Paddle to the Sea in print and film

 Most of my book and/or film posts are about adult interests.  Initially it was a bit of a haul to adult literature for me, but children's literature (thanks to the R.S. McLaughlin Public Library in Oshawa with a separate children's department) helped pave the way.

 The author Holling Clancy Holling (originally Holling Allison Clancy) was born and raised in Michigan, United States around the Great Lakes.   He was a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago.  He worked in the taxidermy department at the Field Museum of of History in Chicago.  Aside from writing and illustrating numerous children's books he wrote and illustrated a Sunday comic strip that included that included a cutout that could be used in a 3-D format
 

It is possible my mother first read the book to me.  Probably not more than eight or nine when I first read.  Oshawa is on Lake Ontario, but this book expanded my awareness of the other Great Lakes and their connection to the Atlantic Ocean.  The whole idea of connections was gradually developing in my mind.  I took out the book several times.  

From school and my parents I understood that Lake Ontario was part of the Great Lakes.  Paddle-to-the-Sea starts with a young Indian (now called indigenous) boy in Lake Nipigon that feeds into Lake Superior.  He carves a canoe with an Indian paddler and a message to help keep the canoe on its way to the ocean.  It is not an easy journey, at different places being stuck in a beaver pond, or a heavy storm and of course it goes over Niagara Falls (one of the places my parents took me to as a child).  At times humans needed to intervene, but the message on the canoe encouraged people who picked it up to to put it back in the water.  On one occasion a rescuer cleaned it up, repainted it, made the message more readable and suggested add the names of some of the places the boat arrived at.  For some this might be one of their first geography lessons.

Holling is an illustrator and uses his talents to make the story more understandable.  On each of 27 chapters he has a full color page painting.  At the end he a two page color map of the route taken.  On the text pages he adds in a few sketches to help clarify some of the details. 

Paddle-to-the-Sea won a Caldecott Honor as well as the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1962. 

A 28 minute short film, nominated for an Oscar was filmed in 1966.  Bill Mason was director, cinematographer and editor.  In 1998 he was honored in postage stamp in Canada.  Filming was done starting in Lake Nipigon and moving through most of the book stops including Niagara Falls.  They used most of the original writing of Holling Clancy Holling, but some commentary was written and narrated by Stanley Jackson who also was an associate producer.  Louis Applebaum was the music composer. 

 

Reading was a key to better understanding the world and there were many other books that opened up my mind. My mother was the key to the process.  I was lucky to be in walking distance of R.S. McLaughlin library in Oshawa and to many supportive teachers. 

More recently read a comment by Parag Khanna, at first on tv. (Fareed Zakaria show) and later reading his book.  Talking about world climate conditions he claimed that the Great Lakes region was the safest which seemed amazing as he lived in Singapore.    See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/move.html

Is the Trump Derangement Syndrome valid?

 If you are progressive or even politically neutral it is very difficult to avoid really serious criticism of Donald Trump and his gang.  They shrug and dismiss it all as merely "Trump Derangement Syndrome" meaning the critics are all deluded.  Their supporters nod in agreement.  On my side of the table this is outrageous.

 It is implied that any criticism is irrelevant.  Democracy doesn't work that way.  We don't want a king or dictator to make all our decisions. 

Rather than using carefully thought out policy ideas Trump seems to prefer mocking people and ideas that stand in his way.  Lying is a tool to make his points.  Being provocative seems to appeal to a segment of his audience who find him entertaining and serious policy debates boring, if  not offensive.

After his victory in 2016 he said he loved the "poorly educated" and now we learn he wants to close the Education Department.  To my progressive nature it seems obvious education is the key to progress.  Most poor people realize they would be better off if they had more education, however there are also many who resent educated people who seem to boss them.

Rather than debate policy issues they prefer to mock in an attempt to de-humanize.  He has nicknames for some of his strongest opponents---Kamala Harris (Laffin Kamala), Joe Biden (Sleepy Joe), Elaine Chao (Coco Chow), Liz Cheney (Low IQ Warhawk), Hilary Clinton (Crooked Hilary) and Jack Smith (Deranged Jack Smith).  Outsiders might find these derogatory addresses are a poor way to develop trust. His supporters look forward to what innovative insults he comes up with.  Breaking the law has no consequences for Trump, but his precedents bode ill for our future.

Catering to prejudices with such remarks as "shithole countries"  and "very fine people on both sides".

Many of his actual policies are harmful.  Climate change is real and guaranteed to get worse, but Trump has aligned himself with the fossil fuel financial interests.   He feels the very rich are hard done by and it would be better if they paid less in taxes and so what if the poor lose tools to improve their lives.   He expresses support for international abusers of democracy (some who kill their opposition).

I am sure that most of the people in my choir can think of many (many) examples how the voters have been abused and that "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is a pathetic defense of his actions.  Thank you, however few you might be to let me rant.  Maybe Hilary Clinton was not wrong.

More on what I consider essential--education  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/11/education-and-our-future.html

When the Stars gossip

 Some people  are put off by science fiction, but they are missing some films that relate to our everyday living.  Science fiction can be an amazing piece of technology, but it can also be a tool to explore humanity.

"When the Stars Gossip" (2025) portrays a space station run by Koreans with one Spanish speaking scientist which means some of the dialogue is in English, a common language.  Their work deals with fertility in a zero gravity environment.  For that they use mice and fruit flies.  The series covers both in a space station, but also back on earth involving many of the characters on both locations.

One of the main characters is an obstetrician working on his own secret mission as a patron had spent enough money to allow a him to travel as a "tourist".  There are a lot of dramatic and romantic complications that make this series very gripping.

This is a mammoth project with top professionals.  Here are only a few:

Park Shin-Woo was the director.  He has 10 credits including as the creator of "It's Okay Not to Be Okay" (2020).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/its-okay-not-to-be-okay.html

Seo-Sook Hyang wrote the script.  She has 5 credits for writing.

Nam Hye Seung wrote the music.  She has 77 composing credits including "Crash Landing on You" (2019), "Vagabond" (2020), "It's Okay Not to Be Okay" (2020) and "Queen of Tears" (2024).  See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.html  I confess I have bought a few of her songs.

Lee Min-ho plays Gong Rygong, the tourist and obstetrician.   He is very popular in not only Korea, but also Japan, Philippines, China, France and Latin America.  He has appeared on Chinese television.  In 2000 early in his career he was involved in an auto accident that killed two others in the same car and hospitalized both him and one other.  He has 26 acting credits.

Kong Hyo-jin  played Eve Kom, the commander.  As a teenager she went with her family to Australia for three years.  She has 41 acting credits.

 Kim Joo-Hun plays one of the astronauts.  He has over 20 plays acting on stage.  He has 31 film acting credits including "Train to Busan" (2016), "Designated Survivor: 60 days" (2019), "It's Okay Not Be Okay" (2020), "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (2022) and "Castaway Diva" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/designated-survivor-60-days-remake-of.html and  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/08/extraordinary-attorney-woo.html

Oh Jung se plays another of the team.  He has 91 acting credits including  "It's Okay Not To Be Okay" (2020), "Little Women" (2022) and "Queen of Tears" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/queen-of-tears.html

 Alex Hafner played the Spanish speaking astronaut.  He is fluent in in German, Spanish, English and French.  He has 34 acting credits, 4 for producing credits and 2 for directing.

Lee El plays the ground crew captain.  She has 34 acting credits including "My Liberation Diary"(2022).

Paul Battle plays a family member to a key role.  He played a saxophone in a jazz band.  He is from Canada and first went to Korea to teach English (as did my son).   A second visit resulted in a film career speaking Korean with 22 acting credits, 2 for directing and 5 for producing including  "You Are my Spring" (2021), "Vincenzo" (2022) and "Melancholia" (2022).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/07/melancholia.html

"When the Stars Gossip" is now fully available subtitled and dubbed on Netflix.  Very engaging.

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.

Stolen--film on the Saami people

 As a youngster, one amusement was watching newsclips about strangely clothed foreigners herding deer.  We called the people Laplanders and spent little time thinking about them.  For me watching "Stolen" (2024) was my first awareness that they consider the term insulting with Saami being more acceptable. 

Many of us in the Western world think there are many strange tribes with quaint, but backward habits.  We do not examine closely our own habits except to modify them to fit in.

The Saami as they prefer to be called are found in northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.  They are not all reindeer handlers, but basically have worked in the natural environment.  Today of course many have adapted to the urban life.  Many are still wearing unique colorful clothing while others have moved to the big cities for jobs.   Suicide was a concern as many felt out of place.

This is a story involving sometimes violent discrimination, but we also see an adaptation to the modern world with some respect for the natural environment.   At one time they were not allowed to speak Saami and forced into boarding schools.  I am reminded of colonial patronizing and controlling indigenous people of British North America.

As a young girl,  Elsa witnessed a man killing a reindeer calf.  Although taken to the police department she decides not identify any illegal killers.  A decade or so later Elsa is confronted with more hostility from those who resent the few Saami privileges.  She is smart enough to go elsewhere, but stays around defending the Saami. 

The cast and crew responsible for presenting the modern Saami, but also an enjoyable movie include the following.

Elle Marg Eire with a Saami background was the director.  She has 6 directing credits, 4 for writing and 3 for composing including a short film, "The Saami Have Rights (2015).

Peter Birro was the writer.  He has 18 writing credits, 1 for directing dn 1 for producing.

 Khalil Al Harbin was a producer.  He has 11 credits for producing, 12 for additional crew and 4 for production management including "A Man Called Ove" (2015) and "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" (2009).

Lasse Enerson was one of the composers.  He is Finnish and has 34 composing credits and 9 for the msic department including "Tom of Finlamd" (2017).

Ken Are Bongo was the cinematographer.  He has 17 credits for cinematography, 8 for the camera and electrical department 6 for directing including "The Saami Have Rights" (2015).

Kristofer Nordin was the editor.  He has 61 editor credits and 13 for the editorial department.

Elin Oskal played the lead character, a young Saami.  This was her first feature film.

Martin Wallstrom had a leading role.  He narrates audio books.  Martin has 59 acting credits.

 Jakob Granqvist had a supporting role.  He has 5 acting credits including "Force Majeure" (2015).

The film will remind you of many you might have seen involving indigenous peoples up against modern settlers.   We have seen many films with the indigenous hunting buffalo and cowboys herding cattle.  Inevitably there are conflicts, some of which have carried on to modern times.  With this film we see that such conflicts were not confined to North America   "Stolen" can be seen subtitled or dubbed on Netflix.

Ice

 The world watches as America has been taken over.  Trump and his crew are changing the laws for their personal benefit.  The suckers who voted for them have not quite caught on yet, but the conversions will start slowly.

 I live in a fairly safe place among the Great Lakes.  Last year I only shoveled my sidewalk on a corner once.  There was more ice than on previous years.  This year there has definitely been a much more serious problem with ice  and  on the Valentine weekend more snow than I can remember.

Climate change is dismissed, often with a laugh.  But the situation only gets more obvious.  Looking in your own backyard only tells a small part of the story, but the evidence is getting closer to home each year.

Most of us in Ontario have figured out that climate change is for real, but haven't suffered too much yet.  Americans have had lots of opportunities to reflect on the changing weather.  Hurricanes have hit the Southeast whose myopic citizens mostly voted for Trump crooks.  Forest fires have been more severe on the west coast who mostly have voted other than Trump, but their votes don't have as much impact.  From my Canada we have had severe forest fires that sent smoke to New York City.  

Do you really believe that self serving bullshit from the Trump gang?  Don't be too embarrassed to admit you made a serious mistake, but unfortunately we will all suffer for at least a couple of years.  I understand (I do believe scientists) that the effects will continue for quite a few years to come regardless.  The solution will take time and a lot of effort and sacrifice.  Trump's oil buddies will resist as much as possible. 

The weather was only one big LIE.  There are many others being uncovered.  Remember always the rich take care of themselves for they feel the need for more money.

It is hard to understand Trump siding with Putin.  One bully to another might be one explanation, but it seems likely Putin has some sort of hold over Trump.  In any case favoring Putin over Ukraine is very bad for the rest of the world.  Rewarding criminal behavior only encourage more of it.   Ultimately the more money comes from the rest of us.

The rich get richer and the poor continue downhill.  The law is made by rich people who got elected by the masses.  It is no accident about inequality.  Too many of us are easily manipulated, but at some point you need to WAKE UP.  The smug think saying "Woke" is an insult, but they are the ones who are dishonest.  The Greens were not wrong, just didn't get started soon enough.

As a Canadian perhaps you think my opinion doesn't matter.  The whole world is watching and suffering and hoping somehow the powers that be come to their senses or in other words WAKE UP.

Peter Beinart's "Being Jewish After the Desgruction of Gaza"

At the beginning of "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza" (2025) is a small section addressed to a "former friend".  As a Jew Peter feels his views are not compatible with many Jews, including some long time friends.  Benjamin Franklin said "For having lived long I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration to change opinions even on important which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise".  At great personal loss to himself Peter Beinart over a period of time has changed his opinion.  As an outsider my views had been formed in one direction for close to 70 years.

October 7th was a shock and the initial response was horror.  As time went on some of the horror shifted to the bombardment of Gaza.  Hostages were used as bargaining chips including women, children and a few foreigners.  Some hostages noted that their greatest fear was of Israeli bombs and in truth some died as result.  We heard very upsetting accounts of what had been inflicted in the initial attack and subsequently on hostages.  

After World War II a lot of colonies wound down, however Israel was the exception where Jews took over land that was already occupied by a larger number of Arabs.  In North America we seldom stopped to realize that we took over land occupied by indigenous humans who actually co-existed better with nature.  For years we were led to believe the Arabs fled on their own initiative.  We came to learn they fled intimidation and violence.  Like being forced out of your house that your family had lived in for generations.  Actually about 750,000 Arabs were displaced in 1948 and several hundred thousand in 1967.

It was considered a problem what to do with the Jewish Holocaust survivors.  None of the Europeans wanted to take it on.  One thought was that they should be compensated with choice land in Germany.  However there had been a political movement called Zionism that advocated settling in the Holy Land.   Nations that had blocked Jewish refugees before the war supported this notion, most notably the United States, that not only supplied money, but also weapons.

Since the formation of Israel it has gained in strength with Jews around the world viewing it as a safe haven in a world with lots of anti-Semitism.  They have developed some psychological props.  They are quick to point out how they have been victimized over centuries.  Beinart points out "There are still fewer Jews alive today than there were in 1939".

Another force boosting Israel is surprisingly (mostly 'American) Evangelicals who have interpreted Biblical verse that Christ will have a second coming, but only if the Jews control Israel.  They actively support Jewish settlers in Palestine and surprisingly some Jews join in the effort to influence American Evangelicals.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/evangelists-and-trump.html   The Evangelical voting block strongly supports Republicans who in turn support Israel

Dehumanizing is a standard practice.  Palestinians are always characterized as lazy, poorly educated, violent and most critically want Jews dead.  Since October 7th we have heard and seen barbaric acts against Jewish citizens.  Israeli citizens minimize Palestinian deaths even suggesting they are made up, but in fact they compile their numbers from actually identified.  The stories of individual Palestinians suffering are dismissed. 

Alternatives to violence were tried with little success.  The real problem is to build trust in a hateful environment.   Netanyahu boasted that he killed the Oslo Accords, an attempt for peace.  He then encouraged settlements (that are illegal) in occupied Palestine.  What some would call terrorism, others would call freedom fighting.  Are you sure you don't have a bias?

The BDS  (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement offered another way to get the world's attention.  Essentially it was an organizational attempt to use economic warfare instead of violence.  Israel saw this as an attack (which it was), but instead of countering with arguments and incentives they tried to make it illegal and had success.  Israel did everything it could for the world to ignore this non violent effort.  The world mostly ignored the Palestinian case for freedom. http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/the-bds-movement.html

Beinart suggests there is hope for a peaceful resolution.

One example comes from South Africa.  Afrikaners expressed distain for the blacks, deeming them to be lower humans.  They feared that if ever they got control there would be a massacre  They fought five different African nations declaring armed groups as terrorists, but  actually after the blacks got a vote anti-government violence within almost disappeared while the armed battles against ceased. 

Palestinian doctors are 30% of Israeli doctors, 25% of nurses and 60% of pharmacists, all jobs require trust by Jewish patients. 

There are Israelis who are trying to bridge the two cultures often through music, art or sports.

Trump recently demonstrated his insensitivity by suggesting the Palestinians should be sent over to Jordan or Egypt and that would leave their homeland partly into a Mediterranean resort.  It would please some of his supporters, but certainly exasperate the problem.  If American voters prefer Trump solutions, the Mideast will be in continual turmoil.  It is difficult to predict the future, but until more people understand there are two sides to the dispute it will be impossible to negotiate peace.

A previous blog about Peter Beinart  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/crisis-of-zionism-book-review.html

 Another respected Jewish thinker is Yuval Noah Harriri and he has a relevant perspective http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/21-lessons-for-21st-century.html

Ballot

Elections are what allows the average person a chance to confirm their satisfaction or dissatisfaction of those who run the government.  Elections interest people with resources to circumvent the process for their own greedy ends.

 Emmy, a teacher  is also a  poll clerk for a local election.  Before the election we see some people attempting to buy votes.  After the voting is done she volunteers to accompany a driver taking the ballot box to a government counting station.  Police are in on it with only one excepton.  Her son, Enzo and two other young adults are in jail.  Her son is brought to a phone and she gives her location before learning her son was coerced.  A former student after a reward attempts to capture her. She encounters one  of the two (corrupt) candidates who attempts to cajole her into giving up the ballot box.  She plays along, but the situation gets rougher.  

One spoiler I would like to give is she abstained from voting.   Another spoiler--the last words are "Son of a Bitch"  Finding out what prompted that might not be too big a surprise, but might indicate oncoming problems.

Another character states she doesn't believe change comes through elections, but more what happens between elections.

Below are some of the contributors to this film.

Kip Oebanda was the director, writer and an executive producer.  He graduated with a master of economics degree.  He has 6 credits as director, 6 for writing and 5 for acting.

Emerzon Texan composed the music.  He has 198 composing credits, 38 for the music department and 3 for acting.

 Tey Clamor was the cinematographer.  She has 45 cinematographer credits, 47 for the camera and electrical and 9 for additional crew including "Barcelona:  A Love Untold" (2011), "Isa Pa with Feelings" (2019) and "Lola Igna".  Check with Barcelona as the entry at the end:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/10/four-filipino-movies.html  Check for another of my favorite Filipino films:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/isa-pa-with-feelings-really-helps.html

Chuck Gutierrez was the editor.  He has 44 editor credits, 6 for the editorial department and 22 producer credits.      

Marian Rivera played Emmy.  She graduated with a psychology degree.  Marian started as model and was a popular tv hostess. She was elected to the FMH Philippines Hall of Fame due to being voted the sexiest woman in the country 3 different years.  She and her husband have been heavily involved in charitable activities.   She has 63 acting credits and 2 for producing including "Rewind" (2023).   Check out  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/08/two-filipino-movies-with-message.html

Will Ashley played Enzo, Emmy's son.  He has 24 acting credits.

Gardo Versoza played Edralin, one of the two corrupt candidates.  He has 154 credits.

 "Ballot" is available subtitled on Netflix.

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

Another blog about politics in the Philippines:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/07/how-to-stand-up-to-dictator.html

Having been a poll clerk a couple of times this film attracted my attention..  Here is my take http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/06/a-few-thoughts-on-recent-ontario.html

The Breakthrough

"The Breakthough" (2024) was based on a brutal double murder of two people (an 8 year old boy and a 56 year old woman( that took 16 years to solve.  They actually got some DNA from the killer, but checking national and international data bases could not find a match.  The breakthrough came when the chief investigator learned of an American genealogist helped solve an American crime.  Seeking a local expert (with his own unique strategy) they did find the culprit.

The script apparently is based on the investigator and the genealogist and are fairly accurate.  Emphasis was on the victim families, but very little on the perpetrator.  But with the victim families they fictionalized to make it more interesting.

The investigator, John Sundin is depicted as being obsessed to the point his wife leaves him and he has an awkward relationship with his son.  Paralleling this is the family of the genealogist, Per Skogkvist who is also obsessed (and feels unappreciated) and is also a bit stressed.  The two men clash as the investigator feels more urgency and the genealogist wants to be more careful.  

A reporter, Stina Eriksson brings up the issue of privacy as the new method is to link up to family genealogical charts and threatens to reveal if she isn't given a private interview with the genealogist and wants the identify of the suspect.  The genealogist only agrees if she (and investigating staff) agree to a swab test to determine DNA.  Ironically the reporter's DNA provides the link that solves the murder.

Privacy can be abused.  Personally, misunderstandings are possible and can do great harm. 

What makes this series worth watching are the talented people involved.  Here are a few of them.

Lisa Siwe was the director.  She has 12 credits as director, 1 for writing and 1 for the editorial department including "The Bridge" (2011).

 Oskar Soderlund was the writer.  He has 11 writing credits, 7 for the additional crew and 2 for the script and continuity department.

Lejla Besic was the producer.  She has 5 credits for producing, 13 for additional crew and 14 for production manager including "Bergman Island" (2021).

Matti Bye composed the music.  He was a pianist who was given an opportunity to play piano for old silent films.  Matti's  improvisations made him realize he was now a composer and he decided to pursue that direction.  He has 51 composing credits and 13 for the music department including "Everlasting Moments" (2008) and "The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" (2013).

Rasmus Arrildt was the cinematographer.  He has 36 credits for cinematography and 26 for the camera and electrical department.

Marinella Angusti was an editor.  She has 29 editor credits, 7 for the editorial department and 1 for writing.

 Sara Tornkvist was a casting director.  She has 67 casting director credit, 20 for casting department and 3 for assistant director including "A Royal Affair" (20121) and "The Hunt" (2012).  Both films are coverd in blog on Mads Mikkelsen http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/05/mads-mikkelsen-helping-denmark.html

Peter Eggers played John Sundin, the investigator.  He has 47 acting credits.

Mattias Nordkvist played Per Skogkvist, the genealogist. He has acting credits including "The Wife" (2017).

Annika Hallin plays Karin.  She has 66 acting credits including "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" (2009),  "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (2009),  " The Girl Who Played with Fire" (2009) and "Drottningoffret" (2011).

Jessica Liedberg played Francy, a fellow investigator.  She has 40 acting credits.  

Julia Sporre played Stina Eriksson, a reporter.  She has 28 acting credits and 4 for the script and continuation department including "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" (2009) and "The Square" (2017).

Bahador Foladi played Saad Abbas, the faher of the 8 year old victim.  His family left Iran and moved to Sweden when he was 3 years old.  He has 21 acting credits including "Tehran" (2022) and "Kandahar" (2023).

"The Breakthrough" (2025) is available subtitled and dubbed 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.