Genre: Drama
Director: Ferzan Ozpetek
Writers: Ferzan Ozpetek, Gianni Romoli
Summary:
AIDS doctor Antonia's husband is killed by a car. She gets depressed until she learns he had been cheating on her with a man. Following her newly born curiosity for life, she goes to see her husband's lover, Michele, and finds a huge apartment that he shares with gay and transgendered friends, including a Turkish immigrant and a prostitute. Antonia is reluctant to tell these people of her relationship to the dead man, but needs prompting to move on to a new phase of her life.
by Sujit R. Varma
I had to wait for Jayce to watch this movie before I started raving about it. Finally, Port, Jayce and I had a lenghthy discussion on how fabulous the movie was....
Here's how it went....
1. The movie presented the gay/lesbian community as a diverse people with a sub-culture that everyone can relate to and/or be a part of.
Antonia who was, all her life, sheltered by a conventional community now finds herself enjoying the company and lifestyle of her husband's lover. She realized that her husband not only fell in love with Michele, but he fell in love with the people in his apartment building (having lunch with them every Sunday).
N.B. Massimo is straight and yes, he fell in love with Michele. (clap-clap-clap)
2. The basic premise of the story was so Bohemian that it revolved on the art of living.
Antonia was reborn into a lifestyle of independence, freedom, and seeing the beauty around and in everyone. She now sees herself through her own eyes, not through anybody else's. She no longer lives in Massimo's shadow.
This strongly tells every woman who was brainwashed by fairytale romances and fairytale endings to get a life! It's about time you outgrew Snow White/Cinderella and/or Hollywood endings... there is no such thing as a knight in shining armour to save you from your misery. Happiness in love and in life in general is a choice... no knight or king or fairy godmother can give that to you... you owe it to yourself!... Freewill... there is always a Choice!
3. It presented love that transends sexual preference, status and social norms.
I know Port hates this part of the movie but I'll mention it anyway.
Michele and Antonia find themselves falling in love with each other. It could be because of what Massimo saw in both of them that draws them together.
The beauty of this concept is that love can come in any form, be it romantic or platonic. Love is love... no matter what status in life, sexual preference or what the society dictates, love will still be everywhere... lingering for its next victim.
4. It subtly infused the gay/lesbian social struggle, considering that this was primarily shown in Rome.
The movie presented the gay/lesbian culture so mundanely, something common to every culture. Up until the end, as the credits were running, shots from the Gay Pride parade were highlighted. Complete with their effigies, placards/posters, and the well represented gay/lesbian community.
5. The movie was just simply fabulous!
FYI. Just in case you wanted to know... Port is a non-practicing sociologist... Jayce is a movie/literary buff and guru... Midz is a pseudo-lesbian/gay blogger... we're all open for dates for the upcoming Italian and French filmfest at the CCP... =p
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
On Emo....
Contrary to popular belief, I do have emotions too.
This is proof that I appreciate the idea of romanticism... well, from a Chilean activist's point of view...
Sonnet XVII
by: Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this;
where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
This is proof that I appreciate the idea of romanticism... well, from a Chilean activist's point of view...
Sonnet XVII
by: Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this;
where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
Friday, November 11, 2005
On Work...
I haven't been myself lately... maybe because I am actually working and doing something productive with my time other than surf the internet... what is the world coming to?!! Me?... productive?
When I was a kid, I remember Dadz setting-up a small space where my sister and I can play. It was nothing fancy, wooden planks and sand... I remember spending hours playing make believe and having our own adventures.... from dungeons and dragons to exploring Mars...
I'd tell people that work is just a state of mind. A matter of perspective on how you view your job. If you're having fun at work, then it's play time! My work station becomes my sandbox...
How is my sandbox different?
1. Now my dungeons become real. I am bound by deadlines, policies, deliverables and the worst technological breakthrough... wireless communication...
2. Now my dragons become real. I am the dragon... I call the shots. I breathe fire thru anything including titanium... I am in command and I am in control...
3. Mars is now a source of sustenance... and it's within reach... although I prefer dark.
Work... It's all a game... a new adventure waiting to be explored, a new challenge waiting to be conquered, a new means to express your creativity and imagination to its limits...
How does productivity and effectivity equate to having fun at work?
hmmm... if you're not getting it... I guess you have to ask yourself, "Am I in the right sandbox?"
When I was a kid, I remember Dadz setting-up a small space where my sister and I can play. It was nothing fancy, wooden planks and sand... I remember spending hours playing make believe and having our own adventures.... from dungeons and dragons to exploring Mars...
I'd tell people that work is just a state of mind. A matter of perspective on how you view your job. If you're having fun at work, then it's play time! My work station becomes my sandbox...
How is my sandbox different?
1. Now my dungeons become real. I am bound by deadlines, policies, deliverables and the worst technological breakthrough... wireless communication...
2. Now my dragons become real. I am the dragon... I call the shots. I breathe fire thru anything including titanium... I am in command and I am in control...
3. Mars is now a source of sustenance... and it's within reach... although I prefer dark.
Work... It's all a game... a new adventure waiting to be explored, a new challenge waiting to be conquered, a new means to express your creativity and imagination to its limits...
How does productivity and effectivity equate to having fun at work?
hmmm... if you're not getting it... I guess you have to ask yourself, "Am I in the right sandbox?"
Monday, November 07, 2005
On Assuming....
I was cleaning my inbox, when I came across this.... bato-bato sa langit ang tamaan... Ha! deds...
THE PREMISE of this article lies on the principle that sometimes, loving a person doesn't mean it has to be romantic and loving a person for the rest of your life doesn't mean you have to end up marrying them.
Can a man and a woman just be friends? I'd say yes and they should be.
Hindi dahil kinaibigan ka, liligawan ka na. Not every guy who befriends you has an ulterior motive. Get over yourself. Don't flatter yourself. There is a reason why he befriended you, but don't automatically assume that it's because he wants to be your so-called boyfriend. If this will be the principle you'll follow every time someone asks you to be his friend, you're gonna miss a great deal from the friendship.
Hindi dahil mabait sa iyo, nililigawan ka na. There are people who are naturally sweet and kind. There are people who are innately good and no matter how wicked you seem, they just find it so easy to be kind to you. It doesn't mean he is courting you. Don't put yourself through unnecessary stress trying to figure out if he's courting you or not. Because I think if he is, you won't have to guess, you'll know and you'll be very certain about it.
Hindi dahil he talks to you a lot, he loves you na. You don't befriend a person if you absolutely abhor him, right? Chances are you make sense when he talks to you, or you're probably very patient listening to him. The two of you probably connect on some level but why does it always have to be assumed to be romantic? Being two intelligent, mature human beings, you need to accept that it's nice to share a cup of coffee over a stimulating conversation, and that you don't have to automatically put romantic connotation to it. Relieve yourself of the pressure. It's just coffee and a shared interest.
Hindi dahil cute ang friend mo, crush/love mo na siya. This is the most amusing thing that hit me lately. People always assume that because your friend is cute or should I say, hot (because cute is a word you describe your high school crush while hot is a word you use to describe a hunk), "lakas amats mo na for repapips!" Let me just say this, at least from my own personal experience, I'm just nearsighted, I haven't gone blind. I can still appreciate God's creation! However, there will always be weird things, crazy things, stupid things that will keep you, believe me, from having a crush on him. First of all, you'd know his history with women, enough to judge what's good for you. Second, don't you just hate it when a guy who's absolutely always put together, who looks intelligent enough pronounces the word country as "kawntri" and the word mango as "meynggo." Call me crazy for judging a person just because he can't pronounce these words right. I admit, I'm crazy.
Hindi dahil you hang out with each other most of the time, you'd end up being boyfriend-girlfriend. Self-explanatory... There are a thousand, no million different reasons why things don't always turn out that way. There is no one proven formula. For all we know, the reason why he likes hanging out with you is because he likes getting kikay tips from you. He probably plans on being kikay himself and he needs a mentor.
A dinner with a guy friend does not necessarily equate to a date. Especially if you're paying for your share. Hello?
Three things to consider: the place, the topic and how the two of you actually planned to meet. First, how it was planned. If it were a date expect that he would ask you out at least three days before the actual date to give you some lead time, to give you the notion that you are not just a filler on his schedule. Second, the place. If it were a real date, the both of you would want real food and a place where you could really talk things through. Don't go out with a guy to a movie on Friday night if you're really serious about him. Going to a movie is more like treating him like a "filler" just because you had nothing to do on a Friday night so you might as well go out. Topic. Ha! You wouldn't be talking about chikang artista, chikang opisina or argue if the girl's boobs are real or not. You would be probably talking about sensible, quite personal stuff.
I therefore conclude that platonic relationships are never complicated; people just have tendencies to complicate them.
THE PREMISE of this article lies on the principle that sometimes, loving a person doesn't mean it has to be romantic and loving a person for the rest of your life doesn't mean you have to end up marrying them.
Can a man and a woman just be friends? I'd say yes and they should be.
Hindi dahil kinaibigan ka, liligawan ka na. Not every guy who befriends you has an ulterior motive. Get over yourself. Don't flatter yourself. There is a reason why he befriended you, but don't automatically assume that it's because he wants to be your so-called boyfriend. If this will be the principle you'll follow every time someone asks you to be his friend, you're gonna miss a great deal from the friendship.
Hindi dahil mabait sa iyo, nililigawan ka na. There are people who are naturally sweet and kind. There are people who are innately good and no matter how wicked you seem, they just find it so easy to be kind to you. It doesn't mean he is courting you. Don't put yourself through unnecessary stress trying to figure out if he's courting you or not. Because I think if he is, you won't have to guess, you'll know and you'll be very certain about it.
Hindi dahil he talks to you a lot, he loves you na. You don't befriend a person if you absolutely abhor him, right? Chances are you make sense when he talks to you, or you're probably very patient listening to him. The two of you probably connect on some level but why does it always have to be assumed to be romantic? Being two intelligent, mature human beings, you need to accept that it's nice to share a cup of coffee over a stimulating conversation, and that you don't have to automatically put romantic connotation to it. Relieve yourself of the pressure. It's just coffee and a shared interest.
Hindi dahil cute ang friend mo, crush/love mo na siya. This is the most amusing thing that hit me lately. People always assume that because your friend is cute or should I say, hot (because cute is a word you describe your high school crush while hot is a word you use to describe a hunk), "lakas amats mo na for repapips!" Let me just say this, at least from my own personal experience, I'm just nearsighted, I haven't gone blind. I can still appreciate God's creation! However, there will always be weird things, crazy things, stupid things that will keep you, believe me, from having a crush on him. First of all, you'd know his history with women, enough to judge what's good for you. Second, don't you just hate it when a guy who's absolutely always put together, who looks intelligent enough pronounces the word country as "kawntri" and the word mango as "meynggo." Call me crazy for judging a person just because he can't pronounce these words right. I admit, I'm crazy.
Hindi dahil you hang out with each other most of the time, you'd end up being boyfriend-girlfriend. Self-explanatory... There are a thousand, no million different reasons why things don't always turn out that way. There is no one proven formula. For all we know, the reason why he likes hanging out with you is because he likes getting kikay tips from you. He probably plans on being kikay himself and he needs a mentor.
A dinner with a guy friend does not necessarily equate to a date. Especially if you're paying for your share. Hello?
Three things to consider: the place, the topic and how the two of you actually planned to meet. First, how it was planned. If it were a date expect that he would ask you out at least three days before the actual date to give you some lead time, to give you the notion that you are not just a filler on his schedule. Second, the place. If it were a real date, the both of you would want real food and a place where you could really talk things through. Don't go out with a guy to a movie on Friday night if you're really serious about him. Going to a movie is more like treating him like a "filler" just because you had nothing to do on a Friday night so you might as well go out. Topic. Ha! You wouldn't be talking about chikang artista, chikang opisina or argue if the girl's boobs are real or not. You would be probably talking about sensible, quite personal stuff.
I therefore conclude that platonic relationships are never complicated; people just have tendencies to complicate them.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
On Boxes...
Why does everybody live in a box?
As people get more responsibilities in life, ( get a job , a career, an apartment, a car, a relationship, get pregnant....) it seems that we confine ourselves to smaller spaces.
This is my box:
House, mall, laundry, grocery, house.
House, Italianni's/Kitchen/Pasto's/Bubba Gump, Magnum/Havana, movie, Coffee Bean, house.
Work, mall, house.
Work, bank, Coffee Bean, house.
Work, Grappa's, house.
Work, Coffee Bean, house.
Work, Athena, Malate and/or Timog, house.
How does your box look like?
As people get more responsibilities in life, ( get a job , a career, an apartment, a car, a relationship, get pregnant....) it seems that we confine ourselves to smaller spaces.
This is my box:
House, mall, laundry, grocery, house.
House, Italianni's/Kitchen/Pasto's/Bubba Gump, Magnum/Havana, movie, Coffee Bean, house.
Work, mall, house.
Work, bank, Coffee Bean, house.
Work, Grappa's, house.
Work, Coffee Bean, house.
Work, Athena, Malate and/or Timog, house.
How does your box look like?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
On Coffee...
This has been and will always be my one true love...
What will the world be like without coffee?
hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm....
hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm....
hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm....
and then comes
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
and more
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
and then you die!
What will the world be like without coffee?
hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm....
hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm....
hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm.... hmmm....
and then comes
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
and more
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
zzzzz...... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz..... zzzzzz...... zzzzzz......
and then you die!
Friday, October 14, 2005
On Restlessness...
This must be the most agonozing day of the week....
I can't wait to get out of the office and just chill with my beer... everybody has been texting and calling.... they are all out drinking and I am here typing this post....
This is my loser moment.... wipe that fucking smirk off your face... I too am human and yes, I have to admit I have some moments.... come on... the world would be too unfair if I were always perfect... but wait...
I gotta go!!!! Jayce is here and there's a Sale at A Different Bookstore....
Then again... I may not really have a loser moment after all!
I still am Perfect!!!
I can't wait to get out of the office and just chill with my beer... everybody has been texting and calling.... they are all out drinking and I am here typing this post....
This is my loser moment.... wipe that fucking smirk off your face... I too am human and yes, I have to admit I have some moments.... come on... the world would be too unfair if I were always perfect... but wait...
I gotta go!!!! Jayce is here and there's a Sale at A Different Bookstore....
Then again... I may not really have a loser moment after all!
I still am Perfect!!!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
On Pink...
What is it with pink now a days? It is literally everywhere! I'd say figuratively too but my sisters might slap me unconscious!
Is it the season? Is it a fashion statement that everything should be oh so gory... what I mean is oh so girly...
I have nothing against pink, in fact I use it to conjure friendships. But seeing it everywhere I go?!! Is it a curse? Is this my karma for not wearing pink when I was a kid?
I was your typical Daddy's little girl who'd wear shirts and shorts, jumpers, corduroy everything!!! Skirts... hmmm... honestly, I do not remember if I owned one! Or it's just one of those selective memory thingees that you forget the bad things that happen to you!
Just think about it. Why pink? Not everybody looks good in pink... not everybody likes pink!
Here are my thoughts:
1. Pink fashion is a subtle way to telling every man (yes, the other species) that we still dominate. We are in control. Fashion is a given, the business, the marketing, the design, the numerous ways by which pink is infused in our day to day existence. This may come in the form of anything and everything that has physical contour.
2. Pink is everywhere because most of the Filipinos are now fair skinned thanks to all the whitening products available, making them pseudo-meztisos and pseudo-meztisas. They all sport a pink fashion to flaunt their success story with their respective whitening product.
3. Pink is a symbol of being gentle, sweet and passive... as opposed to red the color of aggression. Is it a conspiracy of the government and the business sector to subconsciously pacify the people's socio-political angst? Flashing pink everywhere enhances the energy of submissiveness, hence our people finding it longer to build aggression, and subversive action.
Is it the season? Is it a fashion statement that everything should be oh so gory... what I mean is oh so girly...
I have nothing against pink, in fact I use it to conjure friendships. But seeing it everywhere I go?!! Is it a curse? Is this my karma for not wearing pink when I was a kid?
I was your typical Daddy's little girl who'd wear shirts and shorts, jumpers, corduroy everything!!! Skirts... hmmm... honestly, I do not remember if I owned one! Or it's just one of those selective memory thingees that you forget the bad things that happen to you!
Just think about it. Why pink? Not everybody looks good in pink... not everybody likes pink!
Here are my thoughts:
1. Pink fashion is a subtle way to telling every man (yes, the other species) that we still dominate. We are in control. Fashion is a given, the business, the marketing, the design, the numerous ways by which pink is infused in our day to day existence. This may come in the form of anything and everything that has physical contour.
2. Pink is everywhere because most of the Filipinos are now fair skinned thanks to all the whitening products available, making them pseudo-meztisos and pseudo-meztisas. They all sport a pink fashion to flaunt their success story with their respective whitening product.
3. Pink is a symbol of being gentle, sweet and passive... as opposed to red the color of aggression. Is it a conspiracy of the government and the business sector to subconsciously pacify the people's socio-political angst? Flashing pink everywhere enhances the energy of submissiveness, hence our people finding it longer to build aggression, and subversive action.
Monday, September 19, 2005
On Blogging...
Why am I blogging?
This is not to start a philosophical or an existentialist series of discussions... so philosophers, neo-philosophers and pseudo philosophers, I respect your opinions but rather keep it to yourselves...
1. I am blogging due to a lack of a more creative and sensible use of my time... yes, I have a lot of time in my hands and I am not ashamed to say it.
2. I am in the very least trying to establish a sense of normalcy or pseudo-normalcy for those who really know me, in my life by joining the countless mindless drones of blogging.
3. I still have to come up with that...
This is not to start a philosophical or an existentialist series of discussions... so philosophers, neo-philosophers and pseudo philosophers, I respect your opinions but rather keep it to yourselves...
1. I am blogging due to a lack of a more creative and sensible use of my time... yes, I have a lot of time in my hands and I am not ashamed to say it.
2. I am in the very least trying to establish a sense of normalcy or pseudo-normalcy for those who really know me, in my life by joining the countless mindless drones of blogging.
3. I still have to come up with that...
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