Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

Your browser window currently does not have enough height, or is zoomed in too far to view our website content correctly. Once the window reaches the minimum required height or zoom percentage, the content will display automatically.

Alternatively, you can learn more via the links below.

Donations via GiveNow

Email

Instagram

LinkedIn

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

ISSUE NO. 7

February 2025

Donate Here

Culture

Back to Black

A biographical drama about singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse

By

Vincent

Vincent writes from Long Bay Correctional Centre, NSW.

Font Size
Font Size
Line Height
Line Height
Dyslexia Friendly
Black & White
Hide Images
Night Mode

This is a film about music powerhouse, multi-award winning artist, and a one-of-a-kind record breaking songstress from London, Amy Winehouse.

‘Back to Black’ charts Amy's life from her teen years through to her success as a world famous musician and singer. The film shows how Amy's unique sound garnered her a record contract in the UK and the release of her acclaimed album "Frank". This biopic focuses on Amy's love affair with Blake, and the significant impact this period had on Amy's music. Both Marisa Abela (as Amy Winehouse) and Jack O'Connell (as Blake) provide outstanding performances.

A tie that proves all-too-consuming for Amy is her attachment to alcohol. The grip that alcohol held over Winehouse is illustrated throughout the film. Indeed, the battle with addiction is shown to be one of the major obstacles throughout Amy's life.

The movie does a superb job of showcasing the talent and persona of Winehouse. The audience is left with a better appreciation of how and why the gifted artist was able to reach the pinnacle of her industry. Furthermore, Amy's emotional make-up is revealed as the core to her music and the reason she was so relatable and loved by her fans.

I finished the film wanting to see more of the final era of Amy's life. An explanation or an outline of the events that occurred at the end of Winehouse's journey would have served the biopic well. At its close, we are left pondering: just what drove Amy ‘back to black’?

Rating: 4 Jailbirds – "An excellent expose of the woman and artist that was Amy Winehouse"

This is a film about music powerhouse, multi-award winning artist, and a one-of-a-kind record breaking songstress from London, Amy Winehouse.

‘Back to Black’ charts Amy's life from her teen years through to her success as a world famous musician and singer. The film shows how Amy's unique sound garnered her a record contract in the UK and the release of her acclaimed album "Frank". This biopic focuses on Amy's love affair with Blake, and the significant impact this period had on Amy's music. Both Marisa Abela (as Amy Winehouse) and Jack O'Connell (as Blake) provide outstanding performances.

A tie that proves all-too-consuming for Amy is her attachment to alcohol. The grip that alcohol held over Winehouse is illustrated throughout the film. Indeed, the battle with addiction is shown to be one of the major obstacles throughout Amy's life.

The movie does a superb job of showcasing the talent and persona of Winehouse. The audience is left with a better appreciation of how and why the gifted artist was able to reach the pinnacle of her industry. Furthermore, Amy's emotional make-up is revealed as the core to her music and the reason she was so relatable and loved by her fans.

I finished the film wanting to see more of the final era of Amy's life. An explanation or an outline of the events that occurred at the end of Winehouse's journey would have served the biopic well. At its close, we are left pondering: just what drove Amy ‘back to black’?

Rating: 4 Jailbirds – "An excellent expose of the woman and artist that was Amy Winehouse"

Straight Outta Risdon – Bars Behind Bars

Straight Outta Risdon – Bars Behind Bars

Straight Outta Risdon – Bars Behind Bars

By Sara
By Sara

It takes real courage to grab the mic and share your story, especially in front of fellow inmates and complete strangers. Bars Behind Bars is more than a music program at Risdon Prison; it’s a creative outlet that’s uncovering raw talent and powerful voices.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 18

3 MIN READ

Artists With Conviction Celebrates 15 Years!

Artists With Conviction Celebrates 15 Years!

Artists With Conviction Celebrates 15 Years!

By Sara
By Sara

Prison is a noisy place, yet at Risdon Prison, in Tasmania – nestled near bushland and close to the Risdon Brook Dam – the sounds of nature still break through. Despite the din, the calls of native birds are unmistakable.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 15

2 MIN READ

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

Book Review: The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou

By Alexander
By Alexander

The genre is crime fiction, set in the Australian outback, in rural, sometimes insular communities where everyone seems to know everyone else. This is set in the outback NSW town of Cobb where a woman, a local school teacher, has been stoned to death.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 7

3 MIN READ

Leave a Comment

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
0 Comments
Author Name
Comment Time

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere. uis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

The Potential of Video Games in Prison

By Stacey Stokes

Video games can be helpful for people both inside and leaving prison. They’re not only entertaining, but they can help people deal with the trauma of prison and re-entry in the community.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 19

2 MIN READ

Sports Round Up

By Goal Mouth

An overview of recent sporting events, including AFLW, motor racing, soccer and cricket.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 18

3 MIN READ

Straight Outta Risdon – Bars Behind Bars

By Sara

It takes real courage to grab the mic and share your story, especially in front of fellow inmates and complete strangers. Bars Behind Bars is more than a music program at Risdon Prison; it’s a creative outlet that’s uncovering raw talent and powerful voices.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 18

3 MIN READ

Your Armchair Guide to Summer Sport

By Goal Mouth

An overview of recent sporting events, including horse racing, motor racing, AFLW and cricket.

Culture

ISSUE NO. 17

3 MIN READ

Get the full paper in print each month.

6-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for six months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $70

12-Month Subscription:

Physical copy of About Time delivered to your home or organisation each month for twelve months. Paid upfront.

Subscribe for $125

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.

Support Australia's First National Prison Newspaper

A place for news and education, expression and hope

Help keep the momentum going. All donations will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. If you would like to pay directly into our bank account to avoid the processing fee, please contact donate@abouttime.org.au. ABN 67 667 331 106.

It's
About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

Newsletter

Be the first to learn about our monthly stories, plus new initiatives and live events

You've successfully registered!
Something went wrong when we tried to register your details. Please try again.