During CSD Berlin I could not help but notice this guy completely energized resembling the sexy Cowboy from the Village People complete with upturned hazel mustache. He was giving crowd body movement like a male pole dancer in leather gear. People were screaming “sexy” at him. What a PRO! Sadly, I did not get his name but there is always CSD Berlin 2019.
Music from Benosound Moose
“HOT” is the only word to use for CSD Berlin 2018. Summers in the city are not normally sweaty but this year was an exception, under the hot German Sun the temperature hit 35 Celsius but that did not stop the high level of enthusiasm in late July. This year’s theme: My Life, My Identity, My Body. I felt the day’s celebration was bigger than usual, 600,000 attendees lined the parade route according to news outlets.
There were a higher number of corporate sponsored trucks, 60 in total, this year including Paypal, Deutsch Bank, Bay, Ikea, Siemens, Vodafone, etc. While many in this politically charged city think this is a negative, I take a positive view, inclusive means all. As reported in a recent article of the magazine Advocate “corporations are picking up the slack of LGBT Rights, going beyond corporate responsibility.” Besides, someone has to pick up the tab.
Berlin lived up to the fun of CSD, a capital of tolerance. A Day to Let it All Go! Make a Statement! Have Fun for all!
See you next year!
One word cannot describe Florence. We decided to use 3. Who could not fall in love with an intimate city offering gorgeous landscapes every part of the day, an early morning walk after breakfast, a hike up the hill in the afternoon, a stroll after a late cocktail.
FAKE IT!
The age of “fake it til you make it” is upon us. The “Bling Culture” is about of looking rich if you are not. A substitution quick fix as a result of income inequality, lack of access to a better life so people show off. In your face consumption means being humble is old fashion, today it is all about the over the top lifestyle.
Documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield tackles modern world values from beauty, gender, and consumerism in her new work Generation Wealth.
The last years of the Roman Empire were decadent. You see in the movie “ I think you have to have a very bad crash in order to wake up” states Greenfield. There is more hope in the movie than in the my book, which feels like we are dancing on the deck of the Titanic but in the film I feel people are waking up, making choices.
“The Kim Kardashian Effect” of middle class women becoming prostitute and porn stars to gain quick access to money is now acceptable. In one generation what was once considered “bad taste” can be considered “good taste”. The value of hard work is lost.
A question I asked at the interview
How do you balance being a critic and being a participant?
My work has come from this place. I studied visual anthropology at Harvard. I have always thrived and able to do my work being on this line as an outsider and insider, working for “W” and “Harpers Bazaar”. I lived in the eye of the storm. Working for these publications gave me access.
Being from a Middle class family but I sometimes desired what the rich LA kids had, even thought I had all that I needed. It made me introspective about the source of the desire. My subjects in the film are like this.
In the film, the 13 year, Adam, his family rented the The Whiskey A GO GO on Sunset Blvd with go go girls for his party. They spent $50.000. He says, “you have to spend this money or you are S*it out of luck!” Then he says “money ruins kids”. He has that insight but is a part of the process.
This is not a story of evil rich people but a story of how all of us are a part of this complicity, the aspiration. Materialism, wealth, theses are ingredients of the modern dream. While watching I had a sad realization. I recognized a lot behavior traits but I know none of the people on screen.
Generation Wealth is well produced, at times, a sad reflection of who or what we are desperately grabbing for the trappings of splendor. There are no new questions raised in the documentary because the same ones have been around since Reagan’s Neo Liberal agenda. What Greenfield shows are the effects of a doctrine based on having it all. Are we willing participants, witnesses? When do the effects of the drug end? While not thought provoking, it makes you think.
Generation Wealth was screened in the Panorama Section at the Berlinale in February 2018.
Check selected local cinemas for the Amazon Studios release.
Sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland.
Shockwaves
(Warning: There are spoilers in this review)
Television is having a Golden Period now. Fortunately, quality programs are not exclusive to the United States or Great Britain.
I met a Berlinale film festival colleague for an evening drink. We started talking about the past festival, our dislikes then our few likes. The Berlinale is a festival where you find unintended treasures. I was reminded about one film from the Panorama section there was a screening of a Swiss TV anthology crime drama “Shock Waves”, four stories revolving around young men. Switzerland is not a country associated with violence, when I learned the festival had secured screenings two episodes of an anthology crime show from the Alps, I was skeptical, in my mind I imagined an antiseptic CSI episode of a stolen cow and milking machine gone wrong, causing social havoc came to my mind at the Saturday Press screening.
I was in walk out mode, instead I was rewarded for staying in my chair. A television crime show better than many films at the festival.
Episode 1.
First name: Matthieu is the brutal story of 17 year old male rape victim Matthieu Reymond.
Photo call and press conference of the film “Shockwaves – Diary of My Mind”.
Berlinale 2018.
Berlin, 19.02.2018.
Director/ Writer Lionel Baier does not go for the easy explicit scenes, instead untangling the story through the victim’s emotional trauma as he, his family, and country come to terms of the sadistic crime. Maxime Gorbatchevsky’s subtle wounded performance stand out along with Ursina Ladi’s as his mother who tries to go about life in denial as if nothing happened.
Based on a true story from a series of murders in Switzerland from 1981 to 1987 committed by a natural born Swiss citizen. “I met the killer in a small room in prison”. He knew he would be caught. He thinks he feels sorry, for himself and family but not able to understand to everything.”
Episode 2.
Shockwaves-Diary of my Mind explores the sudden burst of a violent act in what seemed like a normal existence.
This episode is brutal, as an American, I find the tale more relatable. Director Ursula Meier’s
Photo call and press conference of the film “Shockwaves – Diary of My Mind”.
Berlinale 2018.
Berlin, 19.02.2018.
70 minute episode feels like watching a live feed on CNN. Why would a middle class young man murder his parents? Could a high school literature teacher have the answer? Fanny Ardant’s stands out as an emotionally wounded literature teacher in perpetual pain mode. Viewed by the police as an enabler of the perpetrator because of a writing assignment. Her closed off world is suddenly shattered by a crime a student’s horrific crime. “We do not know anything about my character. She is alone. No family”, She is at the end of her career, says Ardant. Kacey Mottet-Klein turns in a fine performance as a troubled young man plotting parricide. We spoke about the character, states Meier. We worked together in the past so we know each other.
Production values for the Swiss TV program are top.
Screened in the Panorama section at the Berlinale in January.
Shockwaves can be seen on Arte. Check streaming services.
#Thisberlinale18 sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland
The Franconia region of Southern Germany is worth exploring, offering an array of travel experiences. For the outdoor sports enthusiasts, mountain hiking to the top is rewarded with 100 km landscape vistas.
If history is your passion, top recommendation is exploring the many historical cities of Wurzburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, and Ansbach.
Wurzburg
Wurzburg is a romantic picturesque city of 120.000 on the river Main with spectacular Catholiccathedrals.While walking over the Old Main Bridge with its lined with statues, I was reminded of an intimate Prague.
The Wurzburg Residence in the city center is a splendid example of German Baroque style. For eye sweeping views of the city, climb the hill where the Marienberg Fortress is located.
Bamberg
Bamberg is a smaller city of 70.000 centered around a hill on the banks of the river Regnitz. A large portion of the historic community is a UNESCO heritage site. City Hall sits on an island in the middle of the river. The 13thcentury religious monument, Bamberg Cathedral overlooks the city from the hilltop.
Rothenburg
The animated city of Rothenburg, founded in 1535, is a living Disneyland of preserved history. Behind medievalwalls sits buildings resembling an American amusement park. I have no doubt the Universal Studios team was here. Walking along the cobble stone roads, looking into shops in the historic center made me feel a bit “touristic”.
Kathe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas shop is a “must go”. An Ikea type labyrinth of Christmas decorations of every shape, size, and color topped by a 4 meter high Christmas tree, then an equally high Christmas Pyramid. The store is enchanting while beyond kitsch, especially in July!
Ansbach
The best reason to visit Baroque city of Ansbach is the joy of the Ansbacher Garden. Simply Gorgeous! The Middle Evil is small, 40,000 inhabitants, but punches above its size with many beautiful monuments, start exploring from the Martin Luther Square.
Beer or Wine?
The Franconia area of Bavaria is split in two parts: Uppper Beer lands, Lower Wine lands. During the warm months there are many local festivals and tastings. A blessing but make sure you have a designated driver.
Ansbach and Bamberg are situated in Beer territory, look for Kellers serving .5 liter ceremic beer mugs.
Wurzburg and Rothenburg are located in Wine country along with the unique Bocksbeutel bottle.
Sidenote: I forgot my camera for part of the journey. Why? I was a bit hungover from the wine and beer tastings, so I for got to charge the battery. Even after the 600 meter hike, the first stop was a beer keller. When in ROME!
This is a Reposting of a past article!
World Cup 2018 is upon us. The biggest sporting event in the world has started in Russia. Teams from all over the globe compete to see who is the best national soccer club. Just in time for the festivities LG recently introduced its latest bean projector, the LG Cine Beam Laser 4K. My first impression, small, sleek, and room friendly. It does not overwhelm a space. The design aesthetic is modern, like an elongated droid. There are two color options: black or white.
A key selling point is the portability. Simply pick it up by the handle grip to move it from one place to another or room to room. It weighs about 15 lbs, stands at 6.5” x 18. 5”.
The picture quality is what you would expect from a high end projector;4K Ultra High Definition with 8.3 million pixels able to project a clear image on a wall, ceiling, or side of a building. Aspect ratio is 16:9 to a maximum screen size of 150”. During the press demo I was impressed with the picture quality. The images were sharp and focus. I could only imagine watching “The Empire Strikes Back” on a large wall, immersed in the Battle of Hoth, that would be an experience.
The LG Smart TV operating is included along with remote control. I found the system interaction a bit awkward at first, it took some time to get use to the movement.
The laser lamp has a life span of up to 20.000 hours. The system contains all the extra one would expect from a device, Bluetooth and wireless connectivity. I cannot give a review of the built in speakers because we were talking amongst ourselves while viewing the presentation.
Thew big downside: This is an expensive device. There are cheaper projector brands. The $3000 price tag makes this a luxury piece of technology, an investment. If you are a tech and tv enthusiast with money to burn, yes!
Commenting at IFA 17, I said LG had been making strides to step out of the shadow of its bigger Korean rival Samsung by introducing compelling products with stronger design signatures matched with higher quality.
The LG Cine Beam Laser 4K is available in stores.
Incase you have not heard, France over Croatia in the final. However,,, the Croatian Players got our vote for SEX APPEAL!
A look at the Couture Collections from Paris.
Travel Recommendation. Coming soon: The Full Story of traveling in Southern Germany.
Has Gucci gone too far? A recent the New York Times article asked the question, “Is Gucci stylish or tacky?” The answer could go in both ways according the perspective. Gucci embraced the modern. In many ways the looks reflect the “Selfie Times”. See me! This is what I got! Instagram posting moment! Because life is not about being subtle. Because these designs are made with social media in mind, it is all about the post. During Fashion Week Milan in February I got an up close and personal go see of the entire collection at the Gucci Campus in Milan. Creative Director Alessandro Michele has taken the brand into new areas unashamed personal expression. For those who like the subdued, buy a British Heritage Brand.
This Fall Collection mixed with pop references and styles. There is no one silhouette. It is about being photographed in the here and now, no matter what is worn. The aesthetic is classic meets frivolity, everyday items charged with bling. The pieces can be mixed and match with streetwear for a standout effect, casual jeans with a baseball cap emblazoned with a “G” on top. For bag fanatics in all of us with the urge to show off, the exotic skins and shapes with shining details are there. You cannot help but get noticed with this accessory hanging on your arm. The details are many, such as embroidery, logos, and prints.
What I liked the most was the overcoat with a twist of three visual styles. One half was traditional gentlemen’s gray while the other mixed tartan with an animation print on the bottom. The gender look is menswear but in reality it could be effortlessly worn by anyone. Honestly, I would not wear an entire Gucci look. It would overwhelm me. One piece would be enough for an entrance.
Gucci Fall 2018 looks are available in stores.