Waltz with Bashir

“Memory is dynamic. It’s alive. If some details are missing, memory fills in the holes with things that never happened.”

This 2008 film written and directed by Israeli Ari Folman, first released in Israel, portraying true events of the 1982 invasion into Lebanon touched me in far more incredible ways than I could ever expect. It is a cinematic masterpiece; and a testament of what passionate film-making is all about. I was mesmerized from beginning till end and could not peel my eyes away from the screen; war movies aren’t my thing, but the way Folman constructed this one with such beauty and heart, even something so morbid could be seen in the most fascinating and tender way.

The conflicts that continue to happen between our fellow man is truly saddening because it seems that we may never learn; and that history will continue to repeat itself. The live-action footage, redrawn as digital paintings and then adapted with flash animation was terribly extraordinary and the pace of the film helped the audience completely connect with each story and the enormous depth with which each scene held. There were many disturbing moments as any war film would have but the fact that it was animated ,spoken in lilting Hebrew, and had exceptional , elegant classical Bach music playing throughout, made it possible for our viewers to handle.

There was no comedy in this film. It was heavy drama, allure and tremendous grief. I would say puts you in a dream-like trance, because war is seen in the most uncharacteristic way. Because it is true and conveyed in recollective stories, one is unable to compartmentalize it into some type of fantasy film despite its splendor, and instead sees it for what it is, a modern day documentary that is impossible not to draw you in because of its incredible carnage.

Every scene is executed with such devoted detail and Folman takes us over the edge in distress when we view the surprise switch of unpleasant stimulation at the end.

Vibrant, heart-wrenching and sensational in every way; certainly a film I’d recommend for a dose of truth and discovery of how important it is to balance the two sides of human nature. We don’t know what to do? “Pray and shoot!” is not the answer. Love is the answer… it is always and will be forever.

It's all about LOVE

"…We're supposed to be together, I can see that even through this distance…its wrong. It's wrong that everybody is away from each other, occupied with…occupied with their own $hit…"

This 2003 film directed and written by Danish Thomas Vinterberg and Danish assistant writer/professor Mogens Rukov which was only awarded 5.5 stars on IMDB; and what a bloody shame! It doesn't surprise me really that a film of such caliber be unrecognized for such a beautiful and stimulating film. For Hollywood tends to prefer big explosions and big breasts. Claire Danes, one of my unforgettable performing actresses from Brokedown Palace (1999) who always conveys emotions with such grace; did another wonderful piece of cinematic delight. She was paired along with Joaquin Phoenix and together with Sean Penn they executed a wondrous and enigmatic portrayal of an excellent script in breathtaking snowy cinematography.

This story was about what everybody talks about, complains about, but never does anything to try and make it good again. About wanting love, getting love, disrespecting it, afraid of it, and then losing it; well; maybe it didn't quite end that way in this film. Happy endings are always nice; especially when no matter the daunting fate, once you're together, it's never as bad as it may seem. Although the film was set in the future, it seemed very much like today, except that people died of heart-ache. It was a new and fast-growing epidemic as well as the fact that the planet earth was slowly falling apart; ecologically speaking. I loved how the beginning and the end of the film were shots of a plane flying to somewhere, because for me it meant that people are always trying to go somewhere and are not ever satisfied with where they're at in life. Sean Penn played Marciello, who was John's brother (Joaquin Phoenix); and he had been rid of his fear of flying by an injection and now all he wanted to do was fly. But he was lonely and throughout the film he would make endless calls to his brother; trying to reach out to him. He seemed to be the one who understood what the director/writer was also trying to convey; the message of love and how important it is in our lives.

"…Kiss her John, and save her…the world can be a good place…"

"It's snowing in July, and people's hearts stop…the chaos in the world is a reflection of the soul of the human beings…"

The music was exquisite and perfect for when they chose to play it, as it highlighted the emotions during dramatic and thrilling moments of the film. Besides Elena's (Claire Danes) horrid Polish accent, I felt that the film kept true to its message and for all who watch it, they should hopefully take with them meaningful and pertinent information on what we're really down here for. I will leave you with Marciello's last words to his brother John, and also the last words of the film, which went:

"…I just finished my report…it's about life, about youth, about love…that's the way it should be John…it's all about Love…"

Gooo Denmark! J