Empty Planet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Year End Film Reviews

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leonardo Da Vinci--the Ken Burns version

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

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

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

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

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

He was also an inventor and hired by military forces.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amaran

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

R. Kalaivanan was the editor with 4 editing credits.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Children's Train

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Italo Petriccione was the cinematographer with 59 cinematographer credits. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Downloaded--Science fiction with a sense of reality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antarctica--Japanese Post War Challlenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Such a mammoth effort required top cast and crew.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Mothers of Pengins, a series from Poland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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