Marathon

The second and, unfortunately, the last movie I got to see at this festival was “Marathon” by Iranian director, Amir Naderi. Shot in black and white, it tells the story of Gretchen who desperately goes after her record of 77 Crossword Puzzles solved in a day. She finds inspiration in Manhattan’s noise. The Subway and the words are the story’s real protagonists.

 

Sara Paul in Marathon, by Amir Naderi

Being part of a Festiwal (“Il Vento del Cinema“) the theme of which was “The Unfinished Cinema”, Marathon perfectly fits the event. As the very same director stated during a jam session he doesn’t plan too much on a movie, he just makes it as he feels, this movie doesn’t demonstrate to have a focused aim. Sometimes nebulous, sometimes fascinating, isn’t capable of transmitting a message different from what in my opinion seemed a metaphor of chaos. Or better still, a metaphor of struggle against chaos; tidy crosswords contrast what is a city bursting with noises and chaos. This is what Gretchen needs for her concentration, though this doesn’t allow her to go over her previous record. She desperately tries to find a way…, not changing almost anything about her way of working. An unfinished story…

 

77 & 1/2

That’s how far she goes.

New York City’s fauna and me (1)

In a week it will be one month I have been here in U.S.A…. and as I have already said, I am getting used to it. Yet, there are some things I cannot ignore and walk by, as many other new yorkers do: Squirrels.

In Italy we have squirrels for sure, but do not live near the populated areas, and neither they are so big an near to the man. The only squirrel I have ever seen in Italy had a black fur and was very small.

Here in New York, and I would say U.S.A., squirrels are very common. They go in the houses, ruin garbage bags, live in the parks, and me, I still have to get used to it!

Today, while I was walking to the subway station in Cadman Plaza, I suddenly stopped walking. I had just seen, with the corner of the eye, a big light brown tail on a tree: it was a squirrel! I grabbed the camera I always bring with me, and picked a picture. Then, after some second I realised the squirrel was on the wrong side of the street, on the opposite side of the Cadman Plaza Park is. So… I filmed a video…

This is New York City’s fauna and me (1), soon there will be the second chapter…, and I promise is a very interesting one.

The immutable things…

There are things that cannot be changed. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, these things never leave you. They are part of you as you are part of them.

This awareness is kind of comforting. I am talking, of course, about soccer. And here the laughings should start…:)

It’s about 16 days I am here in the United States and I am starting to catch the pace. Now, I understand 88% of what people say and I am pretty satisfied on my commute strategy. I don’t get lost anymore and I don’t look as an alien anymore, while walking near the skyscrapers. All these things have changed during these days, still there is something which doesn’t: head in the soccer! I know, I know, someone could complain of this being a mere commonplace…, but I tell you: commonplaces start spreading around on a basis and this one makes no exception.

It was friday afternoon and after a bad morning spent at the social security administration (now everything is solved) I arrived at work. The first thing I did turning the computer, keeping a low profile… 14:45 ET, 20:45, GMT+1… Italy-Belgium, a friendly match starts. This was the only friendly match Italy played before the European Championship, so I was full of curiosity and excitement. But, (there is always a “but”) I had some work to do… and so… I didn’t care and did it all together. Checking work and in the meantime listening to the internet radio, the match was broadcasted by the national network! 14:54 ET – Italy scored its first Goal, Debra noticed my elation, but preferred not to remark it. 14:55 Jamie came by my place and told me I had take part in a meeting… I left my place happy, I was calm: we were 1-0 over. The meeting ended up 40 minutes later. I sat at the desk and listened to the live comment to the second goal. I couldn’t believe how amazingly lucky I was! The happiness was visible on my face and the work was even funnier to get done!

I get crazy when the national team is playing… and I wonder… what will be my reactions if Italy scores…against someone now I don’t even want to report? Gosh, I cannot immagine…

My passion is also about being updated, and an entire array of vituperate words came out of my mouth (of course in Italian), when I found out about Fabio Cannavaro’s accident and his, for the time being, finished Championship. Che C***o di Sfiga!!! That cannot even be translated, but it’s similar to: What the bloody “systematic misfortune”!!!

By the way, I wish Captain Cannavaro the Best, and hope to see him soon in Procida with its boat and kids.

ALWAYS WITH YOU, CAPTAIN!