journal features

seing lost in translation

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2003.09.24

My gal and I met with Geoff and Mariko to see the movie 'Lost in Translation'. It was really very good. Who would have guessed that Bill Murray could pull off such a delicate acting job so brilliantly?

Geoff and Mariko had an assortment of Asian and Asian-resident friends there, and those with some Japanese experience related what they'd seen. Apparently, the sentiment expressed in the movie is quite faithful to the real experience.

In the cinema, a crowd of a dozen people or so arrived just before the lights went out. Much to my amazement, I saw Nelson Costa among them. I called to him, and he and Geoff had a bit of a reunion. After the (excellent) flick, we went for some $7 drinks (rrrr - Yorkville) and caught up. Nelson was as lively and interesting as ever.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering