A snake yesterday; zombies today. Only on film, thankfully. We picked At up from work and got a leisurely dinner and ice cream before seeing 28 Years Later, a franchise At and I are particularly fond of. It was unexpectedly tender for a zombie film. While the memento mori parts were predictable, the instruction--"memento amoris"--was not and it really resonated. Everyone will inevitably die, but will we have loved as much as we could?
While on love, here's an amazing poem I found this week. It's by John Roedel: on the days/when it feels like/I have no power/I serve others/you see/whenever I wash the world's feet/my hands/immediately/stop shaking. Wow. This is kind of true for me too.
And in the love department, we watched the Rick Steves tour of Esfahan ("extraordinary mosques and endearing people") because it's unlikely that we'll ever be able to see it for ourselves now. My love for that one particular shade of Isfahan blue comes from a picture in a book I had when I was eight or nine.
And since the beginning of this year, EM and I and then Nu and I have been talking about Mississippi Masala--that movie from 30+ years ago with Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhary, which won awards and hearts for depicting a love affair between an Indian woman and a black man. So that's one of the many, many reasons we're so happy that Zohran Mamdani has won the primary as NYC mayoral candidate--that movie was made by his mom, Mira Nair.
Pic: At, Big A, and Nu in the parking lot. I love them a lot.
18 comments:
What a cool story about Mississippi Masala!
I loved that Rick Steves tour as well, Rob and I have been going through his entire catalogue and that is one of my favourites.
I, too, have a soft spot for tender zombies movies, and I love At's braids.
Great photo.
That poem says so much in such a small space with such a powerful metaphor. Thanks for sharing it here; it's new to me.
I woke up to the news of Mamdani's win. I was surprised and thrilled. His platform was revolutionary but so, so simple. And so encouraging.
Cute.
I'll have to watch that Rick Steves tour. I love his shows. Yesterday we went to Howell to meet the parents of a friend of ours, as they were visiting from Turkey. (They had air-con and an hour each way to get their in the air-con car, so even if they hadn't been delightful, which they were, it would have been worth it!). It was a lovely evening and we were able to see a brief video of their area and also Ephesus and it made us both curious about visiting (and we were invited.) I don't know if it will ever happen but it made me eager to revisit all my Rick Steves videos!
Interesting. I did not know that connection. When I taught World Lit by Women at University of Maryland that film was one students could watch for a supplemental text assignment.
A "tender zombie movie"- I'm intrigued! I love the photo, and also the poem. Beautiful.
I love the 28 days later movies too, am bitter that I am sick right now and missing it in the theatre.
I love Sarita Choudhury - I am watching And Just Like That mainly for her right now, and that is so cool and encouraging.
SO true, that engaging in acts of service and kindness are such a great way to stop obsessing about how bad things are.
I loved Mississippi Masala, I had no idea that it was his mother that made it! Amazing!
The end was like a novel or movie :)!
Thank you, Sarah. You're so good at hair, so that's a compliment!
I just knew that poem would align with your values, Nance.
And yes, Mamdani's win is so encouraging. I've been reading his father's work for decades, so this will take some getting used to.
Thank you.
Ephesus sounds like a dream, and I hope you get to visit. Istanbul has been a longtime dream of mine... Some day!!
And I hope it gets cooler!
Steph--I wish I could take one of your classes or talk to you about them...
Thanks, Jenny. Your comment made me think that most zombie films must have some tenderness somewhere to contrast with the gruesome state of things elsewhere?
Allison, you have to get better! You've been sick for way too long now... I wish there was something I could do.
Sarita Choudhury (ha, I realized I misspelled it) is an icon! I just got caught up with AJLT :)
I think that's so sweet somehow.... Have you seen _Monsoon Wedding_? I think I like that one even more... it made me feel like I really was at a family wedding.
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