A story told to me by a business associate and a holocaust survivor. The year was 1942, during the height of the second world war. Sam was around 10 years old and was originally from Cracow Poland. During the round up of Jews, Sam somehow fled the city and was able to gaint refuge in a farm house in the outskirts. He was hidden in the attic of the farm house where he remained several months.
One day the farmer told him that he had received a report that the Gestapo was instituting a search of all the farm houses in the area looking for Jews. Sam was instructed to hide in the barn. When the Gestapo entered the barn, Sam jumped into a large oil barrel where he crouched down, attempting to remain as quiet as possible. He peered up only to see a Gestapo officer directing his flashlight into the Barrel. the officer then shouted in German to his comrades, “No one here”.
Being a member of the Gestapo, involved being ruthless, a dedicated Nazi and highly antisemitic. Yet with all these attributes,this one individual somehow was able to muster a sense of pity and compassion to act as he had.
This is a very good example of moral ambiguity
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Girlfriend Experience -A mini review
Viewed- June 28th, 2009
The semi improvisational style of this film has an immediate appeal. It has an authentic air almost too real - too honest to accept as fictional. Life as a deal, an negotiated transaction, is the pervading theme. With the talk of economic meltdown as a background melody we are struck by the profound sadness of the lives of all the characters depicted. A thoroughly asexual movie where the act of lovemaking is relegated to a mechanical, almost technical activity drained of any emotional content.. Beautifully filmed, the visuals are bordering on the surreal and minimilist. Minimilist might also describe the acting if you wish to describe what is depicted here as acting. This is certainly not for everyone.
The semi improvisational style of this film has an immediate appeal. It has an authentic air almost too real - too honest to accept as fictional. Life as a deal, an negotiated transaction, is the pervading theme. With the talk of economic meltdown as a background melody we are struck by the profound sadness of the lives of all the characters depicted. A thoroughly asexual movie where the act of lovemaking is relegated to a mechanical, almost technical activity drained of any emotional content.. Beautifully filmed, the visuals are bordering on the surreal and minimilist. Minimilist might also describe the acting if you wish to describe what is depicted here as acting. This is certainly not for everyone.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Eulogy for a dead golden retriever.
IN LOVING MEMORYI woke up this morning and my shadow was gone.For 13 years I have had the honour of loving thisspecial being. Indy. He was brought into my life by sheer fate and it is hard for me to express the gratitude that I feel for his presence in my life. He has walked many roads, swam in many streams and lakes and has left his golden fleece in many homes. I have since realized that I am proud of his character,his behaviour , his attitude, the way he loved EVERYBODY (well, almost, his barking at the Publi-sac carriers is a testament to his dislike of needless flyers). I felt pride for witnessing within him the reflections of my ideals.He was a very precious and rare soul.
And thank you, Indy. Thank you for being in our lives.Thank you for every wag,every lick, every look. I willmiss the thudding of your tail as I approach, the unexpected thud as you timbered to the ground to sleep,your muffled barks as you slept, your smell, the softness of your ears. The void you have left goes deep but it is filled with the friends you have made,many happy memories and you have taught me many things, the most important being that pure love does exist. Rest now,be well BuddhaBear.
And thank you, Indy. Thank you for being in our lives.Thank you for every wag,every lick, every look. I willmiss the thudding of your tail as I approach, the unexpected thud as you timbered to the ground to sleep,your muffled barks as you slept, your smell, the softness of your ears. The void you have left goes deep but it is filled with the friends you have made,many happy memories and you have taught me many things, the most important being that pure love does exist. Rest now,be well BuddhaBear.
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