SUNRISE/Austin Film Society

Tuesday night at the Alamo S. Lamar and we continue with the Essential Cinema Series of European emigre filmmakers.  Tonight's film SUNRISE, directed by F.W. Murnau is a silent film from 1927.  Abe and I approached this silent film with some reservation..."silent" is what had us less than enthusiastic.  But boy were we so wrong in our initial reservation and so happy we experienced this gorgeous film.  Dr. Charles Ramirez-Berg (a really popular and highly acclaimed  UT professor of film) introduced the film and provided the notes.  He prepared us for the German filmmaker's orientation toward film: to present the  inner workings of the characters,  their motivations, their desires, their contentment and their discontents, the construct of their psyches.  (Abe whispered "ah, it's all so Freudian").  How right he was.  With no words the actors communicated heartfelt, intense  and raw feelings.  A husband sins, he turns into a monster while rowing a boat and preparing to murder his wife.  She begs for mercy and runs far away from him.  She communicates her abhorrence for him.  He is ashamed, so ashamed.  She forgives.  They have fun.  The film goes from dark drama to all American fun with carnivals, city streets, restaurants, barbershops.  And then the inevitable darkness is revisited in the form of a storm, out of everyone's control.  There is a Hollywood ending (thank goodness).  I couldn't have bared to lose these wonderful characters.

Dr. Ramirez-Berg pointed out that Murnau was an incredible humanist.  There is no doubt about this.  His actors bring you in to their world.   You join them in  their pain, their happiness, their fears, their shame.  You're happy to be human, a part of this experience.  I just loved this film!

In addition, Dr. Ramirez-Berg provided some history as a founding person of AFS with Chale Nafus.  He talked about how much fun they all had when they first put AFS together:  "Just a bunch of guys sitting around watching films."  He talked about the joy of being with people who felt as  passionately about something as you did.  He recognized how much AFS has given us and  asked us to say "hi" to Chale and thank him at the end of the films we see.  This one's for you Chale:  THANK-YOU SO MUCH!!!!  I hope you know how much we appreciate our Tuesday nights and more.

RED TAILS and BESS BISTRO

I am so happy George Lucas has finally brought this patriotic film of the all black Tuskegee Airmen to theaters.  The dog fights of the P51 Mustangs kickin' ass and shooting down Hitler's Luftwaffee had me thrilled, cheering, holding my breath, squeezing Abe's hand tightly.  The aerial fights  are thrilling, the men's camaraderie and closeness are heartwarming, the cinematography of Italy is gorgeous, and America's racism is unhidden and shameful.  I don't care if this film is criticized as being formulaic and aged in it's presentation of WWII, it is thrilling, and tells an important story.  Don't miss it.

We then went to Bess Bistro with Reed (Sandra Bullock's place).  Great atmosphere and good food.

This morning I was an extra at the Paramount in "bumpers" for SXSW. Those tiny shorts before the films.  What fun!  What a pleasure to see these filmmakers work so collaboratively.  And these tiny fill in shorts are FUNNY!

NEXT TO NORMAL @ Zach Theatre

A musical about mental illness?  Me liking it?  Me taking Abe to see it?  That's what happens when you step out of your comfort zone.  We had front row seats at this intimate theater and it was opening night so there was champagne and food after the show.  We both LOVED this performance.  The director, David Steakley had his own reservations about this Pulitzer prize winning Broadway musical and did not see it until a third visit to NYC.  And am I glad he did and brought it to Austin.  Hats off to the ensemble and Kelli Schultz, a UT Senior (Plan II Honors) in the role of Natalie.  This young woman's talent will serve her well as a teacher in S.F. in Teach For America after graduation.   The leading role was performed by Meredith McCall who has worked with the director for 20 years.  She is superbly talented.  My friends back in NY are laughing and shaking their heads.  This "I don't like musicals" person is loosening up her grip.  A wonderful evening of theater.

Visual Arts Center (VAC) at UT

What's more beautiful?  The Opening  night exhibits or the people who come to observe?  I couldn't keep my eyes off of either.  The huge sculpture upon entering, a piece by Diana Al-Hadid is beautiful and can be observed from two floors.  The people watching was just fantastic.  Visual artists and their community care much more about what they wear than the film community.  I love it all.

We got a parking ticket when we left.  That sucked.  I've already appealed.  Night y'all.

First You Take Care of Business Then You Shop!

On this glorious sunny day in Austin I walked to City Hall over the 1st Street bridge to vote yes to stop the repeal of a law requiring non medical pregnancy centers from telling the truth.  They don't offer medical services to help women make decisions about reproductive care.  They offer a religious point of view.  And the city council voted 6-0 to stop the repeal.  This is why voting counts.  To continue on this fine day  I did what I have never ever stopped loving.  Shopped for sales. 

Went to Plain Ivey Jane (an overstock boutique shop) and bought a gorgeous multicolored sundress for $30  off the clearance rack.  It called "Addie" to me.  Then over to LOVELY my favorite Vintage shop and bought a Cynthia Rowley bag I've coveted for months. 50% off and $20  in my account from consigned clothing and I got the bag for $20!

Love Letter to Austin: the weather, your politics, shopping deals, culture!!!!  You so tickle my soul!

UT OLLI and RAIN

Classes today; rain all last night  (5.8"), Abe's playing tennis now; I'm cooking turkey meatballs and spicy sauce with whole wheat shells and broccoli with garlic.  So my brain has been nurtured, my garden is just singin' from  the rain, Abe is happy.  Spoke to Josh last night,  he loves his job in D.C. sharing bicycles with the populace.  And today Liz thanked me for all of my links to culture.  My kids are well and doing well.

I figure the 62 years of social work practice that we put in between us has not gone unrecognized thanks to a higher power.  Abe thinks I'm crazy when I think this way, but I don't.  This life is one to be grateful for.  And I am truly grateful.

FAUST/Austin Film Society

Continuing with the European Escaping Filmmakers at the Alamo this evening we had the good fortune to see Murnau's FAUST.  A silent film from 1925 Germany with heavy dramatic performances.  Good vs. evil, an archangel vs. the devil, and a young woman being punished brutally for having loved.  Scenes of her clutching her baby through a blizzard and being denied help are heartbreaking.  While I'm not a lover of silent films (no I don't think THE ARTIST is the best picture of the year) I must admit I was surprised by how engaging this film was.  Coming home to Chale Nafus' notes (almost 5 pages tonight) is always fun and so informative..  The information and analysis he provides about the lives of the directors, their childhoods, their travels, their lovers, their performances on the sets always helps me to rethink the film.  And perhaps to understand the film better.  And then there's always Abe to answer questions about what we just saw.  In this case "three heads are better than one."