Painful shoes at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Paris.
Time to leave the glamour of Longchamp and come back down to earth. Tyler Perry's personal story brought tears to my eyes. I'm looking forward to seeing Precious, although I expect it will be difficult to watch the abuse. But perhaps this movie - based on Sapphire's book Push - will make people pay attention to nearly-invisible or overlooked people in society, who all too often suffer in silence.
War photography and ethics
I've been reading The Bang-Bang Club written by the acclaimed conflict photographers Greg Marinovich and Jaoa Silva. The book talks about their harrowing experiences, as well as those of their friends and colleagues Ken Oosterbroek, killed by a stay bullet while working and Kevin Carter, who committed suicide weeks after winning a Putlizer Prize for his powerful photograph of a starving child in the Sudan.
"...The picture had caused a sensation. It was being used in posters for raising funds for aid organizations. Papers and magazines around the world had published it and the immediate public reaction was to send money to any humanitarian organization that had an operation in Sudan. The heart-wrenching image of a starving, helpless infant being scrutinized by a vulture had inevitably raised the question, "What happened to the little girl?" and, followed close on that, "What did the photographer do to help her?"
"The barrage of questions had begun to get to Kevin. He could not answer that he had simply left the child there; that the child was not in any direct danger from the vulture, since it is a fact that vultures will never attack anything still showing signs of life. Nor was the child likely to die of starvation, as the feeding-centre, with its ability to administer emergency nutrition, was barely 100 metres away. Kevin at first had told people that he had chased the vulture away and that he had then gone and sat under a tree to cry. He did not know what happened to the child. But the questions kept coming..."
Parts of the book's raw honesty are painful to read. But it's absolutely fascinating to learn more about the dilemmas photojournalists (and print journalists) often face: to engage and try to help in a dire situation or to take the photo, get the story and walk away?
At a photography class in London last month, we discussed this predicament. All of us agreed we'd find it nearly impossible to walk away during a situation in which someone was suffering, without doing what we could to help. Of course there are times when one's own life is in danger and a choice may not be possible.
Recently I was at the French hairdresser, anxious about the way one can never quite pass muster in the intense scrutiny of certain impossibly thin, chic French women. Reading The Bang-Bang Club put it all in perspective, as the women around me chattered and gossiped about trivial things.
Open Shutters: Iraq
Seems silly to be concerned about the opinion of strangers, when far more important things are going on all around us. Open Shutters: Iraq is a new documentary by filmmaker Maysoon Pachachi. It traces the stories of 12 Iraqi women who meet in Damascus to learn photography. They then take their newfound skills and return to Iraq, telling stories with their photographs. Later, they return to Syria to edit their photos and write their stories.
One child even participated in the project, taking photos of her friends. Learn more here and here. The film begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the Opera Plaza Cinema in San Francisco.
A book featuring the Open Shutters: Iraq photographs will be released soon.
Poverty and human rights
A new book stresses the link between economic rights and human rights. The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights is written by Irene Khan, the outgoing secretary-general of Amnesty International. In a profile in The Independent, Khan talks about her disillusion with Amnesty's current role in human rights work.
Oddly, the shoes look comfortable to me....
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Colette | 17 October 2009 at 18:34
Your posts always stretch me and send me off to other places!
Posted by: jeanie | 12 October 2009 at 20:22
I loved the book Push! I was happy to see the film last week, here at the film festival. This book and movie, are so necessary. Loved them both!
Posted by: christina | 12 October 2009 at 19:24
Her feet must feel like my feet. Our last day in Europe and fly home tomorrow. Seeing you and the chef was a highlight. I will write more when we return. Our trip has met all our expectations and we will end this afternoon at Montserrat.
Posted by: marilyn | 12 October 2009 at 14:03
Hey beautiful one,
Thank you for always giving a voice to those who need, but don't have one. For seeing the important things in life.
What you speak about, at the salon, it's difficult to be with uninformed, seemly entitled individuals. Makes me grateful I cut my own own locks.
Thinking of you!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 12 October 2009 at 00:13
when reading your blog - i am reminded about why i veer sometimes from the simple,glossy beauty of life in my blog- sometimes, i feel oddly guilty about raising awareness of the suffering or of human rights issues-yet ,i am in good company. thanks! i am touched by your post and the books you mention as well. much joy to you.salut du midi
Posted by: bethenais | 11 October 2009 at 23:13
At this point I fear I am already too emotional to be able to deal with such heart-wrenching material, but I thank you for bringing attention to it.
Posted by: Donna | 11 October 2009 at 21:45
Interesting post. I have the Bang Bang Club, had been intrigued and allowed it to lure me into that genre absolutely.
Posted by: Di | 11 October 2009 at 21:00
I just read the link to Tyler Perry's story - I'm still in tears. I commend you for your brave spirit; always facing reality head on and then shining a light on it.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 11 October 2009 at 20:47
OMG! I remember that picture. My heart hurts. Why do those who teach us so much leave us so early?
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 11 October 2009 at 19:03
The links look inviting, something for tonight when the turkey has been stuffed and I have five minutes to myself!
I agree about the discussions about trivialities in beauty parlours, in my line of work I hear the trivial daily...which is one of the reasons your blog serves to ground me in reality. I am looking to expand my worldview...you help me do that. Thank you!
Enjoy this wonderful Sunday, get some well-deserved rest! xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 11 October 2009 at 17:24