I know that i havn't been too hot on the posting front lately, i've been a little too busy. One realised that one should make some time when it struck me that if i was to be involved with someone right now i wouldn't have any time to really commit. I reconnected with some friends from school and, to my surprise, found that three of my friends are engaged, and another three are in long term relationships:-) We will have a three year reunion within the next two weeks- oddly, i can't wait. Well, i was lamenting my lack of significant other yesterday (ok, i was moaning) when my friend Donna suggested that we see a movie. What a great idea.
We didn't see Jeepers Creepers or Legally Blonde, no, they wouldn't be our style. We chose a movie called Aimee and Jaguar, a German movie that details a lesbian love affair in Berlin in 1943. Aimee and Jaguar are the names lovers give each other. It is, i believe, based on a memoir, so that sends it home in an even more dramatic manner. The story, briefly,**[i'm about to tell some of the story so be warned!!!!!]** is that Felice takes a liking to Lilly ( the lady that ultimatly wrote the memoir) and an affair begins after Lilly realises that Felice has more than a platonic interest. Dangerous because it is a lesbian affair; dangerous because Lilly is known for "entertaining" Nazi officers and Felice, unknown to Lilly, is a Jew that has infiltrated the Nazi establishment and is a member of the underground movement. As the love blossomed in such a risky environment i really got caught up in the happy, brave, reckless, giddy, ever-so-girly relationship. I find it interesting to see a movie set during WWII within Germany, it shows a side of the situation that many of us never see. I came away with tears in my eyes; tears for the characters, flawed as they may be, and tears for the entire situation, tragic for all sides. I'm sure there are plenty of movies out there like that, but this is only the second German movie i've seen like this. An entirely refreshing piece of cinema that i hope many of you cinema lovers get to see. This movie is not sold as a *lesbian movie* as such. It will appeal not only to lesbians, or those with an interest therein, but also to anyone interested in history-military and social, human relationships and romance, and cinema and good movies. Recently i also got the chance to see a much hyped Japanese movie called Battle Royale. While in Londn during the summer months i saw posters all over the place for this movie. I read a preview somewhere which described it as a cross between lord of the flies and clockwork orange, with a little of the Big Brother/Survivor thing thrown in for good measure. I don't know if this is the best way to describe this movie. The premise is **[again, i might ruin some of the story here, so be warned!!!]** that the youth of today have gotten so out of hand that the Japanese government have set up an initiative whereby every year one class is randomly chosen and sent to an island to take part in a "survival game" called Battle Royale. Only one of them will get off the island alive, if any. Each student is given a weapon of sorts and a map of the island and sent off. Well, the movie is indeed utterly shocking. Jae Hwan, a korean friend of mine, found the basic idea entirely amoral and wsa prompted to ask why do people even think up such things. As for me, i was ever so curious. Donna and i just *had* to see this one. It is hardly a credible storyline, and the director really left it open to interpretation- a wise decision i think, he(?) is not dictating morals to us, rather he is presenting us with a wide spectrum of reactions brought on n exceptional circumstances. The morality of the characters is tested- some crack, some blossom. At times horrifying, hilarious, tender and touching, and again horrifying, this one really left us thinking, and half laughing, about the slogan on the poster "Would You Kill Your Best Friend?". I can surely see why this movie wouldn't suit many people; some just wouldn't be able to take the more gruesome aspect of it, and others would find it plain offensive. Personally, i actually found in it an affirmation of the power of friendship. You'll have to see it to see why:-) GARRET
