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It’s that time of the year when I look forward to National Dance Institute’s Event of the Year! Don’t miss this—one of the wonders of New York City…Trust me—you won’t be sorry…

Ezra, The Movie

Went to the movies last night--my friend called spur of the moment to see if I wanted to go--and I realized it had been a long time since I was in an actual movie theatre...it really does beat netflix at home...And by sheer coincidence, or I prefer synchronicity, the movie theatre was designed by the same architect, Benjamin Schlanger, who designed the Waldo Theatre, where I go often for concerts, in Waldoboro, Maine....

I had no idea what the film was about but EZRA is a sensitive tale about a comedian (Max) and his ex-wife coming to grips with the struggles of raising an autistic child (Ezra), whom they love dearly. Trying to do the best and protect their kid, they are "forced to confront difficult decisions about his future, which leads the father (maybe on the scale himself) and his son to flee on a cross-country road trip. This has a transcendent impact on all of their lives."

EZRA is not an easy film to watch (I had to cover my eyes a few times, not because of violence but because of emotional pain), but the movie does have moments of humor carefully laced in to provide some relief. Robert DeNiro puts in a commanding performance as Ezra's grandfather, as does Bobbie Cannavale (the father Max) and his real life partner Rose Byrne (the mother Jenna). Whoopi Goldberg has a small part as Max's agent but the star of the show is William A. Fitzgerald, a first time actor who in real life is autistic.

I don't want to give the whole story away but suffice it to say that the film, as described by Deadline Magazine is "a touching testament ot the power of love", and it moves us and presents what I think is a realistic and very tender nuanced portrait: of autism, the entire family and what they are all going through. What makes EZRA even more compelling is the fact that it is based on a true story and is a labor of love between the director, Tony Goldwyn, and his real life best friend, screenwriter Tony Spiridakis, whose son is autistic.

There aren't many movies like this these days anymore--they were popular in the sixties and seventies but now the movie houses go for the big bang blockbusters and the sensitive, emotional pieces just don't sell out and bring in the big bucks...I am hoping to see more movies like this in the future.

Nobel Laureates Doris Lessing and Kazuo Ishiguro

Here are some thoughts on two of my favorite writers: Doris Lessing and Kazuo Ishiguro. What they have in common is that they are both Nobel Prize Laureates so I give myself credit for knowing how to pick them...

I have read multiple books from each of these authors but the two that stand out for me are Shikasta, Doris Lessing's foray into science fiction with her Canopus in Argos series (actually canned by many critics but I just found out through an interview that she thought were among her best) and the classic Remains of the Day, also made into a movie starring Anthony Hopkins, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Doris Lessing does not have a conventional mind and has written many series of books exploring the themes of male/female relationships, political disillusionment, and the social and political issues of our time. All I can say about Shikasta is that it really had a major impact on me and in fact what used to cause me great angst by the end of the book gave me great comfort--not about the future of our particular planet but of the expansiveness of the universe..."Blending myth, fable and allegory, Lessing's astonishing visionary creation both reflects and redefines the history of our own world from its earliest beginnings to an inevitable, tragic self-destruction." As is often the case, science fiction can be a predictor of the future and it will be interesting for me to reread this book (it was originally published in 1979) to see if that is true. I fear it is...

Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day brings us back to earth in a slow moving, profound reflection on what it is like to be human, aging, and to look back and question one's life. Seen through the eyes of a butler that has sacrified his body and soul to service, it is a moving story that explores themes of dignity, integrity and emotional repression....

Both these authors are interested in the need for individuals to "confront their fundamental assumptions about life in order to transcend preconceived belief systems and acquire self-awareness." Their work has stuck with me, even though I have read their books many years ago. I find myself wanting to revisit them again...

Here are some interviews if you are interested in delving further:

Doris Lessing on Dreams and the Unconscious
Doris Lessing long interview.

And Kazuo Ishiguro interview about Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro official Nobel Prize interview

Susan Hostetler & Diana Arcadipone Art

Diana Arcadipone, mixed media on magnolia leaves

Susan Hostetler, mixed media on handmade paper

Diana Arcadipone, Triptych, mixed media on paper

I have lately gotten involved in helping to curate some shows for the Waldo Theatre Gallery (officially The Bill and Joan Alfond Gallery) in Waldoboro, Maine. The latest show, featuring Diana Arcadipone and Susan Hostetler will run for the whole month of June, 2024. Both artists are friends of mine--Susan going back to my Barcelona days in the 1980s and Diana being a relatively new Maine friend...But more importantly, they are old friends themselves from their college days at art school in Michigan and have maintained a life-long dialogue through their common artistic interests, their exploration of handmade paper, printmaking, painting and the natural world.

Diana Arcadipone lives in Otisfield, Maine and her passion lies in the use of natural materials and the combination of mediums including traditional crafts: embroidery, book arts, basketry in additon to paint and pastel.

Susan Hostetler works in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional arenas with a focus on animals, something both artists have in common. Most recently Susan focuses on birds and their murmurations.

To see more of their work which spans a lifetime, here are links to their websites: www.susanhostetler.com and www.https://www.arcadipone.com/

Painting of the Week

Gert Mathiesen, Purple Birds, mixed media on rice paper, available in various sizes in giclee form…

Charity of the Week:

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.