As the moon wanes, astronomers look forward to crisp, clear autumn nights. It gets dark early, so three or four hours of observing can be carried out and a full night's sleep, as well. The only problem, of course, is clouds. And we have plenty of them. Farm fields are underwater just now, and the remainder of the soy bean and corn crop cannot be harvested until things dry out. The current long term forecast is grim, with some snow predicted for next week. Not unusual, but to miss an entire October astronomy session due to weather is more than a little frustrating. My last observing night without moonlight interference was September 30th. As I've said before, I'm glad I like reading, enjoy good films, and practice piano a lot.
In film news, I have three to report on. So skip this part if you don't like the movies we watch. First up was another African selection, this time from Sudan, 2019. The movie features a young boy growing up in a small desert community. At birth, his parents take him to an Imam for a blessing. Instead, they are told that the boy is fated to die when he is 20 years of age. Devastated, the small family leaves. Father lives the village to find work, and is gone for over 19 years. Mother wears black for the rest of her life. This is a beautiful film (like the last one, from Chad), with stunning photography in a minimalist sort of way. As the time approaches, the boy becomes increasingly helpless and distraught. He has led a holy life, without sin, despite the best efforts of an older man in the village, a fallen believer who befriends him. Though the story is good, it is the setting and images that linger with this viewer.
My leaving this month choice was Escapes, a documentary by Michael Almereyda, from 2017. It is a minor masterpiece of storytelling, very funny for the most part, following the life and career of Hampton Fancher, a small role actor (by choice) who starred in Bonanza and many other TV shows, as well as many films. He had long affairs with the likes of Sue Lyons and Barbara Hershey. As a young man he studied flamenco and returned to LA to start a dance company. And he ended up, after a totally fascinating life, producing and scripting Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott. See this film if you ever get the chance; it's completely amazing!
Deb's pick was one of my all time favourite classic movies, Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyons, Deborah Kerr, and an iguana, among others. From a play by Tennessee Williams, this movie goes into areas of human frustration untouched by Hollywood. Directed by John Huston, it is filled with black humour, some fine acting, and a story that doesn't fit any kind of mold. Set on the outskirts of Puerta Vallerta, and starring two unforgettable young Mexican men who have no lines, but are in many scenes, shaking their maracas and dancing. Their hilarious fight with the bus driver down by the ocean is one of many weird highlights of this bizarre film. Oddly enough, this is where Hampton Fancher was during filming, and where he met Sue Lyons.
Turning to art, I think I will present another Durer print. For thousands of years women have fallen prey to predatory males, and that ignoble tradition sadly carries on to this day. The Abduction of Amynome myth is too complicated to go into here, but Neptune abducts Amynome for a time. The print shows the moment she is captured from her place of bathing, with her distraught father calling helplessly after her. Of course it is an excuse for the artist to portray a nude female (as most ancient myths do), and he does so unhesitatingly. However, comma, there is more, namely the detailed landscape behind the story itself. From a realistic watery scene with reeds and shrubs, to a high castle on a hill, there is likely much more to look at for viewers than a naked lady, though she was likely the main selling point. Still, I can imagine a man bringing home a print of this back in the day, and trying to convince his wife that he only purchased it for the background....
Rain continues to fall. We have had over 3" this week so far. With astronomy on the back burner, more films and art are likely coming soon. This is my film festival weekend. I might go with 30s horror films. We'll see. Tonight is Philip Adamson's (my piano instructor) 7th Beethoven concert in a series. It is on-line only, and hopefully our link will work so we can watch and listen. Once the concert is over and done with, I can contact him for lessons on my newest pieces. Looking forward to hearing him tonight, and to lessons.
Mapman Mike
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