The Senate's attempt to erase the memory of Emperor Nero after his suicide in 68 AD has posed challenges for the 'Nero: The Man Behind the Myth' exhibition at the British Museum. Curators, including lead curator Thorsten Opper, have had to deal with altered artifacts such as a bust of Vespasian, which is a recarved bust of Nero, identifiable by traces on the marble.

Czech director Václav Marhoul spent 11 years creating the film adaptation of Jerzy Kosiński's Holocaust novel The Painted Bird, which faced initial challenges in acquiring film rights. The film, noted for its international critical acclaim, portrays a young Jewish boy's harrowing experiences in Eastern Europe during World War II, balancing scenes of brutality with moments of kindness. Despite its controversial content leading to walkouts at the Venice Film Festival, it won the UNICEF prize. Marhoul's innovative choices included shooting in black-and-white Cinemascope and using the Interslavic language to avoid associating any specific nation with the film's negative portrayal of villagers. The film's reception in Poland was affected by Kosiński's tarnished reputation, and Marhoul doubts it will be distributed there.

Upcoming novels, TV series, films, and videogames are providing an escape from current economic uncertainties by reflecting on the financial trauma of the early 1930s. The Great Depression is a backdrop for HBO's 'Perry Mason' reboot and influences the new series adaptation of Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' on NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming platform, premiering July 15.

Cecil Beaton, a renowned 20th-century British photographer, has an exhibition titled 'Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things' opening on March 12 at London's National Portrait Gallery. Curated by Robin Muir, who began posting Beaton's work on Instagram, the exhibition features 80 photographs, vintage prints, and other items, including Beaton's first camera, a Box Brownie.

Daniel Kehlmann, an author known for infusing impish humor into his novels, discusses his latest book 'Tyll', a historical fiction that reimagines the 14th-century jester Tyll Ulenspiegel during the Thirty Years' War. The novel has been successful in Germany and is being adapted by Netflix. Kehlmann, who grew up in Vienna, draws on his Austrian roots and is influenced by Latin American magical realists. He also touches on his family's history during World War II and his recent play about Jewish refugees, 'The Voyage of the St. Louis'.

Daniel Kehlmann's latest book 'Tyll', which reimagines the 14th-century tale of jester Tyll Ulenspiegel during the Thirty Years' War, is set to be published in English by Pantheon and adapted into a Netflix series. The novel has been successful in Germany and is Kehlmann's second work of historical fiction after 'Measuring the World'. Kehlmann, known for infusing humor into his narratives, drew inspiration from his Austrian upbringing and his interest in Latin American magical realists. The author, who resides in Manhattan with his family, also reflects on the impact of political events like Donald Trump's election on his writing process. Kehlmann's work continues to explore themes of escape and resilience, and he has recently completed a play about Jewish refugees, 'The Voyage of the St. Louis'.

The article discusses British painter Walter Sickert, who was known for his depictions of London's music halls in the late 1880s. Sickert, a former stage actor with a passion for Shakespeare, brought an element of showmanship to his paintings. He aimed to portray English popular culture in his artwork, drawing inspiration from French artists like Edgar Degas and Édouard Manet, who captured cafe culture in Paris. The article highlights Sickert's early fame and his contribution to the arts.