The infamous Spanish series Money Heist [ La Casa De Papel] has been hailed as the most watched foreign TV series on Netflix. It has garnered a lot of fame with it’s gripping plot, intense actions, and mostly, the roller coaster of emotions that the characters go through. The chilling finale of S04 paved the way for a new season. On 31st July, 2020 Netflix posted a picture of the popular Dali mask to confirm that Money Heist will return for it’s last and final season.
Possible Release Date
S04 released on 3rd April, 2020 with eight episodes. The season picked up right from where it left. There has been no official news regarding the release date of S05 but it is believed that there will be ten episodes instead of eight. The cast members Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Pedro Alonso, and others often post glimpses of their shoot. Even though the pandemic delayed the shooting, the cast took extra precaution before finally going back to the set. The fifth installment is supposed to air around late 2021.
Cast Members
Almost all the main cast members are returning for the final season. Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó) and Rio (Miguel Herrán will reignite their tensed chemistry. Along with them, Denver(Jaime Lorente) and Stockholm(Esther Acebo) will be seen alongside Helsinki (Darko Periç) .The Professor( Àlvaro Morte) will forge an escape route . Lisbon(Itziar Ituño) is the latest addition to the gang. Berlin (Pedro Alonso) will also be seen in flashbacks. Hovik Keuchkerian (Bogotá), Luka Peros (Marseille), Belén Cuesta (Manila) and Rodrigo de la Serna (Palermo) will also be there. Fernando Cayo (Coronel Tamayo), Najwa Nimri (Inspector Sierra), and José Manuel Poga (Gandía) will reprise their villainous roles alongside Enrique Arce (Arturo) to enhance the plot.
After the epic season 4 ending, it is difficult to say whether Alba Flores (Nairobi) will return. There might be short glimpses of her past like they do in case of Berlin.
The Gang
This upcoming season features some new addition to the original cast. Sense8 fame Miguel Ángel Silvestre and The King actor Patrick Criado have been confirmed as new faces behind the Dali mask. Also, writer and director José Manuel Seda took Instagram to announce his involvement in the final chapter of the heist.
The possible plot for S05
Season 4 ended with professor’s mind-blowing execution of the plan which led Lisbon to finally enter the bank. Everyone is heartbroken after the untimely death of Nairobi. The fire of revenge runs in their veins as they vow to stick to their plan and extract the gold ‘For Nairobi’. However, Inspector Sierra catches the professor red-handed with a gun pointed to his head.
Image Credit : ScreenRant
It’ll be interesting to see how the professor guides his comrades now that he has been caught. There are so many uncertainties and obstacles lying in their path. Will the characters escape safely and retain their freedom like they did last time? Will Alicia kill the professor or will he manage to escape from her clutch? With so many new additions, it’ll be interesting to see how they pan out in this entire heist scenario. The show creator Àlex Pina knows the buzz this show has created. He wants to give the show a fitting end.
Trailer
In the meantime, if you’re missing the thrill and drama of Money Heist, binge watch it once again. Here is a glimpse of the S04 trailer.
Directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis, Cast Away is a cult classic cinema. Starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, and Nick Searcy, the movie became an instant hit upon it’s release on 2000. Tom Hanks smeared everyone’s heart with his outstanding performance which got him nominated for Best Actor in a leading role in the 73rd Academy Awards.
The Plot
A FedEx executive Chuck Noland is a very successful employee. He is extremely busy with his work which often hinders his relationship with his long-term girlfriend Kelly Frears. Just before Christmas, Chuck had to leave for Malaysia due to some urgent work. Before leaving, he proposed to Kelly. However, during his journey, a violent storm engulfs the ocean. His plane crashes in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Chuck somehow manages to stay afloat amidst the violent storm. The next day, Chuck finds himself on an uninhabited island. Soon, he finds FedEx packages floating in the ocean. He begins to collect them. He also stumbles upon one of his crewmates. With a heavy heart, Chuck gives him a burial.
This is how Chuck’s journey began on an island, isolated from the rest of the world. He spends days trying to learn how to fend food for himself. After a series of failed effort, he manages to ignite fire. Soon, out of isolation, he starts opening the FedEx packages. He finds a Volleyball and draws a face on him with his blood and begins to call him Wilson.
Image Credit : CNN Indonesia
Chuck spends four years on the island. There were times when he tried hanging himself. He wept profusely, he screamed, ravaged the island but nothing helped him. Finally, he decides to build a raft for himself and go back to habitation at any cost. Unfortunately, during his return venture, Wilson floats away from him. He tries hard to grasp the ball but nothing works. The pain, the trauma, the bereavement that Chuck felt on losing his only friend broke millions of audience’s hearts.
Finally, a ship stumbles onto him and takes him back. On returning, Chuck has a hard time adjusting to reality. He also finds out that his soulmate Kelly is married to someone else. The movie ends with Chuck carrying one unopened parcel to its actual owner. The parcel gave him a sense of purpose amidst desolation.
Image Credit : Empire
Is Cast Away based on a true story?
It might come as a surprise but Cast Away is absolutely fictional. However, the screenwriter William Broyles Jr. spent several days alone stranded in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez to understand the depth of the character. He even befriended a washed-up Wilson-brand volleyball, which served as an inspiration and ended up in the movie. There are several stories about real life incidents where people spent years alone on an island. One such person is Leendert Hasenbosch who was punished for being homosexual. In 1725, he was left on Ascension Island where he spent six months. He drank his own urine to survive but unfortunately, he passed away.
The touches of reality
FedEx didn’t mind their free promotion as they garnered a lot of fame. Monuriki Island, the filming spot of Cast Away, became a famous tourist attraction in the following years. However, one shouldn’t overlook the hidden inner meanings of the movie. Cast Away shows how human beings struggle to survive when they’re actually faced with challenging situation. No amount of money, or fame, or power can save you when you don’t have the basic necessities to survive in an unknown island.
A classic spin to the Holmes family, Enola Holmes is the tale of a young lady detective trying to fit in a male dominated society. The story begins with the sudden disappearance of Eudoria ( Helena Bonham Carter) and a young Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) confronting her brothers for the first time. Netflix’s new film is a jarring story of self-discovery amidst chaos.
Mycroft( Sam Claflin) is flabbergasted at the un-lady like appearance of Enola. He makes it his life’s mission to send Enola to a boarding school where they can groom her to become more lady-like. Sherlock (Henry Cavill) is charmed by Enola’s witty remarks and intelligence but takes no stand against Mycroft’s tyranny.
Enola flees her childhood home and on her way to London she meets Lord Viscount Tewkesbury of Basilwether ( Louis Partridge) . In a twisted turn of events, they both face several daunting challenges. Inspite of going separate ways, their fate becomes intertwined and they end up solving one of the biggest massacres of the Basilwether family. At times, the second half felt tedious and unnecessarily stretching. Enola meets her mother in the end and the tale gets it’s happy ending.
Millie Bobby Brown feels like a breathe of fresh air as Enola Holmes. She did justice to the role and looked elegant in Victorian costumes. The cinematography and Victorian set looked very enchanting. Claflin’s moustache is definitely noteworthy as he brings Mycroft to life. It is difficult to imagine someone else other than Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock. Cavill’s charm is visible but unimpressive as Holmes. Most of the time he is hiding behind Mycroft’s charades. He fails to make Sherlock stand out. At times, he looked lifeless and monotonous. Louis Partridge, the young British teenager did his best and left a mark as Tewkesbury. Helena Bonham Carter makes a strong statement as an unorthodox mother. She sets a benchmark in a so called polished society.
Nancy Springer makes Enola stand out in an environment so determined to curb her spirit. The mystery isn’t extremely mind blowing but the struggle of women in a Victorian society is pointed out in a flawless way. A society cannot accept a girl fighting like a trained warrior or dressed like a man. She has to be dolled up in corsets and bonnets to get a husband. The educated personnel are busy criticizing a reform which establishes equal rights between men and women. Jack Thorne succeeds in sending out a message via his adaptation.
The pain, the anxiety, the trauma, the horror of common people especially women is evident when Enola says, ‘ Maybe it’s the world that needs changing’. Despite it’s several flaws and failure to create a gripping tale, Enola Holmes is definitely a treat to watch. It is time for the world to let go of the bias and accept the new lady detective. It would be nice to see two Holmes teaming up together to solve more mind-blogging mysteries.
Have you ever wondered the real agenda behind the term “cashless”? The digitalized mode of payment for business transcations has been in the limelight for a few years now. Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises are shedding their old age beliefs of cash exchange. They’re switching to methods that are more reliable and convenient.
When Satoshi Nakamoto invented bitcoin in 2008, people were extremely skeptical about it. Eventually, as people started learning about various capabilities of crypto, they realised how hassle free and efficient it is. In modern era, Cryprtocurrency has made our lives easier. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies are often used in several investments. Without any central authority or banks hovering around, this digitalized currency believes in peer to peer transaction.
Is it safe for business?
Bitcoin transactions are secured and recorded in a procedure called blockchain. It prevents theft and pillage and makes it easier to track down the expenditure. The anonymity of the user and the absence of government interference makes it more reliable to some people. The cheap transaction rate makes it even more alluding to business ventures.
Benefits
It is universally known that the transaction cost of cards can be a hefty amount. This generally tends to cripple a business with a large debt. But, Cryptocurrency requires just a digital wallet. With this, there is no need to pay the transaction fee. As a result, at the end of the year one can save a humongous amount of sum.
With the absence of banks, the waiting period is over. Instant payment makes it easier for the customers and the business owners to carry on their transactions without any delay. The quicker mode of transaction has a positive impact on emerging enterprises. The new business ventures make cryptocurrency their base mode of payment.
The question of fraudulence and theft seems out of the equation as this promotes only peer to peer transaction. Once the payment is completed, it cannot be overriden. The blockchain system makes it impossible for the transaction to be reversible. One interesting thing about cryptocurrency is that loans and debts is a redundant concept which makes it impossible to spend what you do not own. Hence, the foundation of monetary transaction is strengthened even more.
Cryptocurrency is a growing concept. It hasn’t reached it’s full potential yet. But, it has the ability to become a global currency. It eliminates the hurdles of processing fees in case of international transaction which makes it even more feasible for business owners. It’s worldwide growing popularity is a plus point for your business.
After extensive research, experts have concluded that digital payment mode will reach 726 billion by 2020. Opportunists are using this moment as an advantage on their side. Adding bitcoins might increase the sales as Bitcoin ATM is making an appearance.
Risks
As much efficient as Cryptocurrency is, there are certain risks evolved with this. Cryptocurrency is an emerging market so no proper rules and regulations has been finalised yet. You need to keep a thorough account on the taxes that your government has levied as it may vary from country to country.
As there is no head authority or bank involved, digital wallets have no insurance. Even though blockchain technology eliminates all the threats but cyberpunk and hackers might somehow find a way to your wallet. As Cryptocurrency hasn’t become global yet, the technological problems are still surfacing. There are several issues regarding the safety of the digital wallet which needs to fixed.
The several benefits of Cryptocurrency has been a talk of the town for entrepreneurs. All you need is a digital wallet or a QR code and your business is all set to go.
Crypto.com, CoinBase, BitPay etc allows you to create an account within minutes. There is a processing fee for this but it’s a meagre sum compared to banks. At the end, you cannot achieve success without embracing the risks. The path to success is full of obstacles that you need to overcome. You should always look at all the positive things that Cryptocurrency is offering. It is enough for you grab the opportunity before it’s too late.
There is something which has been hogging my mind for the past few months. Now that I’m standing on the edge of my academic career, I’m looking forward to a new venture. I’m trying to find the right place where I can fit in. Don’t ask me what I want to do, because believe me, I’m as clueless as anybody from my batch, but, I want to do something with my life. I want to establish myself as a working woman.
The inherent patriarchal strata of our society generally concludes that working women are too liberal or too progressive. The misogynistic minds prevailing in our society tend to curb their desire for freedom and chop off their wings of liberty. Believe me, misogyny isn’t something that exists in one gender but there are women who hate the idea of another women trying to work and establish her own identity. The struggle of women is unending. Each and every woman goes through a rollercoaster ride to establish her existence in a society which doesn’t want to acknowledge equality between genders.
Anyway, let’s focus on something else now. The idea of a “fresher” trying to find a job isn’t something new that should be in limelight. But I’m here to share something from my own experience. Most of the companies don’t want a fresher. They’re looking for 5years worth of experience in a 20 year old. The web of sham that these organisations have spun over the years is noteworthy. They don’t want to nurture a fresh mind. They want someone experienced to boost their organisation’s worth.
However, I personally believe a person should be judged by their skills and talents not by so called experience. One can work for 2 years in a company and learn nothing, at the same time, one can learn so much just in a few months. It’s all up to the person’s potential. I’ve seen so many organisations strictly write in their requirements section “Fresher’s do not apply”. Why are they so threatened to give somebody new a chance? Aren’t freshers worth a shot? Why are they expecting experience from a newbie when they themselves aren’t willing to take the chance?
The effects of capitalism is felt all around the world but the corporate industry is the worst victim of it and the aftermath is felt by freshers. It is important to remember that the path towards success is full of hurdles. If a company wishes to succeed, it has to take the risk of embracing the freshers as well as the experienced fellas. They’ve to embark on a journey full of ups and down for the bittersweet ending.
A fresher might have more insightful idea or innovative take on a situation than any experienced person. Both of them can equally learn from each other and put together their sturdy minds to find unique solutions for any obstacle that come across their path.
One of the worst things that I hate about this “Fresher’s Recruitment” procedure is that the Hiring Managers do not provide any explanation to the rejected candidates. They deserve to know where they went wrong or why they were left out of the selection procedure so that they can work on themselves and improve their chances in future. The tedious journey of applying everywhere and getting no response in return can have negative effects on mind. It can tear your soul apart. You might think that I’m equally qualified and talented like the rest of them then why was I left out? One might succumb in a pool of self deprecating thoughts and emotions. The perpetual thought of not being enough might take over your soul. Your spirit might be broken and you might lose the desire to even apply anymore.
It is important to remember that you’re worthy. It’s okay to be rejected because when one door closes, another one opens. The process of finding the right place might be strenuous and relentless for your mental health but once this subsides, you’ll find your light at the end of the tunnel. Till then, just hold on and face your adversity with a smile.
The “Me Too” Movement took internet by storm in 2018 when women from all over the world started coming forward and talked about how they’ve been harassed, molested and abused by sexual predators. It was a wake up call for everyone and people realised how women have suffered for centuries, irrespective of age.
Harassment at work has been in the limelight for quite sometime now. People have come forward about their abuser’s exploitation at work place. Companies should try to create a safe work space for everyone. They are equally responsible for their employee’s individual rights. Employees should feel safe when they want to come forward and talk about a sensitive issue.
Here are certain things that should be kept in mind.
1.ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM.
It’s high time we give up the notion that only women can be sexually abused. Men also face this. Nobody likes to be inappropriately touched or groped. Nobody wants to feel intimidated by an abuser. Come forward and talk. Be vocal about what you went through. It is important for the victim to voice his/her case. The matter will be looked into and a thorough investigation will be launched. Companies should aim at establishing grounds of equality for everyone, irrespective of gender and sexual orientation.
2.INVESTIGATE.
There is nothing more wrong in the world than violating a person’s chastity without consent. But, it is also a fact that sometimes people take advantage of it and lodge a false complaint to ruin someone’s reputation. The allegation of a rapist can be extremely harrowing for an innocent man/woman. It’ll ruin their image in front of the entire world. They might end up losing everything. So, it is important to get the facts straight before accusing someone of harassment. The company will also be at jeopardy if an abuser isn’t punished or if an abuser walks free.
3.LEARN HOW TO BEHAVE PROPERLY.
You can also make someone uncomfortable by lewd remarks and nasty stares. Don’t make inappropriate jokes that can make someone feel violated. Don’t stare at someone inappropriately.Learn how to make your work place a healthy and safe environment for everyone. Practise good morals and respect your coworkers.
4.LISTEN.
It has often been observed that managers tend to overlook harassment complaints by the victims. Don’t take advantage of your position. Sexual abuse can deteriorate mental health and ruin self confidence.All they need in those moments is for someone who’ll hear them out. Be considerate and empathetic towards them. Companies should believe in equality and prosperity so that everyone feels heard.
5.RAISE AWARENESS.
Being silent can kill a person mentally. The strain of sexual abuse can be too much to handle. Arrange campaigns and raise awareness among the employees. It is important for everyone to learn and respect each other and maintain chivalry inside or outside of the work place. Conduct seminars and enlighten everyone about the harassment issue. They should know that they’re not alone in this. They should feel safe and secure when they want to come forward. Nobody has the right to judge or look down upon a victim. Learn to support each other even in trying times. Any company should be a firm believer of their employee’s individuality and security.
At the end of the day, you can only hope to create the world a better place for every estranged soul out there, trying to fight their battles all by themselves.
The Great Recession which engulfed the entire nation from 2007-2009 perished the world’s economy in an unthinkable manner. Millions of people from all around the world lost their jobs. Companies filed for bankruptcy as the Global Financial Crisis drove them penniless.
With the emergence of Coronavirus, the scenario reeks resemblance of what the world had endured during the Great Recession. In this pandemic, when companies are laying off their staff to save their sinking ships, Startups are emerging like a knight in a shining armour.
Is it wise to establish your business when a pandemic is around? Building a business from scratch can be extremely strenuous, both mentally and physically for entrepreneurs. You have to be passionate, ambitious, career-driven enthusiast while creating a company. Kick starting your dream amidst a pandemic might have it’s own set of challenges but there is a silver lining to everything. History has proved that startups surfacing during economic downturn actually succeeded in building multimillion dollar business empire.
Here are 8 common household names which began their journey during economic downfall –
1.Airbnb
Their journey began in 2007 when Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia couldn’t afford to pay rent in San Francisco. To meet their needs, they furnished their loft into a simple bed and breakfast and bought three air mattress. Pretty soon, they realised that their idea has more potential than they had ever imagined. Nathan Blecharczyk joined their venture and became the company’s first chief technology officer. They inspired others to renovate unused rooms and rent it out. Seven months into their business, Airbnb recorded 10,000 users and 2,500 listings. In March 2017, the estimated value of Airbnb was $31 billion.
2. Uber
Initially known as Ubercab, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp stumbled upon the idea of rental cab in Paris in 2008. While returning home on a cold winter night from an annual tech conference, they failed to book a cab. The idea was to create an app for booking cabs to help stranded civilians. The journey of Uber was filled with obstacles. The company faced severe resistance from the taxi industry. People arranged large scale protests against Uber as they feared losing their daily wage. But the road to success isn’t easy. Soon, Uber came up with their carpooling service along with their food delivery chain. The company’s estimated value was $75.5 billion in 2019,making it one of the most successful startups in the history.
3. Venmo
Can you believe a yogurt shop is the reason behind Venmo’s existence? Iqram Magdon-Ismail and Andrew Kortina met each other in University of Pennsylvania. Their objective was to find an easier and secured mode of digital transaction. In 2009,while helping their friend to set up a yogurt shop, they “realized how horrible traditional point of sales software was”. The idea was solidified when one time Ismail forgot to bring his wallet during a trip to visit Kortina. Their first archetype endorsed exchange of money via text messages but it eventually turned into an app. Braintree procured Venmo for $26 million in 2012 and eventually PayPal acquired Braintree for $300 million.
4. WhatsApp
Be it a teenager or an aged person, everyone is familiar with WhatsApp. The sheer joy of sharing our emotions and feelings through emoticons, voice messages and texts is inexplicable. Former Yahoo employees Brian Acton and Jan Koum wanted to revolutionize the mode of messaging app. In 2009,they began their journey and in 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion. The need to spend such a humongous amount on an app that nobody knew back then seemed ludicrous. But,in 2019,WhatsApp registered 2 billion users from all over the world making it one of the most popular apps worldwide.
5. Instagram
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger originally launched Instagram on iOS in October 2010. They wanted to create an amalgamation of instant camera and telegram. Instagram allows people to share photos and videos and also, tag and follow others. The variety of filters that Instagram provides captivates everyone. In 2012, when Instagram released it’s version on Android, the app was downloaded more than a million times in a single day.The app kept on modifying it’s features with IGTV, Instagram Live and Reels. Instagram valued a whopping amount of $100 billion in 2018.
6. Pinterest
Every kid had a scrapbook to store memories, pictures, artworks. It was like a small book full of hidden treasure. Who would have thought to create a digital version of scrapbook to store memories for eternity? Bil Silbermann, Evan Sharp and Paul Sciarra launched Pinterest in 2009. Within nine months of it’s launch, the website had 10,000 users.According to ExperianHitwise, the site became the third largest social network in the United States in March 2012. In 2019, the market capitalization of the company was $14 billion.
7. Netflix
The term ‘Netflix and Chill’ is heard by all. But, how many of you know the actual struggle behind creating one of the most popular online streaming platform? Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings established Netflix in 1997 with an investment of $2.5 million. The company initially focused on renting out DVDs. Netflix recorded it’s billionth DVD sale in early 2007. Soon, they realised they can attract more customers with online streaming service. On October 2018, Netflix’s customer base reached 137 million worldwide, making it world’s biggest online video subscription service. The journey began with 30 employees and now they’ve more than 8000 employees worldwide.
8. Zoom
‘Social Distancing’ is perhaps the most used term in 2020. Every now and then, there are slogans and banners everywhere, requesting us to keep safe distance while maintaining our normal lives. Life without Zoom seems unimaginable now. From online classes to important meetings, Zoom has been our saviour. The concept of telecommunication came to Eric Yuan’s mind when he had to travel for 10 hours to meet his girlfriend. He wanted to create a safe space where he could see his girlfriend in no time without travelling. Thus, Zoom came into existence. This cloud based peer to peer software platform has been the Messiah of mankind. From 10 million users in December 2019 to 200 million users in March, Zoom’s journey is one of the most commendable ones. It helps us to maintain stability in our work environment without jeopardizing our lives.
Nothing comes easy in life. You have to risk everything in order to get everything in return. Being a part of something so new and fragile can be scary. One wrong step might shatter your lifelong dream. But without risks, you can never achieve the fruit of hardwork. Recession or no recession, a bright idea and innovative mind can conquer any obstacle laid down in it’s path.
As a manager, have you ever felt the pressure to keep your calm even though your entire world is falling apart? Relax, You’re not the only one. WHO –led study estimates that 264 million people globally suffer from depression and anxiety. Most of them are in denial as people rarely talk about mental health. However, being a manager must amplify your stress that nobody can even understand. So, here are 5 tips to maintain your mental health in your work place and with your team.
1.SPEAK YOUR HEART OUT
It is only communication that can help you release your stress. It can be antagonizing to remain calm with your team at times but keep in mind that they’re as clueless as you are. Don’t lose your temper. Make them understand their flaws and communicate your way out of it.
2.POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
A healthy work environment is extremely crucial. If you find out that one of your team members is disturbing the harmony of your work place, try to reason with that person first. Since you’re in a more authoritarian position, deal with the situation in a matured way. Report to HR if necessary.
3.EXERCISE
Depression, unlike other diseases, is a slow killer. It’ll consume your desire to feel happiness or be productive. Exercising has always helped people with anxiety issues. It won’t take away the pain entirely, but it’ll surely increase your patience when you’re dealing with some kind of obstruction with your potential clients or your team.
4.AWARENRESS
Just like you, your team members also face this issue. There is a stigma in our society where depression is labeled as insanity. People deny to talk about it in the fear of getting judged. Start Mental Health Awareness Campaigns. Preach to others how important it is. Listen to your employees and resolve by effective communication.
5.ENGAGING IN FUN ACTIVITIES
Freud believed that love and work goes hand in hand but you cannot stress yourself out. It is important at times to break the chain of monotony and indulge in some fun and casual activities with your teammates. Not only does it relax everyone but also builds a strong bonding among the team members. Unity is a very important key to maintain a healthy work environment.
Mental Health is a topic which needs to break the stereotype of orthodox culture. Even if you’re buried under a pile of responsibility, you deserve to take care of your mental health and feel happy too.
The Silent Observer. 