Paris 2010

So I've already mentioned what I had planned to do... yes, I did visit Jim...

Its been my fifth visit, and I think my 2nd visit offered the best photo, but its always an experience of awe when I visit this cemetery.

Paris has become such a dirty and unwelcoming place. As I mentioned, I've been five times already and this time, I didn't visit all the usual tourist traps (Champs Elysée, Louvre) and stuck to the 5e and 6e districts. I'm probably one of those people that are not accustomed to change. I love the French, and I don't like to see it mixed up with other cultures. Sorry, there, I said it. When I visit a country I don't want to see other cultures mixed in. I will get used to it, but I'm starting to see what other Europeans are expressing and where they are coming from. I believe they have the right to go where they want, but they should adapt not change the existing way of doing things. This was a recurring theme where ever I went in Europe and I have decided that I don't want to visit for some time.

Help!

I have been sitting on an assignment for a couple of weeks, not sure how to go about it. The first problem was finally settling on a topic. I chose Human Rights and the Development Trade Off. My understanding of this is the problems with developing in third world countries and the lack of human rights afforded to workers - on one hand you have a company who is willing to build a factory (for example), which creates jobs, brings money into the community/country/economy - and it would seem all good for all. On the other hand, you have a company (most likely a multi-million/billion dollar conglomerate who will go in and offer less than minimum wage, utilise children in their plants or factories - so where do you draw the line?

Culture or Rights - who's right?
A different way to look at this is who are we to say what is right or wrong? Why is it that our way of doing things is far superior or better for all than a country on the other side of the world? I had not really given much thought about this before until it was brought to my attention by two sources - my Human Rights teacher and an author (Malcolm ? - Tipping Point, Blink...) who states that cultural values of countries outside the 'West' are better in raising children with better work ethics (or approach to problems and finding solutions) - in relation to success, self-esteem, etc, in particular, offered this reason for why Asian children are better at math than the kid from Oshawa or Toronto.

So my problem is this: in answering or writing an essay on this topic, what approach will I use and what will I argue about? And how can I relate/link to Indigenous Peoples. Initially, I thought about tying in Ontario's Duty to Consult policy with First Nation communities and natural resources.

More to come....

Native Dancer (Baksy)

I am going to attempt to write my little blurb without the usual copy and pasting of descriptions, so mind the errors.

This movie is by Kazahkstan director, Guka Omarova. It is based on the life of a local shaman or spiritual healer. The main characters are Aidai (Basky) and Batyr (who went to see Aidai to help his wife conceive their son). In the opening scene, the Basky is performing some ceremony on a woman. The camp or area that she lives in seems to be plucked down in the middle of nowhere with rolling mountains in the background. I can sense that her presence is very important as there are many people who come to visit, asking for help. She's a seer who is able to help locate the stolen cow of one couple, advises a mother of two that her husband did not run off with another woman but has been hit by a car and is dead. Batyr arrives on the scene with a man, hands tied, sitting in the back of his vehicle - his wifes' brother - a drunk and mischeivious individual who is being shipped back to somewhere. Aidai says to leave him with her, makes a home with her, hoping to train with her and make some cash out of it. Instead he shacks up with a 16 year old girl dropped off by her parents. Nice story so far, until the 'bad guy' enters the picture. He sees the land and envisions a gas station?! and casino and goes about buying the land of Batyr. The story ends somewhat tragically but not for everyone.

The director was present at last evenings' screening. She shared some of the background info via Q&A where we learn that the story is based on a real person, all the filming took place in Kazahkstan, and all the actors are local people. The 'real' Basky still lives today, is around 70 years old and receives many visitors to her home for healings. It has piqued my interest to possibly visit this place some day...

Now for the 'official description' by TIFF'08:
"Guka Omarova's fiery new feature sets witchcraft and the mob against each other on the dusty plains of Kazakhstan. Aidai (Nesipkul Omarbekova) is an elderly spiritual healer, a “Kazakh Baksy” who has the power to find a person's lost soul, heal the crippled and locate stolen cattle. For years, Aidai has been serving her local Kazakh community and living off the land of a rich businessman, Batyr (Farkhat Amankulov), who feels indebted to her because she helped his wife to conceive.

When local gangsters decide that Batyr's land would be a prime location for a petrol station and a motel, Aidai puts up a fight, as the land is what connects her to her spiritual powers. Ignoring threats from the gangsters, Batyr goes away on vacation, but when he returns Aidai has disappeared and his land has been excavated. He is furious, so when the petrol station burns down in a freak accident, it seems like just revenge – until his son is kidnapped. Devastated and at a loss, Batyr goes looking for Aidai's help.

Co-written and produced by the great Russian director Sergei Bodrov (Mongol), Native Dancer evokes the mysticism of fantasy and the thrills of a gangster film. Featuring strong, naturalistic performances, especially from Omarbekova (a real-life witch doctor), Native Dancer recalls the earthy visual style of Omarova's last film, Schizo, which played at the Festival in 2004. But with its hybridized genres, Native Dancer is far more epic in its scope.

In this highly accomplished work, Omarova has crafted a captivating story that astutely highlights the clash between old Kazakh customs and the new Kazakhstan. Aida Begic's Snow, also playing at the Festival this year, touches on similar issues. As capitalist forces begin to encroach on tradition, the first casualty is often a culture's most fundamental inheritance – land."

Source: http://tiff08.ca/filmsandschedules/films/nativedancer

j.

summer is over

~ tomorrow I will watch my last movie from this years' Festival. I felt as if most of the movies I saw dealt with old people, and really depressing subjects. Reclaim Your Brain was my favourite and I think I will have to look for it when it becomes available on DVD.

TIFF07 films that I viewed:
Atonement
Love Comes Lately
And Along Come Tourists
Wolfsbergen
Shadow (Saturday)
Reclaim Your Brain

positano

i really was fascinated with this boat that was docked in the bay area of positano for atleast 2 days during my stay a while ago.

Berlin in December

Its been awhile since I've returned from my travels before xmas. the weather certainly wasn't what I had expected, but then when is it? Here's a pix of the windmill outside Berlin's Museum of Technology - home to rows of old trains from way back. Another museum been there, done that. Berlin will be on my list of to be lists for this year as the Love Parade finally found a sponsor. So off to Berlin in July I shall go.

Christmas in Berlin 2001

In 2001, New Years Eve, Berlin, I remember having to stand in front of the Brandenburger Tor, waiting for the fireworks and drinking this stuff to keep warm. I had to keep moving or push someone away from those heated stalls/tables (you know the kind - standing room only type of setting). Well, I was frozen, I literally felt those cold Siberian winds blowing down on me. My feet had lost feeling, and this was gradually moving up to my legs. I sorry, I said to Andreas, I have to go, I can't stand this cold anymore. Walked towards Potsdamer Platz, to catch the S-Bahn / U-bahn home (or his flat). Had to duck the firecrakers being thrown by the young 'crackers' who insisted on letting this fly, while people walked down stairs to get to their trains. Amazingly, I survived, however, crossing traffic in Rome may have proven to be a safer bet. They had absolutely no concern! They walk around with their big bottles of beer, drinking, laughing, and what's most distrubing, mein german sucks at that time, so I wouldn't know if they were saying anything rude to me. Get back to his quiet nicer area of Berlin, Zehlendorf, the former American zone of a divided berlin, to his flat. Once again, encountered more firecrakers. Another trip to avoid being hit.

One thing I noticed in Berlin, they have these neat blinds that come down 'outside the home'! That's a switch, and seems more logical to me. Their hotwater heater in the bathroom area, doubles as a tower drier (looks rather nicer compared to those ugly ancient ones here in my place.) I haven't seen them anywhere, and i am sure if I ever had a place that had those, I would inquire about upgrading. I wonder if they are more energy efficient? The germans are so good and conscientious towards the environment, its surprising that other nations (esp us nord americans) haven't adopted this? We've been recycling here since the late eighties, and I am surprised to come to the USA and not see it widely accepted. Ignorance, no regard to anyone else.

I read a post today, this woman, unfortunately lives on the west coast where are the fires are burning, and comments on 'what the world is coming to: 'mentioning, flooding, hurricanes and fires' - the fact that in her eyes, 'the world being referred to is her country, the US of Amerika. Interesting how differing the views are between Kanada and the US are. I would have said something, what is this country coming to, or in addition to the fires etc, I would have thrown some actually atrocities occuring outside the usa.

Okay, so I go a bit off topic, originally, I had intended to put this recipe but memories of my first christmas in berlin, I had to share... so, here's the recipe: From: www.dw-world.de - Culture & Lifestyle Deutsche Welle

As I prepare for my trip in December, I am trying to gather as much information as possible. und natürlich, ich habe keine zeit! Zu viel places to see, an so little time..So this recipe would be appropriate starting in the first day after of advent through to the 24th December. 'When the chill sets in, it's time for a hot drink. In Germany and Austria, one of the most popular beverages at this time of the year is Glühwein.

You will need: 1 bottle of red wine, 100 ml water (about 0.1 quart); 5 g of sugar (less than 2 ozs), 2 -3 cloves, 1/2 peeled lemon, 1 stick cinnamon.
Directions: Boil cinnamon, sugar, and cloves in water. Turn of heat. Strain the water after 25 -30 mins. Add wine to water. Heat wine - but don't boil (boiling removes the alcohol). Add lemon. And serve in a BIG mug!