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gaythingliker69 · 2 years

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Marxism in Scorsese’s Goncharov (1973)

I’ve seen various analyses regarding whether Goncharov (1973, dir. Martin Scorsese), is Marxist, whether it is Marxist *enough*, and to what extent it endorses or opposes American Cold War propaganda, but in my opinion few are taking into account international, Italian, and Russian historical and sociopolitical conditions, or Marxist theoretical bases and history, and how these aspects might affect the Marxist-ness, if I may, of the piece.

There are two nations and their theoretical traditions we must be concerned with here - Russia, at this time the Soviet Union, and Italy. This film, and it’s numerous betrayals and persuers across continents, can be seen as a euphemism for ideological tension, succession, and splits in the far left movements of the early and mid twentieth century.

Though I imagine many are familiar with Soviet socialism, Italy also finds its communist tradition in Antonio Gramsci, in his early days perceived to be on the ‘left’ of the Bolsheviks, as he then favoured a more decentralised approach to organising. Italy also contained anarchist and other, smaller far left movements like autonomism and workerism, though Italian Leninists of various sorts of course also existed. It should be stressed there are differences between Gramscian and Leninist socialism, but this is not within the scope of this analysis. There is one notable aspect of Gramscian theory and history for this analysis. As time went on, and the autonomous workers councils Gramsci was known to favour failed to produce a workers movement, he understood the need for a Communist Party of Italy modelled after Lenin’s Bolsheviks, then the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. His faith was such that he co-founded and eventually led the party.

The character Goncharov can be seen to deviate away from Soviet expectations in several euphemistic ways. His apparently homoerotic relationship with Andrey can be seen to subvert Soviet familial expectations after the 1930s, and could call back to Gramsci being one of the first Marxists to take sexuality seriously on a theoretical level. There is further deviation from Soviet familial expectations through his loveless relationship with Katya. He even cuts off Mario, which could be seen as a criticism of the ideological purity required by left communists, an almost childish move perhaps relating to Lenin’s description of left communism as an ‘infantile disorder’.

Katya herself is an interesting character, as she displays some of the same deviancy as her husband through her relationship with Sofia. Yet she seems to come around to her brother, Valery’s, way of thinking as the film progresses. Her brother is an arch servant of the Soviet state, perhaps even a former soldier, who would fully believe in the Soviet project due to his patriotism.

In a respect then, Goncharov can be seen to be early Gramsci, clashing with his later self in the form of Katya. Katya killing Goncharov, the new purging the old, lends further credence to this. Valery is what the socialist movement will become, a patriotic, perhaps militaristic force pursuing its enemies across the globe, perhaps a reference to actions such as the assassination of Leon Trotsky ordered by Joseph Stalin while the former was exiled in Mexico. That Sofia, the only proletarian in the films cast, is friends with Katya, the late Gramsci, is significant - writer Matteo JWHJ 0715 appears to be criticising the later Soviet style of socialism, left communist idealism, but also continued capitalism and fascist tendencies, as well as American interference, in Italy.

Talk of a remake or sequel, then, is plausible, given the multiple anti-capitalist projects that have entered the mainstream recently, the best example of which is perhaps Parasite (2019, dir. Bong Joon-ho, original title: 기생충 (Gisaenchung)) or, for television, Squid Game (2021, dir. Hwang Dong-hyuk, original title: 오징어 게임 (Ojing-eo Geim)). However, due to Scorsese’s name and it’s cult following, any new project may lose the message and commentary contained in the original in favour of a more surface level mafia affair. If any message is included, it will be watered down to the point of non existence or pointlessness, whichever comes more easily to the writers.

#goncharov #goncharev #goncharov (1973)#unreality #movies #films #fiction

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denimbex1986 · 1 year

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'It is possible that somewhere, in a parallel universe, Cillian Murphy was Batman. The 47-year-old Irish actor auditioned for the role when the British director Christopher Nolan was casting Batman Begins, the 2005 film that would become the first in the Dark Knight trilogy. In this universe, however, Murphy lost out to Christian Bale.

The batsuit, he likes to admit, in typically self-deprecating style, was on the roomy side anyway, and he was instead offered the part of baby-faced villain Jonathan “Scarecrow” Crane. But not to worry. A couple of decades later, it seems that Nolan – and perhaps the cosmos itself – had bigger plans.

On 21 July, Oppenheimer, which Nolan directed and wrote, was released in cinemas around the world. Adapted from Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin’s Pulitzer prize-winning biography, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, it is the story of the brilliant American theoretical physicist who oversaw the development of the atomic bomb during the second world war, and would later be haunted by the unfathomable devastation it caused to the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

This time, when Nolan came to recruiting his lead, there would be no audition. “Chris will just call you up,” Murphy told me in late 2021 for a profile in Esquire, when his casting as Oppenheimer had just been announced, “and I always say yes, because they’re always amazing.”

It is not hard to see why Nolan, who has kept Murphy close over the years – having him appear in all three instalments of the Dark Knight trilogy, as well as key supporting roles in two later films, Inception and Dunkirk – wanted him to take centre stage this time. Not only does Murphy have a physical resemblance to Oppenheimer – the slight stature (made slighter, apparently, by a restricted diet), the high cheekbones, the arresting stare – but it is exactly the kind of character he likes to play.

“I’ve always been interested in stuff that is – I don’t want to say on the dark side, because that’s too reductive – the melancholic, or the ambiguous, or the more transgressive,” he told me in 2021. “That, to me, is drama. That is where the real stuff is to be mined.”

Nolan’s film, which is three hours long, certainly does some digging. Through richly coloured flashbacks, we watch Oppenheimer’s recollections of his academic career, crunching theories with Tom Conti’s Albert Einstein and Kenneth Branagh’s Niels Bohr; his complicated love life (to put it mildly) with lover Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) and wife Kitty (Emily Blunt); and his time overseeing the secret laboratory in Los Alamos, in the middle of the desert in New Mexico, where the bomb was developed.

Interspersed are staid black-and-white scenes, mostly from the notorious 1954 hearings instigated by US Atomic Energy Commission chairman Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr), at which Oppenheimer’s life and reputation – particularly regarding his associations with the Communist party – are pulled apart.

Other than one staggering sequence depicting Trinity, the code name for the first nuclear bomb test in New Mexico’s Jornada del Muerto desert in 1945 (for a few terrible seconds, the entire screen roils with hellfire), Oppenheimer is not what one might call a “typical” Nolan film. There are no high-concept sci-fi action sequences, no elaborately choreographed scenes of warfare (the effects of the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima are suggested but not shown, already generating some critical debate).

What there is is Cillian Murphy: the stark planes of his face; his otherworldly blue eyes, conveying glacial deadness in one frame and cosmic awe in another; and his performance, which is meticulous, understated, and seems to rage from his very core.

For someone who turned out to be rather good at acting (putting it mildly again), it is curious that it was only through a random sequence of events that Murphy found his calling at all. The eldest of four children, his parents were both teachers – when he was cast in the Dark Knight films, the kids at his mother’s school nicknamed her “Batmam” – and the family lived in Ballintemple, County Cork.

His first love was music, as listeners of his occasional shows for BBC Radio 6 Music will be aware, and the band he formed with school friends, Sons of Mr Green Genes, the name inspired by a Frank Zappa song, went on to have some success: they were offered a record contract just as Murphy was failing the first year of a law degree that his parents had prodded him to take.

Around the same time, inspired by a drama module run at his school by renowned local theatre group Corcadorca, Murphy auditioned for their production of Disco Pigs, a new play by the young Irish playwright Enda Walsh. In August 1996, Sons of Mr Green Genes turned down the record deal (his parents felt his brother, Páidi, who was also in the band, was too young), and Murphy got the part. That same fateful summer, he also met artist Yvonne McGuinness; the couple, who married in 2004, have two teenage sons and live in a quiet Dublin suburb by the sea.

Murphy went on to star in films including Danny Boyle’s 2002 zombie movie 28 Days Later (the role with which he first caught Nolan’s eye), Neil Jordan’s Breakfast on Pluto (2005) and Ken Loach’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006), as well as several critically acclaimed plays. However, it was a television gig – Steven Knight’s gritty and glossy BBC drama Peaky Blinders in which, for six series, concluding last year, Murphy played Tommy Shelby, the brutal, tormented leader of a Birmingham criminal dynasty in the interwar years – that made him a global star. (In 2021, it was ranked as the most searched-for Netflix show in the world.)

The attention that has come with his work – particularly Peaky Blinders, which spawned drastic haircuts, retro menswear trends, and all kinds of spicy fanfiction – has taken some getting used to. Murphy is almost pathologically self-effacing and low-key, and will be the first to describe, amusingly, the ways in which he is ill-equipped to deal with the bits about being an actor that aren’t acting: how torturous it is to sit in the green room before a TV chat show, watching the preceding guests dazzle the host with pre-prepared anecdotes, knowing that when it’s his turn he’ll be taciturn and monotone. Not that you can tell; Murphy exudes a calm, sphinx-like presence.

He will soon have to prepare for more sweaty-palmed green room waits. As the Oppenheimer reviews have come in, so, too, have the Oscar predictions. Despite the calibre of his career, and various wins and nominations of other kinds, Murphy has never had an Academy Award nod; now, there is a rumbling consensus that this could be his time. (Nolan, who has in past years received five nominations for best screenplay, director or picture, but won none of them, may also secretly be getting his hopes up.)

But whatever happens come awards season – and however Murphy may feel about it when it does – it seems that the cosmic gears are already in motion, and that a new stratospheric phase of his career has begun.'

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lboogie1906 · 2 years

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Mario Van Peebles (born January 15, 1957) is a film director and actor known for directing and starring in New Jack City and USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. He is the son of actor and filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, whom he portrayed in the 2003 biopic Baadasssss!, which he co-wrote and directed. He was born in Mexico City, the son of writer, director, actor, and musician Melvin Van Peebles and Maria Marx. He travelled often with his parents between Europe and the USA. He majored in economics at Columbia College, the undergraduate division of Columbia University. He was invited to speak as the Class Day Speaker as part of the annual commencement exercises in 2021. His first screen appearance was in 1968, in One Life to Live. He made his feature film directorial debut in 1991 with New Jack City, in which he co-stars. New Jack City was produced with an estimated $8,000,000 budget. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 1991, before being released nationally on March 8, 1991. Well received by critics, it grossed $7,039,622 during its opening weekend, and was the highest-grossing independent film of 1991, grossing a total of $47,624,253 domestically. That same year, he directed one episode of Gabriel's Fire and acted in the TV film A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story. In 2014 he filmed a public service video supporting DC Statehood. His advocacy is part of DC Shadow Senator Paul Strauss’ “51 Stars" campaign which aims to enlist 51 celebrities to endorse making DC the 51st state. He married Chitra Sukhu Van Peebles and they have 5 children. #africanhistory365 #africanexellence https://www.instagram.com/p/CncBXNdLmXo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#africanhistory365 #africanexellence

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ear-worthy · 3 months

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Little Gold Men Podcast: Inside Hollywood

Two generations ago, print magazines existed as a primary form of communication, cultural exchange, and social commentary. The advent of the digital age has issued a terminal notice to print magazines with only limited methods for recovery.

Vanity Fair is an American monthly magazine of popular culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast in the US. It was, at one time, at the center of the social and cultural discussion.

The first version of Vanity Fair was published from 1913 to 1936. The imprint was revived in 1983 after Condé Nast took over the magazine company. Vanity Fair currently includes five international editions of the magazine -- United Kingdom (since 1991), Italy (since 2003), Spain (since 2008), France (since 2013), and Mexico (since 2015). As of 2018, the Editor-in-Chief is Radhika Jones.

Like more nimble companies that own print magazines, Vanity Fair (VF) has adapted. It now has an impressive roster of podcasts -- from Inside The Hive to Still Watching. What I admire about VF's podcast roster is that the shows coalesce around similar themes, so the audience's expectations are met. Remember the CW TV network before it got acquired by Nexstar and essentially disemboweled in 2022? The CW was the home of young adult entertainment from Riverdale to The Flash to Supergirl. Viewers knew to expect, and the network actively recruited these viewers.

VF's podcast are at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and supporting industries. The podcasts are not tell-alls about Reality TV and melodramatic trashiness.

Little Gold Men is a Vanity Fair podcast that details the inside story of Hollywood, from awards shows and red-carpet premieres to the hard work and whisper campaigns that get people there. Weekly episodes feature conversations about the best of television and film, with special guest appearances from stars, creators, and critics. Little Gold Men also dives deep into Oscar history, and offers insight into all the other awards that make up Hollywood’s continual dash toward glitz and glory. For more on Little Gold Men, click on the link. Little Gold Men has been podcasting for nine years and is approaching 600 episodes. David Canfield and a roster of VF correspondents capably host the podcast.

David Canfield joined Entertainment Weekly in 2017 as an editorial assistant. He was promoted to associate editor the following year, writing features and reviews for the brand's Books section. He was also the co-host of the EW radio show Shelf Life. David then became a movies' editor at Entertainment Weekly, with special interest in Oscars coverage. Additionally, he hosted The Awardist podcast for EW. He left EW in 2021. He previously worked as an intern at both IndieWire and Slate magazine before becoming a news reporter at Vulture.

Recent episodes of note include an aughts Saturday Night Live reunion as Maya Rudolph and Seth Meyers join the podcast. First, Rudolph dug into the new season of her Apple TV+ comedy Loot and the career that’s led to this long-awaited starring vehicle. Then Meyers reflected on the 10th anniversary of his talk series Late Night, and how he’s kept things fresh in a turbulent media ecosystem. As a bonus, the pair shares their favorite memories of each other from their time on SNL.

Another excellent episode was the May 7th interview with Emmy winner Jean Smart by VF senior Hollywood correspondent Julie Miller about the third season of Hacks. The interview ranged from the show's increased physical demands on the actress to the deepening of her relationship with co-star Hannah Einbinder. Then, staff writer Savannah Walsh caught up with Nicole Beharie, the scene-stealing powerhouse who brought The Morning Show to new heights.

Little Gold Men is an ideal podcast for those who are fascinated by the "behind the scenes" view of Hollywood, which includes TV and film.

#podcast #film #tv #movies #entertainment

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trendingreportz · 3 months

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Para-aramid Fibers Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

Para-aramid Fibers Market Overview

Para-aramid fibers market size is forecast to reach $6.6 billion by 2026, after growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during 2021-2026. Para-Aramid is an aromatic polyamide distinguished by long, rigid polymer crystalline chains. The major drivers for this market are the increasing usage of para-aramid fiber in brake pads, clutches, transmission belts, gaskets, linings, and tires in automotive and the growing demand for protective clothing in defense and industrial sectors. Also, the increasing utilization of para-aramid fiber as an alternative to asbestos and steel in military and aerospace applications for ballistic grade body armor fabric is likely to fuel market growth over the forecast period. Furthermore, stringent government norms regarding the safety of employees at the workplace and large penalties for non-compliance with these standards is also anticipated to contribute to the para-aramid fiber industry growth during the forecast period.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the day-to-day practices of virtually all major companies around the world, bringing economies to a standstill. This has led to a decrease in the demand and production of aromatic polyamides such as aramid fibers in most of the applications, which is lowering the consumption of para-aramid fibers in 2020. The adoption of these fibers in personal protective equipment (PPE) apparel, on the other hand, has rapidly increased. The manufacturers are also focused first on fulfilling the PPE orders because during the pandemic they have become a critical component. For instance, DuPont is manufacturing PPE clothing based on its Nomex aramid, Kevlar & Tychem, and Tyvek. The demand for aromatic polyamides such as aramid fibers is very high as compared to other materials, owing to which the market is gradually gaining momentum again.

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Report Coverage

The report: “Para-aramid Fibers Market – Forecast (2021-2026)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the para-aramid fibers Industry.

By Product Form: Paper, Filament Yarn, Powder, Film, Short-Cut Fibers, Pulp, and Others.

By Application: Reinforcement (Composites, Rubbers, Elastomers, Cables, and Others), Protective Apparels (Chemical Resistant apparels, Flame Resistant apparels, Cut Resistant apparels, and Others), Ballistic Protective (Body Armor, Bullet-Proof Vests, Vehicle Armor, Helmets, and Others), Friction Linings (Clutch Plates, Brake Pads, Transmission Belts, and Others), Adhesives & Sealants, and Others.

By Application: Protection & Security, Automotive (Automotive Cars, Light Commercial vehicles (LCV), Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV), and Others), Aerospace (Commercial, Military, and Others), Electrical & Electronics (Fibre Optic, Electromechanical Cables, Circuit Boards, And Others), Marine (Passenger, Supply Vessels, Cargo, and Others), Industrial (Mining, Oil& Gas, Power Generation, Chemical, and Others), Building & Construction (Residential, Commercial, and Others), Sports (Tennis Strings, Hockey Sticks, and Others), and Others.

By Geography: North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (U.K, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa).

Key Takeaways

Europe dominates the para-aramid fibers market, owing to the increasingly stringent government regulations in the region governing the proper usage of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplaces.

Para-aramid fibers are used widely in friction and sealing products as an alternative to asbestos. Due to superior advantages such as extended life, non-glaze/smear on the surface of the lining, fade resistance, and non-aggressive wear on drums and discs, they are commonly used in friction plates, transmission belts, and pads. Over the projected period, this is expected to fuel demand.

Furthermore, Para-aramid fibers are used as strength providers in the design and manufacturing of fiber optic cables owing to their low weight, flexibility, dielectricity, and handling. Thus, the rise in demand for high bandwidth fiber optic cables for data services and communication is also expected to have a positive influence on the market.

Increasing onshore and offshore drilling activities, coupled with a thriving shale oil and gas industry is also anticipated to play a key role in driving the demand for aromatic polyamides such as para-aramid during the forecast period.

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Para-aramid Fibers Market Segment Analysis - By Product Form

The filament yarn segment held the largest share in the para-aramid fibers market in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during 2021-2026, owing to the various benefits that it offers when compared to other fiber forms. Filament yarn-based para-aramid fibers offer extensive characteristics such as excellent strength-to-weight properties, high dimensional stability, heat resistance, flame resistance, chemical resistant, and more. Owing to these extensive characteristics of filament yarn-based para-aramid fibers are largely employed in applications such as filtration, protective clothing, transmission belts, laundry tape, and more. Thus, these extensive characteristics are the major factor driving the demand for filament yarn-based para-aramid during the forecast period.

Para-aramid Fibers Market Segment Analysis - By End-Use Industry

The protection & security segment held the largest share in the para-aramid fiber market in 2020 and should grow at a CAGR of 8.2% during 2021-2016. A huge amount of para-aramid fiber is used in safety & protection applications such as military, private security, municipal law enforcement, and private contractors involved in government projects. Para-aramid fiber is also used in personal protective equipment (PPE) to help manufacturers provide premier cut protection from on-the-job hazards in the automotive, manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and electronics industries. These fibers are generally sued to make stab-proof, fire-proof, and cut-proof protective clothing such as coveralls, gloves, footwear, and helmets. Recent technological advancements in armors helped to reduce the extra weight for soldiers, and also further improvisation in personal protective clothing is driving the demand for soft and lightweight armor materials.

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Para-aramid Fibers Market Drivers

Stringent Government Regulations Regarding the Safety of Employees at the Workplace

Various governments are implementing stringent regulations to govern the proper usage of protective apparel in worksites to ensure the safety of employees. For instance, according to the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations, it is mandatory for every person working in a food handling area to wear suitable, clean, and appropriate, protective clothing. Also, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) made it necessary for food industry workers to use protective clothing and equipment. Therefore, owning to these regulations the demand for protective clothing from the food industry is increasing. In addition, various government regulations and standards have made it mandatory for metal and mining industry workers to wear protective clothing, such as NFPA 70E, ANSI / ISEA 138, and so on. Hence, owing to these regulations the demand for protective clothing from the metal and mining industry is increasing. Various government regulations and standards have made it necessary for law enforcement and firefighters to wear protective clothing while performing their duties such as NFPA1971, EN 1486, EN 13911, and EN 659. Therefore, owning to these regulations and standards the demand for protective clothing is increasing, which is driving the para-aramid fibers market growth.

Flourishing Automotive and Aerospace Industry

The use of para-aramid fibers in tires provides advantages such as higher performance, higher protection, higher comfort, and lower fuel consumption, resulting in increased demand from the automotive industry. In addition, para-aramid fibers are also used in aerospace components, including wings, fuselage, landing gear doors, trailing edge plates, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and flight control surfaces. They are used primarily in these components because of their superior performance characteristics such as impact resistance and low weight. And the automotive and aerospace industry is flourishing in various regions. For instance, according to Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), the production of light commercial vehicles has increased from 1,348,932 in 2018 to 1,431,904 in 2019, an increase of 6.2% in Canada. In November 2020, Boeing projected that China's airlines will buy $1.4 trillion worth of 8,600 new aircraft and $1.7 trillion worth of commercial aviation services over the next 20 years. By 2030, Boeing's latest business outlook predicts demand for 2,520 new aircraft in the Middle East. And with the flourishing automotive and aerospace industry, the demand for para-aramid will also substantially increase, which will then drive the market growth.

Para-aramid Fibers Market Challenges

Presence of Alternative Materials and High Production Cost of Para-Aramid Fibers

It is anticipated that the danger of substitutes will remain moderate over the forecast period. While aramid fibers are extremely famous for their robust applications in the industry, they also have some demerits. The propensity to absorb moisture, for instance, discourages their use in a wet environment. These products are also combined with epoxy systems to solve certain problems. Such additives further increase the overall cost of the product and unlatch the door for other substitute materials. For instance, carbon, glass, and polyethylene fibers can be used as alternatives to para-aramid fibers depending on the requirement in various application segments. Furthermore, product manufacturers are facing numerous challenges, elevated manufacturing costs, and low production efficiency, high initial investment, and inconsistent raw material supply are also expected to hamper market growth, thereby restraining the para-aramid fibers market growth during the forecast period.

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Market Landscape

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the para-aramid fibers market. Major players in the para-aramid fibers market are China National Bluestar (Group) Co. Ltd., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Huvis Corp., Hyosung Corp., Kermel, Kolon Industries Inc., Sro Aramid (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Teijin Ltd., Toray Industries Inc., and Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials Co.

Acquisitions/Technology Launches

In November 2020, Teijin Aramid announced the results of its sustainability-focused pilot program (2018). The pilot proves that this innovative approach can improve the environmental impact of Teijin Aramid’s production processes, without altering the material properties of the resulting ultra-high-strength para-aramid fibers under the brand name Twaron® yarn.

#Para-aramid Fibers Market #Para-aramid Fibers Market Size #Para-aramid Fibers Industry #Para-aramid Fibers Market Share #Para-aramid Fibers Market Top 10 Companies #Para-aramid Fibers Market Report #Para-aramid Fibers Market Industry Outlook

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qnewsau · 5 months

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Death of a Reality Star: New doco explores life of Miriam Rivera

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/death-of-a-reality-star-new-doco-explores-life-of-miriam-rivera/

Death of a Reality Star: New doco explores life of Miriam Rivera

A new documentary is set to explore the life and untimely death of Miriam Rivera.

Miriam famously starred in the 2004 British reality television series There’s Something About Miriam.

The show’s premise saw ‘six red-blooded lads’ fly out to a multi-million dollar Ibizan villa in the hope of impressing ‘one stunning babe’. The twist? Unbeknownst to the contestants, Miriam was transgender.

However, a general lack of understanding or sensitivity about transgender identity meant transphobia was a constant on the show.

The British Medical Journal went on to describe the show as “not a celebration of transgender people’s lives. It was designed to elicit horror from the winning contestant, discovering that his dream date had a penis.”

Morgan M. Page, a trans writer who produced a 2021 podcast series about Miriam, called the show “one extended joke that they’re playing on the male contestants that the woman they’re pursuing is transgender.”

Following the filming of the series, the six contestants filed a lawsuit against the production company.

However, while the contestants banded together, Miriam was left isolated.

New documentary explores life and tragic death of Miriam Rivera

“My sister was exploited, then abandoned,” Miriam’s youngest brother Ariel Mendoza said as per The Guardian.

“She was alone in a foreign country. Miriam was a tough girl but it broke her.

“After the show, Miriam went down and down. She looked sad whenever it was mentioned. Maybe she was ahead of her time but I hope her story teaches tolerance.”

After appearing on Big Brother Australia in 2004, work dried up for Miriam.

She returned to the US, but allegedly struggled with PTSD and drug addiction.

In 2007, in suspicious circumstances, Miriam fell from her apartment balcony, leaving her in critical condition. She later disappeared for six months and claimed she had been kidnapped at gunpoint and sex trafficked.

Eventually, Miriam moved back to Mexico with her husband Daniel Cuervo before she died in 2019.

Her death was classified as a suicide by Police, but some believe she may have been murdered.

The new three-part documentary will look at Miriam’s life and tragic death and the impact of the show that brought her global fame.

According to Channel 4, the series will “restore Miriam as the star of her own story: a trans trailblazer who remains an icon for many in the transgender community.”

Miriam: Death of a Reality Star is not currently available to watch in Australia, but aired on Channel 4 on April 29.

If you need someone to talk to, help is available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Tragic mystery behind death of trans reality star Miriam

Tickle v Giggle: no laughs at landmark trans case

Here’s to more Trans Glamoré!

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

#transgender

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suzannetownsend · 10 months

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GENERATOR: USFCAM presents inaugural exhibition SUPERFLEX

Inside the GENERATOR gallery doors is the first piece of the exhibition which also bears its title.

The University of South Florida’s College of the Arts Contemporary Art Museum now straddles Tampa Bay. Since 1989 the USF Tampa campus has filled its Contemporary Art Museum with both visiting artist and student exhibitions, and now on the other side of the bay USF St. Petersburg hosts an extension of the museum in Harbor Hall called GENERATOR. The goal for this branch is to function as an incubator of ideas and a place for expanded artistic experimentation.

The inaugural exhibition at GENERATOR is “SUPERFLEX: This Is The Tip Of The Iceberg”, curated by Sarah Howard and on loan from the Danish artist group SUPERFLEX and Galería OMR in Mexico City. This immersive installation is made up of large-scale mixed-media designs aimed to prompt reflection on the reality and consequences of climate change. Issues like these are particularly relevant to residents here in South Florida, many of whom live mere feet above sea level.

Gallery assistant Neha Mitra explained that it is a two-piece exhibition. Upon entering the gallery doors viewers find themselves facing a glowing neon blue sign bearing the title of the exhibition. Through the curtains just beyond visitors stand in a dark room where a video plays. “As you enter the space you see an animation of a thing that not many people know what it is. It’s a siphonophore, this kind of jellyfish-like creature and essentially what it does is it comes up to the surface at night and cleans up all the carbon in the atmosphere. It's bioluminescent so sometimes if you go out in the harbor you can see it if you’re lucky,” Mitra said. Excess atmospheric carbon levels are one of the main driving forces behind global warming. This is why the siphonophore’s role of removing CO2 from the atmosphere is vital not only for oceanic but global ecosystems alike. “They are super crucial for our survival,” said SUPERFLEX co-founder Bjørn Christiansen during a lecture delivered at Harbor Hall last month.

The video, titled “Vertical Migration,” was originally projected 500 feet high onto the United Nations Secretariat Building in New York City during the 76th United Nations General Assembly in 2021 in order to highlight the critical nature of biodiversity and more generally the importance of recognizing and acting upon the issue of climate change. “The topic (of the UN meeting) was biodiversity. Humans cannot just sit there alone and discuss biodiversity. So we took one of those creatures that we met…We went down and filmed at night and decided we wanted to create an animation based on real footage,” Christiansen said.

‘Vertical Migration” and the Tip Of The Iceberg exhibition are truly at the intersection of art and activism. To experience the installation yourself head over to Harbor Hall before the exhibition leaves on November 22.

#superflex #siphonophore #usfsp #university of south florida #st petersburg

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tafsircareercounselor · 1 year

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Graphic Design in the Video Game Industry

Graphic Design is a generalized profession with the potential for near- limitless specialization. In essence, it serves as a toolset applicable to almost every industry. This blog will explore one of the many career opportunities – the video game industry. Between consoles, PC, and mobile there are more than three billion gamers around the world. In 2023, global gaming industry revenue is projected to surpass CAD 480 Billion. In comparison, for 2022, the combined global total for movies, television, music, and other forms of entertainment was only CAD 125 Billion roughly one-quarter of the size.

Whether you already have a Graphic Design Diploma Online, or are looking into Graphic Design Courses Online, securing a key role in the video game industry can be less than a year away. From marketing materials to concept art, your skills and natural talent might help drive the next big hit. Find out how Graphic Designers help to create virtual worlds right here!

The Evolution of Art in Gaming

Once upon a time, video game art was… limited. In the early years, characters were represented with blocky icons – something 16x16 pixels in size was fairly standard. In comparison, modern iPhone App icons are 180x180 pixels in size. Since the in-game visuals were severely lacking, it fell to artists to inspire gamers’ imaginations with unique cover art, logos, magazine ads, and more.

Denis Loubet is one of many notable and highly respected industry veterans. He is best known for his invaluable contributions to the Ultima and Wing Commander series from Origin Systems. Since his gaming debut in 1980, he has created artwork for almost a hundred different games. Cover art, logos, concept art, marketing materials, pixel art, 3D models… Denis has done it all.

The term Graphic Design is commonly traced back to 1922 as a process of combining typesetting, illustration, and design. The most notable changes over the decades have been in the techniques used by creatives. In his earlier years, most of Denis’ work was sketched on paper or painted on canvas. As the technology evolved, his more recent creations have shifted primarily digitally.

Digital designs offer numerous convenient benefits including dynamic layering of line art, coloring, shading, and backgrounds. It also allows for easier adjustments and more efficient repurposing of assets. You can become a Graphic Designer online to learn all the essential principles of Graphic Design.

Multimedia Empires

Video game adaptations were once predictable abominations – in both directions. The 1982 video game based on E.T. was so unplayable that Atari buried hundreds of thousands of its cartridges in a New Mexico landfill. Game- to- movie conversions were no better with atrocities like House of the Dead by German “filmmaker” Uwe Boll.

Times have changed. The Super Mario Bros Movie grossed over $1.3 Billion worldwide, ranking it as the second-highest animated film of all time. The Witcher began as a series of Polish novels, but it was the visually stunning video game adaptations that gained attention worldwide. Its popularity continued to grow with the successful launch of the Netflix TV series.

The Last of Us is yet another great example of how graphic design breathed life into a franchise that transitioned from a popular game series to an equally popular TV series. From the original concept art onwards, the art team created a cohesive and memorable design for the characters and environments.

To create strong branding, Naughty Dog’s digital marketers ensured all of the marketing and merchandizing maintained the game’s aesthetic. In 2021, the game’s unique visual style was painstakingly recreated in locations across Alberta for the Netflix series. The efforts were well received and enjoyed universal acclaim from original game fans, general audiences, and critics alike.

The Major Players in Gaming

As of 2023, there are more than 2,800 active game studios in the USA alone. Not surprisingly, the heaviest hitters still include console giants Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. In Canada, some of the most notable game studios include BioWare, Electronic Arts, UbiSoft, Rockstar, WB Games, Eidos, Behaviour Interactive, Relic Entertainment, and Radical Entertainment.

While the USA and Japan are more commonly known as hubs for game development, a number of iconic AAA games were developed in Canada. Some of the country’s biggest hits include releases from Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Deus Ex, and Call of Duty.

Final Thoughts

Graphic Design has the power to bring ideas to life in a unique way that resonates with audiences. Can you get a graphic design diploma online? You sure can. Are online graphic design courses worth it? Absolutely. Popular game franchises sell millions of copies worldwide, which can be incredible exposure for your digital creations. The Graphic Design Courses Online at ABM College takes less than a year to complete and can pave the way for exciting career opportunities, especially if you want to become a Graphic Designer in Ontario.

‍Contact us now to learn more about ABM College.

You can also read more industry-relevant blogs here.

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sjjnyc · 1 year

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dream workshop with charmaine bee

I'm very happy that I had a chance to take a dream workshop facilitated by charmaine bee; a dream tender, herbalist, swimmer and host of the Dream Support Hotline. Below, I share about how Lavender came into my life (I choose Lavender to work with during the workshop), my dreams related to death and my experiences strengthening a practice of documenting my dreams.

How did I meet Lavender?

In 2018 I met performance artist mayfield brooks and since that time, I have attended several of their performances, movement workshops and even got to participate in a dance film they created in 2021 called "Whale Fall". One time I went to one of their Improvising While Black workshops at 122CC - Ninth Street Studio via Movement Research where we drank Lavender tea. I had never had Lavender tea before and remember it being really fragrant, oily and extremely relaxing. It must have left an impression on me because ever since then, I've day-dreamed about working with Lavender off and on, eventually getting some at my go-to herb store in Brooklyn. Years later (i.e. this year actually - 2023), I would see a jar of Lavender Honey during my Valentine's Day trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I knew I just had to have it! And when I didn't have Lavender in my life, this plant still found a way to me, particularly as an herbal hand salve from my friend and herbalist, Katie Calcaterra of Big Love Botanicals. I can see why mayfield worked with Lavender as a performing artist because it's so calming, and for some reason I want to connect this plant to my dreamtime. I drink Lavender tea with Milky Oats sometimes while I make this website. Even though I've always known about Lavender, I didn't really start paying attention to the plant until the Improvising While Black movement workshop with mayfield.

Tending to our dreams: making time to acknowledge them

I really enjoyed charmaine's workshop; it gave me a lot to think about, particularly how I record my dreams. We talked a lot about the ways we can document our dreams whether by journaling or remembering them using a voice recorder app on our phones. I've mostly recorded my dreams with a voice app, but I do want to explore writing my dreams down. I'm really inspired when I learn about other people's dream journals; for example, "MISA TSURUTA EXPLORES THE INFLUENCE OF THE CULTURE ON DREAMS" is an interview by Charmaine Li in a dope dream focused online magazine called ONEIRIC.SPACE. Li talks about a Buddhist priest who kept dream journals for a large part of this life that are still available today. Read an excerpt from the interview below:

I wanted to ask you about one of the prominent dreamers in Japanese history named Myōe (1173-1232) that you’ve spoken about at the IASD conference. Could you introduce us to him?

"Myōe was a Buddhist priest who lived in the twelfth century during the transition from the Heian period to the Kamakura period. During this time in Japanese society, the power shifted from the aristocrats to the warriors—so the samurais. As a child, Myōe lost his parents and was then sent to live in a temple. He wanted to be a Buddhist monk early on and went on to study the Kegon sect of Buddhism, which he wanted to rejuvenate and preserve. He was very critical of his Buddhist peers at the time and was so devoted to his practice that in one instance he cut off his ear to prove it. Later on, Myōe founded and led the Kōzan-ji Temple in the mountains of Toganoo, near Kyoto. He’s very well-known for keeping dream journals from the age of 19 to 58—and they still exist today. They’re actually kept in a few different places around Kyoto. It’s quite amazing that we still have access to these dreams records from the twelfth century".

Months later I would read an Instagram post by Queens-based poet Sherese Francis about their research on Benjamin Banneker's dream journal. Shout out to Sherese because learning about this opened up my dream explorations even more! I did a brief google search on Banneker's dream journal and Google brought me to a book called "The Scribes of Sleep: Insights from the Most Important Dream Journals in History" which was recently published June 22, 2023! And honestly, this is what I needed to find because I feel like I want to create a robust practice of recording my dreams, but I haven't taken it seriously. Until now.

Documenting our dreams with the possibility that they could be shared publicly one day could be an interesting way to continue communicating with and even inspiring others when we are long gone. We could also view this as ancestor work in the form of left-behind dream writings and other embodiments. Imagine a dream journal (day and night-time dreams) as an extension of your legacy as well. In another vein, it's totally fine to record our dreams only for ourselves, and even our (chosen) families, and not offer them to the public. There's a variety of ways to connect to and share our dreams.

Sharing a few of my dreams on the internet

These dreams (and a few more) will only be available to listen to until the end of October. Thank you for taking time to look at my website and listen to my dreams.

Dream Transcript:

I had this dream that I was, I could choose between going to this really nice trailer or this home. But I just remember choosing a home, and then changing my mind and said oh I have to tell grandma, oh I was in this trailer. I can't remember it at all, but I just remember some kid that I knew taking me to their, taking me to a house but it was a trailer, I don't know. And we went upstairs and there was this table filled with all these gorgeous herbal medicines. I just remember there was this lotion, this lotion with . . . it had Calendula and Rose in it. This lady also said there was molasses. There were just these beautiful medicines to dig through. She asked me . . . I just remember looking out and seeing this beautiful expansive sky, and her saying, "do you want to go home?". I remember thinking this is so different than being in New York, being in the city. There was so much more to that dream. But the thing that really stuck with me was . . . those gorgeous medicines.

*dreams are recorded right after I wake up

Dream Transcript:

Oh, see I didn't even record. I just said in my last dream that I was dreaming a lot, but I remember . . . walking past this tiger that was like, split open, and its body had been deteriorating in a pool of water. And it's eyes were wide open and there was someone else dead next to him. Like a Black woman, and I don't know who it was, but I think I was looking for her. I remember thinking water is connected to wealth and also violence. There was a lot going on in this dream, like, I was in this dark house and I grabbed some fruit, but it was so dark and . . . I don't know, it was like I was in different worlds . . . I don't know if I'm dealing with ghosts, I don't know. Okay, now I'm going to look up what a dead tiger means, because tigers have always represented God to me, so . . . let's go see what this means.

*dreams are recorded right after I wake up

PROMPT: Record your dreams (I especially encourage using the voice app on your phone) and listen to them in six months with some snacks! I personally like eating fruit, nuts, jerky, cashew yogurt ect when I listen to my dreams!

Lighting Candels: Dreams about death

**Trigger Warning: I talk about death**

I have had a lot of dreams about death; whether I am actively passing away myself, or I have died already and observe a group of people conducting my funeral rites, to dreaming of ghosts, which are different than the dead people I dream about, who some if not all know they are dead, to dreaming of my great-grandmother's voice and visiting her as she asks me "what am I doing here?". It wouldn't be the first-time I find myself with people who have passed away in my dreams, and they ask me in one way or another what I'm doing there. Me, I'm like - what am I doing where? Where am I?

My reaction to these dreams at first was like . . . Okay . . . lol . . . it was odd but I never thought too deeply about them. Then I started having more and more dreams related to death, and then I started paying attention. I noticed I wasn't scared in any of these dreams (and there's more details about them that I'm not sharing here), and it got me thinking about how death and ghosts in particular are portrayed in film. More on this later.

These dreams have stayed with me (and I don't usually remember my dreams, but as I always say, when I remember my dreams it's because I'm supposed to and/or something is being communicated to me), and I've tried to make sense of them, but I don't have any answers I'm completely sure of. I do know that the more I have acknowledged these dreams, the more they come to me. I feel like acknowledging dreams and the dream world in general is telling this world "I am open to you".

Back to the portrayal of ghosts - kids movies can truly be healing. Check out the section of this website where I talk about my favorite films and TV shows I watched during my time in Arizona, and how #adulting is not always what it's cracked up to be. Anyway, hang tight with me, I know this is a lot of words, but I really want to share this.

Last Fall I watched 28 Days Haunted; a reality tv show that sends paranormal investigators and psychic-mediums to some of the most haunted houses in the United States. I personally didn't like this show at all because there was this overwhelming focus on evil, fear and trauma. If I could write Netflix, I'd tell them to take the show off their streaming service and cancel it. Even though I know the participants signed up for the experience, I can't imagine what they were going through.

After watching that show I had to cleanse my aura and remember there are other portrayals of death and ghosts, like "Coco" (2017 -video clip shown below), "Casper" (1995), "Haunted Mansion" (2003), "Ghost" (1990) and even "Beetlejuice" (1988) and "Pirates of the Caribbean" (2003). A bit of fright like the Sixth Sense (1999) is okay (not opposed to snuggling up with friends/bae and watching a scary movie), as long as I know there are other ghost stories out there and find balance around different representations. Death, funeral rites, ghosts ect shown through magical realism, fantasy, comedy and more is cool. It's worth it to contemplate how all these things are being served to you.

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Well, I've written so much and think I will end here: the more I think about death and all that it is connected to, for example, the soul, how different families and cultures honor and remember a person's life, grief, dreams, the ancestral realm, mediums, God, the unknown and more, it feels like a really rich and tender topic to explore.

#dreams #dream journal #lavender #herbalism

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animatedwork51 · 1 year

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Lights, Camera, Action: Amber Midthunder's Filmography

Amber Midthunder, a talented and versatile actress, has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry with her captivating performances. From her early appearances to her recent breakout roles, Amber's filmography reflects her talent, range, and dedication to her craft. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the impressive filmography of Amber Midthunder, highlighting some of her notable roles and showcasing her growth as an actress throughout her career.

"Hell or High Water" (2016):

Amber Midthunder garnered critical acclaim for her role as Vernon Teller in the crime thriller "Hell or High Water." Her portrayal of a Native American waitress caught in the crossfire of a bank-robbing spree showcased her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters. Amber's performance in this film marked a significant breakthrough in her career, earning her recognition as a rising star.

"Legion" (2017-2019):

Amber Midthunder gained widespread recognition for her role as Kerry Loudermilk in the critically acclaimed television series "Legion." Her portrayal of a mutant with a unique symbiotic relationship captivated audiences and showcased her versatility as an actress. Amber's performance in "Legion" was praised for its intensity, physicality, and emotional depth, solidifying her status as a talented and dynamic performer.

"Roswell, New Mexico" (2019-present):

In the television series "Roswell, New Mexico," Amber Midthunder portrays Rosa Ortecho, a complex and troubled character with a mysterious past. Her portrayal of Rosa showcases her ability to navigate intricate emotional landscapes and deliver compelling performances. Amber's work in this series has garnered praise for its authenticity and vulnerability, further cementing her reputation as a skilled actress.

"The Ice Road" (2021):

Amber Midthunder showcased her talent on the big screen in the action thriller "The Ice Road," starring alongside Liam Neeson. Her role as Tantoo, a skilled truck driver navigating treacherous conditions, highlighted her ability to bring strength and resilience to her characters. Amber's performance in this film demonstrated her versatility and ability to hold her own alongside seasoned actors.

Upcoming Projects and Continued Growth:

Amber Midthunder's filmography continues to expand with exciting upcoming projects that showcase her range and versatility. As her career progresses, audiences can anticipate seeing her in diverse roles that challenge and showcase her talents even further. Amber's dedication to her craft and willingness to take on complex and unique characters ensures that her filmography will continue to be filled with memorable performances.

Amber Midthunder's filmography stands as a testament to her talent, versatility, and dedication as an actress. From her breakthrough role in "Hell or High Water" to her captivating performances in "Legion," "Roswell, New Mexico," and "The Ice Road," Amber has consistently delivered compelling portrayals that have captivated audiences and earned critical acclaim. As she continues to take on diverse roles and collaborate with esteemed directors and actors, Amber Midthunder's filmography will undoubtedly continue to shine with remarkable performances, solidifying her status as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

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the-psychic-project · 2 years

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