A Sense of Outrage

This is a must read. A great piece by a great lady about an outstanding man. If it hadn't been for Holbrooke we never would have intevened in Bosnia. Clinton had to be dragged into it. If it had been solely left to him he would have done what he did in Rawanda. Nothing. And of course the cowardly Europeans stood by and did nothing. Par for the course. One of the greatest tragedies in our world today is the lack of a sense of outrage. Holbrooke had it and so does Ms. Amanpour. There are still a few left.

No danger from Wikileaks

Julian Assange claims, unequivocally, that no one's life has been put in danger by the release of all the transcripts. Okay, fine. I'm just very curious, how does he know this? I just assume that if he's certain of this he must have read all 250,000 plus transcripts. Or perhaps the private who gave him the transcripts read all of them and assured Assange that no one was put in danger. I would also assume that both of them are familiar with all the people mentioned and the particular work they do and again are quite certain that none of them have been put in danger. Just curious.

Cross-posted to Salon.com

The Eyes of Van Gogh

I am so pleased to announce that my film, The Eyes of Van Gogh, has been picked up by Unicorn Entertainment International LTD., in a 5-year distribution deal for Hong Kong. My thanks to Sales Agent Wonderphil Productions.

The Life and Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal

What can one man do to improve the human condition and to make a positive difference in the world? I urge anyone who has asked this question to see, 'I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU' [ The life and legacy of Simon Weisenthal]. After viewing it, ask yourself what would have happened , or better, what wouldn't have happened, ...if this man had not survived the war.See More

The Passion of Joan of Arc

I cannot recommend this film from Theodore Dreyer too highly. It is a cinematic feast. You can watch it instantly on Netflix.

Nobel Peace Prize

I am so pleased to learn that Chinese prisoner of conscience Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Liu is a writer and human rights defender who was chosen by the Nobel Committee for "his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China."

It has been a long time since the committee honored someone for a profound commitment to individual liberty.

In whose world is this sane?

Just consider the implications of the last line in this quote from the article.

Meanwhile, those exploding budgets increasingly line the coffers of private firms who provide not only an arsenal of spy gadgets, but some 30 percent of the staff at the intelligence agencies. Assuming that private contracts continue to account for about 70 percent of the intelligence budget, the firms in the secret sector are competing for some $50 billion annually in tax money. (By way of comparison, the global movie industry pulled in a hair under $30 billion in 2009.)

I hope you'll read the article and pass it along.

Othello

I congratulate the Synetic Theater Company on a brilliantly conceived and performed movement adaptation of Othello. Bravo.

Killing Whales is a Crime

I urge everyone to contact the president and tell him to make the moratorium on the killing of whales stronger not weaker. If we can't keep from killing these magnificent, incredibly intelligent and peace loving creatures how can we ever keep from killing our own? Ultimately we must outlaw commercial whaling. Amazingly the president and his people are going in the opposite direction. Please make your voice heard.

Gulf Oil Spill

I recommend this very intelligent commentary from the Cato Institue senior fellow Gerald P. O'Driscoll Jr. on the Gulf Spill, the Financial Crisis and Government Failure.

Lear Seeks Liberation in Madness - A rebuttal

In regard to the character of King Lear, Stacy Keach says, ‘In Lear’s case, the decision to enter into the world of madness liberated him from the painful realities before him.’
This cannot be the King Lear I’m familiar with. The main quality that gives Lear epic status is his implacable nature and total refusal to give in to adversity. Lear has always taken huge pride in his total control of himself and everyone around him.
Note what Kent says to him in 3/6 after his mind is broken: ’ O pity! Sir, where is the patience now
That you so oft have boasted to retain?’
For Lear, the idea of going mad would be the most atrocious thing imaginable and his greatest battle is against encroaching madness.
Note what he says throughout the play until his mind cracks:
1/5 ’ O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper; I would not be mad!’
2/4 ’ I prithee daughter, do not make me mad…."
‘You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need…'
'O’ fool, I shall go mad.'
3/2 ‘No I will be the pattern of all patience. I will say nothing.’
‘My wits begin to turn.’
3/4 'But I will punish home! No, I will weep no more….'
'Pour on I will endure.’
'O,that way madness lies; let me shun that.'
'No more of that.’ ‘This tempest will not give me leave to ponder on things would hurt me more.’
This is most definitely not a man seeking an outlet in madness . One final thought. The scene at Dover, 3/6, where Lear enters mad is invariably played quietly, as though he were soothed and free of pain. Shakespeare had something very different in mind. Near the end of the scene, when Lear is surrounded by French soldiers he says, in what to me is one of the most powerfully dramatic and horrific lines in all of Shakespeare: 'Let me have surgeons; I am cut to the brains.’
That line is the key to Lear’s mental condition here. Rather than quiet and subdued, throughout the scene Lear is going through the torments of hell. Anything less is a betrayel of the character.

cross-posted to DC Theatre Scene

The Eyes of Van Gogh

The DVD for my film, The Eyes of Van Gogh, is now on sale for $14.99 at http://www.theeyesofvangogh.com/. The DVD is also available from http://www.amazon.com/.

Thank you all

I'd like to thank all of you on LinkedIn who took the time to comment on the trailer for my film The Eyes of Van Gogh.

Group: Film Independent
What a wonderful and inspired portrayal of a troubled mind! Posted by Stanley N. Lozowski

Group: Film Independent
Congratulations on the new film. I am a Van Gogh fan so the topic matter is of much interest. I have a screening room in New Mexico and would love to show your film. Posted by Kenneth Segura Knoll

Group: DC Media
Excellent hair and makeup! Captured Von Gogh's self-portrait look. Perhaps you'd consider a voiceover like the one I did for Random House Books?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdT8S0RT9Qk

Group: DC Media
Looks like an awesome film, Alexander! When will it premiere? Posted by Katherine Hutt

Group: Filmmakers
The trailer looks excellent and from what I see the performances are great. Let us know if we can be of any assistance in the musical score department on any future productions----Good Luck, Brad Hord

Group: Media & Entertainment Professionals
Cool trailer, the man playing Van Gogh looks just like him! Good LUCK!Mike E.T.http://www.miketrapp.com Posted by Michael Trapp

Group: Independent Filmmakers and Screenwriters
Looks very intense and I like its tone when compared to, "Lust for Life". Posted by Brian Duggan

Group: Actors and Casting Directors
Impressive. Nicely done, Alexander! Posted by Lee Armstrong

Group: Actors and Casting Directors
Wow, that was hard to watch. You captured a lifetime in Three minutes, can't wait for the film. Posted by Paul Marshall

Group: Actors and Casting Directors
Looks good. Great job casting! Posted by Tony Folden

Assault on the Fourth Amendment

I saw this film at the Cato Institute. It was written and produced by interns who had worked there. Not only is the film hugely important for civil rights, but is expertly produced, cast and directed. Please give the film and the group exposure.

Women as Tools of War

The article by Mr. Goldberg is excellent. The response is frightening and yet totally predictable. I have done enormous research re atrocities committed against women, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The statistics are horrific and quite accurate. Rape and the enslavement of women are being used as a tools of war throughout the world. Women are being treated like road kill. Unfortunately this has been true throughout history and the problem has gotten progressively worse. For those sceptics, I invite them to check out what's happening now in The Republic Of the Congo and then research the practice of honor killings and the murder of female babys and genital mutilation of women and the enormous slave trade in women (which by the way would never survive without all the customers from the so-called civilized countries like the U.S. Japan, England, France, etc.) Check out what the Japanese did to the Chinese women in Nanking and what the Serbs did in Bosnia and what the Russians did to the German women near the end of World War 11. In Bosnia and herzegovina over 70000 women and girls were raped by the Serbs, often in front of their parents, many as young as 12 or 13. Scores of them were killed, their bodies dumped like garbage. In Africa as in most other third world countries men reign supreme. Women are not committing any of these atrocities: Men are. Cross posted to the Chigago Tribune.

New trailer for The Eyes of Van Gogh

Please take a look at the trailer for my film The Eyes of Van Gogh here.

Exploring King Lear

King Lear is Shakespeare's greatest play and very likely the greatest work in all of English literature: Its themes are of the most profound nature -- self realization; the myth of universal justice; fortuitousness in the battle between good and evil; the nature of evil. First and foremost Lear is a fighter and never gives in to adversity. In any production of King Lear we must see the lion in Lear and his raging battle between his age and failing mind. What makes him so fascinating and exciting are his tremendous extremes of temperment. He fights an epic and and magnificent struggle against overwhelming physical and emotional turmoil and his implacable refusal to surrender make him one of the greatest, most towering and passionate tragic characters ever created. This is why Lear is both a tragic and yet an uplifting experience.

Cross-posted to E-Notes

An End to the Myth of the Tortured Soul??

Overall a well written and intelligent article. However there are several errors. "His best paintings were produced in the last 15 months of his life which he spent in Arles where he went to live in 1888...and at nearby St. Remy where he spent a year at a mental institution." He spent 15 months in Arles (2/88 to 5/89) where he did indeed produce most of his best paintings, but the last 15 months of his life was spent at St.Remy (12 months) and Auvers sur Oise, (2 1/2 months.) Vincent did some excellent work at St. Remy and nothing exceptional at Auvers, so he did not produce his best work in his final 15 months. "Italian art didn't get a look-in." Not true. He referred several times to Raphael and several others whom he didn't care for, primarily because he found their work rather cold and because they were totally unable to depict workers who really worked. However, he absolutely adored Michaelangelo, because his figures depicted, not reality, but hyper reality.

Regarding Theo's support of Vincent, I agree that Vincent would never have been able to achieve what he did without his support. However, Vincent and Theo came to an agreement in 1882 whereby Theo would send Vincent money and in return he would get to keep all of Vincent's work and and do with it what he pleased. Certainly this was not a handout but reasonable recompense. Finally, the title of this article is totally misleading since there is nothing in it that indicates that Van Gogh was not a tortured soul.

Getting Away with Torture

David Cole does a superb job documenting the horror the United States government perpetrated upon an entirely innocent civilian in the name of the "war of terror."

Robert Barnete Studio

If you are not already familiar with his artistry, then I am very proud and honored to introduce you to my late brother's work.











Robert Barnete was most of all a painter of passionate motion, which found its greatest expression in the equestrian arts and within the culture of Spain.
During his mid-career he fell under the enchantment of the Bedouin and the Blue People.



Although born in New York, his work took him from Mexico to Paris to Madrid to Tangiers and finally to London.