I went to see this French film by Céline Sciamma - Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It was a moody film that moved in slow panning shots. It was quite beautiful. It won best screenplay at Cannes. The story peeled back layer after layer until it got to the beating heart underneath. It was a tortured romantic story so, of course, I loved it. The final scene had me in tears. No need to explain...it was heart-wrenching and it was exactly what I needed on a cold December day. Voila!
On Sunday, I went to see Theresa Rebeck's play, Seared at MCC Theater. The story is centered around Harry, a chef and his business partner Mike trying to take their restaurant to the next level otherwise they will lose the business. Raul Esparza playing Harry is sensational as the temperamental chef. His whole body at times vibrates with power as he and David Mason (Mike) spar in the kitchen about everything. The underlying crux is creative passion versus profit. Mr. Mason (Mike) held his own against Harry.
W. Trey Davis (Rodney) and Krysta Rodriguez (Emily) are wonderful counterpoint characters to Mike and Harry. Mr. Davis steals a couple of scenes with his subtle but striking performance. He's got some really great one-liners. Ms. Rodriguez, as the consultant, manipulates and wrangles the characters to do her bidding. She plays a fine line between conductor and observer. As an ensemble they worked really well together and played off each other beautifully.
As far as the story goes, I wanted more. Mike is worried about money and being able to turn a profit. I wish his character had a little more to him other than the bottom line. He was at the end of his tether...yes, he could lose everything AND then what? Harry's character was a bit more developed, he cared about the creativity of his kitchen but he was also a hypocrite which is why his character is more interesting. That duality makes for a more rounded character. Emily as the counterpoint character plays pretty well...she helps raise the stakes. But everything she does is pretty expected. I was waiting for the unexpected, some slight twist that I could sink my teeth into (pun intended).
I am a big fan of Ms. Rebeck, I think her level of work is pretty amazing. I go to the theater not just as an audience member but as a writer. There are moments that I enjoy more because of her clever writing. I appreciate her craft and I know I have a lot to learn for my own work. I just appreciate the work that she is putting out in the world.
We are rounding the corner on 2019 and I thought I would sit here and play ketch-up. It's snowing today. It's been a grey day all day and we are supposed to get a nor'ester storm later this evening. Gale force winds and snow. I am hibernating. I took the day off before I ever knew about the storm. So glad to be indoors today. I've been playing Ani DiFranco in the background for the better part of the day while I did some creative work. I finally changed it over to some Christmas music. Mariah Carey is singing All I Want For Christmas. I can't help bobbing along to the song.
I am late on Christmas shopping. It's the first week and I have only bought one gift. Ergh! I think that might be the only one I get this year. My poor nieces will just have to get an envelope of cash from me. Poor things! I have plenty of time to get my family gifts...but I just don't wanna! I am so over the crowded Christmas crowds. Maybe I'll just buy everyone socks this year. Haha! Just kidding...well kind of. In the grand scheme of things, who cares? It's just more STUFF! Stuff that will get stuffed in over-stuffed drawers never to see the light of day again. I think my capitalist gene died this year. We will be holding a wake for it any day now. Just need to get the bottle of tequila sitting at my work desk to pour one for the homies. Haha!
I'm in a bit of silly mood. I've spent the weekend writing and spending time doing creative work. I feel almost human again. It's been too long. I put an entry into an Emerging Writing Program with the Public Theater. I didn't think I was going to follow through with it because on most given days, I feel like that ship has sailed. BUT...then I think, why not? I have nothing to lose. Better to put in an application and get a rejection than NOT applying.
My goal for the month of December is to find some creative projects to work on. I'm going to push past my comfort zone and find some new ways to challenge my creative brain. It's been lying dormant for about three years now...no more excuses. Off the top of my head, here are some things I've been thinking about:
1. Continue to learn French. Perhaps get over my shyness and speak it, out loud.
2. Sign up for another drawing class.
3. Attend art lectures after work.
4. Take a cooking class.
5. Take a jewelry-making class.
6. Learn welding. Yes, for art projects
7. Learn weaving.
8. I've even thought of ballet classes but I can't get the Fantasia image of hippo in a tutu out of my head. Again...working on getting past my comfort zone.
I will have to try a few things and see what I connect with.
On a last note, I'm going to leave you with Eartha Kitt's- Santa Baby
I write and I paint. Then I try to articulate some coherent thoughts about the creative process on this blog. In between those moments of producing work, I take photos, listen to groovy music, watch indie movies, read (a lot), go hear live music (preferably someone that rocks), go to the theater to see a new play from time to time, watch sci-fi movies, and continue to cultivate my curiosity. Then I write about that too.
