Flicks

Hello All. I hope you are ok. Not to be a moaner, but I've not had my best couple of weeks. I think I have said about issues at work caused by a funding gap- caused by a huge cut from a funder - well I have spent the last few weeks working on staff cuts culminating in a redundancy this week. I know it's not about me and I'm not the person losing my job (although, having spent some time with the person in question - she seems very upbeat - and has plans including a good holiday etc.) but it has been quite the slog and am feeling less than upbeat. However, worse things happen at sea etc. etc. (Actually, because this is all about me and I'm not at sea, I'm not actually bothered about what's happening at sea. Selfish, but there you are). Ever feel that you are operating well outside your skill set? 

Normally, during a time like this, sensible people and some show-offs on Instagram will advise that you hibernate, take it easy and embrace slow living. I, obviously, have ignored this advice and been out and about like Queen Camilla on a new mobility scooter. We have been out to the pictures more times than is probably beneficial but, the thing about the cinema in these days of sex and violence (often occurring at the same time) is that, when something watchable for those of us of a more delicate bent comes along, we have to support it. All of these films are highly recommended so, if you can see them, I would if I were you.

Dear England

Actually, this isn't a film at all. It's a Live From The National Theatre production. Actually, not only is it not a film, it also isn't live. Apparently, it was on a while ago. So, it was a bit puzzling that we still had to have a twenty-minute interval - especially when there was no bar. 

The story is built around Gareth Southgate and the England team. You really don't need to know very much about football though because it is more about the culture of the England team and culture in general. They have obviously suffered from being unable to win any kind of trophy since 1966 (well over 50 years now). It's also about racism, masculinity and expectations which can break a man in half. Southgate brought in psychologists and challenged how footballers were supposed to be - manly, hard as nails etc. If it sounds heavy, it is also very funny and makes you cry a bit. HOH would like to confirm that you don't need to know anything about football to enjoy it because he knows nowt. Actually, you do need to know what a missed penalty is - it is about England after all.

The Holdovers

This is a lovely movie. If you would like your soul soothed, this is the way. Set in 1970, it's done well enough to look as if that was the year it was actually filmed. It's set in a private school, during the Christmas period. Through a variety of circumstances, a little group of very different people have to stay in school over the Christmas holidays. The film is about how they get through the holiday. It has the decency to treat the viewers as adults - they don't all move in together at the end but, it's good-natured, funny and heartbreaking. Everyone is really believable and you want everything to turn out well for everyone. There's also a performance by Paul Giamatti that will blow your socks off. It restores your faith in what human nature can be. Which is more than can be said for the final film

The Zone of Interest

Where to start? The film is a true story, set in the home of the Commander of Auschwitz Rudolf Höss. That does seem bad enough but his home is right next to the camp itself. In fact, their back garden wall looks directly into the camp. He lives in perfect splendour with his wife and their children. Mrs Höss particularly loves her house and garden as well as the fur coats, clothes and other stolen items from the Jews dying terrible deaths over her garden wall. We watch this film but we never actually see anything of the awfulness next door. We only hear it. We hear it as constant background noise - sometimes louder than others but always there. We hear the trains arrive and the gunshots and the screams that follow. We hear the dogs barking as they terrorise those in the camp. Worst of all maybe are the lights of the fires above the ovens, that light up the night sky. All the time, the Höss family and their friends carry on their lives as if nothing is happening. 

This is an extraordinary film. I wasn't looking forward to it and I didn't enjoy it obviously but everyone who can see it - should see it. In fact, I think they should show it in schools. And, quite controversial I suppose, you can understand why a country would think "No one is ever going to do that to us again" and arm themselves to the teeth. Current events are still informed by these past horrors.  I wouldn't do it as part of your birthday celebrations but, if you can find this extraordinary piece of work, please consider watching it. 

I do hope that you are all ok and not too affected by my veering a bit towards the bitter and twisted. It's been a funny old weekend. Our pastor is doing the Ten Commandments at the moment and it was Adultery this Sunday (NOT doing it obviously). HOH was "on the door" as they say and busy dealing with someone who had decided that he was called to pray over complete strangers in the congregation (funnily enough they were all women and God hadn't mentioned it to any of these women that he wanted to lay hands on). Life has probably taught you that you need to hear a whole story before you make any judgements. So, when you hear a snatch of a sermon in the foyer where the pastor is exclaiming that he could have slept with multiple women many, many times  - it was probably wise that HOH didn't jump to any conclusions without hearing it in the context of the sermon. No matter how startled he was.

Have a good week.