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!

Egypt's Missing Peace

Good evening!

I really have tons of different ideas to post, but priorities are priorities, and mine are and will always be human life. We are putting an end on 2012 with tragic news. Here it is:

Have you ever heard about Ahmed Meligy? Ahmed is Egyptian, he is a strong peace activist, who only fights for democracy, equality, friendship,... everything which can make the world better. He got arrested today by the Egyptian police. What the hell could be his crime? Have a look:

http://blogs.jpost.com/users/egypts-missing-peace

Yes, Ahmed wrote articles for an Israeli website. I rely on you all: I hope that there is not a single reader here who believe that he got what he deserved! Look, he is strong enough to have no prejudice and to make brotherhood his way of life and a few hours ago, he was stopped by his own country. Don't you find it silly?

Ahmed needs you! He needs us to support his proud fight, so please, don't give him up! Click on the following link to hear a sweet friend of mine from Australia talking about her Egyptian brother:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUcQagjIh5g&feature=youtu.be

You know that our voice is powerful, so use yours for people who deserve it! Support those who give their lives for a better future, who believe in mankind, who are not afraid of standing against preconceived opinions! 


























I know that I'm supposed to send you my blessings for the new year, but there is more important to do right now! Your heart will tell you what you have to do!


How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.PSALM (133:1)

Where there is life...

... there is hope.

As says the proverb.
I knew that November was going to be extremely hard to overcome, but I must confess that I absolutely didn't expect so many difficulties! Problems, contrarieties and setbacks have been coming more and more so far, and unfortunately, it doesn't seem to reach an end!

Oh, I'm fine! I'm always fine, it's obvious! But sometimes, evenings look so-so, because I wasn't able to work as much as I wanted to, because... Well, everybody knows this kind of situation, I can cut the story short :)
So, when I feel particularly tired, I'm glad to find out good surprises, little things able to put a big smile on my face for some reasons. And lucky me has just read a encouraging quotation from the great Shams-e Tabrîzî:

Whatever happens to you, don’t fall in despair. Even if all the doors are closed, a secret path will be there for you that no one knows. You can’t see it yet but so many paradises are at the end of this path. Be grateful! It is easy to thank after obtaining what you want, thank before having what you want.

Overcoming, ©Dina Bova, http://www.bsw-art.com

I guess that this should be far enough to reassure my worries once and for all, shouldn't it? Otherwise, it doesn't matter: my optimistic / childish side must always be right, so let's say that the show must go on!

So, dear November, make me suffer as you want me to suffer, I don't mind! On the contrary, I'll be happy to salute you with a huge smile stuck on my face in a few days!

Before leaving you after this short post, followers and passers-by, I'd like to remind you that the pics used here aren't mine. I always write down the exact source when I know it, but if someday you discover a picture of yours that you don't want to appear here, let me know it: I'll be pleased to remove it for you!

All the best, and please, get a kick out November!

We are the sparks which shine so bright

Orphaned Land @ Hellfest 2011, © Nidhal Marzouk

As some people may already know, my blog's name is taken from the lyrics of an Israeli band: Orphaned Land. Today, I read that somebody launched a petition, so that these musicians could reserve the next Nobel Prize for Peace. Maybe I will write another article someday, where I could share my deepest thoughts about them, but this isn't the point here (and, by the way, sometimes, feelings just couldn't be shared or explained by words, so wait and see). Read the following statement, take a few minutes to watch the video, and if the spirit moves you, take a minute more to sign the petition.

"This is my personal request to all my friends from the Middle East, Turkey, and in general from all my Muslim friends here on my page:

We know for a long time now that we are above politic, we know that if it was in our hands, peace would have prevailed right away.

Please enter this link and sign if you find us worthy, please also spread the word and share it on your pages?

I send my endless love to all of you and all my love and best greetings for the coming holyday in a few days.

Salam/Shalom/Peace.
Kobi"

 Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land's singer

 

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/nominate-orphaned-land-for-the-2013-nobel-peace-prize.html

Turning a new page for Peace

Yesterday, I had the great honor to see my picture appear on an amazing facebook page called Turning a new page for Peace. Read the words of the owner to discover what it is about:

Let us pave together a new way for peace!
We are not a political organization, or any kind of movement. We are just people who wish for a better future for ourselves and our children.

This is not intended right now for working out practical solutions, but in turning over awareness, building mutual trust, and creating an atmosphere that will allow peace to flourish.

Each one of us is a human being – not our state or the people. We all share the same simple wish – to live our lives peacefully, with our families, and earn a decent living.

We can't live in hostility and hatred forever. These are only taking us away from those things we want! Instead they create a cycle of bloodshed which only leads to sorrow, pain and suffering to all.

Friendship and brotherhood are not less than an existential necessity!

Until now we thought that peace is a task to be carried out by the leaders. But reality has slapped in our face. The violence, fear and hatred – broke the trust between the sides and the faith in the way of peace.

The times are changing. We live in an age of revolutions, the internet gives us, the people, power that we didn't possess in the past. We are witnessing history in the making – as the people in the middle east, after long years of depression, are taking their fates in the their own hands and fight against tyranny and corruption – for freedom and justice.

It is time that we take the future in our own hands – also for peace. Let us come together in a call for true brotherhood and friendship with our neighbors. If we all do that – maybe the individual rain drops will come together to become a river of hope!

We are coming from love. We are here – to show that this dream is possible


This may sound naive to you, but seeing the implication of so many people, people who only dream about peace and brotherhood, touches me. Everyday we read awful stories and disasters, so why not trying to turn to an shining source, for once? After all, peace begins with a smile :)

If you have a facebook page, please have a look here: http://www.facebook.com/newpage4peace

I'm ready to live in peace.
What about you?

"Do it big, do it right, and do it with style" ~Fred Astaire

Good afternoon, Buenas tardes, Shalom, Bonjour!


Tons of work to do, today! That's what happens when you leave home during... well, a single day?! I can't believe how my life is currently busy: when I finish something, I can't even breathe for a minute before I've got something else to do. I love this activity, my present, my future, my projects, everything!

I realized yesterday that I've been practicing bellydance for a year now. And wow! What a great journey! I've already come to a point where I couldn't be grateful (and the word is weak) to my teachers for all the happiness they brought me! This space is for them :)

Asrar

First of all: Asrar. She has been my weekly teacher from the beginning, and I'm lucky to take lessons with such an enthusiastic, joyful and humble woman! She brings sparkles to my Fridays evening!!

Khalida @ Summertime Hafla

And there comes Khalida, this amazing dancer, great instructor and sweet person from Germany. She organizes regular workshops, invites various teachers with their own styles and passions, giving the students magnificent opportunities to learn!

Illan Rivière by Peter Zanniti

 



 I couldn't forget to thank Illan Rivière, from the bottom of my heart! Such a young dancer, but first of all such a breathtaking journey! He keeps a special place to me thanks to his creativity, his feeling, and last but not least thanks to his sweetness. Meeting him was absolutely fantastic, and his tips and vision of dancing are written with gold letters.

The reason of my absence, yesterday, was my participation at two workshops by Néphélée. She didn't only gave me my very first try with my favourite props -fan veils: she confirmed a fascination, and made all the dancers present at her second unexpected workshop live a deep moment, a real experience to cherish. 


I also was lucky to meet Johanna during my very first saidi lesson. Saidi is one of my favourite styles, and living such a nice course gave me will to learn about it more and more and more! 

Néphélée

And big thanks again to Feyrouz and her unforgettable dervish workshop, as well as Sonia Saida, who reconciled me with drums solo. 

Last but not least, I'm happy to have met so many great people during my course and workshops! That's why dancing is fantastic as well! :)

And special *mmmmuuuuuuuaaaaaaaahhhhhh* for my sweeties, Betül Efeoğlu and Johanna Najla: there should be far more women like you! :)))

 I hate blogspot for destroying the layout, sorry about the ugliness 

                                                

Anti-Islam film and running blood

It has been a few days now since we heard about the scandal among the muslim countries and communities caused by an Americain movie, named "The Violence Of Muslims". To talk about it in a few words, for those who -who knows?- don't know it yet, this film openly criticizes Islam and the Prophet Mahomet. As if for the director, the name of so-called Sam Bacile (Jew? Not Jew? Doubts keep hanging over) is often mentionned, but it seems that this could simply be a pen name. Another name comes back regularly: the Christian Nakoula Basseley Nakoula. This producer is actually suspected to be the director himself. At the present time, Nakoula is told to have asked an official protection, as he fears for his life.
So much ideas, but no certitudes! So much violence for an idiocy!

It has been a few days now since we heard about the first reactions. And now, the avalanches continues. Embassies under siege, flags burnt, more and more dramas, and especially harmed, and even killed people!

• http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/09/the-innocence-of-muslims-viral-video-gone-wrong.html

• http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/13/protests-ramp-up-at-embassies-in-tehran-switzerland-cairo-yemen/

• http://internationalpoliticalforum.com/the-innocence-of-muslims-is-a-trap-we-must-overcome/
• http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/14/today-is-your-last-day-ambassador-embassies-brace-for-violence-as-anti-islam-film-protests-spread/

Talking about the trailer on youtube is useless: I've watch a few seconds only, before being amazed by the ridiculous scenes, the poor actors, the nonexistent set. To me, it only looks like a big and bad joke! But unfortunately, this bad joke turned into ugly events. We already know how an allusion to the Prophet Mahomet can cause problems: remember, for instance, the Danish caricatures, in 2005.

Look, I will never, never, never reproach somebody for his beliefs, never! As my friends already know, I'm a culture lover: I love meeting people with a different culture, language, different tastes and so on. Doesn't it make our world richer? And as an agnostic, I see religion, every single religion existing, as a philosophy, a way to find oneself, a magnificent message about love and peace. But I can't understand how such a beautiful thing turns into a devilish weapon of war. And I can't accept innocents to be killed because of convictions' defense. This is against liberty, against humanity, against respect between brothers and sisters!

Maybe this movie (but is it really a movie, or was the trailer only a provocation?) hurt some believers, who didn't see over black humor, or completely fathomed straight off, but nobody will ever be able to justify the horrible murders and hatred, nobody!

May the victims be in peace, wherever they are.

http://internationalpoliticalforum.com/the-innocence-of-muslims-is-a-trap-we-must-overcome/

The Dark Knight Rises

Good afternoon!

I hesitated before writing this article, because I absolutely do not want to ruin the surprise. But well, ok, Iwill manage to give my advice without any spoiler: promised!
I've been waiting for this movie since I saw The Dark Knight, a real masterpiece after the already awesome Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne's story and Batman's birth. Everybody knows that The Dark Night Rises was one of the most importante movie release in 2012: what an astonishing craze! Here we are: third and very last movie of Nolan's trilogy. And after the success of its  predecessor, useless to mention that it absolutely had to be equal to the task!

After watching it for the (already, I know) second time yesterday, I need to tell you that the mission is brilliantly accomplished by Christopher Nolan and his excellent crew.
To me, Nolan's strenght was to use that much the feelings of the different characters: that's how we discovered a Bruce Wayne / Batman tormented by his demons, that's how the Joker managed to be the awe-inspiring anarchist of The Dark Knight, and I could make the list longer but watch the movies so that you can make your own! We used to be attached to some figures, we used to hate the others: none of them made us feel indifferent. The Dark Knight Rises doesn't differ the rules (excepted Marion Cotillard, strangely hollow in Miranda Tate). The movies likes to play with our perceptions, our sensations, making us grind our teeth, feeling pain with some characters,... But the most amazing is when it surprises us feeling compassion, even sorrow, for someone we were expecting to hate.

Let's talk about the casting. We already know astonishing Christan Bale in Batman, and the excellent actors Gary Oldman (Inspector Jim Gordon), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth) and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox); now time has come to welcome awesome surprises. First of all, Tom Hardy, interpreting the villain, the muscular terrorist Bane. I sincerely feared not to like him at all, but his charisma purely amazed me! Ignominous, apalling and... human, he won't leave you unmoved. Then we have Anne Hathaway in Selina Kyle / Catwoman. I knew that the challenge was great, especially after Michelle Pfeiffer's performance in Batman Returns, realized by Tim Burton. Nevertheless Anne... how can I say? Nolan's Selina Kyle is thoughful, sexy-but-not-bitchy, wild and fierce. Bravo, bravo, bravo! No need to talk about the big disappointment Marion Cotillard, please! I mean... no, really. From lacking in character to bluntly mediocre, we regret not to have known a worth seeing Miranda Tate. The only mistake in the casting. Anyway I needed to had some words about Michael Caine: his performance touched me so much that I can't just mention it without adding more. Alfred had never been that deeply moving! Oh, I almost forgot to mention Joseph Gordon Lewitt in John Blake, a policeman more significant and helpful that we can believe at the beginning.

The longest movie of the trilogy really represents the long-awaited magnificent final.
Once again, Nolan managed to catch the eye, from A to Z, thanks to his aesthetics, the numerous new turns, some breathtaking scenes, the great work on every single character's personnality. Clichés always menace when we talk about superheros, but fortunately none has its place in this movie. After a very convincing Batman Begins and an outstanding The Dark Knight, the last episode had to set the bar high, very high! And it did.

The legend rised, and definitely left us with the best movies of its kind, nothing less!

Shay Aaron & the yummiest art ever

Good evening!

I must confess that inspiration isn't easy to find everyday... Or yes, actually it is, but I try to keep silent on some subject or you would have a post per day about belly dance ;-) Let's try to change a bit.
I've just discovered one of the most incredible work seen for ages: obviously I had to share it with my friends, readers and random people who want to see awesome pieces of art.

Shay Aaron is an awesome artist from Tel Aviv, Israel. Have a look at what he does and you will easily realize that he is probably the most breathtaking miniaturist ever known!

Words are useless: open your eyes and enjoy these yummmiiiiii creations

http://funnyneel.com/blogs/35-mind-blowing-miniature-food-sculpture-shay-aaron

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Passover Seder, www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron/

Making a Leek Cane, www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron/

Miniature Banana, www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron

Fresh Salmon, www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron

http://www.shayaaron.etsy.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shay-aaron/

http://www.facebook.com/ShayAaronMiniatures

https://twitter.com/shayaaron

Flawless floorwork

Good morning everybody!

July is coming, schoolyear is over and my belly dancing course as well. I will miss this weekly meeting, but fortunately I planned to attend several workshops during the two months of holidays, plus I won't stop practising at my place, that's obvious! I am not the girl who will pretend that she 'learned everything thanks to dvd's': nothing could replace a real teacher, able to correct you and to make you focuse on personal weaknesses. Anyway instructional dvd's can be useful as well: I like them to learn new techniques, to broaden my sphere of action, to have an approach on something I didn't know, etc. For keeping July and August busy (or rather even more busy that they already are), I purchased "Flawless Floorwork" by Ruby.

I have always loved floorwork and I thought that it was a good opportunity to discover more about this pure art. As the cover says, it seems that floorwork tends to be considered 'inappropriate' by... wow, more dancers than I expected! I even read some accounts telling how this way of dancing was 'disgusting'. Why? I have no idea. Especially when we realize that floorwork is used in many fields, as the raks al shemodan -dance with a candelabrum which traditionally appears during weddings- or the zaar, this religious custom practiced in Ethiopia, Iran and all around the Middle East. See: floorwork is an integral part of (belly) dance, and nevertheless underestimated. For instance, knowing about its ban in Egypt (among other restrictions) sounds both sad and interesting to me. Here comes my main criticism about Ruby's dvd: I would have loved to hear more about the traditional aspect, when using floorwork is particularly beneficial and, on the contrary, when avoiding it is better or even required, etc. Ruby decided not to linger on this part. That's fine: I do not worry, I will find :)

This small lack of information appart, I must confess that I love this "Flawless Floorwork"! First of all, Ruby really is a great instructor: her explanations are simple and clear. She is conscious of the common mistakes and tries to tell us how to avoid them. We begin with a strengthening routine absolutely necessary before thinking about beginning the exercises themselves (but maybe a little bit too short: I don't think that every muscle required is trained. But well, we all know that a dvd won't work for you and is far from being self-sufficient).
The technical part with its descends and ascends is particularly well done! Once again, Ruby takes her time to explain the different moves properly, talking about the precautions, giving you safety tips (, avoiding the incredible -but dangerous!- Turkish drop, thanks heaven!),... I also appreciated a lot the fact that Ruby doesn't hesitate to give alternatives when a movement can be to difficult. Definitely, 'security' is the main word! Take your time to discover this chapter: sure it will give you new ideas to include to your performances!
 

After a traditional combinations' part (accessible to various levels), we benefit from a nice extras section where Ruby offers us a nice full body warm up, designed to be done with your stage outfit, with the precautions involved. We also have a costume tutorial to avoid wardrobe malfunctions. Nothing is worst than a dancer doing floorwork with an inappropriate costume, I think that everybody is aware of that! Now we know how to prevent this kind of problems!
Finally we watch Ruby in a lovely performance, where she includes a great floorwork part, of course!

I am not disappointed by my purchase: sure that it will complete my holidays with even more belly dance and challenges, happy news! So if you do not know how to begin with floorwork, this dvd is for you too: there you will have good advice enough to practice without harming you!




Lot of work to do today, and once again, I've been too talkative! Do not hesitate to share your opinion on floorwork, your good / bad experiences with dvd's, whatever you want: I am always interested in widenning my knowledges and experience :))
And, oh yes, sorry about the last picture: I don't use to put pics of myself on my blog, but I love this one (despite the crappy background), me practising and happy to do so! :))

Wish you a bright day!!

An Eznak Ya Maalem

Good afternoon!

I won't be long today: just want to put some words before passing my daily exam. God knows how I hate this period, and the awful year I have spent doesn't help to hold on until the end. But projects do! Mainly of mine are about belly dance, does it sound surprising?
Workshops, festivals, galas, great artists and discoveries: that is exactly what I like! Plus I have something else in mind: two lessons left and the year is over for belly dance as well, so I have to keep projects in mind to train again, again and again. This year, we learned a lot of techniques, and three different choregraphies. I am not used to improvisation, and I have never try to let my creativity speak. So I feel that time has come to do so.

Rola Saad

I have found a lovely song to help me: "An Eznak Ya Maalem" by the Lebanese pop star Rola Saad. I know that it isn't judicious to talk about ideas before it is done, but you know, it really doesn't matter: it isn't original, as many dancers gave their own interpretation so far, plus all I wish is to be able to prepare about 3 minutes of dancing, nothing else :) And only if I am satisfied with the result I will post it, but not sure yet.
Whatever. I love this song for the kinky mood. According to the lyrics, the girl singing is someone proud and confident, who knows how attractive she is and likes to use her charm, but doesn't want to lose her independence and freedom. Everything that I am not, actually! That is why I need to dance on this one!

I won't tell you more about my love life, but trust me: I am not as self-assured as a lot of people believe, and I often regret my kindness. Well, I try to take good care on myself anyway ;-) Reaching my new goal will be a way to laugh at myself and my naïvety, and then I will eventually be able to make fun of the few who tried to bring me down. Oh, I am not into vengeance: derision is far better, and at least I won't use my energy for something which isn't worth it.

I have plenty of different ideas in mind! I can't wait to have more time to gather them! Sure I will have a lot of fun!! :))

Have an aaaaawesoooome day!!! xoxos!

Fiza

Good evening :)

Wow, this blog had never had so much visits previously: thank you so much!! Dears, I hope you enjoyed the reading! A priori I do not have time to write a new article today -student life and examinations- but as I need a break, I take advantage of these few minutes to talk about the latest movie I saw: Fiza.

Starring the famous Karisma Kapoor and the handsome Hritik Roshan, Fiza is a heartbreaking family drama. Here is the synopsis:

The film is about Fiza (Karisma Kapoor), whose brother, Aman (Hrithik Roshan), disappears during the 1993 Bombay Riots. Fiza and her mother Nishatbi (Jaya Bachchan) desperately hold on to the hope that one day he will return. However, six years after his disappearance, Fiza, fed up with living with uncertainty, resolves to go in search of her brother. Driven by her mother Nishatbi's fervent hope and her own determination, Fiza decides to use whatever means she can—the law, media, even politicians—to find her brother, which brings her into contact with various characters and situations.

I cut the story short not to reveal the whole intrigue.
I love Bollywood movies, even if I must confess that I mainly watched colourful, joyful films, which made me dream, even without happy endings. If you do not understand what I mean, don't you suddenly desire to become a courtesan if you are sure to be as classy as Madhuri Dixit in Devdas, with her brilliant interpretation of Chandramukhi? Well, Fiza could not be more different.
We follow the story of a muslim family suddenly destroyed after sanguinolent confrontations between Muslims and Hindus. When you believe that it couldn't be more difficult to live without a son and brother, without even knowing if he is alive, you reach the part of the movie where everything turns even worse. It is difficult to me not to divulgue more, but I really don't want to ruin the surprise.

Fiza is a very emotional realization, part thanks to the incredible actors: touching, strong, heartbreaking, determinated,... the characters are moving and particularly credible. Remember that it isn't always the case when you live in cloud-cuckoo land, in other words when you decide to relax with Bollywood.
Honestly, I watched Fiza with eyes filled with tears... at best! At worst, I just couldn't stop crying: when people are not able to recognize their own family, when a mother's hope is ruined, when you realize that the fiction is certainly very close to the reality,...

To summarize: if you like Bollywood cute and naive, get off on your way ; if you are searching for a movie with a real substance, check this out as soon as possible! Personally, I am delighted by the powerful discovery.

Talk to you soon! :)

Bellyladies Night

Good morniiiiiiinnnggg!!!

Remember, several weeks ago, I wrote an enthusiastic article about an event, Le Week-End de la Danse Orientale: http://gloomy-san.blogspot.com/2012/03/le-week-end-de-la-danse-orientale.html (in French only, I know: my apologies! I will try to avoid French as much as possible but as it is my mother tongue, you won't escape it).

This event took place this weekend. At first I really wanted to attend some workshops (saidi, Bellywood, chaabi,... God, I no longer knew where to look), but unfortunately, I finally had no time enough to lose a whole day, because of my student's life and the future examinations. That's why I decided to attend the show: Bellyladies Night. I will not talk about every single performances; I hope you will content yourselves with those which made a deep impression on me.

The dancing evening began with Maëlle, who immediatly seduced everybody with her smile -and with her magnificent white outfit too, yes. Her dynamic performance was ideal to get into the swim of things. Nevertheless a weakness, only in my opinion: I appreciate raks el asaya with saidi, but the cane isn't a prop that I appreciate that much when it is included to a raks al sharki performance.

Annamma @ Spectacle Magic Orient

Who talks about Bellywood workshop insinuates the presence of a show in the colours of India. God knows how I love this country, its various dances, music and so on. So I of course waited for this moment with a growing impatience. And it didn't disappointed me! Raised in a masterly fashion by Annamma, the duet Uma & Annamma flung us in this Asian country with their interpretation of the famous song "Kannodu Kanbathellam", taken from the movie "Jeans" and originally played by Aishwarya Rai. These ladies were the first to fill my eyes with tears, but I couldn't tell you if it was out of melancholy or happiness. Both, I guess.

And suddenly happened the disappointment: I couldn't wait to see the gorgeous Belgian dancer Artemisia, but her passage was purely and simply cancelled. If I understood well, I think that she suffers from a knee pain. Shame on me, but health above all! It is only a question of time.

The next huge surprise was Jamila and her wild saidi on "El Baston". Saidi is one of my favourite styles, and I keep telling that I absolutely need to try! You know what? I've just found my teacher! No kidding, Jamila was absolutely impressive, and she spread as much cheerfulness as saidi asks. Wow, I wanted this moment to last longer!

The first part ended with Fatima and her students. With the girls, we dived in the depths of the Moroccan folklore. While watching them, I remembered some people who told me how chaabi was boring, in their opinion. Personally, I just wanted to slip a kaftan on to rejoin the circle. Amazing Fatima!

Fatima and her students @ Prague

The star of our evening, Farah, introduced the second part, catching every single heart in the audience. What could I say? This heightened feminity, this precision, this touching interpretation, not counting this formidable stage presence and the particular contact with the public, every good elements were gathered together to make the best of these -short- seven minutes. Farah is what we call a GREAT dancer!

Farah Bakkali

To watch her performance, just click on the following symbol: *

The show needed another belly dancer to continue, and we all knew how the challenge was major.
But Asrar brilliantly accomplished the mission! Firstly, she decided not to present another classic act, but favoured a gypsy atmosphere, very different from everything else in the Night. No need to say that it was to her advantage! I was glad to see her for another obvious reason: a student is always delighted to support her teacher, right? According to our lessons, I was sure that this moment would be filled with joie de vivre, and you know what? I was right!
Here is the link to her performance: *

After that, the lovely Johanna seduces her and the Wicked Mystic offered us our tribal fusion time, but my next true favourite was the Cie Zellidjah and their saidi -yes, another one- which gave us the will of jumping at the opportunity to stand up and dance! Once again, I realized how Jamila is excellent! I'll try to attend her workshop in July, if I find the favour of time :)

Asrar @ Bellydancer of the World 2011
© Ayman Shoala

To conclude, this event was absolutely worth coming, even without the wonderful Artemisia: great dancers, various performances enough, nice place (fortunately easy to find) and friendly atmosphere.
Congratulations to Zahra & the artists, teachers, everyone who made it possible!

As Zahra said: "See you next year, inchallah!"

Please notice that the pictures are neither mine, nor taken from the Bellyladies Night. If you are the author and you want me to remove your work, let me know: it will please me to follow your requierements.

Thinking about...

Today, I was skimming through the internet when my eyes met one of my favourite quotations:

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean ; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, 1869 - 1948

I grew up in a Christan family, where I was baptized, where I celebrated two communions and a faith confirmation: everything was purely traditional for my family, and as I was young, I did not have the opportunity to choose if I wanted to live these events or not. Living in such an environment, I never really thought about my own faith: everything appeared obvious to me. Until the age of thirteen, when time had come to celebrate the latest event: the confirmation.

There you are suppose to "confirm" the blessing you received during your baptism - the symbol of the Christian's new life - as it happens at an early age in various cases (for more details: *). I remember how I wasn't convinced by the idea: I thought it was too important to be just a "matter of principles", and since I began to have doubts about Catholicism and religion in general, I disagreed. But I was young and I eventually didn't have the choice.

©Anke Merzbach, http://www.bsw-art.com

After that, I quickly stopped believing. It wasn't a case of thoughtful rejection: it was only because everything I learned had lost its meaning. The child I was was sure; the teenager I was becoming distrusted. So I just gave up thinking about religion for a few years: I didn't feel concerned at all. From time to time I tried to remember how I felt previously, but I finally considered that it didn't come from me: as I told you, my family follows most of the Catholic traditions and when I was a little girl, it only seemed normal to me to do so. 

This refusal lasted several years.
But there I slowly left adolescence to enter adulthood. It made me become more conscious about our world and, thank heavens, less and less focused on myself. Opening the eyes wasn't as great as expected: no need to give more explanation, just read the newspaper, watch television news, stay open to the world you live in and sure you will understand! And for the first time, I felt like wanting to believe. Not by principles anymore, but by true faith: I wanted to find the strength to believe in something else / someone else, because more I was discovering (I especially had a real shock in 2009 which drives me on the way I am currently talking about), more I refused to see human being as the greatest strength existing. How could it be, considering how evil it can be?

And someday I read this quote, the one written at the beginning of the article. It lightened my day, and I am still able to see myself distinctly smiling, suddenly full of real happiness, smiling and saying aloud: "That is the answer I needed!". After all, "Every cloud has a silver lining", and I realized that there was no need to have the blues for once: nobody said that life was easy, and we all know that it is far from perfect.  But beside this fact, while beautiful things like friendship, laughter, hope and great minds exist, I deeply believe that it is worth living here. Great people exist, and they will ever exist, with their courage, their battles and very often their discretion.

I still do not know if I am a believer or not, but nevermind: I realized that there were tons of reasons on earth to smile and to fight for. It seems maybe obvious, but it has been an important step of my reconstruction. Coming across this quote today reminded me a lot of memories, that's why I decided to devote a space on this blog.

Good evening, Guten Abend, Bonne soirée, ערב טוב! :)