"The Children of Chabannes"

I seem to be in a movie phase, but as we tend to watch many Netflix rentals at home, this is no surprise to me, nor friends and family that know us. Tonight, my husband and I watched a wonderful documentary called "The Children of Chabannes". Just when you think there simply can't be one more movie about Jews being rescued during the Holocaust, along comes another gem to surprise your brain and elevate your spirits. And, we can always make room for a movie about decent human beings - after all, this world in many ways has not yet learned the lessons of the mid-twentieth century.

The movie tells of a small, isolated agricultural community in southern France, in the region of Creuse. There, a remarkable group of people led by Felix Chevrier, sheltered some 400 Jewish children (from Germany and Austria) who were "released" by their parents for safety, as their parents were sent east to a certain death. The very notion of giving up one's children under any conditions is almost unthinkable, but that these parents were able to separate during a time of war speaks volumes about their courage. With the help of the children's aid society (OSE), these children came to be sheltered by decent and nurturing French men and women who ultimately would serve as surrogate parents. The townspeople, having little to no previous exposure to Jews, and no access to the anti-Semitic railings of the Parisian newspapers, were able to retain their humanity and saw only threatened children in need.

They attempted to provide as normal a life as possible, integrating the Jewish refugee children with those of the local town. The children went to school, learned French and survived with relative comfort until the Vichy government stepped up its round-up efforts in mid-late 1942. Unfortunately, six teenage boys fell victim to one such round-up. Two of them survived multiple concentration camps but the other four never returned. After this devastating experience, the childrens' protectors vowed to do everything they could to disperse their charges to safer private homes and/or ferry them across the border into Switzerland. As a result, many survived the war, though they would never be reunited with their parents.

It was most gratifying to see that Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel has honored these brave individuals who put their own lives on the line for doing something that seems humanly basic: protecting the young and innocent. We heartily recommend this well-done documentary.

Unfortunate Formula

Although $12.50 isn’t a vast amount by any means, I wish I had both the money and the time I’d spent watching “Black Swan” back. Unfortunately, the perceived formula for successful films in Hollywood today is a strange one. Movies don’t seem to have a straightforward plot line anymore – today’s directors want them to have an “edge”. In the case of Black Swan, it is laced with horror, hallucinations and lesbian love scenes. I will deal with the altered version of the ballet’s choreography later.

As things turned out, I had not intended to watch this movie in the theatre. I did not have a strong enough interest in it and was content to wait to view it on Netflix. But as it was a rainy day and my husband and I could not get in to see the movie of our first choice, we fell back on Black Swan instead. The feeling of the settling for next best is not a consoling outcome, but we tried to make the best of it. Being an afternoon matinee, the theatre was not even 1/3 full. Once the movie began, as with most these days, the volume of the music hit us over the head like a sledge hammer. Not a great way to start. But it was the troubling multitude of messages that the story included that turned us both off. Having been a professional dancer myself, for a short while, I could identify with the life that was depicted, to some degree. But, the movie’s story line accentuated some the public’s perceptions of a ballet dancer’s life and outright distorted other aspects, making the viewer almost uneasy as the story developed.

Natalie Portman, in the lead role, does an excellent job in this otherwise Twilight Zone-ish story, even if her character is lacking the confidence a successful dancer needs to get to the top. Dancers with timidity simply don’t get ahead in the dog-eat-dog world of ballet. That aside, she is beautiful to watch on the screen and has done considerable homework in preparing for this role. Her carriage and movements are well executed, though many of the shots and scenes that involve detailed pointe work are executed by a professional dancer that doubles for her. But viewers may feel somewhat nauseated from the dizzying camera work that prevails throughout much of the film. I suppose one of the “techniques” that directors use when shooting a film where they want to convey the illusion and not too much detail, is to keep the cameras darting about. Well, it may cover up the finer details but it is infuriating to watch. Many of the scenes come across as a blur and I didn’t like it at all. I could have used a dose of Dramamine.

I felt that the story itself had potential and they didn’t have to Hollywood-ize with the horror sub-plot. Today’s moviegoers apparently want all the whiz-bang effects as well as watching a movie that includes scenes with bi-sexual and homosexual overtones.

I did like the use of the ballet’s music throughout the movie as an appropriate accompaniment. But as I mentioned earlier, the volume in the theatres is simply too loud. It gets to a point where it not only hurts one’s ears but it is so loud that it ruins the effect. As for the choreography, it left much to be desired. The story line is one of a leading New York ballet company putting on a “new version” of the classic Swan Lake. For the record, I’m not big on “new versions” of classics. A classic is a classic for a reason … because it will live forever and therefore shouldn’t be tampered with. Yes, I know, everyone has put his stamp on it, from modern to jazz to an all male gay version. The problem though with this choreography was that it truly looked ridiculous. It wasn’t believable and didn’t fit within the story line. But once again, the camera did so much whizzing and darting around to “cover” for the non-dancer actresses that it was most annoying. I won’t say anything more about the plot in case you want to see it but think twice before you lay down $12.50!

A Necessary Movie

One has no trouble coming to logical and just conclusions about the perpetrators of evil in any war, but rarely do we think about their children, who are left to live with an awful legacy. That is the foundation for this moving and complex film. Titled “Inheritance”, it aptly describes the proverbial baggage that is handed off, in this case, to the daughter of one of World War II’s most monstrous participants – Amon Goeth. As commandant of the Płaszów concentration camp in Kraków, Poland, he was feared as someone who tortured and killed Jews regularly.

After viewing Steven Spielberg’s now famous movie, “Schindler’s List”, Goeth’s daughter Monika is confronted with the image and legacy of her father and must somehow come to terms with reality. Through no fault of her own, she endeavors to make sense of the past by reaching out to one of the survivors of the camp. It is an extraordinary action which is met with equal compassion by Helen Jonas-Rosezweig – Goeth’s Jewish slave servant during his time at the camp.

I was quite moved by the bravery on both their parts and though not an easy movie to watch, it is a very necessary documentary which serves to remind us not only of the mistakes of the past but of the redemptive possibilities for the future. I highly recommend it!

The Least We Can Do is Say Thank You!

As a volunteer at the Bob Hope Hollywood USO - LAX, I see these men and women as they pass through the Los Angeles Airport. It is an honor to be able to thank them for their selfless service. Because of them, we sleep securely and wake knowing they are on the front lines protecting our freedoms. Please go to this site and send them a thank you - it's the least we can do for the sacrifices they've made. Thank you!

Truly Amazing Times

I was out for my afternoon walk, not too long ago, on a lovely Fall day in Los Angeles, and I made an observation that almost struck me with the weight of the proverbial ton of bricks. I don’t know why the realization had not occurred to me before, but it wasn’t until just that moment that I felt quite connected with our time. I observed how so many people were walking around, going about their lives, but connected to music of their choice with electronic ear “buds” securely snug in their ears. I just hadn’t realized how pervasive it is. And then, it started me thinking. The ideas and questions rushed through my mind at an exciting pace.

I too was connected to my electronic device that day, listening to my favorite classical music. Somehow, classical music brings out even more beauty in the sky and scenery. I ventured a safe bet though, that most people probably listen to music of the harder (or harsher) nature. But be that as it may, I marveled at the amazing technology that permits us all to take our inspiration and motivation with us. It calms us when we are nervous, inspires us when we are searching for that spark and pushes us when we are uncertain. That so much wonderful music is literally at our fingertips is a wondrous thing.

It was not all that long ago that I remember carrying, what now seems like, a rather bulky Walkman CD player. I recall how I had to keep it steady so as not to impact the mechanism inside which required a certain level of stability to operate uninterrupted. And of course, prior to that, there was the bulkier Walkman cassette. Going back any further than that seems utterly prehistoric.

Then, my thoughts drifted to the realm of “what would they think?”. I tried to imagine what the great composers might think of the notion that we could hear their marvelous creations anytime we wanted. We did not have to hope to be invited to an exclusive music soirée in some secluded, private salon, nor did we have to purchase an expensive ticket to a long-awaited concert. All we have to do is merely hit PLAY and we are transported to another world. The technology almost seems magical yet it is within reach of so many. That in itself, is the beauty of capitalism and the free market which has served us well. Oh, how I do love this time in which we live!