Rising Water. Tim Wintin.

On Wednesday the 17th of August I went on an excursion with my literature class to The Arts Centre where we were booked to watch Rising Water, the first published and performed play by Tim Wintin; one of Australia's internationally known authors from his work like Cloud Street and even the hit Australian TV show Lockie Lennard.
When we were told that the first play we would see together as a class would  be Tim Wintin's we did a little research on some of his work, and I found out that much of his work revolved around the main themes (due to his unique fascinations) of water and the serenity of drowning, and Australia and his home town Adelaide. So as to no surprise by the newly informed Tim Winton experts the scene of the play was set in a jetty off the coast of Perth, in Fremantle where three large boats sat together along a peer looking out to the audience.

The audience (mainly consisting of the eldely population of melbourne, all Putting their playroom memberships to good use) where introduced by a large and open scene of a very realistic jetty. Surrounding the large stage was the traditional wooden peer which can be seen throughout many Australian towns and beaches. As we sat in the play room we Analyzed the three distinctly different boats docked at the port: goodness, Sh1rley and MERCY. Laying, deceivingly still and for a short time what looked like a waxed figure was actually the star of the show, austalian actor, John Howard; not to be mistaken for our ex prime minister, although that would have given the play the spark it needed if we were to watch the ex PM standing on that rusty old boat cursing and speaking unspoken truths of the Australian way. 

I have to admit that I, and many of those in my class did not enjoy winton's attempt at a successful play. Maybe it was due to the four main actors Baxter, Col, Dee, and Jackie all who I believe did not captivate the audience the way that I believe a true play should do. Maybe it was due to such an intricate and full on script, but I feel like their dialogue was too fast and hrd to catch, along with the fact that most of the story was not deep enough for us to truly connect with.

The dialogue was witty, quick and clever; but for some reason it didn't seem to stick. Winton's renowned talent of working with words definitely showed in the play but once the punch line was acknowledged the actors were already on to the next page. This shows that maybe Wintin's work should stay on the pages of successfully sold books rather than in the theatre where his intelligent banter could not be fully appreciated.

There however, are some occasional highs in the play that captured the attention of its audience. Wintin's fascination with drowning paid off as, in my opinion, the most interesting thing that came from this play was the sensual scene where the hauty English backpacker ( Dee ) fell into the water. I feel that they really achieved the graceful descend down the watery depths of the sea and the feeling as you drift through the still water. Held up by wire works, the actors give a very visually accurate performance up in the air, as they twisted and twirled through the "water". I would say that the light and sound department should get full acknowledgment for their work as their beautiful lights display of realistic blue light mimicking the beauty of the sun touching the water surface, along with the eerie sounds of the water rushing through your ears all add to the captivating scene and the most capturing moment of the play.

All in all I think the play was too broad and didn't have enough of a story to really hook the audience in. There wasn't really a high point and not a real story line, but just a story about a story. Maybe Tim Wintin should stick to books, as I feel his story could have been successful if it's words could be captured, remembered and appreciated in a book, rather than crammed into a two and a half hour play where the audience strains to hear and retain the clever dialogue he is famous for. I would give it four out of ten.

For Emma. Bon Iver.

LYRICS:
Narrator:
(So apropos: Saw death on a sunny snow)
Him:
"For every life..."
Her:
"Forego the parable."
Him:
"Seek the light."
Her:
"...My knees are cold."
(Running home, running home, running home, running home...)
Her:
"Go find another lover;
To bring a... to string along!"
"With all your lies,
You're still very lovable."
"I toured the light; so many foreign roads for Emma, forever ago."

The song; For Emma, was written by Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) while spending three winter months in his dads log cabin in north-east Wisconsin, where he isolated himself to create a solo album after breaking up with his band. I don't completely understand what the story of the song really is, I think everyone has their own understanding and interpretation of the words and what it means to them.

What I see in these few short lyrics is that maybe this is a break up that the writer may have experience long ago, maybe after cheating or lying to his girlfriend Emma. I feel that this song speaks of how he lived on from that experience and how Emma, possibly one of his first loves, always stayed with him throughout his life:

"So apropos: Saw death on a sunny snow" the image of the snowy, cold scenery and how light shines in the darkest of places and situations.

"For every life..." maybe the singer is trying to explain the lies he has hidden from Emma for so long.

"Forego the parable." she says to him not to beat around the bush but just to tell her what's going on.

"Seek the light." maybe he refers to light as forgiveness, and he pleas to her for forgiveness As he tells her the truth.

"...My knees are cold." awkwardness as she listens to the truth.

(Running home, running home, running home, running home...) repetitiveness of the action of always running home when things turn tough.

"Go find another lover;
To bring a... to string along!" she tells him to love others, and live his life without her.

"With all your lies,
You're still very lovable." even though he lies and hurts her, she still loves him.

"I toured the light; so many foreign roads for Emma, forever ago." he lived, he travelled, but always Emma stayed in his heart.

This song has very few words, and maybe even little meaning in it but I really like listening to the gentle music in the background; of the guitar, trumpet and trombone. All working together in creating a calming and nostalgic melody and feel of lonely cold winters, and the sadness of remembering past relationship, along with the haunting yet soothing high tones of Bon Iver.

My Reading History.

EARLY YEARS: As a child my mum would to read me some of these books, later on i would learn to read them by myself...

PRIMARY SCHOOL: I started reading harder books in primary school at around grade two. These books improved my English and introduced me to the joy of reading.

LATER ON: Soon my love of reading grew and my mum bought me classic stories to read and to experience on my own, such as Treasure Island, Little Women, Moby Dick, Great Expectations etc.

HIGH SCHOOL: At school i read many new novels that i would never would have picked up normally.

 NOW: i really love to read in my spare time (which isn't alot now day), i enjoy reading well written, dark, intriguing novels that have clever plots and complex characters.

Odor of Chrysanthemum. D.H Lawrence.

Odor of chrysanthemums, a clever title which showed the contrast between the attractiveness of the delicate chrysanthemum and the way it was paired with such a repugnant word such as 'odour' shows the authors clever use of words which is only the beginning to this dreary short story. 
The story starts off by introducing a grim and dull town full of depression and sorrow creating an immediate image of misery, and a grey setting just by the writers descriptive words to emphasize the setting and the effect it has on it's characters and their lives. 
The characters are lifeless and miserable, reflecting their surroundings, and they seem to have a lack of emotion and life within the story.
Much of the characters within the story have a forced emotion about them. Clearly described by the author, each action by the character is lifeless and slow, every sense is described brilliantly, portraying the way the town lives and how the people struggle to lift their spirits and keep on going.
Such quotes as "the trucks thumped heavily passed each other" and "large bony vine clutch dot the house" are examples of how the author is able to indirectly use unrelated scenarios to imply the desolate atmosphere of the town.
This story sets the feeling of being trapped and isolated from everything, it gives it's reader an insight into the harsh reality of this very depressing period in history (the lead up to WWII in England) and the hardship that comes with life and it's complications.

Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock.

Psycho, a 1960's psychological thriller created by Alfred Hitchcock, is a deeply suspenseful film about a young man, Norman Bates, who is isolated from reality along a forgotten freeway where he owns a string of cabins for travelers. Unsuspecting to anyone, unusual and timid Norman is actually a vicious murderer plagued with a psychological problem caused by his unusual relationship with his long dead mother. Heading in the direction of The Bates Motel, is a young Marion, a real-estate secutary from Phoenix, running from the Law after stealing a large amount of money from her workplace.

Why was Psycho such a blockbuster hit? And how has it maintained it's popularity over the years surpassing all the other horror films coming to our screens? This black and white, low-budget film was brilliantly edited and it's simple structure flawlessly mastered the art of suspense as it guided the audience through the story of the elaborate nature of the mind. It seems that the real success with this film has to be due to its trademark shower scene, and deeper into the scene it would be the high pitched, shrieking of the scratching violin which the director seems to have applied to any scene which may have any type of suspense in it, whether it just be Marion driving in her car fleeing from her crimes, or in the renowned shower scene which would not have been nearly as frightening if it hadn't been for the background music.

The disturbing themes within the film explore corruption and confused identity of it's charters, human vulnerability, the deadly temptations of money, the fascination and complexities of the human mind, murder in its true and raw form and the consequences of life's actions.

Psycho also broke all film conventions by displaying its leading female character, Janet Leigh, having a lunchtime affair in her sexy white underwear in the first scene; this was unheard of during this period in film, and Hitchcock made a very bold decision to show an actress in her underwear during his film. This scene not only showed Hitchcock's courage to show such a somewhat provocative scene, it also showed literary technique and a more meaningful insight into the way the audience saw the Marion, first as an innocent character and once she committed the crime, Marion is seen wearing black lingerie showing her change of character throughout the beginning of the film.

Considering that Psycho has been seen as one of films greatest thrillers, violence is only present for about two minutes in total on the film. In about a third of the way through, during the shower murder scene and the second when a Phoenix detective named Arbogast is stabbed at the top of a flight of stairs and topples backwards down the staircase. This reminds us that all the horror and suspense is created in the mind of the audience.

Like many of Hitchcock's films, Psycho is extremely layered and complex, and filled with brilliant and memorable editing which creates a strong involvement in the film and the plot for it's audience. Although it's one of the most frightening films ever made, it has many hidden techniques which creates the perfect elements of a great dark film.

My Favorite Scene From A Movie. Forrest Gump.

When i was asked to think of one memorable movie scene that i distinctly remember due to its many cinematic elements which created a strong emotion for the viewer; i would have to pick the movie Forrest Gump made in 1994 staring Tom Hanks and directed Robert Zemeckis. The scene in particular would have to be where young, crippled Forrest Gump is being chased down a long lane by the immature bullies in his Southern home town, and in this distance his childhood love and best friend Jenny screams "run Forrest, run!". This scene allowed me to feel real emotion for this young character i hardly knew due to the many skilled techniques used by the director and editors to include the viewer into the life of the character and really empathize for his unfortunate situation. This short heart felt scene is filled with joy, shock, exhilaration, hurt and suspense; all emotions conjured up by watching a short scene of a simple minded boy discovering the ability to protect himself from abuse and torment over the years on the very first day he learnt how to RUN!

At the start of the scene the image of young Forrest, in the confinement of his large metal leg braises, clearly restrained and unable to defend himself from the big bullies allows the audience to sympathize for the character and his situation. The director follows Forrest's pathetic attempt to escape the brutal abuse of the neighborhood boys, as he awkwardly hobbles towards safety. This short sequence creates sympathy towards Forrest and excitement as we watch the bullies gain on Forrest.

The backwards racing camera, speeding in the direction of the fleeing Forrest creates suspense during the chase. All the while facing the determined bullies on their bikes quickly closing in on Forrest. This scene was extremely successful in creating a sense of urgency not only with the flawless editing throughout the pursuit, but also with the loud grinding of the tires against the gravel, this allows the viewer to feel as if they are in the chase themselves, as the loud effects creates even more anticipation.

Steadily Forrest is able to handle his restrained legs and his original handicapped form is shattered, as he breaks free from his limitations and runs full speed away from the bullies, leaving them in shocked and covered in his dust. This scene executes perfectly uplifting and exhilarating, the director was able to achieve a feel good scene with very few words but so many tiny elements that make such a strong reaction possible.

Some technical feature i observed during this scene would be the effect of slow motion, this effect was repeated throughout the short scene as to fully appreciate the situation and experience the elation of Forrest's good fortune. Whilst the bullies were riding towards Forrest and when his leg braises were shattered slow motion was used. The background music during the slow motion sequence creates an uplifting feel with the violins playing raising the spirits of the audience and surely capable of producing tears of joy in anyone. 
The camera position, panning along the lane at a high speed also created a sense of speed during the chase, allowing the audience to once again feel in the chase and caught up in the excitement of the story.

Naturally this scene makes any viewer unconsciously smile, and fill up with joy for this unique young boy, this scene is inspiring and uplifting and without a doubt on of the best ever made.

They're not your husband. Raymond Carver.

This short but insightful story is of an ordinary couple living in an unknown town during what seems like a tough time, in many aspects, during a very bleak period during a their marriage. Earl and Doreen Ober, seem to be going through life miserable but content, just trying to keep a roof over their heads and their ignorant and silent children.

The story, and the lives of Earl and Doreen, seem to take a turn when one night at the coffee shop, Earls own personal insecurities are tested when he over hears two callous strangers insulting Doreen's appearance, weight and the thick black veins along her leg as she reaches for some ice-cream at the bottom of the freezer. Instead of defending his own wife against the two pigs at the table Earl runs away ; shy and humiliated over flaws he never seemed to realize until now. This cowardliness on Earls part to stand up for Doreen suggests a lack of passion or even love within the marriage and hardly any devotion for his wife. 

Soon after the incident Earl forces Doreen to see the flaws, making her stand in front of a mirror, humiliating herself and pulling at the changes that come with aging and stress. For the benefit of no one Doreen is made to skip meals all together as to loose weight. Doreen begins to shed pounds. Three and a half one week. Five another. Then nine and a half. She feels exhausted, constantly tired and away from the family, always sleeping, leaving all the work to Earl who is happy to assist his weak and helpless wife, instead of finding a job to help support family and home. Earls priorities are truly twisted, as is his invasive regime for his wife to shed the pounds. 

The title 'they're not your husband' is recited within the story when Doreen shares with Earl how her colleagues are commenting about her abnormal weight loss and her unhealthy appearance. Earl assures Doreen that it's none of their business and that "they're are not your husband", therefore she should not listen to their concerns. However Earl does not see that he has already has let other peoples concerns affect his life. Carvers's unique writing gives awareness to the reader about the ways ordinary people may alter their lives for the worse and how they can be extremely blind when on their shallow journey to acceptance. 

Earls soon begins to become obsessed over what people think of his wife. He refers to Doreen as 'it' and spends his time searching for approval of his wife appearance, rather than on more important things like his children or a loving relationship. Even spending valuable money on weighing scales to help with Doreen's weight-loss, rather than on the families well-being and financial problem. The story also gives an valuable insight into the lives of the modern day minority and how they listen to others opinions, and alter their lives just to be accepted. carvers writing transports the reader into the dismal but strangely intriguing live of his charters, and brings up strange issues never considered but relevant into the lives of his characters. 

In the end Earl goes back into the coffee shop seeking the approval of his wife from random strangers; eavesdropping on their conversation, listening for his wife's looks to come up. Eventually after no luck Earl asks a man next to him what he thinks of the waitresses appearance. He is soon busted for his sleaziness, a waitress asks Doreen who he is. Reluctant and Embarrassed she admits it's her own husband. Raymond carver's extraordinary writing allows us to follow the ordinary lives of middle aged nobody's in a harsh but truthfully accurate light.