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by Mark Maxwell Abushady, NYC Film I hope the producers and the “powers that be” are able to give Imagine This the long life it so deserves . . . the kind of life that Les Mis has enjoyed all these years. This show, in fact, has an epic feel reminiscent of Les Mis. Imagine This, however, is definitely an original creation, with songs that, while melodic and moving, are never generic as is the case with many new musicals. The show moves at a good pace; the cheerful opening number “The Last Day of Summer” with bright clothes and happy faces soon giving way to parading swastikas and a ‘herding’ of the Jews into a Warsaw ghetto. It is here that the balance of the show takes place. Without special effects save those created by the talented lighting designer (Tim Mitchell) and set designer (Eugene Lee), the story of an acting group putting on a musical in the face of the occupation and ghetto/camp life is masterfully told through the shows superb book and songwriting team and cast. Heroic and gentle melodies are effectively informed with modal influences and oftimes brilliant lyrics (“for what was once a cursed race has taken on a human face”). This show will touch so many, with characters put into impossible situations, one is forced to reflect upon the incredibly difficult decisions that must have had to have been made on a daily basis – between life and death, loyalty and betrayal, morality and self-service – by those on both sides of the holocaust. AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS:
Lost Stories from the Holocaust
in Arab Lands In Israel, there exists a memorial to the Righteous Among Nations – those individuals of non-Jewish faiths who selflessly helped Jewish people during the Holocaust. Listing only 1 Turkish man, the only individual from an Islamic country, and no Arabs, Robert Satloff sets off on his quest to discover whether there were indeed any Arab people who helped to save Jewish people from the terrors of the Holocaust. In the course of his exploration, Mr. Satloff examines the cultural divide that has widened between the communities, including the denial of the Holocaust, which, Satloff states, “found a home in the Arab world,” and “allowed September 11th to happen.” The search for an Arab hero to the Jews is part of Satloff’s attempt to bring the Holocaust alive for Arabs. The search that unfolds is an excellent one, educating the viewer to many details of the history of this time which are often neglected. Sadly, a strong influence upon keeping such stories hidden is the political stigma encouraged by fundamentalist and some other groups to be known as a helper of the Jews. Likewise, Jews have rejected the nomination of any Arab to the Righteous Among Nations. But the jewels in this film lay in the stories of those Arabs who helped save Jewish lives. Khaled Abdul Wahab’s story is particularly striking, and the sentiments of the descendent of another hero, Si Ali Sakkat, are quite moving. It is remembered that in Tunisia, pre-WWII, that, in respect for the Jewish religion, shops would close during Yom Kippur. Likewise, Jewish-owned shops would close during EID. Satloff acknowledges that decades of conflict following the founding of Israel have “overwhelmed earlier stories of Jewish suffering in the Holocaust.” In closing, Satloff states that more stories need to be found, and ends his film with a flood of accounts by Tunisian Jews remembering Arabs who helped them. This is a noble effort and a very worthwhile film. 2012: Time for Change 2012, Time for Change opens with an animated “re-enactment” of the last three cycles of life as described by Mayan tradition. It is eerily precise in its description of this, the third cycle. Daniel Pinchbeck, narrator and guide through the film, quickly comes to a state of depression surveying our current system of materialism and disconnection with nature and any form of spiritual reverence for life. This is an easy thing to feel given our world’s current state of affairs. What makes this film worthwhile and a valuable viewing experience is that its creators move beyond that state, urging viewers to do the same, through interviews with researchers, educators, and “movers and shakers” on the environmental, design, agricultural, technological, socioeconomic, philosophical, and spiritual forefronts. It is an ambitious film, looking back to what it refers to as the “first phase of the shamanic voyage (to the new cycle)” that was the 1960s, to the genius of designer Buckminster Fuller, to the shamanic use of psychotropic plants, to non-wealth concentrating systems of currency, to mycological pollution control . . . these are but a fraction of the facets of existence that are discussed. That we are due for a societal and planetary shift is unarguable, but that such a shift will be disastrous in nature . . . this film debates that apocalyptic interpretation. An informative lineup of experts and celebrities in their fields are intelligently interviewed, including Sting (as co-founder of the Rainforest Foundation), yoga master Shiva Rea, T. Boone Pickens (in a rather exposing statement of his intentions), filmmaker David Lynch, Gilberto Gil, actress Ellen Page, and some great historical footage of Buckminster Fuller. John Todd, PhD. and mycologist Paul Stamets offer fascinating descriptions of their work in water and land reclamation, and chemical engineer Ryan Wartena, PhD, MIT amazes with a water-powered engine. The film presents a positive view of the extremely oppressive and negative world environment fostered and promoted by our political and economic structures, media, and corrupt leaders. It is a call to action for those ready for change. A must see film.
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