The Axe and the Beggar
A local blacksmith sharpening an old axe
A local beggar, which is a surprisingly rare site
These pictures seem to sum up how I’m feeling at the moment…like the axe and the beggar. There’s a strong sense of God – who is the blacksmith, and I’m the old axe being hammered! I’m also feeling a bit like the beggar, totally at the mercy of those around me...and at the mercy of God. Both of which are good. It often takes jumping out of our comfort zone to get this little wakeup call…for me it took heading back to Kosovo, once again with a true sense of purpose, yet with no real sense of direction.
I’ve known all along that the Lord wants me here working on this project, the question remains, what stories do I focus on, what approach do I take in telling these stories, and how do I knit them all together? I feel good about three of the stories, and feel like they can drive the film, but at the same time I’m trying to discover the best way to tell these stories, how to relate them to each other or to the documentary, and what is the unique voice of this film…what makes this film worth watching: distinct, funny, sad, ironic…
So, I’ve spent hours this week staring at my computer working on a new outline, walking last night in the rain for a couple of hours listening and thinking, and now back at my computer feeling a bit better. Though still I’m overwhelmed knowing that I have less than 7 weeks to finish filming and to get on a plane heading home in time for Christmas. Soooo, know that your prayers are cherished and are greatly needed in the next few weeks as I try and capture the story of Kosovo…something that has eluded me for the past six years.
Working as a blacksmith since he was thirteen
Cutting a deal
15 Comments:
Seriously Isaac. How many times am I going to have to dig into my thesaurus for yet unused adjectives to describe your photos? Could you aim for something a little more mediocre - make it easier on me? Sigh. Fantastic as usual.
Yikes, I wish I could help you out with some ideas. I think you really need a team with you. It is so useful when there is artistic energy to bounce off of others.
Paul McCartney was in town tonite. We could have had fun, but no. . . you have to being doing something meaningful!
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Your comment about your condition, "...a true sense of purpose...yet with no real sense of direction," is tough to navigate. Your work is going forward ... so that's a direction. You are making progress. Praying for your pursuit. Visually you seem to be communicating astonishingly well. (Like Rebecca I also lack superlatives to describe.)
The first photo of the blacksmith is incredible. I could easily see that photo on the cover of time magazine. Praying for clarity as to which direction you are supposed to be going with this thing... I wish I was there to help! You are one of the most creative people I know, so I have confidence the film will be great!
I almost forgot! Here is your 10 forecast...Dress appropriately!
Tonight
Nov 4 Clear
30°
Sat Nov 5 Sunny
59°/32°
Sun Nov 6 Partly Cloudy
59°/32°
Mon Nov 7 Partly Cloudy
59°/33°
Tue Nov 8 Partly Cloudy
59°/34°
Wed Nov 9 Sunny
57°/38°
Thu Nov 10 Sunny
56°/35°
Fri Nov 11 Mostly Sunny
53°/34°
Sat Nov 12 Mostly Sunny
52°/34°
Sun Nov 13 Scattered Showers
51°/33°
Here is what I see from your pictures so far: I see past and future, and a blurry present. You know when you shoot something that is in motion too fast to capture clearly, that is the current State of Kosovo. (State as in Country, State as in Status, and state as in Condition). This is the irony of Kosova. You don't know where you are, because it is in constant motion. You're in the House of Leaves my friend, it has a will of its own.
All your stories cannot be told without hindsight, and foresight.
And just for fun, a quote from the Artist "Poe" (I hope you consider someone other than Bob Dylan an Artist). Here Goes from her Song "Haunted" :
"Don't cry, There's always a way
Here in November in this house of leaves We'll pray
Please, I know it's hard to believe
To see a perfect forest
Through so many splintered trees
You and me
And these shadows keep on changing"
But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future's sakes.
(From Robert Frost's "Two Tramps in Mud Time." For full poem, go to: http://www.etymonline.com/poems/tramps.htm)
Beautiful Verses, no doubt. I have no knack for poetry anymore, it was all burned from me in the war. Now it is simple prose that I prefer. And you must forgive me if I cannot come up, with a poem response to yours. I have only been an Ex-pat in this country for 2 years, and have not been able to acquaint myself with all the American Poets. Robert Frost I do know, But I preferr Edgar Allen Poe above all, as it stands now. And the Poe that I quoted earlier, is not E.A. Poe, this one is a singer.
But definetly Beautiful Verses.
Great pictures. I would think beggars are not that rare. I wonder why they're not so common?
Ah the Beggars.
The reason why there are so few is simple. Kosova is a Family-Based society. And people will not allow their kin to lower themselves to begging. For it to come to begging a person must be really alone in the world, or have a disrespectful family.
Before the War the Gypsies were the beggars, but for them it was a profession, not a neccessity. That was their Job, what they were taught to do all along.
Since the war, people have literally been left alone. Everyone has been killed, and one is stuck with two grandchildren between the ages 6-10, then one has no choice but to beg, if the entire family was killed off, which was very often the case.
Mustafa
I love the picture of the begging lady, it tells such a story. Just like how she has her hand out. I want to draw it, or something like it. yeah.... You always have so many comments, aren't you popular 8p, alright....
what type of camera are you using to take these photos? i did not notice in your pile gear and true north bags a digital camera.
I’m using two different digital cameras – one’s a 7.1 megapixel Canon S70 for the candid shots. This one can fit in my pocket and remain fairly hidden when out, and also has plenty of manual controls and shoots raw files. Camera number two is a 14 megapixel DCS Pro SLR/c with a 35mm full sized sensor and is manufactured by Kodak. It uses Canon lenses – 99% of the time a Canon 17-40mm is the lens used.
happy thanksgiving Isaac...thank you for the story as I sit here at home..."ok, mom...I'm coming....I said I'm coming to set the table..."
beb
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