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.