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.

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.

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.

Perfect Days

"Perfect Days" (2024) doesn't have much of a plot and focuses on a very lowly regarded job, toilet cleaning.  Nonetheless it has attracted a lot of favorable attention.  The lead character has an unusual joy of life (most of the time) and encounters minor problems very calmly.

Cleaning toilets is not only mundane, but also repulsive.  The kernel of the idea came from conversations between Wim Wenders, Koji Yanai and Takuma Takasaki.  Wim was a well established film maker who had come to admire Japanese cinema, particularly Yusujiro Ozu.  Koji was in charge of the Tokyo Toilet Project and met with Wim who thought a public toilet was like a sacred place.  Takuma was at an advertising agency and felt the project could be made into a film.  Originally it was thought the film should contain four short stories, but Wim pushed for a full length feature. 

Check how important toilets are:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/11/world-toilet-day.html

We meet Hirayama as he gets out of bed and get set to work.  He is very methodical, scrubbing, spraying and gathering trash.  The toilets are the same, but the buildings are minor architectural master pieces.  He is interrupted by patrons including business men in a hurry, young kids (some of whom need help) and the homeless.  He allows each some privacy and resumes his work. 

His routine is broken by a lunch break where he eats a sandwich and uses his camera to take a photo of the trees and plants in a park where he eats his lunch.  Other times we see him at a bar where he often watches baseball games.  At one time a co-worker asks to borrow his car so he can impress his girl friend and we soon see all three in his car listening to a music tape.  Later the girl friend asks to listen to the tape without the boyfriend.  

On another occasion Hirayama is greeted by a young girl he doesn't at first recognize, but then knows it is a niece, Niko who has grown up since he last saw her.  She claims to want to live with him, but shortly he meets the mother, his estranged sister.   

All through these experiences Hirayama very occasionally frowns, but almost right away smiles like he is enjoying what he does and who he meets.

Part of his enjoyment comes from a lot of music usually of American hits of the time with a few Japanese versions.  The film ends perfectly with Nina Simone singing"Feeling Good".

The film leaves a very good feeling and an appreciation how a humble job can be of service to mankind and fulfilling.  A lot of effort went into the impression.  Here are some of those responsible. 

Wim Wenders  was the director, writer and producer.  Born in Germany he went through a number of transitions before making films.  He studied  medicine and philosophy, tried painting, engraving, was a film critic and eventually studied film in Germany.  After a few films in Germany he got the attention of Francis Ford Coppola, in 1978, but after awhile they quarreled.  Even so, Wim established his international credentials.  He went onto to earn 89 directing credits, 76 producing credits and 54 for writing including "King of the Road" (1976).  He received many nominations and awards and with $5,000 from Cannes he gave it all to Canadian, Atom Egoyan. 

Takuma Takasaki was another producer and co-writer.  He has been an international award winning creative advertising director as well as a novelist.  He has 4 credits for writing and 3 for producing.

Koji Yanai was a producer.  In 2012 he joined Fast Retailing and given responsibility for sports marketing.  As part of that he talked to a Paralympian tennis players who brought up the problem of accessibility for disabled people in Tokyo.  Koji at first focused on dealing with that, but soon expanded concept to making the big city more accessible for all people.  He was in charge of the Tokyo Toilet Project and he searched among producers, creative architects and product designers.   He, Wim and Takuma formed the team that pushed the film through.

Franz Lustig was the cinematographer.  German born he has 35 cinematographer credits, 3 for camera and electrical department and 2 for editing.

Toni Froschhammer did the editing.  He has 19 editing credits, 1 for directing and 1 for composing.

Koji Yakusha played the lead, Hirayama  with very little dialogue, but his subtle nuanced facial expressions earned him the best actor award at Cannes (his second such award).  He has 117 acting credits including "Tampopoo" (1985), "Shall We Dance?" (1997), "The Eel" (1997), "Cure" (1997), "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005), "Babel" (2006) and "The Third Murder" (2017).   See the third paragraph http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/03/japanese-movies-are-more-than-godzilla.html  and also about other Japanese movies.  Plus check for another of his triumphs:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/06/cure-scary-masterpiece-from-japan.html

Tokio Emoto played Takashi, a co-worker.  He has 138 acting credits including "Norwegian Wood" (2010).

Aoi Yamada plays Ayla, Takashi's girl friend.  She has been a model and a dancer.  As a dancer she performed a solo at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony.  She has 5 acting credits including "First Love" (2022)  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/first-love.html

Anisa Nakano played Niko, the niece.  She has 4 acting credits.

I watched this film on  a DVD from the library.  It will calm you and make you feel good.

Yintah

Documentaries can often help us recognize reality.  "Yintah" (2024) is an example.  Climate change is easy to argue for, but not so easy to enact.  

This film covers over 10 years of activity and admittedly gives a particular perspective.  The natives of Wet'suwet'en in British Columbia,  wanted to stop a pipeline construction that would have negative impacts on their lifestyle.  The RCMP does the bidding of the corporate bosses and the government and after much wrangling they succeeded.  We see confrontations between natives and authority (RCMP, pipeline staff).  Eventually we see some of the natives being manhandled and arrested.

This film is an answer to the abuse they have received.

Here are some of the people responsible. 

Michael Toledano was a director, producer and cinematographer.  His parents were combat partisans in WWII.  His background was as a  journalist for the Jewish press.   he felt Jews should be concerned about indigenous rights.  He got embedded with the Wet'suwet'en people and subsequently was arrested by the RCMP

Molly Wickham (likes to be called Skeyda') was one of the chief spokespeople.  She was a residential survival.  She has also spoken in support of Palestine feeling oppressed people need to support each other.  She is shown confronting the RCMP.

Freda Huson (also known as Howihkot) was the other main spokesperson telling the RCMP they were trespassing on unceded land.  She has spoken on behalf of indigenous rights at a United Nations agency.

Original music was written by Olivier Alary who was born in France and now based in Montreal.  He has been involved with music albums by Bjork among others.  He has 22 composing credits.

Ryan Mullins was the editor.  He has 17 credits as editor, 4 for cinematographer and 4 as a director.  

Naomi Klein in one of her books pointed out it would be advantageous for environmentalists to align with native groups wanting to protect their land.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/05/naomi-klein-writes-another-insightful.html 

 The pipeline and fossil fuels have played a role in my being able to retire and spend more time on blogs.   See my post from 2015 explaining.struggling with a lot of corporate monsters.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/11/when-public-that-means-you-are-lied-to.html  

It is one battle between the environment and corporate interests.  Available on Netflix.

Indigenous perspective illustrated with :"We are Still here"

What does "indigenous" mean?  Aboriginal, Savages, Bushmen.  My idea is that those who were there first were overtaken by incoming "civilized"  people.  Part of the conqueror's justification is that they are superior (usually with more modern technology and systems).  More critical is weaponry which at one time included horses.   Displaced.

 The title "We are Still Here" suggests some indigenous have survived despite all efforts to eliminate them.  It commemorates th 250th anniversary of James Cook's landing in Australia. The film focuses on the aboriginal tribes of Australia and Samoa and the Maori of New Zealand. Mostly there has been resistance and over the long haul there has been much integration (which also includes discrimination) and some stick on the land, retaining as much of their culture as they can.  One episode pictures a Maori fighting for the British confronting a Turk  when both realized they had nothing against the other.

 Here are only a few of the contributors

Tim Worrall was a wrtier and director for one segment.  He  has 10 credits for directing, 7 for writing and 1 for the Art Department.  One film was also a anthology, "Beyond the Veil" (2022) covering Maoris, Pasifika, Filipino and Chinese.  

Mitchell  Stanley was one of the producers.  He has 13 producing credits, 3 for  writing and 1 for directing.

Sean Mununggurr was an actor.  He has 5 acting credits including "High Ground" (2020).   Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/07/high-ground-from-australia.html

Robert Taylor was a actor with 79 acting credits including "The Newsreaders" (2021) and "Apples Never Fall" (2024)

Consistently what the indigenous have offered is a reverence for nature.  The more civilized had felt they had already conquered nature, but didn't realize in the long run nature wins.  Nature is fighting us back, but it turns out one of mankind's most effective advocates are the indigenous.

Integration requires  maybe two things.  The majority accepts the minority as equals and the minority makes an effort to fits in. The transition is often awkward, especially if the majority feels they are in charge. 

One way of viewing civilization is that they go up and down.  Individuals try to fit in while others exploit opportunities.  Education is a great leveler bearing mind intelligence is spread widely and genius is found in a wide variety of humans.

 At about the same time I read "Dark Emu" by Bruce Pascoe.  It told the story of colonizers who overlooked much of the Australian aboriginal culture.  They were seen as hunters and gatherers.  The settlers could not believe that the natives were worthy of their European status.  

The aboriginals had developed a productive agriculture growing tubers while the colonizers destroyed the soil with sheep.  Had developed an effective set of fish traps.  They had used grindstones 30,000 years ago and had developed a system for trading seeds.

Some quotes of Bruce Pascoe from "Dark Emu" "...all of us must be alert to that greatest of limitations to wisdom: the assumption."  And "having said we are sorry, we refuse to say thanks" Author feels the aboriginals should be thankful and apologetic.

Cultural exchanges have not always been one way, but even today most modern people are unaware of contributions from the indigenous.  The world will be better off when two way cultural exchanges increase.  Yes some things will be left aside such as cursive writing and rotary phones. 

My background is all European as far back as I can trace (back to 1500's) and some of them would have colonizers.  I have been protected and educated and given opportunities.   I hope I have availed myself of indigenous wisdom and art.  Moderns need to realize the indigenous are humans and can make our lives better.

Intervention Earth

 It is easy to find a book (or article) on climate change, but the vast majority of citizens pay little heed.  With all the turmoil in southeastern American states voters keep rewarding climate change deniers.  Florida is perhaps the most vulnerable part of America, but their popular Governor Ron DeSantis has gone to great lengths to remove  the concept of "climate change" from state legislation.  Floridians need to wake up.

Climate scientists not only examine the current situation, but also the distant past.  One fact is that there have been five mass extinctions with the most recently one being 66 millions years ago. We are now in an inter glacial period.

A big concern is when we might hit a tipping point.  Most of the predictions we learn about are based on a linear projection.  It is very possible that the rate may dramatically increase as much carbon dioxide is trapped in permafrost that is melting.

 Immigration from the Global South will increase not only directly for climate change, but indirectly for fallen states.  It will get so bad that nations of the Global North will actually seal their borders by shooting any who try to cross.  Borders are going to get tougher and the pressure will grow because climate change will hit the Global South more harshly sooner,  even though they did not cause the problem.

Scientists conclude that lowering emissions alone will not be enough.  The longer there is delay the more expensive and/or risky will be any solutions.  Gwynne after interviewing over a hundred climate scientists share that belief.  There are possible solutions.

Geo engineering is offering a variety of solutions.  It is hoped that emissions will be lowered enough (will take decades and maybe centuries) while geoengineering provides temporary and/or risky solutions.   There is some opposition to the idea of geoengineering, even amongst scientists.

 Some knowledge has been gained by massive volcanoes.  Strong enough to spew sulphur dioxide over vast areas scientists learned that sun rays were deflected enough to lower the  overall global temperature, without danger to nature, but only temporarily.  This has set up projects to launch sulphur dioxide or suitable alternatives to the atmosphere.  Not without great expense and likely encountering unexpected side effects.  There is the danger of widening ozone holes. 

There are many science projects, but we don't really know how they would work out.  Gwynne who has a military background examines many options.

No solution will be done quickly and we can expect to endure increased droughts, hurricanes and rising sea levels for several years with compounding effects. 

Mankind is supposed to understand co-operation, but the reality is that not only is there plenty of denial there is also plenty of disagreement over the best approach.  Global politics is in some ways a mess.  The author thinks it is likely that some states will fail because of food failures and others will lock themselves up.

Adapting will fail.  The voters on November 6th can demonstrate against climate denialists by how they vote.  It might be too much to expect denialists to lose in the hurricane ridings, but it would be positive if they gave a scare to politicians as that might create pressure to get the ball rolling in the right direction. 

Gwynne Dyer has has been a favored author.  Here are other blogs about him.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/04/gwynne-dyer.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/06/war-as-explained-by-gwynne-dyer.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/growing-pains-as-seen-by-gwynne-dyer.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/04/the-shortest-history-of-war.html

An impact of electoral systems on Canada and America

One difference between American and Canadian elections is that Americans can vote directly for the President.  The catch is that often that vote is wasted.  Their electoral system uses an electoral college which means each state's vote is decided by plurality and all the electors are credited to the one party that won the state.  Al Gore and Hilary Clinton got more votes, but lost because their votes weren't in the right states.

 In all states, provinces and nationally with two exceptions, elections are decided on a plurality basis meaning that a winning candidate is the one who receives more votes than anyone else.  Canada accepts more than two parties and although so does America, the difference is that Americans disdain third parties as infringing on the two main parties.  Many Canadians feel the same way, but enough detect policy issues and character traits best addressed by a third party.  

Political thinking has been there are two choices only--our party and those of the opposition.  Is that true?  At one point the conservative movement had split into two segments.  Both were conservative on the economy, but one faction was more socially concerned.  It did in fact split the vote, allowing liberal parties to gain strength.  The two factions amalgamated and improved their election standing.  That move was effective, but was it fair?

Both American and Canadian politicians use polls.  They can be useful and beneficial to find out what the voters want.  However they are also used to determine political party strength.  In effect, some ridings or districts are very likely going to elect one party.  Others are more open and need to be contested.  Politicians have limited time and money and so decide where best to apply their resources.

An example of putting too much attention on one area is provided by Kamala Harris who realizes in practical terms in order to be elected president she needs to win Pennsylvania with 19 electoral votes.  In her case she has been tagged with her vow to banish fracking, a touchy issue in that state.  I suspect also for practical reasons she disavowed that more than 4 years ago.  With this handicap and the polling outlook elsewhere she will be concentrating her efforts on Pennsylvania and a few other key states.  Donald Trump in the meantime is also concentrating his efforts on states that are competitive.  Between the two of them over half the American states will receive at best cursory attention because they presumably have established sufficient loyalty to one of the two parties.

Important choices such as the vice president decision are discussed with regard to electoral votes  in key American states.

Unfortunately Canadian politicians concentrate their limited resources on ridings that offer a fighting chance.  This could lead to a lot of hopping around for a party's Prime Minister candidates as any one of 265 ridings could offer a promise of success. 

For many people the voting decision is not for who they want to win but who they don't want to win.  To prevent an undesired party from getting elected they switch their vote to their second choice.  If their first choice could be joined with those in other ridings another viewpoint might be elected and better represent the will of the people.  This is known as strategic voting.  The will of the people is not fairly represented.

Under the First Past the Post the winners only require to get one extra vote, while all the other votes count for nothing.  Essentially both countries use that principle and in both cases it distorts what the voters really want.

Justin Trudeau has recently cast a few remarks against real proportional representation.  He recognizes his Liberal Party is the second choice for both Conservatives and the N.D.P. so he likes ranked ballots and is dead set against proportional representation.  Like many politicians he knows how he got to power and doesn't want to risk changing the electoral system.

Nexus

 

An underlying motivation for this book was the author's concern about the impact of AI, the danger and the opportunity.  Mankind has come a long way, but perhaps we are entering a critical change.  Up until recently all improvements in handling information have had a human with control, but now we are embarking on ceding much of the control to non humans.

This blog is too short to do full justice to "Nexus", but it is my hope that more people will be aware of the game changing effects of AI.  

Information is not just facts.  It includes errors, lies, fantasies and fiction.We may strive for truth, but information is just as likely to focus on order.

About 70,000 years ago humans took a big step when we learned to co-operate with one another.  A key tool was a story.  A story is a human attempt to make sense of reality.  A brand is a specific type of story that represents ( not necessarily truthfully) characteristics of a product or even a purpose.

An example of a brand offered is that of "Stalin".  A story is told about  Stalin's son, Vasily who used the family name to intimidate people and was berated by his father.   Stalin knew what really effected people was what had been written about him and not his actual self.

Paper, writing and printing allowed for communication beyond the present moment.  Bureaucracy formed as a way of storing documents such as ownership.

Nations, corporations, and religions all developed stories that claim they are infallible in some respects.  After time many of the infallible symbols are found to be fallible. 

One of the strengths of computers that deal with massive amounts of information is they can detect patterns that escape humans.  A1 is structured so they can make decisions based on what they discover.

An example of computers getting ahead of humans.  A Facebook algorithm was designed to increase posts that had the most engagement.  To some it was a surprise that the algorithm discovered that outrage generated the most activity.  One example was in Myanmar where anti-minority posts were effective at increasing violence.  

Surveillance and facial recognition is advanced enough in Iran that it is being used to enforce stricter hijab laws.  They can detect if women have discarded their hijab in a car and issue a warning for the first infraction, but subsequent offenses will be met with harsher punishment.   One fears what other evil activities can be utilized by AI.

Some are suggesting that AI qives bring us back he law of the jungle.  Yuval poins out that the jungle actually is very symbiotic with a diversity of life forms supporting one another. 

 A big concern is that AI could take over human management and subverting democracy.  The author concedes that humans could easily lose control.  On the other hand totalitarian governments are very  vulnerable  as too centralized.

The term "Nexus" is merely a connection or more than one connection ot a series of connections.  The pigeon on the cover is supposed to be about  particular carrier pigeon that delivered a message in wartime that saved lives.

 As a youngster I recall reading "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov.  He seemed to anticipate that robots would become more critical for humans.  His three laws seemed well thought out, but I can imagine Yuval would point out difficulties.   Mankind is definitely entering a new world.

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First and Second Laws.

 There are lots more details in the book and I suggest you should get a copy and read it carefully.  A! could make slaves of us all or free us up for a more meaningful life.

Previous blogs about Yuval Noah Harari

 http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/12/sapiens-brief-history-of-humankind.html

 http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/04/homo-deus.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/21-lessons-for-21st-century.html

Love Next Door

Koreans must love romance films and they do a good job on them. "Love Next Door" is typical, but not so typical.  The focus is really on two lovers who go through misunderstandings.  The parents are a very important part of the story and the side stories are engaging.

From an age of five the two characters lived next door to one another.  The girl was protective of the boy who was late learning Korean.  The two mothers were very close friends.  The parents thought of the youngsters as part of their family.  The two youngsters became very close friends and a theme was the fear of losing their best friend if they were to pursue a love interest.  Yet, the young woman left for America and got engaged to a very likable guy who many viewers would think more deserving.  The two main families have their own problems.  Another character was a friend to the two youngsters who had her own romance and whose mother was part of the same group as the two others.

 At the beginning Seok-Ryu shows up unannounced, having broken off her engagement.  Of course there is a big secret which is not revealed for awhile.

From there the viewer sees the fear of losing a best friend, mother rivalries, marital misunderstandings and a secondary romance with lots of surprises.  The humans display a wide range of emotions.

Kissing is a very big deal and when one finally happens the cinematography is spectacular. 

It takes a really good cast and crew.  Here are a few.

Je Won Yu was the director.  He has 9 directing credits plus 8 credits as assistant directing including "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/hometown-cha-cha-cha-another-delightful.html

Ha Eun Shin was the writer.  She had aspired to be a poet.  She has 5 writing credits, also including "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" (2021).

Lim Ha-young was responsible for the music.  Ha-young has music credits including "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" (2021) and "Twenty-five Twenty-one" (2022).

Jung Hae-in played Choi Seung-hyo, the leading male.  He has 25 acting credits including "Something in the Rain" (2018), "Tune in For Love" (2019) and "D.P." (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/04/dp-stands-for-deserter-pursuit.html  

Jung So-min played Bae Seok-ryoo  the leading lady.  She has 25 acting credits including "Because This is My First Life" (2027)

Kim Ji-eun played Jung Mo-eum, a paramedic and a female secondary romantic interest.  She has 15 acting credits.

Yoon Ji-on plays Kang Dan-ho, a reporter and a male secondary romantic interest.  He has 15 acting credits including "You Are My Spring" (2021).

Han Joon-Woo played Song Hyeon-jun, the very likeable former fiance.  He has 9 acting credits including "Hyena" (2020) and "Agency" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/06/agency.html

Jun Suk-ho plays Yoon Myeong-won, Seung-hyo's boss .  He ehas 30 acting credits including ""Hyena" (2020).

Seo Ji Hye plays Jang Tae-hui, an earlier romantic inteerst for Seung-hyo.  She has 32 acting credits including "Crash Landing on You" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.html

Lee Seung-joon played Choi Kyeong-jong father to Seung-hyo  He has 44 acting cresits including "Behind Your Touch" (2023), "Castaway Diva" (2023) and "Doctor Slump" (2024).   See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/doctor-slump.html

Park Ji-young, plays Na Mi-sook, She has 55 acting credits including "The Housemaid" (2010), "Little Women" (2022) and "The Roundup" (2022). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/06/little-women-korean-version.html

Jo Han-chul played Bae Geun-sik, father to Seok Ryoo.  He has 66 acting credits including "Vincenzo" (2021) and "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" (2021)

Jang Young-nam played Seo Hye-sook, mother for Seok Ryoo.  She has extensive theatre experience.  She has 77 film acting credits including "A Werwolf Boy" (2012). 

"Love Next Door" follows in the tradition of Korean romance series, but will provide a few surprises and viewers will be drawn to some of the inter-twining side stories.  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.

Will & Harper: A celebrity introduces a transgender friend.

 Will Ferrell is not my favorite actor, but we never really know the person behind the screen role.  This role could not have been anticipated by him, but the necessary friendship had been established a few decades previously.  An early step in Will's career was with Saturday Night Live and Andrew Steele was the head comedy writer.  They became friends.

A few years later Andrew decided he had been hiding his true self long enough and in his sixties he took the step of transitioning to her, Harper, a trans woman.  If the thought of transgenders makes you queasy you really should see "Will & Harper" (2024).  There were of course physical adjustments, but also social adjustments.  We see her with unkempt hair, female dress and a natural male voice.  Harper meets another transgender who had tried to change her voice, but then decided she was ok with his natural voice.

During the film we meet his two children who are very young adults who more than accepted him.  Later on we meet his sister in Iowa who admitted she was surprised, but had quickly accepted and hosted the two on their trip.  They met a variety of people, most accepting of a transgender, some a little perhaps uncomfortable and they received very derogatory emails.  A big surprise was meeting the Governor of Indiana, Eric Holcomb who we learn had supported anti transgender laws.  However he was  anxious to have his photo taken with Will Ferrell and got what he wanted.

Will Ferrel was in some ways like the rest of us, curious and felt he could question diplomatically.  So the viewer might learn a few things.  One contact was with a retired therapist who recalled about 20 years previous she had a patient who was questioning his sexual identity. She admitted at that time she was close minded.

Will Ferrell admitted that he was actually a modest person, but when it comes to comedy "whatever it takes".  His celebrity is encountered everywhere and often he likes to disguise himself a bit to avoid detracting from Harper, but on some occasions his fame smoothed the situation. 

I have actually seen a few Will Ferrell films such as  "The Producers" (2005), "Stranger than Fiction" (2006), "Everything Must Go" (2011), "Spirited" (2022) and "Barbie" (2023).  I have also seen a few of the films he produced.  I will be a little more disposed to watch others when the opportunity presents itself.   

Tina Fey I do like and she appears in a few scenes.  Some of her films include "Date Night" (2010),  "This is Where i Leave you" (2013) and "Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot" (2016).  

Kristen Wiig is asked to come up with a theme song. Toward the end credits we see a performance of the song. 

All movies have some effect on me--some I wish they hadn't ended, others I am glad.  This was different.  My contact with transgenders is almost non existent except on television or films.  Transgenders have become a political issue, but I now feel they should be a social and medical issue.

Will and Harper had been anxious that "Will & Harper" be released before the American election.  Trump has mocked transgenders and tried to suggest he would try to make them disappear.  There has been an effort to deflect by objecting  only to childhood transitions, but his Evangelical  backers object to the whole notion.  Will Ferrell is dismissed by Trumpers  as a "Hollywood liberal".  The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival and has been released on Netflix. 

We live in an ever changing world, that is hard to understand.  Greater understanding is what we need to survive.  This film takes a step to help understand transgenders.  For me I picked up more respect for Will Ferrell.  It may help you feel more comfortable.

An earlier acquaintance was with a fictional film that really dealt with the core of transgenders and is not only mind opening, but enjoyable.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/chandigarh-kare-aashiqui-another-social.html

We need another Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk

The news has been depressing lately  and I can understand why young idealists are reluctant to bring new lives into the turmoil of today.  One man is ignoring advice to perhaps avoid going to prison.  Another man is stirring up hatred to perhaps also avoid going to prison.  Still another man bent on restoring an Empire is killing thousands of people.  These three men are well supported and perhaps that is where my anguish should be directed, but if it weren't for the bad side of human nature the three monsters could not do their evil deeds.

Mankind has faced such egotistical evil before and survived and perhaps we will get through this.  My fear is that the current situation is different.  Those in power seemed entrenched with modern technology and their most likely successors seem ready to carry on the destructive path.  It would just take one person to push a button to obliterate us all.  Compounding the danger is nature which is fighting back a century or more of abuse, even while too many fight the remedy.  

In these moments of darkness there has been some light.  It is easy to admire Nelson Mandela who when given real power chose not revenge, but reconciliation.  The man who paved the way was F.W. de Klerk who is not often mentioned with Nelson Mandela, but perhaps was more critical for shifting power for the benefit of us all.

Frederik Willem de Klerk was an Afrikaner who grew up thinking apartheid was normal and to get into power actively supported it.  When finally he became the President of South Africa he started to break down the acceptance of segregation.  He stopped punishing apartheid protesters, even allowing anti-apartheid marches.  He freed Nelson and negotiated with him to dismantle the apartheid structure.  He presided over a new election that made Nelson the President and left himself as Deputy President. 

Instead of seeking revenge against the oppressive whites, he sought ways to reconcile the races.  One method was to campaign for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.  Rugby was the favorite sport of whites (blacks were more interested in soccer).  The national team Springboks was a source of white national pride.  The Springboks adopted the slogan "One team one nation".

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up to allow grievances to be aired.  F.W. de Klerk was against this, thinking total amnesty would prevent inflaming violence.  The two men clashed over this and de Klerk eventually resigned.  There were of course many grievances and perhaps it could be debated, but certainly some aggrieved people felt listened to.  

F.W. de Klerk could have kept the apartheid course but somehow came to realize that it was not in the long term best interest of South Africa, or maybe he just realized the system was unjust.  Willing to give up power to make the necessary changes he worked to make a smooth transition.  A lot of people resented his decisions and South Africa has its share of struggles.  Nelson Mandela picked up the torch and thought how to bring South Africa into the new world.     

Giving up power willingly happens rarely.  A recent  encouraging example was Joe Biden deciding not to run for president again.  Part of him wanted to run, to get more things done, to prove he wasn't as useless as some implied.  It is also likely that some of those close to him tried to persuade him to step down and maybe threatened to publicize their efforts.  Still he had the right to run.   He is an intelligent man and had to acknowledge that it would be better for the country he loved to step aside and let someone with a better chance to carry on his fight. 

Arabs and Jews hate and fear each other.  I don't believe Russians hate Ukrainians, but one man's ego is forcing a war.  The United States still suffers from racial discrimination and some are using that to gain power.  There are good people who want changes for universal benefit, but they don't seem to have enough power.  

What can be done?  To be honest, not much.  My message will not reach much of an audience.  My hope is that at least some of you will as much as possible cut support for those with evil intentions.  Act kindly towards strangers and stop the spread of hate.  Hate spreads faster than love, but does not have a monopoly on how we communicate to and about other people.  If you have read this far, I already feel better.  Thank you for letting me vent.

Chances Are, You and I, a gem from the Philippines

 "Chances Are, You and I" (2024) has a lot of familiar sub plots, perhaps with a few twists.  Two young adults, Gabi and Sol meet, each with a brain tumor that threatens death.  One accepts the risks of surgery, while the other doesn't.  They each have a past that troubles them.  There is a need for ice breaking.  It will remind you of "The Fault Lies in Our Stars" (2014), but there are distinct differences.

One twist is that the male lead is fatalistic (not totally unique) and makes a practice of tossing dice for almost all decisions including some big ones.  Another  twist might be that they both have some sort of connection to Korea.   Of course there is romance and some difficult reconciliations.  What makes this worth while (assuming you like romance) is the writing (a little philosophy), the acting, music and the overall production.  There's more, but you deserve a few surprises.

For me this is an unusual  post.  I have no links for any of the cast or crew that made this memorable, but want to credit them with the expectation that I will meet up with them again.

Cathy Camarillo was director and executive producer.  She has 9 credits as director, 3 as writer and 20 credits as Assistant Director.  

Ellis Catrina, the daughter of Cathy Camarillo wrote the script and is the creative producer.  She has 2 credits for writing and producing.  

Aldrin B. Sereno wrote the background music.  He has 2 credits for composing.

Arvon Viola was the cinematographer.  He has 24 credits as cinematography and 7 for the camera and electrical department.

Ramil Pasbe was the editor.  He has 2 credits for editor and 1 visual effects.

Part of the filming was done in Korea where they were joined by 7 Koreans including Park Jansik who had done some production managing for "The Bourne Legacy" (2012)

Kira Balinger played the (mostly) optimistic Gabi.  She has 14 acting credits.

Kelvin Miranda played the (mostly) depressing Sol.  He is also known as a singer.  Kelvin has 40 acting credits.

Jin Ho Bae plays Sol's best friend who supports Gabi as well.  He is Korean and has lived in Philippines for about 15 years.  He has a degree in psychology and is also a popular singer.  JinHo has 4 acting credits.

Tart Carlos played nurse Bell who worked with both leads.  She has 53 acting credits.

Al Tantay played the head doctor and a substitute grandfather for Gabi.  Also known as a comedian Al has 132 acting credits, 15 as director and 8 as a writer.. 

 It may not be a film for everyone, but if you like romances and overcoming family conflicts you would find much to like.  It is one of my favorites for 2024.  Available with subtitles on Netflix.

The Choice

 A very momentous decision is about to be made.  The "Free world" could be led by an egotistical maniac with dictatorial tendencies.  Or the choice could involve someone who has a record of actually improving lives and thinks much deeper.  Or some might vote for a third party, but with the U.S. electoral system the way it is that would be counter productive.

An important element of the decision is that many people have a very distorted view.  

Going back a few years the Democrat, Barrack Obama took over a mess left by the Republican George Bush.  Almost right away he stopped the downward spiral and gradually turned the economy around and after eight years he handed over a growing economy to Donald Trump.  One of Trump's first priorities was to reduce taxes, particularly for the wealthy.  This helped pump a lot of money into the economy, but it also increased the deficit that Republicans declared would be covered by the improved economy (not so).  Another feature was that it increased inequality.  To better understand Republican priorities check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/monopolies.html

Things seemed to be okay while a few economic factors declined, but were easily overlooked.  When the Covid Pandemic started the Americans were unprepared (some Republican budget cuts didn't help).  Trump took over the government publicity.  He mocked a well respected expert, Dr. Fauci.  At one point it became a conservative thinking to resist the need for masking and vaccinations.  His actions likely caused a huge number of deaths and made the economy worse.

Beyond Trump's mishandling, the pandemic affected the entire world, rich and poor.  At one point it was necessary for governments to spend large amounts of money.  People were not spending money as jobs were scarce and supplies were difficult to find as many scooped up and hoarded what they could find.   Businesses were adjusting to new conditions and supply lines shriveled.  While Trump was still president inflation went down to less than 2% (because people were not buying), but quickly changed when large amounts of money was put into the economy.

When Biden took over more money was spent and a lot of energy applied to attracting jobs.  Consumers were ecstatic and started buying again.  Supply lines were still in recovery.  Another factor was climate change that affected food supplies (fires, floods or droughts) meaning some products were scarce.  Inflation was a result of money pumped in and supply chains being diminished.  People seemed to think Biden was the cause of the misery of high inflation.  Granted prices are difficult compared to five years ago, but the question should be, who is to blame?  Who offers the better solution?

They seem to think Trump's economy was better, but was it?  Biden's economy has outperformed all other wealthy nations that had undergone the same  pandemic.  But Americans have a tendency to think only of themselves.

Trump didn't just damage the economy, some of his other moves also had long term consequences.

The International Climate Agreement was abandoned.  The Republican conservatives (note those with vested interest) mocked climate change.  It is hard to understand how urgent, but the evidence is mounting and still there is resistance.  The United States is the natural leader, but those in control are protecting their selfish interests.  What are the consequences of not effectively dealing with climate change?

The Iran Agreement had been negotiated by Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia.  Basically it was to force Iran from advancing to a nuclear weapon.  At the time Iran had maintained all its requirements.  It seems likely first that Trump was pressured by conservatives who detested Iran, but also by  Israel who wanted it broken.  Another perspective on Iran:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/10/the-iranian-dilemma.html

Was an opportunity to steer Iran in our direction missed?  The consequences have been disastrous.  Iran has gravitated to the orbit of Russia and stirring up trouble in the Mid-East.

The Israel connection was strengthened.  Trump's first foreign visit was to Saudi Arabia, but partly the aim was to get a business deal for Israel.  They moved their embassy to Jerusalem.  These moves were without consulting Palestine.  There was already a lot of resentment.  Did Trump's decisions increase or decrease that resentment?  Netanyahu seems to feel if Trump wins in November he can continue his war against Hamas.  Trump has some strong hints he supports Netanyahu.  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/crisis-of-zionism-book-review.html

Immigration is a concern.   Ironically America NEEDS immigrants, both to do the grubby work, care for an aging population, but also to innovate for the future.  Educated Europeans are not as anxious as they once were.  They already have less inequality.  A bi-partisan solution favored by border guards was blocked by Trump who felt he wanted the issue to campaign on.  Does racism play a role in anti immigration rhetoric?  Businesses love cheap labor.   

Trump admires Putin, or maybe he has personal reasons for supporting his interests.  He claims he could end the conflict very quickly.  It is speculated that he would make land adjustments based on military positions.  We can't be sure what he would really do, but we do know he has been behind Congressional delays in funding Ukraine's battle against an imperialist enemy. 

Any one is entitled to make a mistake, but perhaps some voters have been mesmerized by style.  Exaggeration, blaming, mocking non supporters are not the marks of  a leader.  Lying should be unacceptable.  Inciting an insurrection is grounds for prison.

That is all on the one hand.

Joe Biden may have appeared under the weather in a critical debate and long term his age is a legitimate concern.  But he made good choices, perhaps with the help of well chosen staff.  Not sure of his motivations under pressure, but he made a choice for the betterment of America.

Kamala Harris has a sterling record of getting results that improved lives of people.  I suspect her plans are more progressive than conservatives would like, but the U.S. has a long way to catch up to what needs to be done. The Republicans in general are still resistant, even mocking efforts to fighting climate change.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/09/kamala-harris-truths-we-hold.html 

 The choice seems a no brainer.   But maybe we will come to better appreciate their educational system.

 In June 2016 I suggested the election was an IQ test; http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/06/the-american-iq-test.html