UKC

We happened upon a film on Netflix called The Green Book.  Very enjoyable tale about the virtuoso jazz and classical pianist Dr Don Shirley, who of course suffered from the extreme racist “culture” in 1960s southern USA. Although racism is a theme running through the whole film, there’s still a lot to enjoy and some good laughs. I had never heard of Shirley, whose playing Stravinsky praised to the sky.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

Agree, we watched this last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some laugh out loud moments and the serious commentary on racism. Well worth a watch.

In reply to Rog Wilko: It won the Oscar for best picture in 2019  plus Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.

In reply to wert:

Good soundtrack, Robert Plant had some input.

In reply to wert:

It didn’t win for Best Actor in a Leading Role. 

In reply to Rog Wilko:

Thanks Rog, have neither heard of Shirley nor the film. That will give me some festive viewing.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

Thank you, I will add that to my list!

In reply to BusyLizzie:

Any recommendations from your list, Lizzie? Or anyone else?

In reply to 65:

Despite the sickening racism on view, the film manages to have a degree of feelgoodness.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

I would recommend The Holdovers as a Christmas related feelgood film. I saw all but one of the Oscar Best Film nominations from last year  and while it might not have been the best film, Giamatti's performance in it  was a clear winner for Best Actor in my opinion.

In reply to Tom Valentine:

I've been wanting to watch this for a while and now seems like the perfect opportunity. Thanks for the reminder.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

You’re right plus it was 2018 not 2019. Must have been half asleep when I posted. 

In reply to Rog Wilko:

We had an old thread on this

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/culture_bunker/green_book-755907?v=1#x973...

Plus memories from the old monthly film threads ( just two examples):

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/culture_bunker/august_film_thread-723710?...

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/culture_bunker/january_film_thread-729609...

In reply to Rog Wilko:

I saw a recommendation on Facebook, I think it was, for "The only girl in the orchestra", about a lady bass player in a US orchestra in the ... umm... 70s I think, and I was going to try that.

For short, cheerful, daft outdoor mini-adventures you can't beat Beau Miles on Youtube.

In reply to Offwidth:

Thanks for the link.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

I often watch the scene where he plays in the bar, and the Christmas homecoming.

In reply to BusyLizzie:

Thanks, that’s on my list now.

In reply to Tom Valentine:

My favourite of the year. 

In reply to BusyLizzie:

Noted. I like the idea of a marathon done as 26 x 1 mile loops, one mile per hour, in 24 hours, doing as much as you can on between times, (including another two miles?).

I have a perfect one mile loop from my front door, and lots that I want to do.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

Despite the excellent cinematography and performances, this is a problematic and somewhat controversial film.  Google “Green Book White Saviour”.

In reply to Iamgregp:

Seems to me that complaining strenuously about the precise way in which horrific historical practices are horrifically portrayed is risking letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.

In reply to john arran:

Quite right and, more to the point, the film was based on a true story and did not take major liberties with the story.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Book_(film)

In reply to Rog Wilko:

If you are looking for a light hearted pleasant watch for Xmas, Music and Lyrics is a delight.

ill give your suggestion a look, it’s that or top gun/shrek/maverick

In reply to john arran:

Perhaps one day somebody will make a film about the practice of Hollywood pumping money into films about historic racism directed and written by white people and aimed at a white audience, whilst ignoring the talented black writers and directors of today who want to tell their own experience of racism?

In reply to mbh:

It does sound great, doesn't it, and deceptively manageable!!

In reply to Iamgregp:

Is there any reason why both shouldn't be welcomed for whatever positive messages they convey?

In reply to john arran:

No, but in the same way people are starting to reject the Band Aid approach to “saving the poor children of Africa” in favour empowering the people of those regions, audiences are beginning to reject the white saviour genre and production companies will find it hard to source the financial backing.

Films like Green Book or The Help, though well meaning and excellently made and with positive intentions won’t continue to be made for much longer.

In reply to Iamgregp:

I didn’t like The Help, though didn’t watch much of it. But for me the Green Book was very different. To be honest,  I thought that the saving worked both ways, with both individuals gaining something from the relationship. Perhaps my perceptions of it were on too simple a level.