Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more…

It’s becoming obvious to me that since I’ve become a parent, my life lens has changed dramatically. That fact, combined with my complete ignorance of Nirvana’s history allowed me to see Kurt Cobain: About a Son as a surprising source of inspiration and insight. A well crafted montage of Pacific Northwest images and video front a collection of audio interviews of Nirvana’s lead singer and songwriter. Kurt starts at his beginning and offers many compliments and criticisms of his parents, as well as insights into life as a teenager. The interviews were recorded within a year of his death, when he was still only 26 and clearly connected to his teenaged years.

One stand-out moment for me was his revelation that his father just “gave up”… Alice Miller’s work has shown that significant childhood experiences reoccur in some form. While Kurt’s father didn’t commit suicide, he simply left his son’s life; Kurt’s daughter Francis also no longer has a father.

Nirvana fans will undoubtedly flock to this Vancouver Premiere; my hope is that many other parents also find this film to be an inspiration to constantly stay connected with our children, no matter what.

At the Pacific Cinémathèque (1131 Howe Street, in Downtown Vancouver), it runs from January 3rd to 7th and Jan 9th, with shows every night at 7:30pm (except Sunday, when it shows @ 9:25; Saturday also has a 2nd showing at 9:25pm).

Two beautiful restorations of Albert amorisse’s children’s classics, The Red Balloon and the White Mane start their short, holiday season run today (Thursday) at 4pm.

Together running 73 minutes, both films’ enthralled my almost 3 year old daughter.

The Red Balloon’s story was one I was requested to repeat many times for her; vibrant red balloon takes on the persona of a schoolboy’s friend, which invokes the wrath and jealously of his classmates. Balloon solidarity ends this film on a very uplifting note!

White Mane is explicit about our culture’s obsession with control over others. Also gorgeous in its black & white form, it gives a glimpse into a world before colonization, at least in France. Our heroes prevail by sailing away to from it all to enjoy a life of peace. No wonder the capitalist machine tries to leave no stone unturned…

This duo continue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Dec 30) at both 4 and 7pm…see www.cinematheque.bc.ca for more info.

At the Pacific Cinematheque: For the Bible Tells Me So + Czech Dream

From Dec 7th to Dec 13th at 1131 Howe Street (first film starts at 7:30pm each night)

Wow. These films are powerful.

I didn’t think I’d get through For the Bible Tells Me So simply because of the name of the film. But am I glad I did: this is one of the best films I’ve seen. Technically, it is extremely well made. But it’s power lies in the depth of its message.

For the Bible Tells Me So examines the power of the Bible, specifically in how Bible literalists have used it to condemn homosexuality. Personal stories are shared to show how damaging this is. Cartoons are used to show how stupid this is. And theologians share what the Bible really means and contextualize the quotes that are commonly misused and abused.

A surprising subplot for me was that a US Presidential candidate embodied the ultimate in parental love. Another was that learning about the Bible wasn’t painful; because this message is so positive, it was actually empowering. That is far from what I recall of Sunday School!

But don’t worry: you won’t feel compelled to go to church any time soon. But you will have some powerful tools at your disposal the next time some Bible thumper misrepresents something that was written many moons ago…just be prepared for a Biblical-sized flood of tears!

At the Pacific Cinematheque: For the Bible Tells Me So + Czech Dream

From Dec 7th to Dec 13th (first film starts at 7:30pm each night)

Czech Dream caught my attention from the get go: scenes of food lineups in the Communist era turn into lineups of greedy consumers in these Capitalist times.

Two student filmmakers achieve what many only hope: a reality film that examines important issues. The beating they take at the end of it all (you’ll have to view the trailer to see it, it’s not pretty) shows just how deep into the consumer psyche they reached.

From concept to grand opening, the film documents the decisions capitalists make, in this case when creating a “hypermarket” (think big box). One of the many twists is that they also ask tough questions, to themselves, to the advertising agents, and to the consumers. The process is very revealing.

Generally speaking, Czech people seemed very similar to “Canadian” folks: polite, unassuming and living in the shadow of a capitalist giant. Maybe one day we’ll see a Canadian Dream manifest at a meadow near you…