Fugitive Pieces

[vaneramos]

Work has not been steady lately, which causes endless anxiety. I try not to worry too much, do whatever I can in a day, concentrate on creative solutions, and not get distracted from dedicating as much free time as possible to artistic endeavours.

I've conceived a small project for the fall, another chapbook, but don't want to reveal the ultrasound (of my brain) until we've passed the uncertain first weeks, and the details become obvious. With An Elegant Path I worked on nothing but, for an entire month. This time it needs to spread around my work schedule.

Hopefully around my work schedule.

Last night I saw Fugitive Pieces at The Bookshelf. It's based on a mesmerizing book (1996) by Canadian writer Anne Michaels, about a young boy who witnesses his family murdered and dragged away by the Nazis, is rescued and smuggled out of the country by a Greek archaeologist, and ultimately grows up and becomes an author in Canada. The movie missed some things that make the book stand out in memory, especially details evoking post-war Toronto, the lower city of forested river valleys contrasted against residential neighbourhoods.

Still, the movie was beautiful in its own right, a Holocaust tale remarkable for its subtlety and radiance. There is an underlying theme about the redemptive powers of love. I came away deeply affected, awakened in my ancient desire to be deeply known and understood. This is one DVD I'll look to add to my library when it appears.

Director Jeremy Podeswa is the son of a Holocaust survivor, and I'm told, third-hand, by a friend who knows someone who dated him, that he is gay. He has also directed Six Feet Under, Nip/Tuck and Queer As Folk.

I was expecting to work today, but since I'm not, I'll take the opportunity to catch up on laundry, dishes, knitting and gardening. I went for an extra long walk around Queen Street Hill this morning. Tomorrow I'll head back to Lake Fletcher for another weekend.

Comments

[missprune.livejournal.com]

That is really a charming photo. I hope work picks up - anxiety is such a drag. I think it is the thin film that keeps me from engaging fully with the present moment.

[justapostcard.livejournal.com]

I love the picture! Just the kind of garden I'd love to have.

Thanks for the review of Fugitive Pieces -- I added it to my Netflix -- it's not on there yet but it will be eventually probably. I remember having that book on my list of books-to-read but I never did. I'll have to look for it.

[missprune.livejournal.com]

would make a lovely gift card (hint, hint!) :o)

[paulintoronto.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'm the person your friend knows. But you know me too. Jeremy was my first boyfriend, back in about 1980, I think. He is a sweet man.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's precisely what it does to me, too!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I haven't forgotten! I won't have a chance to put those together until I have some quiet time at home alone after the first weekend of August. :-(

I picked up the book from my mailbox today! Thank you very much. It arrived in time to accompany me on my time away from home.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I recommend both. But try not to judge the movie against the book. The book is one of the most memorable I've read in the past decade.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

My goodness, it is a small world! But I don't think you know my friend Allan S. (a native Brit) from Guelph. The degrees of separation are muddling!