If you have not seen the National Geographic film, March of the Penguins, it's a must see. Although it came out in 2006, I just saw it over the weekend. It's a beautiful story of family, love, loss, persistence, and survival. You've gotta see it if you haven't already. It's awe-inspiring.
Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Being Inspired by Others
"They tried to paint the picture that I was this downtrodden ugly girl who was unpopular in school and life and then I got this role and now I’m awesome. But the truth is that I’ve been awesome then I got this role."
-- Gabourey Sidibe
This quote is by the budding new actress of the movie, "Precious." This young actress exudes confidence which I'm sure was not always easy for her. It was undoubtedly difficult being an obese teen. In another quote Gabourey gives additional words or wisdom.
"[W]hen I was 14 or 15, I saw myself in a different way. Back then, I envied a life that I’d made up in my mind. I broke free of that unhappiness and I decided to change—I was going to be happy with myself. No matter what I look like, no matter what people think."
Watching the conversation below with this young actress, I was moved by the movie's storyline which speaks of hope in extremely difficult situations and was inspired by this young lady's apparent acting ability and confidence. I think you might be inspired too.
The movie is based on the novel, Push by Sapphire. It's about "an obese and illiterate teen who is pregnant for a second time by her own father. Set in Harlem in 1987, the story follows Precious as she struggles with her insecurities and disastrous home life while using what resources she has to improve her life."
Precious "won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival, including the coveted Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, and received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year." I happened upon it online and I will go and see it.
Here is the trailer:
What do you think of her? I think she's "Precious."
-- Gabourey Sidibe
This quote is by the budding new actress of the movie, "Precious." This young actress exudes confidence which I'm sure was not always easy for her. It was undoubtedly difficult being an obese teen. In another quote Gabourey gives additional words or wisdom.
"[W]hen I was 14 or 15, I saw myself in a different way. Back then, I envied a life that I’d made up in my mind. I broke free of that unhappiness and I decided to change—I was going to be happy with myself. No matter what I look like, no matter what people think."
Watching the conversation below with this young actress, I was moved by the movie's storyline which speaks of hope in extremely difficult situations and was inspired by this young lady's apparent acting ability and confidence. I think you might be inspired too.
The movie is based on the novel, Push by Sapphire. It's about "an obese and illiterate teen who is pregnant for a second time by her own father. Set in Harlem in 1987, the story follows Precious as she struggles with her insecurities and disastrous home life while using what resources she has to improve her life."
Precious "won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival, including the coveted Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, and received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year." I happened upon it online and I will go and see it.
Here is the trailer:
What do you think of her? I think she's "Precious."
Friday, March 20, 2009
Being a "Slumdog" Kid III
These beautiful talented kids, Rubina Ali and Mohammed Azharuddin Ismail, of "Slumdog Millionaire" walked the catwalk during Delhi's Fashion Week.
While they are most adorable and talented, I find it incredibly sad that these kids will go back to their slums as they did after the movie premier. Are these kids being exploited?
While they are most adorable and talented, I find it incredibly sad that these kids will go back to their slums as they did after the movie premier. Are these kids being exploited?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Being a "Slumdog" Kid II
In my post, Being a "Slumdog" Kid, some very astute comments were made about the lives of the kids who starred in the movie, "Slumdog Millionaire." They spoke to the harsh realities of such kids and their being taken advantage of my their very own parents.
Today, I read a post on the Huffington Post which bears this out. According to the article, the father of Azharuddin Ismail is also saying he wants more money for his son's film role. In addition to school, the kids were paid for their work and have trust funds set up for when they turn 18."
The father also said, "my son has taken on the world and won. I am so proud of him but I want more money.
'They promised me a new house but it hasn't happened. I'm still in the slum.
'I want the money now, it is of no use later. Mr. Boyle should take care of my son.'"
There is a lot of "I" in those words, eh?
Last Friday, Ismail, was seen being beat by his father. It is also reported that he has fallen ill "vomiting and with a temperature of 103 degrees." How do we help such kids? I guess the media's presence is one way of bringing attention to their plight. But they need so much more than the glare of the camera. So many kids around the world need real assistance for survival. I hope these kids, at least, make it.
Today, I read a post on the Huffington Post which bears this out. According to the article, the father of Azharuddin Ismail is also saying he wants more money for his son's film role. In addition to school, the kids were paid for their work and have trust funds set up for when they turn 18."
The father also said, "my son has taken on the world and won. I am so proud of him but I want more money.
'They promised me a new house but it hasn't happened. I'm still in the slum.
'I want the money now, it is of no use later. Mr. Boyle should take care of my son.'"
There is a lot of "I" in those words, eh?
Last Friday, Ismail, was seen being beat by his father. It is also reported that he has fallen ill "vomiting and with a temperature of 103 degrees." How do we help such kids? I guess the media's presence is one way of bringing attention to their plight. But they need so much more than the glare of the camera. So many kids around the world need real assistance for survival. I hope these kids, at least, make it.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Being a "Slumdog" Kid
CNN reports that the young stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" will soon return to the slums of India. I am utterly annoyed that these incredibly talented and beautiful kids will return to such abject poverty. Did they not have agents? What kind of contracts were signed? Were they completely taken advantage of?
Why weren't these beautiful talented kids payed well enough to elevate themselves and their immediate families after portraying such fantastic roles in this mega hit? Why dress these kids up in Hollywood's finest to walk on the Red Carpet only to return to such degradation? Yes, such experiences will be memorable. But a life elevated above such abject poverty is far better.
While I loved "Slumddog Millionaire," my love will soon turn to palpable hate if these kids were taken advantage of. I'm more than annoyed. I'm utterly outraged at the thought!
Why weren't these beautiful talented kids payed well enough to elevate themselves and their immediate families after portraying such fantastic roles in this mega hit? Why dress these kids up in Hollywood's finest to walk on the Red Carpet only to return to such degradation? Yes, such experiences will be memorable. But a life elevated above such abject poverty is far better.
While I loved "Slumddog Millionaire," my love will soon turn to palpable hate if these kids were taken advantage of. I'm more than annoyed. I'm utterly outraged at the thought!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Being for Documenatry Films
Having long been a fan of documentary films, I watched two last night as I worked or exercised. (I seem never quite able to solely do one thing, unless of course, it is a documentary with subtitles and often times I can follow without reading them too.) One film was by Alexandra Pelosi's, "Right America: Feeling Wronged -- Some Voices From the Campaign Trail" and the other was "The Lobotomist," on the neurologist and psychiatrist, Walter Freeman and the controversial procedure of lobotomy made popular in the late 30's and 40's by Dr. Freeman. This procedure drilled holes in the skull to reach the frontal lobes, believed to be crucial in mental disabilities.
Later the process of lobotomy included an icepick and hammer. Dr. Freeman would lift the eyelid of the patient and actually pick and hammer to reach the frontal lobes. The procedure was supposed to relieve the mentally disabled which thousands of human beings in asylums became the "guinea pigs" of surgeons and psychiatrists. The film showed an incredible inhumanity that was astonishing, revealing the extraordinary drive and desire for recognition and distinction by Dr. Freeman and his partner, the neurologist, Dr. James Watts, at a high human cost. (My brother had a group home for the mentally disabled when I was in college and I worked at there during the summers. I cannot imagine allowing such procedures on these precious dear ones.) This film was a brutal and fascinating documentary of man's ambition and inhumanity in search of a cure.
Earlier in the evening I watched the Pelosi filmed and I must say that I was rather unmoved by it. (I did so doing calisthenics.) There are many wing nuts on the Right and Left. And??? The film did not go beyond the hysteria. There was one moment that particularly struck me. This was when the Mississippi African American made the relevant point that Pelosi had come all the way to the South to tell them that we in the North did not use the word nigger or coon and that we were so much better. Right?! I thought about the belief that there were no slaves in the North. But there were. I also thought about overt racism as opposed to invert segregation.
Would you rather know what's happening or guess about it? I would much rather know than guess; this way I can manage better and I know what I'm dealing with. The Mississippi man interviewed was quite articulate indeed. Pelosi left this piece in the film, but made no comment. I wondered why. There were many such times of no depth in the film. Over all, I thought the film was rather weak. It was less a documentary and more a litany of affects and no reasons that would point to why such is so. Determining the why is essential to this genre of film. Watching the documentary, I could also not help from thinking that the film's timing was way off. Americans do not need divisive films right now. It is most certainly not the time to rehash election fever when the country has so much to confront. Let's move on, please. Working together is paramount. There is more that binds than divides.
Later the process of lobotomy included an icepick and hammer. Dr. Freeman would lift the eyelid of the patient and actually pick and hammer to reach the frontal lobes. The procedure was supposed to relieve the mentally disabled which thousands of human beings in asylums became the "guinea pigs" of surgeons and psychiatrists. The film showed an incredible inhumanity that was astonishing, revealing the extraordinary drive and desire for recognition and distinction by Dr. Freeman and his partner, the neurologist, Dr. James Watts, at a high human cost. (My brother had a group home for the mentally disabled when I was in college and I worked at there during the summers. I cannot imagine allowing such procedures on these precious dear ones.) This film was a brutal and fascinating documentary of man's ambition and inhumanity in search of a cure.
Earlier in the evening I watched the Pelosi filmed and I must say that I was rather unmoved by it. (I did so doing calisthenics.) There are many wing nuts on the Right and Left. And??? The film did not go beyond the hysteria. There was one moment that particularly struck me. This was when the Mississippi African American made the relevant point that Pelosi had come all the way to the South to tell them that we in the North did not use the word nigger or coon and that we were so much better. Right?! I thought about the belief that there were no slaves in the North. But there were. I also thought about overt racism as opposed to invert segregation.
Would you rather know what's happening or guess about it? I would much rather know than guess; this way I can manage better and I know what I'm dealing with. The Mississippi man interviewed was quite articulate indeed. Pelosi left this piece in the film, but made no comment. I wondered why. There were many such times of no depth in the film. Over all, I thought the film was rather weak. It was less a documentary and more a litany of affects and no reasons that would point to why such is so. Determining the why is essential to this genre of film. Watching the documentary, I could also not help from thinking that the film's timing was way off. Americans do not need divisive films right now. It is most certainly not the time to rehash election fever when the country has so much to confront. Let's move on, please. Working together is paramount. There is more that binds than divides.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Being a Namesake
The movie, The Namesake, is about an Indian boy named Gogol who comes to appreciate and honor his name as he acclimates to American culture. Although he is born in New York, his parents are both from India and their way of life is, of course, Indian.
The beautiful thing about the movie, among many other subtle beauties including the script, performances, and colors, is that the name given to the Indian youth, Gogol, is not even Bengali. It is taken from the Russian author, the great Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol of whom Fyodor Dostoveyksi, another great Russian author, famously said, "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'."
Watching the movie, I wondered about namesakes. I remember going to Italy for the first time as a college student and viewing the famous Caravaggio painting, Judith Beheading Holfernes. I was immobilized by the realism, immense richness of color, and horror of the painting. I must have stood there for 30 minutes or more watching the beheading. It seemed so real. She was on a mission as revealed in the stillness of her face and the movement of her body, aided by her aged maid whose delight it was to witness such horror.
What a cold-hearted woman, I thought. Surely I am not so violent and ruthless. What had this man in such a defenseless position done to warrant such a death? Holofernes was a general of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia who invaded and conquered lands and people, except for the Hebrew people. Judith had something to do with this.
Judith is the Jewish heroine, of the Book of Judith, not included in the biblical canon, who incited the Hebrew army to victory over the Assyrians. She did so by bringing the head of Holofernes to the battles of Behtulia. Upon seeing the head of their general's bloody head, the enemy fled. The war ended; a male general may have never thought of such a thing. It is her inventiveness that interests. Judith is also the feminine version of Judah, which means praise.
My middle name is Deborah. My older sister told me of a story when I was a teenager where she heard my parents discussing the pronunciation of my middle name. My dad insisted it be pronounced as the ancient Hebrew heroine and my mom thought that the American pronunciation was just fine. When I asked my mother about it she said that my dad insisted so that she simply gave in to his desire.
My dad thought that the American way was too familiar and that I had a particular purpose. But who was Deborah? I looked her up. Deborah summoned Barak to war against an invading army. She wrote a victory song after the war which is recorded in the Book of Judges. She was multifaceted. Not only was she a leader in battle, but she was a judge, prophet, and poet.
Deborah's Song:
"...Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!
I, even I, will sing to the Lord;
I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Lord, when You went out from Seir,
When You marched from the field of Edom,
The earth trembled and the heavens poured,
The clouds also poured water;
The mountains gushed before the Lord,
This Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel...
Speak, you who ride on white donkeys,
Who sit in judges' attire,
And who walk along the road.
Far from the noise of the archers,
among the watering places,
There they shall recount the righteous acts of the Lord,
The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel;
Then the people of the Lord shall go down to the gates.
Awake, awake, Deborah!
Awake, awake, sing a song!
Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away,
O son of Abinoam!..."
Judith and Deborah are both my namesakes. I will continue to find ways to represent the boldness, wisdom, and bravery of these great heroines in the smallest of ways in my daily life through being in the world for others.
Who is your namesake? Don't have one? Find one. Make one up.
The beautiful thing about the movie, among many other subtle beauties including the script, performances, and colors, is that the name given to the Indian youth, Gogol, is not even Bengali. It is taken from the Russian author, the great Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol of whom Fyodor Dostoveyksi, another great Russian author, famously said, "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'."
Watching the movie, I wondered about namesakes. I remember going to Italy for the first time as a college student and viewing the famous Caravaggio painting, Judith Beheading Holfernes. I was immobilized by the realism, immense richness of color, and horror of the painting. I must have stood there for 30 minutes or more watching the beheading. It seemed so real. She was on a mission as revealed in the stillness of her face and the movement of her body, aided by her aged maid whose delight it was to witness such horror.
What a cold-hearted woman, I thought. Surely I am not so violent and ruthless. What had this man in such a defenseless position done to warrant such a death? Holofernes was a general of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia who invaded and conquered lands and people, except for the Hebrew people. Judith had something to do with this.
Judith is the Jewish heroine, of the Book of Judith, not included in the biblical canon, who incited the Hebrew army to victory over the Assyrians. She did so by bringing the head of Holofernes to the battles of Behtulia. Upon seeing the head of their general's bloody head, the enemy fled. The war ended; a male general may have never thought of such a thing. It is her inventiveness that interests. Judith is also the feminine version of Judah, which means praise.
My middle name is Deborah. My older sister told me of a story when I was a teenager where she heard my parents discussing the pronunciation of my middle name. My dad insisted it be pronounced as the ancient Hebrew heroine and my mom thought that the American pronunciation was just fine. When I asked my mother about it she said that my dad insisted so that she simply gave in to his desire.
My dad thought that the American way was too familiar and that I had a particular purpose. But who was Deborah? I looked her up. Deborah summoned Barak to war against an invading army. She wrote a victory song after the war which is recorded in the Book of Judges. She was multifaceted. Not only was she a leader in battle, but she was a judge, prophet, and poet.
Deborah's Song:
"...Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!
I, even I, will sing to the Lord;
I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Lord, when You went out from Seir,
When You marched from the field of Edom,
The earth trembled and the heavens poured,
The clouds also poured water;
The mountains gushed before the Lord,
This Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel...
Speak, you who ride on white donkeys,
Who sit in judges' attire,
And who walk along the road.
Far from the noise of the archers,
among the watering places,
There they shall recount the righteous acts of the Lord,
The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel;
Then the people of the Lord shall go down to the gates.
Awake, awake, Deborah!
Awake, awake, sing a song!
Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away,
O son of Abinoam!..."
Judith and Deborah are both my namesakes. I will continue to find ways to represent the boldness, wisdom, and bravery of these great heroines in the smallest of ways in my daily life through being in the world for others.
Who is your namesake? Don't have one? Find one. Make one up.
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