Parental Advisory…
Due to Billy’s quick response, little Gustaff should soon be back on the streets playing with his friends.I’ve never seen so much American television as in Kosovo…most often it comes in the form of music videos. It’s actually embarrassing…like that feeling when you’re watching a film with your parents – when the innocent couple’s level of affection takes on a life of its own. Well, today was Eminem’s birthday, so my 12 year old Albanian brother was watching Slim Shady videos all day…as the room with the two TVs is the only one with heat, I found myself being accosted by shady videos all day while working on my laptop. To Eminem’s credit, he does have a couple legit songs, but boy, let me tell you, I was ashamed today as these raunchy Jr. High productions were saturating our house and once innocent minds. Some song just finished playing by another “artist”, before the power went out, that was talking about, “Don’t you wish your girlfriend looked like me…acts like me…blaa, blaa, blaa…?” Not only are they filled with poor grammar, the message and images are animalistic…makes the George Michael music videos I use to secretly watch seem like an episode of Little House on the Prairie. I think I’m going to write Dr. Dre a letter when I get home…
After a few more tea times with Luli, dinner with his family, and a movie night (we watched “Bella Mafia” - if you have the chance, don’t see this film), I feel like the story is starting to come together. The frequent power outages seem to really inspire creativity...it must be the candles…or the lack of local television playing at all hours. The next step is asking the central character to be a part of the film…if they say no, Luli and I will be drinking a lot more tea (10 cents a glass in the local cafes). So, I feel good that the ideas are starting to gel, although I have no clue as to how we’ll be able to realistically tell this story with no budget, crew, or consistent source of electricity. Just a few minor details that need to be ironed out!
Also…I just found myself humming an advisory laden Eminem song…I might have to find a warmer jacket.
Reflections from the window of a local seamstress shop.
11 Comments:
I agree Isaac, the music that teenagers listen to is saddening. Every once in awhile i will be somewhere and that stupid song "Don't you wish your gf" whatever comes on and i think to myself...."and people wonder what is wrong with teenagers today." I wish that all people could find more excitement and purpose in their life, so they wouldn't waste so much time listening and watching American entertainment. We are so brain washed. There are so many things that we have seen growing up that we don't even realize the effects that it has had on our oppinions and beliefs. All of us have been shaped in some shape or form by the entertainment world, and normally not in a positive way. I am very happy that you are working on a project that will help saturate ingnorance. Why don't artist think about the message they are sending to the WORLD? They are representing our country to the world!!!!!!!!!
why are u living in a Kosovar family?
Hey, you've met Dr. Dre haven't you? Didn't you like, party with him in Santa Barbara or something? I think you should write him for sure.
I admit, I let my son have a few Eminmen CD's and I love the song "Lose Yourself" but Em can be very embarrassing. I wish he would use his talent in antoher way.
Sounds like things are going good! Keep up the good work and the great photo shots!
Friends, Romans, Countrymen/women:
It is not fair to argue about art. True, My brother is perhaps saturated with Eminem, but don't think that it is going to influence him too much. I'd be worried about his experiences through the war. I think that, seeing someone point a gun at his mother, and then shoot, but avoid hitting her in the last moment, might have been a much more scarring experience, than Eminem's songs. Now, you must also understad that he uses the music to learn English.
And Isaac, don't worry, I don't think he is going to begin talking ebonics. And if he does something stupid, you could educate him otherwise, that's also why you're there, I am gone, my parents don't know any better.
Chow.
MM (Ironic my Initials are)
I arrived in Croatia in the dead of night and couldn't wait for morning to come and reveal a whole new world to me. At nineteen, I had grand Romantic ideas about escaping America and spending a summer in war-torn Europe.
The next morning I woke up to Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On blasting over a loud-speaker (it was the summer of Titanic). Quite a harsh death for my ideals...
Seven years later, my students in Central Asia asked me to sing that same song for them. It follows me.
I don't think North Americans have ANY CLUE how their culture is firehosed around the globe.
And "golgotha," you are absolutely right--there are MUCH bigger problems. But, I am still irked everytime I find the mindless level of American culture blaring somewhere far, far away.
yes, i much prefer weird al's renditions of eminem's songs played at high decibels from a saab circling the block not once but twice, just blocks away from snoop dogg's home. thanks for the post isaac. wish i were there with you in a bad way...
You wonder how to realistically tell your story and I wonder wonder what you worry about about. Your reality there is so different than the reality you left behind - that Eminem-raunch or the other extreme of anything associated to quaint Little House on the Prairie-ideal. Let the candles, the cups of tea, the disconnect to here ... when you are able to unplug with the West there, all help you discover creativity in telling your story. Go with your gut. Unsuspecting people in the most suprising places may be your best reality that somehow work without budget, crew, or a consistent source of electricity. Make every opportunity... and prayer is with you.
Hey Cous,
For all of the uncertainty and lack of vision you claim to have, your vision is much more clear than most any other persons. Missing on how to compile or finish what you are trying to accomplish does not show "lack" of anything. You, more than anyone know what you are working so hard to portray. Follow your instincts (though it sounds like you should tread lightly), you have the gift to put the perfect touch on your story. Your work will tell a wonderful story, dont let being P.C. stand in the way of what needs to be heard.
You are and will be in everyones prayers. The Kosovar people are lucky to have you be the one to do this.
Tom T.
Yes, American Culture is overpowering. in 7th Grade I translated the "my heart will go on" song to dozens of female friends at school. Yeesh.
But at this point, no matter where, I don't think I could live without The Simpsons.
And then there are the good effects of this vibe, and I mean "the Passion." Mel Gibson's vision of whipping the Lord beyond recognition and then nailing him to a t-shapaed piece of wood (oh that was the Cross, sorry), echoed throughout the world, and reached out to many.
And while I am mentally engorged in Pop culture here is a nugget of trivia... I find Ironic, that in the Da Vinci code, the family of Jesus of Nazareth and Mary of Magdalen is known as "the Merovingians," (stick with me here) In the Matrix II&III the Merovingian's wife-ergo-Mrs. Merovingian is played by Monica Bellucci, who also plays Mary of Magdalen in "The Passion."
So, there, I have now confused you enough for one day.
Mustafa
A comment on the "crappy music". Is it exported or imported? Think about it!
I have to say you have taken some great photos! You have advanced since the days when we would get after you for taking underwater pictures while we were snorkeling of our legs and fins. You avoided the picturesque fish of color. We would buy you a roll of film, let you use our camera, pay to have the film developed only to be disappointed with photos of your friends' ears, nostrils and whatever. Now you are an awesome photographer. (Of course, I have always thought you were awesome!)
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