Year Unknown

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“It’s been a tough year.”

I’ve been hearing or sensing this among those I know, those who know who I know, those I read, and many Facebook statuses.

Makes you think… What makes a year good or bad?  Moments it contains? Consequences one dealt with? Goals achieved or perhaps not achieved? Reality illuminated on that which one has tried to deny? Domestic and international affairs? I suppose the answer is different for everyone but it’s interesting how so many people seem to be feeling 2009 has overall, and pardon the expression, sucked. Yes, the economy and unemployment is abysmal, but beauty can still be found. In fact, one could argue, just such a setting could allow beauty and happiness to glow even brighter…

Suppose in the same year, you found the greatest love of your life but also felt the lose of someone very special to you. Would this make it a great year? Can we generalize a year to be something as simple as good or bad?  Years are a measurement we’ve chosen to signify the length of our time on this earth. But really, what is a year? It’s the time it takes for a planet to revolve around the sun, as a dictionary will inform you. But speaking on a metaphysical level, what is it and does it matter?

Speaking personally, I’ve been on a roller coaster of sorts for some time now. Major changes have taken place in my life and my mode of thought. Some days I’ve fought the greatest struggle of my entire existence while other days I felt probably the happiest I’ve been… well, ever. I’ve tried to make sense of all the good and bad and came out realizing I was dealing with what I’ve put off, what I’ve kept out of my conscious, what is true and what came at me from life through no apparent cause of my own. The road ahead is smoother now but I have no doubt that there will be many more turns, highways, detours, and stand-stills to come. Nonetheless, I’m all the wiser and stronger and the car I’m driving on that road is now much more sturdy.

Excuse the metaphor but what better time for something symbolic than New Year’s Eve.

I’m left with a thought though, after realizing it was not only me that had been kicked in the ass during the past 365 days. What if we all were to release this notion that age or years matter? Would this relieve some stress and unhappiness in which many are happy to leave behind as the clock strikes 2010? Besides maybe a hangover, will you wake up much different on January 1, 2010 than you did on December 31, 2009? Sure, there are always exceptions, but likely, no, you will not. I venture to cast aside this belief that the year matters and how old one is makes a difference outside of biology.

Albert Einstein once said,  “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”

As we continue to figure out the people we want to be and identify the people we are so we can make change toward the former, we will be faced with challenges and yet experience great joy. But does the year really matter in regards to this?

Best of 2009

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As yet another year winds down, I thought I’d compile a list of what I’ve found to stand out in 2009. The problem with memory though is that it often forgets, so I may have left out some things that should be on it…

Best of 2009…according to Christina Parisi

– Ricky Gervais getting more attention

– The film “Away We Go” by Sam Mendes

– Francis Ford Coppola and his film “Tetro” – although the film is not perfect, the fact that Francis makes films outside the studio system and dares to offer an original vision is admirable and rare.

– Nick Hornby’s book tour

– Kings of Convenience long awaited album, “Declaration of Dependence”

– Roman Polanski finally getting arrested

– “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” – an imaginative film directed by Terry Gilliam, and Heath Ledger’s final film, which demonstrates how truly talented this man was.

– Gay-Marriage making strides

– Radio station Indie 103.1 going online after being taken off the air

Please feel free to put your own additions in the comments section!

The Reality of Rejection

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What does rejection even mean? Sure, it implies a refusal of sorts but if one rejects something, what qualifies them as the final arbiter? Nothing. Well…okay, perhaps, if they reject something on the grounds of science, they have a solid point, but for this blog, I’ll be discussing art. And art is subjective. So, how weighty is a rejection?

In the eyes of the creator, often times it’s meaningless. In the mind of the audience, it can be influential, but those with a head of their own, will hopefully draw their own conclusion. I can’t tell you how many times I disagree with the supposed “top critics” and find beauty in “rejected” pieces of art, often made by those who create for the sake of their art rather than for the sake of appeasing the masses or those who dangle a paycheck in front of them. (Hence, the often poverty of artists.) But I should note that this is a decision of the individual artist, to decide what path they plan to take, with no one telling them what is right or wrong as only they can determine that…

Perhaps though, E.B. White said it best when he remarked, “Your whole duty as a writer is to please  and satisfy yourself, and the true writer always plays to an audience of one. Start sniffing the air or glancing at the trend machine and you’re as good as dead, although you may make a nice living.”

The 2010 film festival circuit begins soon and as an independent filmmaker, I find myself once again faced with the inevitable reality of being “rejected” and dealing with such. Considering this is my fourth time out there, one would think I’ve grown a hard shell to rejection but the truth is, although I will continue to create work that is true to me, the rejection is never fun nor easy. I have no children but my films, in a sense, are my progeny. And not wanting to play favorites, I still must say this latest short film, “Rhythm of Causality”, is especially significant for me because it is based on the feature film I am raising financing for and plan to fight to the end to get made.  I’ve grown with this short and nurtured it for the past year and a half of my life, and now, I feel this strong desire to protect and defend it. But then I realize, NO, Christina,  “Rhythm of Causality” needs to take on a life of its own now and deal with the realities of the world, both wonderful and harsh. I can be there to guide it but it will be what it will be. Kind-of what many wish their parents would remember. They’ve raised us but now, we are our own person. I’m starting to understand how difficult that actually is…

A reminder from Voltaire

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As I study Voltaire, I am learning he was a man who spoke the truth regardless of whether it was acceptable. And he lived with the consequences, which had consisted of several stays at the Bastille and exile from countries he loved. I am moved by his need to think, to question, to be himself, and to use intelligence with humor and wit to make his philosophical points. He was not perfect, but then, who among us is? But some men dare to be great. He once said, “All good people are good except those who are idle.” (I’ve been reading “The Story of Philosophy” by Will Durant, which I HIGHLY recommend.)

In Voltaire’s “Story of a Good Brahmin”, he explores happiness resulting from ignorance and knowledge, and with such simplicity, he nails exactly what I’ve always felt inside.

Ahhhhhh. The joy of finding someone who has created art you can relate to. It doesn’t matter who it is, or whether it’s a blockbuster film or a local arthouse flick premiering at a film festival no one’s heard of. When art moves you, fills your soul with proof that the world is not so bad and you are not alone, then that is art worthwhile. At least in my opinion.

 

10.13.09

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As many of you may or may not know, things are looking a little…bleak in terms of finance available for independent films. With few distribution deals being negotiated at top festivals, Indie production companies scaling back, timid and cautious investors, and a host of other factors, many filmmakers may be feeling a bit worried if they are seeking finance for their feature film.

But are things ever going to be perfect? I believe that the economy moves along a current that flows up and down. It’s about peaks and valleys. And right now, I’d say we’re in a valley.

Sure, we could wait to reach the peak again but why not just keep climbing? I’m not suggesting one should ignore reality, but rather take that reality and mold it themselves, instead of waiting for it to be molded by others.

In the encouraging words of an old proverb:

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

(but let us not forget to do so without causing harm to others or to ourself.)