On January 11.12
A reader from Germany offers a delightful account of creatively opposing life’s little injustices. Taking a stand (constructively) and engaging with the world around us, in microcosm or in macrocosm, is the sine qua non of a free and healthy civil society. For an entertainingly original approach to standing up to the indignities that too many of us meekly endure, see here: https://artsforum.ca/letters
On July 24.11
A Sad Loss for Canadian Cinephiles
I note with sadness the passing on July 22, 2011 of Elwy Yost at his home in West Vancouver at the age of 86. As many of you will recall, Elwy was the avuncular film buff who hosted “Saturday Night at the Movies” on TVOntario from 1974 to 1999 (he also hosted another film-show, “Magic Shadows,” on the same network from 1974 to about 1985). Genial, infectiously enthusiastic, and always down-to-earth, Elwy brought an irrepressible love of (and wealth of knowledge about) movies to his countless interviews of actors and filmmakers. He might have been a tad effusive in his interviewing-style, but there was never any doubt about his passion for the cinema, and that wonderful authenticity endeared him to his viewers. Elwy was a longtime reader (and supporter) of Artsforum (needless to say that publication’s ever-increasing coverage of all things cinematic always attracted his particular attention); and, Elwy’s unique exploration of movies through conversation was one of the inspirations for our very own Cinechats.
On May 9.11
“The Unbearable Lightness of Being Canadian During a National Election”
A thoughtful person, let alone a patriot, who endured Canada’s spring 2011 election might be forgiven for dismissing the assorted partisan contestants and the truly perverse result of May 2nd with an angry, exasperated cry of, “A plague on all their houses!” See the full opinion essay at: https://artsforum.ca/ideas/regional-perspectives
On May 6.11
The Death of Osama bin Laden
As to bin Laden, he was responsible for grievous criminal acts; but I would have much preferred that he be arrested and given a fair trial. Shooting him, when he was unarmed, smacks of deliberate execution and arguably reduces us to his level. And the crowds of college students who gathered outside the White House (and worse still) at the site of the World Trade Center chanting “USA, USA” and a popular soccer cheer were an object-lesson in poor taste. As an Egyptian-American journalist said, it seemed like a frat-party atmosphere. As such, it lacked the dignity of what ought to have been a solemn, respectful remembrance of the victims of 9/11 and of other terrorist crimes elsewhere in the world.
I haven’t heard anyone else raise this idea, and I hate to contribute to our culture’s absurd over-inclination to embrace outlandish conspiracy theories; but, what if bin Laden was really captured instead of being killed? What if they did capture him, and then took him away in secret to be tortured for the rest of his life? I’d hate to think of anyone being abused in that way — no matter how loathsome their ideology or crimes. But, surely, he’d be regarded as a mother-lode of information by intelligence and security agencies. Wouldn’t they have an irresistibly strong temptation to take him alive? Claiming he’s dead would eliminate the need for a pesky trial and allow ruthless people to torture him without anyone ever knowing. It’s probably just a fanciful notion, but, still, I wonder…