'Spicing up your movie diet'

This is the ambition of the world cinema showcase which is now on in Auckland ( The Academy ), Wellington ( Paramount), Dunedin ( Regent ) and Christchurch ( Rial).
Last night I was taken to see The Class.... This film was AMAZING.
It tells the story of a French teacher, François Bégaudeau, who, in 2006, published a book describing a year in a Paris Public School. He plays himself ....and the featured students are 'real' also.In terms of acting and performance, The Class is truthful, compelling and utterly intense. Despite sitting 2 hours, the movie flew by.
The Class explores the day to day difficulties of urban multi-ethnic eduction in France.
We follow Francois, a well meaning and passionate teacher, who attempts to re-ignite, or simply ignite, a desire to learn amongst the students. Like any class there are those who succeed, but as is often ignored, these students are held back by the hustle and bustle of everyday class room politics.
Kids talk back, gossip, refuse to learn and for Francois, teaching becomes more of a disciplinary play pen than it does an exercise in learning and creativity. In a sad series of events the film exposes the failure of the education system to encourage those who are finding life tough as it is.

The Class questions the education system, the role of parents vs. teachers and the place for commentary on the way we teach as a whole. When surviving the year is hard enough, how open are educators to reforms and 'positive encouragement' when it seems the only way to send a message is by sending kids home?
It's a relief ( and source of inspiration) to know that people are not only producing films like this, but that their being well received too.Film is such a powerful medium and all too often ( in my opinion) this quality is lost in the repetitive and tired formats re-produced in Hollywood.
Go and support the World Cinema Showcase....
I implore you!!!!!

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE @ SAN FRAN

First of all heres a great track to set the mood: Take it from the man.



Brian Jonestown Massacre played last night to a sell out crowd at San Fran. One of the best shows in a looong time, they played for going on two and a half hours, total value for money. I could rant on about how great they sounded but instead here's a rough transcription of some of the between song banter. Anton lives up to his reputation for sure.

After the first few songs the band proceeded to light up a few cigarettes.
Jocular audience member: "You cant smoke inside"
Anton: Don't tell me what I can't do.
(mockingly) You can't smoke inside, you can't put a man on the moon.

As the set went on and the Jack Daniels was flowing things got messier.

Anton, ranting:We're staying at this hotel. We might need directions there after the show we have no fucking idea where it is. Have you ever thought of bringing your own TV to a hotel? You could pretend to be Keith Moon but just throw your own TV out the window.
Bass player: Yeah , like throw a plasma screen.
Anton: Fuck that, a plasma screen?
Tambourine man: Pffft, I want some tube action.
Anton: Yeah maybe if you put a goat on top of it. And maybe put watermelons on its horns, then it would make a good splat.

Tension builds between Anton and bass player. Then during the next song break:

Anton referring to the bass player to the drummer: He can't even fucking remember the bass line.
Drummer tries to stick up for him.
Anton: No he fucking can't he only got to the third note then he fucked it up.

Brilliant.

Cheers Galesburg, we should do it again sometime.