KAFKA & WELLS COMBINE FOR FASCINATING FILM

THE TRIAL

By Franz Kafka.

The 1962 film is a brilliant adaptation of Kafka’s existentialist novel by Orson Wells. Kafka grew up in the Germany and Bohemia of the first decades of the Twentieth Century. Kafka was, at various times a self-declared anarchist, socialist, Zionist and atheist. His literature and his actual existence have become an integral part of Western literature and, to some extent, our life.

The story of this film I recently viewed is a monochrome rendition of the final months of life of a mid-range bank executive. Remember that the films period predates computers so bank records were typed by clerks in a large room. The scene is impressive.

Anthony Perkins plays Josef K, accused of an unspecified crime and follows his increasingly desperate attempts to learn what he is accused of, how he will be tried, who will be his advocate and what is the goal of all the people who seem to have some fingers in the pie, strangers who appear and disappear, almost as if in a  dream.

The dark film in incredibly visually complex sets can be seen as an indictment of the judicial system, a slap at society in general and a criticism of socially disconnected individuals. It follows Josef through more and more difficult attempts to learn the crime he’s accused of and who his legal advocate is to be. Josef is a strong, character, articulate, mostly even tempered but ultimately succumbs to the alarming complex and uncaring society which he cannot leave.

THE TRIAL has interesting views of a growing industrial society and may offer some viewers an alarming insight into our modern society.

 

MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA CONCERT A PLEASING EVENING

So, there we were, side by side in our comfortable recliners. The television screen across the room displayed a legend suggesting that members of the Minnesota Orchestra were available. So I tuned up our high fidelity speakers and we tuned in another Friday night concert. Not the full orchestra and we were indeed at home, with wine and companionship. But in this time of pandemic and political danger, it was pleasant to do what we often did, attend Orchestra Hall for a classical concert.

Tonight, members of the Minnesota Orchestra entertained first, with a fine subtle piece by Sibelius. Sara Hicks is the host of this television series and without the program, my notes are insufficient but the piece was fine, even on an almost barren stage at Minneapolis fine Orchestra Hall. The lighting was…interesting.

Next up, after a brief interview with one of the artists, a percussion trio written by a Serbian composer. Having no written program is a definite detriment to one who would comment in some detail on the program.

Still, the performance was rich in nuance and complexities, of both rhythm and sound. The drummers effectively employed a variety of drums, sticks and metal gongs, along with subtle and rich rhythmic changes. A trio of black-clad, black-masked musicians against a plain wooden stage, only enhanced the presentation.

Next an interesting, nuanced piece by composer Louis Ballard called Ritmo Indio. A visually stunning, richly nuanced piece that evoked a wide range of emotional response.

The evening ended with Mendelsohn’s Octet for Strings, a varied, nuanced piece from a youth prodigy. The members of the orchestra performed brilliantly, the staging, minimalist with sometimes bizarre lighting and camera work, was excellent and it was just lovely to enjoy the supreme talents of members of our orchestra in excellent performances of a varied and stimulating program.

EXCELLENT VIET NAM NOVEL

 

A BEND IN THE RIVER     

By Libby Fischer Hellman

ISBN: 978-19387-33673

A 2020 release from

The Red Herring Press

The author is known for her crime fiction—award-winning stories at several levels. This enthralling story contains many mysteries, many still unanswered sixty years on. Why were American soldiers fighting in Viet Nam, being one of them. But this is not an academic examination of the politics of the 1960s, although international politics, brought down to an intensely personal level, is a thread that weaves throughout and informs this excellent novel.

 

This is an intimate look at the lives of two young Vietnamese sisters who see their family and their village near the shore of the Mekong River, obliterated by American army action. But the novel is not an excoriation of the American expedition to Southeast Asia, nor is it an apologia for the actions of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese. The novel is instead, a close examination of the diverging lives of two children who are both determined to persist and to attempt to live normal positive lives in the midst of war and constant turmoil. Throughout their personal and professional development along widely divergent paths, Mai and Tam must respond, however unwillingly at times, to the implacable forces that uproot society, alter their circumstances, bring love and despair and validation.

 

Carefully researched, thoughtfully organized and appealingly written by a master storyteller, A BEND IN THE RIVER will teach readers about the Viet Nam era in the world while illuminating and venerating the stubborn persistence and humanity of two sisters caught in the vicious tentacles of a wartime society. I fully endorse and recommend this novel. It is an emotional, thoughtful and ultimately positive story.

INTRIGUE AND SAILING ADVENTURE IN BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

The lakes are open and boating is on our minds. Here's an adventure in the British Virgin Islands, a prime sailing area. Tanner and Whitney journey to the Caribbean for a much needed vacation. Things take a wry turn when Tanner finds some currency floating near their anchored sailboat. Murder, mystery, smuggling and encounters with aggressive smugglers occur. Books available from various bookstores and especially from Once Upon A Crime onceuponacrimebooks.indielite.org and Amazon.com

SPRING IN MINNESOTA