I was too busy last month to follow up on Kundera’s scandal until today when I finished reading most of the reports.
What’s the scandal? To put it briefly, a Czech magazine called Respekt published a police document dated in 1950 which revealed that a person called Milan Kundera had informed on Miloslav Dvoracek, who later served 14 years of hard labour after being uncovered as spy. The story was much more complicated and involved many other people, please look it up on the internet if you are interested.
The police report, at least the paper, proved to be authentic. But are the contents real? Kundera broke his long-time silence by denying fiercely against this accusation. Eleven renowned writers have come to his defence too. But no one could explain why Kundera’s name was on the report, at least those who could have are now dead or cannot speak anymore.
Is Kundera really innocent or is he just trying to hold on to his moral throne?? I want to believe in him and hope he’s not the second Guenter Grass.
Directed by Martin Gypkens.
Synopsis: Tales of unfulfilled love, hopes and dreams, based on Judith Hermann’s critically acclaimed international bestsellers Nothing But Ghosts and The Summer House, Later. Judith Hermann sends her characters out into the world in five episodes dealing with her favorite themes: star-crossed love and the general rootlessness of Generation X. Whether they’re in Venice, Jamaica, Berlin, the Nevadan desert or Iceland – her characters always leave their familiar surroundings behind. They travel to various countries for various motives, but they all inevitably realize that there’s something you can’t escape, no matter where you go: yourself…
I have to say that this is a disappointing movie. The whole film is very piecemeal as all five stories were practically shown in 1-minute intervals. It’s just impossible to sympathese with the characters. All of them are so lost, for reasons unclear or not mentioned at all, and in the end there don’t seem to be any improvement in their situation.
Directed by Doris Doerrie, starring Elmar Wepper, Hannelore Elsner and Aya Irizuki.
Probably the best movie I have seen this year. A beautiful poetic journey of an old-age couple who explore what they really want in life when death is approaching them. It’s sad to see how detached their children are to this couple, but joy to see the couple’s wish fulfilled in the end. It’s touching and impressive. Nice cinematography as well.
Published on 1 November 2008
in Arts.
It’s a documentary on the famous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Already in her 70s and suffering from physical and mental illnesses, she’s still passionate in art creation and extremely confident in her talents. Old age and sickness may be affecting her and sometimes make her down, but she remains forever committed to arts. Her devotion, persistence and self-confidence are very inspiring.
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