" I am cut to the brains

April 10, 2020

Last Indian Zombie Slayer

Here are some additional photos from the True Terror series Season 1 Episode 4.


For other photos go  here  and  here.



April 08, 2020

Season 1, Episode 4: Legends and Lore.

In this segment airing tonight (Your Turn Next), I play Jack Fiddler, a spiritual leader among the Cree nation in Canada, who was famous for hunting Wendigos. 

https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/true-terror-with-robert-englund/episodes/legends-and-lore




April 07, 2020

Playing Cordelia


In this film clip a director/father coaches his actress/daughter on playing the role of Cordelia for his film of King Lear.

March 06, 2020

Our Criminal "Justice" system is beyond appalling.

Coronavirus in prison. Containing the virus will be a daunting challenge for prisons and jails, which house a disproportionate share of the sick and elderly, at highest risk from the epidemic. That’s because prison routines and rules make it impossible for incarcerated people to follow the guidelines recommended for the public at large. Hand sanitizers are forbidden because they contain alcohol. People on work detail can’t easily wash their hands.

February 27, 2020

The gender gap in prison discipline is real and significant.

Women in prison are given disproportionately longer punishments for infractions committed while behind bars, a new federal study concludes. Female prisoners are more likely to be punished for nonviolent offenses, like disobeying or talking back to corrections officials, and kept at facilities far from their families. 

February 10, 2020

January 14, 2020

When They See Us

So far I've only seen the the final episode.  Searing. Horrifying. Almost unbearably real. Acting-directing-editing-cinematography superlative.

December 12, 2019

From the Equal Justice Initiative

Not a question of never forget. The imperative is to know and remember.


On this day in 1922, more than 1,000 white people lynched Arthur Young in Perry, Florida. No one was ever held accountable for the lynching. The mob also turned on the black community of Perry, burning several black-owned homes, a church, the Masonic hall, and a school.

November 27, 2019

For Sama - Devastating Syrian Documentary

Frontline Season 2019 Episode 19 | 1h 24m 18s

In a time of conflict and darkness in her home in Aleppo, Syria, one young woman kept her camera rolling — while falling in love, getting married, having a baby and saying goodbye as her city crumbled. The award-winning documentary unfolds as a love letter from filmmaker and young mother Waad al-Kateab to her daughter — Sama.

November 05, 2019

The Eyes of Van Gogh

We are proud to have been included in this book -

The Encyclopedia of Best Films: A Century of All the Finest Movies - https://books.google.com › books

Jay Robert Nash - 2019 - ‎Performing Arts - Van Gogh, Theo (1857-1891; Theodorus Van Gogh; art dealer and younger brother ... 1990 (Martin Scorsese); The Eyes of Van Gogh, 2005 (Alexander Barnett; ...

October 31, 2019

Director's Notes King Lear Film Episode 13 Act 4, Scene 7

Watch the reconciliation scene on YouTube.



Alexander Barnett Alexandra Cohler

             Since arriving at the French camp Kent has told Cordelia of all the events that led to Lear’s madness.  She is amazed and horrified by his story.  Finally, as he finishes, Cordelia, overwhelmed with gratitude and awe for Kent’s heroism, devotion and loyalty, tries to find the words to convey her appreciation.

Allen Cohler Peter Holdway

            The reconciliation scene is intensely personal.  Cordelia approaches the tent fraught with apprehension, reluctance and uncertainty. How will he respond to her?  Forgiving?  Vengeful? She has not seen him since he banished her. 

October 24, 2019

Need a Physical Therapist?

Recommending an outstanding physical therapist-Lisa Fisher-Little River Physical Therapy Alexandria, VA. Totally hands-on, caring, inventive, tireless and professional. You couldn't do better. #PhysicalTherapy

October 22, 2019

New Film Production Stills

There are new stills throughout the website for the film The Eyes of Van Gogh.  I hope you'll take a look.  www.theeyesofvangogh.com  Here are three of them.


Van Gogh (Alexander Barnett) listens as the people of Arles begin to taunt him

In a nightmare Vincent pleads with Theo (Gordon Joseph Weiss).

Dr. Peyron (Roy Thinnes) admits Vincent to the asylum.





October 13, 2019

YouTube Channel

There are some additions to my YouTube channel.  It includes videos and playlists from classical and contemporary films and plays.  

 I hope you'll take a look.

Alexander Barnett film and stage clips

October 08, 2019

September 25, 2019

Death Penalty Horror

Both the photos and the story are unspeakably horrifying.  This child's face will never leave my mind.Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling



At age 14, George Stinney Jr. is the youngest person that has ever been sentenced to death in the United States. He was accused of killing two white girls back in 1944. Their bodies were found near the house where the teenager resided with his parents. 70 years later, his innocence was finally proven by a judge in South Carolina.

July 30, 2019

King Lear Film on YouTube

I have posted Episode 13 of my film of King Lear on YouTube as a teaser. http://bit.ly/Ep13KingLear



In this scene Lear is brought to Cordelia's tent. After a short respite, he is awakened. Though at first lost in confusion and shame, he finally recognizes Cordelia and they are reunited. To Kent's grief, Lear still does not recognize him fully.

Production still Cordelia Lear

July 18, 2019

King Lear in Episodes

The episodic version of my film King Lear is now streaming on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

                                                King Lear in Episodes
 
Watch Episode 1    Lear banishes Kent Barnett Holdway  
After 60 years as King, Lear commits the most fatal, consequential and disastrous act of his life.  
Watch Episode 2     Edmund plots  
Failing to secure his fortune on the road, Edmund intends to steal his brother Edgar's inheritance and usurp his father Gloucester's authority, killing both if necessary.
Watch Episode 3     Fool warns Lear  
Goneril decides the time is ripe to destroy her father's remaining power.  Lear reacts violently, precipitating the battle she wants.  Storming out to take refuge with Regan, he begins to understand how he wronged Cordelia, his youngest daughter.
Watch Episode 4     Edgar flees   
Edgar, in disbelief, flees in terror when Edmund tells him their father, Gloucester, wants to have him killed.  Regan and Cornwall arrive at Gloucester's where Regan plans to meet her sister Goneril to plot Lear's total destruction.
Watch Episode 5     Kent confronts Oswald  
Kent, serving Lear in disguise, arrives at Gloucester's.  Seeing Oswald, he is enraged and tries to kill him.  Stopped by Cornwall and protesting vehemently, he is put in the stocks.  Edgar, fleeing for his life, decides to become a beggar in disguise.
Watch Episode 6     Lear curses Goneril and Regan  
Arriving at Gloucester's Lear is enraged to find Kent stocked.  When Regan and Cornwall appear the confrontation builds as he attacks Cornwall.  It reaches its zenith after Goneril arrives. Lear rails against his daughters and is forced out into a wild storm, followed by Kent and Fool.
Watch Episode 7     Kent Fool Lear on the heath   
Kent, having lost Lear in the storm, searches desperately for him.  Lear, halfway to insanity, rails against nature, himself and all of mankind.  Kent finally convinces Lear to seek shelter against the fiercest storm he has ever seen.
Watch Episode 8     Lear and Poor Tom  
Gloucester mistakenly confides to Edmund his support for Lear. In the storm Lear, Kent and Fool find Edgar disguised as a madman.  Lear's mind finally cracks and he befriends Edgar as a soul brother.  Amidst their ranting and raving Gloucester arrives to give them shelter. 
Watch Episode 9     Goneril on Trial 
Edmund betrays Gloucester.  Lear, in his madness, puts Regan and Goneril on trial for their brutal behavior.  Gloucester is captured and endures Cornwall's revenge.
Watch Episode 10    Edgar Gloucester  
Edgar, in disguise, comes upon his blind father, who wants to die.  Now intimate, Goneril and Edmund plot Albany's demise.  During a brutal confrontation between Goneril and Albany a messenger tells of Gloucester's blinding and Cornwall's death.
Kent hears Cordelia has arrived with an army.  Learning Lear is at Dover in a state of madness, she orders a search for him.  Oswald defies Regan's demand to read Goneril's letter to Edmund.  She orders her guard to kill him but he escapes.
Watch Episode 12    Lear Edgar Dover  
Staged by Edgar, Gloucester survives a suicide attempt.  Lear appears, totally mad.  After a grotesque, frightening scene he runs off pursued by Cordelia's search party.  Oswald tries to kill Gloucester, Edgar kills him and then finds Goneril's note to Edmund.
Watch Episode 13     Cordelia Lear reconciliation  
Lear is brought to Cordelia's tent.  After a short respite, he is awakened.  Though at first lost in confusion and shame, he finally recognizes Cordelia and they are reunited.  To Kent's grief, Lear still does not recognize him fully.
After assuring Regan he loves her, Edmund and Goneril plot to kill Albany and marry.  The British army defeats the French in battle.  Edgar takes Gloucester to a safe haven.  Lear and Cordelia are taken prisoner.  Edmund tells his captain to murder them. 
Watch Episode 15     battle Edgar Edmund  
The evildoers fight among themselves.  Edgar appears and challenges Edmund to mortal combat.  Goneril poisons Regan and after Edmund is wounded fatally kills herself.  Kent wants to bid Lear good night.  Suddenly they see him in the distance carrying the dead Cordelia, utterly heartbroken.

July 13, 2019

The Rot of Corruption

 What is the best way to root out endemic, massive corruption. Is there any way? 

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/07/12/africa-everyday-corruption-bribes-police-healthcare-education-identification/

June 11, 2019

Director’s Notes – Episode 2 of the film King Lear



Edmund Gloucester

            Failing to secure his fortune on the road, Edmund intends to steal his brother's inheritance and his father's authority, killing both if necessary. 

            Shakespeare presents problems in performing this scene.  In general, it needs editing, especially for Gloucester.  The point is made and made and made.  Edmund’s speech is too pat.  Everything in the scene is so convenient, so set-up.  Edmund finishes his speech just before Gloucester’s entrance.  Edgar enters after Edmund’s next long speech.

            The scene rarely works because Edmund is so certain of succeeding.  There is no sense of what is at stake here.  First, of course, is Edmund’s entire future-- either as the heir apparent or a wanderer with no prospects.  Second, we never get the sense that Edmund is putting his very life on the line.  If the scheme fails, if Gloucester doesn’t believe it, or insists on seeking Edgar out, or if Edgar is determined to seek out Gloucester, Edmund’s life is worth nil and he would have to abscond immediately – a pursued criminal.  Events must not unfold miraculously one after another.  Edmund must make things happen, but he assumes nothing.  He can’t possibly be certain how Gloucester, and then Edgar, will react.  Edgar finally flees in terror and disarray, but Edmund must sweat and earn Edgar’s flight.