We are All Trying Here--a study with egotistical artists

"We Are All Trying Here" (2026) is a bit of a new experience for me or at least a new perspective.  We all have seen films with temperamental actors and directors and writers that make life trying for those who work with them.  In reality there are a lot of inadequacies artistic people share with the rest of us.

Hwang Dong Do is first introduced as a failure, as the only one of the group of 8 not to have debuted a film.  But he is not quiet about it.  He hysterically rants about the deficiencies of the others.  The others protest, mocking him and from time to time ostracizing him.

He comes across Byun Eun-a as she very precisely denigrates his script in front of a producer.  Afterwards they meet by happenstance, without taking back her criticism she concedes that he had some intriguing insights.  At a studio she is mostly very quiet, but valued because of her incisive analysis of scripts.  We learn a little later she has secrets from her past as does Dong Do.  They become closer over time and she encourages him to re-write his script.

Although the series focuses on the two of them the viewers are made aware of the dynamics of the Group of 8 as well as some personal issues.  Hwang Jin-man is Dong Do's brother who at one time wrote a highly regarded poem, but has descended to alcoholism and suicide attempts.  Go Hye-jin as a CEO of film studio, a member of the Group of 8 and married to another member who she feels has an inferiority feeling towards Dong Do despite his vociferous attacks.  Eun-a deals with depression and personal concerns.  

Park Hae Young has a history of writing social series with psychological insights.  Perhaps where he comes closest is with his own craft.  The rest of staff and cast have also dealt with psychological subtleties.  This is a very emotionally sensitive series deserving a delicate touch.  These are some of the people who delivered.

Chae Yeong-hoon was the director.   He has 11 director credits and 1 for assistant director including "When the Camellias Bloom" (2019) and "Welcome to Sandal-ri" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/06/welcome-to-sandal-ri.html

Park Hae Young was the writer.  He has 8 writing credits including "My Mister" (2018) and "My Liberation Diary" (2020).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/01/my-mister-is-slow-drama-with-emotional.html 

Koo Kyo-hwan played Hwang Dong Do.  He has acted in theatre and done music videos.  He once played a lead role as a transgender woman winning awards for it.  He has 23 acting credits, 3 for writing and 2 for directing including "A Werewolf Boy" (2012), "Escape from Mogadishu" (2021), "D.P." (2021-22) and "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (2022).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/escape-from-mogadishu-we-can-learn-to.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/04/dp-stands-for-deserter-pursuit.html

Go Youn Jung played Byun Eun-a.  She has been a model in demand internationally.  Youn Jung has 112 acting credits including a favourite for this year "Can This Love Be Translated?" (2026).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2026/01/can-this-love-be-translated.html

Oh Jung Se played Park Geung-se, one of the successful members of the Group of Eight.  He has 100 acting credits including "Swing Kids" (2018), "When the Camellias Bloom" (2019), "It's Okay Not To Be Okay" (2020), "Little Women" (2022),  "When Life Gives you Tangerines" (2025) and "When the Stars Gossip" (2025).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/its-okay-not-to-be-okay.html

and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/04/when-life-gives-you-tangerines.html

Kang Mal-geum played Ko He-jin wife to Park Geung-se and the CEO of a film company.  Like other cast members she started in the theatre.  She has 28 acting credits including "Squid Game" (2021), "Thirty Nine" (2022), "Divorce Attorney Shin" (2023), "The Good Bad Mother" (2023) and "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (2025).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/04/divorce-attorney-shin.html  and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/06/the-good-bad-mother.html

Park Hae-joon played Hwan Jin-mae brother to Hwang Dong Do.  He also started in the theatre.  Jin-mae has 36 acting credits including  "Misaeng" (2014), "My Mister" (2018), "Broker" (2022) and "When Life Gives You Tangerines" (2025).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/07/broker-japanese-korean-collaboration.html

Bae Jong Ok played Oh Jeong Hui, an older influential actress.  She has 48 acting credits including "Designated Survivor:  60 Days" (2019).   See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/designated-survivor-60-days-remake-of.html

Disproportionately film makers like to present themselves, as honestly that is what they know best.  "We Are All Trying Here" is one of the best examples of this genre.  It is available sub-titled on Netflix.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  If you are able to follow some of the links you will better appreciate why this team was so suitable for such a nuanced portrayal of their own business.

One Day We'll talk about Today

 

Indonesia is turning out to be a bit of a gold mine for engaging films, fortunately Netflix has discovered them."One day We'll Talk About Today" (2020) is a family drama.  If you don't have any siblings you will view it as an outsider, but assuming you do have siblings you will identify with some of the tensions.

The first scenes are of a birth for the youngest daughter, Awan.  For some reason there is a bit of tension and the father Narenda talks to his oldest son Ankase who would be about 7 years old and commands him to take responsibility for his two sisters.  That commitment is taken seriously over the next decades.  

The family seems normal and even happy, but many of you will recognize patterns.  As Angkase grows up and is reminded he is responsible for his sisters, sometimes the youngest in particular, is testing him.  Awan has become conscious that much of her life is dependent on her brother and her father.  As they age towards their 20's the children  seem to feel their father is too controlling, but overlook how much effort he has exerted to protect them.   

Tension results in an outburst of resentment at one point.  It takes some cool heads to calm things down.   The ending is not surprising requiring a little give and take as you might have experienced.

What makes the film so engaging are the people behind it.   Here are some of them.

Anggga Dwimas Sasongko was the Director and an executive producer.  He got to a young start with tv commercials and music videos.  Angga has 47 credits  as a producer, 20 as director and 13 as a writer including "Cemara's Family" (2028), "13 Bombs" (2023), "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) and "Call Me Dad" (2025).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/cemaras-family.html

Mohammad Irfan Ramly He has 20 writing credits, 4 for the script and continuity department and 2 for producer.

Ofel Obaja Setiawan was the composer.  He has 31 composing credits, 3 for the music department and 1 for soundtrack including "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024).  See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/07/a-brother-and-7-siblings.html

Yadi Sugandi was the cinematographer.  He has 69 cinematography credits, 3 for directing and 1 for the camera and electrical department.

Hendra Adhi Susanto was the editor with 25 editor credits and 4 for the editorial department including "Cemara's Family" (2018), "13 Bombs" (2023), "Heartbreak Motel" (2024), "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024) and "Call Me Dad" (2025).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/12/call-me-dad.html

Rio Dewanto played Angkase, the older brother.  He has 51 acting credits and 3 for producer including "13 Bombs" (2023).

Sheila Dara Aisha played the older sister, Aurora.  She has 32 acting credits and 3 for soundtrack including "Miracle in Cell No. 7" (2022), "Cigarette Girl" (2023), "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) and "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024).    See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.htm and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/04/2nd-miracle-in-cell-no-7.html

Rachel Amanda played Awan, the youngest daughter.  She was a model and a singer.  Rachel has 22 acting credits and 2 for soundtrack.  

Ardhito Pramona played Kale, a boyfriend to Awan.  He is a singer and songwriter and wrote a song for this film that won an award.  Ardhito has 7 acting credits including "13 Bombs" (2023).

"One Day We'll Talk About Today" is available subtitled on Netflix.  If you like family dramas it is very realistic.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  Some of them are among my favourite Indonesian films and a big part of my Indonesian obsession.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.

A Foggy Tale

Taiwan is in the news.  China claims it for their own and most of the rulers of the world acknowledge that, but also hope it can retain its independence from the juggernaut.  We look at Russia trying to bring Ukraine back to its fold and wonder what signals American indifference sends to the Bhinces.  We now are watching Iran fighting back against the American/Israeli onslaught with ties to both China an Russia and how that will effect Taiwan's situation.  

Taiwan as we know it today, resulted when the ROC (Republic of China) lost against the Communist party and retreated to Taiwan.  Initially they were a dictatorship under Chiang Kai-Shek.  Protecting their sovereignty required a tight control that too often resulted in false arrests.  China is a prolific source of misinformation, hoping to gain credibility in their quest to force Taiwan into their control.

"A Foggy Tale" tries to give a little humanity to an awkward time in their history.  In about the year 1953 we see a young girl, Yue (guessing late elementary grades or early secondary) talking with an older brother Yun in a sugar cane field and soon a group of soldiers chases after him.  Shortly after, his family is notified that he has been executed.  Yue decides she wants to retrieve his body and give it a dignified burial.

She walks from a small town to the capital city, Tapei.  She is trapped, kidnapped and set to be sold likely to a brothel.  Yue is rescued by a rickshaw driver Kumog-dao who had suspected foul play.  It turns out he is a former Nationalist soldier who fled to Taiwan, but felt he had been poorly treated.   The two pair together and soon Yue is able to reunite with an older sister, Hsiah, a performer at a live show.  Eventually they are able to get through an obstructive bureaucracy.  

It may seem like a spoiler, but there is no mystery that her brother is dead to let you know he is located.  To give you a feeling of how unfeeling the authorities can be, the brother's body is with several other executed victims in a pool and a steady stern faced man brings him out using a stick.

The value of the story is not so much the plot, but the people who lived through a time they would all like to forget.  In the closing we are told of the fate of not only of the key individuals, but also how Taiwan progressed to a modern democracy.

Before leaving, you deserve a bit of an explanation about the title.  When Yun is talking to his sister in the field he tells her a story about two drops of water who aspired to help the earth.  They evaporate and end up as clouds.  From there they rain down.  Towards the end of the film the older sister Hsiah tells Yue she received a letter from their brother Yun that gives another version of the story about the two drops of water.  They also become part of the clouds, but instead of rain they come down as foggy mist.  The story serves as a metaphor about the misty view of that history.

"A Foggy Tale" won a lot of awards not only in Taiwan, but beyond.  Below are a few of the contributors.

Yu-Hsun Chen was the director and writer.  After his initial film making he decided to get out and concentrated on advertising, particularly tv. commercials for about 13 years.  He also did a few music videos.  He has 9 writing credits, 8 for directing and 6 for acting.  

Lu Luming composed the music score.  Up through college he played and wrote for a number of music bands.  He studied applied mathematics and got a job coaching math, but was unhappy.  His older sister Jenny Lu was a film director based in London and suggested he consider writing film scores.  He then went to London to study music at Kingston University and afterwards decided to go back to Taiwan.  He found it difficult to get film scores at first and wrote for pop music.  Eventually Lu won awards and at one of them he dedicated the award for the Hong Kong protesters of 2019.  He now has 28 credits for composing, 2 for the music department and 1 for the sound department, including "The Falls" (2021).  

Chen Chi-wen was the cinematographer.  He has 28 cinematography credits and 1for assistant directing.

Lai Hsiu-hsiung was the editor.  He has over 8 editor credits including  "A Sun" (2019) and "The Falls" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/08/taiwan.html which covers several other films referred to in this post.

Caitlin Fang played Yue.  She was born in the U.S. but returned to Taiwan at age 2.  She has since decided to study at Columbia University.  Caitlin has 8 acting credits including for "American Girl" (2021).  

Will Or played Kung-Dao, the veteran and rickshaw driver.  Born in Hong Kong.  He has 31 acting credits and 1 for producing.

9m88, the stage name for Joanne Tang Yu-chi played Hsiah, the older sister.  She is better known as a singer and song writer with several albums to her name.  She had a fashion design major at college, but at age 25 studied at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.  9m88 has 8 acting credits and 1 for the music department including "Light the Night" (2021).

Jing Hoa-Tseng played Yun, the older brother who was executed.  He has 18 acting credits including "Light the Night" (2021).

Chen Yi-wen played a secret agent who harassed Kung-Dao.  He was a director who once did a short film that cost NT$3,000 to produce, but earned over NT$600,000 that early in his career helped finance other activities.  He has 49 acting credits, 5 directing credits and 3 for writing including one of my favourites last year, "Forget You Not" (2025).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/06/forget-you-not-something-from-taiwan.html

Taiwan has struck me as being a major film producer.  "A Foggy Tale" gives a little about their days of martial rule, but with some humanity.  Available on Netflix with subtitles.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  The two links cover a lot of interesting and engaging films.

"Delhi Crime" five years later

 Back in 2021 I watched the "Delhi Crime" (2019) series and posted a blog after the first season   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/01/delhi-crime-is-gripping-drama-about.html

Since then they have added two more seasons and it seemed a good time to go back to the beginning and follow up to the end of the third season.

In the second series, Vartika, a senior police official is admired, but is confronted with another serious crime.  Some elderly middle class citizens are brutally murdered and the public seems certain that a notorious gang is responsible.  As with the previous season there is police bureaucracy infighting, compounded by agitated journalists along and limited resources.  Some gang associated suspects are rounded up, but Vartika soon realizes they are innocent of the murders and releases them.  Being very methodical she contends with a lot of criticism, but solves the crime.  

In the third season Vartika has been promoted to Assam, a distant jurisdiction, noted for tea.  While following an illegal arms movement the police stumble on a trafficking ring for women from Assam to Delhi.  Likely it was mostly for purposes you can easily imagine, but at one time they were specifically looking for pre puberty girls for illegal medical experiments.  Soon we encounter Meena, a recruiter and trainer for the girls.  Vartika takes it upon herself to follow up to Delhi and work with familiar support staff.  Later she travels to Mumbai on the same project.  She is close to being demoted, but she is very methodical. 

Neeti Singh, an important assistant has gone through a romance and then a divorce.  Vartika's daughter Chandni moved to Toronto, Canada and returned.

Richie Mehta was the creator  writer and executive producer of the original "Delhi Crime" (2019).  He is not related to Deepa Mehta, well known Canadian film maker who also has done films based in India.  Richie from Mississauga, Ontario graduated from the University of Toronto.  He took a film production course at Sheridan College and one of his experimental shorts ended up being made into a feature, "Amal" (2007) which made it to the international circuit and won him some awards.  Over the years he has written, directed and/or produced successful films such as "I'll Follow You Down (2013) and "Siddharth" (2013).  When he heard of the major rape story on international news he was concerned that it painted India in a bad light and overlooked elements of the crime which was resolved very quickly.  Looking for a feature film his six years of research he needed a mini series to squeeze in all the relevant details.  He saw it as a mission to bring light to the story.  Richie chose to emphasize the people involved rather than the horror of the actual crime.  To be as authentic as practical he used Neeraj Kumar who had been Delhi Police Commissioner at the time as consultant.

Tanuja Chopra was brought on as director, producer and writer for the remaining two seasons.  Born in California he received a degree in Seminotics from Brown University in 1999 and a  Master of Fine Arts in Film degree from Columbia University in 2007.  He has done music videos.  Tanuja has 15 directing credits, 6 for producing and 10 for writing. 

Ceiri Torjusson, the composer for the last two series was born in Wales and can speak Welsh.  While in high school he started performing and composing for jazz, funk and disco bands.  He received music degrees from York University (in the UK) and University of Southern California.  Ceiri spent seven months touring and teaching in India where he picked up an interest in northern India classical music.  He has 101 composing credits, 56 for the music department and 2 for additional crew including "I Robot" (2004).

Johan Heurlin Aidt, responsible for cinematography was born in Denmark.  He has 13 cinematography credits, 13 for the camera and electrical department and 3 for directing including "The Loudest Voice" (2019), "The Report" (2019), "Ocean'8" (2018),  and "House of Cards" (2013).  Earlier blogs on two of these:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/11/the-loudest-voice.html and  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/05/the-report.html

Parikshhhit Jha was an editor.  He has 25 editor credits, 8 for the editorial department and 4 for producing including "Kai Po Che" (2013).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/kai-che-po.html 

Assembling a cast for this level of production requires someone like Mukesh Chhabra.  He has been involved with the casting of such films as "PK" (2014), "Haider" (2014) "She" (2020) and "Del Bechara" (2020). He has acted (small roles) in many of the films including, "Amal" (2007), "Siddharth "(2013) and "Delhi Crime" (2019-2025).  Further research revealed that Richie Mehta wanted to avoid mega stars (expensive and distracting) and this allowed Mukesh to seek out the best actors for the roles.  Earlier blogs on some of his films:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/03/pk.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/02/haider-bollywoods-version-of-shakespeare.html

Shefali Shah played Vartika Chaturvedi, the officer in charge in a no nonsense manner cutting through excuses, political pressures and red tape.  Shefali has won numerous awards, with 45 acting credits including "Mohabbtein" (2000), "Monsoon Wedding" (2007), "Gandhi My Father" (2007) "Laksmi" (2014), "Dil Dhadakne Do" (2015), as the romantic lead in "Once Again" (2018) and as a woman in early dementia who persuades her husband back to where she had an affair in "The Three of Us"  (2020).  She won an award for her role in "Delhi Crime"   See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/01/three-of-us-is-subtle-drama.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/doctor-g.html

Raskika Dugal played Neeti Singh a trainee police officer who proved she was more thorough than most male officers.  She commented that for Season 2 she had received a promotion as did her model police officer she was following, but for Season 3, the model police office got another promotion, but she did not.  She got a degree in math.  Raskika has 55 acting credits, 1 for writing and 1 for cinematography including "Manto" (2018), "Once Again" (2018) and "Hamid" (2018) for which she won best actress award.  

Rajesh Taileng  played a key officer in pursuit of the rapists.  In 2022 he wrote a poetry book.  Rajesh has 44 acting credits 8 for writing and 5 for directing including "Mangal Pandy:  The Rising" (2005),  "Amal" (2007), "Siddharth" (2013), "The Second Best Marigold Hotel" (2015) and "Pagglait" (2021).    

Adil Hussain plays a supervisor under pressure from politicians and bureaucrats.  He is very versatile and is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Assamese.  An international award winner including Norway, he has 101 acting credits and 3 for producing including "The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012), "Life of Pi" (2012), "English Vinglish" (2012), "Tigers" (2014), "What Will People Say" (2017) and "Kabir Singh"(2019) and "Good Newwz" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/good-newwz.html  

Denzil Smith played the husband of the chief inspector. and the father of the girl wanting to leave.   He has 76 acting credits including: "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2011),  "Talaash" (2012) "The Lunchbox" (2013), "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2015), "Viceroy's House" (2017), "Photograph" (2019), "Badla" (2019) and "Tenet" (2020).  Read about Badla, a remake of a Spanish film:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/a-masterpiece-film-and-very-good-remake.html

Yashaswini Dayama  plays Chandni, the daughter of the chief inspector and leaves (for opportunity in Toronto) because of her negative opinion of Delhi and becomes involved in protests.  She has 16 acting credits inclukding "Phobia" (2016) and  "Dear Zindagi" (2016).

Huma Qureshi played Meena in the third season.  She was spotted by Anurag Kashup while doing a commercial for Samsung Mobile.  She has 39 acting credits and 2 for producing including "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Badlapur" (2015),  "Jolly LLB 2 (2017) and "Jolly LLB 3" (2025).

This series, like many other police dramas points out bureaucratic infighting and budget concerns, but tries to emphasize there are many dedicated officers.  "Delhi Crime" is available dubbed or subtitled on Netflix where it is possible to view all three seasons.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally these are among my favourites.  The cast and crew are well connected to outstanding films and if you follow the links you should be better able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

"The Red Line" tells on scammer scheme.

 Have you ever gotten a strange call from a stranger trying to lure you into transferring your money?  Of course you have, although most of you were smart enough to cut them short before they were able to suck you in.  Apparently, telephone scamming is big business.  "The Red Line" (2026) is a Thai version, just one variation but the procedures are likely similar around the globe.

One woman, Orn is told the police are suspicious and she has to transfer money to prove her legitimacy.  Afterwards she realizes she has been scammed and is embarrassed.  Although she can afford the loss she tells her husband not to tell anyone.  However Orn meets two other women at a therapy session and the three gang together.  Fai, a physiotherapist lost all her savings.  Wow had a grandmother who lost most of her money needed for medical treatment.  The film tries to show that scammers operate against all levels of society. 

We also get perspectives from different angles.  On the women's side they recruit a teenage hacker who helps to locate the scammers.

We look inside at the scammers.  One, Yui is a woman who thinks she is tough and clever, but realized one of the old ladies, the Grandmother was someone she had met and pitying her, she returned some money from her own resources.  The group is led by Aood who has his own personal problems, but nonetheless can be very tough.  On this particular group some of them dress up as police officers so they will feel the part.

The women get closer to the scammers and we learn about their internal organization that is supported internationally.  There is a team of scammers who discuss strategies and brag about their successes.  The strategy is unique to them and their situation.  The perpetrators and victims get involved in a sometimes confusing manner.  The ending might catch you off guard.

There is a little bit of sex and a fair amount of violence including beatings, gun shots, car chase with a spectacular crash.  

I found the cast to be professional and well supported by the crew.  Here are some of the names.

Sitsiri Mongkosiri was the director.  He has 7 director credits and 1 for writing including "Hunger" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/05/hunger-interesting-movie-from-thailand.html

Tinnipat Banyatpiyapoj was the writer with 4 writing credits.

Soros Sukhum was the producer.  He has 32 producing credits and 1 for additional crew including "Pop Aye" (2017) and "Hunger" (2023).

Chaibanyan Seelukwan is listed as the composer,  but I have no further information.  I hope I spelled his name correctly.  He is likely to show up again.

Pasit Tanaechanurat was the cinematographer.  He has 17 cinematography credits and 3 for the camera and electrical department.

Manussa Vorsingha was the editor.  He has 61 editor credits,14 for the editorial department and 2 for directing including "Hunger" (2023). 

Nittha Jirayungyurn played Orn.  She has 13 acting credits includingm"One Day" (2016).

Esther Supreeleela played Fai, the physiotherapist.  She has 33 acting credits.

Chutima Maholakol played Wow, the woman whose Grandmother got scammed.  She has 3 acting credits.

Tonhon Tantivejakul played O.J., the helpful hacker.  He has 12 acting credits.

Paowalee Pornpimol played Yui, the soft scammer.  She is also a singer with an album out.  She has 5 acting credits.

Todsapol Maisuk played Aood, the heavy handed scammer.  He has 12 acting credits.

It was filmed in scenic Phuket and Bangkok, Thailand.

The future seems likely to involve scammers and this will give you some awareness.  "The Red Line" is available on Netflix dubbed or with subtitles.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them pretty good. 

Charlatans

"Charlatans"by Moises Naim and Quico Toro give many examples of charlatans and as a skeptic you will be amused or maybe disgusted.  The authors have determined that there are things to learn.  First the victims are not necessarily stupid or ignorant.  The perpetrators do not rely on persuasion.  You, yes YOU are vulnerable.   

A charlatan is defined as "a public figure who manipulatively champions the dream that a group of people share in order to exploit them without overt coercion, turning those marks into enthusiastic participants in their own  exploitation."

The book is listed as published in 2024 which means the research was completed ahead of time.  In one section they point out that one charlatan foolishly predicted that Joe Biden  would be replaced as a candidate by someone before the election.  So, they too were taken in.  More on politics later.

Charlatans have existed for a very long time.  Mamugna visited Venice before 1589 and was elected an official alchemist for the republic.  He was able to create the illusion that he could turn metal into gold.  For awhile he was able to live a life of luxury.  Eventually reality brought him down to earth.  Crypto currency is thought to be another easy path to wealth that few really understand.

Arif Naqvi from Pakistan started off legitimately as a successful entrepreneur.  However he couldn't abide failure and soon switched to setting up an elaborate Ponzi scheme where new clients helped to pay for the earlier clients.  To build his credibility and get a big infusion of capital he was able to get Bill Gates to back him.  Eventually like all Ponzi schemes his scheme collapsed.

Alex Jones was a believer in conspiracies and was able to locate several people who shared the dream of dragging down authority figures.  Perhaps his most dastardly deed was turning a tragic shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School into an extreme reaction where dozens of followers turned on the parents.  The parents were considered actors who were trying to do away with the Second Amendment.  One parent moved from Connecticut to Washington State and still received death threats.  Eventually the parents ganged up with legal help and stopped Alex Jones for the moment.  

A story I read in Michael Cohen's book, "Disloyal" explained how he got a critical endorsement for Donald Trump from Jerry Falwell Jr.  Basically Cohen ingratiated himself with the Falwell family, built up a trust relationship to the point he learned of very damaging circumstances that he used to force them to endorse a most un Christian candidate, Donald Trump.  That endorsement had been sought by Ted Cruz who as an evangelical Christian thought he had it sewn up.  A very significant choice that ended up with what we endure today.  Why did Jerry Falwell Jr. have such an impact?

 

He did not have the preaching ability of his father, but became in charge of Liberty University steering the children of evangelical Christians to this university.  Developed an online presence.  His motive was profit oriented, but he knew he could use his famous name to gain support.  He used Google and the Department of Veteran Affairs to recruit.  His word carried a lot of weight with Christian Evangelicals.  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/disloyal-michael-cohen-version.html

Trump would provide many examples, but the authors focused on Trump University.  Before getting in operation the Trump team was charged with improperly using the title "University".  That was just ignored and steps were taken to set up a curriculum which really just used material already rehashed.  At first outsiders pointed out the dishonesty of the scheme and eventually insiders realized they were being ripped off.  As he was running for the presidency Trump agreed to a $25 million penalty.  This was before his first term.  The authors missed his second term where his followers supported a range of policies that hurt them.  Tump illustrates another trait of charlatans by humiliating references to his enemies.

As outsiders we think that the victims are not well educated or smart.  In fact some very intelligent people have fallen.  The trick is not persuasion, but targeting people with a dream, that are what the authors call

 "marks."  Modern technology make it easier to identify exploitation targets.  The algorithms used by Facebook and Google for example are designed to drive engagement.  

 

As insiders we all like to confirm the rightness of our dreams.  We can latch onto confirmation very easily We use motivated reasoning to justify our hope.  For many, even contrary evidence actually reinforces their beliefs.

What can be done?  The authors feel it is very tricky, especially with modern technology it is easier to identify suitable targets.  Spotting the charlatans out to exploit your dreams has become a critical survival skill.  

On a wide basis we need to strengthen legal protections.  Google has had some success with pre-bunking non scientific ideas.  Social isolation is a risk, but have to be considered carefully.

For individuals it is recommended that we are humble, realizing we can be vulnerable.  Having a network of family and friends is a check on outsiders who want to take advantage of us  If something is too good to be true, it probably is.  Fast thinking needs at times to be replaced by slow thinking.

An earlier blog on Moises Naim; http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/11/the-revenge-of-power.html

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

 "Mr. Nobody Against Putin" (2025) won the Oscar for best documentary feature.  Admittedly it was done without permission of most of the subjects or of government authorities.  Although much was done openly, it was essentially an undercover procedure as it revealed truth against power.

Pavel  Talankin among other things was a school videographer in the city of Karabash, Russia (noted for its pollution) and for awhile it provides a cover for his anti war views, but he learns he has to be cautious, most of the staff knows his anti-war attitude.  Part of his job was teaching students video production skills including editing.

Putin is quoted a few times saying "War is not won by commanders.  War is won by teachers."  After Russia invaded Ukraine there is a marked increase in propaganda  coming from education authorities and passed down through the teachers.  Marching drills become part of the curriculum.  Marksmanship is practiced and at one point it is noted that grades declined and the teachers realized nothing could be done about the military training.

One example of the propaganda was Putin pointing out that Kyiv was one of the key counter forces against the Nazis when they attacked Russia.  Some members of the Wagner group attended the to lecture students.

Students and staff have brothers, fathers, husbands and sons involved.  We learn the desperation of at least one relative who wanted to get out of the military and subsequently died.  The deaths are noted by relatives, but kept quiet from the general public.  Pavel was not allowed to videotape a funeral, but provided us with some audio coverage.  

The fact that you are able to view this film indicates Pavel is no longer in Russia.  

This information was difficult to be revealed and to be organized to a credible production.  Here are some of the key people.

Without Pavel Tarankin, there would be no film.  He grew up and worked in Karabash, Russia.  After his escape he worked with Danish and Czech experts to put it together.  He served as co-director and cinematographer.  When he had to show the Oscar trophy to airport authorities he was told it could be a weapon.  When he reached his German transit point, the Oscar had disappeared.  Fortunately it has been recovered.

David Borenstein was the producer, director and writer.  When Pavel reached out regarding his efforts he made contact with David who encouraged him to stay a little longer.  David had been a graduate from the University of Florida with degrees in Chinese and political science.  He then spent 10 years in China working on a film project.  He had started in radio broadcasting.  He has 6 producing credits, 6 for directing and 4 for writing including episodes for Nova.  During his Oscar acceptance speech he made some anti Trump remarks.

The music was shared.  Jonas Struck has been guitarist and songwriter with the Danish rock band, Swan Lee.  He has 41 composing credits, 15 for the music department and 12 for soundtrack.  Michal Rataj was a Czech composer and sound designer with 26 composing credits and 2 for the music department.

Editing was also shared.   Rebekka Lonqvist has 29 editor credits, 6 for the camera and electrical department and 4 for the editorial department.  Nicolaj Monberg has 48 editor credits, 17 for the editorial department and 2 for directing including "Borgen". See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/07/borgen.html

I watched it on a DVD, but believe there must be other ways you can check this one out.  My version was subtitled. You may get a more accurate view of Russian leadership regarding the illegal invasion of Ukraine.