Monday, July 22, 2013

Thanks to the Internet

Hadas Yaron in Fill the Void
I was just minding my own business this morning when I read a couple of things in my e-mailbox that changed the course of my day. I subscribe to the Pickford independent theater here in Bellingham, and they sent me a plea to go and see a movie that is playing at the Limelight (their old venue) that will be here through Thursday and then gone forever. Only a few people have shown up to see it every day, and the information they sent me about the movie made me decide to go and see it myself this afternoon, alone.

It's a new movie made in Israel that is set in the world of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Tel Aviv: Fill the Void. The writer and director, Rama Burshtein, is herself a member of this community, and she transported me into this world that is so foreign to my own. But while I was there, I identified with the young protagonist, 18-year-old Shira played by Hadas Yaron, and wanted only the best for her. By the end of the movie, I wasn't sure that what finally played out was right, but I walked out of the theater happy that I had seen it. And glad that I don't live in a community like that! See it if you get a chance, though; you won't be sorry. It's beautifully written and produced.

I try not to get too caught up in Facebook, but since so many of my friends post there on almost a daily basis, I check the news feed once a day or so to make sure I'm not missing anything important in the lives of my distant friends and family. One of the women I worked with at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder put up a link to the 2013 National Geographic Photo Contest, and I was mesmerized by the fantastic pictures displayed there. The link will take you to the site on The Atlantic. Just scroll down to see dozens of fantastic pictures.

And of course the other major event of the day was the birth of the latest royal, Kate and William's baby boy! I wasn't one of those watching every minute, but I was so pleased when I heard that the baby had been born. A new possible King. What a great day, huh?
:-)

23 comments:

  1. Great review of the movie. I wonder if it will come here. I also would not want to live in the ultra orthodox community. It is a very closed minded group.
    Since I'm not a Royalist , I'm not really sure about this new baby. I'm happy for the couple , but the Royal family and monarchy is really in a mess. I wish we did not have a Queen of Canada

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  2. The link you posted contains absolutely beautiful photos.
    I spent a great deal of time there looking at each one...taking in the beauty and the wonder.

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  3. nice...off to check out those pics...they are usually a treat...never heard of the movie but sounds like it was a good thing you jumped at the chance...

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  4. sounds like you had a good, different day.

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  5. Though we are a city of a quarter million, we are still something of a cultural backwater. I very much doubt we will have Fill the Void here.

    And the healthy arrival of the Royal child. I've not been following it, but the news came out this afternoon, an I thought it was good.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting
    Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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  6. Thanks for sharing the link to the Photos..they were spectacular!! Sounds like you had an okay day:)

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  7. Those photos were incredible. Thank you so much.
    I found myself a little sad that William and Kate had a son. Foolish I know, but given that legislation has been passed to ensure that the first born child regardless of sex is next in line for the throne, I had hoped for a girl. Just the same, a healthy babe is much more important.

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  8. That does sound like a very interesting movie. I like happy endings though, and I get the sense this wasn't.

    I'm very happy for William and Kate, but was secretly hoping for a girl.

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  9. I need to make a note of the name of that film it sounds very interesting. London is buzzing with the news of a new heir to the throne. The Church bells will all be ringing today.

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  10. Sounds like you had a great day at the movies and on Facebook. Cheers to the new prince!

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  11. I use my facebook account for the same thing. I never post, just read the updates of family who uses it.

    The movie, you've definitely intrigued me. I'm gonna have to go Google the title and see if perhaps there is some teaser....as I'm sure it won't show here in this hick town. Anything that may even in the slightest be political or controversial the theaters NEVER order them. I think that's all kinds of wrong. But what do I know.

    I'm like "Elephant's Child"...I was hoping for a girl for a reason I posted just this morning. But, it's a healthy baby, that's what counts.

    Hope your day today is as good as it was for you yesterday.

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  12. Here is the link to the movie trailer if you wish to add it to your post somewhere for others to view....

    http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony/fillthevoid/

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  13. Wow, those photos are gorgeous. I loved many of the dramatic nature shots, but the one I'll remember is the tiny hummingbird drinking from a person's mouth. (And the fact that it was taken during a drought.) Thanks for sharing the link.

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  14. I have the movie written down. I will see if I can catch it playing somewhere close-by, or I will see if it is on NetFlix or something. It sounds like a great movie. It reminds me of a book I read that I really enjoyed. It is called Jephte's Daughter.I am putting in the link so you can read about it. It got mixed reviews but I really liked it.
    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7439504-jephte-s-daughter

    I will come back to look at the pictures. I'm sure they are awesome.

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  15. Sounds intriguing. We spent a day as invited guests in a Hutterite community in Minnesota recently. We were all impressed but I doubt Mrs. T and her friend could really accept such a communal and restricted role for women....

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  16. We don't even have a theater here--I don't count the functioning drive in. I will try Netflix to see if they have it. Thanks for the heads up.

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  17. Yes, the internet is something to be thankful for most days. The movie sounds intriguing. The pictures are on my list to do next. And the baby? Well, I haven't been glued to the television - but I did happen to catch some footage after the fact while having a late lunch - the looks on their faces while looking down at him spoke volumes. I wish them all the best. New babies are always a cause for celebration; royal or not.

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  18. Very cool. The movie goes on my list. I hope they name the boy arthur and have someone around who is a kind of merlin.

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  19. I put the movie on my Netflix saved list so I can get it when it comes out on DVD. :)

    I looked at the pictures. wow!

    Nice that they had a little boy so they can relax a little now. An heir is born. :) I didn't know. (You know I don't watch the news.) So I heard it from you!! ;)

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  20. Sounds like a great day. I just spent the last fifteen minutes getting lost on that National Geographic page. What amazing photos. Thanks for that.

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  21. I saw that Old Reader is down, but your blog is on the side of my blog so I can see when you have something new – not that I can come every time as I was watching the Tour de France and hurrying knitting blankets for birthday so I am behind, as usual.
    Your mountains are so beautiful – you took some great shots with your iPhone. I have been using more veggies in my recipes, most of the recipes I make up myself – yesterday I tried fresh collard greens, which I had in many restaurants but never tried to cook, and they came out tasty. Your cabbage looks great. Will you try stuffed cabbage leaves?
    I looked at the National Geographic photos for which you gave the link – they are stupendous! I certainly feel like a poor amateur when I see such superb photography. On the same page they had pictures of Paris from the air – they were good too.

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  22. Oh my, each of those photos is more amazing that the one before. Thanks for sharing the link DJan.

    It's doubtful the movie will come to our little town in the middle of nowhere but I'll check for it on Amazon and Netflix.

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  23. The film sounds interesting. I'm always interested to see how other people live. I'll wait till it comes over here and look out for it.

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