"In Love we Trust" is a movie title with deep meaning

As often happens my favorite movies are unexpected.  "In Love we Trust" (2007) was a random pick off the library shelf as a time filler.  A Chinese movie with no recognizable participants.

The plot sounds inconceivable, but it is theoretically possible.  The key factor is to find a bone marrow match that best insures survival for a particular dying person.  Today around the world there are lots of people desperately looking for a match usually found with a close blood relative.  Xiaoshuai Wang wrote and directed this movie at a time, 2007 when the Chinese were mostly enforcing a one child policy.

That is a little background, but the movie starts innocently enough with a likely sales woman trying to interest a couple to lease an apartment, but not succeeding.  A little detail that plays a role later on.

We soon see a man holding his laughing daughter and running down a hallway with a woman (could be the sales woman) following closely behind.  We soon realize that they are a small family.  Shortly the young girl is taken for tests as she has a persistent fever.  The tests reveal the young girl has cancer.  A bone marrow transplant is suggested and the mother is tested, but not a good match.  We then realize the man we have been following is her second husband, and not the natural father but understand that he is deeply involved with the young girl.

The first husband is informed and shows a lot of concern although at first he is introduced to his daughter as an uncle.  Unfortunately he is not a match either.  The mother is frantic and somehow after talking to the doctors realizes the most practical solution is to have another baby with her first husband.

Four adults all have their concerns which the viewer is led gently to appreciate.  The mother and her second husband have a very good relationship, but he had hoped that somehow they could have their own baby.  The man has totally accepted her daughter as his.  The woman had been abandoned by her first husband who remarried after a divorce.  Although the viewer might not have much sympathy for the actual father, he wants to be honest with his new wife.  They both have very busy jobs as he is a construction manager with a difficult project and she is an airline stewardess.  At first his second wife doesn't accept the idea of him being a sperm donor to his first wife.  She does feel a bit guilty and with a friend goes to visit the first wife who is away.  She meets the daughter with the step father and is touched.  She consents, but pressures her husband that she wants a baby.

All set, but it gets a bit more complicated.  Two attempts fail and the doctors refuse to consider another.  We learn the mother has had an abortion and some miscarriages.  With the one child policy the rules have already been bent.  The mother who is still resentful of her first husband says the only option is for them to have sex the old fashioned way.

This creates an emotional crisis for the other three adults.  The two left out adults are afraid of the intimacy part, but also resentful that they also want to be natural parents.  The first husband is worried about his new wife.  Everyone tries to be honest about it, but it feels like they are pushing it a bit much and there is push-back.  I can't say the movie has a happy ending, but the tension is relieved enough that the audience is satisfied  Oh, the detail from the beginning comes back to play a role.

Although the plot may seem contrived the actors are all very believable.   They trust love to maintain their relationships and to save the young girl.  There is no explicit sex, but the emotional tension holds attention.

The Chinese have since eased the one child rule.  I had learned previously that although largely respected there were a number of exceptions allowed.  Rich people, rural areas, unusual circumstances.  Still a demographic problem that will factor for future generation. One effect has been there aren't enough women for the men, which does not advantage the women as much as you might think.  More women are forced into prostitution.  Unattached males tend to be more aggressive. It also means that most Chinese children do not have aunts, uncles, siblings or cousins all of whom would offer traditional support.

The woman who plays the mother Liu Weiwei is especially effective and won a best actress award at a film festival, although this was only her second movie.  She is still active in television.

Jin-yi Zhang who played the first husband has won a few awards in China.  Nan Yu who played the second wife has won a few international awards. Her role perhaps generated the least sympathy, but she made a big adjustment that allowed the plot to move forward.

Taishen Cheng was the only one of the four leads not to have an IMDB photo, but had the most international experience.  He had a role in "Biutiful" with Javier Bardem.  He also played in the Chinese Mandarin version of "The Devotion of Suspect X," based on one of the best detective books I have read. 

The key to this movie is Xiaoshuai Wang who wrote and directed it.  He should be credited with eliciting some effective portrayals of the four main characters. Back in 1996 he used an alias to make a film to circumvent restrictive rules against independent films.  In 2001 he wrote and directed "Beijing Bicycle," with some resemblance to the classic "The Bicycle Thief," but even more class focused.  In 2003 he did "Drifters" which was about a man who had illegally emigrated to the States and had returned.  In "11 Flowers" there is more than a hint of political tensions.  A more recent movie is "Red Amnesia. " Xiaoshuai has received awards from the Berlin Films Festival (for "In love we Trrust and "Beijing Bicycle." and at Cannes (for "Shanghai Dreams"). 

"In Love we Trust" was put together carefully that the audience can feel the tension.  Sparse, but appropriate mood music provided by Wei Dou who later won an award for "The Equation of Love and Death."

Cinematography was provided by Di Wu who had done two previous films with Xiaoshuai before this one and went onto work on "Red Amnesia."  He also contributed to the mood in some cases using filters.

Editing was done by Hongyu Yang who had earlier worked on "Beijing Bicycle."  He also worked on the Mandarin adaption on "Miss Granny," a favorite Korean movie that reminded me of my wife's Grandmother, Nanny

I will be on the look out for more films by Xiaoshuai Wang.  At this moment this movie has left the most impressive feeling of 2018.

MOVE OVER DONALD TRUMP

Donald Trump is the focus of a lot of well deserved criticism, but another authoritarian figure has intruded closer to my home.  This past week Ontario premier, Doug Ford demonstrated that he too can force his ill informed opinions on the majority that didn't vote for him.  We were warned that  he, although believing in climate change would do away with any carbon tax and sideline some renewable resource projects, take sex education back a few decades, eliminate a $15 per hour minimum wage plus a few other retrogressive measures favored at best only by a plurality of voters. 

He failed to mention that he would use his power to change the Toronto Council.  As a former councillor himself he felt he understood it better and needed to correct a deficiency.  At the time only a few days from closing nominations for candidates and only a few months from election.    Individual commitments had been made based on existing rules and boundaries and in fact a lot of details had been formalized.  The disruption will be not only costly in monetary terms, but also in personal terms.

One commentator pointed that he not only had the legal power, but that he had the right to do so based on the election.  The election in fact only gave him a shade over 40% of the votes while three parties with the majority having many commonalities opposed to his platform.  In our first past the post election system the majority all too frequently lose their voice.  Not to get sidetracked I believe a proportionate system makes more sense and is fairer.  For those who like more thoughts on this:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/12/your-guy-didnt-get-in.html

One rationalization given was that with fewer councillors decisions could be made quicker.  No quarrel.  From that perspective it would be better to have a dictator.  Most dictators do seek advice as they can't be bothered with most items.  Some dictators will often ignore advice, for example Donald Trump.  Those in power tend to seek advice from those with similar philosophies and who profess loyalty.  History is full of irritating individuals who pointed out something different that eventually was recognized as better for everyone.  The more people engaged in the decision process the more understanding and commitment will result.  More thoughts on the importance of engagement:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/12/the-art-of-engagement.html

Another rationalization was that it would save taxpayers money.  Again that could be true in many if not most cases.  Democracy is not cheap.  Aside from the expense of elections, millions have paid with their lives and their limbs.  Quick decisions are not always better or even cheaper.  Again, a dictator could help.  In more than a few cases they are better able to siphon off more than their share of cash flow.

Municipal matters have the most daily impact on citizens, but many of their concerns seem trivial.  Garbage, parking, snow removal, bus services, traffic lights and signs, librairies, recreation, schools, etc are often taken for granted, but a councillor who wants to get re-elected needs to be mindful of the details.  The details can be very demanding, and if too much for one elected official tend to be neglected.

Democracy is perhaps a mislabel.  What we really have is representative democracy.  No one person can manage all the affairs of a nation by themselves.  The average person has plenty enough to make a living and manage a household without added responsibilities of running a government.  Yes, there is a fine line between having too many decision makers and paying for them against a dictatorship.  Drawing the line requires a lot of thought and has to be reconciled with what the people really want. Mr Ford decided that he knows best and relieved the rest of us of that responsibility.  His decision that impacts literally over 3 million people was apparently made with little consultation.

Authoritarians like Donald Trump and Doug Ford like being in control and feel they know what is best.  In too many cases we let them.

The photo is of a dog fountain on Front St., Toronto which I assume must have been debated at one point.  I like it--good decision.

My Cystoscopy

Perhaps there is a bit of vanity in this post as I did survive what for many is a scary procedure.  But my motive is really to assure others that there is nothing to be afraid of.  What follows is my experience, and obviously each experience has some uniqueness.

Like many men of my age, awhile back it became quite noticeable that I was getting up multiple times to go to the bathroom each night and it became quite tiring.  Eventually I was encouraged to seek medical advice and was given a bunch of tests that assured me that I did not have cancer, but that I did have an enlarged prostrate.  I was given a referral to an urologist.

The first efforts were to try different prescriptions but they didn't seem to have any impact except for side effects.  The main effect was to make me drowsy which made me less functional both at work and at home and in between.  I also had some headaches, but I attributed them to being tired and needing new bifocals.

The original urologist moved and I opted to get another referral so I could keep my appointments within walking distance.

Dr. Marc Fischer looked over the various test results and asked a few questions.  He decided it was time to take a closer look at what might be causing my problem.  This was the first time I heard the word "cystoscopy" with an explanation.  Basically a tube with a camera is stuck up your penis.  My assumption that this would happen while anesthetized turned out to be incorrect as not worth while for such a very short examination.  On the surface it sounded pretty scary, but the doctor explained in some detail ending that most patients felt a little "disappointed" because it was relatively painless and over so quickly.  

Dr Fischer had a good sense of humor which serves him well to help relax his patients.  In his office he has a calming type of music that also helps.  An appointment for about one week away with not much time to debate.  Also a request for some more tests.  I took the tests early the next day to minimize time lost.

I checked out the location the weekend before so I wouldn't get  lost.  When the day came I drove up to the hospital before the surgical unit was open and ended up in a waiting area.  I haven't spent any time as a patient in a hospital since I was in grade 2 so the procedures were all new to me.  At the Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton  everything was well organized.   I was guided to a change room and told they had two gowns--one the traditional one that is open at the back but also another one that covered your back. I was told to take off only my pants and underwear leaving me with my shoes and shirt.  My pants were where my wallet was kept, but I was given a locker to put my pants into and attached a key to my gown.

Next I found myself sitting in a comfortable chair while a nurse asked me some standard questions.  I had my blood pressure checked and  heart beat monitored and my temperature taken.   I had been confused about the request to come with a moderately full bladder.  It turned out they wanted me to urinate into a special bowl that measures and analyzes.  After that I was given a different sort of ultra sound to test how thoroughly I had emptied my bladder.

A nurse led me to a surgical room and soon Dr Fischer came with his surgical clothing and humor.  I told him that I had taken some requested tests last week and he went to check the results.  All this time he is telling me to relax and not rush.  He explained again what to expect.  Some sort of cold (but not too cold) jelly was put over my penis and somehow penetrated inside.  I was not too conscious they had inserted a tube, but the doctor warned when to expect a little extra pressure  and it was over soon.  All this time he had a screen he could look at and asked if I wanted to look at it.  My glasses had been taken off and although the nurse offered to recover them I felt it was more relaxing to leave them off and besides I wouldn't really know what I was looking at.

Fortunately the doctor did know what he was looking at and described some significant features.  He made it sound like nothing was too serious.  An option is always surgery, but Dr Fischer and the previous urologist leave that step until after they have tried prescription drugs.  Drugs can always be changed, modified or cut off, but it is more difficult to undo surgery.  I will confess that a concern of mine was if I could drink alcohol while taking a new drug prescription as the two previous prescriptions advised against it.  Dr Fischer told me that alcohol would not cause any significant side effects, but that if drunken after 6 p.m. would itself naturally encourage urination.

The actual procedure lasted less than two minutes.  I won't concede that I was disappointed, more like relieved.  Despite what I had been told I was surprised that what little pain there was and that I was immediately able to walk normally with no discomfort and no aids.

On the way home I stopped off at my pharmacist to get a prescription and was told it would take about 20 minutes.  I decided to walk around  a long block.  When I got home I ended up walking down town, about one kilometer and then back with no pain.   In the afternoon I was able make a few calls, email a few letters and sort through my data base at home.  The next day back to normal work pattern.

However I had also been warned that urinating would probably involve a burning sensation and I might even see a little blood.  I did deal with a sharp burning type of pain that lasted less than 3 seconds, but made me hesitate.  As the day wore on and I drank water as suggested the sensation lessened so that by night it was not noticed and there was no visible sign of blood.

It is too soon to assess the new prescription, but I am encouraged and confident that a solution will be found.

I wish I could say it would go as smoothly for everyone, but that wouldn't be fair.  The Juravinski Hospital is very professional and Dr Marc Fischer is very capable and confident inspiring.  Also you might have a more urgent or different prognosis.  It is better to find out sooner rather than put off the cystoscopy.

Today medicine has advanced tremendously and I suspect the future will be even better.

World Cup 2018

Soccer, otherwise known as football really is the beautiful game, but perhaps inevitably such beauty attracts corruption. The selection of the site has a long history with bribery not unknown.  Russia is not really a major soccer power, but they wanted to show how they can put on a show.  By all accounts they did an impressive presentation.  Efforts have been made to clean it up, but I suspect it will be an ongoing battle.

A few days before the World Cup competition began it was announced that a joint bid to host the 2026 version will include Canada, United States and Mexico.  The NAFTA countries can work together for their mutual benefit.  Soccer is already strong in Mexico, but in The United States and Canada it is not quite really major league status.

Tension slowly builds.  32 teams are formed (partly seeded and mostly random) into 8 groups.  Within each group each team plays three opponents.  It sometimes is difficult to determine who will move on as only one half are left to advance.  Anyone can win the Cup even if they lose the first game, but if they lose unexpectedly or fail to score enough goals they might not advance.  Ties and goal differential count so every team is motivated to get more goals, but also to be defensive.  Games are arranged so that all four teams play at the same time for the third game so that they won't base their strategy on the results of the other two teams, such as resting key players or tightening up their defense.  The advantage of finishing first in your group is that you play the second finisher in another group, theoretically (but not always) an easier match.

For the first time in tie breaking mechanisms the nation with the fewest yellow cards advanced.  As it happened in low scoring games allowing ties, Japan and Senegal had the same number of points, the same goal differential and had tied each other, so the authorities moved to a fairness measure to decide that Japan would advance.

I was able to either watch on tv or track on computer part of most games as they happened.  Even watched part of one game in the dentist office.  Very addictive despite low scores.  Co worker rooting for Croatia.  We live in a Portuguese neighborhood and when they win they honk horns and drive around the block waving flags. Mostly favor the underdog, but love to watch outstanding players.

One good feature is that the games are spread over a month.   Initially there are four days between for any one team.  Soccer is the most physically demanding of the major team sports.  At the end the semi finals are held on the 11th.  The two losers have to play on the 14th while the better rested winners play the final game on the 15th.

In the second stage are all single knockout meaning ties do not end the game.  Overtimes and shootouts can be dramatic.  They still do not have sudden death overtime as in hockey.

It was pleasant to see Iranian women in the crowd cheering their team as back at home apparently they are still not allowed.  In the early games you could see Muslim players were recovering from their Ramadan fasting.

Technology is further helping to resolve difficult situations with VAR (Video Assistant Referee)  It has been used to determine if there was enough contact to award a penalty.  Goal line is sometimes needed to determine if the ball crossed.  Offsides can be very difficult to determine, but obviously important to decide if a goal should be allowed.  The technicians are rotated like the on-field officials and national conflict avoided.

Low scoring games may seem boring, but if you get to appreciate the skills involved there is much to get excited about.  Trapping, dribbling, tackling, defensive steals, precise passing and blocks and spectacular goalie saves.  My primary sports interest is basketball where there is a lot more scoring.  Each goal in soccer is precious and often bought with long term persistent effort.  On the other hand if you appreciate defense there is even more skill involved in both (all) sports.  Some views on defense from a basketball perspective.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/09/bill-russell-and-rise-of-defense.html

In the early stages there were a number of own goals.  Some of them decisive for a game (which also means for advancing or not).  Bad luck and tragedies play a role in life.  I recall my son stretching out to stop a shot on goal and ended up deflecting it in during a playoff game.  In the World Cup were examples of a player extending themselves in what could have been an heroic stop, but ended up losing a game.  Still somebody did something to make it possible.  One particularly sad one was a veteran Russian defender pushing away a Spanish attacker inadvertently diverted shot into his own net.  Apparently he was the oldest player to score in World Cup.  Croatia had an own goal in the final making a total of 12 own goals.

Injury time seems to be unique to soccer.  The clock is stopped during injuries for other sports.  The injury time is to some some extent at the discretion of the referee.  I noticed one reference to "stoppage time" which would supposedly include set up time between goals, substitutions, VAR consulting and the occasional distraction.

Added in July 16/18:  One distraction was provided in the second half of the final when four demonstrators invaded the pitch and one of them high-fived Kylian Bappe, later awarded the best young player of the tournament.  Mildly amusing, but later learned they were representing Pussy Riot and  were protesting the Russian clampdown on democracy.  Thank goodness someone had the guts and the smarts to protest.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/08/russian-movies.html


African/Asian teams (non Europe or Latin America) were eliminated by the end of the semi finals.  Japan did make it to the 16 and had the lead and only surrendered with the very last kick

The final four were all European--usually South American teams are more prominent.   Three of the four teams were colonizers which in turn meant many of their former subjects immigrated.  All three had critical players that originated themselves or their parents in the former colonies.  One commentator suggested that Britain for one had an integrated team, but parts of Britain was rejecting the idea.  The French team is mostly connected to Africa and play African music while traveling and in locker room.

Germany,  Argentina, Portugal, Spain exited early.  Because of the upsets it may seem that the two best teams are not the ones who meet in the final.  Some might say Brazil vs Belgium or Belgium vs France were the best teams.  One thing you can be sure of is that the two finalists have beaten some very tough teams and had that all important element of luck on their side.

Home town Russians were a surprise as they weren't expected to get out of group play.

Some (me) would say the final should have been the match between France and Belgium, but seeding is very complex and to be honest if you shake up the dice a little differently you might get an entirely different result.  There is a time constraint that dictates the format.

France showed why they deserved to win but Croatia put up a great display.  Their first goal in the final was one of the best.

There is an awful lot to take in so I welcome any comments from those who saw something different.

The World As It Is

What prompted this blog was a tv appearance of author Ben Rhodes with Fareed Zakaria.  It was just after the G7 conference when Trump accused Justin Trudeau of dishonesty and cut off an agreement for the conference.  Larry Kudlow sided with Trump saying Trudeau had stabbed Trump in the back.  Ben Rhodes pointed out that Obama had warned Trudeau he would have to stand up to Trump.  Pretty obvious  to most Canadians that Trump was way out of line.

Fareed had commented that the book reads like a novel and Ben admitted that he had a degree in fiction writing.  When my daughter decided to go to school in Halifax I thought I better find out about a part of Canada I had never been to.  I picked "Halifax: Warden of the North" by Thomas Raddall from the library and found it much more fascinating than anticipated.  Soon after I discovered the author had written many novels and I read (and bought) as many as I could find.  Later on I learned of a new book about neighboring Dartmouth and bought it, but a book seller admitted that historians are not usually as good as fictional writers even in narrating history.  Too often true.  But Ben Rhodes actually lived what he writes about and brings a personal understanding.

The title comes from the last sentence of the book,  "I was a man, no longer young, who--in the zigzag of history--still believed in the truth within the stories of people around the world, a truth that compels me to see the world as it is, and to believe in the world as it ought to be."  The world of politics is frustrating--so many reasons why the right things can't be done, except maybe once in a while in a small way.

Ben met and befriended Barrack Obama in 2007 and although only in his late 20's, developed a trust relation that led to writing speeches, consulting on important decisions and assuming some responsibilities on an international scale.

It wasn't that long ago so most readers will have a memory of many of the events, but get an insider's view. The demands of a close relationship with the most powerful man in the world can be rough on family even though his wife was also involved with government administration.  In the book you will get a feel for the grinding demands, but this blog will only highlight a few events.

When Nelson Mandela died the two men headed to South Africa with Ben writing and shaping Obama's speech.  It was a unique experience with the first black American president mourning one of the greatest (black) leaders of the world.  What was mainly conveyed back to American news sources was a selfie with Obama and the Danish prime minster.

Benghazi took up a disproportionate amount of energy in American politics.  Ben wrote a memo to Susan Rice as she was being prepped to speak in national tv regarding the deaths at Benghazi, including points given by the CIA.  Ben found his memo was taken out of context and distorted and he felt bewildered at how aggressive the Republican party attacked him.  There was no smoking gun, but the issue was blown up because the Republicans couldn't find anything better to stir up the voters.

The Iran negotiations stretched over many years and involved many national perspectives.  But it hit some people the wrong way.  Particularly Netanyahu who distrusted Iran and hoped to somehow convince the United States to attack it.  Again hypocrisy reared its head and Republicans attacked the deal without having anything better to offer.

Towards the end of  Obama's second term it was decided that it was time to improve relations with Cuba.  Ben was given the opportunity to negotiate with Raul Castro's son and later with Vatican diplomats.  This required travel to Canada, the Caribbean and the Vatican.  Again there was a lot of resistance, but in the end there was improvement that not only stood to boost relations between the two principles, but raised the American profile over all Latin America.  Some of my thoughts at the time-- http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/12/obama-and-cuba.html

Another project that Ben got involved in was with Laos.  During the Vietnamese War  Laos found itself on a route of American bombers who dropped more bombs than were done in WW II over Germany and Japan.  Literally millions were left and were not detonated, but others have been killing children.  Ben campaigned to bring more attention and budget to the problem.

Anthony Bourdain, the traveling gourmet was admired by Ben who appreciated the efforts to spread peace and goodwill by encouraging people to sit down and eat together.  He arranged for Obama to join Bourdain for a television show set in Hanoi.  I remember watching that episode which among other things demonstrated that Obama was not above the common man.

The Russians started to assert themselves during Obama's second term.  They had tried to disrupt Ukrainian efforts to align itself with western Europe.  Americans got involved and had some success in forcing a Russian leaning leader to flee.  Putin pushed back as he felt the Americans should not interfere with what he considered his territory.   He claimed and then invaded Crimea and threatened eastern Ukraine.  During this time a Malaysian Airline plane was shot down killing all passengers.  Ben was concerned that the Russians refused to acknowledge their involvement and blatantly lied about it.

Ben also gives his perspective on Russian involvement with the American election and told of Obama's attempts to deal with it.  The biggest obstacle was Mitch McConnell who threatened to call exposure of the Russian efforts as a partisan effort of the Democrats.  This is also the man who prevented Obama from having his Supreme Court judge choice even given a hearing.

Near the end of Obama's term he got into a discussion with Ben about one of my favorite books, "Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari which was highly praised.  Here is my take on what I thought was the best book I read in 2015:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/12/sapiens-brief-history-of-humankind.html

At this time it is upsetting to realize that the American voters have put in place a man who is dedicated to undoing Obama's legacy.  Many are regretting their decisions, but too many are complicit in what is happening.  Ben reports that Obama was very conscious of racist elements in opposition, but chose not to inflame the issues.  Donald Trump made public demands for Obama to prove he was born in America and has been focused on upending all the good things that were attributed to Obama.  As with Harry Truman it may be awhile before Americans wake up to how one of the greatest presidents was not appreciated during his term.

"Eight Years in Power" talks directly on how Obama's legacy has been distorted.  My take:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/12/we-were-eight-years-in-power.html

"BAD GENIUS" OUT OF THAILAND

Thailand is the source of some of my favorite food.  A nephew is teaching English in Thailand right now.  I have actually seen three or four Thai movies, but didn't see them as a major film producer.

Skimming through what Netflix has to offer I noticed "Bad Genius."  It seemed quirky, but I was struck with the idea for widening my foreign movies comfort level. It won the audience award at the Toronto Reel International Film Festival; best newcomer at the Asian Film Festival and at the Thailand National Film Association best picture, best director, best actor, best actress and best supporting actor.

Part of the movie is like a heist movie with lots of twists and clever reactions, but part is also a morality play.  Instead of stealing valuable objects it is about stealing valuable information.  A very smart girl, Lynn is transferred to an elite high school in Bangkok with help from her widower father making some sacrifices and she making some shrewd negotiating points.  There she befriends (or is befriended by) a relatively wealthy girl, Grace and her wealthier boyfriend, Pat.

The viewer will be impressed with what a clever scheme is planned. But first  Lynn was induced to help her friend and her boyfriend cheat on scholastic tests.  Part of the cover was to give music lessons to an increasing number of customers.  We are introduced to a rival, a boy named Bank who comes from an even poorer family who is a loner and very honest.  His intelligence is equal to hers, but not only does he rebuff efforts to cheat he is able to uncover her scheme to the authorities.  She gets reprimanded and not allowed to compete for a scholarship she obviously was well qualified for.  

She becomes aware of an international test (for admission to elite universities) and figures out that if she takes it in Sydney, Australia that would give her four hours to work with for her paying friends back in Thailand.  She recognizes that her memory capacity will not be enough and her friends pick up that the honest guy needs to be recruited.  Unknown to Lynn one of the friends arranges to have the honest genius beaten up so he cannot take a local scholarship test

Bank is manipulated into participating, but when Lynn finds out how he was set up she wants to back out.  Although Bank is upset he decides maybe it is in his best interest.  The network of wealthy students organizes and fund a trip to Australia for the two while Lynn and Bank work out some details.

Security is tightened as the Australian test givers realize that cheating has stepped up.  You can feel the pressure as the two try to circumvent new scrutiny.  Bank actually gets caught (after sending coded answers to Thailand) and it looks like the authorities are suspicious of Lynn who feigns illness and takes off through the Sydney subway system with one man in pursuit.  She manages to convince the testers that she left early because of an illness, but that meant her own test scores won't count, even though she finished the test.  Using email and sophisticated tools the answers are sent to Thailand just in time for the wealthy students.to take their test.

Now that is quite a lot of details (of course many have been left out), but you'll have to see the movie (available on Netflix) to find out how it ends.  You are highly unlikely to guess much of the ending, but you will enjoy how they execute the overall presentation.

There are lots of heist types of movies and some even have some moral theme, but for me this one really stood out.  I will mention some names with the expectation that they will be involved with worthy movies in the not too distant future.  Most of them are real tongue twisters

Nattawut Poonpiriya, director and one of four writers had done a few previous films with some of the same crew.

Cinematography by Phaklao Jiraungkoonkun was another strength of the movie.  It was filmed in both Bangkok and Sydney.  Music was effectively used to make you feel the tension by Vichiya Vatanasapt.  Editing  (important in the simultaneous action in Thailand and Australia was handled capably by Chonlaset Upanigkit.

At IMDB they showed a pop music video which I liked enough to buy the audio, but didn't appear in the Netflix version.

The star of the show was Chutimon Chuenscharooenskying who played Lynn displaying a range of emotions.  She was a model and only recently got into acting.  Because they wanted to project her as a genius the script made her left handed, but in reality Chutimon was right handed and had to adjust  She won best actress award with the Thailand National Film Association.  At the New York Asian Film Festival she was awarded Screen International Rising Star. 

The other genius, Bank was played by Chanon Santinatumkul.  He had a few more films under his belt and won the Thailand National Film Association best actor award.  Viewers could feel a romance coming on, but that was not the director's aim.  The two developed a chemistry that spurred viewer's hopes.

One actor who appeared in the Australian section (actually the one in hot pursuit of Lynn) was Ego Mikitas.  An English speaking actor who has appeared in other Thai movies as well as one Japanese plus "O/A" on Netflix.  He also has performed stunts

All the actors left a feeling of reality, but I would like to give some attention to Thaneth Warakulnukroh who played the father of Lynn.  He stuck with her although you could feel his pain.  He was the lead character in "Pop Aye" which was shown at the Hamilton Film Festival.  In it he played a man who traveled over Thailand with an elephant.

Netflix seems to be opening up internationally and this is a good example of something worth exploring.

Czech Cinema

Never thought much about movies from the Czech Republic then saw two enjoyable movies in quick succession:  "Kolya" and "Divided We Fall"  Earlier had been impressed by "Protektor"  And then I realized a top American director, Milos Forman got his start in Czechoslovia as it was known then and maintained some ties.

Jan Hrebejk, directed "Divided We Fall"( (2000).  It was  based on some experiences he had been told of a Czech couple who hid a Jew and decided to collaborate with Nazis as a cover (which made neighbors upset and anxious).  The Czech title translates to "We Must Help Each Other," Jan felt the actual title was more appropriate.   Vaclav Havel, president of the Czech Republic was given a cameo role in "Up and Down" (2004).  Did one Slovakian film "The Teacher" (2016).

A writer who often collaborated with Jan Hrebejk is Petr Jarshovky.  Co-writing   started with his first film, "Let's All Sing Around" (1991) and continued to "Up and Down" (2004)and "Divided we Fall,"  and "The Teacher." (2016 Slovakian script)  Petra wrote the script for another top movie, "Zelary" (2016)  Mostly it seems he writes for tv series in the Czech Republic.

"Kolya"(1996) was directed by Jan Severak and won the 1997 Oscar for best Foreign Film.  Jan had been noted in 1988 by the Student American Academy and in 1991 for his first feature film "Elementary School" for best foreign film.  He had rejected offers to direct several American films.  His father Zdenek Sverak has had a long career as both actor and writer.  He wrote the script and was the lead actor for "Kolya."  Altogether IMDB lists Zdenek with 47 credits for writing and 54 for acting.


"Protektor" (2009 ) directed and co-written by Marek Najbrt was set in 1938 Czechoslovakia as Germans taking over Sudentanland.  A Jewish actress is protected by her journaiist husband joins a propaganda organization.  Their relationship is affected by the Nazi occupation and we learn they are not really hero types.  The movie is very well done demonstrating the effects of the Nazi occupation and drive towards the Holocaust. 

Milos Forman's parents were imprisoned for co-operating with the resistance against the Nazis.  His mother died in Auschwitz and his father in Buchenwald.  Milos studied film in Prague.  In 1964 he directed a comedy, "Black Peter" and later "Loves of a Blonde"(1965). "The Fireman's Ball" (1967) was uncovered as critical of eastern Europe and banned for several years in Czechoslovakia before getting a Cannes nomination.  Milos appeared as an actor in a French film, "Beloved" (2011)

At about the time of "The Fireman's Ball" Milos was visited in Prague by Kirk Douglas who had just bought the rights for "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" from a book by Ken Kesey.  He arranged for a stage play to be written and starred in it taking a huge pay cut.  He was impressed with Milos and promised to send the original book, but Milos waited in vain for it.  Both thought the other had let the other down, but the book itself was stopped by customs and censorship.  Years later Michael Douglas sent him a copy.  Michael and fellow producer Saul Zaentz could find no major studio willing to finance the movie so decided to do it on a low budget.  Milos was heavily involved in the casting.  Most of the cast were low budget, but Milos decided to wait six months to get Jack Nicholson.  He also persuaded people he met on setting the site to take roles.  He worked with writer Bo Goldman on the script.  Milos liked to run the camera even during rehearsals.  He was noted for always demanding "it must be real." "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975)on 5 Academy awards including best director.

I recently watched "Amadeus" (1984) for a second time many years after the original theatrical release.  It is not a biography of Mozart so much as a morality play, but it is wonderful in conveying how a composer can go from a simple idea to the executed product.  Filmed across Europe, but mostly in Prague.  The actual events were almost certainly different from the portrayal.  Milos had been restricted from visiting his native country, but was welcomed--still under Communist dictatorship.  A second Oscar for Milos.

Other movies of Milos included "Man on the Moon," (1999)  and "Ragtime" (1981).

Worked with Czech cinematographer for many of his films Miroslav Ondricek, born studied and died in the Prague both when it was Czechoslovakia and later as the Czech Republic.  Did 7 feature films with Milos Forman and 2 documentaries.   Starting as camera assistant and second camera operator his first job as a cinematographer was with "Audition" in 1964 with Milos Forman.  Also worked on a Polish film, "Hotel Pacific."  He was nominated for an Oscar for "Amadeus" and " Ragtime."  Also noted for "A League of Their Own" (1992) and "F/X"(1986)

Hana Brejchova, at one time a sister in law to Milos Forman was lead actress with "The loves of a Blonde"  Later she had a role with "Amadeus."

The Czech Republic film industry is fairly active, but not a lot of distribution in Canada compared to other European countries.  With Milos Forman, Czech training has helped transform American movies.

As usual I bolded the movies that I was lucky enough to actually see.