Three Short Films from the National Film Board’s Tremplin Project Do most Canadians realize the singular cultural achievement that is the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)? I think not, at least not in comparison with foreign notables (including Pablo Picasso) who’ve been praising the Board’s contributions to human understanding since its beginnings. To add… Read more »
Nabeul is a seaside tourist town in Northern Tunisia, between the capital, Tunis, and the more high-end tourist zone of Hammamet. We’ve rented a ground-floor flat. A striped woven curtain hangs outside the door so passersby can’t see inside when the door is opened. Because privacy is so valued the windows are closed, making the… Read more »
Album: Ludovico Einaudi, Einaudi Essentiel “This isn’t avant-garde enough It really isn’t hard enough It isn’t avant-garde enough for me . . .” Wendy Cope The Crest of the New Romantic Wave I’ve often mentioned that avant garde movers and shakers in the arts world have already ushered in a neo-Romantic movement possibly in reaction… Read more »
Film: The World Before Her Director: Nisha Pahuja Genre: Documentary ?At least he let me live.? Prachi, a young woman in the Hindu Nationalist movement in India Each year in India 750,000 girls are aborted, and It’s unknown how many are killed at birth. When Pooja Chopra’s mother knew she was having a second daughter,… Read more »
Film: Tent City, U.S.A. Director: Steven Cantor Genre: Documentary ?I’m going to get my blessings, because I always have faith.? Tee Tee, featured in the film Tent City, U.S.A. One of the most moving music videos ever made is of homeless Englishman Gavin Bryars singing ?Jesus? Blood Never Failed Me Yet.? There’s just something about… Read more »
Album: Bill Frisell, Silent Comedy ?. . . there’s a point when I start writing music, when It’s just me talking to the music. It’s all I can think about. I can’t force the music; whenever I have some strong pre-conceived idea or I’m forced into some corner, it doesn’t come out. So I try… Read more »
Film: Without Shepherds Directors: Cary McClelland, Imran Babur Producer: Cary McClelland Genre: Documentary Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Pakistan “The path I’m on is right for me. There’s pleasure in the seeking. There is a joy in it. It has a sweetness. Yes, sometimes there is bitterness, but when you digest it, it… Read more »