"For you, a thousand times over"

This week was a real spoiler. First the "Un Secret" from the French production which was really interesting to watch. Revolving around a boy who gradually discovers a secret of his parents who survived the 2WW despite being Jews. I must say I have a faiblesse for Ludivine Sagnier and her performance was just so believable.

But then yesterday we started watching at midnight. The movie was 2 hours long and I was getting up at 7 am. Nevertheless, at 2am I wished the movie did not end so soon. A very fascinating story of two childhood friends. It was more than amazing and even though some aspects of the movie were quite heart-breaking (I don't want to include "spoilers"), the message was rather hopeful and I like this "American" recurrent theme - that of redemption and new hope - "There is a way to be good again." I don't care if it is a cliche, I prefer to be an idealist. However, I love this quote that made me shed a tear in the movie because it was so true but at the same time it sounds like Bush's propaganda for his foreign ventures:
Older Hassan (voice): I dream that my son will grow up to be a good person, a free person. I dream that someday you will return to revisit the land of our childhood. I dream that flowers will bloom in the streets again... and kites will fly in the skies!
It is sadly true that saving one boy while taking him to the US is amazing but there are more boys (and girls, now I realise there were almost no girls while filming in Aghanistan - but the real filming location was China:() left behind.
I would like to know more about this region of the world and the whole Muslim-Quran-Sharia-Arab-terrorist vicious circle is still very puzzling to me. The boy who plays Hassan was so touching by being such a loyal and brave friend, innocent yet wise for his age and humble.

I know many say the whole Muslim world is being negatively portrayed, however, what does this reveal about this "free world"?

Due to Afghan mores concerning male rape, Paramount Vantage agreed to relocate the young actors out of the country to the United Arab Emirates and arrange visas, housing and schooling for the young actors and jobs for their guardians. Paramount Vantage accepts responsibility for the living expenses of Zekeria Ebrahimi, Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada, Ali Danish Bakhty Ari and Sayed Jafar Masihullah Gharibzada until they reach adulthood, a cost some estimated at up to $500,000.

(www.imdb.com)




Exou Exou
Brno Girl

Movies I try to keep track of

Recently, I fell in love with Bienvenue chez les ch'tis and Dan in Real Life.
First I did not want to watch Dan b/c I did not like the name of the movie.
But in the end I totally loved it. The soundtrack is also great. I replay again and again Sondre Lerche's Modern Nature and To Be Suprised.
After watching Bienvenue, I feel like I understand French national character and stereotypes more. My friend from Northern France (Lille) gave me this movie. Of course, the stereotypes are sometimes too overplayed and exaggerated but it is totally funny. I like Northern Frenchmen:) But I love the climate of Provence/Cote d'Azur:) Too bad.
Anyway, disappointing: Feast of Love (I still wonder what the message was...it was totally strange, a lot of nude scenes - I wonder if the same version is aired in the US, a lot of crap said, but at least Oregon filming location), Charlie Wilson's War - I would give it the prize for the most unintelligeble movie as both main characters were superb mumblers.





Exou Exou
Brno Girl

An Easter trip to Valassko (Beskydy)

Yesterday I could participate in a trip organised for Erasmus students in Brno to Valassko/Wallachia. It has been a long time I was feeling it is time to discover my country a bit more.
First we came to Roznov pod Radhostem to check out the local Easter market in a traditional skanzen setting. The atmosphere of the region started on the bus already as we were given some traditional pastries and the guide was speaking about the tough but loving heart of Valassko people, their love for slivovice and good food, the closeness of people.
In the market, many artisan works were displayed, boys weaving the traditional pomlazka (to whip girls). Of course, trying the local Frgal was a must:)
Then we went to climb Radegast. Of course, the snow was appreciated. The lunch was in a restaurant at the top and we tasted the traditional Czech meal svickova (dumplings, beef, cream sauce, whipped cream). Normally I am not a big fan but I was hungry and really enjoyed it.:)

I could add some cultural tidbits but they have all become so familiar to me that I don't feel the need to comment them anymore (i.g. the uncertainty how to eat dumplings).
It has been a great trip. Many Erasmus students were actually born '86 or '87. I sometimes don't like the length of our high schools but after discussion with one crazy Greek guy, I concluded there might be a good reason for this:)





Exou Exou
Brno Girl