable mentions include Pedro Pascal as the mischievous Fink, Bill Nighty as Longneck and Catherine O’Hara as tired mother, Pinktail.

    One of the unique characteristics of this film was the language used between the characters. In blunt terms, it is blunt. Perhaps this is expected – in pop culture, robots are generally coded to be honest. If animals were to talk, then I can presume they would also be honest (if my nonchalant cat were to begin talking, I fear of the judgemental things he would tell me).

    The brutality of nature is discussed heavily in the film – be aware, you will see dead animals. But this topic is a ripe ground to explore the clash and harmony between humanity and nature. The film does well to show the chemistry between the best parts of humanity (the ability to care, even when it is not suitable for surviving), and the best parts of nature (adaptability).

    The more sombre matters surrounding the difficulties of survival and death are seasoned with dark humour. That being said, the humour is not pitch-black. In fact, the humour is about as light as dark humour can be, but there were times when I was laughing loudly in the cinema – maybe more so than the children.

    As for the plot, it was predictable for the first half. The trailer moments (found mostly in the first half) were perhaps wasted, I’d have found it more impactful if they were placed somewhere later in the film. I got worried thinking I had seen the best parts of the film so early on.

    But I found these moments enjoyable nonetheless. With stunning visuals and an amazing soundscape, the first part of the film has a level of creativity you would typically see in a short animation film. The second half of the film was less predictable, which accounted for the halfway lull I started to feel after what I thought was the climax.

    I was never completely bored, however. From a visual perspective, this film is essentially brain candy. With a hand-created digital art look, there is something artisanal in its approach. My eyes certainly appreciated that.

    In summary, The Wild Robot is a beautiful story with a lot of heart, incredible voice acting, and a decent story. Although the story was somewhat simplistic (as you might expect with a family film), the internal and external interactions between the characters were entertaining enough that I was invested throughout.

    The true antagonist was the issue of disconnect – in the beginning, between Roz and the animals, her “son” and then with the society that made her. Eventually, this is all resolved through the connection between the animals, inspired by Roz, who learns to connect with her inner “wild robot”.

  • Listen: the Midweek Drive Online, October 17th 2024

    Listen: the Midweek Drive Online, October 17th 2024

    Listen with Podbean

    From Doctor Who to recycling to children’s bedtime stories, all part of the Midweek Drive discussion!

    Hear from Dr Who historian David Howe, actress Taryn Kay, JJ Chalmers and more, presented by the team.

    More From Southside Broadcasting:

    TMD ONLINE Wed Dec 31st 2025 – southsidebroadcasting

    Elly Sample, Kara Joubert, Victoria Simmonds, Ana Cosconel, Jonathan Linsley, Cathy Manso, Sarah Huntley & Alex Lewczuk with approx 90 mins of audio entertainment to wrap up 2025 AD
    1. TMD ONLINE Wed Dec 31st 2025
    2. FMTTM The Podcast Mid-Season thoughts
    3. Lorin Krenn `Love , Relationships and Awakening`
    4. Resonance Rewind Ep 283 `Casino Royale`
    5. Tricia Copeland, Lynda Williams, Patrick Sangimino, Publishing thoughts and avoiding phone scams
  • Listen: the Midweek Drive Online, August 7th 2024

    Listen: the Midweek Drive Online, August 7th 2024

    Listen with Podbean

    From Armin Shimerman in LA to Paul Chuckle in Rotherham with laughter and Australia liberally added in the latest TMDO

    More From Southside Broadcasting:

    TMD ONLINE Wed Dec 31st 2025 – southsidebroadcasting

    Elly Sample, Kara Joubert, Victoria Simmonds, Ana Cosconel, Jonathan Linsley, Cathy Manso, Sarah Huntley & Alex Lewczuk with approx 90 mins of audio entertainment to wrap up 2025 AD
    1. TMD ONLINE Wed Dec 31st 2025
    2. FMTTM The Podcast Mid-Season thoughts
    3. Lorin Krenn `Love , Relationships and Awakening`
    4. Resonance Rewind Ep 283 `Casino Royale`
    5. Tricia Copeland, Lynda Williams, Patrick Sangimino, Publishing thoughts and avoiding phone scams
  • Listen: Resonance Rewind Film & TV Reviews: The Lego Movie 2

    Listen: Resonance Rewind Film & TV Reviews: The Lego Movie 2

    Revisiting films from the past and the past long past.

    Listen with Podbean

    This Resonance Rewind episode will get stuck inside your head…

    More from Southside Broadcasting:

    TMD ONLINE Wed Dec 31st 2025 – southsidebroadcasting

    Elly Sample, Kara Joubert, Victoria Simmonds, Ana Cosconel, Jonathan Linsley, Cathy Manso, Sarah Huntley & Alex Lewczuk with approx 90 mins of audio entertainment to wrap up 2025 AD
    1. TMD ONLINE Wed Dec 31st 2025
    2. FMTTM The Podcast Mid-Season thoughts
    3. Lorin Krenn `Love , Relationships and Awakening`
    4. Resonance Rewind Ep 283 `Casino Royale`
    5. Tricia Copeland, Lynda Williams, Patrick Sangimino, Publishing thoughts and avoiding phone scams