New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

A portrait of Stephanie Wong.

Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor

Stephanie Wong is a junior double-majoring in Media, Culture and Communication and Journalism, with a minor in English Literature. In her spare time, she loves watching bad movies and curating esoteric Spotify playlists. You can find her at @_stephaniewong_ on Instagram, @normalstephanie on Spotify, and unfortunately, on Letterboxd as @emima.

All content by Stephanie Wong
A pink illustration of a girl in a blue top hugging her mother, who is in a green top. In the background are pink flexed arms and flowers.

Staff Recs: Who runs the world?

Our favorite feminist media to carry you into this Women’s History Month cultured and empowered.

The greatest part of March — besides the warming weather — is that it celebrates women. It creates a space to go back in time and highlight powerful women in history who were...

A man tending to a grill wearing a white shirt and blue button up.

The case for Charles Melton

As the 96th Academy Awards ceremony closes in, the exclusion of the “May December” star from this year's nominations is one of the most egregious snubs in the Academy’s history.
Mick Gaw and Stephanie Wong Mar 1, 2024

In a year of multimillion-dollar blockbusters and critically acclaimed arthouse films, supporting actors took center stage. Whether it was Ryan Gosling’s iconic performance as...

A blonde woman wearing a white dress stands outside a restaurant at night.

Review: ‘How to Have Sex’ is not a tutorial, sadly

Molly Manning Walker’s directorial debut is a raw examination of our youth’s troubling sexual culture.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor Feb 14, 2024

Content warning: This article contains discussions of sexual assault. Asking your friends if they’d want to come see “How to Have Sex” with you is a surefire way to get...

A woman with dark skin and brown curly hair wearing a red sweater, a pair of blue jeans and red sneakers smiles as she lounges back on a pale pink couch. A bucket of popcorn is in her right arm and a book named “Love Stories” lies on her leg.

Staff Recs: Mwah!

WSN’s Arts Desk spotlight their favorite swoon-worthy books, tunes and films to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.

Whether you’re excited for or dreading Valentine’s Day, we at the Arts Desk have compiled a wide range of romance-related media to get you through the holiday. We’ve got...

A yellow trophy with multi-colored confetti on a purple background.

Staff Recs: la fin.

Join WSN’s Arts Desk in celebrating some of this year’s artistic triumphs.

The final stretch of the year is both cherished and chaotic with its never-ending festivities. Before you gorge yourself on Christmas cookies or get tipsy on spiked eggnog, though,...

Two beams of light from a spotlight around a man covered in red light standing on a stage with a guitar. In front of him stands a crowd of people.

Q&A: Current Joys shifts into hyperpop mania in ‘LOVE + POP’

WSN sat down with singer-songwriter Nick Rattigan to talk about his latest album’s stylistic shift, current musical influences and future projects.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor Nov 14, 2023

Since the release of his debut solo album “Wild Heart” in 2013, Nick Rattigan — also known as Current Joys — has cemented himself in the hearts and playlists of angsty,...

Two men are performing on a stage with orange lighting. One of them is holding a guitar and standing in front of a mic (Will Taylor). The other man is sitting on a chair in front of a mic and holding a guitar (Nick Hill). The crowd is looking at them.

Review: ‘Flyte’ explores the bittersweet beginnings of new love

The indie-folk duo Flyte performed in New York City last Friday. The musicians’ self-titled third album — a beautifully raw and intimate ode to relationships — is now available to stream on all platforms.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor Nov 3, 2023

It’s easy to forget where you are at a Flyte concert. The British indie-folk duo of Will Taylor and Nicolas Hill somehow melt away the innate grandeur of the East Village’s...

An illustration with a woman screaming while holding her head with her hands. Around her are the silhouettes of three birds. At the lower right side of the illustration is the title STAFF REC: Birds.

Staff Recs: Caw-caw!

WSN’s Arts Desk shares their fowl-themed favorites.

If you couldn’t tell, we had a little trouble coming up with a theme for this month’s staff recs. November is a strange month, awkwardly sandwiched between two of our favorite...

A multimedia piece of an “Only Murders in the Building” poster, a portrait of musician John Maus, a red book cover titled “Berlin” by Bea Setton, a blue book cover for “In The Miso Soup” and a Yeah Yeah Yeahs album cover of a hand cracking open an egg.

Staff Recs: BOO!

With the Halloween season officially starting, WSN’s Arts Desk highlights books, songs and more to get you in the holiday spirit.

Trick or treat from WSN’s Arts Desk! We can’t give you candy, but we can give you something even more delicious — our Halloween-themed favorites.  In case you haven’t...

A still image from the film “Stop Making Sense” with lead vocalist David Byrne singing on stage and pointing a microphone to the camera.

Review: ‘Stop Making Sense’ immortalizes a band in its prime

A24's restoration of the concert film featuring Talking Heads cements the legendary band's legacy as a pioneer of New Wave music.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor Sep 22, 2023

In 1984, director Jonathan Demme first released his concert film “Stop Making Sense” featuring the seminal ’80s New Wave band Talking Heads. In 2023, many still consider...

A collage of a copy of Either slash Or by Elif Batuman, a long playlist of “BELEZA PULA” by Masayoshi Takanaka and various black vinyls lay against a purple background.

Staff Recs: How to romanticize the start of a new term

WSN’s arts editors spotlight a range of media to help you fight those back to school blues and start your semester right.

We know what the first days of school are like. Whether you’re a first-year trying to navigate living in New York City for the first time or an overwrought senior ready to wrap...

Filmmaker Bertie Gilbert with long, blonde hair, wearing a striped shirt and a black tie sitting in a room with sunshine. There is a cat sitting on a table behind him.

Q&A: British filmmaker Bertie Gilbert on the delicate relationship between trauma and art

WSN spoke with London-based filmmaker Bertie Gilbert about the complexities of channeling grief into his short film “Please Care!"
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Mar 23, 2023

25-year-old filmmaker Bertie Gilbert has been a prolific director since the young age of 16, when he first found success on YouTube for his offbeat and whimsical short films. Some...

An illustration of books, albums, and a single D.V.D. case, placed on an all-red backdrop with a pattern of small, white, hand-drawn hearts.

Staff Recs: Schmaltzy art that’s worth it

WSN’s arts editors spotlight schmaltzy arts-related content to cling to this Valentine’s Day.

What do we mean when we speak of schmaltz? Perhaps a little etymological digging might help answer our question. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (which you should use...

An illustration of two women’s faces overlaid upon one another, with two pairs of half-closed lips visible. There are also illustrated black text bubbles, which read, “Closer baby closer,” and “Poems,” along with a white text bubble which reads “Savannah Brown.”

Review: The pain and beauty of modern intimacy in ‘Closer Baby Closer’

Savannah Brown’s third poetry collection is an exploration of the existential horror of knowing and being known. Fittingly released on Feb. 14, Brown’s newest title contains her most intimate work yet.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Feb 14, 2023

Savannah Brown is 26 years old, and has already accumulated an impressive literary career. From her first collection, “Graffiti,” which features poems about adolescent fears,...

An illustration of two figures, one dark purple and one dark crimson, sitting on the rear bumper of a vehicle. Bumper stickers read “Reagan Bush ’84” and “My wife yes, my gun no.”

Review: ‘Bones and All’: Unequivocally romantic, unconventionally cannibalistic

Luca Guadagnino’s latest release, “Bones and All,” starring Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet, is a deft fusion of the romance and horror genres. The film was released in select theaters in New York City on Nov. 18.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Nov 22, 2022

Spoiler warning: The following article contains spoilers for “Bones and All.” Luca Guadagnino’s latest feature film, “Bones and All,” is a visceral, alchemic fusion...

(Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Staff Recs: Spooky Season

WSN’s Arts Desk highlights some Halloween favorites.

In the spirit of ghouls, WSN’s Arts Desk has decided to put together a list of spooky recommendations worth diving into this Halloween weekend. From Nick Cave to the latest nerve-wracking...

Filmmaker Charlotte Wells wears a red shirt and a pair of black headphones under a colourful umbrella. She stands against a wall with blue patterns.

Q&A: Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells is one of the most promising voices in British cinema

NYU alum Charlotte Wells speaks to WSN on directing her first feature film, working with actors Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, and her cinematic influences.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Oct 19, 2022

Charlotte Wells’ subtle yet mesmerizing debut feature film, “Aftersun,” is an introspective exploration of one girl’s relationship with her late father. Wells’ filmography...

Frankie Corio in a yellow shirt laughs in a crowd of adults.

Q&A: Frankie Corio speaks about her debut acting role in ‘Aftersun’

Frankie Corio sat down with WSN to talk about her first feature film, favorite actors and artists, and plans for the future.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Oct 17, 2022

“Aftersun” notably features the debut role of 12-year-old child actress Frankie Corio, who plays Sophie in her youth. The film tells the story of a woman, Sophie, reminiscing...

A man with a plastered right arm wraps his hand around a girl who leans her back against the man. The two are on a couch in a convenience store.

NYFF 60 Review: ‘Aftersun’ is a tender exploration of the intimate space between a daughter and father

Charlotte Wells’ debut film poignantly recounts a woman’s memory of a summer spent with her father during childhood. “Aftersun” screens at the 60th New York Film Festival on Oct. 8 and will be released in select theaters on Oct. 21.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Oct 7, 2022

Spoiler warning: This article includes spoilers for “Aftersun.” Charlotte Wells' feature film debut, "Aftersun," drifts through the avenues of childhood, parenthood and...

Professor Jack Gladney, played by Adam Driver, stands with his family. Their facial expressions are anxious and worried.

WSN’s guide to the 60th New York Film Festival

In anticipation of this year’s New York Film Festival, WSN put together a list of must-see movies being premiered that you will want to secure tickets for before they sell out.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Sep 23, 2022

This year's New York Film Festival, running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 16, will be celebrating its 60th anniversary. One of the longest-running film festivals in the United States,...

An icon of the Emmy Award is on the left with a black-and-white New York University logo on the right.

4 NYU alumni take home 2022 Emmys

As seen in the results of the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, NYU’s significant impact across the entertainment industry makes itself evident once again.
Stephanie Wong, Film & TV Editor Sep 20, 2022

Four NYU alumni and Lorne Michaels, a member of the Dean’s Council of the Tisch School of the Arts, an advisory group comprised of professionals in the arts and entertainment...

Against a light purple background lie pink headphones, a yellow backpack, a pair of black boots, two books and a picture.

Staff Recs: Back to school

The Arts Desk spotlights some of their favorite artworks dealing with the highs and lows of college life.

School is back, the semester is anew. Perhaps you’re still not in the mood for four-hour lectures, bulky worksheets or reading theory. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered...

Matt Maltese sings into a microphone while sitting down and looking away. Red lights glow onto him and the stage.

Q&A: Singer-songwriter Matt Maltese uses acerbic lyricism to articulate heartbreak and apocalyptic fears

Matt Maltese, best known for “As the World Caves In,” talked with WSN about his lyrics, the possibility of venturing into film and TV soundtracking, and his new EP, “Quiet Recordings.”
Stephanie Wong, Staff Writer Apr 22, 2022

If you’ve been on TikTok at all in recent years, chances are that you’ve come across Matt Maltese’s unexpectedly viral apocalyptic ballad “As the World Caves In.” Despite...

A shirtless man wearing blue shorts lays down on a bed with beige sheets. Below him, lying on a gray carpet is a girl wearing a beige shirt and blue jeans next to a window with gray curtains.

Review: ‘Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy’ explores the beauty of fate

‘Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy,’ currently on view at Film Forum in the West Village, circles the ups and downs of love’s tumultuousness. 
Stephanie Wong, Staff Writer Apr 19, 2022

“Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” is a patient, thoughtful rumination on the complexities and oddities of love and intimacy. Playing for a week at Film Forum in the West Village,...

An illustration of the cover of “Love by Maayan Eitan. A kiss mark is on a beige background.

Review: Maayan Eitan’s ‘Love’ is an exploration of life under the male gaze

The Israeli literary sensation’s debut novella was recently translated into English. 
Stephanie Wong, Staff Writer Apr 12, 2022

Maayan Eitan is a bold new voice in contemporary literature and a writer and translator based in Tel Aviv. Her debut novella, “Love,” is told from the perspective of Libby,...

A person sits in a field of yellow wheat. Behind the person is a blue sky with the sun brightly beaming, creating flares that are cast down and blur the person’s face.

Q&A: kiyu offers listeners introspection and catharsis through his music

The NYU junior talked with WSN about his inspirations, developing his musical identity and his long-term goals.
Stephanie Wong, Staff Writer Apr 11, 2022

Indie musician and NYU junior Jackie Chak Kiu Chan, originally from Hong Kong, is voicing your deepest anxieties and worries through subdued indie pop as kiyu. In his semi-autobiographical...

An illustration of a man leaning against a cherry-red car. A woman sits in the driver’s seat. On the top left of the illustration are the words “Drive My Car” in a red cursive font.

Review: ‘Drive My Car’ is a winding and delicate rumination on loss and love

Best international feature winner “Drive My Car” is a profound film that deals with how people communicate.
Stephanie Wong, Contributing Writer Mar 28, 2022

2021 was truly a fantastic year for Japanese filmmaker Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, who released not one but two major films last year to critical acclaim. Both “Wheel of Fortune and...

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