Empty Planet

Over 50 years ago I took a course in demographics.  A lot has changed since then.  Then, we had gone through the baby boomers and a lot of experts agreed there was danger in being overpopulated, but some thought there were some natural brakes 

The two authors studied lots of statistics, but more importantly traveled around the world and talked to a variety not only of experts, but also to ordinary people (if a little better educated).  Recently saw both with Steve Paikin on the tv show "The Agenda" 5 years after publication of "Empty Planet" (2019).

Two factors have emerged in almost every nation to account for declining birth rates:  the education (and empowerment) of women and urbanization.   For ages having children was good for helping on the farm, but in the city children are more of an expense.  Women are at long last learning how to avoid burdensome motherhood and enjoy life more.

The replacement rate for women to replicate themselves is 2.1 meaning they need to have 2 babies each plus a little more to allow for those who don't have any or only 1.  Almost all of the developed world is below that number and even in most of the developing world the number is also declining.  The global population has been climbing because of longevity increases and parts of the world where women have more than two babies.  The authors contend that previous estimates are far higher than the reality and declining population will be dramatic.

It is not necessarily a bad thing, however there will be some negative effects. 

Young people are innovators and older people are expensive with pensions and medical care while fewer people to generate the economy and provide services.

China after their experience with their one child policy are stuck with millions of men unable to find a female partner because when only allowed one child and the Chinese had a strong preference for boys and many abandoned girls.  Many ended up adopted overseas.  During the policy years both men and women learned that sterilization was the most effective birth control. 

Brazil  telenovelas effected women of all social classes if they watched them.  The families depicted were small and the women all seemed to have more freedom.  They appealed to both rich and poor.

Infertility is another factor.  Naomi Klein in an effort to get pregnant learned about fertility issues.  Chemical pollution is correlated to infertility, birth defects and miscarriages.  see   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/02/this-changes-everything-deserves-major.html

Both authors are Canadian and have noticed historical factors that have boosted population.

Clifford Sifton was the Canadian interior cabinet minister from 1896 to 1905 under Wilfrid Laurier and both were concerned that Americans were pushing towards the western border with Canada.  The government took some immigration employees off salary and put on commission.  Under Sifton, immigration authorities approached Scandinavia, Germany, Balkans, and Ukraine enticing many who helped secure the border against Americans.

On the other hand the government stopped Chinese immigrants after they had been instrumental in building the national railway.  Jews from the St Louis ship were sent away and during World War II the Japanese were forced into internment camps.

Eventually the Chinese were allowed to migrate and Canada developed a reputation for helping refugees including Hungarians after 1956, the Vietnamese fleeing war conditions and the Syrians during their Civil War and most recently Ukrainians.  The government uses  a point system that evaluates which refugees or would be immigrants can help Canada.  We also accepted a multi cultural life style that was more comfortable for non English immigrants..

My ancestors came to North America by boat from England, Scotland and Switzerland and some shifted from the United States by horse or on foot.  My wife Sharon's ancestors also came by boat from Italy and Ukraine.

Quebec has a delicate situation because they not only needed to boost population, but wanted to maintain their French culture.  They targeted French west Africa.  My Brother in law , Ali came from Morocco to Ontario for education.  After he married my sister the plan was to go to Morocco, however a stopover in Montreal offered a compatible situation with more Moroccans and as he was fluent in French (English and Arabic) the decision was made to live in Quebec.  Their house proved to be an enjoyable stopover on my way to Nova Scotia to visit my daughter in school and develop a sales job and then he helped me open up Quebec for sales and vacationing.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/travels-of-salesman-part-3-quebec.html

The U.S. needs immigrants to maintain their standard of living, but some (example Donald Trump) think a key to getting elected is to cater to prejudices.  Most of American Nobel prize winners were immigrants.  Soon America will find it more difficult to attract necessary immigrants as many will find conditions at home better and there will be fewer of them. 

 Incentives do make a difference, but not nearly enough.  Paternity leave, tax deductions even cash bonuses have to compete against other factors.

 IVF is one tool to help slow down the decline.  For those who were without hope there is now hope   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/11/joy-film-about-ivf.html

Environmentalists have pointed out a major cause of climate change has been the burgeoning over- population.  Urbanization can be good for the environment.  High rise apartments can be more energy efficient and allow traffic to be more manageable.

The population mix has changed gradually, but seems certain to bend towards less with a greater proportion to the older.  The right to work legislation and the generosity of pensions likely will be adjusted.  We truly are all part of this change and perhaps we will act more compassionately as well as rational.  

Two Year End Film Reviews

At the year end I get busier not only blogging, but a few other details demand attention.  I watch a lot of films and would like to blog more of them, but many are time fillers.  This December I caught two unexpectedly good ones.  The two are both non English languages.

"Emilia Pervez" (2024) has the bigger budget.  A most interesting plot using an unexpected tool.  "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) comes from a developing nation, Indonesia, but struck a chord..   

The plot of "Emilia Pervez" is difficult to detail, but here is a rough outline.  Set in Mexico.  Rita, a lawyer, after winning a case using a subterfuge is kidnapped and taken to meet a drug lord who has an unexpected request.  He wants to be a woman.  A lawyer is needed to help him cover up his tracks, including faking a death and sending his wife and two children to a safe haven in Switzerland.  Four years later after a successful operation and coverup (the wife thinks her husband is dead) the drug lord now known as Emilia Perez encounters Rita in London with a new request.  This time she wants to live with her children and before too long this is granted, although the wife is still kept unaware of the truth.  This leaves a lot of possibilities considering human emotions soon intrude.  That is enough of the plot.

"Heartbreak Motel" seems to run on two tracks.  In one we encounter Ava, a new actress  being given an opportunity in a more important role in a new film.  We learn she has panic attacks due to some traumatic history.  A co-star Reza tries to comfort her and they warm up to one another.  There are problems in their relationship as they continue on the movie.  On the other track we are introduced to a maid, Maya who seems excessively nervous, but has attracted the interest of a foreign negotiator staying at the motel (more like a hotel).  They get off to a bad start with her accusing him of stalking her and he accusing her of trying to steal a wallet.  Eventually they sort out their differences, but she still seems uncertain.  You will wonder how these two tracks are connected and towards the end it begins to make sense.  

 

"Emilia Perez" is the idea of Jacques Audiard who got the idea from a story.  He wrote, directed and was a producer.  Contrary to perception the film is shot in France, although the scenery and language  depicts Mexico with a few side trips to other countries.  Jacques has 29 writing credits, and 17 for directing and 8 for producing including:  "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (2005), "Rust and Bone" (2012), "Dheepan" (2015) and "A Prophet" (2019).  Along the was capturing many awards.  

Over in Indonesia Angga Dwinas Sasongka was developing ideas and skills that led him to also be a director, writer and producer.  In university he majored in political science.  Gravitating to films he at first worked on tv commercials and music videos.  He has accumulated 43 producer credits, 20 for directing and 13 for writing including "13 Bombs" (2024).  His latest, "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) is something unexpectedly charming. 

Music plays a key role in Emilia Pervez and early on an opera libretto was  composed by Clement Ducol with songs written and sung by his wife Camille.  It had been written in Spanish assisted by a Mexican translator.  They had worked together on "The Little Prince" (2015).  Paul Guilhaume with 31 cinematographic credits handled the photo works.  Editing was handled by Juliette Welfling with 31 editing credits including "The Diving Bell and Butterfly" (2007 nominated for Oscar editing), "Dheepan" (2015), "The Prophet" (2009), "Rust and Bones" (2013), Miral (2010) and "Read My Lips" (2001).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/09/free-state-of-jones.html

Arnand Pratikto provided the cinematography for "Heatbreak Motel"  and Hendra Adhi Susanto did the editing with 19 editing credits including  "Cemara's Family" (2019) and "13 Bombs" (2023). Abel Huray provided music.  He has 10 composing credits and 18 for the  Music Department including "Cigarette Girl" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html  

 The cast of "Emilia Pervez" gets international attention.  Zoe Saldana has the central role of Rita, the lawyer who negotiated the transition.  She trained in dancing and it shows.  She has 74 acting credits including "The Terminal" (2004), "Avatar" (2009), "The Words" (2012), "Infinitely Polar Bear" (2014) and "From Scratch" (2022).  

Selena Gomez played Jessi, the wife who was kept in the dark.  She has made herself a popular singer and has 124 acting credits including "Only Murders in the Building" (2021-2024).

The last of the trio that won an acting award together at the Cannes Festival is Karla Sofia Gascon.  She was born in Spain and moved to Mexico to further acting opportunities and where she finalized her transition to female.  She has 40 film credits mostly under the name Juan Carter Gascon.  

Edgar Ramirez played Gustavo Brun.  He was born in Venezuela with a lawyer mother and a soldier father that moved around a lot allowing Edgar to learn five languages.  His film credits include "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012), "The Liberator"(2013) "Joy" (2015), "The Girl on the Train" (2016), "Gold" (2016). and "The Undoing" (2020).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/the-undoing.html

There is a sort of love triangle in "Heartbreak Motel"  

Laura Basuki played Ava the rising actress attracted by two men.  She was born in Berlin, Germany to a Indonesian/Chinese father and a Vietnamese mother.  She got her start as a model where she was noticed by film makers.  Laura has 27 acting  credits.

Reza Rahadian played the co-star would be lover.  Born of a Persian father.  He got started as model.  He has 77 acting credits, 3 for directing and 1 for writing including "Habibie & Annum" (2012).

Chicco Jerikho played Raga, a motel guest.  Born of a Thai father.  Chicco has 31 acting credits and 7 as producer including "13 Bombs" (2023).

Both movies are available on Netflix with subtitles.  A big budget makes for a good presentation, but newcomers have their dynamics that are well worth pursuing.

Leonardo Da Vinci--the Ken Burns version

Ken Burns  has a long history of doing documentaries based on American cultural and historical issues.  Walter Isaacson had dinner with Ken and suggested that Leonardo Da Vinci was the preeminent scientist/ artist of the millennium.  With that endorsement the documentary started.

Leonardo was born illegitimate, but his father supported him getting him an apprenticeship.  He proved himself at a young age and was given more opportunities.

One outstanding feature of trying to understand Da Vinci was his reverence for nature.  Partly it sprang from his interest in perfecting painting.  He wanted to better understand what was under the skin and began to study anatomy and dissecting human (and other animal) bodies.  That expanded to an interest in optics from which he learned to use shadows to create the illusion of depth.

His curiosity about nature was ever expanding.  He thought a lot about flight observing birds and bats.  He strived toward human flight, but unfortunately his ideas depended on the weight of available materials.  

One challenge he felt was to divert the Arno River that flows by Florence.   This  involved studying hydrology, one side effect was to make water flow upwards.  Unfortunately the resources to actually divert the river were not available.

He was also an inventor and hired by military forces.

He is best remembered for his many paintings especially the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa.

In his last years he felt he was being spied upon and kept his notes in code.  That habit helped inspire the theory about the Da Vinci Code.In his life Da Vinci lived in Florence, Milan, Rome and died in France. 

Ken Burns is a key person behind this series.  He is listed as an executive producers while his daughter Sarah Burns and son in law, David McMahon were the producers.  Ken  has a long history of dealing with important people and events in depth  and comprehensively such as "The Civil War (1990), "Jazz" (2001), "Baseball" (1994 and 2010), "The Central Park Five" (2012), ""The Roosevelts:  An Intimate History" (2014) "The Vietnam War" (2017). "Hemingway" (2021), "Muhammed Ali" (2021) "Benjamin Franklin" (2022) and "The U.S. and the Holocaust" (2022).    see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/07/benjamin-franklin-ken-burns.html

Caroline Shaw provided the music.  She has 15 composing credits, 3 for the music department and 3 for acting.  There is a special feature on her with the DVD for this film.

Buddy Squire was the cinematographer.  He has won 5 Prime Time Emmy Awards.  He has 136 Cinematography credits plus 9 as producer and 3 as director including "Hemingway" (2021), "Muhammad Ali" (2021), "Benjamin Franklin" (2022) and "The U.S. and the Holocaust" (2022).

Woody Richman did editing.  He has 21 credits including "Fahrenheit 9/11" (2004), "Capitalism:  A Love Story" (2019) and Muhammad Ali" (2021).

Keith David, the winner of 3 Prime Time Emmys was the narrator.  He has 385 acting credits and 6 as producer.including  "Bird" (2016) "Greenleaf" (2016), and "From Scratch" (2022).

Throughout the four hour documentary there were many art experts and others giving insight into how Da Vinci thought.

Guillermo del Toro was one of the commentators.  He has won 3 Oscars.  Guillermo has 37 writer cfredits, 47 as producer and 3 for director including "Cronos" (1993), "Pan's Labyrinth" (2006), "The Hobbitt:  The Desolation of Smaug" (2013), "The Shape of Water" (2017 filmed partly in my adopted city of Hamilton), "Nightmare Alley" (2021) and "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" (2022).

Walter Isaacson is a writer who specializes in biographies of prominent people such as Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein.  See the book version  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/05/leonardo-da-vinci.html

It is really mind opening that one man with relatively few tools discovered so many things and developed beautiful art.  I saw the film on a DVD.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Amaran

 

"Amaran" (2024) is based on a military hero Major Mukund Varadarajan and his wife, Indhu.  His wife, recites the story after his death.

They met at college and after as a mentor he persuaded her to participate in a fashion contest they came to see each other more often and dated.  A key thing occur when he shows her to his family and his mother objects.  She is a Malayali while he is a Tamil.  He persists and even after a breakup they get married.  

At first she did not realize he wanted to be in the military.  He reassured her there was nothing to be worried about.  One of the adjustments was he spent a lot of time away from home.  He was involved in training, but also in various conflicts in India and outside as well.  He rose to be a major and was well regarded by not only superiors, but also those he led.  Along the way we see normal marital events such as buying a house, raising a child and dealing with in-laws.

The other adjustment was fear that the risk of death was higher than normal for non military men.  He owned up to the risk, but said it was worth it.  At one time he was wounded and she cried when she saw the wound and he admonished her never to cry over a wound and furthermore not to cry should he die.  He was tended to by his father in law who was a doctor.

A major military concern in India was with Kashmir.  My knowledge is scant, but I do understand that in 1947 different states were asked if they would join India or the newly constructed Pakistan designed to be a haven for Muslims.  The ruler of Kashmir declined to make a choice.  Their independence was first breached by Pakistan (reaching out to the the majority Muslim population.and thereafter there was much violence, some against India, some against Pakistan and some that just wanted to be independent.  A couple of men were designated as terrorists that as one witness said are characterized by others as freedom fighters.

The "terrorism" is pretty brutal and there are many followers wanting to rid Kashmir of Indians.  Major Mukund is in the thick of it.  An election is the focus towards the climax that the terrorists want to disrupt and nullify.  There is much action and inevitably there are deaths.  Military traditions (with a stiff upper lip and martial music) are maintained.  I don't usually summarize the films I promote, but this is fairly modern history.  At the credits we are shown photos of Mukund and his wife and you can appreciate the two main actors were selected and groomed to match closely.  It must be added they both fit their roles not only in looks, but in their demeanor.

This highly rated and engaging film brought together a wide range of talents such as the following.

Rajkumar Periasamy directed and wrote the script.  Previously he had seen a video in which Major Mukund had taught his daughter to sing a song.  He has 4 credits as a director, 2 as a writer and 1 as a cinematographer.

The producer Kamal Haasan might be described as the most prominent film maker in India.  He got his first acting award at age 6.  Early on he was involved with dancing (choreography) and playback singing.  Later he took makeup workshops and wrote music and lyrics.  He has worked in several languages; Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and English.  Seven of his movies have been nominated for Oscars, more than for any other Indian.  When he met Jackie Chan he admitted he emulated many of his stunts and accumulated 32 fractures.  He was once prevented from flying to the U.S. by the U.S. Customs at the Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2002 as he was thought to be Muslim which  he wasn't.  He has 223 acting credits 50 for music department,  36 for writing and 7 for producing including  "Sadma" (1983), "Nayakan" (1987),  "Guna" (1991), "Chachi 420" (1997), "Hey Ram" (2000), "Anbe Sivam" (2003) and "Dasavatharam" (2008),  In the film's dialogue, Major Mukund is heard to say that "Anbe Sivam" is the best Tamil film he has ever seen.

G.V. Prakash Kumar provided the music.  His mother was the elder sister of A. R. Rahman which gave Prakash an opportunity to sing some Rahman's songs in films.  His stage singing encouraged some film makers to offer acting roles.  He has 105 composing credits, 55 for the music department and 35 for acting including "Bombay" (1995), "Aadukalam" (2011), "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Soorarai Pottru" (2020), "Vaathi" (2023), "Lucky Baskhar" (2024) and "Thangalaan" (2024).

Ch Sai was the cinematographer.  He has 6 Camera and Electrical Department credits and 3 for cinematography credits.

R. Kalaivanan was the editor with 4 editing credits.

Sivakarthikeyan played Major Mukund.  He has a degree in computer engineering and a M.BA.  He was very good a mimicry in school and was coerced onto stage which in turn led to being a playback singer and also writing lyrics.  He has 27 acting credits, 14 for the mucic department and 6 for producing including "Doctor" (2021) and "Don" (2022)

Sai Pallavi played Indhu.  She graduat4ed from Tbilisi State Medical School, but never practiced in India.  She has appeared in numerous language films and is conversant in Georgian, Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, English.   She once declined a huge sponsorship from a fair skin corporation as she believed in natural beauty;  see   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/08/bollywood-and-skin-colour.html  She has 19 acting credits including "Fidaa" (2017), "Shyam Singha Roy" (2021) and "Virata Parvam" (2022).

Bhuvan Arora played a close colleague, Vikram.  He has 24 acting credits including  "Shuddh Desi Romance" (2013), "Chaman Bahaar" (2020), "Farzi" (2023) and "Chandu Champion" (2024).  Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/08/chandu-champion.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/03/farzi-or-fakes.html

Rahul Bose played Colonel Amit Aingh Dabas.  He is a prolific award winner internationally and domestically.  In school he successful in boxing, cricket and rugby and later became president of Rugby India.  A tv. commercial he did combining Hindi nnd English (Hinglish) was a major success.  He has appeared in Hindi, Taml, Bengali and English films.  He has 56 acting credits, 2 for directing and 2 for writing including "Chameli" (2003), "Jhankaar Beats" (2003), "Before the Rains" (2007), "The Japanese Wife" (2010), "I Am" (2010), "Midnight's Children" (2012), "Dil Dhadakne Do" (2015) and "Poorna" (2017).

Geetha Kailasam played Mukund's mother who objected to his girlfriend.  She was a chartered accountant who got to audit the books for a film studio.  That led to being a producer with 4 credits.  She then got into acting with 15 credits including "Maamanan" (2023).

Shyamaprasad played Indhu's father who hapepened to be a doctor.   He graduated with a Master degree in Media Production from Hull University in England.  He has 16 directing credits, 14 for acting and 9 for writing.

If you are only a little quesy you can watch "Amaran" subtitled on Netflix.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

The Children's Train

 Here in Canada we have Italian stereotypes, not realizing like any other country they have regional differences.  What we are also conscious about is a mother's love for her children.  "The Children's Train" (2024 Il Treno dei Bambini) deals with both of these facts of life.

After World War II, 1946, south of Italy was poor and the subject of prejudice.  To help offset that, wealthy northerners offered"trains of happiness" to families in Naples.  Antonietta, a single mother politically active thought sending her son Amerigo up north to see a better life would be good.  Together with some other poor children Amerigo took the train to Modena.  There were adults waiting as foster parents.  

There was a pairing up process with children until at last only Amerigo was left.  Derna, an unmarried woman who had already said she did not want to participate found herself accepting Amerigo.  Both she and Amerigo tried to be distant.  She was politically active.

Amerigo soon found his Neapolitan dialogue and customs led to much ridicule.  Still he was a charming boy and made friends.  He and Derna became quite fond of one another.  A male friend got the attention of Amerigo through music and started to teach him how to play the violin.  Amerigo demonstrated some skill at learning and in response he was given an expensive violin to keep.  

After a few months the children were returned to their real parents.  The crux of the film is the response Amerigo got from his mother Antonietta.  There was a clash of cultures.  We see both Derna and Antonietta both loving Amerigo, but with different ideas (and abilities) to help him.  Jealousy and guilt were evident.  Sorry to say most viewers will be fighting the urge to cry as the film is concluded.

On a recent tour of Italy we made many stops from Milan to Sicily but only in Naples were we kept mostly in the bus with only a brief outside view from up high of the beautiful bay.  My in laws had originally migrated from the Naples area.  It had a reputation of pick pockets.  We were steered away from poor areas and I admit I liked what I saw.  Our tour guide from Pompeii lived in Naples and wanted us to see his town in a good light.  Although a poor city, the rest of the world had benefited from the inventions of pizza and Neapolitan ice cream.  I would also add some opera scores originated there.

a poor photo I took that nonetheless captures some of the beauty of Naples.

This film has attracted global attention.  It takes a lot of talented people and here are some of them. 

The idea came from a novel by Viola Ardone.  Viola was born in Naples.  The story was based on an actual "trains of happiness" in 1946.  The adventures of the characters were fictionalized.

Cristina Comencini was the director and a co-writer.  She graduated with a degree in economics.  Although from a film family she started as a novelist, but turned one of her novels into a film  She has continued to write novels and had at least one more turned to a movie.  She has 17 credits for writing and 18 for directing including "Don't Tell" (2006).

Nicola Serra was one of the producers.  He has 57 credits for producing including "The Life Ahead" (2020) and "Still Time" (2022).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/05/still-time.html

Italo Petriccione was the cinematographer with 59 cinematographer credits. 

Esmeralda Calbria was the editor.  She has 71 credits for editing, 3  for directing and 3 for producing.  

Laura Muccino was a casting director.  Casting children was critical to the success of the film.  She has 64 casting director, 2 for the casting department and 8 as assistant director including "The Past" (2013). 

Christian Cervone was the main star as Amerigo, the young boy torn between two mothers.  This was his first film, but likely he will seen again.

Serena Rossi, born in Naples played Antoniette, the real mother.  She started as a singer which led to performing in musicals and she was asked to dub in films such as "Frozen" (2013).  She has 41 Acting credits.

Barbara Ronchi plays Derna, the foster mother.  She started on stage and went on to acquire including 40 acting credits including "Still Time" (2022).

Stefano Accorsi played the adult Amerigo.  A television commercial for ice cream spoken Italo English made his popularity soar.  He had also been a jury member for the Venice Film Festival i 2003.  He has 74 acting credits, 2 for writing and 1 as director.

"The Children's Train" is currently available on Netflix in subtitled or dubbed format.  Make sure you kleenex nearby.

The Downloaded--Science fiction with a sense of reality

Science fiction has for many people a sense of unreality.  Some of it is mere fantasy, but done well it is a useful tool to understand life.  Picasso once said  "Art is the lie that shows us the truth".  In reality Robert J. Sawyer does a lot of research to make his stories realistic or believable.   While you read about weird fantasy people and events you will be struck with perspectives regarding our current real situation.

The frame is setup with one group of astronauts being put cryonically "asleep" for a long voyage while a group of convicts were also put asleep, but in a sense to to speed up time to make their criminal sentences shorter.  As sometimes happens, an earthly disaster brought them awoken in Waterloo (a major computer center in today's Canada) roughly 500 years after.

Sawyer ridicules early attempts at cryogenics by pointing out that it is not enough to freeze the body, but must consider the mind as well.  For this novel he uses the concept of uploading a human mind and later downloading.  Seems a bit far fetched, but it is a useful tool for the novel's plot.

Weird?  Sets up some interactions.  To intensify the situation one of the astronaut scientist announces that a huge meteorite is headed that threatens to obliterate the world in seven years.

Decisions are required with actually interesting options.   One option was to go back to their uploaded status where they could live in a drug like induced obliviousness.  Another was to travel to Mars, a relatively new colony.  A few of the astronauts thought they could carry on with the original mission decided some 500 years before to a far distant star.  Some opted to live as best they could on earth until the meteor crashed. 

An alternate life style is presented by Mennonites who have lived in that area since the 1800's.  Somehow they survived the earthly disaster.  A few points are made:  no modern technology, non violent using shunning as a tool against unacceptable behavior and a random system of choosing their church leaders.  This inclusion had some personal meaning for me:  see   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/biggest-surprise-in-my-family-tree.html

Politics, philosophy, psychology and sociology figure in the decision process (not everyone chooses the same option).  The author has set it up so that short chapters convey the perspectives of a range of people (and robots).  There are lots of references to movies, poems and science fiction that many will remember.  Some issues touched upon include transgenders and artificial intelligence.

 I am reminded of some speculation from Carl Sagan.  He thought the reason we have not heard from other intelligent beings is that no civilization had the ability to communicate across the wide spaces because they tend to blow themselves up beforehand.   Read more...http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/10/carl-sagan-and-our-future.html

 In my opinion Robert J. Sawyer is as profound a thinker as almost anyone I am familiar with.  See two earlier blog posts on him.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/09/conversion-can-sneak-up-on-you-too.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/04/memories-of-robert-j-sawyer.html 

Antarctica--Japanese Post War Challlenge

We look today at Japan and its status as a world power that has been very innovative, but after World War II ended it was defeated and humiliated.  In the 1950's, a geologist Kuramochi spotted an opportunity with an international project to explore Antarctica. With Shirasaki they campaigned to take part.  At first they weren't given much respect by the nations that had been victorious, but persisted through a lot of resistance.

At first the Japanese government thought it a waste of limited resources and corporations were also reluctant to provide the necessary massive financing.  In the film we see young school children donated coins.  Finally the government got involved.  Some companies such as Honda and the future Sony contributed.

Building a ship was another difficulty.  They had not suitable ships but it was decided they should redesign existing ships.  One model had been sunk by Americans, but the designer agreed to re design it for the Antarctica trip.

A lot if not most of your emotional involvement will come from the dogs.  Sakhalin Island which has been reclaimed by the Soviet Union bred a unique breed known as a Sakhalin husky.   Kuramochi went to Hokkaido Island for a dog training center.  A young girl who originally refused to let go her pet, Riki who turned out to be the natural leader dog, but later realized it was critical to what she realized was a national project.

On the ship they needed exercise which intruded on the human crew.  They suffered through typhoon and rough weather,.  Their first experience on Antarctica was distracted by penguins.  Unfortunately dog fights, were not uncommon, sometimes broken up by Riki.  They also suffered injuries.  On one  notable occasion they were needed to rescue a snowmobile crew that had run out of fuel. 

In truth the Japanese ship and airplane support (and lack of experience) were inadequate to the climate and they had no choice but to leave.  With great difficult they decided they had to leave 15 dogs behind.  Hard to stomach not only for the Japanese public, but also the film viewers.  A lot of you will feel more for the dogs, but realize the humans carried a heavy burden of guilt.   

While the Japanese government argued over what to do it was about two more years before a ship was able to land to make a search the film focused on the dogs.  The dogs were individualized as we watched how they escaped from their chains and were able to find food supplies.  Most did not survive.  It is public knowledge that two, Taro and Jiro did survive.

In contrast, the Norwegian Roald Amundsen on an Antarctic expedition planned ahead to kill some of his sled dogs and in fact did so feeding the meat to his other dogs and even eating some of the meat himself.

The message from the ending was to persist.  Japan has contributed to Antarctica research that has benefited the whole world.  Perhaps more important was not to give up.  This film provides lots of obstacles that would make most reasonable people look for something else.  Japan was one of the original 12 nations that declared Antarctica to be used only for peaceful purposes.  Japan was the first nation to notice the ozone hole over Antarctica. and warned the rest of the world.  They also participated in meteorite particles that shed light on not only our planet, but the solar system.  

The cinematography for Antarctica is beautiful.  Unable to confirm if actually filmed there or with some suitable alternative.

Such a mammoth effort required top cast and crew.

Katsuo Fukazawa was the director.  He has 26 directing credits and 1 writing credit including "Good Luck" (2003).

Yoshihiro Izumi wrote the script.  He has 29 writing credits.

Takuya Kimura played Takesh Kuromoch, geologist, mountain climber and key dog handler.  He had been in a rock band SMAP and became a highly rated series star.  He has 77 acting credits.  

Kyohei Shibata played Shirasaki, rederred to as "Professor, was an advocate and manager of the Antartica project.  He once dubbed for Robert Redford in the Japanese version of "The Sting" (1980).  He has 58 acting credits.

Haruka Ayase played Miyuki, the sister in law of Takesh who had lost his wife during the war.  Their love was mostly excruciatingily unrequited.  She has 66 acting credits including "Our Little Sister" (2015).

Teruyuki Kagawa played Hoshino, a leader on the first expedition wintering crew.  He has been a boxing commentator.  He has 176 acting credits including  "Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog" (2004), "Tokyo Sonata" (2008), "Key of Life" (2012) and "Japan Sinks,:People of Hope" (2021).   See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/japan-sinks-people-of-hope-emigration.html

Masato Sakai played Himura, a government employee who first dismissed any financing to the project, but later took part in the first trip and the wintering crew.  He has 119 acting credits including "The Key of Life" (2012).

 "Antarctica" is streaming on Netflix with subtitles.  Although the dogs are heroes some may find it difficult watching their suffering.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

The Mothers of Pengins, a series from Poland

In the last few decades there has been a greater awareness of autistic and disabled children.  Previously they had been hidden away and parents made to feel inadequate.

"The Mothers of Penguins" (2024) are a group of misfits (relating to the disabilities of the children).  The children just didn't fit into any other available care facilities.  The series focuses on the parents as much as the children.  The caring parents all have limited support for their efforts.  Their personal relationships are very frustrating. 

One lead character Kama is a MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter who cares about her misbehaving son, Jacz but is reluctant to acknowledge he is autistic.  We are subjected to a short brutal MMA contest, but mostly we see her training and involved with publicity (where she is in effect a fashion model).  After being expelled from a few schools she is forced into Wonderful Harbor, a school with multiple handicapped children and their coping parents. 

 One conversation sticks in my memory.  At a get together with some wealthy sponsors, one of the elite women asked a mother if she had been tested during her pregnancy for birth defects.  In effect she had been, but not for one that would have revealed a Downs syndrome embryo.  She admitted that if she had it would have been a difficult choice.  She went on to tell the group that from her present viewpoint it would have been regrettable not to have experienced the love she received from her Downs Syndrome daughter. 

All the relationships are strained.  The involved parents are exhausted, but so are the husbands who have to work hard to get enough money.  One mother of a parent is always criticizing the one man, her son who is active at the school.  

To make this series relevant takes a crew.  Here are some of the contributors.

Klara Konchanska is the creator, principle writer and director.  She has 6 writing credits and 7 for directing.

Jerzy Rogiewicz provided some of the music.  As a youngster in a non musical family he got attention by banging on cooking pots.  He was enrolled in a music school and went on to become a percussionist.  He has 21 composing credits and 6 for the music department.

Marciej Sobieraj was the cinematographer.  He is known as a popular cinematographer for tv. commercials.  He has 10 cinematography credits and 3 for camera and electrical department.

Bartlomiej Piasek ws an editor.  He has 29 editor credits.

Agnieszka Kurzydio was the producer.  She has 17 producer credits, 4 production manager credits and 1 for assistant director.

Masza Wagrocka played Kama, the MMA fighter.  She has 28 acting credits

Barbara Wypych played Ula, the mother of the Downs Syndrome daughter.  She has 36 acting credits and 1 for soundtrack.

Magdalena Rozczka played Tatiana.  In 2010 she was a United Nations Unicef ambassador.  She has 59 acting credits and 1 for producing.

Tomasz Tyndyk played Jerzy, the main male parent.  He has 48 acting credits, 1 for soundtrack and 1 for editing including "The Pianist" (2002). 

Krstyna Janda played Jerzy's constantly criticizing mother.  She has been known as a singer and also won best acting award at te 1990 Cannes Festival.  She has 74 acting credits, 3 for directing and 3 for writing.

Netflix has given some interesting cinema from Poland.  "The Mothers of Penguins is available dubbed and subtitled.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily recommendations, but most of them are worthy of consideration.

Joy: A film about IVF

 IVF was only a vague awareness, but consciousness has increased.  I have been informed  someone close to the family had used it.  In the last American election it was an issue--some were against it strongly and others thought a good idea.  It has raised hope for millions around the world.

Part of the story was to acknowledge the role of a nurse, Jean Purdy.  She had been omitted from being mentioned in  a commemorative plaque.  She became a lab manager for Dr. Robert Edwards who wanted to develop a method to fertilize female ovum outside the body.  Purdy was not innocent of this as she hoped this procedure might one day work.  She had discovered that she herself was incapable of becoming pregnant as she had hard case of endometriosis.  After it was identified they needed a surgeon to work on the project the two combined to recruit Dr. Patrick Steptoe, a surgeon who performs abortions. 

Jean Purdy lives with her mother who she regularly attends church with.  Her mother objects to her working with an abortionist and questions the project as playing like God.  Eventually Jean is expelled from the home, but a bit later she moves back and stops the project to take care of her mother suffering from cancer.  Dr. Edwards  moves onto other efforts.  It is only after Jean's mother dies and there is a realization of a major, but correctable  problem in their methodology.  Although they had had success with some rodents their human participants suffered all miscarriages.  But it is Jean who pushes Dr. Edwards and Dr. Steptoe to restart their efforts.

The film does continue to the first successful "test tube baby.  The team gave her middle name as "Joy", thys the title of the movie.  Over the end credits the story is updated.

This film portrayed a truly historical event that will have repercussions endlessly.  This presentation was professional and entertaining.  Here are some of the key people.  

Jack Thorne was the main writer of the script (with his wife, Rachel Mason).  At an early age he was identified with allergies to heat which in turn caused him to identify with disabled people.  He has actively campaigned to increase hiring of the disabled for films.  He and his wife Rachel tried IVF procedures a few times before succeeding. That experience inspired them to write about IVF including crediting the three main creators. Jack also wrote plays for stage and radio.  He has 44 credits for writing, 16 as produecr and 2 as actor including "A Long Way Down" (2014), "Wonder" (2017), "Enola Holmes" (2020), "Help" (2021) and "The Swimmers" (2022).  

Ben Taylor was the director.  He has 17 credits including "Sex Education" (2019).

Steven Price composed the music.  He played guitar at age 5.  He also has written for commercials in the United States as well as United Kingdom.   He has 42 credits as composer and 46 for the music department including "Gravity" which arned him an Oscar (2013), "The Hunt" (2015), "Baby Driver" (2017), "The Swimmers" (2022) and "My Policeman" (2022).  Read more about "The Hunt" http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/05/the-hunt-is-what-life-is-all-about.html

Jamie Cairney provided the cinematography.  He has 76 cinematography credits and 30 for the camera and electrical department including "Sex Education" (2019) and "Death to 2022" (2022).

David Webb was the editor. He started cutting music videos for such clients as George Michaels and Paul McCartney.  Another musical video proved to be an inspiration for the movie "Baby Driver" (2017).  He has 31 editor credits including "Sex Education" (2019), "Litvinenko" (2020) and "The Gentlemen" (2024).  See about "Litvinenko"  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/04/litvinenko.html

Thomasina McKenzie played the determined Jean Purdy.  Born and raised in New Zealand.  She has 28 acting credits including "Jojo Rabbit" (2021).

James Norton played Dr. Robert Edwards who eventually won the Nobel Prize.  He 45 acting credits, 1 for producing and 2 for soundtrack including "An Education" (2009),"Restless" (2012), "Belle" 2013), "Rush" (2013), "Happy Valley" for 3 seasons (2014), "Mr. Turner" (2014),"Grantchester" for 4 seasons (2014),  "Little Women" (2019), and "Rogue Agent" (2022). 

Bill Nighy played Dr. Patrick Steptoe.  He has made gender equality a factor in what roles he accepts.  He has awards and nominations on stage, big screen and small screen.  In his younger days he was a singer in a rock band.  He has 172 acting credits, 3 for producing and 6 for soundtrack including ""The Eye of the Needle" (1981), "Love, Actually" (2003), "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2011), "About Time" (2013), "Pride" (2014), "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2015), "Emma" (2020) and "The Beautiful Game" (2024).

It is well worth your while to learn about something that will resonate with our human future.  Available on Netflix. 

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Bob Woodward's latest

It is frustrating that more American voters did not pay attention to many points made by Woodward.  Short term thinkers felt Biden was responsible for inflation, more so than the man who botched the pandemic.  They ignored the real dangers of climate change.  A number of responsible military and political people warned Trump was recklessly irresponsible.  His authoritative manner might seem commendable, but too often was harmful, often very harmful.

Bob Woodward is unique.  He is in a position that allows different powerful people to be honest, or at least it appears to be so.    Woodward's secret is that all his interviews (most of which are recorded) are done under the cover of "deep background" which meant the given  information could be used, but would not be attributed to anyone.  He did not get permission to talk to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump, but did have a lot of confidential interviews with key players. 

Joe Biden jumped to the defense of Ukraine, but also made it known there would be no American military combatants.  After October 7th he was quite adamant that he would support Israel, but no Americans would be fighting.  He also criticized Israeli settlements in Palestine and stated he felt there needed to be a two state solution.

You will learn about Netanyahu and Zelensky.  And Hunter Biden.  And Jake Sullivan.  And many others that have some responsibility for the way the world is headed.

All Arab leaders felt Hamas needed to be destroyed.  It also appears that Netanyahu supposed by even more extreme believers felt that not only Hamas needed to be destroyed, but that Palestine needed to be tramped down.  In the Mideast two driving forces are Hate and Fear.  I would add Face as the politicians feel locked in.  Woodward captures some of the hypocrisy that most politicians use to gain or maintain power.

He did note Biden's aging and that staff was trying to hide it.  It is unfortunate that not enough comments were made in public about Trump's deteriorating capability, but Woodward does note a few instances of it. 

The narrative goes up to the replacement of Biden with Kamala Harris.  She receives scant mention beforehand and there had to a cut off, but the debate she clearly won was not included.  Although I wish she had received more coverage,  I also regret more voters didn't get a chance to read it or at least hear discussions

It may seem that reading "War" is a waste of time after the election, but I disagree.  Woodward has given a lot of insights into people who are still making decisions that effect us all.  Perhaps more important he has also given us insights into how power works. 

An earlier blog post on a Bob Woodward book  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/11/fear-another-anti-trump-book.html

Ennio

 Art has been one of the more satisfying parts of life.  Reading books and watching movies have taken up a great part of my time.  I loved music before I ever heard Ennio Morricone, but he tied my love of movies to music like no one else.  I would say he inspired other musicians and directors to bring the two art forms together.

The filming was interrupted by the Covid Pandemic and unfortunately Ennio died before the film was released. 

Giuseppe Tornatore, a well established director with 27 credits for directing and 21 for writing.  The Morricone background music was a key part of their success.  The films with Ennio's music include "Cinema Paradiso" (1990), "The Legend of 1900" (1998), "Malena" (2000), "The Unknown Woman" (2006), "Baaria" (2009) and "The Best Offer" (2013).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/08/giuseppe-tornatore.html

My first awareness of his music was with "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and felt compelled to see the movie.  It was certainly unusual and mesmerizing.  I heard another catchy theme from another Spaghetti Western.  As I got older and matured I noticed others of his film music.  Then I began to seek out his music. 

Ennio comes from a musical family with his father being a prominent trumpet player.  Ennio was coerced into playing the trumpet.  Eventually he expanded into writing music that at first would be considered towards a classical mode.  He got asked about film music and a big breakthrough occurred when an old classmate Sergio Leone realized their connection and collaborated.  A few movies followed.  In the film, Sergio's daughter admitted that the music was often the driving force behind their mutual success.

From time to time Ennio wanted to compose music in a different path, but that took awhile.  One of his. goals was to experiment.  He did spend time studying scripts to tailor his music to fit the emotions.  One surprise learned from the special features was that he often wrote different bits and before presenting them to the producer or director would try them with his wife Maria and which ever one was chosen by her was the one offered.  He felt his wife represented the general public whereas he might be too technical.

Joan Baez who I classify as a folk singer got involved with Ennio.  At one point he asked her to put into words for a tune he voiced to her.  It ended up being "Here's to You" and was used in the film "Sacco & Venzetti" as a sort of protest song.

During the course of the film you will hear a wide range of directors, composers and musicians explaining how Morricone effected them.  Just a few, Bruce Springsteen, Hans Zimmer and John Williams.  He truly revolutionized film music.  Maybe the best part of the film is the music--in one scene they show a film being made while the cast and crew are listening to his music.

This was seen through a library borrowed DVD and had the advantage of including some special features that added to my understanding and enjoyment. 

My love of film music has transferred to many composers and producers.  See an earlier post on film music including Morricone:   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/05/movies-and-music-part-2.html

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation (these all are recommended), and generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

The Necessities of Life

 For a Canadian like myself "Ce Qu'il Faut Pour Vivre" (The Neccesities of Life: 2015) exhibits two foreign elements.  Most of it is in French, but an important component language is Inukitut.  Language is critical and as a Canadian I am embarrassed that my French is very pathetic, but was a positive experience in my life.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/travels-of-salesman-part-3-quebec.html

We see Tiiviis in his native Arctic and learn he has developed tuberculosis and is sent south to Quebec City.  A major problem is that he is the only speaker of his language Inuktitut.  He is very un co-operative and the medical staff eventually find a young boy who speaks French and Inuktitut.  Kaki does make a difference and becomes a translator through a few difficult conversations.  There is a bit of clash of cultures (you will laugh at one of them), but nothing too serious.

 Director was Benoit Pilon who has 11 director credits, 8 for writing and 4 as assistant director including "Iqaluit" (2016).   

Writer was Bernard Emond  with 11 writing credits, 11 for directing and 1 for acting. 

Bernadette Payeur was the producer.  She has 31 producer credits including "The Auction" (2013) and "Iqaluit" (2016)

Music provided by Robert Marcel Lepage.  Plays the clarinet and saxophone.  He has 184 credits for composing, 18 for the music department and 2 for the sound department.

Michel La Veaux handled the cinematography.  He has 68 cinematography credits, 7 for the camera and electrical department and 5 for directing including "The Auction" (2013) and "Iqaluit" (2016)

Richard Comeau was the editor.  He has 74 editor credits, 4 for editorial department and 3 for the sound department including "Maelstrom" (2000), "Polytechnique" (2009), "Gabrielle" (2013), " Guibord s'en va-t-en-guerre" (2015), "Iqaluit" (2016) and "Two Lovers and a Bear" (2016).

Natar Ungalaaq played the lead actor Tiivii.  He had been an Inuit sculpture who had used profits from carving to buy camera gear and then went on to start a production company.  He has 18 acting credits, 3 for cinematography and 1 for directing  including "Atanarjaet--The Fast Runner" (2001), "The Journal of Knud Rasmussen" (2006), "Maina" (2013) and "The Grizzlies" (2018). http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/an-unexpected-canadian-film-gem.html

Eveline Gelinas, played the nurse most often seen caring for  Tiiviis.  She has 17 acting credits.

Paul-Andre Brasseur played the young boy Kaki.  He was part Inuit and spoke French.  He got help with the Inukitut dialogue from Natar.  He has 2 acting credits including "Maina" (2013).

Antoine Bertrand played Roger another patient.  He was a popular tv. host.  He has 41 acting credits including "Starbuck" (2011), "Louis Cyr" (2013) and "Ego Trip" (2015).

Guy Thauvette played Dr. Montpetit.  He has 90 acting credits including "Misrine:  Killer Instinct" (2008), "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) and "Endorphine" (2015).

The culture clash may seem strange, but it is one of the factors that makes it worth viewing.  It is available subtitled on Netflix.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Fareed Zakaria's "Age of Revoluitions

 

Fareed Zakaria is a familiar face on television, but after reading his books I can appreciate a lot of thought has been given to what you hear on his CNN show.  This project has been in the works for ten years.  In a real sense it is a study leading to how we got to where we are now.

He designates the Netherlands as the foundation of a liberal Revolution that was successful.  Technologically they were advanced with windmills, dikes and ships.  They conquered what became the Dutch East Indies bringing new spices back to England.  The Dutch brought tobacco to Indonesia  and took advantage of the cheap labor  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html  They developed a stock market, gave liberties to more citizens than ever.  They outflanked Spain and Portugal by exploring and settling Cape Town and Indonesia. 

England was the next successful revolution owing a lot to the Dutch William of Orange. who brought a lot of liberal changes.  The Industrial Revolution amalgamated many inventions, but also forced some cultural changes that advantaged women.  Political changes evolved to give more people a vote.  England went on to conquer much of the world and spread liberal ideas.   There was of course backlash.

Many of the democratic ideals were taken to America.  They objected to taxation without representation.  The American Revolution threw out the monarchy and substituted their own Constitution.  The indigenous and black slaves were left out, but the mainly European immigrants felt freer than ever before.  The United States have spread the ideals of democracy which have taken hold in some nations, but not all.

The French Revolution was considered a failure as a liberal event as a dictatorship soon followed.  Today we are feeling a computer revolution that in many ways has liberated us, but also has taken away our privacy and allowed ourselves to be manipulated. 

Hatred is still rearing its ugly face.  An interesting sidelight comes from perceived bigot, Marine Le Pen who uses the extreme Muslim view of homosexuals as a reason to keep Muslims out of her country.

Fareed feels Americans are losing their feeling of community that will hurt democracy.  We huddle in our homes to watch entertainment that we once sought in movie theaters.  Inequality has created segregation.  One solution would be to require some sort of national service.    

The world is more inter dependent than ever and we have a lot of mutual concerns such as climate change. A common referral for Fareed is Lee Kuan Yew who ruled in Singapore with three main ethnic groups, Chinese, Malay and Indian.  An effort was made to mix both housing and schooling so they would learn to get along.

Today China is challenging the United States with Russia and others causing complications. The future is uncertain and will require humans of not only intelligence, but also good will.

An interesting quote from Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa:  "If we want things as they are, things will have to change".

The Secret of the River

At my age, 76 it seems the world has changed tremendously.  I am reminded of Stephen R.Covey's fifth rule: "Seek first to understand and then to be understood".  Mexico has produced a film series that portrays a mystery involving sex identity.  So there are no surprises it hinges on the third gender.  Certainly there is a plot with a murder/manslaughter, paternity mystery but it revolves around gender issues.

We are first introduced to two young boys  Manuel and Erik who don't share a lot of common interests, but somehow become friends.  This takes part in Oaxcan, Mexico.  Manuel comes across some individuals known as Muex that think of themselves as neither men or women.  In truth they really do exist and have for a long time notably in Zapotec speaking area of Oaxcan.  Some are transgender while others are more transvestites.

Manuel feels "different" and we see him indulging in some activites regarded as feminine.  Nonetheless they remain friends especially bonding after sharing a serious crisis.  A young girl Paulina who father is a police officer also becomes close to both boys and plays a role as an adult.

The second part of the series occurs 20 years later and Manuel has transitioned to a woman who calls herself Sicuru.  

It takes a lot of talent to bring such a series as "The Secret of the River" into being.  Here are some of the key people.  

Alberto Barrera, one of the writers is credited with creating the idea.  He is from Venezuela and started his film career there.  He has 18 credits as a writer and one for directing.

Ernesto Contreras was the main director.   He has won a few awards including one from the Sundance Film Festival.  He has 26 credits as a director, 12 as producer and 8 as an editor including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/06/where-tracks-end.html

Gus Reyes was responsible for much of the music.  He got an early start with a number of choirs, rising to a soloist.  There are some beautiful choral pieces in the series.  He has 97 composing credits and 12 for the music department including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Cesar Gutierrez Miranda was the cinematographer.  He has 44 cinematography credits, 4 for directing and 4 for writing. 

Jorge Macaya helped with the editing.  He has 57 credits for editing, 8 for the editorial department and 1 for directing including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Trinidad Gonzales plays the grownup Manuel who is known as Sicuru.  She grew up in Mexico as a boy, but from an early age was attracted to fashion.  Moving to Mexico City Trinidad began modeling and sometime after moved to London and finished transitioning to a female.  Moving back to Mexico modeling assignments were difficult, but shown the script decided to take on an intense acting program and accepted the role of Sicuru.

Diego Calva played the adult Erik.  He has 23 credits as an actor, 2 credits for producing and 1 for assistant director.  He once starred with Brad Pitt and Margo Robbie in "Babylon" (2022).

Mauro Guzman played the youthful Erik in the first four episodes and in flashback for the final four episodes to critical praise. He has 2 film credits.

Frida Sofia Cruz Salinas played the youthful Manuel even though a girl.  She has 3 credits including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Mercedes Hernandez played Rafaela, the grandmother of Manuel.  She established herself on stage (25 plas) and as a cabaret performer and for oral story telling.  She has 38 acting credits including "La Gran Seduccion" (2023).

La Bruja de Texcoco, a muex payed Solange, the key muex.  (S)he has 3 acting credits.

Jorge A. Jimenez played Jacinto, a homophobic father of Erik.  He has 46 acting credits, 1 as a producer and 1 as a writer.

Jero Medina played Braulio, the sympathetic father of Paulina.  He has 21 acting credits including "Where the Tracks End" (2023).

Yoshira Escarrega played the adult Paulina.  She has 17 acting credits.

For those who would like to understand a little better a section of misunderstood part of our population.  It is available subtitled and dubbed on Netflix.  If more people could watch such series without getting overly queasy we might not have had to put up with Donald Trump who loves to stir up bigotry

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Post Election 2024

 As a Canadian I look at the American election as insanity.  The two most heard excuses for their choice were the economy and immigration.

The economy really means the cost of living which certainly merits serious concern.  The big question should be "Why"?   A little overlooked history should have been noted.  Obama took over a financial crisis and over eight years turned it to a rising economy.  Trump's first action was to put in a large tax reduction that not only added to the deficit, but also increased inequality.  Others can argue about how he handled the economy after that, but in general jobs were lost and inflation moderately increased that is until the pandemic crisis that Obama warned was possible.  Not Trump's fault, but he acted almost criminal in his management--mocking experts and discouraging masks and vaccines.  Lots of jobs were lost, businesses closed and critically supply chains were disrupted.   A few businesses were able to take advantage and others went under

There are many ways a government might approach the problem--an important component would be to pump in more money.  Climate change didn't stop and agriculture suffered meaning food prices went up.  Climate instances have increased and have had a negative impact on prices.  Money was borrowed and some was printed, otherwise the job situation would have been pretty bleak.  Trump negotiated a deal with Saudi Arabia designed to increase oil prices.  These last four years of recovery have been difficult times with difficult decisions required.  Compared to the rest of the world it must be said the Biden administration made the better choices, but Americans really didn't care how other nations fared.  Did voters really think the world has fully recovered from the Covid pandemic?

Immigration does bring out emotions.  One question seems to be unasked--why the increase and desperation?  Climate change plays a role, but also so do repressive governments.  Expect more immigration pressure.   Gwynne Dyer in a recent blog pointed out the pressure definitely will increase and anticipates the borders can be sealed by actually shooting violators.  It is past time for greater global co-operation.   Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/10/intervention-earth.html

What should have been unforgiven was Trump's efforts to discard a bi-partisan effort to deal with the immigration crisis.  Trump was pretty open about it--he wanted an issue to campaign on.  As we got closer to the election, both the economy and the border situation markedly improved, but one would not know it from the bombast coming from Trump.

It seems these two issues were so important that voters could overlook character in their assessment of who should make the national decisions for the next four years.  Trump with high priced legal help (much paid by his adoring fans) has evaded courts that he seems to realize have incriminating evidence that could put him in prison.  The fact that he intimidates those who do not cater to him--that he uses excessive bragging and blaming others.  The fact that he has a relationship with Putin that bodes ill for Ukraine (and others) doesn't seem of concern.  He also seems to favor Netanyahu who is avoiding a two state solution (and also prison).

Perhaps the biggest disappointment was that the recent victims of hurricanes for the most part voted for climate change deniers.  They had been lied to and still preferred to believe the misinformation rather than actual facts.   

Some will claim the Democrats should have ditched Biden before and found someone better than Kamala Harris.  My very personal view is that Kamala was the person with the right temperament and ability, but being a woman of mixed racial heritage probably did offend some sensibilities.  The Republicans highlighted by Trump did exert pressure on Biden, so much so that the Democrats felt they had to do something.  Although many would disagree the arrangement with the Biden administration was basically working--Biden made good decisions and took expert advice.  If he doddered around where cameras could catch him and let himself take a cold to a debate that obviously created a problem that Trump was quick to exploit.

I revealed my preference for Kamala more than four years ago.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/the-iowa-caucus.html

Lots of things will happen in the next four years.  Climate change will become more evident.  Foreign powers will take advantage of American isolation.  Chinese leverage will likely be boosted.  Regulations of all sorts will be alleviated with untold effects, not all of which will be good.  Almost for certain inequality will increase.  Will the voters wake up?

College educated voters respond better to the Democrats, but in truth most did not study the facts enough.

A great plan to benefit those at the top has reached another level.  Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/monopolies.html

Thank you for letting me vent.  

Let Go

"Let Go" (2024) seemed an interesting time filler and for the first while it seemed to match my expectations, but then it shifted to something well worth viewing.  I was very impressed with it and a little concerned that the first part might disappoint those viewers who might be enticed by my strong recommendation. 

Having got that off my chest I do highly recommend this film to those who like family dramas.  In the end the word that comes to mind is "beautiful"!

You are soon introduced to a rowdy family with two children behaving somewhat obnoxiously with the mother, Stella trying to gain control.  The husband, Gustav seems a bit unconcerned.  After dinner with the daughter not co-operating the husband tells his wife he wants a divorce.  She doesn't respond in any of the ways your might expect.  She says she would be willing to discuss a divorce, but not until they do a family trip so their daughter can participate in a pole dancing contest.  He protests, but she is very insistent.

Shortly after we learn part of his motivation when we meet his girlfriend, Angela and afterwards they indulge in some sex.  Angela discusses his situation and recommends he go through with the trip and then divorce his wife so they can live together.  She is actually very likeable.

The 9 hour trip proves to be challenging.  The strain in the marriage is very evident as the wife accuses her husband of being "useless" as he is forgetting things and seems to avoid his children.  In fact he forgets the bag with Anna, his competing daughter's costumes.  She is furious, but her father calmly offers to take her shopping.  Gustav stands up to his wife pointing out that she is too controlling and has pushed him away from his children.

The trip involves a few difficulties and the couple act awkwardly.  You might be able to guess how their relationships works, but the ending is more difficult to figure out.  An unexpected scene was when they finally got to the pole dancing performance.  Throughout the film there are some English language songs of different tempos that added to my enjoyment.

You can be assured if you like family dramas this will be remembered.  Of course without a talented cast and crew it might have been just an okay time filler, but it is more than that and here are some of the people responsible.

The director, writer and lead actress is Josephine Bornebusch who plays Stella.  She has  9 director credits, 8 for writing and 36 for acting including 3 director episodes of "Baby Reindeer" (2024).

Uno Helmersson composed the music.  He has 89 composing credits and 25 for the music department including "The Lion Woman" (2016), "The Bridge" (2011-2018) and "The Painter and the Thief" (2020).

Ragna Jorming was the cinematographer.  She has 37 cinematography credits and 11 for the camera and electrical department.

Sarah Patient Nicastro was the editor.  She has 12 credits for editor, 19 for the editorial department and 19 for the Sound Department.  

Pal Sverre Hagen plays Gustav.  He has 42 acting credits including "Troubled Waters" (2009), "Kon Tiki" (2012), "In Order of Disappearance" (2014) and "The Girl in the Spider's Web" (2018).

Sigrid Johnson plays Anna, the daughter.  She has 15 acting credits.

Tone Danielsen plays Astrid the mother of Stella.  Most of her career was in Norway with 38 acting credits including "Reprise" (2006) with her son Anders Danielsen Lie and "The King's Choice" (2016).

Lola Sackow played Angela, the girlfriend.  She has 14 acting credits.

Irma Jamhammar plays the competition organizer.  Born in Georgia she speaks 5 languages; Swedish, English Georgian, Russian and Armenian.  She has 13 acting credits including in Georgia and Sweden.

Leon Mentori played Gabriel who did a pole dancing routine with Anna.  He has 2 acting credits.

"Let Go" is available on Netflix subtitled or dubbed.  Again, highly recommend.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.

Justice

Poland is a nation that had been under Communism after WW II and only freed of that burden in 1989.  Inevitably there were awkward adjustments for many.  With "Justice (in Polish, "Napad")) the lead character is a former police detective who lost his job for some politically offensive action.  After the change in government a superior officer decided to give him a chance to prove himself with a difficult case, but included a deadline.  Tadeusz was also given an assistant who a jealous fellow officer forced to spy on him.

Compared to an old tv. favorite Columbo, the Polish detective Tadeusz is more disheveled and morose.  Nonetheless is methodical.  We get a taste of what police work was like before 1989 when Tadeusz tries to force a confession out of the suspect.

We know who is the guilty person and Tadeusz has identified the prime suspect.  Proof is elusive.  The suspect is defiant.

Netflix has carried a few other engaging Polish movies.

Michael Gazda was the director.  He has 12 directing credits including "Forgotten Love" (2023).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/10/forgotten-love-polish-gem.html  This previous movie involvement of other cast and crew members is the prime reason I decided to watch this film and found if worth a blog post. 

Bartosz Staszczyszyn was the writer.  He has 3 credits for writing, 1 for script and Continuity Department and 1 for Addional Crew. 

Magdalena Szwedkowicz was the producer.  She has 9 producing credits including "Forgotten Love" (2023).

Tomasz Augustynek was the cinematographer.  He has 30 cinematographer credits and 10 for camera and electrical deparment including "Forgotten Love" (2023).

Piotr Miecik was the editor.  He has 48 editing credits including 'Forgotten Love" (2023).

Olaf Lubaszenko played Tadeusz, the detecitve gien a second chance.  He has 105 acting credits and 10 directing credits including "Schindler's List" (1993).

Jedrzej Hycnar played Kacper who actually did the robbery and murder.  He has 31 acting credits.

Wiktoria Gorodecka played Aleksandra, the police detective assigned to help (and spy on) Tadeusz.  Born in Lithuania he has 60 acting credits including "Hold Tight" (2022).

Magdalena Boczarska played Prokuratorka, the police woman who ordered Tadeusz to be spied on.  She has performed in German films as well.  She has 65 acting credits and 1 for producing including "Hold Tight" (2022).

"Justice" is available subtitled on Netflix.

Meiyazhagan

 "Meiyazhagan" is a family story with no sex or violence.  Unfortunately families sometimes fall out and hard feelings sometimes last a long time.  

At the beginning we see a younger version of Aural  leaving his home after some sort of dispute which he felt he had lost.  We know it had something to do with house ownership and he felt he had unfairly lost.  Soon we are sent forward 22 years and we see an older Aural in another city with his wife and explaining why he feels he should attend a wedding, but doesn't intend to stick around.  

Then he is greeted by an unknown man.  This unknown man claims to know Aural from childhood, but Aural cannot not name or place him.  A lot of conversations, but Aural keeps trying to break away.  The unknown man is persistent and tricks Aural into staying overnight.  Aural does change, but you will have to wait until the end to learn the identity of the unknown man

Attitudes gained from harsh experiences are not easily changed.  The process is not particularly noticed.

The title, Meiyazhagan means man with truth as beauty in Tamil.

C. Prem  Kumar was the director and writer.  He started his film career as a cinematographer where he earned 6 credits and he now has 3 credits for directing and 3 credits for writing (the 3 same films).  His credits included " 96" (2018) and "Jaanu" (2020).   A film critic Baradwaj Rangan noted an encouraging similarity between the two Tamil films.  He felt both stories had a traumatized lead character who met the other lead character and after long conversations the trauma was resolved.  Baradwaj felt the plots were therapeutic.

 Jyotika and her husband Suriya were the producers.  Jyotika has performed in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and Hindi films.  She has 50 acting credits including "Raatchasi" (2019), "Thambi" (2019) "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020) and "Srikanth" (2024).  She has been a producer for 6 films.  For her acting check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/raatchasi.html  For her producing check where she was heavily involved with my top overall film for 2021,"Jai Bhim"   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/jai-bhim.html

Govind Vasantha composed the music.  He also sings and plays the violin.  He was a founder of the band Thaikkum Bridge.  He has 41 credits for composing and 14 for the music department including "Solo" (2017), "Thambi" (2019), "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020),  "Jaanu" (2020) and "Soorari Pottru" (2020)

Mahedran Jayaraju was the cinematographer.  He has 6 cinematography credits including "Jaanu" (2020).

 R. Govindaraj was the editor with 9 editing credits.

Karthi played the unknown man.  He earned a Master of Engineering degree and then went to the University  Binghampton tin the U.S. to earn a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering where he also attended some lectures on film.  Soon he used family connections to get into film back in India.  He has 30  acting credits, 2 for the Music Department and 1 for Assistant Directing including "Thambi" (2019), "Ponnlyn Selvan, Part 1" (2022) and "Ponnlyn Selvan, Part 2" (2024) and "Annapoormi" (2023).

Arvind Swamy played Arul.  After an education in India he went to Wake Forest University in North Carolina for a Master degree in international business while he was active in overlapping with his film career.  He had a serious injury and took years off from acting, coming back in 2013.  He has been a playback singer and a dubber (in Tamil).   Arvind has 34 acting credits including "Roja" (1992), "Bombay" (1995) "Kadal" (2013) and "IC 814:  Kandahar Hijack" (2024).  "Kadal" has a song by A.R. Rahman that is number one in my collection.  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/09/ic-814-kandahar-hijack.html

Sri  Divya  plays Nandhini, the wife of the unknown man.  Her first experience in films was as a 3 year old on a children's movie.  She has 24 acting credits including "Jana Gana Mana" ((2022).  see                http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/06/jana-gana-muna.html

Devadarshini plays Hema, the wife of Arul.  While in college she anchored some television shows.  She has 82 acting credits including "Enthiran" (2010), "Eega" (2012) and "Mersal" (2017).

Available on Netflix with subtitles.  If you appreciate family dynamics this is a must.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.