A rather interesting and reflective documentary ...

I was supposed to have seen another film, which unfortunately wasn't being exhibited in Lisbon as I had believed I ended up therefore selecting another one - Francofonia by Aleksandr Sokurov at the last moment and I am glad I did because it was interesting and above all reflective. 

The importance of Art and relationships that are "constructive" irrespective of the sides people happen to find themselves at - Jaujard, the Louvre director during the second World War and the German officer Metternich who was assigned  to have some of Louvre's works of Art transferred to Germany territory, are at the heart of the documentary film. 

" (...) if viewers think of the film as a freewheeling poetic essay, highly personal yet captivating. The pic's core (or perhaps merely the hook?) is the relationship between Jaujard and Wolf Metternich, vanquished and conqueror and how both men were intent on protecting the Louvre's treasures."

La leçon by Eugène Ionesco at Meridional Theatre, Lisbon - The 31st of July 2016

I must confess I had no idea what to expect as I ventured into Teatro Meridional on the last  performing day of Eugène Ionesco's La leçon, though every single time I have been to Meridional I have not been disappointed and regarding some performing acts my expectations exceeded.

 

 

Undeniably well performed, I can nevertheless say that I wasn't taken by it though I feel my perspective regarding teaching played a distinct role in my overall opinion.
















 "La leçon is about the fragile and perverse relation between knowledge and power and the ephemeral power of the knowledge; the supposedly absolute knowledge that suffocates free thinking;  education and the weight of the formated-type of teaching and its incongruencies; the weakenesses regarding communication and how a dialogue can turn into a series of monologues." in the words of Rui de Freitas (free translation from the Portuguese) does define what the core of the play is about.



I can't help but highly praise the stage and light setting designers for having created an exquisite and adequate atmosphere for such a "complex" performance which has been sold out (almost) everyday.






Adapted version of Eugène Ionesco's play - Ernesto Sampaio (final version for this performance - Miguel Seabra and Natália Luiza).
Metteur en scène - Miguel Seabra.
Actors - Sara Barros Leitão, Miguel Seabra and Elsa Galvão.
Stage setting and costume design - Marta Carreira.
Light setting design - Rui Rebelo.











 

... and I am feeling good ...

... A new life  awaits these recently accredited ATCO's and regardless of the non- associated connotations to Nina Simone's song ... I feel like singing I'm feeling good ...

These young men and lady (in the above picture with two other ATCOs) have made it through the long Air Traffic Control course and will soon be placed in the Azores and Madeira islands. As one of the many teachers who have contributed towards the positive outcome ... I feel proud and more so because with one exception they have been awarded the highest level in the official European Aviation English testing ...

I am sure they are feeling as good as I am ...
May they continue to feel so, as well as committed, in the carrying out of their careers ...

 

 

 

 

 

An unexpected surprise ...

 

What an unexpected surprise I had as I was looking for material for my classes and came across a DVD I had bought last year on the animated short films presented during the Monstra festival but hadn't yet had the chance to watch.

 

 

Among those several short films my attention was drawn to three for completely different reasons - Father and Daughter by Michael Dudok de Wit, having been a 2000 Academy awarded film is a rather sad yet particularly meaningful film that highlights the existing bond between a daughter and the estranged father, whose "image" she pursues an entire lifetime.

The animated adaption of one of Bukowski's poems The man with the beautiful eyes by Jonathan Hodgson is thought-provoking and therefore quite powerful.

The tramvaj  by Michaela Pavlátová despite being a rather sex oriented burlesque-type of film that may shock viewers did bring about several considerations as to certain routine types of work one has to daily face and what goes (may go on) people's minds throughout the process of carrying them out.

Retouches by Georges Schwizegebed, Eiltänzer by Raimund Krumme and Vicenta by Sam were equally interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The latest book I have read ...

I have been wanting to expand my knowledge on Myanmar and its historic setting since I have visited the country one year ago. I am therefore particularly happy to have fallen upon this incredible author, whose story is not only inspiring but provides the reader with thorough information regarding what the country has gone through, traditional aspects related to the Padaung and a few aspects worth pondering.


It is beautifully written, which adds to the overall opinion I have had of From the land of the green ghosts, whose reading I seemed not to want to end. I wish I had read it before I visited Myanmar because there would have been certain aspects I wouldn't have overlooked. It is definitely worth reading (eventually more than once).  

"Incisively told, remarkable story of a long journey from the hills of Burma to Cambridge University from a young Burmese man now living in Burma. (...) A distinguished accomplishment that radiates both intelligence and spiritual awareness."








 

The 2 Day trip to Figueira da Foz - Day 2 (morning) - Tamargueira bay, the old fortress, the Parish Church of Buarcos - The 24th of July 2016

Sunday's temperatures rose above the so called normal temperatures one is used to during this time of the year, so my brother and I decided not to go to the beach and head towards Tamargueira bay instead so as to visit the small Misericórdia chapel in Buarcos, a fishing village which stands as an extansion of Figueira da Foz and still pertains to its burrough.

We weren't able to visit the late 16th century chapel, said to only open during mass but did walk around the fortress, which is a bastion-like ensemble dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Soon after, having heard the church bells of the parish Church we still managed to walk into it inbetween masses and take a few pictures.

 

Praise comes in different forms ...

Praise and recognition for one's work may not always be expressed ... and when it is it may be conveyed in different forms ...

 

 

I have had parents and grandparents of some of the children who attended the Summer courses giving me a few presents, some of which with the direct involvement of the children (I know the stones of the pieces of jewellery specially made for me were chosen by one of the girls and that the orchids were equally suggested by one of the children), but the greatest praise of all is the one which is "embedded" in the children's new way of approaching things having been influenced by the teacher ...

A lot more children have been asking parents and grandparents to make paper constructions and Artistic objects so as to expand their creativity, together with a request to attend next year's course which has made me immensely proud once I know I have had a direct influence on that new "perspective" towards Art and a willingness to keep on learning ... and to me those represent one of the highest forms of "appraisal" ... 

Bouquet given to me by Pedro and Luz's grandmother.

Bodyshop gift pack given to me by Bruno's grandmother (left). Jewellery pieces made by Lisa and Filipa's grandmother.

Special edition of the jungle book given to me by the mothers of Tico, Tomás, Madalena, Constança, Manel and Tiago together with a specially touching card.

Photos of António with his 3D paper construction sent to me by his father.

Photos of Bruno with his recently made 3D paper construction.

Filipa doing a scraping picture during an afternoon visit to see me.