The movies that move us

Two films I viewed this month has made a strong impression. One was a old film from the 40's with the then famous film stars I am hardly aware in the 21st century set in NY city when the skyline had only a spattering of buildings. It was an inspiring tale of the individual spirit overcoming the pressures and defined construct of the collective. It took principles of freedom,liberty, creativity, integrity and objectivity to new heights in a way I have hardly seen in films of late. The film was based on a bestseller during that time that even today is sold to hundreds of thousands each year. Ayn Rand's Fountainhhead. Wow.

Although the dramatic film music was amusing and maybe a little overdone, the overall themes, the language used to convey the thoughts of the characters were brilliant. The film portrayed the heroism of the individual spirit, obviously an idea that resonates today when our society seems geared towards collective thoughts on lifestyle, fashion, politics and the quest of materialism. From a personal standpoint I know that the fact that Pieter chooses to write a novel as opposed to making a 6 figure salary in IT has always caused a pause and explanation...

Anyway, see this film if at any time someone feels "pressured" by social expectation. This film will at minimum cause some reflection, may change one's perspective, and maybe even impact others affected by that change as well.

The second film I had to walk out of halfway despite its very high ratings (8.5 out of 10 on IMDB based on 12,000 comments) I found it disturbing, without any benefit and over the top macabre. Pan's Labyrinth and if the name represents a puzzle or maze, I have to say at least that namesake holds true. I cannot imagine why so many people adored this film, a collection of images that evoked an empathy, sadness and injustice that was not reconciled through out the movie. It seems unfair and almost cruel to put audiences through this trust that when characters unjustly are tortured, punished, oppressed and vilified, that at least some sense of justice is felt by the end. The sheer fact that we are left alone in a journey within a dark reality without the triumph or even acknowledgement of human virtue spanning over a collection of minutes is something I prefer not to endure.

Overall I am so glad that there is this medium where visual arts demonstrate facets of the human condition. But in this time that we live in, where acts of heroism are overshadowed (sometimes) by the hardness of the global realities we face, it would be a gift to see more films that engage in improving the human condition and reflecting the true spiritual reality upon which we are based.

Roses...

Support can come in many ways; through friends understanding, through colleagues offering their congrats on a job well done; through the hug of a child with eternal love and smiles; and through the sweet gesture of having pink roses brought to me after a long trip away from home.

These are the moments I can play over and over again in my mind, the few seconds which linger and when remembered, brings a smile to my heart. While my husband Pieter works on his creative talent of book writing, and extrapolating the essence of what inspires a 21st century person to contribute to this world, I am reminded that work, discipline and focus is a talent we must all hone, and never ignore. Yet through this unending task, we need others to help us along the way. Whether prayer, meditation, chatting on the phone, laughing out loud at nothing at all, or just stopping to smell the roses, we all need that push to get us through the task when we run out of breath.

And so to my special friend with the simple initials of PB, thank you for your support and the unending encouragement, love and pink roses that you bring.

Merci...