Viva Romano Prodi!!!

 

Tonight was the occasion of the first debate on TV between Berlusconi and Romano Prodi, the leader of the Italian left-wing coalition. The debate was dealing with economics and development.

I must say that PRODI RULES!

Indeed, while Berlusconi centered all his discourses on the past (especially the so-called failures of the previous left-wing governments), on the program of the left-wing coalition (named "l'Unione") and on the non appropriate character of the debate regarding the rules of the debate. It just acknowledged the vacuity of its own program. On the contrary, Prodi spoke about its program, about the future, respect (as Berlusconi does not know this word)and about HOPE. I was really inspiring, much more than Berlusconi that appeared tonight as the frightened Italy, the Italy that does not dare to move and go forward. Prodi spoke to the youth, expressing its will to give it more chances than it has now. He is looking forward, and as he expressed it, he has already been Presidente del Consiglio (the Italian Prime Minister) and President of the European Commission. He has nothing to prove, and we could feel that he was deeply interested in Italy's future.

Let's hope the elections of April, 9th will be in favor of L'Unione and Prodi.

Viva Italia!

P.S: The elections are concerning the Italian Parliament, which rules over the nomination of the Prime Minister. The Italian President is not elected by the Italians and he has almost no power. The Italian system is a parliamentary one. Basically the winner of the election will be the leader of the winning parties'coalition. 

Happy Vday to you all non engaged people

 
 

Get Fucked or Die Tryin'

Why sex is fundamentally good:

1) Sex is an experience, understood in the Antic Athenian meaning of the word. Which means that, as all is about experience (social attitudes, education, sexuality, and so on), sex is an Art likely to be mastered. It's the foucauldian definition of Ars erotica, that is, society like the Athenian ones, which are dominated by pedagogy. Contrary to Scienta sexualis (our societies) which are dominated by the Christian heritage of the Confession, which has placed sex at the very core of societal control (associating it with negative values).

2) Sex is a performance, elevating the soul and the artistic part contained in each one of us. Threesomes, for example, due to their challenging aspect (to couple, to love,...) could be viewed as an artistic Art, as a performance.

3) Sex is pleasure. As basic as it may seem, I guess it is fundamentally good to allow oneself some pleasure in a society which tends to be more and more about self-repression and self-containment. The bedroom and sexuality more generally speaking tend to be more and more important places of freedom and Art marking.

As I deeply fear a victory of the Conservative Party during the ongoing Canadian legislative elections, I can't help be hope that the Bloc Quebecois (and its leader, Gilles Duceppe, above) will win! I know it can sound weird but at least the Bloc Quebecois is left-wing, in the European sens of the word, contrary to the Conservatives and the Liberals, both economically at least right-wing. It would'nt mean the end of Canada as the independance of Quebec would be harder to obtain than it seems a priori as Quebec is deeply connected to others Canadian provinces, even Toronto! Lol, anyway, you go guys and try to make a choice which has meaning for you and your marvellous country. En ostie! 

Brokeback Mountain.... I love you

This movie is probably destined to be one of the best eveeeeer. Clever, subtle and NOT cliché, it combines and transcends the social subjects it raises. Homosexuality, heterosexuality as essentialized identities are highly questioned and challenged and this is as far as I am concerned, one of the most interesting parts of this movie.

This, and the love story between two human beings, filmed in a REALLY beautiful way, far from soap opera's prejudices. Jake Gyllenhaal is marvellous, Heath Ledger is almost a God (even though I'm atheist, there's something here I would worship wihout any problem).It is definitely a film to be seen and live. Enjoy!

P.S : This movie won a Gold Lion at the Venice International Festival Film. Italians have always have good tastes (I am not objective, I know, and then what?).
 

Familial Quarrel

Speaking of Tarnation, a documentary/movie filmed, realised and produced by Jonathan Caouette about his own life, R. and I arrived at different points of view. While his main impression relied on the inconditional love Jonathan has for his mother despite all he has suffered and been through. On the contrary, from this movie, I focused much more on the destructive aspect inherent to families. I would (but only for myself) says that, briefly, this very good movie deals witht the self-destruction of an entire family and the subsequent destruction of its members. Love would only be a medication, a remedy to familial madness. I won't say more but you guys (who?) should see this movie. Nevertheless, prepare yourself on an emotional level. It's kinda violent. 

An actor to be

Jake Gyllenhaal rules. He is simply marvellous in Jarhead (2005). Despite the fact that I didn't really appreciate his play in Donnie Dark (2001), his interpretation of an american sniper during the first Irak's war of 1991 is surely both impressive and credible. I'm really expecting Brokeback Mountain, which I'll see tomorrow.  

P.S : His sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, is to be seen in Secretary (2002).

Playlist - January 2006

Madonna - Confessions on a dance floor
Camille - Le Fil
Camille - Le sac des filles
Tiziano Ferro - Centoundici
Depeche Mode - Remixes

An almost perfect pop album, as usual since Ray of Light... She's the Queen : if you haven't got it yet, get used to it. 

The first film I've seen in 2006, quite good actually. Very erotic, sexuality is suggested and unshown, which is much more sexier as far as I'm concerned. It's an Italian movie, the story of an Italian guy who inherits a hammam of Istanbul (Turkey) from his aunt, who he hardly knew as she moved to Istanbul when he was very young. She felt in love with the city and so does her nephew as he discovers the oriental city. But, as he stays in Turkey, he also gets more and more distant from his wife, stayed in Italy. And he gets closer and closer to a young turkish guy, a member of the lovely family who takes care of the hammam. A wonderful and very subtle movie, you have to see it! 

UK rules!

Gay marriage has been granted for gay and lesbian couple.I was kinda surprised, did anybody know before it was announced? In France, it was totally unknown until G-day. Anyway, as I do not have (yet) any opinion on gay marriage, I'll just tell a few words. Is it possible, as queer theorists are saying it, that by acknowledging the importance of marriage, LGBT people could be reinforcing one of the main heteronormative institutions eveeeeer? I agreed first with this statement, and I think I still agree with this. BUT, the fact that people have been granted rights they have been denied since a long time (ever?) AND their simple happiness are facts that shake my convictions. Maybe mariage should just be replace by somthing guaranting the same rights and effects BUT deprived of its symbolism and its religious connotations. Maybe exactly what the British have done some days ago. Maybe what could become in a couple of years (hopefully) the French PACS.
P.S : kitsch and Elton John could have waited some more... 

As usual, the association Act-Up (fighting against AIDS and helping the infected persons) has been a real genius. Act-Up is specialised in small but largely mediatisable actions such as the one designed by this picture. It's a clear warning against the danger represented by Nicolas Sarkozy, the actual French "Ministre de l'Int�rieur" (Police Ministry). President of the most important right-wing political party and the French personality most likely to become President in 2007. The caption involves a clear amalgam between the ideas of Sarkozy and those of Le Pen, who is the president of the extreme-right-wing "Front National". Which is actually quite true. A lot of thesis of Sarkozy concerns immigration and security, which are the main subjects with nationality defended by Le Pen. Sarkozy is now a real threat to liberties in France because of its present (and, unfortunately, maybe future) positions. So, be warned, I'm going into exile in 2007 if this individual is elected President of the Republic.