Mario Testino

It is still raining here but I am yet to run out of the simple ways to entertain myself. Today, for instance, as I was reorganizing the disarray of my reading materials, I came across one of my favorite photography books that I thought was misplaced during the move. Portraits by Mario Testino is a mesmerizing work of an artist. What I personally love the most about Testino’s work is how creatively and emotionally versatile it is. I rephotographed some of my favorite portraits here and I apologize for the poor quality that in no way reflects the beauty of the original work!  From humorous bordering on scandalous in portraits of Robbie Williams and Eva Herzigova to breathtakingly dignified and grand in those of Princess Diana and Catherine Zeta Jones, Testino manages to capture a certain glimpse into the personality that is often hidden from the curious eyes. I attached two pictures of Princess Diana here because I could not choose which one I liked better. They are both incredibly tender and peaceful which makes me lost for words as these pictures were taken in London in 1997, the year of the fatal car crash. If I had the patience, I would include every single picture here but I am sure it is illegal and Mr. Testino would not approve…although it would be truly worth it!

          Robbie Williams (British Vogue 2000, London)

Eva Herzigova (The Face 1997, Paris)

Catherine Zeta Jones (Vanity Fair 2000, New York)

     Diana, Princess of Wales (Vanity Fair 1997, London)

                                                     

better than raindrops...

Maestro Ludovico Einaudi, in gratitude I bow my head to you...for having created a melody that can stir my very soul yet leave me peaceful...

on festivals

It is cold and raining here in San Francisco and unless I decide to brave the puddles in my colorful rain boots, my posts will keep focusing around the kaleidoscopic variety of world cinema and my irrepressible addiction to Netflix. Although "Mr. Netflix" has made our lives significantly easier on the days when all you want to do is drown beneath some warm covers with a cup of hot chocolate, I will forever claim my fame as an avid moviegoer. I am addicted to the old, one-room movie theaters that still have that retro artsy vibe about them – some still featuring curtains around the screen as if it were a stage! For me no plasma TV at home, no matter how large, can replace the rusty old screen – the darkness that envelops you and the feeling of being pulled from your seat right into the rolling action. The DVDs take out the emotions for me….it is like smelling flowers in a gas mask… That takes me to my next gimmick – I often need to see a movie alone... as in no date or loyal friends allowed…especially if it is really good…selfish, I know (must be an only-child thing) – do not dare try to steal or share into my movie-absorbing-experiences, people!!! But jokes apart, I have never felt so liberated as to take a spontaneous hideaway from the hum and buzz of city and enjoy a matinee. It truly recharges your batteries on any given Sunday and then you can focus on the emotions the movie evokes in you, notice every subtle detail…

While I am on the topic of movie theaters and far away from my sublime collection of films at home, let me make an announcement:

Tribeca Film Festival will be held April 20-May 1, 2011

San Francisco International Film Festival will be held April 21-May, 2011

After I moved to San Francisco from NYC, in my mind, I put a fat cross over my affair with the mighty Film Festival. I was wrong, I admit it – gravely wrong. I dare say that I love the International Film Festival in San Francisco just as much as that in Tribeca and that the calibre of film selection is excellent. So SF, bring it on…feed me film like you feed me diverse deliciousness of food…but that is left to my other blog...

Links to the festivals:

NYC: http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/news-views/2011_Tribeca_Film_Festival_Announced.html

SF: http://www.sffs.org/sf-intl-film-festival.aspx 

Ne te retourne pas

Last night I finally got a chance to watch Don’t Look Back/Ne te retourne pas, a highly anticipated film by Marina de Van. I am a big fan of French cinema and an equally loyal follower of Monica Bellucci’s work. The bonus here, besides the fascinating plot, grasping at the eluding childhood memory combined with de Van’s chilling body metamorphosis, is the presence of another European beauty – Sophie Marceau. Although the two women sharing the role of the main heroine are breathtaking, the movie that promised to be an emotional thriller full of sensual suspense felt lengthy and never fully unleashed. I do like the director’s play with insanity though. The blending of the memory pieces into the puzzle of reality is beautifully symbolized by fusing Bellucci and Marceau’s faces. A must watch!

on fairytales

As I was home sick with a cold today, I was flipping through the channels and came upon a 1976 version of The Little Mermaid – a beautiful film based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale. The story talks about the little mermaid who saves the prince from drowning and, enamored with him, asks the sea witch to grant her a pair of human feet. The witch agrees to give her feet in exchange for her musical voice. Mute, the mermaid would walk in pain as if a thousand knives were piercing her feet. If the prince falls in love and marries her, she would get a human soul since a part of prince’s soul would flow into hers. If, however, the prince marries another woman, the mermaid’s heart would break and she would disintegrate into sea foam.  In this gloomy version of the famous Little Mermaid, the prince is made to believe that it was the temple princess who saved him from drowning and not the mermaid and she, being mute, is unable to deny it. The prince marries the princess and the mermaid gets ready to die at dawn. As the last ray of hope, her mermaid sisters are persuading her to kill the prince and, by that action, grant herself the return to the sea. However, the mermaid chooses to die instead and let the prince live in happiness.

Does not sound like your Disney ending, right? And that’s exactly why Disney is awful and should be banned. It teaches the fairy tale where this version is life – raw, often unfair but highly realistic. I think that children should know the truth. That, at the end,  love is not necessarily about getting a prince. I think this version of the fairytale teaches us more about LOVE than any Disney's Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty ever could – it teaches sacrifice, putting others ahead of yourself and pity.

…and on the day after St. Valentine’s, I’ll raise my glass to that!

Welcome! : )

What is alchemy? A medieval quest for the elixir of youth and vitality? An art of turning base metals into gold? All in all, it is the ultimate wisdom of transforming something basic into something precious. It is everyday magic that makes us smile and laugh. A new art piece, movie or book that leaves a lingering mental aftertaste. An unusual observation that sinks deep into your mind and begs for questions. Let the musings begin…