Eyes Wide Open - Israel - Haim Tabakman

This was an eye opener into the world of love and relationships in an ultra-orthadox Jewish community. The love between husband and wife and family is sacred and the love of God and prayer is ritualized and ongoing. Anything else is forbidden; homosexuality results in the loss of everything - status, work, friendships, and in this film, ultimately the loss of life. As film viewers, we are privy to everything private about this community just as everything is public to its members. People know what is going on in everyone's lives and judge accordingly. Intense and dramatic, joyful and tragic.

Porgy and Me: In the World of Porgy and Bess

This is a stunning film and I hope it comes back to theatres and goes to video! It is Susanna Boehm's second film and is about her interviews with the opera singers of the New York Harlem Theatre Company. Terry Lee Cook, her husband, has been singing Porgy for ten years but wants to sing Wagnerian roles. Told when he was a child that he was retarded, he has bigger dreams for himself and for his son. All of the singers have stories and for many, the debate is whether Porgy and Bess is the only vehicle open to them or whether it could be a springboard to other opportunities. The music is fabulous and inspiring, especially Summer Time and It Ain't Necessarily So. Loved that the Director was available for questions after the movie. She is also a set designer and will make more movies. She is a great talent and I look forward to her next production!

A Prophet - Jacques Audiard

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize, Cannes 2009, this is an intense, very violent film with excellent acting. It is much like The Godfather, in that one knows the cycle of crime and death will continue. A young French-Arab reform school graduate is sentenced to six years in prison. Scarred and well used to being hyper alert, he manages to survive by joining the Corsicans and by proving his worth by murdering a fellow Muslim. The whole system is corrupt and there is no way to win except by becoming part of it. The education he gets only helps him learn to read and write, it does not bring him opportunities to escape. Even as he leaves the prison, he is followed by three cars. Is he the new master of the Paris underworld or is he being tracked down.

Tetro-Francis Ford Coppola

Saturday, Oct. 18th - This film reminds me of The Godfather, The Long Hot Summer or of early Brando movies. It is about family and disfunction. It is also about rivalry, passion, genius and what drives one person to succeed and prevents others from going anywhere. It is a black and white film but is rich in location, (Buenos Aires) costume, music and the artistic process. The relationships are deep and complex: brother vrs. brother, fathers and sons, lovers, friends, as Zorba said, "the whole catastrophe.." Additional drama is provided through tragedy - opera, masks, broken dolls and car accidents. Will the play ever be finished? Who will write the ending? There is possibility through love and connection.

The Jazz Baroness - Hannah Rothschild-Director

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Van City Theatre

Narrated by Helen Mirren, this is Hannah Rothschild's story of her great aunt's (Pannonica Rothschild) relationship with Jazz and Thelonious Monk. Meeting in Paris in 1954, their 'meeting of like minds' continued for 28 years until his death. From a very wealthy family, and married to a Diplomat, Pannonica left her life-style and family to support the musical genius, Monk. She provided a home and funding for other famous musicians, including Charlie Parker. She was truly an independent woman who pursued her passion. She was also a fighter for civil rights and for vulnerable artists whose talents were well worth nurturing. The story of Pannonica and Thelonious is further described by Thelonious Monk Jr., Quincy Jones and Clint Eastwood. Pannonica's letters detail the relationship, the times and her continuous connection with her children. This film packs a lot in 83 minutes! PS. The music is fabulous!

The Search - Xunzhoo Zhimei Gengdeng-Tibet

This is the second movie to be made inside Tibet, by an all Tibetan crew and cast. It is extremely difficult to get past the Chinese censors and so this one took longer to make and to produce. It is a love story on many levels: the long distance romance, the unreturned love, the love of theatre, music and culture of Tibet and the love of film as a vehicle to express all of this. The children and young people, especially the singers and actors, all non-professionals, shine. I like the main story teller who keeps fellow passengers entertained as they accompany the director in his search across the country for actors for a classical Tibetan opera Drime Kunden. The story teller's tale of his first love and how she ended up marrying someone else, is the story of how things don't always turn out as expected. Although love is everyone's dream, it is full of obstacles, much like those encountered when trying to stage the perfect opera. This is well worth seeing but could have benefitted from some editing as it is very long.

Air Doll - Kuki Ningyo

Air Doll is another fabulous film from Japan. The exquisite costuming of the star, an inflatable sex doll, and the new look at a puppet that comes to life, are terrific! Her discovery that having a heart hurts, resonates. As a sex doll, she is 'wooden', passive and flat as are the men in her life. As she becomes 'real', she asks questions and discovers beauty in the world around her. When she cuts herself, she deflates and then is 'rescued' by Junichi, who breathes life back into her. Flawed, she looks for connections: I've heard there are many others like me. Yet, she remains unconnected and while able to have 'mates', she is alone. Others seem to continue living very routine, mundane, ritualized lives, but she is not.

Two Films: Saturday Oct. 3. 2009

"Tibet in Song" describes the loss of folk ways and folk music in Tibet. It is the ongoing tragedy of Chinese cultural destruction of Tibetan people. Ngawang Choephel's documentary is a compelling one; the musicologist and Fulbright scholar is drawn back to his home to research and record Tibetan Folk music. He is arrested by the Chinese and sentenced to eighteen years in prison. His mother and other musicians take up the challenge to get him released. The music has been subverted by the Chinese and is used for propaganda. But not all music can be stolen and people still know it and retain it as a means of resistance. How to preserve it, teach it and keep its traditions alive are major challenges for Tibetan people. Even parts of this film were confiscated but what exists is passionate and alive.

Director Jessica Oreck's "Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo" is a visual and audio delight! The soundtrack is a compilation of many different kinds of Japanese music. A winner of the Special Jury Award for Artistic Vision, Cinevegas, 2009, this documentary details insects -how they look and sound - and the similarities between their world and ours. Japan's fascination with insects stems from its religious (Shinto) and cultural traditions. The children's delight at spotting insects in the woods, or fireflies at night, or in pet stores for $45. and their care of their 'pets' at home draws you closer and makes you laugh. While we often tend to avoid insects, their important role is undeniable.

Japan Film Night

On Tuesday, September 29th, the Consulate of Japan hosted two films: Women in the mirror and The Stars Converge. Women in the Mirror, by Kagami no Onna Tachi, tells the story of a woman who never gives up searching for her lost daughter and finds one who could be her but is suffering from Amnesia. The woman and her granddaughter are profoundly affected by the amnesiac, who enters their lives only to disappear again. Secrets from the past emerge: Who is the daughter's father and why was she so enraged when she first left home? How did Hiroshima shape their future? This film is powerful on many levels, especially in terms of relationships and history's effects on them.

The Stars Converge, by Chirusoku no Natsu, is about a first love relationship between a Japanese and a Korean. Young high-school athletes meet and fall in love. Will this love endure despite the obstacles of cultural and language differences, academic futures, familial opposition...? Energy, friendship and possibility make this film worth watching.

Journeys to the Vancouver Film Festival

Sept 29, 2009 was the day I saw my first Vancouver International Film Festival film at the Pacific Cinematheque: Trimpin: The Sound of Invention, directed by Peter Esmonde, USA. Awarded the MacArthur "Genius" Award in 1997, Trimpin is an inventor, a composer, a visual and sound experimenter and a truly amazing science-artist-musician. Raised in Germany, his formative years were shaped by a collection of technical manuals belonging to his grandfather and his father's cabinet and instrument making, plus his family's support of his fascination with machines, sound and all things scientific. He took things apart to see how they worked and then put them back together again. He heard all sounds as music, a different music and one he wanted to create and develop further. He has never been represented by a gallery and no records of his have been produced. Although he has exhibited and performed widely, the grants have not come easily and in the film, he shows filing cabinets full of rejected applications. Yet he persists and his life work continues. A 'symphony' with the Kronos Quartet was a truly creative and original process with no-one being quite sure where the production was headed, since it had never been done before, and with musicians having to learn all of the newly created instruments and ways of producing sound. Many of the instruments were toys, tiny and colourful yet made to produce music, a total collaborative, symphonic performance. Roots and Branches, a complete visual and musical installation at the Experience Music Project, in Seattle, features all shapes and sizes of guitars, suspended high in the air, tuning themselves by computer. Trimpin studied at the University of Berlin and continues to explore sonic possibilities. He moved to the USA to find old instruments and machines unavailable in Europe and has been based in Seattle since the 1980's. This is a 77 minute film that inspires one to find out more and to listen more attentively to everything.

SUMO SUMO SUMO!

We arrived at the Sumo Stadium at 8:00 to watch the preparation of the ring and the entrance of the Jr. Sumo Wrestlers. We had to wash our hands, a way of preventing the spread of Swine Flu. Our initial questions were patiently answered in English and we were told to make sure we were there at 2:00 for our special 'gift'. No-one stays all day - the final performance isn't until 6:00, so people get a stamp on their hand and are free to go in and out as they please.

The ring is covered in sand but it is carefully swept into patterns. Above it is a roof, a Shinto Shrine that has a tassel at each of its four corners, that represent the four seasons of the year. The wrestler (Rikishi) who touches his topknot or any part of his body to the ground, loses the match. There are no weight limits so a wrestler can be matched with a wrestler twice his size or weight. There are lots of rules: no hair pulling or eye poking, choking or kicking. Fair play is a must and Sumo Wrestling is almost a religious rite rather than the circus that WWF can be.

Sumos are introduced and bow to each other and to the referee and others at the beginning and end of the match. They throw salt onto the sand to purify it and they also stamp hard to ward off any evil demons. There are at least three to four levels of accomplishment and the highest ranked Sumo matches are the finale of the day. to Matches are very quick; there are over 98 ways to defeat or be defeated! Sumos are very polite and patient when faced with their fans and photographers and, they are very professional in the ring. There are no displays of temper although there are some false starts from those eager to get to the win.

A family or group of friends can have their own tatami seating or can choose individual seats. Everyone buys and brings snacks and drinks to the show. For lunch, people can buy boxed food or can have Sumo soup, like we did. Sumo soup has chicken, tofu and many vegies and is the hearty meal that everyone needs for the energy expended cheering the Sumos on.

Before lunch, we went for a walk along the sea wall and were impressed that the walls were painted and tiled with a variety of scenes: Olympic Sports, historical city stories, and pictures of children/students. The winning moves of Sumo Wrestlers were incorporated into the metal railing along the sea wall. The bridges, painted yellow, were the same color as those in the historical images of the city, long ago.

After lunch, we picked up our 'gift', an autographed souvenir from a Stable Master, Kokonoe Chiyono Fuji. Now when was the last time you went to a sports function and got a thank-you and a gift? We also entered Anthy's name for two free tickets to Sumo and we really hope she wins and gets to go!

Later on, we watched the process of the salaried, higher ranked Sumo. These men wear highly decorated 'aprons' which are beautifully made, expensive indicators of their success. They take command of the ring and are applauded by the audience as they are introduced by name.

We stay until after 6:00 to watch the closing ceremonies and to pick up the rest of the souvenirs. We are able to pick up English booklets that explain all about the Sumos and answer questions everyone has but were afraid to ask. We wish we could have the music that accompanied our Sumo Soup lunch and also would like a recording of the chanting that can be heard at the introduction of each match. We go home with a greater appreciation of an honorable profession Sumo Wrestling is.

Luxury in Fashion Reconsidered-A Fabulous Exhibition at Kyoto Museum of Modern Art

I have been writing up some visits to Fashion Museums in Kyoto and Kobe. The first one, Luxury in Fashion Reconsidered, is posted at clotheslinefinds.blogspot.com (April 24th) and the one for Kobe is going to be posted some time after May 5th. In Japan, all museums are in newly designed buildings or renovated heritage buildings. All have gardens, gift shops, restaurants and places for children and for large events. Most feature both permanent and special collections. Most are closed only on Mondays and there are discounts available at the museums and at bigger tourist information sites. A lot of advertising is done for all arts and cultural events and often includes an English language website.

We are now back in Tokyo, catching up on what we missed the first time around. We have a baseball game next Tuesday and a trip to Mt Fuji, with our friends, the Watanabes, Thursday. Still many adventures and more blogs before we come back to Vancouver, May 14th.

Osaka

Here we are back in the big city, in a small apartment and getting ready to do day trips again. We went to the tourist info centre and our agent has been in Vancouver many times, most recently this past winter, in Whistler. She hopes to come for the Winter Olympics. We ask for info about Noh Theatre, Baseball games, museums and trips to places nearby. We went on the highest Ferris Wheel ever and not only got a spectacular view of Osaka but also this message in translation at the very top: "We hope you enjoy your walk in space." (Hope not)We also went to a beautiful park with animal and flower sculptures. On a street walk, we ran into a Kentucky Samurai. We took a day trip to Kobe and visited the Fashion Museum. Have a look at that write up on: clotheslinefinds.blogspot.com

Sunrise-Itoyama-Imaburi City

At this resort, you get to ride a bike across 3 bridges and visit small fishing communities. This is a family style, informal place which specializes in sea-food. The breakfasts and dinners are buffets and you eat forever while watching the cruise ships pass in the night. One of the small towns was celebrating Sakura and we had wonderful ice-cream - not fat reduced! It is hot enough to go swimming although we seem to be the only sun lovers. Families stay over and all ride bikes or scooters and then sit on the beaches and fish or picnic. Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time.

Miyajima Island

A boat trip here was spectacular! Weather warm and sunny and the ferry on time and with seating outdoors and inside. This is the site of one of the largest Toris in Japan and it is right out in the ocean and when the tide comes in, it looks like the Tori is floating. Beautiful beaches and a sea wall surround this town and a cable car takes you up to the top of the mountain to see the monkeys and deer. Although you can walk down, the return cable car trip is easier and gives better views. Seafood is a specialty here, but watch out to order it for lunch as everything closes down at 4:00 or so.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is such a beautiful city considering that it was almost destroyed by the A-bomb and the war. It is totally rebuilt and reminds me of Paris. The Peace Park and remains of the A-bomb site are reminders of what was and what could be. The children's art work, the cranes and the Castle,the scuptures and gardens are monuments of hope. The museum of science and culture for kids, the art galleries and the river banks and celebrations of Sakura are memorable. Our hotel, The Flex, is a great place to stay - right on one of the many rivers and looking out over the city.

Kyoto

A busy and crowded city. We went to the Golden Temple and the market. In the sun, we sat and ate fresh fish soup. Others soon joined us and we crowded the few little tables. There were oysters, crab, squid and all sorts of other seafood. Every vendor called out that her product was best and it was hard to say no. We met Ernesto and Alicia from Buenos Aires and went out for dinner. They have lived all over the world and have picked up the languages too. We walked the city and will go back for a day trip to visit Angelica, who is attending the university of Kyoto to study Robotics. Thanks for the robot research for Tokyo Fashion Week, Angelica!!

Kanazawa

We visited Geisha Town, Samurai Town (had a tea ceremony in Nomura House) and met a wood carver who makes cards and uses cedar seedlings and also makes jewelry. He is a special craftsman, one of a dying breed. We met an Australian couple; he is an antiques dealer and she has just completed her degree in Museum Studies. We exchanged emails and hope to visit at some point. The Kenroku-en Garden is one of Japan's 3 biggest gardens and it has 6 desirable qualities: spaciousness, seclusion, antiquity, ingenuity, flowing water and views. The Nomura House (a preserved and restored Samurai House) has decorated gold dust painted walls and screens. Only the armory and gate of Kanazawa Castle remain, but its shadow is a reminder of feudal Japan. Once again, all of this in the middle of a modern city.

Temple and Youth Hostel

We go by Shinkansen, (fast train) to a Buddhist Temple. This is a big place, with lots of photography and art. It is very quiet until a large family with lots of kids registers and they seem to be awake until late. We enjoy seeing the town, the next day, but really don't see much of anyone else. This was Takayama. There is a gorgeous library and I meet the librarian, who has spent time in Edmonton. I take pictures and get a great brochure. This place has a museum upstairs and story times for all ages. The folk museum here, is great but no English and very cold. We get an idea of what it must have been like, long ago, with no central heating.

Sakura and Shrines

Went to Omotesando and Harajuku for Sakura pictures. We saw a wedding and at the park, a group of students asked us if they could practise their English by taking us to a shrine and teaching us about it. Their English was perfect, although subject specific. Once their main job was done, they were happy to talk about their lives. They plan to go into 'foreign affairs'; one is majoring in Spanish. They have been to other countries to perfect their English. They all have part-time jobs and one is working at McDonald's. They did an incredible job of teaching us how to pray, how to ring the bell and how to observe the correct behaviors. They gave us the background history and the why's and how's of what to do at shrines. We were sorry to see them go, but they had many more assignments to complete and many more people to meet. There were thousands of people at the park, having picnics with their families, under the Sakura. Food stalls were abundant, as always. There were story times throughout the day and young and old watched intently. In Nokashira Park there were boat rides and more Sakura festivities. Gnome is in love with swans and wants to go for a ride. We think the film, Cherry Blossoms may have been shot here.