being moved by moving pictures

 
I have always loved the cinema, and can remember being entranced by a range of different films - seemingly overlong children's movies like ChittyChittyBangBang, which excitingly included an intermission, obscure foreign films at the beautiful 14th century Barn Theatre, Dartington Hall in Devon as a teenager, more obscure foreign films at University, and more recently, less obscure, but preferably art house films in the independent cinemas in Brisbane.

In Hobart, on holiday at the end of last year, we naturally gravitated towards the State cinema in North Hobart, and coincidentally saw two films about women behind cameras:1,000 Times Goodnight, and Finding Vivian Maier. Both were also about trauma - the first is about a woman, played by Juliet Binoche, who is a photo journalist in dangerous, war-torn places and it examines the devastating impact of this frightening work, and her absences, on her family. The first part of the film shows her filming a suicide bomber about to detonate herself in a busy market in Afghanistan, and is incredibly intense and psychologically shocking.

Recent events in France make it more so. And I couldn't help noticing, that the backgrounds of at least three of the suspected French terrorists, if that is what they were, grew up in care - they were 'looked after children'. This has to tell us something important about how people can become brutalised and have empathy deficits later in life. Basic Attachment Theory 101.

The second film we saw was a documentary about an American woman, Vivian Maier, who left a vast collection of photos, and undeveloped film, behind when she died. The film maker John Maloof found the huge body of work, which had never been seen before, and decided to investigate. The film showcases her street photography, mainly from 1950's and 60's, and also explores and relates what is remembered about her life, by those who knew her. This is a fascinating story of secrecy, survival, and also of a traumatic life, as it turns out.

Two more recent films we have seen are the Imitation Game and Birdman. Both are great, go see them.

 Quote by Vivian Greene - one of my favourites, its very ACT

On a different note, I just re-completed the Happiness survey, and scored 84.3 %, higher than when I last did it, in December 2010, which is effectively when I started this blog. Up by almost 10%. I know how stats can be manipulated, so I am not making any claims, but its interesting. And yes, I have to admit I am excited about some things that are happening at the moment, which I hope to write about soon. Meanwhile, I am going to yoga soon. Its been difficult, with all my self-care strategies being on a break. How are we supposed to take a break, if our mechanisms for doing so are also on a break? Hmm.

 

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More later.