#2065 - Friday, February 25, 2005 - Editor: Jerry Katz
Hello gang, I'm not unsubbing due to
dissatisfaction, rather more complete confusion with so many
different belief systems. I feel comfortable with Buddhism
and at least for now just want to stick with something for a
length of time. But who knows, I may be back in a
week. Keep up the good work. (keeping author
anonymous)
When
an East Indian family, long-time residents of the United States,
breaks down in the desert during a road trip in their
American-made Jeep, they find themselves stranded on the side of
a little traveled highway. Who will help them? Can the father, a
Sikh, understand the world his two young adult sons are now
living in? Can the sons accept the father as he is?
This is a beautiful story of familial love and loyalty that
demonstrates the flexibility needed during this time in history
of our religion, faith and beliefs. Written &
Directed by Sharat Raju. [30 minutes, in English]
NUIT D'ORAGE/STORMY NIGHT
In
this beautifully animated story, a little girl and her dog brave
a long, blustery night alone in her room in their house on a
hill. As the storm rages outside, she begins to look within
and asks questions about life, death and everything in between.
These youthful queries are the same questions we continue to seek
answers to as adults - questions that seem to come to us most
clearly when we are alone, waiting out the storms of life. Written
& Directed by Michèle Lemieux. [10 minutes, in
English]
BICYCLES AND RADIOS
It's hard to imagine that a first time filmmaker could create a
work of such beauty and subtlety as Bicycles and Radios, but O
Nathapon, born and raised in Thailand, has done just that.
The mystery of the film compels you to hang on every
nuance, while the exotic surroundings of this small Thai village
fills your senses. This film allows the viewer to believe
again in the mysteries that bring us healing when we most need
it, and love when we least expect it! Written &
Directed by O Nathopon. [36 minutes, in Thai with
English subtitles]
ELDRA A magical glimpse into turn of the century Wales,
where young Eldra is dealing with her Gypsy heritage. Is
she Romany through and through, or could she live like the Anglos
in her village? Are the differences in culture really as
big as they seem to be from a distance? Eldra reveals to us
a place where all people deserve respect, where love can overcome
fear and where our true natures have free reign. 94
minutes, in Welsh with English subtitles.
THE MYSTERY OF CHACO CANYON Who were the ancient people who lived in this place
we now call Chaco Canyon in the heart of the Southwestern United
States? Why did they create such enormous and foreboding
fortresses, capable of housing thousands of people, when new
evidence proves that only a few hundred people ever actually
lived there? Robert Redford narrates an intriguing journey
through this land, exploring the archeological, astronomical and
spiritual remains of a truly mysterious people. 55 minutes, in
English.
A MILE IN MY SHOES A mother and daughter with no money and no
resources face an uncertain future in this short film set in the
Dust Bowl era of the American West. In a ramshackle home in the
dry desert, a young girl forms a friendship with an unlikely
stranger and learns the most important lessons in life that
remain with her, in her heart, for the rest of her life - a
discovery of the life-long importance of the people who touch our
hearts forever. (In English. TRT 20 minutes)
FLIP FLOTSAM Let this fanciful, delightful, and poetic
fable-like documentary sweep you away on rolling tides to the
colorful coast of Kenya where everyone wears flip-flops!
From the factories where they are made, to the feet that wear
them, to the drainpipes that carry the discarded flops out to
sea, the life cycle of the ever-buoyant flops is proof that even
shoes have more than just one life. (In English. TRT 29
minutes)
SAVIOR The
incredible cinematography of SAVIOR sweeps viewers away into the
Icelandic outback and into a beautiful young girl's journey
inside her body and soul to find her true self. Forced by her
neglectful parents to spend the summer in a camp for much younger
children, Kaja runs away. On her journey, she encounters the
grave dangers of the exotic Icelandic wilderness and is forced to
face her deepest fears. This coming of age story follows Kaja as
she learns to embrace the one source of comfort she will always
have: herself. In Icelandic with English subtitles. TRT 28
minutes
MEMORIES OF EARTH Through
the love of an artist for a spectacular island in the North West
and the Native First People who live there, we are shown a place
and a culture in balance in the natural world. Experience
the beauty of an island left untouched for thousands of years,
the animated renderings of the mythology of an ancient people,
and the terrifying encroachment of the modern world on such a
deep and basic comfort. This documentary from Canada echoes
with reminiscences of Lemuria and holds such beauty that it will
find a place in your heart and stay there. TRT 68 minutes
JILLIAN'S VANTAGE is
a romantic mystery about two very different people who meet under
unusual circumstances. I was moved by the romance in it as well
as the depth of emotion. In addition, it's very touching and has
an ending that caught even us seasoned movie veterans by
surprise.
THE LIMITED Next,
you'll be taking a journey on THE LIMITED, a mysterious train
that we all board at one time or another. Both THE LIMITED and
JILLIAN'S VANTAGE are great examples of how powerful short films
can be as memorable works of art.
When
an East Indian family, long-time residents of the United States,
breaks down in the desert during a road trip in their
American-made Jeep, they find themselves stranded on the side of
a little traveled highway. Who will help them? Can the father, a
Sikh, understand the world his two young adult sons are now
living in? Can the sons accept the father as he is?
This is a beautiful story of familial love and loyalty that
demonstrates the flexibility needed during this time in history
of our religion, faith and beliefs. Written &
Directed by Sharat Raju. [30 minutes, in English]
In
this beautifully animated story, a little girl and her dog brave
a long, blustery night alone in her room in their house on a
hill. As the storm rages outside, she begins to look within
and asks questions about life, death and everything in between.
These youthful queries are the same questions we continue to seek
answers to as adults - questions that seem to come to us most
clearly when we are alone, waiting out the storms of life. Written
& Directed by Michèle Lemieux. [10 minutes, in
English] 
It's hard to imagine that a first time filmmaker could create a
work of such beauty and subtlety as Bicycles and Radios, but O
Nathapon, born and raised in Thailand, has done just that.
The mystery of the film compels you to hang on every
nuance, while the exotic surroundings of this small Thai village
fills your senses. This film allows the viewer to believe
again in the mysteries that bring us healing when we most need
it, and love when we least expect it! Written &
Directed by O Nathopon. [36 minutes, in Thai with
English subtitles] 
A magical glimpse into turn of the century Wales,
where young Eldra is dealing with her Gypsy heritage. Is
she Romany through and through, or could she live like the Anglos
in her village? Are the differences in culture really as
big as they seem to be from a distance? Eldra reveals to us
a place where all people deserve respect, where love can overcome
fear and where our true natures have free reign. 94
minutes, in Welsh with English subtitles. 
Who were the ancient people who lived in this place
we now call Chaco Canyon in the heart of the Southwestern United
States? Why did they create such enormous and foreboding
fortresses, capable of housing thousands of people, when new
evidence proves that only a few hundred people ever actually
lived there? Robert Redford narrates an intriguing journey
through this land, exploring the archeological, astronomical and
spiritual remains of a truly mysterious people. 55 minutes, in
English. 
A mother and daughter with no money and no
resources face an uncertain future in this short film set in the
Dust Bowl era of the American West. In a ramshackle home in the
dry desert, a young girl forms a friendship with an unlikely
stranger and learns the most important lessons in life that
remain with her, in her heart, for the rest of her life - a
discovery of the life-long importance of the people who touch our
hearts forever. (In English. TRT 20 minutes)
Let this fanciful, delightful, and poetic
fable-like documentary sweep you away on rolling tides to the
colorful coast of Kenya where everyone wears flip-flops!
From the factories where they are made, to the feet that wear
them, to the drainpipes that carry the discarded flops out to
sea, the life cycle of the ever-buoyant flops is proof that even
shoes have more than just one life. (In English. TRT 29
minutes)
The
incredible cinematography of SAVIOR sweeps viewers away into the
Icelandic outback and into a beautiful young girl's journey
inside her body and soul to find her true self. Forced by her
neglectful parents to spend the summer in a camp for much younger
children, Kaja runs away. On her journey, she encounters the
grave dangers of the exotic Icelandic wilderness and is forced to
face her deepest fears. This coming of age story follows Kaja as
she learns to embrace the one source of comfort she will always
have: herself. In Icelandic with English subtitles. TRT 28
minutes 
Through
the love of an artist for a spectacular island in the North West
and the Native First People who live there, we are shown a place
and a culture in balance in the natural world. Experience
the beauty of an island left untouched for thousands of years,
the animated renderings of the mythology of an ancient people,
and the terrifying encroachment of the modern world on such a
deep and basic comfort. This documentary from Canada echoes
with reminiscences of Lemuria and holds such beauty that it will
find a place in your heart and stay there. TRT 68 minutes 
is
a romantic mystery about two very different people who meet under
unusual circumstances. I was moved by the romance in it as well
as the depth of emotion. In addition, it's very touching and has
an ending that caught even us seasoned movie veterans by
surprise. 
Next,
you'll be taking a journey on THE LIMITED, a mysterious train
that we all board at one time or another. Both THE LIMITED and
JILLIAN'S VANTAGE are great examples of how powerful short films
can be as memorable works of art.