The Articulation of Dreams

Werner Herzog (the "duke") is portraid in the documentary about his grandiose movie "Fitzcarraldo" in "Burden of Dreams" and as much as I was mesmerized when I first saw "Fitzcarraldo", I was much more so after seing how he managed to accomplish such a seemingly impossible dream.

The man is a Genius, I mean Mad, I mean Genius ... Mad.

The fruit of his labor which he paid with blood and sweat (literally) is for us to enjoy, delight in, be in awe of.

It is hard to discern the main character in the movie - Fitzgerald (played by Kinsky) in "Fitzcarraldo" from Herzog in "Burden of Dreams", they morph into one entity looking to pursue their dreams at any cost.

I am inspired !

Ousmane's best ?

What a great movie from Ousmane Sembene and for me his best (although Guelwaar comes close). I have not seen all his movies yet. I saw "La noir de ...", "Mandabi", "Xala"

The horrible subject of female genital mutilation is addressed here as well as other subjects not as gruesome but equally important such as the role of women in African society,

A must see !! Spread the word.

Ousmane, rest in Peace, your work will live forever.

Yo soy un hombre sincero

de donde crece la palma,

Y antes de morirme quiero

Echar mis versos del alma.

Yo vengo de todas partes,

Y hacia todas partes voy:

Arte soy entre las artes,

En los montes, monte soy.

Yo se los nombres estranos,

de las yerbas y las flores,

Y de mortales enganos,

Y de sublimes dolores.

Yo he visto en la noche oscura

Llover sobre mi cabeza,

Los rayos de lumbre pura

De la divina belleza.

(...)

Si dicen que del joyero

Tome la joya mejor,

Tomo a un amigo sincero

Y pongo a un lado el amor.

Yo he visto al aguila herida

volar al azul sereno,

Y morir en su guarida

la vibora del veneno.

Yo se bien que cuando el mundo

cede, livido, al descanso,

Sobre el silencio profundo

Murmura el arroyo manso.

(...)

Todo es hermoso y constante

Todo es musica y razon,

Y todo, como el diamante,

Antes que luz es carbon.

Yo se que al necio se entierra

Con gran lujo y con gran llanto, -

Y que no hay fruta en la tierra

Como la del camposanto.

Callo, y entiendo, y me quito

La pompa del rimador:

Cuelgo de un arbol marchito

Mi muceta de doctor.

Poesia de Jose Marti

Despues de la pelicula "Lost City" de Andy Garcia donde recito esse poema al final, tuvo que buscarlo para leerlo en completo. 

Aqui estan algunas partes.

Habana Blues

Una pelicula maravillosa. 

No la conocia pero la estaban passando en la television y empece a mirarla y no pudo parar. 

El tema es la musica, la amistad, la familia, el nacionalismo ...

El dilema de unos musicos en Habana, especialmente de dos amigos, uno con ganas de salir del pais (Tito) a qualquier precio y el otro (Ruy) que no quiere comprometer su musica y sus conviciones por ningum precio. Al mismo tiempo la familia de Ruy se esta disolviendo, la esposa y los hijos a camino de Miami en una lancha ... 

esta muy bien retratada la situacion, la actuacion excelente y esses hijos de la madre de los dos protagonistas principales (Ruy y Tito) son hermosos ... tengo ganas de les dar una ... dentadita 

A donde vas ??

A comprar una botella de rum que la mia se acabo ! 

Simple Truths

Before enlightenment

chopping wood

carrying water

After enlightenment

chopping wood

carrying water

ZEN PROVERB

From: "Wisdom of the Ages" By Wayne W. Dyer

In my attempts to exercise my mental as well as my physical body, I have come across many such moments when a light comes on an I become aware.

That is the whole point of this proverb, according to Dyer - enlightenment is not an attainment, it is a realization.

The world around us does not change but rather our perception/awareness/realization of it.

That's deep Man !!

Lust, Caution - American Gangster

Two very different movies.

I saw American Gansgter first. Action packed. Always a treat to see Denzel in action. Interesting story of the top gangster in Harlem and beyond in the late 60s early 70s that put the Italians to shame.

The latest movie from director Ang Lee Lust, Action is a gem. Its two main stars shine and slowly penetrate (no pun intended) into your mind. The seductress' innocence is compelling and the monster's gentleness gut wrenching.
Superb performances by first time actress Tang Wei and veteran actor Tony Leung. Worth staying up later for.

Oil of Vetiver

Close your eyes.

Take a deep breath.

Inhale slowly, taking it in little by little ...

uhmm ... it is Vetiver - an old friend. 

How good to smell you again.

Vetiver is also called the oil of tranquility. 

It calms the nerves and provides a feeling of balance and grounding.

It reliefs tension and stress and could be useful for insomnia.

It is mild, it is safe.

It is rare.

Vetiveria ziazaniodes is cultivated in Java, India, Reunion, Angola, Brazil and Japan.

The wild variety is only found in North India and yields the most exotic fragrance of them all.

I may not have access to the rarest of this scents but the one I am in the presence of right now soothes me just fine.

It conjures memories of long ago and far away, 

of youth, discovery and innocence.