Exorcising the Demons: The Act of Killing

The Act of Killing

This is what an exorcism really looks like. Adults who try to teach children that they should think about consequences and consider they might have regret, use their words as examples of what it feels like. This documentary shows, really shows, what regret looks like. The Act of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer, 2014) is a documentary that follows former Indonesian death squad leaders as they reenact their war crimes, the murders they committed. They reenact precisely how they captured, interrogated, and garroted their victims, the “communists”. This is THE most disturbing film I think I have ever seen; this is the BEST teaching tool I’ve ever seen for youth in terms of attitude and regret.

 

In this film we have the self-proclaimed “gangsters”, proud of being such and sanctioned by a huge para-military faction established by the coup rulers and still in existence today, the Pancasila Youth. The gangsters identify themselves as heroes, characterized and supported by the cinematic images of American films of their youth. They are given an opportunity to tell their story through any medium they wish and they choose to make a film. They expect to become famous; they already are famous and revered in their home land. This film shows the thought processes of mass murderers in reflection, from arrogance and self-aggrandizement to (for some but not all) pensive and remorseful…almost.

 

The synopsis on the film's web site could not sum it up better, however the potential for this film in middle and high school classes is unspoken and evident to me. This film has purpose. At a developmental stage where children appropriately depend on their peers, they do not have the experience of regret to teach each other and are destined to have regrets, some potentially deafening, unless they “get it”. This film can help students “get” the impact of decision making to the “nth” degree, and demonstrates the process of self-justification, and the consequences both globally and personally of harming others in both minor and life-determining ways. Fortunately, for those who “get it”, this film also demonstrates that one can exorcise their demons and survive. Whether the students are children or adults, this last benefit is the most crucial, and necessary lesson of this film.

Photo: Favim.com

 Because we are “merely” human beings, we go through life with menial and self-centered purpose. This film has the potential to elevate our thinking, and our behavior, outside our selves. This film shows the cultural values of people, the influences that create those values, and so important to the "western" citizens, the consequences of those values and the attainment of the materials that represent the values; the things we hold to represent our status….the symbols that say “I made it!” This film is about the consequences of greed; it is the justification for being inhuman and inhumane.



Photo: TheGermansMakeGoodStuff Quote: George Orwell, Animal Farm

This is THE most disturbing film I can remember ever seeing (other than The Exorcist.) This is the most important film I’ve seen. This film is not as romantic as our idea of an exorcism might actually look like, but it is the only real exorcism I’ve seen portrayed. You must watch through to “get it”, but like any good film the cliff hanger at the end leaves you wanting more, and in this case wondering “Did he really get it?”, and hoping he does, and hoping I will get it too, when I exercise my own demons.

Tubes Tuesday: Deception

"The Woman Who Wasn't There" (2012) is a documentary film about one of those people who lie about everything. Tania Head wasn't there. She was not a survivor. She was not in the twin towers. She was not married or engaged to "Dave". She didn't have a dog. She wasn't a friend. Whether she was really nice is in question.

Memecenter.com

Tania Head did a lot of nice things for a lot of truly nice people who were truly nice survivors and family of survivors of what has become known as "9-11". She did it all as what cyberspace calls a "troll." She rubbed elbows with the mayor and got the gates of ground zero open to the WTC survivors group; she also influenced the board members of the group to dethrone the groups founder. She didn't do anything illegal though; she didn't sign papers or gain money. However she raped the emotions of a lot of people who loved her and cared about her because they believed her. I've never heard of such an extreme example of selfishness; however sociopaths are not capable of selfishness because they are not capable of identifying with others.

Like anyone else who watches this film or hears this story, the questions beg an answer: Why? What did she have to gain?

The way this film tells the story is excellent. The story is almost incredible. That people can do such a thing is so disheartening, almost as much so as the tragedy that Tania Head so much wanted to be a part of.

Tubes Tuesday: Ship My Pants

Have you seen this commercial?! I was shocked when I saw it; things have changed so much on television. I swear I sometimes hear the f*bomb, and often find myself saying, “When did they start allowing them to say ‘bitch’ on T. V.?”

George Carlin (theatlantic.com)

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not beyond using “curse” words when they are appropriate for what I want to say (so did George Carlin, a master of words). But there’s a little part of me that sees the deterioration of decency, and the manipulation of the public viewer with humor and shock. It angers and disgusts me. I’m not disgusted only at the media for promoting this change, but I’m angry (maybe more so) at the public who has allowed their senses, and those of their children, to become numb and dumb and vulnerable to such heinous manipulation. The young people who have grown up with this as a norm have no idea that they are being manipulated and used by greedy people who just want their dollar.

There's no place like Kansas! REALLY?

On the other hand, this is a really clever use of words and funny just because they get away with it. I suppose not everyone is so easily duped as I’ve worried about above, or is that just an excuse to forgive myself for enjoying it, or is it me wearing “rose colored glasses”?

Here’s the story behind the commercial from creative-online (Ann-Christine Diaz). The article is peppered with curse words, in keeping with the interview and creative discussion. The intention of the creators is to make the joke evident and lasting. The impetus for the joke was the need to make customers aware of a service that K Mart offered but wasn’t being used. From this interview we can see that the manipulative intent of the creators of the commercial is to make us laugh, and it is an intelligence based effort. Nothing dumb or greedy about that. So, if we want to be angry about the dumbing down of the viewers, we have to look at the need for the commercial, not the creation or delivery of it; the latter is just art.

If we are all unique, aren't we really all alike?

This morning I watched a documentary film titled Bill Cunningham New York. I just love people, all kinds of people, especially quirky and eccentric people.

While Bill Cunningham himself was not so quirky and eccentric (at least not by my standards or overtly so) but he had an eye and penchant for individuality that he found exciting. When I say "he had an eye" for I mean that quite literally. When the film was made in 2011 Bill was 80 years old. The documentary chronicles his life, both as a milliner and independent photographer (mostly the latter). Bill loved fashion, not celebrity, and appreciated the every day sense of style. Bill photographs the fashion he sees on the street, and refuses to take money for his photographs, not because he's a philanthropist but because his principles guide him to not being "owned". But more than enjoying who Bill is, I enjoy the thoughts inspired by him.

I love fashion and see it as art. There is a similar thread that runs through my own expression of art through personal style: colorful, richly textured through shape or textile, something no one would wear without courage. Courage to be unique takes bravery against many fears. Fear to be noticeable, fear to be different, fear to be inappropriate for your age or environment or circumstance. A poor woman on public assistance would be inappropriate if she wore a fur or golden threaded silk in public. An old woman would be inappropriate if she wore fashions that teenagers wear. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "I/you can't wear that I'm/you're too old for that." Equally as frequently stated, "That's too old for me; all I need is a pair of garden gloves and a floppy sun hat!" Oh the opinionated and criticizing tapes and responses of the past that keep me from my art, my life, my eccentricity, my joy.

I want to show people how to live carelessly and fearlessly, but must find the courage to do so myself. I will admit to being more successful than not, but being a "super-human" is a daily practice. I am reminded by a poem, the words of which I do not remember, but the feelings of which (simultaneously sad and encouraging) I remember when I dawn my "empresses clothing". The poem is about purple, the poem is about bravery to be who you want to be and express yourself the way you want to, and to put yourself boldly on display despite the inner and outer voices that are deprecating. The poem is also about time wasted not doing so, and about waiting until you are old, and about eventually learning not to care about the opinions of others.

As an artist, heck as a human, it is not easy disregarding the opinions of others. Heck, I anticipate them before they are even spoken! No one likes my beads, my beads are to "weird", my skills aren't good enough, no one reads my blog, my thoughts are unfocused, I speak about too many things, I don't have a signature style, I'm not trying hard enough, I'm not promoting myself, I don't have a clearly defined goal, I'm not disciplined, I'm too opinionated, people don't understand me, I don't really understand what they want, and the list goes on and on. But I'm learning to "do" for myself rather than for the approval of others; the difficulty in that lies in the fact that "art" doesn't pay!

But I do know people, because I like them, because I like myself, and because my endeavors and observations are always geared toward growth, understanding, compassion, and sharing. So I have learned to know that just because I don't hear from people through comments, shares, likes, and purchases, they are there, listening, and admiring, and I am being appreciated in a silent way. And that's okay, because I don't want to tell anyone else how they should appreciate me; I want to tell those who appreciate me that I know you are there, and I thank you.

I am also inspired to share "my style" with you. I love clothes, and I love fabric, and shoes, and girly stuff; but I don't show that on a daily basis, I save it for the promenade (not much of which I've done in months... I miss going out and having fun!) I am not a skinny girl and I have a very unique shape that I don't like. The clothes I see more often than not will not look right on my body, and I have wonderful ideas for restyling them to look great on me; I've wanted a seamstress dummy for sooooooo long!

Every time I see an Ustav add I drool. Oh I would love to dress like this every day! I love the shapes, the colors, the georgette, the patterns, the beading and embroidery, the sexy shape that's guaranteed to any figure. Who wouldn't feel like royalty dressed in this yellow sari!?

 And just LOOK at the amazing embroidery, texture, and colors in this purple and green embroidered shift!

And my all time favorite that makes my heart race! Love the color combos, style, cut, pattern, accessories, EVERYTHING!

And maybe someday I'll meet a man brave enough to wear this jacket. 

 

 I would wear the sari to the concerts in the park, no problem, I'd wear my favorite orange and purple to play pool, and wear that gorgeous embroidered dress to teach any class, or to the Moose Lodge! But I seriously doubt there is a man in Arnold brave enough to wear that jacket!!

I almost forgot to tell you, I made new beads for the first time in a year! It was pretty scary getting back to the flame, but I caught on again very quickly. Pictures will be taken after I clean them. In the mean time enjoy some more of my style by following my Pinterest Style Board, or all of my Pinterest boards! Oh, and my garden is really exciting; I'll post pics with the new beads!

By the way, Red and Purple DO go together very well!

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph