Latest “Crime Face painting. Painted from photo on Crimestoppers page of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
Rome Celli did his annual client appreciation night at the Little Theatre tonight so we had our choice of five movies. We chose “Slumdog Millionaire, “Nixon & Frost” and “The Wrestler” in that order thinking it might be crowded and we might need aback up plan. We got into Slumdog and it was kinda predicable and corny but we really enjoyed it.
Rome had cookies and coffee for everyone after the movie and we ran into a couple we sort of know. They asked how I liked the movie and I said “I loved it”. (Peggi was in the bathroom). They said they were shocked at how bad it was. I said “Really? It wasn’t great but I liked it”. Then it became clear to to me by something they said that they were really affected by how bad the situation was for the kids in India. Peggi came back from the bathroom and said, “Wasn’t that a great movie?” These people were almost crying.
Across the room I saw a woman come in who, the last time I saw her, had asked me why I painted these people who had caused some much trouble in our community. I did not really want to have another discussion with her.
My painting teacher, Fred Lipp, went down to New York to see the Marlene Dumas show at the Modern. About half my class saw that show. Fred bought he book and brought it into class and my father said “I think Marlene is a disturbed individual” (based on her subject matter).
I am beginning to question whether I too spend too much time looking at the dark side. I already knew there was some incredible poverty in India. I thought that was a pretty light movie. And that Bollywood dance number certainly had nothing on “West Side Story”. I told Kathy Palokoff that I was going to start painting babies and she said, “Please don’t”.
3 Comments
There is a 2007 movie called The Pool that takes place in India and is directed by an American that anyone who saw Slumdog should see- it is a far better movie with an equally upbeat message. I liked Slumdog (stop crying people, it’s a fairy tale!) but The Pool was much better. It never got distributed but with Slumdog’s success perhaps it will get picked up.
My favorite movie in several years.
Paul, Two things. I work with guys in and out of prison. The impression I get is immediate and visceral b/c I know that face so well. These people are disturbed and dysfunctional. They need so much to find a new way of living. We offer them a set of tools for recovery. Nevertheless, the feeling in your painting is immediately recognizable – the weariness of those at the bottom.
I didn’t understand what was up with Slumdog until about 10 minutes in when we see a long shot of the slums and the camera changed angles as if to challenge me to take another look…something we all too often are not so willing to do when it comes to poverty and justice.
As always, my love to you and Peggi.
I may be old but I liked it better when you didn’t know everybody’s opinion.