Carmen

I am a convert! To the magic of opera that is. If you asked me just a few days ago how the gradation of arts desirability worked for me, it would look like that: 1) Ballet 2) Symphony 3) Opera. Most likely the opera was lagging behind because I was traumatized at the tender age of eight when my mother, insired to enlighten me, dragged me, kicking and screaming, to the Bolshoy Theater for a 4–act Nikolaj Rimsky-Korsakov's opera «The Tsar's Bride». Let me just say that the experience was not appreciated and for the most part of the masterpiece I ended up dangling from the balcony of our designated seats making silly faces at the annoyed members of the audience. 

But as with most things, one thankfully outgrows this stage and starts to look at past occurances at a slightly different angle. A few years ago I have seen a higly successful production of NY Metropolitan Opera's «War and Peace» but still have been foresaking my outings to the opera house for ballet performances. Alas, I hang my head in guilty aprehension of the mistakes past. On a recent Sunday, I have finally made my way to the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco Civic Center for Jean-Pierre Ponnele production of «Carmen». Everything from Georges Bizet's  music, decoration, acting and breathtaking voice of Georgian mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili have touched me deeply and made me vow my loyalty to the opera world. 

I will not attempt to voice any sort of reflection on the opera performance having no background in this area – all I can say, try to experience its magic while it lasts from November 6 through December 4. 

Some books to put on your reading list : )

Who? Ayn Rand

What? «The Fountainhead»

Why? For its sharp reflection on the architectural development of the begenning of 20th century, complex characters and affairs with philosophical undertones that just might make you question your ideology.

Who? Milan Kundera

What? «The Unbearable Lightness of Being»

Why? For Kundera's incredible play with words and sharp analysis of character's psychological set-up, the delicate love triange and existential questions that beg to be answered yet remain open to interpretation.

Who? Mikhail Bulgakov

What? «Master and Margarita»

Why? Because I love Russian literature and I said so!!! But for those rebels not yet persuaded, for its grand satire on the Soviet bureucracy and atheism, comical characters and quote worthy statements. Devil trying to beat some sense into the Soviets with the scenes alternating between the streets of Moscow and psychiatric ward… 'Nuff said!  

The Kid with a Bike (Le Gamin au Vélo)

Cyril (Thomas Doret), an innocent hope thrusted upon the egocentrism and coldness of ignorance. The coldness that alienates the pure and gentle heart trying to extinguish the flames of the passionate spirit of youth, its gentle inexperience that will not last. It is impossible to hold back tears watching this boy's trusting eyes aimed at his father's (Jérémie Renier) indifferent face. «The Kid with a Bike», a film by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, is a treasure of great social impact, shining the light on the issue of immaturity in parenthood, shunning responsibility and lacking concern. Samantha (Cécile De France) is the only adult symbol of loyalty persevering  in dealing with complexities of the adolescent search for freedom and adventure in the environment of urban foster care and separation trauma. Antoine de Saint Exupéry famously noted in The Little Prince: «You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed»...so let us think of our children and treat then with gentleness and respect their growing minds deserve : )

Goodbye First Love (Un Amour de Jeunesse)

The French Festival has arrived and it is hard to believe that a year had already passed since I stood in Embarcadero Center Cinema, in a line pouring onto the outdoor garden full of anticipating faces. The seasonal short festivals presented by San Francisco Film Society are always a treat that unfortunately often goes unnoticed by the people who would loyally frequent the International Film Festival in the spring. I genuinely believe that there should be more attempts at getting the word out to the general public via fliers or posters. But that is just my modest opinion…

“Goodbye First Love,” my first film this October, is a charming drama by Mia Hansen-Love, featuring two young lovers who over the course of eight years struggle to find connection and maturity to hold onto their tender yet fragile first feelings. Is it love, you may ask? Infatuation? Whim of burgeoning sexuality?

The characters of Camille (Lola Creton) and Sullivan (Sebastian Urzendowsky) are touchingly real giving the movie both inspirational qualities as well as cringe-worthy episodes. Although Camille annoys with her passivity and helplessness to forsake the romance that could as well have been an illusion all along, her character is what gives the film its tragically realistic touch. Camille is flawed because she is human. She is at moments weak and powerfully persevering at the same time. She is a touch of innocent conviction that is so close to every woman's heart. Camille is a part of woman that is left behind with the teddy bears and first hesitant kisses but emerges spontaneously as a glint of vulnerability that is pure and undeniably true.

An Evening with Ludovico Einaudi

Ludovico Einaudi’s concert in San Francisco left me earning for more…more of that magic music… more of the lulling peacefulness that envelopes your whole being making you forget that you are seating in the crowded Herbst theater and not on your windowpane, wrapped in a plush sweater, looking at the raindrops in mid-air… more of the serenity with which maestro utters a few words to get back to the intricate yet natural movement of his gentle fingers on the piano keys. The evening of November 7 was a transformative two hours where the face was finally put on the art and the music sounded with the purest voice of live performance. Thank you, Ludovico Einaudi!

Colorful sorry

It has been a long time of silence and my apologies go to the loyal readers of this blog as well as any curious passerby. There have been a lot going on – relocation to a new dwelling and a few changes in my life that are positive and exhilaratingly exciting. Change is always welcome since it brings growth and new potentials. I have come across a quote by Antoine de Saint Exupéry which sums up my feelings as of lately: «A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born». I am open to discover all the fragments of this stranger's character but now, as with any delay, I am ready to post and share all the recent discoveries in film, art and culture that make everyday a uniquely colorful one! And on the note of color – a round of applause for this outrageously gorgeous video that put a big silly smile on my face:

Thank you, Kate Spade New York – you colorized us once again!