50/50

I just saw 50/50 this afternoon.

I hesitated whether to see it or not, I was afraid it would be heavy or too emotional but I was curious because I can see the funny side of cancer and I also make a lot of jokes about it, laughing can be therapeutic.

It's no masterpiece but it had some funny moments and there were a lot of scenes I could relate to, such as being told I had cancer (when I was told I had cancer I was incredibly shocked and my first reaction was to think it was a mistake, the rest of the appointment is a blur in my memory), the day I had my head shaved (in the bathroom with my husband having fun shaving my hair off and my mother weeping), the support from fellow cancer patients, the importance of having friends and family around, the anger, fear, tiredness, insecurities and of course, the good moments spent with those who love me.

The film made me think about my family and friends and I will try to understand better how do they feel and how do they cope with my illness.

I liked the fact that the main character was not full of self-pity and the emotions of all other characters seemed real.

Cancer and humour may seem a strange combination, but it works.

Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame

A film by Hana Makhmalbaf who was only 19 years old when she wrote and directed it (Iran 2007). It is an unsentimental film with some disturbing scenes about a little girl determined to go to school. She is heartbreaking. When the film ended I was not sure if I was full of hope or desperate. Worth seeing.

The Way Home

Written and directed by Jeong-hyang Lee (South Korea, 2002), it is a touching story about a spoiled city boy who is sent off to the rural mountains where his grandmother lives. The story, although predictable, is sweet, as well as funny and sad at the same time.

Nonya Kaya

Yesterday, on our way to ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) to see a Singaporean movie, Sandcastle by director Boo Junfeng, we passed by China Town, where I couldn’t resist going in one of the Chinese supermarkets. In there I found Nonya Kaya, made in Singapore. I love kaya. Most people think it is too sweet, but I just love it. It is a coconut and egg jam, with a hint of pandan, that Singaporeans eat on toast with a thick layer of butter. Even though I know my tummy will not be able to take it for now, I bought two jars.

The film, that was part of the London Film Festival, was different than I expected. I thought it would be a critique to the current political situation in Singapore but, although it touched some sensitive social and historical aspects, it was more focused on family values. I enjoyed it but it will probably not win any prizes.

London Film Festival

I really liked this movie, "I am Kalam", directed by Nila Madhab Panda.
It is set in Bikaner in Rajasthan, where I have already been (including to the Karni Mata Temple, also known as the rat temple, where rats are believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Durga and wander around freely in the temple).
The characters seem real, the landscapes are beautiful, it is full of colour, has fantastic music and great acting. It is a moving story with a feel good factor. I hope it reaches the commercial distribution soon.

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