Chennai Express

"Chennai Express"

Hi guys!

I'm feeling so freaking exhausted right now, but I absolutely want to write about the movie I watched today while it is fresh in my mind.

As you understood thanks to the poster, I went to the cinema today to watch Chennai Express, the new movie starring Sharukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. A Bollywood movie at the cinema! Isn't that great? Yes, I know that this isn't exceptional, but it was the very first time I had this opportunity! You have to know that I don't live in a big town, and the public for Bollywood is very restricted. That's why I was that glad when I heard about a broadcasting taking place about one hour far from my place.

I wasn't disappointed by the early travel!
For sure, this isn't the best movie ever, but this is funny and distracting. Here is the synopsis:

"Chennai Express" is the story of a 40-year-old bachelor Rahul, who lands up in a totally unexpected journey that makes him realize the importance of love, life, relationships and sacrifice!
A stimulating train voyage that not only takes Rahul, accidentaly, to his destination but also makes him realize the power of true love.
A hilarious journey which teaches you about the serious relationships in life.

First of all, I loved the meeting between Northern and Southern India, with their cultural differences, including the language(s) talked! This bring us several sung dialogs, hilarious! This was also the very first time I heard "No!" pronounced "Ille!", and for a girl having lived two months in the Southern district Karnataka, this was touching (the story mainly took place in Tamil Nadu, by the way. You can easily understand it thanks to, for instance, the use of Tamil, women wearing Kanchipuram saris, or the very small representation of the Kathakali dance). And wow, the landscapes are just gorgeous!!

Sharukh Khan and Deepika interpreting Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari with some Kathakali dancers

I was only more or less convinced by the several songs when I listened to them out of context. I liked Titli, less  1 2 3 4 Get On The Dance Floor and Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari. Nevertheless I absolutely loved all while watching the movie, thanks to the good integration, and the sense of humor (the misunderstanding about 1 2 3 4 Get On The Dance Floor is really funny). Titli was a beautiful and emotional moment, taking place in my probably favourite scene. Ah, I'd love to tell you more about it, but I really wouldn't like to ruin the surprise!

I also appreciated the numerous references to previous movies -especially Sharukh Khan's movies (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in the lead). The King Khan's performance pleased me; at the beginning, Rahul is just a grown-up child, naïve and childish. His adventures will learn him how to value life and precious relationships. This was only the second movie with Deepika I watched, and I felt glad about her as well. She gained confidence; some scenes are just hilarious, while some others are full with emotions. She still has a lot to learn, but I'm confident about her!

While waiting for the dvd, I keep my fingers crossed to be able to watch more, more, more Bollywood at the cinema: the experience is totally different, more colourful, more joyful! The magic of the big screen!

Take care!

To The End Of The Land

David Grossman, To The End Of The Land, Vintage International

Those who know me personally know how much I love books. Books and I have got the best relationship I've ever had, and this long and beautiful love story begun when I was five years old. Reading is like leaving my own life to dive into a whole new world.
As everybody knows, the proper art of any country teaches us a lot about its very own culture. That's why, as a huge traveler and huge reader, I love to discover about the different national writers. Last year, when I visited my beautiful Israel for the very first time, I read my first Meir Shalev's book, The Blue Mountain. This year, when I came back to my beloved land, I decided to give a try with another Israeli writer. To be honest, I didn't hesitate a lot: the title, gorgeously illustrated by a simple, but eloquent cover easily attracted my interest (yes, the appearance of books are a part of my pleasure, even if I follow the golden rule: "Don't judge a book by its cover", in all senses of the word). Then I read the back cover, and I approved my choice:

"Just before his release from service in the Israeli army, Ora's son ofer is sent back to the front for a major offensive. In a fit of preemptive grief and magical thinking, so that no bad news can reach her, Ora sets out on an epic hike in the Galilee. She is joined by an unlikely companion - Avram, a former friend and lover with trouble past - and as they sleep out in the hills, Ora begins to conjure her son. Ofer's story, as told by Ora, becomes a surprising balm both for her and for Avram - and a mother's powerful meditation on war and family."

To The End Of The Land received amazing reviews ("A boundary-pushing novel... Like all great literature, it is an act of generosity, opening itself to every human possibility" - The Washington Post; "An extraordinary epic of love, war, and sorrow... Stunning - brilliantly written and beautifully constructed." - The Times (London)), and became a national bestseller. As you may know, war and military service are both a part of the Israeli life. I wondered how the subject would be tackled, through this mother's eyes. And I purchased the book.

And I read it. And I fell in love. Through the words of a worried and so much loving mother, we enter the national mourning, the hidden (?) constant fear of death which surrounds the Israeli society. Through Ora's grief, story and fears, we discover a part of Israel not well-known enough, in my opinion, by those who don't feel close to the country itself, especially those who unfortunately tend to forget that a death is a death, that everybody bleeds in the same colours, and that tears always burn with their sharpness. David Grossman send his character Ofer, Ora's son, to a massive offensive at the beginning of the bloody second Intifada. His poetic pen describe with sorrow how Ora lost him the moment he was nationalized by the country. With To The End Of The Land, I couldn't help but feeling my heart breaking in thousand of pieces; when I read about our foolish leaders and humanity, when I read about this mother's fear and constant tries to feel worth living with a family she loves more than anything else, when I read about her numerous, but human mistakes and her efforts to repare them, sometimes only for the worse. Naive hopes made tears fill my eyes all along the reading. A reading touching, lovely, powerful, emotional and accurate which could not leave the readers indifferent. Interesting fact: Ora's fears is not only about her son Ofer's potential death; it is also about the consequences of the war, as Ora is conscious that, if Ofer comes back alive, his experience could change him forever, maybe to a man she wouldn't like him to be, full with pain, anger and will of revenge.

Worth reading? Definitely! Necessary? Yes, probably!
My article is long enough, but as there is still much more to be told about this subject, here is a link to a great article written by The Gardian's reporter Jacqueline Rose:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/sep/18/david-grossman-end-of-the-land

Finally, I want to finish writing by telling you how much David Grossman himself knows what he wrote about. Not only because he is Israeli, but because of his own personal story.

Cherish your life!

The Paradoxal Commandments

"People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway."

~  Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council

Unkown photographer & model

 

I missed the Holy Land

The imagination is the golden pathway to everywhere. (Terence McKenna)

Sometimes, you just feel the need of thanking your feet for driving you in so many international paths. You feel the need to thank your eyes for bringing colours in your life, your skin for warming under the shining sun, your tongue for speaking new languages, people for being so different and yet so similar, open minds for teaching you how to live better, big hearts for being generous, air for making you alive, and Planet Earth for being that amazing.

I have just come back from a few days of holidays in the Holy Land. The place which warms my heart. The country where I feel alive. A land so young and yet so old, full of stories of all kinds: while listening to its people, you will laugh, you will cry, you will feel proud, you will feel ashamed, but hope will never live you, if you find the way. I learn so much from Israel, so much that I could not even explain or describe. The change happens in the heart, while you are enjoying the breathtaking views, smelling the salty smell of the sea, meeting people, floating in the Dead Sea, and so much more.

So often, I feel that people should leave their a priori beside to give a chance to this country, maybe difficult to apprehend, or to comprehend, but its richness and beauty will immerse you quickly if you give a try.

ארץ ישראל, אני אוהבת אותך!

Stand with Malala

Hi there!

It has been ages without writing on this blog. That's what happens when life keeps you busy, and that's what happens when you're lucky enough not to have to 'kill time' on your computer. I may not be regular, but my readers are. And I'm happy to have this page to express my feelings and my opinions. So today, I won't be happy-go-lucky, as today is an important day for girls all around the world, girls who still have to fight to be able to receive an education.
Firstly, do you remember Malala Yousafzai? Here is a small reminder, for those who need:

"15-year-old Malala has dared to campaign for girls education in Pakistan. She was shot in the head for it last year, but she survived, and with almost 1 million of us behind her, she helped win a new government policy to put all Pakistani girls in school!"
Source: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/every_child_in_school_global/?fp

Today, Malala turned 16. To 'celebrate' her birthday, she proved once again, with the speech she gave in front of the UNO, how brave and strong she is! Despite the fact she was almost killed by the extremists who keep oppressing women and their rights, she stands, proudly, to defend the access to education: a fight that everybody should be aware of! Maybe you do not know it yet, but not less than fourteen girls were murdered on 15th June in Pakistan, just because they wanted to have their education!

Malala began a petition, that you can sign here and now. Here is the description, followed by the direct link to the petition itself:

"On 15 June fourteen girls were murdered in Pakistan simply because they wanted an education. Many people know my story but there are stories every day of children fighting for an education. The basic right to education is under attack around the world.

We need change now and I need your help to achieve it.

You can help me and girls and boys across the world. We are asking the United Nations General Assembly to fund new teachers, schools, books and recommit to getting every girl and boy in school by December 2015.

This July 12th is my 16th birthday and I am personally delivering this petition to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

I became a victim of terrorism after I spoke out in favour of education of girls. These innocent girls killed in Pakistan have nothing to do with politics and only wanted to empower themselves through education.

If we want to bring change, if we want progress, if we want development, if we want the education of girls, we should be united. We should not wait. We should do it now."

July 12th may reach its end, but time to make your voice being heard won't be over. So please, if you believe in this fight for freedom, give them, give us a single minute of your life:

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/stand-with-malala-end-the-education-emergency-3?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=28429&alert_id=vOHfzIhWKS_iWQbKRdUaN

Shabbat shalom!

Magical Ribbons

Good evening everybody!

Exams time, I need a break! And to mark these few minutes properly, what would be better than talking about art, creativity and the magical Disney World? Tonight, I want to present you the wonderful work of a lovely imaginative lady called Hayley.

As the excellent representation of women, Hayley likes girly stuff; especially ribbons, as you are going to realize. Plus, I think that you could barely find a better inspiration in term of making people smile, dream and simply being happy! God bless Walt Disney! So here we are; I leave you now with some of my favourite ribbons. Open your eyes and enjoy the colours of memories!

Magic Carpet, collection 'Aladdin'

The Cheshire Cat, collection 'Alice in Wonderland'

Ballroom Belle, collection 'Beauty and the Beast'

That's How You Know, Giselle, collection 'Enchanted'

Jolly Holiday, Mary Poppins, collection 'Mary Poppins'

Jack Skellington, collection 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'

Topsy Turvy, Clopin, collection 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'

Rafiki, collection 'The Lion King'

Up, collection Pixar

Buzz Lightyear, collection Pixar

Steamboat Willie, collection Classics

For more beauties and further information, go to:
http://magicalribbons.com
https://www.facebook.com/MagicalRibbons?ref=ts&fref=ts/

"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."
Walt Disney

Chapter 2013

 

 I couldn't go farther without sending you my best wishes for 2013! First of all, I hope that you guys had tons of fun during the  New Year's Eve! A new year has begun, and, without a doubt, time will fly as quickly as usual. That why my wishes are these ones:

Get rid of your negative thoughts; learn how to love and respect yourself as your are, accept your weaknesses and value your qualities; be strong in front of the difficulties: they are put on your way so that you decide if your aim is worth fighting for; take time to care; seek beauty everywhere, especially in the most unexpected places; listen carefully; don't be afraid of following your heart, don't forget that madness too leads to wisdom; do not miss an opportunity to tell your relative that you love them, life is short!; keep the faith, and even more during the hard times: if you are not happy, it isn't the end; set new challenges; read, read, read; travel, do not miss an opportunity to discover the world you live in; drink liters and liters of tea; dance, practice, move until your feet hurt so much that you are not able to walk anymore; be happy; be super happy; and be happier; ... to summarize: make the best of 2013!

I prefer to keep my own resolutions for me, but let me share with you a charming idea someone suggested me:

have you got a lovely box? a pot? something that you can fill up? Keep it nearby. Everytime that you read, you see, you listen something delightful, or every time you accomplish something you're proud of, write it down on a piece of paper. Then, slip this paper into the chosen container. Keep it safe.
That's how your successes, happy times, inspirations and so on will come back to you on the very last day of 2013. We tend to focuse on the difficulties, so much that we forget to often how little details make life beautiful!

I wish you all an amazing new year, full of joy, laughters and marvels!