The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
November 7, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Film Series
Breaking through the Silence
No film Tue, Nov 11
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Thu, Nov 13, 5pm
Discussion follows
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos (series: 300 pesos)

This 1968 film based on the novel by Carson McCullers stars Alan Arkin as the deaf-mute John Singer, who moves to a new town to be near a friend who has been committed to a mental institution.

He becomes a touchstone for the teenaged daughter of the family who rents him a room, a rolling-stone drunk and a black doctor.

Arkin won a New York Film Critics Circle Award as Best Actor in 1968. Other exceptional performances are by Sondra Locke (the adolescent girl), Stacy Keach (the drunk), Percy Rodrigues and Cicely Tyson (the black doctor and his daughter) in this low-key, thoughtful movie about misfits, racism and coming of age.

The story focuses on the quiet, well-mannered John Singer, who presents a card to the people he meets: “I am a deaf-mute. I can read your lips. Please do not shout.” Ironies abound. The name Singer signifies a pursuit closed to the man who cannot hear the music he plays for the girl dreaming about becoming a concert pianist. Not only does Singer understand what people are saying, he also understands what they don’t say, and, understanding the workings of the human heart, he provides assistance and comfort without saying a word. Although he is “handicapped,” others look to him for help, which he generously gives, but in the end, who is there to help the helper in his time of need? The heart is a lonely hunter.

This film is the third in the Breaking through the Silence series sponsored by the Bernard Weisman Foundation and benefiting IREE, the San Miguel school for the deaf. The theme of the adult deaf person making his place in a hearing world moves the subject from education to integration. IREE Director Cecilia Escobar leads a discussion on the topic following the film on Thursday.

Tickets are available at Teatro Santa Ana for 50 pesos. A 9-admission series ticket for 300 pesos lets the ticket-holder cover the admission of guests. IREE supporters are encouraged to attend the screenings, to pledge financial contributions for the coming year and to sign up for an ongoing support group.

The next film in the series, The Land of Silence and Darkness by German filmmaker Werner Herzog, is Tuesday, November 18, at 5pm. No film is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, Revolution Day in Mexico.

Film features Hugging Guru
By Pat Burt

Film
Darshan: The Embrace
Thu, Nov 13, 5:30pm
Meditation Center
Callejon Blanco 4
Donation 20 pesos

The Meditation Center of San Miguel presents Darshan: the Embrace on November 13. The film by French director Jan Kounen’s follows Mata Amritanadmayi Devi, more commonly known as Amma and sometimes as the Hugging Guru, on tour in India.

Unlike many documentary films, Darshan does not rely on dialogue or narration, but instead uses beautiful images and sound to create an atmosphere. This is a subtle film that can best be experienced as a meditation.

Amma is known by millions around the world for her compassionate embrace. Darshan usually means simply being in the presence of a spiritual master, but Amma’s darshan is a warm embrace for each of the thousands of people who attend her programs worldwide. She has embraced over 26 million people and thousands in one long day, the 50th birthday celebration shown in the film.

Born into a poor, lower-caste family in South India, Amma always felt deep compassion for the suffering of people around her. Even as a child, she did whatever she could to ease the suffering of her elderly neighbors. Today she heads a worldwide organization that operates hospitals, orphanages, schools and universities. Its outreach includes relief operations, building houses for the poor and teaching meditation.

Amma’s life is her message. She does not teach anything that she herself does not practice. Living from moment to moment in a constant state of supreme happiness, Amma warmly embraces thousands of people day after day, wiping their tears, giving them her guidance and offering solace to all who come to her. Amma recommends the path of selfless service through the example of her own life.

Amma says, “The beauty and charm of selfless love and service should not die away from the face of the earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible, that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible.”

Amma also encourages people to follow their own religious traditions, saying, “Whatever one’s religion, if one understands the spiritual principles, one can attain the Ultimate Goal, the realization of one’s true nature.”

After the film, two San Miguel residents who are Amma devotees and have lived at her Amritapuri Ashram in South India will be on hand to answer questions.

Visit: http://www.amritapuri.org  and http://www.amma.org  for more information about Amma.

The Meditation Center near Quebrada is Buddhist oriented and open to all forms of silent, still meditation. See the Religious & Spiritual Meetings box in “Que Pasa” for times. Although meditation sittings and most events are free, a donation of 20 pesos on film nights is suggested to defray costs. 

Cinemateca, November 10–16, 2008
José Luis Pick’n’tip

Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) This is an amazing movie told entirely from the perspective of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who has a rare condition due to which he is completely paralyzed and can only communicate by blinking his eye. Right from the start you feel like you’re literally inside his head, the cinematography is very supportive of that.

You clearly understand what he’s feeling and as depressing as the tone may be in this movie, there is a lot of humor in it. It is a unique film that doesn’t fall into the usual clichés of other films with similar themes. Excellent acting and direction. The filmmakers took many, many risks with this piece. It is simply the sad and raw reality of what this man is going through. No stylization and making him into something he is not, but rather focusing on what is left inside and letting us feel it for ourselves.


The Tip Important: In order to provide the best viewing experience, the show times for some movies may be adjusted to accommodate their length. Be sure to check the schedule carefully. I also want to remind you of our new ticket price: 50 pesos and discount cards buy 12 shows for 450 pesos. Starting Monday, after 11am, buy your tickets in advance for any movie or show of the week. If you have a discount card, collect your pass to secure a seat; don’t take the risk of being locked out. Would you like to receive this info by email? Write to José Luis at alephamour@hotmail.com.  Thank you.


The Movies

Video Opera and Ballet series continues:
Das Rheingold
Monday, November 10 at 2pm
Wagner’s opera, sung in German, 143 minutes 
Director: Brian Large
Starring: Donald McIntyre, Martin Egel 

Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold) is the first of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) by Richard Wagner. Actually, Das Reingold was written as an introduction to the three-part Ring, though most people regard the four parts as equals. It received its premiere at the National Theatre in Munich on September 22, 1869, with August Kindermann in the role of Wotan, Heinrich Vogl as Loge and Wilhelm Fischer as Alberich, much to Wagner’s disgust, since he wanted this opera to be premiered as part of the entire cycle. He was forced to allow the performance at the insistence of his patron King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The opera received its premiere as part of the complete cycle on August 13, 1876, in the Bayreuther Festspielhaus.

Next week: Monday, November 17: Attila

Special Movie Series to support the IREE school for the deaf The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Thursday, November 13 at 3pm Drama based on the book, English, 123 minutes Director: Robert Ellis Miller Cast: Cicely Tyson, Chuck McCann, Biff McGuire, Percy Rodriguez, Laurinda Barrett

Sentimental story centers around a deaf-mute, Singer, and Mick, a teenager who lives in the house where he rents a room. Mick and Singer become friends, though they are separated by Singer’s lack of communication ability and Mick’s struggle with teenage traumas. The lives of the people Singer touches are varied, linked only by their friendship with Singer. His friends include a deaf-mute, a drunk and a doctor. Singer does his best to help those around him solve their problems, but who is there to help him solve his own? 

Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, 2007)
Monday, November 10 at 5pm
Friday, November 14 at 3pm
French drama, French with English subtitles, 112 minutes
Director: Julian Schnabel
Cast: Mathieu Amalric, Max von Sydow, Marie-Josee Croze, Emmanuelle Seigner, Isaach De Bankolé, Patrick Chesnais

In 1995, author and Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a stroke that put him in a coma; he awakened mute and completely paralyzed. Mathieu Amalric stars in this adaptation of Bauby’s autobiography, which he dictated by blinking. Julian Schnabel was nominated for the 2008 Best Director Oscar and won the Golden Globe in the same category for his poignant film about the strength of the human spirit.

In America (2002)  Monday, November 10 at 7pm Wednesday, November 12 at 3pm 20th-Century period piece, English with Spanish subtitles, 103 minutes Director: Jim Sheridan Cast: Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger, Djimon Hounsou

Academy Award-winning director Jim Sheridan brings authenticity and grit to this heartwarming drama about an Irish family starting life anew in America in the early eighties. With their two daughters in tow, Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) leave Ireland and head to New York so Johnny can pursue an acting career. What follows is a series of adventures, both comical and terrifying, as they struggle to make the most of their new life.



Musical Special
Keith Jarrett: The Art of Improvisation (2005) 
Tuesday, November 11 at 7pm
Contemporary jazz, English with Spanish subtitles, 85 minutes
Cast: Gary Peacock, Gary Burton, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea 

Master of improvisational jazz piano Keith Jarrett sits down with filmmakers for an illuminating discussion of his approach to music, ideas about improvisation, influences and idols, and more. It’s a no-holds-barred conversation that touches on the peaks and valleys of his roller-coaster life and how he got his start in the business. Also features rarely seen footage of Jarrett jamming with Miles Davis, Charles Lloyd and more.



Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, November 8 at noon