Talk to Her (ec)

Josh Haimann

Talk to Her a film by Pedro Almodovar, starts off a little strange, there is some odd interpretive dance scene and then we transition to a hospital where we meet a young lady in a coma. She gets a thorough washing from two nurses and then that’s about it; her name is Alicia. Next we meet Lydia a female matador as she’s being interviewed on a television show. The host asked some rather personal questions and Lydia isn’t too happy about ho persistent she is with her inquiry. Marco, a journalist, is looking to write an article about her for La Paris. He confronts her and she agrees to speak with him if he gives her a ride to somewhere, he agrees and when they arrive she is shocked to find a snake in the house. Terrified, she runs out of the house; Marco disposes of it and Lydia asks if he’ll bring her to a hotel for the night. When they arrive she asks that he not tell anyone about her fear of snakes and he respects he wishes. Later Lydia is brutally gored by a bull in one of her matador fights; she is then emitted to a hospital where she too appears to be in a vegetative state. Benigno is a nurse at the private hospital who spends most of his time looking after Alicia, a ballet dancer who was injured in a traffic accident. She has been in a coma for four years. Through flashbacks, we learn that he has been in love with her since spotting her in a dance studio across the street from where he lives. Now Benigno lavishes her with attention and care, convinced that she can hear what he is saying and sense the love that is coming her way. One day Benigno and Marco cross paths when they attend the same concert dance, eventually meeting again at a private clinic where Benigno works. Imagine this nurse's surprise when he sees Marco at the hospital and finds out that he is visiting Lydia. Even though she is in a vegetative state, Benigno advises his new friend to talk to her. "A woman's brain is a mystery and even more so in this state," he tells him. Through flashbacks, we learn how Marco, became enchanted with Lydia and her skill as a matador. In one of the film's most magical scenes, her magnificent and tight-fitting ceremonial suit is put on her by a helper in a ritual that seems almost religious in its rigors and sense of awe. Marco blames himself as the cause of Lydias fatal accident and lack of concentration in the ring with the charging bull. Later it is discovered that Alicia has become pregnant while still in her coma. Benigno is suspected and accused, eventually getting fired from the hospital and after being sent to prison commits suicide by overdosing himself. As for Marco he has to read about Lydia passing away after her brutal accident and after trying to help Benigno and having to deal with the aftermath of his suicide he feels very sad.

            I didn’t really like this movie, I was somewhat bored by it and felt like it took a very long time to tell the story it was telling. I did however enjoy the music in the film, I like the jazzy/blues style of some of the songs, however there was entirely too much interpretive dance. I’m not an artsy person and have trouble understanding forms of expressionistic art like dance or even abstract art; for me I look for an image rather than an idea.    

Walk on Water

Josh Haimann

Walk on Water, by Eytan Fox is about an Israeli assassin Eyal, who is very good at his job making people disappear. One day after returning home from a successful hit he finds his wife Iris has committed suicide and left a note blaming him for driving her to do so. Broken but not stirred he tries to down play it and return to work, but a month later, and still refusing to receive trauma therapy, Eyal is assigned by his boss to pretend to be a personal tour guide for a young German named Axel, who is visiting his sister Pia on a kibbutz. Eyal isn’t happy with the assignment because its not a very serous or challenging one. Eyal is to spy on both of them, in the hope that Hansel and Gretel, as he calls them, will lead him to their ex-Nazi grandfather. Eyal has difficulty accepting Axel's liberal attitudes, open homosexuality and sympathy with Palestinians, but when he follows Axel to Germany to attend his father's 70th birthday, Eyal discovers that there is a lot that both he and Axel have to learn from each other.  In one of the first scenes where Eyal starts to open up to Axle, they sits in a motel restaurant in Germany and Eyal describes how, as a sick game, Israeli students on German exchange trips would confront randomly selected old people with the question: “Where were you when my family was burned at the camps”? Axel suggests Eyal  play the same game then and there, but the only person present old enough to have been alive during the second world war turns out to be Menachem. There are several ironic instances in the film. Eyal's distrust of all things German, ingrained in him by his mother, is challenged directly by Axel, who, two generations after his own grandfather sent an entire community to the death camps, is not only openly gay, making him a potential target of Neonazis, but also as disgusted as Eyal himself by the ideology of the Third Reich. Walk On Water is a strangely lacklustre affair, with a bland visual aesthetics. Yet despite these poor aesthetics, it more than makes up for in a willingness to dip its toes into controversial political waters. I can’t say whether I’d call it a love story or a bad action film but either way I don’t think I watch this movie again. 

Tsotsi

The film Tsotsi, by Gavin Hood, is a movie about a young man named David, although, we don’t know his real name is David until he has a flash back to his childhood days. Currently he goes by the name Tsotsi, he and a small gang of friends do what they please and steal from anyone they feel doesn’t deserve what they have. In the beginning of the film we see them rob and stab a man on a subway train before leaving him to bleed out alone. Tsotsi has a bit of a temper and acts very rashly at times, like when he beats up his friend Boston for questioning him about his morals and the way he lives. After Tsotsi beats him up there is conflict between the group of friends and Tsotsi copes with his frustration and anger by committing another robbery. This time however he mistakenly robs a wealthy woman of her child in attempt to just take her car. In the midst of his confusion and surprise he takes the child home with him for fear of returning it. Not knowing how to take care of a baby, Tsotsi follows a young woman named Miriam and initially forces her to feed him. After a second visit to her for help feeding the baby Miriam asks Tsotsi if he will allow her to care for the child now, he accepts and things appear to be settled. When the gang reunites and ventures to pull another robbery Tsotsi seems to really be concerned for the baby and helping Miriam. The house they chose to rob is the house Tsotsi took the baby from; while they are there they run into the father of the baby and tie him up while they clear the house of its valuables. Before leaving Butcher is about to shoot the man for activating the houses alarm system but Tsotsi shoots him before he shoots the man. The gang is lost and Tsotsi knows he must return the baby. When he does his plan to be in and out doesn’t go so well. The police show up and there is a bit of a stand off in the street before Tsotsi finally give the baby back to his family.

            I really enjoyed this movie. I though the story was one of the more real stories that we’ve seen this semester. I don’t know if it’s just because I liked the movie or because I know people who remind me of the characters in it. I think my favorite though was Aap, he was the character that brought the movie a touch of realism, humor, and sympathy. I think a lot of people know or have a good friend that seems to just kind of goes with the flow and doesn’t really have a strong opinion of what goes on. To me this is the happiest person in the group, that or the most content; they are happy just to be a part of something real, like a gang of friends. Overall the plot was ok, not many twists and turns, more or less straight forward if you ask me. 

Central Station

The film Central Station, by Walter Salles, follows an elderly woman named Dora. Dora works in Rio de Janeiro Central Station writing letters for those who can’t read or write. Its not a wealthy occupation but its helps.  One day a lady and young boy come to her stand and the lady has a letter she wants sent out. The letter is to the boys father telling him some very not nice things, while she dictates the letter and Dora writes, Josue, which from my short time in Spanish class let me know the boys name is Joshua, is pestering Dora with his top and just can’t seem to be much more than a nascence. Later in the week Josh’s mom returns to Dora’s stand and asks to revise or rewrite the letter because she didn’t want to come across as mean. Dora helps her come up with just what to say and they begin to leave. As fate, and the plot of the movie would have it a rogue run over Josh’s mom. Dora tries to ignore him at first but just can’t and decides she’ll help him, but her initial kindness takes a shocking 180 turn and she sells Josh to some child brokers on the black market for two thousand dollars. Then just as quickly as she was able to decide to turn and walk away, an attack of conscience leads her to steal Josh back and pledge to bring him to his father, Jesus. She does and it’s a sad sappy ending that’ll make any grandma of mother of a child misty eyed.

I though this was an interesting film, the fact that the boys name was Josh brought me right back to my days in middle school with Mrs. Moser. She was the first person to tell me my name in Spanish and it probably one of the 15 words I still actually remember. Back to the film though, it was long, seemed to just drag on from a while. I though the actor who played Josh was a good fit for the role, he was able to cry respectfully well and did a good job of making you kind of annoyed with him while feel sorry for him at the same time. Dora totally threw me for a loop when she sold Josh, I thought that was so cold, I never thought a sweet old lady like her would just sell off a homeless little boy like that. 

Strawberry and Chocolate

The film Strawberry and Chocolate by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío is the story of a young man named David. David lives and studies at a university in Havana Cuba. David has lady problems, either with the inability to communicate with them or like we saw in the opening scene with his girlfriend, just plain bad luck. He just can’t seem to get things right when it comes to women and now every beautiful girl he sees drives him mad with. . . passion, which is really just his desire to, excuse my vulgarity, pound the first piece of ass that bends over to close. He longs for the pleasures of a woman companion, but somehow every opportunity is ruined. David is also a large believer in the revolution that is being led by Castro during the period that the movie was filmed in; he wishes to be a revolutionary himself and dreams of changing the country for the better. One day as David is eating his lunch a stranger sits down with him and begins talking to him. The mans name is Diego and he is an artist type person who claims to have seen or been watching David. He appears to be a gay individual as suspected by David and his friend Miguel. Miguel even suggests that David spy on Diego because he’s a dangerous person. David doesn’t think so though, he thinks Diego is a pretty cool guy, he even had some books that David had been looking for. Diego, as mentioned is an artist type and is planning an event to display some of the art that he and some other well know artists have created. As David and Diego begin to spend more and more time together Diego can’t seem to keep something to himself, that just happens to in fact be himself and he makes a move on David. David is taken back a little and just a little confused because he doesn’t see himself that way. Diego apologizes and promises to leave that stuff out of their relationship. This however, only last until David begins seeing one of Diego’s neighbors, a nosey little tramp, as described by Diego. He can’t bear to see someone he cares for so much tormented and betrayed the way he is. Once David lets his inhibitions go and allows Diego to show him what he’s been missing, so to speak, he realizes it’s something he can live with and not ashamed to do so.

            Again this was another movie where I had trouble seeing the theme, this one being a comedy. I was unable to see the humor, especially when no one is laughing. Non-the-less I thought the movie was okay. Nothing I’d probably watch again, but not the worst film we’ve seen so this semester. I thought Diego’s character was actually pretty funny, he really seemed to be overdoing it at times. He just seemed really forward and seemed to insinuate things of a sexual nature at times. His interest in art was cool, this is another film where there has been some major theme with some kind of art.    

Bombay

Bombay, a film by Mani Ratnam follows the story of Shekhar, a student who studies journalism at a university in the city of Bombay. Shekhar is the son of a very Hindu family, his father is very well know in his town and appears to be very well respected. On one of his trips back home he see a girl and becomes totally infatuated with her. He even follows her through the woods in the rain because he just wants to meet her and say hi. The girls name is Shaila, her family is heavily Muslims and her father is the leader of the opposing village that has had issues with Shekhar’s fathers’ village. Shekhar is adamant on meeting her and even dresses up like a woman and gets on their little boat just to talk with her. Eventually they spend some time together and fall in love. Shekhar is serious about marrying her but the issue their fathers have with each other and the deal with conflicting religions is something they seem to be unable to overlook. With the threat of being apart forever and feeling like his family is preventing him from being happy, Shekhar opts to leave his family and invites Shaila to come with him and marry him in Bombay. This is a concern for the families of Shekhar and Shaila because the city is a dangerous place, and in the midst of a religious conflict. There is violence breaking out between radicals from both the Hindu and Muslism and a couple with mixed religious backgrounds is not looked upon with much favor. However, eventually they do become married, move to the city and have two boys; they inform their families of their new grandchildren and the joy of raising new members of a new family becomes apparently more valuable to the families of Shekhar and Shaila. The two fathers come to visit and the joy of their children’s union and additions to the family is more to them then the petty disputes of religion. When the cities conflicts rise to a boiling point and an all out riot ensues, both Shekhar, Shaila, their fathers and the two boys wind up separated in the midst of a large fire and military action. The whole thing comes to a halt when Shekhar willingly demands that someone set him on fire. He just wants his boys back and the fighting to stop. The city and it’s people should be worried about fixing it and each other and not about what the other person chooses to believe.

            I thought the movie was okay. I didn’t necessarily like it but it wasn’t bad either. The first half of the movie I though was almost musical-ish. There were quite a few songs with very elaborate dance numbers that almost looked like music videos. The story line was good though, I liked how the two fathers would argue about what religion to teach the boys too.            

The Wedding Banquet

The Wedding Banquet

The Wedding Banquet, by Ang Lee, is a comedy about the odd paring of Wai-Tung and his soon to be bride, Wei-Wei. Wei-Wei is a starving artist living in one of the apartment buildings owned by Wai-Tung. She is always asking him out because she needs to get married in order to obtain a green card. She appears to get more and more brash about her feelings about marrying him as the movie goes on. She constantly remarks about how handsome she finds him and dreams of being married and free of worry of being sent away from the only place she has to call a home. Probably the only thing stopping Wei-Wei from actually taking the most aggressive step and physically throwing herself on him is because she knows the true Wai-Tung. The true Wai-Tung is actually involved with another man named Simon, and without his parents knowledge he has been living with him in Manhattan. His parents, back in their home land of Taiwan have been longing for their son to grant them a grandchild and have even so far as to hire a dating service for him. To make it even more hilarious they make him send them qualifications that the woman must meet in order to fulfill his requirements; the list included the speaking of several languages, professional singer and even two PhD’s. When this fails Wai-Tung feels like he’s disappointing his family by not getting married traditionally and with the support of his partner decides to temporarily, marry the starving artist Wei-Wei. What was meant to be a means to an end or a quick fix would soon begin the chaining of events that lead Wai-Tung’s secret to be revealed and his relationship with Wei-Wei was simply an attempt to cover his real relationship with Simon. I enjoyed the film but didn't find much humor in it, but when I went back and watched the trailor online it was advertised as this hilarious comedy. I like the character of Wei-Wei too, she seemed like my kind of girl in some ways, bold and independent. Also Mr. Gao was one of my favorite characters just because of how stern he is and some of the facial expressions he has remind me of my own grandfather. I found it difficult to see the film as a comedy though. I guess because the language is foreign it's difficult to understand the comedic timing used by those people.         

Blue

Joshua Haimann

Blue

In the film Blue, by Krzysztof Kiesiowski, the main character Julie appears to be an odd woman at first; there seems to be something about her that she’s either hiding or trying to cover up. There is a troubling scene where she is in a hospital and attempts to commit suicide but is just unable to follow through with it. After being released she doesn’t seem to know what to do now with her husband having passed away. He was one of the world's great composers, and Julie tries to make a clean break of the past; selling off all their mutual possessions, and even going as far as attempting to start a new life for herself in an apartment in the city of Paris. While memories of her husband still come back from time to time she is haunted by the absence and the grief that is bottled up insider her. A copy of her husbands great unfinished symphony seems to keep Julies attention even though it appears to consumer her with sorrow. She eventually comes to a point where she needs to make a decision on whether to finish the piece or leave it unfinished and unpublished forever to torment her. Music plays an intricate element of the plot in that it illustrates Julie's efforts to be isolated from everything even though she rarely ever seems to; that only seems to occur when shes swimming and even then it doesn’t last very long. Just like the music cannot be made with a single note, it requires harmony with the other instruments, and how different people can represent different kinds of music. The same can be seen with her relationship with Olivier.

            This film seemed longer than it really was, maybe because of the limited dialogue and the constant cut scene transitions. Also the way the music was used to emphasize or enhance a scene, usually at the end, was a bit excessive at some points. It seemed like there were many instances where the was ten to fifteen seconds of panning images and loud music. Perhaps I wasn’t able to fully understand what these types of scenes are meant to add to the film. I thought the plot of the story was good though. Once the film ended and the whole story had been told, I felt the big picture of the film was a good story. I enjoyed watching the development of the unfinished symphony mostly; how Julie was fighting heself and her feelings about whether or not to let someone else finish it, finish it herself or just destroy the cursed thing and never let it haunt her again. . . complelling stuff. 

Cinema Paradiso

Joshua Haimann

Cinema Paradiso

The plot of the Italian film, “Cinema Paradiso”, by Giuseppe Torantore is a tale that starts by showing a famous filmmaker, Salvatore Di Vita, as he returns to his hometown with the intent to pay his respects to an old friend. As the film gets into the main story we see that it is about the former life of this man, his life as a child in the very town he has returned to.  As the film transitions from the current life of Salvatore it flashes back of his life thirty years in the past as a young boy around the age of six.  He begins to reminisce of the days he would spend in the cinema with the old man who runs the projector, Alfredo. The film takes its time to show how Salvatore, nicknamed Toto, does any and everything to learn from Alfredo and acts as his apprentice. Alfredo allows Salvatore to watch films with him in the projection booth and eventually teaches him how to operate the projector for him, since he spends enough time there anyway. One of the issues Alfredo has to deal with is the editing of the films, as directed or ordered by the towns priest. The priest doesn’t allow kissing scenes or overly intimate scenes to be shown in the theater and previews the films for scenes for Alfredo to edit. Instead of just throwing the clips out, Alfredo keeps them in a canister in the projection room. Alfredo knows that these clips are Salvatores’ favorite things to look at so he saves them and even makes a special box for Salvatore to have. However, in a terrible twist of fate, one of Alfredo’s greatest fears comes to reality as the projector overheats and catches the highly flammable nitrate film on fire. Caught in the blaze Alfredo is sure to die if not for the heroic efforts of his little apprentice Salvatore, who pulls him from the cinema. Unfortunately the damage is done, leaving Alfredo blind and unable to further run the cinema, which has burned to the ground. However, once rebuilt, the older, teen version of Salvatore uses the knowledge Alfredo provided him with to run the new cinema just as he would. Continuing his love of film Salvatore works passionately on them and has used them to find a girl he secretly has a crush on. Through natural cinematic development his boyish crush turns into a love filled relationship and eventually marriage. The final scene of the film is of Salvatore watching a montage of kissing scenes that Alfredo put together for many years before that he saved specifically for him.

            I really enjoyed this film for the story line. The story of Alfredo reminds me of my grandfather in many ways. Alfredo had no children; my grandfather didn’t have any boys, and I didn't have a dad. Being there to share in his interest and learn the, “tricks of the trade”, as an assistant/apprentice, helped us grow closer and made me appreciate the man for things greater than his education or worldly wealth. It gave me a real world idol, someone who I could look to as a model of the kind of man I’d like to be one day. I always feel like I want to do something specail for him because of what he means to me. Being the father figure of my youth I was able to learn the ways he bacame a man and use his experiences to help make me into the man I am and will eventually become. I feel lucky to have had him as long as I have and will truly miss him when he's gone.