View allAll Photos Tagged Misunderstanding,
My dude TimRobot invited me(Attila) to participate in a tiny Groupexhibition in the display window of the Hummel Shop in Berlin Mitte.
My painting is called “Die Missverständnismaschine” (The misunderstanding-mashine) and deals with the topic of misunderstandings that appear very often by communicating via SMS.
More infos here!
Find below quotes at
www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/moliere.html
Moliere, French Playwright
Date of Birth: January 15, 1622
Date of Death: February 17, 1673
A learned fool is more a fool than an ignorant fool.
A lover tries to stand in well with the pet dog of the house.
A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.
Ah! how annoying that the law doesn't allow a woman to change husbands just as one does shirts.
All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill the history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing.
All which is not prose is verse; and all which is not verse is prose.
As the purpose of comedy is to correct the vices of men, I see no reason why anyone should be exempt.
Books and marriage go ill together.
Don't appear so scholarly, pray. Humanize your talk, and speak to be understood.
Esteem must be founded on preference: to hold everyone in high esteem is to esteem nothing.
Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.
Frenchmen have an unlimited capacity for gallantry and indulge it on every occasion.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
St. Augustine, author of the first Western autobiography.
Learn about his sinful and faith-filled life and works at
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Augustine
A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Matthew 24:42-51
In today's Gospel Jesus tells His disciples: "Stay awake!" (Matthew 24:42)
The briefness of the statement and the exclamation mark at the end leave no room for misunderstanding. It isn't a request or something that would be rather nice to do, but is instead, a command. As such, it implies dire consequences for those who would disobey.
In this case, it is being unprepared for the Lord's return as judge of the living and the dead; a time we might suppose, where we have run out of opportunities for another chance.
The thought is frightening—for what one of us doesn't think there will always be at least a little time to set things in better order, but Jesus says, in order to be ready, we must stay awake!
To stay awake beyond what we are accustomed is often exhausting if not altogether impossible. Yet, we are told, "Stay awake!" and not just sometimes, but always!
How much these few words make me realize how much we are in need of God's help—and that we already have it! When the Blessed Trinity resides in us as Triune Lord and King, He never sleeps! His are the eyes that watch, His the ears that hear, His the spirit that prays and adores on our behalf.
"Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)
- Donna Nelson, OCDS | email: drn3rd@hughes.net
__________________________
below I got from
infoenglish@zenit.org
US Bishops: Pelosi Got Church Teaching Wrong
House Speaker Misrepresents Catholic Understanding of Life
WASHINGTON, D.C., AUG. 26, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The chairmen of the U.S. bishops' Committees on Pro-Life Activities and Doctrine affirmed that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi misrepresented Church teaching on abortion during an interview on national TV.
Pelosi was asked on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press" on Sunday to comment on when life begins. She responded saying that as a Catholic, she had studied the issue for "a long time" and that "the doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition."
Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U. Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, said her answer "misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion."
They noted that the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law."
And the prelates explained: "In the Middle Ages, uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology led some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church's moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.
"These mistaken biological theories became obsolete over 150 years ago when scientists discovered that a new human individual comes into being from the union of sperm and egg at fertilization. In keeping with this modern understanding, the Church teaches that from the time of conception -- fertilization -- each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life."
For the record
Other bishops also released statements clarifying Church teaching.
Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., noted that bishops are entrusted with the responsibility to interpret and teach Catholic doctrine.
"We respect the right of elected officials such as Speaker Pelosi to address matters of public policy that are before them, but the interpretation of Catholic faith has rightfully been entrusted to the Catholic bishops," he said in a statement. "Given this responsibility to teach, it is important to make this correction for the record. […]
"From the beginning, the Catholic Church has respected the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception to natural death."
And from Denver, Archbishop Charles Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop James Conley addressed an online letter to their faithful, titled "On the Separation of Sense and State: a Clarification for the People of the Church in Northern Colorado."
The letter affirms: "Ardent, practicing Catholics will quickly learn from the historical record that from apostolic times, the Christian tradition overwhelmingly held that abortion was grievously evil. In the absence of modern medical knowledge, some of the Early Fathers held that abortion was homicide; others that it was tantamount to homicide; and various scholars theorized about when and how the unborn child might be animated or 'ensouled.'
"But none diminished the unique evil of abortion as an attack on life itself, and the early Church closely associated abortion with infanticide. In short, from the beginning, the believing Christian community held that abortion was always, gravely wrong."
Cardinal Edward Egan released a statement this morning saying he was "shocked to learn" of Pelosi's remarks. He said her statements were "misinformed."
The cardinal affirmed that the unborn have "an inalienable right to live, a right that the speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons."
"Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being 'chooses' to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason," he added, "should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name."
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On the Net:
Statement of Denver bishops: www.zenit.org/article-23469?l=english
Statement of Archbishop Wuerl: www.zenit.org/article-23470?l=english
Statement of Cardinal Egan: www.zenit.org/article-23476?l=english
EXPLORE # 404 on Thursday, August 28, 2008; # 440 on Thursday, September 11, 2008
My professional appointment in Würzburg was over. My colleagues were still for lunch, but I wanted to use the time before I have to leave, for looking for nice, friendly, sympathetic people. Würzburg is a university town. Students are curious and open-minded, so my experiences so far. There is also a special atmosphere on the River Main Promenade. The weather also wents well; so best conditions for nice encounters.
And really, I strolled along the river and saw two young people sitting on the small wall. Entertaining, enjoying the view of the river and the castle and very relaxed. I spoke to them, introduced myself, explained my concern and showed the last photos of my project on my smartphone. I was able to convince.
So here in Würzburg I met Rosemarie and Lukas. Both were very open-minded. As the sun disappeared behind a cloud, I was able to start the shooting. The result found the approval of Rosemarie and Lukas. I could go to part two: my little interview.
Rosemarie is 24 years young and is studying philosophy and pedagogy here in Würzburg. Her goal is to work and help young people. Rosemarie has already worked in Diakonische Werk (The Diakonische Werk is a charitable organization of Protestant churches in Germany) and has given assistance and support for families and young people.
It is a challenge for Rosemarie, and with all her's might she spends her energy in the work with other people, it is worth it to help other people and get positive feedback. Rosemarie is most annoyed by the fact that there are too many misunderstandings between the people, sometimes the communication seems to be disturbed, but the aim should be to deal with each other friendly and with understanding.
I asked Lukas, her companion on that day, as he would describe Rosemarie. Rosemarie is calm, reserved, thoughtful ...and not to forget, beautiful, Lukas explained.
A great challenge for Rosemarie is to reconcile the external demands that are brought to her with the inner desires.
My last question was whether Rosemarie had motto of life. Yes, Rosemarie answered, I try to see something positive in all things, and trust that everything will be all right and better in the end.
Sitting on the wall I just made a photo in the bright sunlight and after I had talked to Lukas, we exchanged e-mail addresses and my card and I had to say goodbye.
Thank you, Rosemarie, for this pleasant conversation. I wish you all the best and success in your studies and hope that your motto of life will be realized.
In addition:
It was hard for me to decide which photo I should post to the group, because I have taken some very lovely photos of Rosemarie. In the end, I decided to take this more serious picture.
This is my 45th post to the group "The Human Family". Visit "The Human Family" here and have a look on the photos of the other photographers:
www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/
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Mein beruflicher Termin in Würzburg war beendet. Meine Kollegen waren noch zum Mittagessen, ich wollte vor meiner Abreise noch die Zeit nutzen, Ausschau nach netten, freundlichen, sympathischen Menschen zu machen. Würzburg ist eine Universitätsstadt. Studenten sind offen, neugierig und aufgeschlossen, so meine Erfahrungen bisher. Außerdem herrscht am der Main-Promenade eine besondere Stimmung. Auch das Wetter spielte mit; also alles gute Voraussetzungen für nette Begegnungen.
Und wirklich, ich schlenderte am Main entlang und sah zwei junge Menschen auf der kleinen Mauer sitzen. Unterhaltend, den Blick auf den Fluss und die Burg genießend und sehr entspannt. Ich sprach sie an, stellte mich vor, erklärte mein Anliegen und zeigte die letzten Fotos meines Projektes auf meinem Smartphone. Damit konnte ich überzeugen.
Hier also in Würzburg traf ich Rosemarie und Lukas. Beide waren sehr aufgeschlossen. Da gerade die Sonne hinter einer Wolke verschwand, konnte ich gleich mit dem Shooting beginnen. Das Ergebnis fand die Zustimmung von Rosemarie und Lukas. Ich konnte somit zu Teil zwei übergehen: meinem kleinem Interview.
Rosemarie ist 24 Jahre jung und studiert hier in Würzburg Philosophie und Pädagogik. Ihr Ziel ist es, später einmal für Jugendlichen da zu sein. Rosemarie hat schon inder Diakonie gearbeitet und hat da Hilfe und Unterstützung für Familien und Jugendliche geleistet.
Es ist eine Herausforderung für Rosemarie und kostet zwar Kraft mit anderen Menschen zu arbeiten und auf diese einzugehen, aber es lohnt sich, anderen Menschen zu helfen und ein positives Feedback zu bekommen. Rosemarie stört am meisten, dass es zu viele Missverständnisse zwischen den Menschen gibt, manchmal scheint die Kommunikation gestört zu sein, dabei sollte es doch das Ziel sein, freundlich und verständnisvoll miteinander umzugehen.
Ich fragte Lukas, ihre Begleitung an diesem Tag, wie er Rosemarie beschreiben würde. Rosemarie ist ruhig, zurückhaltend, nachdenklich und nicht zu vergessen, schön, erklärte Lukas.
Eine große Herausforderung für Rosemarie ist es, die äußeren Ansprüche, die an sie herangetragen werden, mit den inneren Wünschen in Einklang zu bringen.
Meine letzte Frage bezog sich darauf, ob Rosemarie ein Lebensmotto habe. Ja, antwortete Rosemarie , ich versuche in allen Dingen etwas Positives zu sehen und vertraue darauf, dass am Ende doch alles gut und besser wird.
Zum Schluss, nach einem Abschiedfoto in der Sonne (nachdem ich mich mit Lukas unterhalten hatte), tauschten wir noch E-Mail-Adressen bzw. meine Karte aus und ich verabschiedete mich.
Postscriptum: Es war schwer für mich, zu entscheiden, welches Foto ich in die Gruppe posten soll, weil ich einige sehr schöne Bilder von Rosemarie habe. Letztendlich habe ich mich für dieses etwas ernstere Foto entschieden.
Danke, Rosemarie, für dieses angenehme Gespräch. Ich wünsche Dir alles Gute, viel Erfolg bei deinem Studium und hoffe, dass sich dein Lebensmotto immer verwirklicht.
Dies ist mein 44. Beitrag zu der Gruppe "The Human Family". Mehr Fotos von anderen Fotografen der Gruppe findest Du hier:
日中の危険な暑さを避けて朝に撮影したのですが、目算は外れました。仏さまは私に灼熱地獄の試練を与えたようです。ブドウ糖が不足した僕の脳は蓮の花托を”らくがん”に見せてしまいました。そのようなことをして過ごした週末でした。
It was dangerously hot during the day, so I shot it in the morning, but it was unexpected. The Buddha seems to have given me the anguish of enduring the scorching hell. My brain, which lacked glucose, misunderstood the lotus seed as Rakugann (Japanese sugar confectionery). I spent the weekend doing such things.
My friend Kaisar, four years junior then me, Honors Student of Pure Chemistry in Jogonnath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. - A photographer with highly aggressive strength and a strong personality to keep on focusing subjects around....... Member of BPS (Bangladesh Photographic Society) and a photojournalist.
Meeting with him was dramatic, was by a funny way... another friend of me Ikbal was write about a person called Moon in his stream, if Kaiser knows him, using my account when i was log in flickr in Ikbal's studio, without let me notice... Kaiser become confused and send me mail for inquiry... it was like who searching who, and first it was sending flickr mail, then call by phone and confirm all misunderstanding.....
Relation with him wasn't close until a Bangladesh borned pathetic looser made a mistake,,, was said some untruth thing about Bangladesh and proved himself a hypocrite. I was the one claim on it at my most, didn't check my language, and the guy was delete both our conversation and the topic and were send mail to too many of his contact to block me, when he was a old user of flickr and for me it was less then 15 days i join flickr..................... Kaiser denied his request, and receive a block from him........ and we become closet friends instantly :):):)
and the only native flickr user with who I usually make some photo-walk, etc...... The only fear I have for or dislike of him is, he just afraid to touch a SLR... I doesn't mean dSLR:p, he thinks he can't use Film...... and still missing the test of most advanced technology of photography (not DArt) in human history.....
May Almighty give him superb skills and the earth and sun on his side to capture every unique moments he face while he in mood of Photography, Aamiin
About a year and a half ago I witnessed a tiff between a Snowy Egret and a juvenile Little Blue Heron that revolved around a simple misunderstanding of bayou protocol (flic.kr/p/ftcWN6). But apparently there were persistent hard feelings that played out in another round with the now-adult Little Blue.
Jamila brought little Hamze to work today, i thought i'd capture a few shots of him.
Hopefully we'll be able to do a proper shoot soon!
This time of year is the perfect time to reflect and show appreciation.
For the loved ones who support us - I am truly grateful for all of my family, friends and also my viewers/readers here that have and continue to support me in my journey. Honestly, I could never have done it without them and without you.
For the ones sacrificing for our needs - I am truly grateful for those who work when they should be with family and friends, those who are away from those they love.
For the loved ones who are no longer with us - memories of someone very dear who is sadly missed at this time of the year. I am truly grateful for having had these special people in my life, that they have been and will always be part of me in my heart. Below is a short poem by someone very special to me, and if you followed my SecondLife adventures on DeviantArt, you would know who that is.
I want to wish each of you a very, merry Christmas full of love and laughter and family and friends and wrapping paper and presents and happiness and joy. I wish each of you to have whatever Christmas miracle you have been praying for. I believe that magic happens at Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Sophia
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Sophia - My Friend, My Lover, My Mistress
I am not a poet, I am a Lioness - but every word is from deep in my heart and carries with it ALL my Love and Trust - so 😊💋here goes:
My Friend, My Lover, My Raven Mistress Sophia,
You give me love and accept mine;
I handed you my whole trust with no fear,
In turn, I cherish yours like a precious shrine.
You possess beauty of body, heart, soul and mind;
You lead me wondrous places I never thought to find.
You are my Reason, my Love, my Life.
We share so much - moments glorious,
Soft words, sensual whispers, joyous pleasure;
"Oasis" times so golden precious;
Time to laugh, time to love, time for leisure.
I lift "dark clouds" and make you - YOU,
Sensual Romantic, gentle Lover to name but few.
You make me happy, you make me smile - you make me complete.
The road of love we share, can be tough,
If too easy - it would be a mere shallow vanity;
A mood here, misunderstanding there - can be rough -
But through it shines true love for eternity.
I demand nothing, you make me rich,
I tremble, I smile, I do not flinch.
My Friend, My Lover, I will not disappoint You.
I look at you - my eyes smoulder - I blaze,
You set me afire throughout every hour,
And, I feel desired,loved, wanted under your gaze.
You make me blossom, bloom - like precious flower,
You make me weak, you make me strong -
You lift me up till I shout your name with joyous song.
YOU are my ONLY Mistress, My True Friend, My Beautiful Lover.
If I stumble - have patience - guide me;
If I misunderstand, it is not intentional;
If I err, help me see;
I ask little - I give you ME, my ALL.
Sophia, I am unreservedly yours in love,
Your Lioness, like a rock - unshakeable - will not move.
Darling Sophia - you make me whole and bring me joy.
When you need I will soothe you - calm you with loving care;
Let me ease and caress worries away;
Come to me as you want - to share;
Let what WE want - how and when - be the day.
Your beauty, your warmth - sometimes - leave me speechless;
Your touches, your kisses, your words leave me breathless.
My Darling - I am patient - I am here - whatever, however, whenever.
Sophia - I just LOVE YOU in a myriad inexplicable ways
Rain Man is a 1988 American road comedy-drama film directed by Barry Levinson, from a screenplay written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. It tells the story of abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed virtually all of his multimillion dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Charlie is left with only his father's beloved vintage car and rosebushes. Valeria Golino also stars as Charlie's girlfriend Susanna. Morrow created the character of Raymond after meeting Kim Peek, a real-life savant; his characterization was based on both Peek and Bill Sackter, a good friend of Morrow who was the subject of Bill (1981), an earlier film that Morrow wrote.[3]
Rain Man premiered at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Bear, the festival's highest prize.[4] It was theatrically released by MGM/UA Communications Co. in the United States on December 16, 1988, to critical and commercial success, grossing $354.8 million, on a $25 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1988, and received a leading eight nominations at the 61st Academy Awards, winning four (more than any other film nominated); Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Hoffman), and Best Original Screenplay.[5]
As of 2022, Rain Man is the first and only film to win both Golden Bear and Academy Award for Best Picture. It was also the last MGM title to be nominated for Best Picture until Licorice Pizza (2021) 33 years later.[6]
Contents
1Plot
2Cast
3Production
4Release
4.1Box office
4.2Critical reception
5Accolades
6In popular culture
6.1Qantas and airline controversy
6.2The Buick convertible
7See also
8References
9External links
Plot[edit]
Collectibles dealer Charlie Babbitt is in the middle of importing four grey market Lamborghinis to Los Angeles for resale. He needs to deliver the cars to impatient buyers, who have already made down payments, in order to repay the loan he took out to buy them, but the EPA is holding the cars at the port because they have failed emissions tests. Charlie directs an employee to lie to the buyers while he stalls his creditor.
When Charlie learns that his estranged father Sanford Babbitt has died, he and his girlfriend Susanna travel to Cincinnati in order to settle the estate. He inherits only a group of rosebushes and a classic 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible over which he and his father clashed, while the remainder of the $3 million estate is going to an unnamed trustee. He learns that the money is being directed to a local mental institution, where he meets his elder brother, Raymond, of whom he was unaware his whole life.
Raymond has autism and savant syndrome and adheres to strict routines. He has superb recall, but he shows little emotional expression except when in distress. Charlie spirits Raymond out of the mental institution and into a hotel for the night. Susanna becomes upset with the way Charlie treats his brother and leaves him. Charlie asks Raymond's doctor, Dr. Gerald Bruner, for half the estate in exchange for Raymond's return, but Bruner refuses. Charlie decides to attempt to gain custody of his brother in order to get control of the money.
After Raymond refuses to fly to Los Angeles, he and Charlie resort to driving there instead. They make slow progress because Raymond insists on sticking to his routines, which include watching The People's Court on television every day, getting to bed by 11:00 PM, and refusing to travel when it rains. He also objects to traveling on the interstate after they encounter a car accident. During the course of the journey, Charlie learns more about Raymond, including his ability to instantly perform complex calculations and count hundreds of objects at once, far beyond the normal range of human subitizing abilities. He also realizes Raymond had lived with the family as a child and was the "Rain Man", a comforting figure that Charlie had falsely remembered as an imaginary friend. Raymond had saved an infant Charlie from being scalded by hot bathwater one day, but their father had blamed him for nearly injuring Charlie and committed him to the institution, as he was unable to speak up for himself and correct the misunderstanding.
Charlie's creditor repossesses the Lamborghinis, forcing him to refund his buyers' down payments and leaving him deeply in debt. Having passed Las Vegas, he and Raymond return to Caesars Palace on the Strip and devise a plan to win the needed money by playing blackjack and counting cards. Though the casino bosses obtain videotape evidence of the scheme and ask them to leave, Charlie successfully wins $86,000 to cover his debts and reconciles with Susanna, who has rejoined the brothers in Las Vegas.
Returning to Los Angeles, Charlie meets with Bruner, who offers him $250,000 to walk away from Raymond. Charlie refuses and says that he is no longer upset about being cut out of his father's will, but he wants to have a relationship with his brother. At a meeting with a court-appointed psychiatrist, Raymond proves unable to decide for himself what he wants. Charlie stops the questioning and tells Raymond he is happy to have him as his brother. As Raymond and Bruner board a train to return to the institution, Charlie promises to visit in two weeks.
Cast[edit]
Dustin Hoffman as Raymond "Ray" Babbitt, an autistic savant who is Charlie's elder brother
Tom Cruise as Charles "Charlie" Babbitt
Valeria Golino as Susanna
Jerry Molen as Dr. Gerald Bruner
Ralph Seymour as Lenny
Michael D. Roberts as Vern
Bonnie Hunt as Sally Dibbs
Beth Grant as Mother at Farm House
Lucinda Jenney as Iris
Barry Levinson as Doctor
Production[edit]
A now-abandoned gas station and general store in Cogar, Oklahoma was used in a scene from the film. The Colvert sign has since been removed, revealing the full name of the business.
Roger Birnbaum was the first studio executive to give the film a green light; he did so immediately after Barry Morrow pitched the story. Birnbaum received "special thanks" in the film's credits.[citation needed]
Real-life brothers Dennis Quaid and Randy Quaid were considered for the roles of Raymond Babbitt and Charles Babbitt.[7] Agents at CAA sent the script to Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray, envisioning Murray in the title role and Hoffman in the role eventually portrayed by Cruise.[3] Martin Brest, Steven Spielberg and Sydney Pollack were directors also involved in the film.[8] Mickey Rourke was also offered a role but he turned it down.[9]
Principal photography included nine weeks of filming on location in Cincinnati and throughout northern Kentucky.[10] Other portions were shot in the desert near Palm Springs, California.[11]: 168–71
Almost all of the principal photography occurred during the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike; one key scene that was affected by the lack of writers was the film's final scene.[3] Bass delivered his last rough cut of the script only hours before the strike started and spent no time on the set.[8]
Release[edit]
Box office[edit]
Rain Man debuted on December 16, 1988, and was the second highest-grossing film at the weekend box office (behind Twins), with $7 million.[12] It reached the first spot on the December 30 – January 2 weekend, finishing 1988 with $42 million.[13] The film would end up as the highest-grossing U.S. film of 1988 by earning over $172 million. The film grossed over $354 million worldwide.[2]
Critical reception[edit]
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 89% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The website's critical consensus states: "This road-trip movie about an autistic savant and his callow brother is far from seamless, but Barry Levinson's direction is impressive, and strong performances from Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman add to its appeal."[14] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 18 critic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[16]
Vincent Canby of The New York Times called Rain Man a "becomingly modest, decently thought-out, sometimes funny film"; Hoffman's performance was a "display of sustained virtuosity . . . [which] makes no lasting connections with the emotions. Its end effect depends largely on one's susceptibility to the sight of an actor acting nonstop and extremely well, but to no particularly urgent dramatic purpose."[17] Canby considered the "film's true central character" to be "the confused, economically and emotionally desperate Charlie, beautifully played by Mr. Cruise."[17]
Amy Dawes of Variety wrote that "one of the year's most intriguing film premises ... is given uneven, slightly off-target treatment"; she called the road scenes "hastily, loosely written, with much extraneous screen time," but admired the last third of the film, calling it a depiction of "two very isolated beings" who "discover a common history and deep attachment."[18]
One of the film's harshest reviews came from New Yorker magazine critic Pauline Kael, who said, "Everything in this movie is fudged ever so humanistically, in a perfunctory, low-pressure way. And the picture has its effectiveness: people are crying at it. Of course they're crying at it—it's a piece of wet kitsch."[19]
Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars out of four. He wrote, "Hoffman proves again that he almost seems to thrive on impossible acting challenges...I felt a certain love for Raymond, the Hoffman character. I don't know quite how Hoffman got me to do it."[20] Gene Siskel also gave the film three and a half stars out of four, singling out Cruise for praise, "The strength of the film is really that of Cruise's performance...the combination of two superior performances makes the movie worth watching."[21]
Rain Man was placed on 39 critics' "ten best" lists in 1988, based on a poll of the nation's top 100 critics.[22]
Accolades[edit]
AwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
Academy Awards[5]Best PictureMark JohnsonWon
Best DirectorBarry LevinsonWon
Best ActorDustin HoffmanWon
Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the ScreenRonald Bass and Barry MorrowWon
Best Art DirectionIda Random and Linda DeScennaNominated
Best CinematographyJohn SealeNominated
Best Film EditingStu LinderNominated
Best Original ScoreHans ZimmerNominated
American Cinema Editors AwardsBest Edited Feature FilmStu LinderWon
American Society of Cinematographers Awards[23]Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesJohn SealeNominated
Berlin International Film Festival[24]Golden BearBarry LevinsonWon
Berliner Morgenpost Readers' Jury AwardWon
BMI Film & TV AwardsFilm Music AwardHans ZimmerWon
British Academy Film Awards[25]Best Actor in a Leading RoleDustin HoffmanNominated
Best Original ScreenplayRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
Best EditingStu LinderNominated
César Awards[26]Best Foreign FilmBarry LevinsonNominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards[27]Best ActorDustin HoffmanNominated
David di Donatello AwardsBest Foreign FilmBarry LevinsonWon
Best Foreign DirectorNominated
Best Foreign ActorDustin HoffmanWon
Best Foreign ProducerMark JohnsonNominated
Best Foreign ScreenplayRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
Directors Guild of America Awards[28]Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion PicturesBarry LevinsonWon
Golden Globe Awards[29]Best Motion Picture – DramaWon
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – DramaDustin HoffmanWon
Best Director – Motion PictureBarry LevinsonNominated
Best Screenplay – Motion PictureRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
Goldene Kamera (1989)Golden ScreenWon
Goldene Kamera (1991)Golden Screen with 1 StarWon
Heartland FilmTruly Moving Picture AwardBarry LevinsonWon
Japan Academy Film PrizeOutstanding Foreign Language FilmNominated
Jupiter AwardsBest International FilmBarry LevinsonWon
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards[30]Best FilmWon
Best DirectorBarry LevinsonWon
Best ActorDustin HoffmanWon
Best Supporting ActorTom CruiseWon[a]
Kinema Junpo AwardsBest Foreign Language FilmBarry LevinsonWon
Mainichi Film AwardsBest Foreign Language FilmWon
MTV Video Music AwardsBest Video from a Film"Iko Iko" – The Belle StarsNominated
Nastro d'ArgentoBest Foreign DirectorBarry LevinsonNominated
Best Supporting ActressValeria GolinoNominated
National Society of Film Critics Awards[31]Best ActorDustin Hoffman3rd Place
New York Film Critics Circle Awards[32]Best Actor2nd Place
Nikkan Sports Film AwardsBest Foreign FilmWon
People's Choice AwardsFavorite Dramatic Motion PictureWon
Turkish Film Critics Association AwardsBest Foreign Film2nd Place
Writers Guild of America Awards[33]Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the ScreenRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
YoGa AwardsWorst Foreign ActorDustin HoffmanWon
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
2006: AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers - #63
In popular culture[edit]
Rain Man's portrayal of the main character's condition has been seen as creating the erroneous media stereotype that people on the autism spectrum typically have savant skills, and references to Rain Man, in particular Dustin Hoffman's performance, have become a popular shorthand for autism and savantism. Conversely, Rain Man has also been seen as dispelling a number of other misconceptions about autism, and improving public awareness of the failure of many agencies to accommodate autistic people and make use of the abilities they do have, regardless of whether they have savant skills or not.[34]
The film is also known for popularizing the misconception that card counting is illegal in the United States.[35]
The Babbitt brothers appear in The Simpsons season 5 episode $pringfield. The film is mentioned in numerous other films such as Miss Congeniality (2000), 21 (2008), Tropic Thunder (2008) (in which Tom Cruise made an appearance), The Hangover (2009), Escape Room (2019), and also in the television series Breaking Bad.
Raymond Babbitt was caricatured as a rain cloud in the animated episode of The Nanny, "Oy to the World". During the episode, Fran fixes up CC the Abominable Babcock with the Rain Man. He is portrayed as a cloud of rain mumbling about weather patterns and being an excellent driver.
Qantas and airline controversy[edit]
During June 1989, at least fifteen major airlines showed edited versions of Rain Man that omitted a scene involving Raymond's refusal to fly, mentioning the crashes of American Airlines Flight 625, Delta Air Lines Flight 191, and Continental Airlines Flight 1713, except on Australia-based Qantas. Those criticizing this decision included film director Barry Levinson, co-screenwriter Ronald Bass, and George Kirgo (at the time the President of the Writers Guild of America, West). "I think it's a key scene to the entire movie," Levinson said in a telephone interview. "That's why it's in there. It launches their entire odyssey across country – because they couldn't fly." While some of those airlines cited as justification avoiding having airplane passengers feel uncomfortable in sympathy with Raymond during the in-flight entertainment, the scene was shown intact on flights of Qantas, and commentators noted that Raymond mentions it as the only airline whose planes have "never crashed".[36][37] The film is credited with introducing Qantas' safety record to U.S. consumers.[38][39]
The Buick convertible[edit]
Two 1949 Roadmaster convertibles were used in the filming, one of which had its rear suspension stiffened to bear the additional load of camera equipment and a cameraman. After filming completed, the unmodified car was acquired by Hoffman, who had it restored, added it to his collection and kept it for 34 years. Hemmings Motor News reported that this car was auctioned in January 2022 by Bonhams at Scottsdale, Arizona and sold for $335,000.[40] The camera-carrying car was similarly acquired by Barry Levinson, who a few years later had it restored by Wayne Carini of the Chasing Classic Cars television series.
Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It's getting hard to be someone
But it all works out
It doesn't matter much to me
A moment of misunderstanding can break two hearts..so, don't break a heart, resolve the small period of tension and make your moments even more happier..:-)
Look After You
After recent events, after all misunderstandings Dannee and her two closest persons mended what was cracked between them. With Chil’a, the holiday of the New Year time approaching, it is time for forgiveness, presents and bright hopes for the future… - www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/370813/?
There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding about what constitutes a Vintage Show Us A Little Leg photograph. This example is an archetype of the form. The LEG SHOWING must be intentional. INTENTIONAL. Being in a bathing suit is not necessarily intentional leg showing, unless it's like one of those old-timey wool skirt things they used to wear in the way way back, pulled up just a tad to display a bit of inner thigh.
After imbibing some ethnography and natural history at the pleasant Sarawak Museum we walked in the Serene Gardens of the Old Reservoir. Here's a pretty Chinese bridge there.
This Reservoir and the Chinese of Kuching are closely connected in a perhaps surprising way.
'Common Knowledge' has it that the name Kuching by which the second White Rajah, Sir Charles Anthoni Johnson Brooke (1829-1917), named his capital on August 12, 1872, means "Cat City". The story is told that name is due to a misunderstanding between Brooke and a local Malay: Brooke with a sweep of his hand asking what this place was called, and our Malay thinking he was pointing to a cat uttering the Malay word for that creature: kuching. It has been pointed out by Francis Chan that the local, Sarawakan Malay for cat is not 'kuching'. 'Ku-ching', he says, is a Mandarin word for 'Old Well'. It refers to the old well on Upper China Street that was used for good drinking water before the (now old) reservoir for good piped water was completed in 1895. So 'Kuching' means something like 'Good Drinking Water City'.
No doubt this story leaves room for discussion as well... possibly as you're ambling over this pretty bridge.
"VIDEO KILLED THE RADO STAR?"
Well, just about, I'm a tad knackered at the moment!
G’day, I’ve been a wee bit quiet for the past few weeks as I reviewed movies at this year’s 2007 Melbourne (Australia) International Film Festival. I broadcast the reviews over about two and a half hours all up on my show, Zero-G: Science Fiction, Fantasy & Historical Radio, on 3RRR FM. (rrr.org.au)
The above picture is the sign on the Erwin Rado Theatre at 211 Johnson Street, Fitzroy, where the MIFF has its headquarters. The building's nothing much to look at from outside, really! But the sign...well, THAT has character!
Below the MIFF offices, the theatre, named after the director of the Film Festival from 1957 - 1983, has a charming old 69 seat cinema that can screen 16mm and 35mm film as well as DVD, LaserDisc, VHS, Data and MiniDV.
The MIFF’s access to the theatre expired at the end of 2007 and, ideally, it really should have its own dedicated screening facility, as other major city’s film festivals have. Still, the office itself has now moved to a more central location in Melbourne, which is handy!
To find out more about the MIFF go here:
www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/
Anyway, I thought I’d post some of reviews here, inspired by films that I particularly enjoyed at this year’s event.
The full transcripts can be found at:
-AACHI & SSIPAK-
SOUTH KOREA
This continuously violent South Korean animated adult feature presents a future where human excrement is an energy source. Citizens have a monitoring chip attached to their arses and particularly productive individuals are rewarded with addictive drug laced munchies called Juicy Bars.
I shit you not.
The story begins with a roadwarrior highway battle as the swarming blue mutant Diaper Gang (!) attempts to truckjack a cargo of Juicy Bars, only to encounter a devastatingly lethal cyborg enforcer who makes Judge Dredd look like a human rights campaigner.
Headshot bodies fall at a rate that would impress Aeon Flux and Samurai Jack combined as the repressive government, assorted roving bands of bandits and con men, including the title characters Aachi and Ssipak (pronounced ‘she-pock’) along with a feisty would-be actress, all compete for the Juicy Bars.
Given the outrageous level of mayhem and the giggling concept that lies at the, er, bottom of the plot, it’s hardly worth noting that the animators cheerfully raid pop culture for many sequences, including the films Aliens and Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom. The latter is extensively overmined for one tunnel chase set up.
The animation is quite stylistically vigorous while the off the wall social commentary reminds me a little of the kind of thing that animator Ralph Bakshi attempted in his Fritz The Cat days, well before the likes of South Park and its shock-anime kin. There’s also something to be said for the biting political satire that runs through the narrative, which results in the government and gang leader being merely two opposite sides of the same ruthless coin.
People with kids could have pointless fun banning them from seeing this film, but apparently MTV’s thinking of doing a telly series based on it anyway, so, futile or what?
Subtle it isn’t, but it is a species of wicked fun that will gather bums on seats!
Director Joe Bum-jin
2006/90mins
-A FEW DAYS IN SEPTEMBER-
ITALY/FRANCE/PORTUGAL
The first film directed by screenwriter Santiago Amigorena, A Few Days In September
(Quelques Jours en Septembre), is a laid back but quite charming French spy thriller that makes espionage a family affair...and a realistically bickering family at that.
Elliot, mostly alluded to or played as an off screen voiceover by Nick Nolte until near the film’s conclusion, is an ex-CIA agent with knowledge about the upcoming 911 attacks. He hopes to trade the information for a stake that will enable him to reunite and live with his biological daughter and step-son, legacies of two seperate cover identity marriages in France and the U.S.
Much sought after by various factions, Elliot entrusts his grown up children, Orlando (Sara Forestier) and David (British actor Tom Riley) to the capable care of Irène, a cool, experienced French secret agent who used to be Elliot’s colleague. The potentially overwhelming meta-story takes a back seat to the character relationships, which makes a nice change to the usual breathless adventures that would normally puff up this kind of story into a by-the-numbers action thriller.
Juliette Binoche brings marvelous, stylish depth to her role as world wise spy Irène, providing a wryly sophisticated setting for her charges’ inevitable romance. (What IS it with the French anyway? After Irène’s arm is injured she turns up wearing a chic scarf as a sling, but of course!) Always gorgeous, the actress pitches the character as being adept enough at her deadly trade so that she can afford to enjoy herself while she works. Forestier is all sharp edged, angry eyed angst as she works through father/daughter issues while Riley nervously cooks (his character worked in a restaurant) for the two formidable women who have abruptly complicated his life with their Amazonian expertise with firearms. I also very much enjoyed the arch Franco/American banter between Orlando and David.
Seeking Elliot through the medium of his children is William Pound, a whacko ‘wet work’ assassin who has a penchant for poetry, drives a florist’s delivery van and has a mobile phone plagued by the world’s most annoying ringtone. Pound’s character is tightly wound by John Turturro, who played one of the convicts in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and also an equally obsessive relative of the title character in the television series Monk.
A Few Days In September benefits from first rate cinematography, including some playful soft focus shots that whimsically render Venice and Paris, cheekily explained by Irène’s habit of removing her glasses to ‘see things differently’. There’s also a cracking good shot through the dark framed doorway of a Venetian Chapel which reminded me of a signature frame from a John Ford Western, only instead of Mesas and sagebrush we get the Venice Lagoon and a passing ocean liner.
Although this film lingers perhaps a little too lovingly on the wrangling entanglements of its main characters I still found it pleasant and rewardable viewing. Amigorena certainly knows how to inject off-beat life into his characters.
Director/Screenwriter Santiago Amigorena
2006/115 mins
-BUG-
USA
When down on her luck small town waitress Agnes White (played by Ashley Judd) invites eccentric drifter Peter Evans into her seedy motel room she receives much more than she bug-aned for!
Director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, & The French Connection) gets almost unbearably psychological in this cross genre movie that wisely adds no excess fat to the one set, pressure cooker Tracy Lett’s play that it’s adapted from. As the two main characters’ relationship slowly emerges from a far too tightly spun chrysalis the film builds to one of the most intensely wound paranoic conclusions seen on screen.
Michael Shannon is gauntly convincing as Evans, a role that he pioneered in the original stage play and intially at least, reminds me a little of a young Steve McQueen or perhaps, Joachim Phoenix. Harry Connick Junior has a supporting part in the film as Agne’s ex-convict, ex-husband.
Bug’s maddeningly paced escalating tension is supported by an appropriately chittering score, composed by Brian Tyler, who also gave us soundtracks for the films Constantine, Bubba Ho-Tep, the Children of Dune miniseries, as well as episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise and the upcoming Aliens Versus Predator 2: Survival Of The Fittest. Speaking of Star Trek, Ashley Judd also played Ensign Robin Lefler in Star Trek: Next Generation.
Bug is a film that creeps up on you and by its final scuttling rush will definitely get under your skin...one way or another.
Director- William Friedkin
Screenwriter-Tracy Letts
2006/101mins
-EL TOPO-
(MEXICO)
El Topo (“The Mole”) was director Alejandro Jodorowsky's third film. The infamous Mexican allergorically surreal Eastern/Western is presented at the festival in a very fine new restoration (a bit of a shock for those used to seeing it in its customary raddled grindhouse/cult prints!) along with its natural companion piece, The Holy Mountain.
This comprehensively startling but compelling film begins, not unlike the Lone Wolf And Cub Samurai series, with the black clad, flute playing gunslinger El Topo (played by the director himself) riding across the wastelands in company with a taciturn child companion. After a blood drenched encounter with drunkenly bestial bandits El Topo replaces the boy with a seductively manipulative woman who urges him to become the greatest shootist in the world by seeking out and defeating four master gunfighters.
As with the wuxia martial arts films that this story frequently references the quest for the masters proves dangerous, difficult, baffling and wonderous.
The gunslinger’s odyssey to achieve enlightment and mastery is populated with exotic encounters and inventive, symbolically charged imagery. Deflating balloons signal the start of duels, capering outlaws with shoe fetishes rape feminised sand paintings and carve bananas with sabres, civilised townsfolk prove more depraved and debauched than the wasteland bandits, herds of rabbits mysteriously die at El Topo’s feet, incestuously deformed trogalytes living in oil drums tunnel to escape their underground prison, and live bullets are caught and deflected by butterfly nets.
This visual melange is supported by Jodorowskys and Nacho Méndezs evocative music which, by turns soothing or jarring, echoes across the many desert based sequences and permeates the locations, which frequently read more like artistic installations than sets grounded in any kind of mundane reality. In fact, there is a timeless anachronistic feel to the desert that makes you question whether this is nominally a period Western or indeed set in some kind of post-apocalyptic Stephen King future.
El Topo is rendered even stranger by its renowned mid-film gear change, one of several enigmatic transformations that can be interpreted as Buddhist inspired reincarnations of the title character.
Just imagine what might have been if Jodorowsky had pulled off his mid-70s adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune, with its intended cast of Salvidor Dali as the Emperor, Mick Jagger playing Feyd Rautha and Orson Welles as Baron Harkonnen? As it is the Acid Western tradition at least got another outing in Jim Jarmusch's more recent film, Dead Man, which, for all its many remarkable charms, by comparison to El Topo is cast into monochrome shade.
A bizarre chimera even by Zero-G's notoriously unhinged standards El Topo is a cult classic given gloriously grotesque new life by its own recent transfiguring restoration.
Director/Screenwriter Alejandro Jodorowsky
1971/125mins
-FIDO-
Canada/USA
Fido fiendishly expands upon the gag featured in Shaun of the Dead (amongst other films) that zombies could be domesticated to perform simple tasks. Zombies helping in the kitchen? Uh-oh, better make sure they keep those rotting fingers are kept hygenically away from food preparation surfaces with a pair of crisp, clean white cotton gloves....
In an alternate 1950s the all encompassing ZomCom, which apparently helped win the Zombie War, protects and serves the walled small towns of America. Now, we all know that the only reason to provide zombies with clever electronic control collars is so that the gadgets can malfunction; cue zombie outbreak! It’s the slyly subversive juxtaposition of wholesome mom and apple-pie Leave It To Beaver sitcom with Zombie killing procedural that lends this consistently bemusing film a wicked Addams Family style where Pop naturally reads Death Magazine and scenes shot in cars are filmed using good old fashioned rear screen projection.
Not that we’re talking Black and White telly, nosirree Bob! Fido is filmed in full, glorious technicolour, complete with ginormous finned automobiles, two toned shoes and compliant Stepford housewives who wait at the front door for their patriarchal hubbies to take the martini from their submissive, manicured hands. Happily, Carrie Anne-Moss in one of the main roles, as Helen Robinson, is more of a buddingly feisty Desperate Housewife after the armed and dangerous example of Bree Hodge. (From The Matrix to a zombie packed Pleasantville is indeed an ironic career path!) It’s not long before Helen kicks over the domestic traces following the example of her young son, Timmy (knowingly played by the intriguingly named K’Sun Ray) and his new pet zombie, the Fido of the title, embodied by Billy Connolly. Connolly plays the long suffering Fido with toothy glee, moaning and groaning and lurching in the throes of what could easily double as a hangover of fatally heroic proportions.
Keep an eye out (easy to do in a zombie film) for Dylan Baker, as the nervously cheerful Bill Robinson. Baker has had the sleeper part of Doctor Curt Connors in the Spider-Man films and, as comic book fans anticipate, should eventually get to mutate into the super-villain, The Lizard.
Fido is my genre pic of the Festival, in the tradition of another year’s shambling B-schlock spoof, The Lost Skeleton Of Cadavra. I ask you, how can I not enjoy sinking my teeth into a film where a pet zombie is addressed with a line like: “What’s that Fido? Timmy’s in trouble?”
It’s enough to make Lassie dig her way out of her grave!
Director- Andrew Currie
Screenwriters- Robert Chomiak, Andrew Currie, Dennis Heaton
2006/91mins
-HANSEL & GRETEL-
GERMANY
If you go down to the woods today.....you’d better take your copy of the Brothers Grimm Cookbook For Baking Independent Elderly Female Cannibal Sorceresses.
German director Anne Wild and screenwriter Peter Schwindt settle for a straightforward retelling of the classic rural ‘stranger danger’ story wherein the devious Gretel proves the most resourceful of two deliberately lost children who end up on the menu of the obligatory member of the local Guild of Almagamated Wicked Witches & Confectioners.
Deliberately lost? How do you think the kids got to be wandering around in Blair Witchburg in the first place? Sometimes tactfully omitted from modern retellings of this familiar story is the neglected element of child abandonment, a practice forced upon starving families in situations of plague, famine, wars and other social upheavals. In this case, it’s the pragmatic step-mother who pushes her more sentimental but nontheless compliant woodcutter husband into cutting loose the kids.
In early versions of the story it’s usually just the natural mother who suggests jettisoning the offspring...a much more useful cautionary tale for parents to use as and Awful Threat when disciplining naughty anklebiters.
Leaving aside observations about how Hansel and Gretel underlines the historical distrust of skilled single women of independent means this is actually a moderately creepily staged film. The woods are suitably threatening, and the witch herself, though certainly not up to Buffy The Vampire Slayer standards is a reasonably nasty albeit dimwitted piece of work...
I never can figure out quite why witchy poo needed to go Hannibal Lector on kiddies when she was capable of whipping up enough food to fatten a small army, not to mention all that square footage of gingerbread real estate. Let’s just assume it’s an alternative lifestyle choice, along the lines of supergenius Wile. E. Coyote yearning after Roadrunner drumsticks in spite of the fact that he had enough credit to order truckloads of expensive gadgets from the ACME Corporation.
(On the subject of ghoulish folks developing a fondness for ‘long pig’ just what DID those darling children do with the oven fired witch after they fried her arse?)
We all know how this ends, after making off with the witch’s portable property the kids, in a remarkable act of forgiveness, share their taxfree windfall with their deadbeat dad...though their step mother has obligingly dropped dead in the meanwhile.
Hmm, did anyone actually see step-mama and Ms Witch in the same room at the same time?
Don’t expect a Post-Modern fractured fairytale from Hansel and Gretel and you won’t be led astray by what’s essentially a traditionally told, moderately unsettling film.
Director- Anne Wild
Screenwriter- Peter Schwindt
2006/76mins
-THE HOLY MOUNTAIN-
MEXICO
If you thought Alejandro Jodorowsky’s third film, El Topo, was weird...well, no caca Sherlock!
Wait until you get a load of this....
His next surreally allegorical outing, 1973’s The Holy Mountain, scales even more whackily experimental heights. Like El Topo, The Holy Mountain has also been recently, lovingly restored, all the better to trip out on the eye bulging psychedelic imagery!
Again, as with El Topo, the nominal protagonist is on a messianic quest to achieve enlightment. Even more ironically symbolic in this case since the central thief character bears a strong and exploitable resemblance to the traditional representation of Jesus Christ.
Horácio Salinas plays the hapless thief, leaving Jodorowsky himself the catalytic role of a tower dwelling alchemist who charges him to accompany seven influential but materialistic powerbrokers to Lotus Island where they will achieve eternal life once they have climbed the eponymous Holy Mountain.
Initially the dialogue is thin on the ground but soon ramps up to cheerfully inexplicable levels where a line like “hypersexed brown native vampires” can pass without comment or indeed comprehension. Politics, art, sexuality, and filmmaking, amongst many other subjects, all cop a satirical hiding in this extraordinary film which relies heavily upon fantasy imagery drawn from tarot cards, astrology and religion.
Just listing a few of the oddball ideas gives you an idea of the unique scope of Jorodowsky’s fevered imagination.
Two women are ‘cleansed’ of clothing, make-up, jewellery, false nails, and hair by a black robed priest who himself has ebony varnished fingernails. A screaming man lies covered in tarantulas...no big acting stretch there! The Invasion of Mexico is renacted by lizards dressed in Mezoamerican costumes battling frogs wearing Conquistador armour and missionary robes. (I have my doubts about this sequence, it sure looks like the poor frogs are really being blown up by explosives?) A mulitple amputee writes cryptic messages in the dirt with a severed animal leg. Parading prostitutes turn out to be just as holy as priests. Roman soldiers cast the thief in plaster and create a line of life-sized crucifiction merchandise. Art factory paint coated nude backsides stamp out images on a production line while live body painted nudes are built into installations so they can be fondled by gallery patrons. Gas masked soldiers attend dances and machine guns and hand grenades are painted in rainbow colours. Spartan like warriors pursue a cunning plan to emasculate 1000 heroes to create a shrine of 1000 testicles....and nevermind what they did with the other 1000! Eviscerated victims spill chicken guts....and I mean they literally pull chickens from their wounds’ while Liederhosen wearing Teutonics trip on drugs and strongmen are able to turn intangible and teleport through entire mountains.
Distantly reminiscent of Fellini’s Satyricon, and to some extent Roma, The Holy Mountain also boasts the most startling Orgasmatron machine since the erotic cult film Barbarella, in the form of a Giant mechanical vagina that’s manipulated like a theramin.... well, if a theramin was played by a giant dildo!
Is it any surprise, really, in the wake of the cult success of El Topo, that The Holy Mountain’s producer Allen Klein also managed The Beatles and that those fans of all things psychedelic, John Lennon and Yoko Ono helped fund the movie?
Landmark or landfill experimental film? The Holy Mountain remains an obvious precursor to movies like Eraserhead, The Cremaster Cycle, and The Qatsi Trilogy.
Climb it at your own peril. (You know you want to!)
Director/Screenwriter Alejandro Jodorowsky
1973/114mins
-lLS-
France
Clementine (Olivia Bonamy) and Lucas (Michael Cohen) live happily in pastoral rural isolation in a rundown chalet in the Romanian woods, until one night they are attacked by....THEM! No, not by lurching giant ants from a 1950s horror film but by...well, that would be telling. Some horror films take their time building suspense but Moreau and Palud’s shiversome first feature nails you straight to the wall and keeps you hanging there for the economical just-over-an-hour’s running time. And I do mean ‘running’.
The adept direction and unrelating pace set within the atmospheric confines of the old chalet (a dream of a location to create nightmares in) is ramped up by genuinely unnerving sound effects design, an evocatively tense soundtrack, solid if necessarilly Spartan performances by the two leads, and the teasing revelation of the nature of the besiegers.
There’s nothing particularly new about the ingredients stirred into this terrifying mix. In fact, you could, after the credits have rolled and the lights come up again, sit back and tick off the horror cliches one by one, starting with the usually tiresome pronouncement, “Based On A True Story”. Commentators seem uncertain about the veracity of that, but in this case it adds to the overall feel of unease that permeates the ending of this film. I found myself thinking, “Y’know, I can see how that could actually happen....brrrr!”
Ils...it took me a while to realise that the title is merely the French word for “Them”... is one of the most disturbing horror films I’ve seen in some time, and all without buckets of blood or lashings of sickly inventive torture porn. With its efficient minimalist approach it’s very close in tone to the best of the New Wave of Japanese horror that burst upon the West several years ago now.
Directors/ Screenwriters- David Moreau and Xavier Palud
2006/70 mins
-ISLAND OF LOST SOULS-
DENMARK
A big budget supernatural fantasy for young adults that's part Spielberg, part Lucas, with an added dash of Harry Potter, but which ultimately wears its ample CGI well to create an enjoyable and in a few places reasonably scary film.
When two children move to a quiet country town the last thing they expect to find is a haunted island plagued by a supernatural confluence of kidnapped souls. When a young girl taps into the mystic mayhem it results in her brother being possessed by the spirit of a centuries dead member of an ancient order of sorcerous crimefighters.
The film's young actors are capable and ‘self possessed’ in the face of some quite formidable magical opposition, including a new and nasty take on that familiar player from Central Horror Casting, the living Scarecrow, along with a necromancer who could be brother to both Nosferatu and the Star Wars Emperor, right down to the cadaverous features and handy ability to cast Sith lightning from his fingies! I especialy liked the offbeat character of the trainspotting psychic investigator who inevitably comes to the kid’s aid in their hour of dire peril.
A fun little romp that’s no longer than it should be at an economical 100 minutes.
Director- Nikolaj Arcel
Screenwriter- Ramsus Heisterberg
2007/100mins
Sessions
Sun, 12th of August, 1:00 PM
ACMI
-KHADAK-
Belgium/Germany/The Netherlands
Bagi, played by Batzul Khayankhyarvaa, is a young nomad, who, along with his family are wrenched from their nomadic existence by the Mongolian government who want to consolidate people in towns, villages and cities as the fledgling democracy gears up to enter the 21st century’s global economy. After rescuing Zolzaya (Tsetsegee Byamba), a beautiful female coal thief, Bagi boldly goes where nomad has gone before on a shamanistic quest that culminates in fantastical revelations about Mongolia’s future relation with the environment.
Khadak is underpinned by a hypnotically compelling narrative fascination with magic realism that often contrasts the shabby reality of the concrete high rises with the colourfully organic traditional nomadic traditional yurt dwellings.
The film overflows with powerful imagery, including a simple but effective camera roll that causes an iconistic prayer-scarf draped tree to turn upside down as the land itself is inverted by mineral exploitation and pollution. A deserted town, in reality an abandoned former Soviet barracks, stands in for one potential future. Tractors, used to haul the disassembled yurts, are started and allowed to run aimlessly free across the steppes as the government agents burn the nomads’ links to their former lifestyle behind them.
Khadak doesn’t always offer too nostalgic a view of the nomadic struggle; many of the former rural folk cheerfully adapt to their new circumstances and some seem to pragmatically thrive, especially Bagi’s mother, who ends up running heavy machinery at the coal mine where immense draglines swing with saurian grace across the screen.
The film’s reverberating score resonates across the wind blown, echoing steppes, giving way to some moments of pure musical bliss, especially when some of the newly urbanised young people get together for astonishing ‘jam’ sessions.
Both lyrical and hard edged Khadak is a film, like Martin Scorsese’s Kundan, whose exotic sights and sounds will be welcome guests in my yurt for as long as they choose to stay.
Directors/Screenwriters- Peter Brosens, Jessica Hope Woodworth
2006/105mins
-LAST WINTER, THE-
USA/Iceland
It’s damn cold in Northern Alaska but not cold enough, as tough but soft centered Ron Perlman’s advance oil drilling preparation crew discover when they set out to re-open an isolated test drilling site that may be viable in the face of looming energy shortages. The arctic circle tundra is thawing rapidly, unleashing the kind of environmental horror movie that used to be in vogue back in the 1970s and which is all too timely now as global warming makes its presence felt in the real world.
Perlman, as usual, is excellent, giving the kind of inflected performance that graced Hellboy, Cronos, City Of Lost Children and his impressive work in the television fantasy series Beauty & The Beast. The ensemble players are also deftly sketched in, often in a low key fashion that adds realism.
Director Larry Fessenden successfully follows up and even references in one brief bit of dialogue, Wendigo, one of his earlier, not entirely disimilar horror outings. As with some other genre films in this year’s festival the horror elements are timeless; from the simmering sexual and tensions and hostility between the boffins and the bluecollars to the classic scenario of the besieged ice station. The latter is a character in itself, in the ‘Thingy’ tradition of both Howard Hawks and John Carpenter’s seperate adaptations of John W. Campbell’s seminal very Cold War science fiction novella, Who Goes There? Best possible use is made of this stunning location, as the screen often becomes an overwhelmingly vast white or dark canvas to trap and diminish the hapless blue collar workers.
Crystal clear sound design helps ‘sell’ the visuals and the impressive CGI special effects are first rate, without ever detracting from the practical drama of the sheer dangers of living and working in such an extreme environment.
The Last Winter is a cunningly ambiguous chiller that cleverly maintains a plausible alternative explanation for the film’s lethal events up to and possibly including the final admirably restrained frame which begs teasingly to be opened out into a wider shot but leaves the audience wanting more, leaving room for a possible but unecessary sequel.
Oil be back!
Director- Larry Fessenden
Screenwriters- Larry Fessenden, Robert Leaver
2006/107mins
-MEN AT WORK-
IRAN
A carload of Iranian buddies on their way down the mountains from a skiing holiday stop for a toilet break at a precipitous roadside layover and discover a monolithic rock
that just HAS to be tumbled down the slopes.
If you’re a bloke, you automatically know how it is.
If you’re a woman, equally, you KNOW how we are!
An amusing exploration of male bonding and stubborness this happily crazy film is guaranteed to contain no sociopolitical allegory whatsoever (really!) and the Iranian writer/director has asked that the U.S please refrain from invading his leg of the Axis of Evil until he has finished his next project.
Director/Screenwriter- Mani Haghighi
2006/75mins
-SEVERANCE-
UK
When completely politically incorrect arms merchant Palisade Defence rewards its crack Euro Sales division with a team-building weeked in the woods of Eastern Europe the mismatched but archtypal bickering office workers soon find that they’re not quite the ‘gun’ group that they thought they were.
Yes, the comparison of choice is The Office meets Deliverance and that’s fair enough because what makes this movie so gormlessly funny is the inept Brits Abroad schtick combined with an equally knowing, wickedly timed take on the horror slasher genre that puts most inept Hollywood fun with fear spoofs to more shame than ever. The only time this film ever really fumbles is when it takes the horror too seriously, which is not all that frequently, though more noticably and perhaps inevitably, in the apocalyptic last reel.
Oddly, Severence’s particularly grungy baddies who get to fold, spindle and mutilate our heroic twonks remind me very much of the “Stalkers” from the recent popular video game, which itself references the Tarkovsky film and the less well known science fiction novel that classic is itself based on, Boris and Arkady Strugatsky’s Roadside Picnic.
The heavyweight British ensemble cast is a real corker here, and one of the most enjoyable in the festival films I’ve seen this year, including at least one former Bond villain (Toby Stephens who was Gustav Graves in Die Another Day) and the always wetly amusing Tim McInnerny who plays to his well known Blackadder type (He was both Lord Percy and Captain Darling) as the incompetent boss of the Palisade’s party.
I won’t be the last reviewer to note that Eastern Europe has become destination of choice for horror filmmakers of late. Attracted by threatening woodlands, abandoned buildings and low cost production facilities the exotic locales also perhaps wallow in a degree of smug and possibly premature Western superiority in the wake of the economic collapse of former Eastern Bloc foes. For the moment, these once hard to access countries are providing filmmakers with a place to set their stories ‘beyond the glow of the streetlights’. Again, as with other festival genre films, Severence does benefit from a marvelously decrepit Old Dark house of a location.
Severence is laced with joyfully understated sight gags, dialogue to listen for, and a good deal of well meaning irony regarding corporate responsibility. The icing on the cake is a musical score that fiddles with both ominous gypsy curses, pop tunes and even riffs off We’ll Meet Again as featured in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove, to which black comedy there’s more than one reference.
Severance gives awful new meaning to the term, “You’e fired!”
Director- Christopher Smith
Screenwriters- James Moran, Christopher Smith
2006/90mins
-STILL LIFE-
HONG KONG/CHINA
An intimate but involving look at the disapora of displaced persons produced by China's Three Gorges Dam mega-engineering project as seen through the eyes of two people.
In the first part of the film coal miner Han Sanming (played by Sanming Han) returns after 16 years absence to his former home town of Fengjie, only to find its 2000 years of history submerged beneath the waters of the dam. Taking a temporary job in demolition, he searches for news of his ex wife, whom he hasn’t seen for 16 years.
Still Life never wanders far from the dominating horizontal visuals of the mighty Yangtze River and the monolithic concrete and steel dam. The apocalyptic rubble of the yet-to-be flooded part of the town forms another powerful metaphor, a full stop to the flow of linear time represented by the River, which itself has been given pause by the immense project.
It’s a hard life for Han, though undoubtedly far less dangerous than the notoriously hazardous Chinese coal mining industry, and it provides some extraordinary imagery.
Men in supposedly protective suits with sanitising back pack sprayers wander through gutted homes. Friends are made amongst workmates to the jaunty ringtones of their mobile phones as they exchange numbers...a socialising ritual that later prompts one of the film’s most poignant moments when a mobile ‘s unanswered ringing signals a tragic accident. Condemned buildings collapse with tired grace in the distant background as they receive explosive coup de grâces.
The second half of the film segues into another quest for closure, as Nurse Shen Hong (Tao Zhao) journeys to the town looking for her own estranged husband.
Again, the dam is another defining presence in the story, providing a backdrop for the final resolution of Shen Hong’s search.
One baffling scene (and I’d welcome any light that anyone can shed on this!) sees Shen staring at a large monument in the distance. It appears to be a Chinese alphabetical character, rendered in concrete. As she turns away, rocket motors ignite at its base and the whole giant structure lifts off into the skies. I assume this is some kind of reference to the recent successes of the Chinese manned space programme but am not sure as to why it’s relevant to the story? Unless it’s just a bit of triumphalism? Or indeed, because Shen does ignore the startling sight, perhaps it’s meant to be ironic? Enquiring minds need to know!
Actually, the overall philosophical conclusion drawn at the end of Still Life does read a little bit like some kind of inspirational tract to me....but that may just reflect my own bias, or again it could be ironic, and I won’t spoil the ending by going further into detail. (Well, cross cultural puzzles have always attracted me to World Cinema!)
Still Life is a beautifully visualised, thoughtful film with a measured pace that aptly reflects the larger elements that form the canvas that its smaller, but no less important, human dramas are played out against.
Director/Screenwriter- Jia Zhang-ke
2006/108mins
-THE WAR TAPES-
USA
Rather than be 'embedded' in a U.S military unit in Iraq filmmaker Deborah Scranton chose to give cameras to three National Guardsmen to record their own experiences deployed with Charlie Company, 3rd of the 172nd New Hampshire Mountain Infantry. Scranton provided additional remote directorial aid via text messaging and email to the three soldiers, Sgts. Stephen Pink and Zack Bazzi, and Specialist Michael Moriarty, whose stories were chosen from an overall pool of 1000 hours of footage.
The soldiers’ personal and professional accounts are sobering and revelatory and never less than enlightening.
Though it does this remarkably cohesive documentary something of a disservice to cherry pick material out of its sturdily engineered overall context it’s necessary to give some idea of the range of material included in the film.
We see several ambush eye views of the destructive force of roadside Improvised Explosive Devices which, though initiated and responded to with varying degrees of control by both combatant forces, usually result in chaos and confusion, death and destruction, for bystanders. One soldier matter-of-factly tours a vast graveyard of combat lossed vehicles, shattered and gutted by I.E.Ds, casting in an increasingly ironic light President Bush’s triumphantly naive 2003 announcement that “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended...”
The complexity of night operations are mirrored in the silvered eyed stare of soldiers seen through the eerie but tactically invaluable lenses of night vision equipment , rendering one formation of troops strikingly like a formation of stolid Terracotta Warriors. The detached professionalism of the soldiers understandably falters when a night time convoy kills a woman who was then struck repeatedly by each truck in turn.
The irony of soldiers and hired civilians (drivers and security guards) risking and losing their lives to protect re-supply cargos of, for example, cheese for hamburgers, is not lost on the troopers who wonder loudly if the complex and highly profitable logistical tail is wagging the policy dog? In fact, they’re refreshingly unguarded in their speculations about what they see, from their perspective as boots on the ground, as the reasons behind the ongoing war. Their observations are pithy, and to the point...or, rather, multiple points, as the individual opinions cover the entire spectrum of current controversy, from oil driven conspiracy to patriotic war on terror.
Soldiers will always enthusiastically relish the opportunity to grouse about their lot, reserving special venom for the shortcomings of their equipment, training, rations and orders. One complaint amongst many was that these soldiers received little or no cultural instruction to help prepare them for operating in the Iraq theatre, which ommission makes it hard to both know the enemy or understand your friends. Even a simple misunderstanding over a commonly used hand gesture for ‘Stop’ can, in the local environment, be fatally mistaken for ‘Hello!”
The fact that the Iraq conflict is, in reality, fought amongst peoples homes rather than some spiffily titled combat theatre, warzone or neutrally termed area of operations is thoughtfully underlined by frequent segues to the soldiers’ American homes, either when the troops have returned or during their absence. Surface impressions notwithstanding there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of difference between U.S and Iraqi civilians; folks, it seems, are alike all over. Stateside sequences touch upon the complicated effects that the deployment had on civilian family members, the problems of post traumatic stress disorder suffered by the veterans, and the more obvious physical injuries. For example, one of the soldiers has carpal tunnel syndrome in his hands, the result of vibration transmitted through the grips of his vehicle mounted machine gun on patrol. He also has to cope with back pain from wearing body armour in a confined space.
Crammed with ‘real time’ feedback from ongoing conflict The War Tapes makes a provocative companion piece with the 2005 documentary Gunner Palace. For balance I would also add to the recommended viewing list: Control Room (2004), Baghdad ER (2006), and My Country, My Country (2006)
Director- Deborah Scranton
2006/97mins
-WELCOME TO NOLLYWOOD-
USA/NIGERIA
Never heard of the Nigerian film industry? This inspiringly cheeky doco will rectify that and should be seen by all budding filmmakers seeking new ways to practice their art.
Something like 2400 movies per year are produced in Nigeria, making it the third most prolific film industry in the world. Film? Well, that’s a nostalgically generic term to describe the Nigerians’ enthusiastic bypassing of conventional film stock and its complex and expensive infrastructure in favour of digital video distributed directly and cheaply at local marketplaces on DVD or VCD.
The 300 or so Nigerian directors have an already rich tradition of oral storytelling to draw upon, and have embraced multiple genres usually lensing them through an action adventure filter, which has fostered a support industry of movie fight Action Camps where actors can learn the stunt fight business. Although one director claims “We don’t do science fiction” Nollywood nevertheless loves fantasy, especially religious based melodramas with plenty of demons and angels, sorcererors and witches.
Period films set in Nigeria often have a luridly portrayed but understandably anti-slavery element, which alongside with the witchcraft angle concerns some commentators who argue that focusing on these aspects promotes stereotypes.
A visit to the set of a film grounded in the recent Liberian war shows the Nigerian director, who at least partly funded the movie himself, putting his actors through boot camps to learn how to fill out their soldierly roles, including veteran advisors from both sides of the original conflict. The actors go through production hell but ironically are brought low by a botched contract with the caterers...
Nollywood; not entirely different from Hollywood!
Director- Jamie Meltzer
2007/58mins
-U-
FRANCE
A lyrical French animated feature with fluidly drawn artwork and an equally languid, but elegant plot as a Princess Mona is faced with choosing between new love and a beloved friend, who happens to be a unicorn. The charming, anthropomorphic animal cast could have been drawn by Dr Seuss, and the story is a souffle of flirtatious love with a playful musical topping.
Directors- Grégoire Solotareff, Serge Elissalde
Screenwriter- Grégoire Solotareff
2006/71mins
1. Be impeccable with your word: speak with integrity,say only what you mean,avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others, use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don't take anything personally: nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do, is a projection of their own reality,their own dream. when you are immune to the opinions and actions of others,you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don't make assumptions: find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings,sadness,
and drama.
4. Always do your best: your best is going to change from moment to moment;it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance simply do your best and you will avoid self judgment, self abuse, and regret.
-Don Miguel Ruiz
www.holyspiritspeaks.org/god-love-has-awoken-my-heart/
Hymn
God's Love Has Awoken My Heart
I
Remembering when God was with us,
my heart feels incomparable joy.
God utters His words.
They lead my heart
and accompany my life.
God's severe judgment
reveals my corruption,
and I come to know myself.
I have suffered so much
pain and refinement,
yet I enjoy the sweetness of love.
I see God's heart and His love,
caring for people all the time.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
He's with us day and night,
living and meeting together.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
His words are always with us.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
He humbles and hides Himself.
He's always with us.
God's love has awoken my heart.
He gives us the utmost
care and attention.
His love has awoken my heart.
II
Living together for so many years,
I have seen so much of God's beauty.
It has taken hold of my heart,
affected how I feel;
I sincerely love God.
I have suffered so much
pain and refinement,
yet I enjoy the sweetness of love.
I see God's heart and His love,
caring for people all the time.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
He's with us day and night,
living and meeting together.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
His words are always with us.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
He humbles and hides Himself.
He's always with us.
God's love has awoken my heart.
He gives us the utmost
care and attention.
His love has awoken my heart.
III
God has suffered so much pain
in silence.
He grieves from our resistance,
rebellion and
frequent misunderstandings.
Yet He is patient and tolerant.
He works as He always has.
We are ignorant and unaware,
so numb and slow to respond.
Why do we make God worry
so much about us?
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
He's with us day and night,
living and meeting together.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
His words are always with us.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
He humbles and hides Himself.
He's always with us.
God's love has awoken my heart.
He gives us the utmost
care and attention.
I resolve to repay His kindness.
I won't make God
worry about me again.
(God's love has awoken my heart.)
Because God's love
has awoken my heart.
from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs
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Copyright.
View from album.
Te Mania house, Conway Flat, Kaikoura, New Zealand.
Built 1937.
The Wilding family farm-house Te Mania, rural Conway Flats near the river mouth, south of Kaikoura, is a notable example of early modern New Zealand architecture. Influenced by Le Corbusier, and the Bauhaus. Architect Richard D. Harman of Christchurch. Built in 1937 of reinforced concrete in-situ. Clean lines, startling for the times, but practical and lasting; depending on advance and recess in balanced proportions. The plan was considered in advance for the time too, with spatial flow. The house has come to fit well with down-to-earth farming and became centre for its famous Angus beef stud. [300 hectare farm]. See also its likeness to other early modern examples by New Zealand architects, such as Connell's 1930 High and Over at Amersham, north of London: www.flickr.com/photos/peteshep/8177531255/in/album-721576... and John Anderson's Auckland Wharatane of 1928: www.flickr.com/photos/peteshep/7776625390/in/photolist-KV...
Architecturally, despite magazine stories, no "Deco" about it -- a misunderstanding of Modern.
It relies on its size, simple lines, frank concrete, and spatial rectilinear expression. It was softened by Virginia creeper as above; then green creeper was balanced with the Virginia.
[Conway Flat is a rural locality south of the Conway River mouth, 5+km south-east of Hundalee; Parnassus, Hurunui District.]
Io, loro e Lara is a 2010 film directed by and starring Carlo Verdone.
The film was dedicated to Verdone's father, Mario, who died during
the making of the film.
Plot: Carlo Mascolo is a priest on a mission in Africa. Following a profound spiritual crisis, the priest decides to return to Rome, where the rest of his family lives, with the idea of taking a break to reflect and gain clarity.
However, when Carlo arrives home, he is overwhelmed by his family's problems: his elderly father Alberto has married the young Moldovan caregiver Olga, much to the disappointment of his siblings Luigi and Beatrice, who fear for their inheritance. Carlo also has doubts about his father's choice, but everything changes with the sudden death of his stepmother.
The situation takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Lara, the deceased's daughter: Alberto—now a widower and desperate—orders the girl to live in the family home for a while, where she shares her life with the priest. Initially, a good relationship develops between the two, but this strains when Carlo discovers that the young woman is leading a double life. But it's just the beginning of a long series of misunderstandings...
The caregiver Olga dies, and it's discovered that her daughter exists.
Lara,
Life scenes
DSC - 4015
This RPPC was mailed from the USA to Miss Karolina Pack, Orillia, Ontario, Canada c/o The Northway Company. The partial postmark is smudged with no place or date readable. The message (in minuscule pen and ink) reads; "Hello Karolina, Your welcome letter rec'd. Many thanks for inquiring about linen. Would like it ordered again certainly. Must have been some misunderstanding - first was told part came in - just the napkins. Well, as you know I did not want napkins without cloth. I think Mr. B just _ ___ __ __ his word but never mind. I will be very glad to get them now. I am coming up home for a week from Xmas until New Year and if you have other goods coming import they will do then. Mrs. Mina Young & I are going over to Toronto Sept. 6th and I will buy one set of linen there. I want the two sets. I have no price and size of __ but Mr. B was to order another different pattern, the same quality and price. I am ___ Mrs. Garrett from Toronto Saturday for few days. Raining again today - you just missed all the bad weather. Rec'd cards from Jennie. Do write. Give me all the news.".
because I don't know how to add in an 'un-Flickr'd' photo into the comments on yesterday's posting, here's a seperate post. This one I have had seperate confirmation on the location. Sorry about yesterday's misunderstanding ;-)
Generated by me, Tool used AI Stable Diffusion
Many people misunderstand the work of artists, seeing it as frivolous or irrelevant. However, artists have the ability to communicate complex ideas and emotions in a way that words alone cannot. They are often at the forefront of social and political movements, using their work to challenge dominant narratives and advocate for change...
Meursault, Situated in the heart of the famous burgundian wine region in the Côte d'Or, six kilometers south of Beaune, is an enthralling mediæval Village With Some 1,800 habitants and famous for white wines wonderful icts and Its splendid parish church. Due to the current shortage of Priests, the parish of Meursault now Incorporates Reviews another twelve parishes form Producing wine, Including Auxey-Duresses, Chassagne-Montrachet, Monthélie, Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet, Saint-Aubain, Saint Romain, and Volnay. Indeed the list reads like the Wine List in a better restaurant. The origins of Meursault are clouded in the mists of history and so is the etymology of the name of the village. The present parish church of Meursault, dedicated to St Nicholas, is a broad church hall, with three naves of equal height in restrained cistercian gothic, dating from the lathing share of the XVth century. It has a central tower crowned by a magnificent spire, reaching 57 m above-the-ground.
One of the treasures of the parish church of St Nicholas in Meursault is icts organ has Mutin & Cavallé-Coll, acquired by public subscription from Column in Concert Paris in the late 1920s at the initiative of the priest Then, Abbot Narbonne. Today, this organ is Almost single. Originally built as "portable" temporary instrument for wide use in churches whilst the Existing organ Was rebuilded or replaced, this organ, In Spite of ict modest size, HAS an unexpected capacity. The dates of Construction Has not yet-been ascertained Firmly goal the original facade shows a striking similarity With That Conceived by Aristide Cavallé-Coll in 1872 for organ in the main hall of the old Paris Conservatory. (The massive country-baroque-style branches Above and is Either side of the organ case, the work of a local wood carver, Were added in the 1930s.) The organ HAS one manual of 56 ratings and has straight pedal board with 30 ratings . There are nine registers draw with eleven stops, three year term combination pedals and pedal. The Entire organ is enclosed in a swell box. This is the disposition of the organ: MANUAL Diapason 8 'Low & Diapason 8' Tops Principal 4 ' Harmonic Flute 8 ' Bourdon 16 ' Salicional 8 ' Full-Game 3 Ranks Tuba 16 ' Bass Tuba & 16 'Top 8 'Trompette Soprano 4 '
Combination pedals: Bourdon 16 'to pedals (18 ratings only, borrowed from the manual stop) Couple, manual pedals to Engage / cancel reeds & Full-Game In the 1960s, the 16 'Tuba Was removed and Replaced by a divided Sesqualtra. Fortunately, HOWEVER, somebody HAD-have the sense to the redundant Tuba classified and protected under heritage legislation and it Remained Stored on church property. At the Beginning of 2005, the Sequaltra Was discarded and the Tuba reinstated. Following the restoration of the church in the 1990s, the organ, although Originally Bought by public subscription in the parish, Was sold for a nominal sum to the municipality of Meursault qui , since the separation of Church and State, owns the church building. In Any case, up to the organ at Nicholas Recently in Meursault Was little appreciated. There Were two Reasons for this hand. First, due to ict immediate provenance Having purchased this beens from the Column Concert in Paris, There Was a Widespread misunderstanding That it was "just a theater or cinema organ." Second, in the wake of Vatican II and the introduction of the vernacular, traditional church music Generally Was Replaced by contemporary compositions of a more popular character and Meursault is no exception in this respect. HOWEVER, the hearing organ of the Most Played again on Sundays at Mass HAS Awakened a fresh interest for the instrument Among Many of the parishioners. The inspiration to an Association of Friends of the organ of St Nicolas at Meursault cam from Philippe Ballot, Vice-Mayor of Meursault, in a talk with the organist in early 2008. The lathing soon Established That There Was Sufficient interest to proceed. With the dedicated and generous support of Mr. Henri de Suremain, a son of and nearby Monthélie year lawyer at the court in Paris, statutes for an organization in according with the Law of 1901 Were drawn up and, with the backing of Some twenty local winemakers , the Association of Friends of the Organ of the Church of St. Nicholas in Meursault Was Established on 25th July 2009. The Association Was registered at the Sub-Prefecture in Beaune on 10th November and gazetted in the Official Journal of the French Republic on 21st November 2009. The registered address of the Association is The Mayor, 21190 MEURSAULT . There are two ex officio members of the Board, the Rector of the church and the Mayor; Elected members oven, a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer; and two alternates. Selon icts Statutes, the Association to Promote AIMS interest in and appreciation of the Mutin Cavaillé-Coll organ & in Meursault by way of concerts, conferences, musical and cultural initiatives --other and performance, and to Ensure icts restoration and maintenance . Just before last Christmas, Mr. Bartholomew FORMONTELLI, renowned traditional organ builder based near Verona (Italy) visited Meursault at the request of the Association and Spent long afternoon inspecting the organ, taking notes and pictures in order to present a detailed estimate for Complete restoration and conservation of the instrument. At The Beginning of January, Mr. Formontelli Submitted Most Interesting report was Accompanied by a surprisingly Favourable estimate. It is very much Hoped That Sufficient funds can be raised to allow for this restoration to begin before the end of the year. Mr. Formontelli is Well Known locally for the precious Having fully restored XVIIth century organ at the basilica of Notre-Dame in Beaune. He est aussi the author of the magnificent new organ at Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome and, Most Recently, the papal Dom Bedos organ at Rieti (Italy). The Association of Friends of the Organ of the Church of St Nicholas at Meursault icts records Profound gratitude to Mr Paul ISOM, Organ Consultant to the Anglican diocese of Rochester and great organist year. Mr. Isom HAS shown great interest in our organ and Was instrumental in launching the embryo of our Association by giving the first ever organ recital, the 26th July 2008, on the Mutin Cavaillé-Coll & after-ict installed in our parish church. In appreciation de son contributions with time and considerable talent, Mr. Isom Was Voted unanimously Honorary Life Member of the Association at ict constituent assembly on 20th December 2009.
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L’orgue de l’église Saint Nicolas à Meursault est de la fameuse maison Mutin & Cavaillé-Coll, facteurs d’orgue à Paris, et acheté par souscription populaire pour l’église en 1927 ‘deuxième main’ aux Concerts Colonne à Paris sur l’initiative de l’Abbé Narbonne (cure de Meursault 1925 – 1952).Malgré taille assez ,modeste, cet orgue a une capacité formidable et aurait, selon théorie, initialement servi dans églises Parisiennes en remplacement d’instruments plus importants en cours de restauration ou d’installation.La façade originale, au ‘chapeau de gendarme’, est dessin simple, peu différent de celle conçue par Cavaillé-Coll en 1872 pour l’orgue de la grande sale de l’ancien Conservatoire de Paris. Les décorations extérieures, sculptées en bois ont été ajoutées après l’installation de l’orgue à Meursault. L’instrument est totalement enfermé, avec deux rangs de volets superposes á la façade et deux derrière (l’inférieur actuellement étant supprimé). Ces volet forment une boite expressive très efficace.L’orgue a seulement neuf jeux à 11 registres, entre eux trois à anches battantes (Tuba, Trompette, et Soprano), et compte un clavier de 56 notes, un pédalier à 30 notes, et trois combinaisons de pédales.
P.R.I.D.E.
People Redefining Identities and Developing Energies
What defines your pride?
I live with pain daily. I refuse to let it define me.
I live with disability. I work hard to not let it define me.
I grew up with an absentee father. My mother refused to let it define me.
I live with a dual gendered spirit not understood by many, I refuse to let misunderstandings define me.
I love to cook for my loved ones. I want this to define me.
I want my kids to breathe in fresh mountain air … and know it.
I want my kids to laugh on family game night and remember it in school the next day.
I want my kids to sing a hymn at church of Christmas eve and remember it when they find their first true love.
I want my wife to always have a reason to laugh with me.
I want my wife to always have a reason to want to hug me.
I want all these identities to define me.
I write about my physical pain through my music. This music defines me.
I write about past emotional pain through my music. This music defines me.
I write about suddenly setting my spirit free. This music soars through the air and it defines me.
I feel other’s sorrow too deeply, but also feel their happiness just as deep, and I am glad each defines me.
I love the people I surround myself with. I want their smiles to define who I am.
I CAN choose what defines me.
I WILL choose what will define me.
Because when I choose, I have pride.
How do you define your P.R.I.D.E.?
Make it a great week!
Look After You
After recent events, after all misunderstandings Dannee and her two closest persons mended what was cracked between them. With Chil’a, the holiday of the New Year time approaching, it is time for forgiveness, presents and bright hopes for the future… - www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/images/370813/?
Mind Station by Tomasz Piotrowski and Lukasz Chaberka, Lomianki/Warsaw, Poland.
Mind Station is a pavilion that allows users to lose their physical dimension.
“We wanted to focus on the migration of thoughts, the connection between people and how our ideas are spreading,” Piotrowski said.
“With our design we were able to separate the head from the body, which is not so important in the process,” Chaberka said. “Today we have a lot of misunderstanding and fake news, and so when we focus on our faces we can just say what is the truth.”
EDIT : JUST SO THERE IS NO MISUNDERSTANDING, THIS IS UNLIKELY TO GIVE A PERFECT WHITE BALANCE, BUT IF YOU GET CAUGHT OUT IN TRICKY LIGHT SITUATIONS, IT WILL GET YOU CLOSE.
There are many add on gadgets for getting an average white balance, from using a paper coffee filter to the very pricey Expodisc.
Here is another to add to the list, just the top from a cup of Starbucks coffee.
As I usually have a cup or two rolling around in my car, there is usually one I can use in an emergency if I'm out and about :)
I usually keep a few along with straws in the glove compartment too, never know when they will come in handy for a cup of coffee while travelling.
To use, I set the focus to infinity, place the cap over, then set the custom WB. I dont even need to hold it as it fits nicely inside my lens hood, but that is just a lucky coincidence.
Due to a misunderstanding between offices, ship & no communication with me, I am stuck in Perth for the next 5 days! most people would pay good money for 5 days in Perth, but personally I'd rather have gone home!!
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Sigma 10.0-20.0 mm f/4.0-5.6
Focal Length: 10mm
Aperture: f/16
Exposure: 66 Sec
ISO: 100
Filters: Hitech 4 stop ND & 3 stop ND Grad HE
Tripod : Gorillapod SLR
"The human understanding is like a false mirror which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it."
- Francis Bacon
34/365. Self-portrait. View on Black, please!
"It is by universal misunderstanding that all agree. For if, by ill luck, people understood each other, they would never agree."
-Charles Baudelaire
Okay, so this is a little different than my normal stuff. I am actually naked, but please no weird comments, they'll be deleted.
My goal was to do a photograph where I was naked, without anything showing, but for it to be fun, but not trashy. I think I was successful.
My sister actually clicked the picture for me. Sorry for the grain, it has been cloudy for the last few days. It's supposed to rain this weekend, which I am excited about. I can't remember the last time it rained. It will be humid though. Ehhh.
Anyways, I was tagged (a few times). Here goes...
1) I am a freelance writer. Overall I enjoy it, but the pay is not always that wonderful.
2) I love classical music. People always look at me strange when I blare it up in my car.
3) I never wash my car. Georgia is in need of a bath bad, though.
4) And, I hardly ever text or use my cell phone. I'm not a phone person period. I just have it for emergencies.
5) I thoroughly enjoy horror films. I've been watching them since I was 6 or 7. My parents didn't mind because they never terrified me.
6) If I want to see a movie and no one else wants to see it, I'll go by myself.
7) I am very independent, which can put-off a lot of people.
8) My father raised me and my sister like we were boys. It is safe to say that I can fix any problem I come across such as changing a tire or the car oil or re-landscaping my entire lawn.
9) I'm not fond of profanity, I hardly ever use it.
10) I'm considering photographing weddings for extra money.
Tags are random. I thought I would tag a few more than 10 to make up more the last few I didn't do.
Print Giveaway ! Only four days left. :B
This Hubble Picture of the Week features NGC 2814, an irregular galaxy that lies about 85 million light years from Earth. In this image, which was captured using Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), the galaxy appears to be quite isolated: visually, it looks a little like a loose stroke of bright paint across a dark background. However, looks can be deceiving. NGC 2814 actually has three close (in astronomical terms) galactic neighbours: a side-on spiral galaxy known as NGC 2820; an irregular galaxy named IC 2458; and a face-on non-barred spiral galaxy called NGC 2805. Collectively, the four galaxies make up a galaxy group known as Holmberg 124. In some literature these galaxies are referred to as a group of ‘late-type galaxies’.
The terminology ‘late-type’ refers to spiral and irregular galaxies, whilst ‘early-type’ refers to elliptical galaxies. This rather confusing terminology has led to a common misconception within the astronomy community. It is still quite widely believed that Edwin Hubble inaccurately thought that elliptical galaxies were the evolutionary precursors to spiral and irregular galaxies, and that that is the reason why ellipticals are classed as ‘early-type’ and spirals and irregulars are classed as ‘late-type’. This misconception is due to the Hubble ‘tuning fork’ of galactic classification, which visually shows galaxy types proceeding from elliptical to spiral, in a sequence that could easily be interpreted as a temporal evolution. However, Hubble actually adopted the terms ‘early-type’ and ‘late-type’ from much older astronomical terminology for stellar classifications, and did not mean to state that ellipticals were literally evolutionary precursors to spiral and irregular galaxies. In fact, he explicitly said in his 1927 paper that ‘the nomenclature … [early and late] … refers to position in the sequence, and temporal connotations are made at one’s peril’.
Despite Hubble himself being quite emphatic on this topic, the misunderstanding persists almost a hundred years later, and perhaps provides an instructive example of why it is helpful to classify things with easy-to-interpret terminology from the get-go!
[Image Description: An irregular galaxy, a narrow streak of stars crossed by faint dust lanes. It is surrounded by a bright glow, appearing like a beam of light in the centre of a dark background. A scatter of small, distant galaxies and a single, bright star surround the galaxy.]
Credits: ESA/Hubble & NASA, C. Kilpatrick; CC BY 4.0
This has just returned from a client who had decided to buy the other piece with a big tree. The client do not want the religious building in the work to avoid any misunderstanding in their corporate image.
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: Bust A Move
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m3X9MLDRKw
This here's a tale for all the fellas - Tryin' to do what those ladies tell us
Tyler: (worried, gets out of his car) Are you all right?
Manny: Hey! What's going on over there?
Paradise: I slipped, Mr. Lemans! I'm fine.
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: Girls are scantily clad and showin' body
Tyler: Let me help you up.
Paradise: No, really. I'm okay. (but one of her wheels catches a pebble, throwing her off balance, and she tumbles to the ground with Tyler, landing on him)
Tyler: Oof!
Paradise: Oh, no! I'm so sorry!
Manny: Hey! No manhandling the wenches! (starting across the lot)
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: A girl starts walking guys start gawking
Paradise: (waving him off) He isn't! I slipped! It was an accident! (getting off of Tyler) Are you all right?
Tyler: I'm sure it's just a slipped disk or two.
Paradise: (aghast) What?
Tyler: (chuckles, sitting up) I'm kidding.
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: You're on a mission and you're wishin' - Someone could cure your lonely condition
Manny: (reaching them) New Girl, what are you --? (realizes who she sat on) Mr. Griffin! Mr. Griffin, I had no idea it was you! Would you like me to call an ambulance?
Tyler: I don't think that's necessary. (smiling and rising)
Manny: (sternly) New Girl Two, I can't have you attacking customers. You're fired.
Paradise: What? But I barely started!
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: You run over there without a second to lose - And what comes next hey bust a move
Tyler: There's really no need to fire her.
Paradise: No need!
Manny: I won't tolerate this sort of aggressive behavior toward the customers.
Paradise: Me?
Tyler: There's been a misunderstanding. She lost her balance, I tried to help her up, and we both took a little tumble. It was a complete accident.
Paradise: (nods) It was!
Tyler: In fact, if I had stayed in my car, I wouldn't have taken a spill at all. So, that part is entirely on me.
Manny/Paradise: It is?
Tyler: (smiling) Absolutely. Now, why don't I get back into my car and your carhop can take my order?
Manny: Well -- (looks at Paradise, who nods) All right, then. You're not fired. (motions) Go on and take Mr. Griffin's order. (he goes back to the building)
Tyler: I'm glad that's settled. (gets into his car)
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: A girl runs up with somethin' to prove - So don't just stand there bust a move
Paradise: Thank you for saying that. You didn't have to.
Tyler: I meant it. You shouldn't get fired for a little accident.
Paradise: Still, it was really nice of you. What can I get you?
Tyler: I'll take a number three to go, please. With a chocolate shake.
Paradise: Right away. (she quickly turns to go and there's a ripping sound)
Tyler: (looks down and realizes he'd closed part of her skirt in his door)
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: You say neat-o, check your libido - And roll to the church in your new tuxedo
Paradise: (looks down and realizes she's only clad in her ruffled-bottomed spanks)
Manny: (sees this and shouts) Neeww Girrl!
Tyler: (opens his door a crack as a cheer goes up from around the lot) I'm SO sorry!
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: So you start thinkin' then you start blinking
Paradise: (yanks her skirt free and spins, about to skate into hiding as fast as possible, then she spots Fawn and her friends smirking, so instead of fleeing, she does a couple quick spins, rips the skirt in half and uses it like a couple of fluffy pom poms, skate dancing to the beat of the music being piped to every drive up space, and everyone cheers, horns being honked by especially appreciative onlookers, and after a victory lap, she skates inside the building)
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: And now you're feelin' really fine 'cause the girl is stacked - Reception's jumpin' bass is pumpin' - You look at the girl and your heart starts thumpin'
Tyler: (is smiling, shaking his head and covering his eyes)
Voice: (as a male inside takes over the mic, puts on a corny pirate accent) Aaarrrgh! It's our duty to serve you Booty -- Burgers! (and the lot erupts in cheers, applause, and horn honking)
Manny: (grinning, leans toward the cook in the order window) We're gonna make New Girl a Booty Burger star! She's great! Listen to those customers!
Young MC from Stone Cold Rhymin' on the Oldies station: Says she wants to dance to a different groove - Now you know what to do G bust a move
(Thank you to Seth for playing Tyler and to Morgan for the stylish car he got knocked down beside. -giggles- )
You were not my love at first sight ... but the strongest #Brooklyn ... I’m going over the things (before moving) I’ve collected over the years from 2000’s. Who was that person? I don’t know her !! Never was happy or excited over things, or appreciative. Never appreciated the good life gave me. And would never see good or kindness even if it hit me between the eyes. Life was monotonous or maybe it was the pain I carried inside me since 1998 when my mom’s condition got worse. School, late hours of work, family struggles. I never loved even when I thought I did. Always waited for some magic to come along & turn my life upside down. The past 7 years turned me upside down. I became someone else. One morning realized that I love Brooklyn & it’s every piece of memory. Few years after my grandma got diagnosed with Alzheimer’s I realized I’ve never really told her how important she was to me. Never told her how much I loved her or how much she meant to me. It’s scary now that we can spent our entire lives not saying how we really feel because of misunderstanding or pride. Maybe it’s just me or we all go through different experiences of growing up. Maybe it was outside forces, years or just the change inside me but I know it’s never to late to give up or give in and change 💖
--
© This photograph is copyrighted. Under no circumstances can it be reproduced, distributed, modified, copied, posted to websites or printed or published in media or other medium or used for commercial or other uses without the prior written consent and permission of the photographer.
Las canciones sirven para muchas cosas.
Los lenguajes sirven para muchas cosas.
Las redes sociales sirven para muchas cosas.
Flickr sirve para muchas cosas.
La hipocresía sirve para muchas cosas.
Las mesas sirven para muchas cosas.
¿Quién sirve la mesa?
Dentro y fuera de cualquier red social, dentro y fuera de Flickr, dentro y fuera.
# # #
Songs serve for many things.
Languages serve for many things.
Social networks serve for many things.
Flickr serves for many things.
Hypocrisy serves for many things.
Tables serve for many things.
Who serves the table?
Inside and outside any social network, inside and outside Flickr, inside and outside.
# # #
Hypocrisy & Communication series
An inserted sky from earlier in the trip before the moon made its appearance and began casting its own magic light throughout the canyon.
Because I said so - and I carry a Big Stick, A colorful meeting of complex river rat minds, Colorado River dory trip, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
Ed thought he had heard he could have a small contained fire as we were nearing the end of the trip... that turned out not to be the case. It was a simple misunderstanding quickly rectified with the aid of Lew's big beer-can smashing stick (a broken oar with added metal plate).
Veteran River Guide Lew Steiger can usually be found somewhere on the Colorado River between Lee's Ferry and Grand Wash - just find a shady spot and wait - He'll be by soon.
U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter jets have deployed to the Middle East in a show of strength amid escalating tensions between U.S. and Russian forces that share the skies over Syria, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.
Airmen from the 94th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, are the latest to arrive in a string of recent deployments to U.S. Central Command — and the first unit to specialize in air-to-air combat — after the Air Force’s top officer in the region said in April that Russian pilots had begun buzzing other American fighter jets over Syria in apparent invitations to dogfight.
“Russian forces’ unsafe and unprofessional behavior is not what we expect from a professional air force,” CENTCOM boss Army Gen. Erik Kurilla said in a release Wednesday. “Their regular violation of agreed-upon airspace deconfliction measures increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation.”
Speeding one of America’s most advanced fighter jets to the field aims to deter further bad behavior — and bolster U.S. firepower if needed. The military did not disclose from which base the F-22s will operate.
As the Pentagon’s premier fighter designed to down other aircraft, the Raptor relies on stealth technology, sophisticated maneuvers and up to eight short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles.
Their arrival signals that American military officials are increasingly alarmed by what they see as Russia’s attempts to intimidate American airmen and endanger U.S.-led coalition troops on the ground in Syria, flouting flight safety rules the two countries had agreed upon to avoid accidents and misunderstandings.
Russian aircraft violated longstanding deconfliction protocols 85 times from March 1-April 28, Air Forces Central told Air Force Times.
“They’re regularly flying directly overhead of our units … within about a mile, no more than a mile offset one side or the other, while we’ve got forces right there on the ground” at the U.S. coalition’s al-Tanf garrison in Syria, Grynkewich told NBC News. “It’s an uncomfortable situation.”
The Air Force did not immediately answer how often those incidents occurred in May and June.
In April, the Air Force released two videos that appear to show Russian Su-35 fighter jets veering close to American F-16 fighters in coalition airspace over Syria, filmed from the viewpoint of the F-16.
Grynkewich said close encounters have come within 500 feet of U.S. aircraft, despite miles-wide deconfliction zones and rules designed to keep jets thousands of feet away from each other. U.S. and Russian forces also share a hotline where they can discuss potential close calls.
Those measures are in place to prevent U.S. and Russian forces from seeing an incoming aircraft as an attack on their respective positions and retaliating in kind.
Grynkewich has suggested Russians may be growing more brash as a favor to their ally Iran, which opposes the U.S. military presence in the region.
In response, the Air Force this spring dispatched A-10C “Warthog” attack planes that are specially modified to carry around three times their typical bomb load.
“They’re really here as a message to both assure our partners … but also as … a true capability that can work against some of the threats that we face with respect to Iran,” Grynkewich told Defense One in April.
B-1B Lancer bombers, which carry conventional but not nuclear weapons, also arrived in CENTCOM for training earlier this month in a brief diversion from their current deployment to Europe.
The jets practiced shooting live precision-guided munitions and a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, designed to hit mobile targets up to 230 miles away without triggering air defenses, the command said.
The Air Force said the mission was the first time its aircraft had fired multiple weapons at multiple simulated targets alongside coalition forces during a bomber rotation to the region.
“These bomber missions represent the U.S.’s commitment to our partners and showcase our ability to deliver overwhelming power at a moment’s notice,” Grynkewich said June 8.
While they support forces on opposite sides of Syria’s 12-year civil war, and are both fighting Islamic State militants, U.S. and Russian troops have not clashed directly.
Moscow backs the Assad regime in the conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and displaced more than half of the country’s pre-war population.
About 900 U.S. personnel remain in Syria to advise and assist the patchwork of rebel forces that are fighting government troops. The Pentagon also continues to launch airstrikes and raids from elsewhere in the region in its decade-long mission to contain the Islamic State group inside Syria.
About Rachel S. Cohen
Rachel Cohen joined Air Force Times as senior reporter in March 2021. Her work has appeared in Air Force Magazine, Inside Defense, Inside Health Policy, the Frederick News-Post (Md.), the Washington Post, and others.
Seeing the world differently brings a sweet sadness to it all. Understanding mysteries that people don’t dare to dream of – the secrets of wanderers: like the brokenness that vexes men, the misunderstandings that writhe in their minds, and the emotions that flip hearts upside-down.
But then again, there’s a profound beauty. Like wrought gold engraved by fire and encircling a simple stone. Oh, but not simple at all. Lines hidden in each facet sing a song when turned in the light. Even the wanderers cannot translate, but they comprehend.
"Restauracja w Szpicu". Niby zwykła knajpa jakich pełno w Pradze, ta jednak ma coś szczególnego, co przyciąga jak magnes naszych rodaków :-).
Another CZ-PL language misunderstandings :-).
"In the Akbarnama, there is a mention of Akbar marrying a Rajput princess of Amer but her name is not Jodhaa," says historian and director of the Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Imtiaz Ahmad in Patna.
She is referred to as Mariam Zamani (Mary of the Age) which is is a title and not a name.
It further says that Mariam Zamani is a title referred to the lady who gave birth to Prince Salim, who became Emperor Jehangir.
But the name Jodha is not mentioned anywhere.
"The name Jodha first came up in the 19th century when Colonel Tod, a Britisher, inspired by ardic literature (folk literature) of Rajputs, mentioned Jodhabai in his book Annals and Antiquity of Rajasthan".
Recently, the royal family of Jodhpur openly stated that Jodhaabai did exist, and that she married Emperor Akbar.
Padmini Devi of the Japiur royal family acknowledged the fact that Jodhaa existed and it was this matrimonial union that brought an alliance between Mughals and Rajputs.
According some Rajput historians, Akbar married the former maharaja of Amer, Bharmal's elder daughter Karkbai alias Heer Kumar in Fatehpur Sikri on Feburary 6, 1562 and Prince Salim was born in 1569.
Jodhabai was the daughter of Moteraja Udai Singh and she would have been three years younger than Salim and hence, in no way could she have been his mother.
Quoting Emperor Akbar's biography, and a National Council of Educational Research and Training's Class XI history book on medieval India by Professor Satish Chandra, Kalvi claims Jodhaa was not Akbar's wife, as depicted in the film "Jodhaa Akbar", Jodha was married to Salim, Akbar's son.
Jodhaa-Akbar (Hindi: जोधा-अकबर, Urdu: جودھا اکبر) was released on February 15, 2008, it stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles.
The film in the spirit of Cecil B DeMille, is a romance between a Muslim Mughal Emperor and his Hindu wife, it received an outstanding response at US and UK box-office, however there were some amazing community's protests against it in some Indian states in order to ban it for the sake of Historical accuracy...
At a time of religious obscurancy and misunderstandings, a message of love and hope that gather communities could become a role model for the people today.
Working on this topic with movies, songs, photographies, is also a way to keep unity in front of those who committed Delhi (last week) and Islamabad (last night) blasts.
This was shot during monsoon from a window of Amber's fort in Amer, the place where Emperor Akbar's wife use to live before the myth of jodhabai...
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