Being a shallow sort of guy, I don't even know what "Salvation through faith" means -- or for that matter, "salvation" - and consequently I found The Seventh Seal hard to take seriously. I think in those days I would have used the word, camp, to describe it. Even the photography, which is so highly regarded, is theatrical and vulgar in my eyes.
But I do respect his upholding the essential importance of human relationships because I believe that all other values, particularly socialist ones, flow from it.
Not all of his movies are dark and sombre and although in his The Magic Flute, some would say that the joy and optimism came from Mozart and not him, he at least, like Duchamp and his urinal, chose it. And there is Smiles of a Summer's Night and my favourite, The Devil's Eye. The imp's heartfelt longing for the smell of apples is for me a wonderful salute to carnality and by implication, a rejection of the otherworldly.
I hope I have answered, even in a round about way, your question. I guess I am saying that I recommend that you view his movies when you get a chance.
I see that the great Italian master, Antonioni, has just died. His work is even more to my taste, I am afraid.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Comments on Red Cap
Yes I saw Red Cap and thought it very good for a number of reasons. In fact afterwards I decided to write a review but other pressing tasks intrude so it won't happen. In any case being deaf gets in the way of my authority as a critic.
I liked the momentum it maintained and the choreographed movement. The songs were good and I don't think like one critic that "show tunes" are inappropriate. I loved what I think could be called the recitative.
One critic made a snooty remark about "genuflection towards Brecht" but I think they could have gone further in this regard. The idea of different actors playing different roles has merit both as a way to consolidate ensemble playing but as an alienation effect, but it can lead to confusion, even annoyance, in the audience, and so needs to be used in such a way to minimise the chances of the audience being lost.
I doubt if Brecht would want that, rather he would want the audience to quickly accept that this is only a play and these are only actors and then get to the important bit which is taking in the meaning of the words instead of spending an important second or two wondering, "What the fuck is going on?"
So the donning of the red cap was not enough, I think, and the director should have gone the whole hog and used masks. And having the actor with a red cap hanging from his belt while in the part of a boss was distracting.
Of course the idea of using the red cap as a symbol for that which we should all aspire to wear is an excellent one but, if this is the director's intention, the impact is obscured by using it as the only identifier for Pat Mackie.
But enough pontificating. In any case these comments are in the nature of queries raised in a discussion rather than criticisms.
I liked the momentum it maintained and the choreographed movement. The songs were good and I don't think like one critic that "show tunes" are inappropriate. I loved what I think could be called the recitative.
One critic made a snooty remark about "genuflection towards Brecht" but I think they could have gone further in this regard. The idea of different actors playing different roles has merit both as a way to consolidate ensemble playing but as an alienation effect, but it can lead to confusion, even annoyance, in the audience, and so needs to be used in such a way to minimise the chances of the audience being lost.
I doubt if Brecht would want that, rather he would want the audience to quickly accept that this is only a play and these are only actors and then get to the important bit which is taking in the meaning of the words instead of spending an important second or two wondering, "What the fuck is going on?"
So the donning of the red cap was not enough, I think, and the director should have gone the whole hog and used masks. And having the actor with a red cap hanging from his belt while in the part of a boss was distracting.
Of course the idea of using the red cap as a symbol for that which we should all aspire to wear is an excellent one but, if this is the director's intention, the impact is obscured by using it as the only identifier for Pat Mackie.
But enough pontificating. In any case these comments are in the nature of queries raised in a discussion rather than criticisms.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Socialist Sunday Schools
The Socialist Ten Commandments
Posted by Harry
My six-year-old daughter has begun asking a lot of questions about religion and the Bible and the conversations reminded me about the Socialist's Ten Commandments, that were produced by the Socialist Sunday School movement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Sunday_Schools
I remember reading a version in the house of an old Lancashire ILP member when I was first getting involved in political activity. It was first published in verse form in the 1908 in the newspaper The Young Socialist but I think it still stands up. Its not only a good document for schoolchildren but at a time when the notion of socialist ethics appears to have been forgotten, I can think of a few 'left wing' adults who might benefit from a read:
No. 1
Always love your schoolmates, Make happy those in sorrow;
The children of to-day will be The citizens tomorrow.
No.. 2
To parents and to teachers, Be grateful and be kind;
For we should all love learning (Which nourishes the mind).
No. 3
Let every day be holy By doing some good deed;
To all do kindly actions, Whatever be their creed.
No. 4
Be just and fair to all men, Bow down or worship none;
Judge man by what he tries to do, Or has already done.
No. 5
Hate not, and speak no evil, Stand up for what is right;
And do not be revengeful, But 'gainst oppression fight.
No. 6
Try not to be a coward,But always help the weak;
Whatever path of life you're in, For love and justice seek.
No: 7
All good things gathered from the earth, By toil of hand and brain;
Instead of going to the few,The workers should retain.
No. 8
Speak (the) truth at all times, And try not to deceive;
And what opposes reason We ought not to believe.
No. 9
Love all the races of mankind, Abolish war and strife;
That we may reach the higher plains Of our intended life.
No. 10
Look forward to the day when menAnd women will be free;
As brothers and as sisters liveIn peace and unity.
Posted by Harry
My six-year-old daughter has begun asking a lot of questions about religion and the Bible and the conversations reminded me about the Socialist's Ten Commandments, that were produced by the Socialist Sunday School movement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Sunday_Schools
I remember reading a version in the house of an old Lancashire ILP member when I was first getting involved in political activity. It was first published in verse form in the 1908 in the newspaper The Young Socialist but I think it still stands up. Its not only a good document for schoolchildren but at a time when the notion of socialist ethics appears to have been forgotten, I can think of a few 'left wing' adults who might benefit from a read:
No. 1
Always love your schoolmates, Make happy those in sorrow;
The children of to-day will be The citizens tomorrow.
No.. 2
To parents and to teachers, Be grateful and be kind;
For we should all love learning (Which nourishes the mind).
No. 3
Let every day be holy By doing some good deed;
To all do kindly actions, Whatever be their creed.
No. 4
Be just and fair to all men, Bow down or worship none;
Judge man by what he tries to do, Or has already done.
No. 5
Hate not, and speak no evil, Stand up for what is right;
And do not be revengeful, But 'gainst oppression fight.
No. 6
Try not to be a coward,But always help the weak;
Whatever path of life you're in, For love and justice seek.
No: 7
All good things gathered from the earth, By toil of hand and brain;
Instead of going to the few,The workers should retain.
No. 8
Speak (the) truth at all times, And try not to deceive;
And what opposes reason We ought not to believe.
No. 9
Love all the races of mankind, Abolish war and strife;
That we may reach the higher plains Of our intended life.
No. 10
Look forward to the day when menAnd women will be free;
As brothers and as sisters liveIn peace and unity.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
A poem by Lao Tzu and a riposte
To: Samson
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 9:08 AM
Subject: Thought you might like this
Always we hope
Someone else has the answer.
Some other place will be better,
It will all turn out.
This is it.
No one else has the answer.
No other place will be better,
And it has already turned out.
- Lao-Tzu
A Riposte
Yes you are right.
I do like it.
It resonates with some deep understanding
inside of me.
Yes I do like it;
as much as the absence of Hope for a better world
- a better life
chills my bones.
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 9:08 AM
Subject: Thought you might like this
Always we hope
Someone else has the answer.
Some other place will be better,
It will all turn out.
This is it.
No one else has the answer.
No other place will be better,
And it has already turned out.
- Lao-Tzu
A Riposte
Yes you are right.
I do like it.
It resonates with some deep understanding
inside of me.
Yes I do like it;
as much as the absence of Hope for a better world
- a better life
chills my bones.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
For my eyes
As I walk up the stairs I see this small pot.
As I wake up in the morning I see this picture on the wall in front of me.
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