A Tribute to James A, Michener

       

This is a tribute to another author who had a profound effect on me.  Admittedly his books were very distracting for me.  One of my favorite concepts is that "everything is connected".

As I plunge through his books one appreciates he has lived a full life and learned something everywhere he went.  One surprising detail is that although liberal in his thinking he often listened to right wing radio programs to sharpen his thinking. 

Reading his memoir it is interesting to learn of his many travels and experiences.  He spent a lot of years as a journalist  Once an established writer he became able to decide where he wanted to research.  His beginnings are a mystery.  His parents are unknown as he was dumped at the door of a woman known for taking in orphans.  He took his last name from her.  He grew up during the Depression when jobs were hard to find.   

After you read one of his long books you started hoping he will write another long book. You might find an announcement that he was moving to another country or state for research.  He has written introductory chapters over one hundred pages detailing the geology and evolution of animals and plants that he does relate to the story narrative.  He likes to depict diverse ethnic groups that were important to develop a nation or a city.

I discovered James A Michener after I saw the movie, "South Pacific" and then read "Hawaii," the first of a few dozen reads.  Michener played an uncredited missionary in the movie.  One of the themes of this writing is that everything is inter- connected.  Without exactly verbalizing the concept he demonstrated it.  The connections are what fascinated me.

 A highlight of my life was attending a book signing where he customized his autograph for buyers.  Don't remember much conversation as I was awe-struck and conscious of the long line behind me .

He is most known for long multi generational books. including many boring details, but interesting once you realize the connection.  Looking back I find much of his writing stiff and formal, but it must also be admitted I felt compelled to read his books even his long introductions.  Some of his books contain geology and the beginnings of life.  When we stop to ponder how we got to wherever we are these details are more important than we realize.

He feels deserving writers often struggle through poverty before achieving best sellers.  He has taken his royalties and bought painting donated to museums and has also supported writing schools.  During the Depression he got a teaching job traveling in Europe and later served in WWII.   Michener had been involved with NASA.

Some of his books I have enjoyed and learned from include Hawaii, The Source, Centennial,   Space, Chesapeake, Bridges of Toko-ri (for which he had participated in some of the raids),Texas, Poland, Alaska, Bridge at Andau, Return to Paradise and The Covenant. 

A recently read book, "The Novel" explores the relationship between a writer and publisher.editor, critic  and reader.  the odds of getting published are monumental and require a lot of hard work and certainly luck.  As in several books of his he comes across as a bit of a snob.  Lots of references to art and music. He is entitled as he has made an effort to learn and understand.  My conversion took place separately, but his love of opera was a positive background.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/06/why-i-love-opera-wayne-gretzky.html

"Recessional" now that I am retired seems appropriate; somewhat like the Arthur Hailey books about airlines and hotels; this time about a retirement home getting into geriatric decisions including cancer and Alzheimer's.  I suspect he has many such conversation.   The residents represent many viewpoints--discussion re women in different religions, medical bureaucracy.  Other topics include death from a variety of angles, human genome project, eugenics; giving up driver license--living wills,and  euthanasia  As in most of his books he explores philosophical questions from different perspectives.  

 I miss his books.  They were very engaging.

Chandu Champion

Another sports epic about an athlete overcoming odds to be a champion.  "Chandu Champion" (2024) does have a surprise ending, that unless you are from India (and even for most Indians) you are unlikely to guess.  The word "chandu" stands for loser and is a slur the  protagonist is desperate to avoid.

Near the beginning we see an old man badgering some government officials about a missing award.   It is a little confusing, but soon we are learning the background which starts with Murlikant Petkar as a young boy who takes it in his head that he wants to be an Olympic champion.

He is advised to take up wrestling and in fact makes a lot of progress until he offends his townspeople and flees.  Next he was advised to join the army where he was led to believe he would get serious wrestling training, but soon learns the military does not offer wrestling.  With his dream of an Olympic medal still driving him he takes up boxing with Tiger Ali who at first is very dismissive of him, but later becomes his strongest advocate.  The story takes quite a twist from this point.  The point of the interview at the beginning is that the story was buried in technological changes and bureaucratic ineptness.  The last part of the movie uncovers what happened.  In the end credits we see the real Murlikant Petkar who does deserve recognition. 

This movie is a big budget film with a lot of top notch cast and crew.  Here are some of them:

Kabir Khan was director, writer and producer.  He got a break as a cinematographer for a documentary and quickly became a director and producer.  His films include  "New York" (2009),  "Ek Tha Tiger" (2012), "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" (2015) and "'83" (2021).

Sumit Arora was another writer.  He has 15 credits as a writer, 3 as a director and 2 for additional crew including "Stree" (2018), "The Family Man" (2019), "'83" (2021) and "Jawan" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/03/the-family-man.html

Pritam Chakraborty composed much of the music.   He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India with a degree in Sound Engineering.   He has played in a variety of bands.  Pritam has 153 composing credits, 20 for the music department and 1 for sound including "Jab We Met" (2007), "Life in a Metro" (2007), "Rajneeti" 210), "Yeh Jawaani Dewani" (2013), "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" (2015), "Dangal" (2018) and "Chhichhore" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/chhichhore-is-for-losers-ie-most-of-us.html 

Sudeep Chatterjee was responsble for cinematography.  He has 32 cinematography credits including "Iqbal" (2005), "Chak de India" (2007), "Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl" (2011), "Bajirao Mastani" (2015), "Kaabil" (2017), "Padmaavat" (2018) and "Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022).

Nitin Baid was the editor.  He has 38 credits for editor and 11 for the editorial department including "Masaan" (2015), "Raazi" (2016) and "Gully Boy" (2019).  A quote:  "It is an editor's job to make poor acting look good on screen".

Kartik Aaryan played  Murlikant Petkar.  His parents, both doctors wanted him to become an engineer for which he finally completed the studies after an interruption following an early film. that he lied to his paents about.  He has 21 film credits including "Pyaar Ka Punchnama" (2011), "Pyaar Ka Punchanma 2" (2015), "Sonu Ki Tatu Ki Sweety" (2018). "Dhamaka" (2018) and "Freddy" (2022).  When he was filming "Shehzade" (2023) there was a serious financial crisis and he returned his pay and was credited as a producer.  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/dhamaka-is-this-what-tv-is-coming-to.html

Vijay Raaz plays Tiger Ali who is a boxing coach and later an advocate for Murlikant.  He has 142 acting credits including "Bhopal Express" (1999), "Monsoon Wedding" (2000), "Kya Dilli Kya Lahore" 2014), "Sanam Teri Kasam" (2016), "Made in Heaven" (2019-2023), "Gully Boy" (2019) and"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2023).

Bhuvan Arora plays Karnail Singh, a close friend.  He has 21 credits including "Chaman Bahaar" (2020) and "Farzi" (2023).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/03/farzi-or-fakes.html

Rajpal Naurang Yadav (previously Rajpal Yadav) plays Topaz. He has  198 acting credits including "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003), "Paheli" (2005), "Main, Meri Patni...Aur Woh" (2006), "Khatta Meetha" (2010) and  "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2" (2022).

Shreyas Talpade plays Inspector Kamble who questons an older Marlikant which is how we learn the life story.  He has 84 acting credits including "Iqbal" (2003), ""Dor" (2006), "Om Shanti Om' (2007), "Bombay to Bangkok" (2008), "Aashayein" (2010) and "Prawaas" (2020).

Sonali Kulkarni plays a reporter.  She was involved in theatre, not only acting, but producing.  She has 97 acting credits.  including "Dil Chahta Hai" (2001), "Bride and Prejudice" (2005), "Mohandas" (2009) and "Gulabo Sitabo" (2020).

 Another sports epic film came out the same year, "Maidaan" (2024) which shares the general theme of overcoming obstacles, but is more nuanced.  Check it out:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/06/maidaan.html

"Chandu Champion" will appeal to those who love competitive sports and is available subtitled on Prime.

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.

How basketball might save the world

 Basketball was the result of a request to find an activity for "incorrigible " men during the winter with limited space.  It wasn't thought it might solve all the world's problems, but the author David Hollander feels it sets a model the rest of us would profit to follow.  A mix of politics, psychology and sociology well reasoned that I cannot do justice to with this post.  I will cover a number of points raised and suggest it is worth reading even for non basketball fans.

Within a week of its invention women were invited to watch and shortly after Naismith himself encouraged them to take part.  Within a very few years through the YMCA network it spread to China, India, France, Australia, Brazil and all over North America.   In some quarters some men would not play the game as women also played it.  Times have changed  and some credit must be given to women themselves.

 A goal was to make the game affordable and accessible.  Naismith noted that many sports used small balls such as cricket, hockey lacrosse and tennis, but required another piece of equipment to maneuver that ball, so opted for a ball to be handled by hand.  The sport could be played in a gym with a basket nailed at each end.  Apparently he was aware of a Mayan game using a hoop turned on its side.

The ease of accessibility allowed many to play basketball who had felt excluded from other sports.  Jews, Catholics and a wide variety of immigrants flocked to the game.  Naismith is credited with mentoring two successful basketball coaches, Phog Allen and a black man John McLendon.  In the U.S. many blacks found basketball as an outlet.  

Balance of individual  and collective with each player having the same opportunities and responsibilities.

Play has been discarded by many, but is essential for human happiness and even productivity.  Johan Huizinga is referred to.  Basketball being accessible and affordable is one significant source.

Wynton Marsalis when asked to explain affinity between basketball and jazz (two activities associated with African Americans); "<when> improvisation meets form in the context between a groove and rhythm ... done well all players in the ensemble transmute, creating something and being something none could be without the others".

PeacePlayers International  was formed after Stanley Tuohey went to Belfast, Northern Ireland to play professional basketball and run clinics for Protestants and Catholics.  A local policeman was so impressed with how the two factions played together and suggested this might work in South Africa.  Together with his brother they formed PeacePlayers International in 2001 and went to South Africa where they found similar results.  They have also set up clinics in Cyprus, Israel/West Bank and the United States with over 70,000 participants.  They have learned that diverse groups can learn to get along and respect each other with basketball as an important tool. 

 Giannis Antetokounmpo personifies an interesting phenomena.  His parents left Nigeria for Greece and were in reality non documented.  Giannis was limited in his freedom but found solace in basketball.  He proved to be of great talent sought by the N.B.A.  To facilitate his family were declared Greek citizens.  Recently he played for the Greek national team at the recent Olympics.  

During the COVID pandemic the 2020 election appeared to be very difficult to manage.  Mail in voting was perfectly legal, but Trump had commanded the postmaster general to remove postal boxes and declared mail voter fraud to be guarded against.  LeBron James launched a non profit organization, "More than a Vote" to find ways to make it more comfortable to vote.  He helped set up arenas and stadiums as safe places to vote.  He also signed up over 10,000 volunteer poll workers.

Somalia has a scary reputation with violent gangs who do not believe in the rights of women.  Sports in general and basketball in particular were regarded as illegal and sacrilegious.  Some women defy death threats to play basketball.  Ilwad Ellman, daughter of peace activist Ellman Ali, has formed the Ellman Peace Centre that concentrates on helping women who had suffered from gender abuse.  Basketball plays a significant role.  A clinic attended by 500 females was partnered by Giants of Africa, a group formed by Masai Ujiri,, president of the Toronto Raptors.  His support for the Nigerian women's basketball team that surprised their opponents at the recent Olympics.  Basketball is having a rippling effect in Africa.  

Mao Zedong- when in power in 1949 expelled everything western except basketball.  Basketball was a key component in the Chinese military.  NBA programs are shared by about 640 million Chinese, more than the entire American population.  In 2019 Daryl Morey offended the Chinese government by supporting the Hong Kong protesters a major dispute resulted.   A lot of heads rolled, but the author thought an opportunity was lost.  The game was in the middle of struggles regarding freedom, but was loved by all parties.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were one of the NBA's rivalries that spurred tv. ratings.  Larry Bird was white and raised in a poor rural area.  Magic Johnson was from a poor urban background.  As rivals they avoided knowing each other.  A tv. project brought them together and encouraged them to see each other  and even become friends.  Of course what they had in common was a great love of basketball and talent that let them rise to the top.  It is easy to understand poor blacks would pursue something as accessible as basketball, but poor whites had similar ambitions.

Jonestown is remembered as the site where religious fanaticism resulted in mass suicidal death.  However a few escaped drinking the Kool-Aid in Guyana.  One group formed a basketball pickup game to escape the insanity.  Traveling for a game, they refused to return and tried to persuade others not to participate.

The author ends with this; "Yes we know gravity is part of our earthly condition.  Yes we must jump in order to fly.  It is high time for us to jump".

One example of adaptability not mentioned was to allow a wide variety of handicapped players a classified system developed to maintain competitive balance.  If a player or players were substituted it was necessary to replace with a player or players with the same classification or lower.  A professional league tried to use a total team height restriction so that tall players could be balanced with shorter players. 

Yes I am very biased and I do believe basketball is an activity to encourage, but a few other things will have to be done to fix the mess we are in.   David Hollander is a very intelligent man who has gathered a lot of politics, psychology and sociology and tied to basketball.that is very interesting http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/my-60-year-love-affair-with-basketball.html

Olympics 2024

One of the great things about the Olympics is that it is the greatest three ring circus ever made and the not so  great thing about the Olympics is that a three ring circus can be wearing on the soul.   The CBC went overboard with their coverage offering 22 hours each day on the main network, an unprecedented podcast offering, plus an alliance with two sports networks.   The following are a few impressions to help me remember.

I started following the Olympics in 1960 at age 12.  At that time news clips were flown to North America from Rome and we could read details in our newspaper the next day.  Things have changed since then and not all necessarily good.   

 This year my first awareness before the official opening was a report that the Canadian women's soccer staff spied on the opposition team from New Zealand, not something for Canadians to be proud of.  For awhile us Canadians rallied behind the women realizing the drone decision was above their awareness of the players.  They were handed a very stiff penalty that required them to win all their remaining group games without a tie.  They won some tense games, and did qualify for the knockout phase where they lost.

The Opening Ceremony was unique and reflected French culture.  Boat rides on the Seine.  Lady Gaga in singing in French with lots of other entertainment along the riverbank.  French historical characters were displayed.   Women leaders were hi-lighted with statues to help balance the preponderance of male statues.  Hot air balloon was the location for the Olympic flame.  Celine Dion with a well known vocal concern sang an Edith Piaf classic "Hymne a l'amour" with rain coming down on her and a pianist from the Eiffel Tower that also provided a light show.

The Olympics at one time was for amateurs only that might make it seem more pure, but in effect it was-gentleman's club.  Those who had the money and social backing got to compete.  Jim Thorpe, an   amateurs lost his medals after previous payments uncovered.  Nowadays hypocrisy has been set aside and replaced by professionals that are more entertaining.

Olympic status has increased popularity, but to me increases the circus aspect. .Admittedly  I enjoy some of the additions such as synchronized diving.  Judgement to me make some events more of an artistic endeavor.  it must be aggravating to have rehearsed thousands of  times and be judged by a second or so on stage

Men's basketball was my main interest.  The Canadian team did good for awhile.   Their first game was  against.Greece with Giannis Antetokounmpo (he will be referred to in future blog) provided a tough opposition.   They didn't get far but were competitive.  I was very pleased with local hero Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Canadian men lost fo France with Victor Wembayama .

Women's basketball, was another disappointment.  Made it to the the knockout round before exiting.  Another major disappointment was the exclusion of Caitlin Clark who has made women's basketball exciting to watch.  An upcoming visitor watched the women;s semi final.   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/my-60-year-love-affair-with-basketball.html 

It was upsetting to see that sports betting was among the adverstiers.  To me excessive gamblsing is -a disease.  Like other pleasures a little bit may be fun, but dangerous when it becomes habitual.  

The French crowd support does play a role which was very noticeable in the team sports.

Another almost mandatory focus was on Simone Biles.  She is likable as well as a joy to watch.  This was the first time I saw her fall which reminded she is mortal.

Water Polo was something I paid little attention until my daughter became captain of champion high school team.  There is skill and strategy involved with a lot going on below the water.  c

Wrestling was an event once considered for discarding.   I grew up frowning on televised wrestling, but got a different perspective when I attended the University of Guelph where they had a champion wrestling team including one top wrestler who lived on the same residence floor.  Wrestling is a foundaton of the original Olympics.

The French organizing committee made an effort for greater gender equity. The events were split evenly between male and female.

Climate change  was another theme.   Paris was conscious of the Seine being polluted and made efforts to clean up.

For the third summer Olympics,  a refugee team exemplifies the international peace theme    This time they won their first medal, a bronze in women's boxing.

Andre De Gras had at first a bad Olympics.  He failed to qualify for the finals in either the 100 or 200 meter run.  In fact none of the relay team members made the finals, but they had practiced together and won the gold medal illustrating that team work does make a difference. All relays are fun to watch.  Botswana won silver in 4 x 400 men's men;s relay.

Break dancing was a big surprise.  A Canadian won a gold and was mind numbing impressive.

Tahiti provided  an exotic setting several time zones away from Paris. Surfing is fun to watch, but not too much was shown in my tv. coverage.

The Closing Ceremonies were not as interesting as the opening, but the Los Angeles delegates provided something different, especially Tom Cruise who performed a stunt that saw him fall from a high spot, pick up the Olympic flag and supposedly transport it to L.A.  Some American entertainers, some ceremony. filled out the evening.  One new feature was to present the medals for the women's marathon.  .

France showed off its tourism attractions.  Earlier I had read they are one of the best organized tourist destinies.    http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/02/overbooked-and-thoughts-on-tourism.html

Each Olympics tries to set itself as unique.  Some sports will be dropped while others will be added.  I understand break dancing will be dropped and I suspect baseball will be added.  My son plays on the New Zealand dodge ball team.  At an international tournament my wife and I talked to an American enthusiast who thought dodge ball had a lot to offer, but didn't need the Olympics to validate itself,  just a joy to play.  Check it out as it is also a joy to watch.   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/09/dodge-ball.html

Other viewers would have emphasized different points as there was so much to check out.  The Olympics are still for me the most exciting event of the year and I am looking forward to the  Paralympics, Winter Olympics and the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Two Filipino movies with a message

 The Philippines has developed film making to the point where they can make films with meaning.  It takes skill and confidence to attempt films that may not have mass appeal.  One connection is that they share the same casting director, Danna Simbre.  She has 12 credits as casting director and 32 for additional crew including  "Barcelona: A Love Untold" (2016).

"Lola Igna" (2019) was a very unglamorous story.  An old lady who is first introduced to us as she is peeing into a chamber pot and then flushing down a toilet.  She gets a visitor, a grand daughter who tells her that she is in a contest for the oldest person in the world.  Not excited at all and in a few days becomes annoyed.  She actually looks forward to death to reunite with her dead husband.  Distant relatives come out.  One grand-daughter thought it was an opportunity to sell merchandise commemorating the honor for being the oldest.  A great grand son wants to vlog her and offers to teach her how to vlog.  Their relations provides a surprise (or two).  It does not end the way many of us might have anticipated.  

 Eduardo W. Roy Jr. was director, writer and executive producer.  He has 13 credits for writing, 11 for directing and 4 as additional crew.

 Andrew Florentino was responsible for the music.   He has 27 Composing credits,10  for the music department and 12 for soundtrack including "Isa Pa With Feelings" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/isa-pa-with-feelings-really-helps.html

 Tey Clamor was the cinematographer.  He has 43 credits for cinematography and 46 credits for the camera and electrical department and 9 for additional crew including "Barcelona: A Love Untold" (2016) and "Isa Pa with Feelings" (2019).

 Carlo Francisco Manatad was the editor.  He has 92 credits as production manager,  96 as editor and 34 or the editorial department.  

Angie Ferro plays the old Lola Igna.  She started acting in theatre in 1969.  Angie has 80 acting credits.

Yves Flores plays Tim, Lola's great grandson.  He is actually the grandson of Angie Ferro.  Yves has 21 acting credits.

Maria Isabel Lopez plays Nida, a relative who tried to merchandise the opportunity.  She was a national beauty pageant winner.  She has 125 credits including "Barcelona:  A Love Untold" (2016)

"Rewind" (2024)) is sort of a fantasy.  As very young children one couple seems destined for marriage and in fact they do and seem like a very loving couple.  But over the years the husband becomes a workaholic who is obsessed with an expected promotion which he doesn't get.  Before  too long he is driving with his wife and is so frustrated he is unable to cope with an unexpected car crossing his path and his wife dies.  He then realizes that he really does love her.  It might appear too late but he encounters an inconspicuous servant  who offers another chance.  There is a catch, although he can save the wife, someone has to die.  Not quite straight forward as we might assume.  You could assume there might be a happy ending but the husband goes through a few unexpected changes.  We all have to decide which is most important.  As of 2024 this is the highest grossing Filipino film.

A top crew and cast helped  provide credibility for "Rewind".  Here are some of them

Mae Czarina Cruz was the director.  She has 31 directing credits.

Enrico C. Santos wrote the script.  He has 44 writing credits, 139 for additional crew and 9 as production manager.

Cesar Francis Concio wrote the music.  He has 69 composing credits, 10 for music department and 7 for sound.

Neil Daza was the cinematographer.  He has 79 cinematography credits, 14 for the camera and electrical department and 3 as director including "Fan Girl" (2021).

Marya Ignacio was the editor.  She has 195 editorial credits, 34 editorial department and 41 credits for additional crew. 

 Dingdong Dantes played John, the hardworking husband.   His leading lady for many of his films was Marian Rivera who he eventually married.  As a couple they campaigned to release a suffering elephant from the Manila Zoo.  He has 86 acting credits, 7 for directing and 1 for assistant directors.

Marion Rivera played Mary, the wife who died in the first part of the film.  She has been a singer and dancer with popular albums.  She has appeared in numerous lists of the sexiest woman.  Marion with two children of her own has been an advocate for breastfeeding in public.  The government appointed as Ambassador for women and children with disabilities.  She has 62 acting credits and 2 as a producer.

Pepe Herrera played Lodz, the man who offered the life altering opportunity.  He graduated from univrsity with a degree in music.  He has 38 acting credits.

Both films are available on Netflix in a subtitled format.

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 one link you should be able to determine if that particular film is worth following up.

Desperate Lies

"Desperate Lies"(2024) received extreme mixed reviews and also was labeled a soap opera.  Dig deeper and it is a fascinating story of human relations.  A good story is a fiction that tells the truth.

The unusual fact that drives this series is that a woman could give birth to two babies from two different men, known as hetereopaternal superfecundation.  Inevitably there has to be some sort of sexual tension, but just as critical are the consequences that veer in unpredictable directions.  Remember "Twins" (1988) a comedy film pairing Arnold Shwartzenegger and Danny DeVito?  "Desperate Lies" is not a comedy, but uses the basic premise to explore a wide range of relationships

One underlying theme is "The truth shall set you free".  Keeping secrets leads to sometimes tragic misunderstandings.

Another theme was a typical male concern over bloodlines.  Many refuse to accept children that were not theirs.  Various reactions from the film characters give different perspectives on what a family is.  Bloodlines are not necessary.  While I may have seemed to paint a picture of negativity there was also some inspiring relationships.

A surprising tool is the use of occupational therapy as the profession of the main character, Liana.  I met one, but in a different context and was not able to satisfy my curiosity.  She was part of a mindfulness class.  Another connection developed when someone knew someone who couldn't easily brush their own teeth because of a limitation in wrist movement.  An innovative helper positioned three different strips of bristles to allow with one stroke to cover three sides of teeth; the front, the top and the inside.  It became commercial to a small market and later the concept was adapted to brushing dog's teeth which strikes many as strange, but some recognized that, as with humans, dental care can affect longevity.  As a salesman I learned it has social benefits in that by poking inside a dog's mouth it helped a dog accept handling of its mouth which sometimes prevented choking or eating something harmful or playful youngsters.  Something else I learned (as a sales tool) was that it made brushing teeth with braces much better.

Photographed in scenic Rio de Janeiro and the Atlantic coast.

It has been a few years since I last watched a Brazilian film, so the connections aren't as prominent, but the contributors of this series are likely to be part of my future.  Here are some:

Angela Chaves created the series and helped write the script.  She has 10 writing credits.

Mauricio Farias was the creative director.  He has 44 director credits, 2 for additional crew and 9 for writing.

Fabio Goes was a composer.  He had been well known as singer and musician  Fabio has 44 composing credits, 9 for the music department and 1 for sound department.

Fabio Burtin provided cinematography.  He has  20 cinematography credits and 32 for the camera and electrical department including "Blindness" (2008).

Helen Maura was the main editor.  She has 34 editor credits, 3 for production manager and 2 for writing.

Juliana Paes played the main character, Liana who mothered two children.  In 2006 People magazine declared her one of the 100 sexiest people in the world.  She has not lost much in the meantime.  Juliana has 40 acting credits.

Vladimir Brichta played the husband who found it difficult to accept a child not his.  As a child he spent a few years in Germany with his geologist father and picked up an interest in theatre.  Back in Brazil he got involved with theatre winning a few awards.  He has 39 acting credits and one for sound department.

Felipe Abib played the unscrupulous Oscar a friend of the family who unknowingly impregnated Liana.  He has 26 acting credits.

Palomma Duarte played Silvia a sister in law and birth doctor.  She has 34 acting credits.

Bento Veiga played Inacio, the blind son of Silvia who performed music.  In reality he is a blind songwriter musician.

Martha Nowill played Debora, a close friend of Liana's and sister to Oscar.  She has 32 acting credits and 3 for writing.

The plot is full of twists right to the end and has some very interesting relationships.  This series is available subtitled and dubbed on Netflix.

As I was posting this blog on Facebook I realized that the top photo, although very provocatively represents the idea behind the film, it never appeared in the film. 

"Desperate Lies" is available  subtitled and dubbed on Netflix.

The Goat Life

"The Goat Life" (2024) is a strange movie.  One of its outstanding features is cinematography, amazing since a lot of it is filmed in a desert.  It has more going for it and in fact is very professional  A notice is posted near the end, but is appropriate for the beginning "All the Lives we have never experienced are just tall stories for us".  This is a tall story that is credibly done.  It is a gritty survival film.

Our perception of Saudi Arabia may well be altered (and maybe a bit unfairly).  They are depicted as deceptive and cruel.  One helps to balance a little bit.  Saudi Arabia is known to be very wealthy, but a lot of dirty work still needs to be done.  Saudi Arabia recruits cheap labor.  In this film Najeeb is recruited from the Kerala area of India.   He thinks he is going to make extra money to support his beautiful wife (and she really is) but he is deceived and ends up in Saudi Arabia.

Language is a key element in that he cannot make himself understood.  He is brutally slapped, beaten and pushed.  Eventually he ends up with a goat herd, but has no experience.  We see him trying to milk a goat from the wrong side.  Later on we see he has learned  the proper way.  More so than other films I have seen he relates to camels almost like a domestic dog.

 He is brutally treated like a slave with no rights and thought of escape.  Luckily he meets Khadiri, an experienced and calm man.  They plan to follow a road, but initially the first pursuit drives them away from the road.  Khadiri does not panic and leads two others explaining that he is following the sun heading west.  It is quite an ordeal still and if you have no stomach for such things you might want to fast forward.  

If you bear with it you will better appreciate it is not an ordinary movie.  Some of the contributors are below.

It all started with a book by Benyamin.   He has written 30 books, mostly for the Malayalam market.  This book has become a text book with 4 universities.  He co-wrote the script.

Blessy was director and co-writer had seen this film as his most major project, but it ended up taking 6 years partially due to the Covid Pandemic.  He has 9 credits as a director, 15 as an assistant director and 9 as a writer.  The  Guinness Book of World Records declared the longest documentary to be Blessy's "100 Years of Chrysostom" ( 2018) at 48 hours and ten minutes. 

A.R. Rahman provided the music setting the mood expertly.  He had done commercial jingles when Mani Ratman invited him to write for a film "Roja" (1992).  I had not realized that Rahman wrote for the Tamil market, but has expanded to Bollywood,  American, English etc.  With the encouragement of  Andrew Lloyd Webber he wrote for a stage musical, "Bombay Dreams" that had long runs in both London and New York.  He has 201 composing credits and 81 for the music department (often backup singer) including "Bombay" (1995), "Fire" (1996), "Lagaan Once Upon a Time in India" (2001), "Swades" (2004), "Water" (2005), "Rang de Basanti" (2006), "Ghajini" (2008), "Slum Dog Millionaire" (2008), "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" (2012), "Highway" (2014), "100 Foot Journey" (2014), "Tamasha" (2015) and "Maidaan" (2024).    Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/07/the-making-of-lagaan-chale-chalo-lunacy.html  Elsewhere Rahman had commented that he often gives producers a difficult time in order to get what he wants and feels the film benefits. 

K.U. Mohanan was a cinematographer.  He has 32 cinematography credits, 5 for the camera and electrical department and 1 for production manager, including "Don" (2006), "We Are Family" (2010),  "Talaash" (2012), "Fukrey" (2013), "Raees" (2017) and "Andhadhun" (2018).

A.Sreekar Prasad , the editor has over 260 film credits with IMDB in multi languages indicating he is in big demand.  His films include  "Dil Chatha Hai" (2001),  "A Peck on the Cheek" (2002), "Mangal Pandey:  The Rising" (2005), "Guru" (2007), "Talvar" (2015), "The Ghazi Attack" (2017) "Taramani" (2017) "Super 30" (2020) and "RRR" (2022).http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/02/super-30-puts-focus-on-education.html

 Prithtviraj Sukumaran plays Najib.  He has 127 acting credits, 15 music  department (mostly as playback singer) and 10 as producer including "Urami:  The Warriors Who wanted to Kill Vasco Da Gama" 2011), "Jana Gana Mana" (2022) and "Anweshippin Kandethum" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/anweshippin-kandethum.html

Jimmy Jean-Louis plays Kediri who helps Najib escape.  Jimmy was born in Haiti and moved with family to Paris, France.  He became a model traveling across Europe and got involved in musical theatre in Spain.  He speaks 5 languages:  English, French, Spanish, Italian and Haitian Creole.  During the 2010 earthquake he traveled and discovered most of his family had died.   He got involved  in charity efforts to support Haiti.  He has 98 acting credits, 22 for producing and 3 for writing.including "Misererere" (2013).

 Amala Paul plays Najib's wife (mostly in flashback).  She has 49 acting credits including "Oru Indian Pranayakatha" (2013) and "The Teacher" (2022).

Shobha Mohan plays Najib's mother.  She has 85 acting credits including "Drishyam" (2013) and "Drishyam 2" (2021).  Shobha was in the Malayalama, the orignator of what has become a franchise which you can read about at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/02/drishyam-2-signifies-new-global-movie.html

 Talib Al Belushi plays Kafeel, the brutal Arab boss who insulted and tortured Najib.  He has performed in Oman, but there are no records/  He does have a Ph.D. in film studies.  He did appear in a joint Omani-Malayalam joint film what got the attention of Blessy.  "The Goat Life" was not allowed  in Oman or Saudi Arabia so he visited Kerala to praise the film and hope the audience wouldn't hate him for being the villain as that is mostly how he can been cast in Oman.

Rik Aby play Kafeel's son.  At one point he was involved with voice over work.  He has 22 acting credits including "Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga" (2023).

Survivor movies can be a grind to watch, but this is professionally done.  I have found the Malayalam films are mostly above average.  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