YET MORE FILM
Spent yesterday afternoon at the movies. Don’t recall having spent a Saturday that way since AAH was little, so it was a wonderful treat, a great diversion from the usual routine that generally consists of house cleaning and grocery shopping. Not least because the film was incredibly moving. The Sea Inside, Spanish, directed by Alejando Amenabár, who also directed one of my all-time favourites, The Others. It’s a film about euthanasia, about a quadriplegic who spent 28 years of his life fighting for the right to die.
It was one of those films that is so good you wake up the next morning thinking about it. Even though, bizarrely, during its two-hour run it basically has the main character lying in bed the whole time, so afterwards you can hardly remember what it was that moved you so. Maybe the fact that it was so understated and free of all artifice. Or the gorgeous settings and cinematography. Or the fact that the actors looked like real people with their beautifully complex nuances of expression, worlds removed from the flat and insipid Hollywood ideal. Or maybe it was the subject matter that evoked such a powerful response. Or the fact that it didn’t resolve anything for you – didn’t tie the subject up with a pretty bow and send you merrily on your way, thinking you had it sussed. Instead, it left you with questions. And a whole lot of feelings.
The Sea Inside. Excellent cinema – highly recommended.
OH AND SPEAKING OF RECOMMENDED
Proof-positive that Providence moves in YT’s favour: hot on the heels of my rediscovering Led Zeppelin, yesterday it was announced that Robert Plant is coming to Reykjavík to give a concert in April. On the play list: the best of Led Zeppelin, as well as some music RP has making since LZ broke up. [Oh all right, if you must].
The only drawback is that I’ll probably have to camp out overnight to buy tickets in March. Sigh. Too Damn Old [read: dignified] to be a rock ‘n roll fan.
USELESS TRIVIA MORSEL
For any other Led Zeppelin fans in the crowd: betcha didn’t know that Immigrant Song is about Iceland? Yup. It was written after their concert here back in the 70s.
FINALLY THE WEATHER…
Is like a yo-yo. Freezing. Not freezing. Freezing. Not freezing. Freezing. And blustery. Today. Although I haven’t been out yet – on the verge of setting off for a seashore run. Off to a birthday party this afternoon – one of my favourite Young People – BI, nephew of EPI, is turning three and will be celebrating with 40 of his closest relatives. Temps currently no degrees Celsius [That would be 39 Fahrenheit]. Sunrise was at 9.29 and sunset is scheduled for 17.56.
But has Robert Plant still got the voice?
I thought no degrees Celsius was 32 degrees Farenheit. That was the only conversion I knew besides 100 degrees C equal 212 degrees F (we Farenheit people are obviously more precise, since we have more degrees, right?).
Leggy: We shall see!
Cat: I’m sure you’re right. That’s what I get for being in a rush and not checking my conversion tables. (but good to know that somebody actually reads those things!!)
I see LZ has received a whole lot of belated love with a lifetime achievement Grammy award. Don’t think they could figure them out in their day!
I loved The Others! Must check this one out.
I heard that Immigrant song was written before they came to Iceland, so they said in Tvíhöfði and I think they were telling the truth…?
-Auður
I don’t know for sure. I’d just heard that, and assumed it was true because they say “I come from the land…”
I wouldn’t take Tvíhöfði’s word for it, though, personally. I don’t think you can take them too seriously…
Incidentally, blogger sure does manage to mangle your name, Au#=Ö 🙂
Robert Plant has lost the voice, I’m afraid… but Led Zepplin rules; I can’t blame anyone for wanting to hold onto the dream.
Haven’t seen The Sea Inside, yet, but dying to. Thanks for the review!
“The Sea Inside” has been on my want to see list since I first read about it. Actually, I read that many people do not even realise that it is based on the life of Ramón Sampedro.
Your brief words have made me move this film even higher on my list.
Thank you!
Yes I did know that trivia! Before meeting you I actually did a blog post about Iceland, it was that piece of trivia that inspired me to do so.
Kim, I am truly amazed by that little bit of info. Wow!
Michele: I hadn’t heard of Ramón before or his struggle, although I knew before I went what the film was about. I hope you like it.
Jane: Getting slightly worried now that RP will turn out to be really lame. Although EPI assures me that he just applies his voice differently now… sigh.