Blog #6 The Film of Your Own Life

Have any of you seen The Battle of Algiers? I watched it last night and it completely blew me away. It was one of the most intense cinematic experiences I've ever had. I don't even know where to start, except to say, if you haven't seen it, you should. It's especially powerful and haunting in context of our current political climate. It's one of those rare films that feels Important, that makes you feel like it's your duty to go around demanding that your friends see it and talk about it. Not to mention, from a purely technical and/or aesthetic standpoint, the film was a masterpiece (the score was brilliant, it acted like a character in the film). Some of the insights into the methodology (of the “terrorists” and the “French Paratroopers & colonists”) were so frightening, (not to mention the in-sights into their hearts and minds), I had a hard time not wondering what the ethical and political ramifications of such truths (emotional & ideological) and insights have had and/or continue to have on people, nations. “Acts of violence don't win wars. Neither wars nor revolutions. Terrorism is useful as a start. But then, the people themselves must act.” It was so real and stark, I had to remind myself it wasn't a documentary, but a prophecy. I'd be interested to know what you all think of the film.

I feel like you must know you've lost a war when a wall of unarmed people march through the smoke, singing like a collective chorus, directly at an army, with beautiful women in flowing white dresses dancing in the front line, waving tattered flags right in the faces of armed soldiers, and when they are shot and fall dead in the street, more women just keep dancing and twirling towards them, waving tattered flags in their faces, and always singing.

I know I’m a geek, but I think my idea of heaven may be watching provocative films, then walking down the street at night discussing the film with your best friends, and then stopping to eat outside at a French restaurant, drinking wine, still discussing the film until you realize you're not even discussing the film anymore, but your own lives, the world. Or something like that. If you haven't seen the film of your own life yet, I won't spoil it. But feel free to tell me your idea(s) of what heaven might be like (you're only allowed 322 each).

I wonder if Dan Hoy's heaven has a drive-in movie theater, and what’s playing tonight. Dan Hoy, are you out there?

-SRS