Almost a year back, I was walking in the Amsterdam Airport with a friend, and I noticed this book that apparently was creating all the buzz. My friend was looking for something to read in order to kill time on the 8 hour flight to Washington D.C, so I recommended that she buy the book ; Heck it might be a good read.I didnt , however ! I disregarded it as something that was trying to make money of the recent Afghanistan craze, like many other odd authors that I do not care to name !
I got the book when I got to the States. Surprisingly, the book was by far away from all standards of airport trash that you get.I really liked this one .It was a moving tale of redemption forgiveness and childhood memories that touched the heart.In a nutshell , I thought the Kite Runner was a brilliant, beautiful and simple story.
Khaled Hussaini does impress, and soon after I began looking for the next story in line by this writer, A 1000 Splendid Suns, which I began to read, but had to stop due to finals( ugh !) . And so far it has that same tone, that same language , that same ease that made its predecessor a success.
I came to know that the Kite Runner was being optioned to be made into a movie, and who was directing ?None other than Marc Forster , the guy who brought to us greats like Monster's Ball and Finding Neverland .
Aided by a scribe like David Benioff, it seemed like a pretty darn interesting crew.However, a lot of controversy ensued . There was a particular scene that generated a lot of ho-hum that was uncalled for because it was handled very carefully.The movie was banned in Afghanistan, and then later in the Arab World . The child actors had to flee the country .
I managed to get my hand on the DVD , around 3 months back and I watched the movie.I had a fear that a lot of the material in the book would be cut or lost in translation. Here is my verdict !The movie is great. I liked it . I t was one of those good Foriegn pictures that you see once in a while ! That being said ; I have a few remarks about the movie. The movie flows smoothly at the begining but, then feels rushed as soon as Amir and his dad flee to the US. The pace wasnt constant to me. Also , the character exploration could have been greater !
The movie showcased good supporting turns by Shaun Toub and Homayoun Ershadi and decent performances by the child actors. The soundtrack ,by Alberto Iglesias, is very oriental and also managed to snag a nod from the golden globes.
I enjoyed this movie -viewing experience , and I look forward to seeing 1000 Splenid Suns being made into a movie !
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
On Keira Knightley and Corsets
Word is around the web , that a new King Lear production is about to head into production.
The U.K. newspaper The Telegraph reports that Anthony Hopkins will play the tragic King Lear , with Gwyneth Paltrow as Cordelia’s older sister, Regan and Keira Knightley will play Cordelia, one of the most famous Shakespearean icons of Literature , the youngest daughter who dearly loves her father.No word has yet surfaced on the casting of Cordelia's eldest sister but with this casting so far, I am completely on board trusting the judgement off the producers.
Keira Knightley , yet another time ,jumps to the past to don another couple corsets and petti-coats that made her famous , whether by playing Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice or snaggin the role of Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Carribean franchise .
It seems that she has been doing these period dramas either for a good reason or that she simply loves wearing uncomfortable clothes(not that I am complaining).She next stars in the Duchess, yet another period piece directed by Saul Dibb where she plays , guess what, yeah thats right Georgiana , the DUCHESS of Devonshire alongside Ralph Fiennes, who plays the Duke of Devonshire.
The Duchess has been slated for a release in the fall of 2008.No word has yet surfaced on the release date of King Lear , but I think we can expect it around Oscar season of next year (2009).
It has been a while before Hollywood has given us another good Shakepearen adaptation.Producers promise to have epic battle scenes, so it is not only a tragic family drama (which I dont mind at all) that will go on for 2+ hours.The audience are in for a good experience I assume.Let us hope this production will match expectations .
A last thoguht ! Kiera Knightley in a corset . I am in ...
The U.K. newspaper The Telegraph reports that Anthony Hopkins will play the tragic King Lear , with Gwyneth Paltrow as Cordelia’s older sister, Regan and Keira Knightley will play Cordelia, one of the most famous Shakespearean icons of Literature , the youngest daughter who dearly loves her father.No word has yet surfaced on the casting of Cordelia's eldest sister but with this casting so far, I am completely on board trusting the judgement off the producers.
Keira Knightley , yet another time ,jumps to the past to don another couple corsets and petti-coats that made her famous , whether by playing Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice or snaggin the role of Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Carribean franchise .
It seems that she has been doing these period dramas either for a good reason or that she simply loves wearing uncomfortable clothes(not that I am complaining).She next stars in the Duchess, yet another period piece directed by Saul Dibb where she plays , guess what, yeah thats right Georgiana , the DUCHESS of Devonshire alongside Ralph Fiennes, who plays the Duke of Devonshire.
The Duchess has been slated for a release in the fall of 2008.No word has yet surfaced on the release date of King Lear , but I think we can expect it around Oscar season of next year (2009).
It has been a while before Hollywood has given us another good Shakepearen adaptation.Producers promise to have epic battle scenes, so it is not only a tragic family drama (which I dont mind at all) that will go on for 2+ hours.The audience are in for a good experience I assume.Let us hope this production will match expectations .
A last thoguht ! Kiera Knightley in a corset . I am in ...
On EB Elections of AIESEC Bahrain
Few days back were the elections of the Local Committe EB (Executive Board) of AIESEC in Bahrain .I decided that after all the time that I have spent in the organisation,the commitment and the efforts, the different teams that I worked in and running a PBOX( Bridging the Gap) , that it was about time that I would run for LCP and that I was qualified enough to see where the organisation is heading.
It made sense to me, seeing that I even wanted to get involved in the organisation in a much bigger role and really influence a lot of the things that are happening.A huge part of my motivation to run was to see to it that OCPs of IBXPs get the appropriate support from the LC, create a role for alumni of the organisation, strengthen ties with different entities in the market and work on increasing exchanges.The rest was other pure technicalities.
Some of my friends told me to run for other VP positions, which I would assume would have been a bit less challenging than this role.However , I decided not to.Why would I ? I responded.The point of me running for LCP was that I wanted to ensure that I left a legacy behind, something to be remembered with ; and being LCP, myself along with my EB could greatly influence the course that this organisation is taking and through that create an impact on society.
I would be lying if I told you that everything is fine with rainbows, flowers and roses.But truth is I was a little disappointed, and I believe that it is something I am entitled to.However, what made this experience one great damn one, is that I ran against one of my good friends, who I know will take good care of the organisation.It is in safe hands !
I learnt to accept "failure", face rejection and refocus .I am sort of confused on what to expect or do next.I am still running Bridging the Gap, still working on it and will continue to do until it is a success. Maybe then , this would be the legacy I leave in AIESEC Bahrain. I know I pray for that everyday.Raising traineeships for the LC has been a pain in the a** already , so it is even harder when you do it for a PBOX with a particular sector in mind.
Another good friend of mine reminded me that things happen for a reason, and of that I will be constantly reminded.Lets wait for tomorrow and see what hopes and new experiences it will bring along with the unfolding of a new day.
Atleast now, I would have the chance of going to Malta on a CEED with no complications regarding absence in the LC and ,I dont have to worry about IC Brazil day and night , wondering where I might get sponsorship from.
Every coin has two faces ,I guess !
It made sense to me, seeing that I even wanted to get involved in the organisation in a much bigger role and really influence a lot of the things that are happening.A huge part of my motivation to run was to see to it that OCPs of IBXPs get the appropriate support from the LC, create a role for alumni of the organisation, strengthen ties with different entities in the market and work on increasing exchanges.The rest was other pure technicalities.
Some of my friends told me to run for other VP positions, which I would assume would have been a bit less challenging than this role.However , I decided not to.Why would I ? I responded.The point of me running for LCP was that I wanted to ensure that I left a legacy behind, something to be remembered with ; and being LCP, myself along with my EB could greatly influence the course that this organisation is taking and through that create an impact on society.
I would be lying if I told you that everything is fine with rainbows, flowers and roses.But truth is I was a little disappointed, and I believe that it is something I am entitled to.However, what made this experience one great damn one, is that I ran against one of my good friends, who I know will take good care of the organisation.It is in safe hands !
I learnt to accept "failure", face rejection and refocus .I am sort of confused on what to expect or do next.I am still running Bridging the Gap, still working on it and will continue to do until it is a success. Maybe then , this would be the legacy I leave in AIESEC Bahrain. I know I pray for that everyday.Raising traineeships for the LC has been a pain in the a** already , so it is even harder when you do it for a PBOX with a particular sector in mind.
Another good friend of mine reminded me that things happen for a reason, and of that I will be constantly reminded.Lets wait for tomorrow and see what hopes and new experiences it will bring along with the unfolding of a new day.
Atleast now, I would have the chance of going to Malta on a CEED with no complications regarding absence in the LC and ,I dont have to worry about IC Brazil day and night , wondering where I might get sponsorship from.
Every coin has two faces ,I guess !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)