I love reading biographies and autobiographies. Recently I read an absolutely remarkable book - « Charlotte » by David Foenkinos about Charlotte Salomon, a German-Jewish artist. I discovered an incredible woman whose tragic story differs a lot from the others telling about the people living during the Second World War. Her life was marked by death even before the war broke out. Suicides of the women in her family had a great impact on her life just like her obsessive love to Alfred Wolfsohn which is clearly visible in her paintings. When she gave a suitcase full of her works to her trusted friend dr Moridis she said "It's all my life"..
A few weeks ago a jury including students of Romance studies from Polish universities awarded the book of Foenkinos with the Goncourt List: the Polish Choice.
While studing I often listen to music. Once I was listening to Julie Andrews, after finishing a video blessed YoutTube suggested me a few more inter alia an old black-and-white version of "Ten minutes ago". I played it and to my astonishement I heard a song from my childhood.
My beloved grandma recorded for me a VHS tape which I used to watch as child at least twice a week. It was a musical "Cinderella" by Rodgers and Hammerstein with Stuart Damon and Lesley Ann Warren starring. The musical was written for television. It was originally broadcast live on CBS on March 31, 1957 as a vehicle for Julie Andrews, who played the title role. My tape-version was remade in 1965 and is only a one adaptation among so many! In 2013, the musical was performed for the first time on Broadway. I wish I could see it one day!
My favorite song is definiately the Stepsister's Lament in which Cinderella's stepsisters ask why the Prince had not chosen any of them to be his love. I find these two character hilarious. I'm getting older but I still love "Cinderella" so much!
A few days ago when I came back home in the evening I found my family on the coach watching "The Green Mile". I remember my annoyance: "What? Again?" Well, actually this movie is on TV quite often recently. and my family just loves it so I can tell, I know it by heart.
I saw it for the first time at the age of 13 in junior high school during my English lesson. Our teacher, a native speaker, used to watch movies with us during every single class. It was fantastic (no grammar!). Thanks to him I consider watching movies as a great way of learning spoken language. Anyway I was really moved by "The Green Mile" and even now, after eight years, I still find it very disturbing. I think the character of John Coffey (like the drink, only not spelled the same..) is absolutely incredible. His sensitivity and vulnerability is biting. Each time I'm watching the movie I can't escape the sorrow - how fragile the good can be...
And again, no Oscar for my favourite actor.. Four times a nominee. That is low! I would nominate Leonardo DiCaprio for his performances in Blood Diamond, The Departed, Revolutionary Road, Inception, Shutter Island. Well, I love every DiCaprio performance. Some people say I'm subjective and that I call every movie that Leo in starring in a masterpiece. But I think it's true! He's such a gifted actor. Honestly I get thrills watching his crying scenes. Especially the Oscar one..
And I really feel sorry about all this buzz on the Internet. Maybe I should make a video like Chris Crocker, shouting "Leave Leo alone!!"? If only that could help. All these memes are so cruel..
All my childhood I was watching Disney movies, so I think there's no surprise I'm addicted to their soundtracks. I know by heart almost every single song. And it's really great to realize that I'm not the only one. These guys are absolutely amazing! :D
I went down with flu (end-of-term examinations routine) and now I'm lying in my bed pretending to study a little but it doesn't work actually. In about a month I'm enjoying my summer break and right now it is much more interesting for me to focus on my summer itineraries than on "morphosyntaxe". I want to make this summer vacation unforgettable. I've decided that I want a bit more adventure in my life. And that means I'm going away this summer with my friends :) That goes without saying as for I identify 'adventure' with travelling. I was thinking about visiting my friend Janka who lives in Masuria and encouraging her to spend some time with me under canvas. Actually she invited me to her place some time ago and as for she never goes back on her word so maybe...
Or I will go hitchhiking somewhere? I've never done this before. It seems to be quite risky. But maybe it's time to make a go of something new? With a friend beside me it's not so terrifying. I must consider that ;)
Once upon a time there lived a young girl in pristine woods of Virginia...
She was an Indian, like many others but her history became out of the ordinary. Matoaka, the daughter of mamanatowickPowhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomoco, today is known all over the world, although we prefer to use her childhood nickname - Pocahontas.
I found out who she was thanks to the Disney movie from 1995. In my personal opinion this is the best Disney production ever. Moving, with a though-provoking ending and beautiful soundtrack including such pieces like for example famous "Farewell"...
As a child I was climbing trees and hiding in bushes pretending to be Pocahontas. In her native languge Pocahontas meant 'playful one' and today I think this expression suited my childish character too. I was enchanted by her mysterious life in woods, so different from my own. When I grew up I started to think about her not only as an inspiring "Disney heroine". The more I have found out about her, the more I have looked up to her. She was saving people's lives, starting with a pale stranger, called captain John Smith. She had a great impact on the negotiations between the English and her tribe. Thanks to her Powhatan prisoners were released. She also managed to persuade her father to sent food to the starving settlers. She was such a courageous and strong woman. She went through many difficult experiences like being captured and held for ransom. For me, it's incredible how open-minded she was. Although she was thrown to the unknown she learned the English language, religion and customs.
We know quite a lot of facts about Pocahontas' life, but still there are many gaps in her history. Famous "love story" has inspired many writers and directors up to nowadays, but we can only assume whether she was truly in love with the English man. We often mention the name of John Smith, but probably it was John Rolfe who played the role of Romeo in Pocahontas' life. It is true that her father and ex-husband Kocoum were against the marriage with Rolfe, so they were struggling to get married. Still, we don't know nothing about her feelings. From settler's writings we know that John Rolfe did love Pocahontas, but what about her? There is a slight possibility that she chose to marry him and convert to Christianity to guarantee the peace..
These doubts make me feel even more respectful towards Pocahontas. We will never find out whether it is true, but it's quite likely that Pocahontas became a sign of peace by sacrificing her own happiness..
As for inspired movies.. Here's my favorite feature film interpretation of the legend, The New World: :)
