“9th Annual Tribeca Film Festival” April 21st through May 2nd, 2010
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
“Tribeca Film Festival” April 21st through May 2nd, 2010
The 9th Annual “Tribeca Film Festival” begins with “Shrek Forever After” in 3-D on April 21st, and ends with Morgan Spurlock’s, “Freakonomics”, and James Franco’s “Saturday Night”, on May 1st and 2nd, showing many terrific films from a variety of different genre’s and nationalities, in between. www.tribecafilm.com “Here comes the neighborhood.”
Restaurants in Tribeca:
“Locanda Verde”, “Tribeca Grill”, “Mr. Chow’s”, “Nobu”, “Nobu Next Door”, “Cercle Rouge”, “Blaue Gans”, “Megu”, “Corton”, “Landmarc, “City Hall Restaurant”, “Ninja”, “Matsugen”, “Bouley Upstairs”, “Wolfgang’s Steakhouse”, “Bubble Lounge”, and “Dylan Prime”.
Many downtown newcomers:
“TriBeCafe” 276 Church Street between Franklin and White.
“Kenmare” 98 Kenmare Street between Mulberry and Centre Streets
“Franklin Café Tavola Calda”, 222 West Broadway at White Street
“Pulino’s” 282 Bowery and East Houston
“Project Sandwich”, Thompson between Prince/Spring
“Tartinery” 209 Mulberry/Spring
“Bee Desserts” 94 Greenwich Ave Between Jane St. and West 12th St.
“The Collective” One Little West 12th St Between Gansevoort and Little W. 12th St.
“Red Betty’s” 64 East First Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues”
“Lizzaran” 45 Mercer Street between Broome and Grand Streets
“Hirai Mong” 12 St. Marks Place between 2nd/3rd Ave
“1834 Bar and Burger” 62 Pearl Street between Broad/William
“Satay Junction” 28 Greenwich Ave between Charles and West 10th
“Terry” 60 West 23rd between 5th/6th Ave.
“Ovest Pizzoteca” 513 West 27th between 10th/11th
“Eastern Alley” 6 Clinton Street at Houston
“Polar” in Hotel Marcel 201 East 24th St at 3rd Ave.
“V Bar St. Marks” 132 First Ave/St. Marks”
“Colicchio and Sons” 85 Tenth Ave @ 15th St.
“Meatball Shop” 84 Stanton Street between Allen/Orchard
“Bistro De La Gare” 626 Hudson Street near Jane St.
“Faustina” Cooper Square Hotel between 5th/6th St
“Mole” 57 Jane St/Hudson
“Atlas Café” 37 Clinton St at Stanton St
“Lea” 188 Allen Street between Houston/Stanton
“Led Zeppole” 328 East 14th St between 1st/2nd Ave
“Betel” 51 Grove Street/Bleeker
“Le Da Nang” 75 Second Ave between Fourth/Fifth St
Thierry Fremaux sur le theme “Lumiere”
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
Thierry Fremaux sur le thème “Lumière”
Les frères Lumière, Auguste Lumière, né en 1862, et Louis, né en 1864, ont été parmi les premiers cinéastes, contribuant ainsi à la naissance du cinéma en 1895. Nés à Besançon, en France, ils ont déménagé à Lyon en 1870, où ils ont tous deux participé à une école technique. Leur père, Claude-Antoine Lumière, dirigeait une entreprise de photographie et de ses fils travaillaient pour lui. Lorsque Claude-Antoine a pris sa retraite en 1892, Auguste et Louis ont commencé à créer des images animées. Ils ont fait breveter un certain nombre de processus importants qui ont mené à leur caméra-notamment les perforations du film, en tant que moyen de faire avancer le film par la caméra et le projecteur.
Les premières images enregistrées en utilisant la caméra Lumière, ont été le 19 Mars, 1895. C’étaient utilisés à la fois pour la projection de films et leur développement. Non seulement la caméra effectuait deux tâches avec une seule boîte, mais la boîte était petite, pesant que 12 livres. Les Frères Lumière ont également développé le cinématographe, un trois sur un dispositif qui permettait d’enregistrer, de développer et de projeter les films cinématographiques. Non seulement inventeurs, les Frères Lumière ont été aussi bien auteurs et réalisateurs.
Ils savaient qu’ils avaient besoin d’avoir un sujet, un traitement et une position de caméra, et jouissaient de montrer au monde tel qu’il était, les événements quotidiens et les gens de cette époque. Comme un tableau de Renoir, et le mouvement impressionniste, les Lumière étaient 20 ans en avance de leur époque.
Les Frères Lumière avaient 50 secondes et seulement 17 mètres de pellicule pour raconter leur histoire. Ils ont embauché 100 opérateurs de caméra dans journaux. L’annonce lisait, «nous recherchons des jeunes hommes qui aiment l’aventure ». Les cinématographes ont dû chanter une chanson dans leur esprit pour leur rappeler la vitesse du film, et chanter une chanson en projetant le film, comme ils ont utilisé plusieurs vitesses, certains ont été de 24, certains ont été de 22, certains ont été 25 … ”
Thierry Frémaux, directeur artistique du Festival international du film de Cannes a commenté sur les Lumière, tout en montrant des films par les inventeurs récemment restaurés, et nous a rappelé que les Frères Lumière, dont le nom signifie “lumière” en français*, ont été les premiers dans le cinéma, pas Thomas Edison . “Partout où je vais, les gens essaient de me dire que leur pays a été le premier à inventer le cinéma”, explique Thierry. “Par exemple en Allemagne, il est Adolf Dassler, en Angleterre, il est Birt Acres, et dans les États-Unis, on mentionne toujours, Thomas Edison.
Quelques-uns de leurs films sont les suivants:
1. La Sortie de l’Usine Lumière à Lyon
2. La Voltige
3. La Pêche aux Poissons Rouges
4. Le Débarquement du Congrès de Photographie à Lyon
5. Les Forgerons
6. Le Jardinier
7. Le Repas
8. Le Saut à la Couverture
9. La Place des Cordelières à Lyon
10. La Mer
Le film de Louis Lumière, «L’ Arrivée d’ un Train à la Gare », a révélé, le train arrivant à la diagonale de l’écran, une méthode de cadrage non conventionnelle. Par conséquent, les Lumières ont lancé non seulement les caractéristiques techniques de la caméra, mais aussi ses attributs artistiques. Bien que les frères Lumière n’ont pas été les premiers inventeurs à développer des techniques pour créer des images en mouvement, ils sont souvent crédités comme les premiers inventeurs du cinéma comme média de masse, et sont parmi les premiers à comprendre comment l’utiliser. Quelques-unes de leurs découvertes ont été leur utilisation des effets spéciaux, le film familial à la maison, la première comédie, le premier documentaire, le traitement de la couleur, et l’utilisation de la 3D. Ils ont aussi beaucoup voyagé, ayant tourné en Chine, en Angleterre, Irlande, Turquie, Egypte, Tunisie, Italie, Mexique, et le Japon,
Thierry Fremaux a reconnu les anciens gagnants de la Palme D’Or, Jerry Schatzberg, et Michael Moore. Également présents, étaient le Chef la faculté de film à Columbia University, Annette Insdorff, la Directrice Exécutive d’Unifrance, Regine Hatchondo, et Le Producteur de film, Jon Kilik.
Leur expérience en photographie des Lumière, leur sens aigu de la narration du quotidien, leur sens de l’aventure, et leurs inventions pionnières, ont fait la sélection de leur composition plus avancée et très jolie.
Thierry Fremaux on “Lumiere”
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
The Lumiere brothers, Auguste Lumiere, born in 1862, and Louis, born in 1864, were among the earliest filmmakers, contributing to the birth of film in 1895. Born in Besancon, France, they moved to Lyon in 1870, where they both attended technical school. Their father, Claude-Antoine Lumiere, ran a photography business and his sons worked for him. When Claude-Antoine retired in 1892, Auguste and Louis began to create moving pictures. They patented a number of significant processes leading up to their film camera-most notably film perforations, as a means of advancing the film through the camera and projector.
The first footage ever recorded using the Lumiere camera, was on March 19, 1895. It was used for both film projection and development. Not only could the camera perform two tasks in one box, but the box was small, weighing only 12 pounds. The Lumiere’s also further developed the cinematographe, a three in one device that could record, develop, and project motion pictures. Not only inventors, the Lumiere’s were authors and directors as well.
They knew that they needed to have a subject, a treatment and a camera position, and enjoyed showing the world as it was, everyday events, and the people of that time. Like a Renoir painting, and the Impressionist movement, the Lumiere’s were 20 years before their time.
The Lumiere’s had 50 seconds and only 17 meters of film to tell their story. They hired 100 camera operators from the newspapers, and the ad read, “we are looking for young men who like an adventure. Cinematographers had to sing a song in their mind to remind them of the speed of the film, and had to sing a song when they screened the film, as they used several speeds, some were 24, some were 22, some were 25…”
Thierry Fremaux, the artistic director of the Cannes International Film Festival commentated on the Lumiere’s while showing newly restored films by the inventors, and reminded us that the Lumiere’s, whose name means “Light” in French, were the first in film, not Thomas Edison. “Everywhere I go, people try to tell me that their country was the first to invent the motion picture”, Thierry explained. “For example in Germany, it is Adolf Dassler, in England, it is Birt Acres, and in the States, they always have to mention, Thomas Edison.”
A few of their films included the following:
- La Sortie de l’Usine Lumiere a Lyon (Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory)
- La Voltige (Horse Trick Riders”
- La Peche aux poisons rouges, (Fishing for goldfish)
- Le Debarquement du Congres de Photographie a Lyon (The Disembarkment of the Congress of Photographers in Lyon
- Les Forgerons, Blacksmiths
- Le Jardinier (The Gardener)
- Le Repas (Baby’s Breakfast)
- Le Saut a la couverture (Jumping Onto the Blanket)
- La Place des Cordelieres a Lyon (Cordeliers Square in Lyon)
- La Mer (The Sea)
Louis Lumiere’s film, “The Arrival of a Train Station”, showed the train coming in diagonally across the screen, a very unconventional method of framing. Therefore, the Lumieres’ pioneered not only the technical attributes of the camera, but also it’s artistic attributes. Although the Lumiere brothers were not the first inventors to develop techniques to create motion pictures, they are often credited as one of the first inventors of Cinema as a mass medium, and are among the first who understand how to use it. A few of their discoveries were their use of special effects, the first home movie, the first comedy, the first documentary, color processing, and the use of 3D. They were also very well traveled, having filmed in China, England, Ireland, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, Mexico, and Japan.
Thierry Fremaux recognized former Palm d’Or winners, Jerry Schatzberg, and Michael Moore. Also in attendance, were the Head of Columbia University Film Department, Annette Insdorff, Executive Director of uniFrance, Regine Hatchondo, and, Film Producer, Jon Kilik.
The Lumiere’s background in photography, their keen sense of everyday storytelling, sense of adventure, and pioneering inventions, made their composition selection more advanced and tres jolie.
Thelma Schoonmaker 2/19/10
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
Thelma Schoonmaker is a film editor who has worked side by side with Martin Scorsese, on “Raging Bull”, “The Aviator”, “The Departed”, and “Shutter Island”. She has been nominated for six Academy Awards, and has won three for best editing.
“Ringo Starr”
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
New Album, “Y Not”
Set List
1. “Photograph”
2. “When I Walk With You”
3. Ringo on drums replied, “I can still lift up these sticks”.
“I Want to Be Your Man”
4. Ben Harper/solo/acoustic guitar
“Hard to Be Without You”
5. “Ben Harper and Relentless 7”
“Morning Yearning”
6. “Faithfully Remain”
7. “Up to You Now” Beautiful!
8. “The Other Side of Liverpool” off of “Y Not”
Ringo’s drum head broke and he sarcastically remarked, “the help these days, Jeff has been with me for 20 years, and today is his last day”.
9. “It Don’t Come Easy”
10. “Help With a Little Help From My Friends”
11. Encore with Joan Osborne, Ben Harper, and Relentless 7.
“From the Mara to the Marathon” CLICK NOW TO WATCH THE 60 MINUTE FILM FOR FREE /”SnagFilms”, ALSO, please read a recent, personal Interview with Anthony Edwards
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
From September, 2006 to July, 2007, the admired Anthony Edwards, best known for his eight year run as emergency room doctor, Dr. Mark Greene, on the hit television show, “ER”, as well as his infamous role as Goose, in “Top Gun”, traveled with his wife and four children on an around the world journey, focusing mainly on the Mara, one of the 26 regions of Tanzania named after the Mara River, and the Maasai Mara, a large game reserve in south-western Kenya, and the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park, named after the Masaai people, an indigenous African ethnic group, and traditional inhabitants of the area. There are approximately 883,000 Maasai, and are one of the largest living tribes in the world. They are pastoralist, semi-nomadic, speak Maa, Swahili, and English, able to farm in deserts, and have resisted the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments request for them to abdandon their traditional lifestyle, to become more sedentary, and are very proud of their heritage.
Anthony had always dreamed of being a photographer for “National Geographic”, and stated, “Africa had always been a huge mystery to me.” While he and his family were on safari, a young Masaai, and scout named, Ole Kane Lettura, also referred to as Lettura, was working for a safari company in Western Kenya. Lettura, with a peaceful, down to earth disposition, took to the Edwards’, and invited Anthony on a run through the camp, explaining how much he loved to run, “how running was like a big game and a lot of fun”. As they ran together, they grew closer, sharing stories about one another’s family and friends, and Anthony thought it would be a great experience to offer Lettura the opportunity to participate in the 2007 ING NYC Marathon, while raising awareness for the organization, “Shoe4Africa.org”.
The two have shared their experiences with us in an hour long documentary, directed by Anthony Edwards, entitled, “From the Mara to the Marathon”. Please follow the young Masaai, Ole Kane Lettura, on his journey from Kenya to New York City to participate in the 2007 ING New York City Marathon, courtesy of “SnagFilms”.
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/from_the_mara_to_the_marathon/
“Shoe4Africa.org”, founded by CEO, Toby Tanser, Anthony Edwards/Chairman, along with Supporters/Sponsors, Kim Alexis/Supermodel, Natalie Portman/Actress, Cameron Diaz/Actress, and Cristiano Ronaldo/Football/Soccer Player. “Shoe4Africa.org” has distributed numerous shoes, 25,000 + in 2008, to communities in Africa, with the hopes of preventing hookworm, a parasitic disease and leading cause of maternal and child morbidity, causing cognitive and growth retardation, and anemia.
Preventing hookworm is only “Shoe4Africa”‘s 1st Step in education and health initiatives. “Shoe4Africa.org” also has provided AIDS Testing and Awareness programs on the sidelines of sponsored races, promoted empowerment by arranging 10 women’s-only races with over 5000 participants, promoted peace through the Kenyan Peace Races to bring rival tribes together after widespread violence following the December 2007 elections, bringing elite internal athletes from all corners of Kenya and their 42 tribes together to march for peace. They have furthered education by building the “Shoe4Africa Martin Lel Secondary School“, and is ALSO currently fundraising for “The Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital”, the largest children’s hospital in Africa and one that is desperately needed to address children mortality and morbidity rates. As Mr. Edward’s stated, “because we are a small organization, we can be productive in many different areas and events.”
The NYC Marathon helped raise $120,000 for the pediatric teaching hospital, bringing the total close to $655,500. They will break ground at $1,000,000, however, they require $5,000,000 for bricks and mortar and $10,000,000 for beds/ equipment, Totaling: $15,000,000, in all.
“The Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital” will be the largest children’s hospital in Africa, serving over 22 million people from Sudan to Uganda. It will prevent literally thousands of young children’s life’s being needlessly lost, as the Western Region of Kenya has a 13% child mortality rate, with over 330 fatalities annually, with pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, Diarrhea, Malaria, Dehydration Measles, and other Acute Respiratory Illnesses as just some of the major causes of death. All of which are treatable and preventable. The “Shoe4Africa” pediatric teaching hospital will also serve the region’s medial field as a highly-regarded teaching hospital.
They are currently seeking partnerships with foundations, individuals, and organizations.
Interview with Anthony Edwards:
Question: Sharon Abella: “What drew you to the cause “Shoe4Africa”? “How did you get involved?”
Answer: Anthony Edwards:
“I met the CEO/Founder of “Shoe4Africa”, and coach, Tobey Tanser, in New York City. I am drawn to entrepreneurs, however, it wasn’t until my family and I went on an around the world trip and actually saw a “Shoe4Africa” event first hand. They were helping to empower and respect women in Kenya, empowering local women though sports activities, community events and providing scholarships for schoolgirls in Kenya and Tanzania. I knew this was the organization for me.”
Q: SA: “Shoe4Africa” does not only collect sneakers/shoes to be donated to those in need. It is multifaceted. Tell us about their other focus areas.
A: AE: “Shoe4Africa” is just the first step in education and health initatives, because we are a small organization, we can be proactive on different events. For example, after the violence occurred following the December 2007 elections, we promoted peace through the Kenyan Peace Races to bring rival tribes together. Also as a result of the violence, we also came up with the hospital idea. There are currently no Children’s Hospitals in Kenya.
Q: SA: “What is the financial goal?
A: AE: “We are currently at $650,000-$700,000, and will begin breaking ground at $1,000,000. It is $5,000,000 for the bricks and mortar, and $10,000,000. for beds/equipment. All together $15,000,000. It will not only serve as the first children’s public hospital, but also as a pediatric teaching hospital as well. The goal is to reverse the high infant mortality rate, where 180 out of 1000 infants die.”
Q: SA: “How does the Masaai tribe differ from other tribes in Kenya/Africa? In the film, “From Mara to the Marathon”, you mentioned that the Masaai are the most intact, wild living tribe on earth, and that most tribes don’t exist anymore. Share some of their daily rituals.”
A: AE: “It is like being in an episode of “National Geographic”. The Masaai live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley. They live in huts made from mud, sticks and grass, called minattas, they are pastoralist, they raise and trade/barter, and sell cattle, goats and sheep as their primary source of income. They rely on meat, milk and blood from cattle for protein. They have a strong sense of family, community, and respect for their elders, have an incredible sense of pride of who they are, and are self-empowered because they are able to live off the land.”
Q: SA: Had Lettura been on a plane before? Did he have a passport?
A: AE: “He had never been on an airplane before. He did not have a passport. He had been to Nairobi before, (capital and largest city of Kenya), so he had seen a six story building before. And he has a cell phone, he has to go 20 miles to charge the phone, however, and we still keep in touch either by texting or talking via cell phone. Our way of life is not necessarily going to change their way of life. It is a misconception that they secretly want to be like us.”
Q: SA: “What was the greatest learning experience that you brought back from Lettura?”
A: AE: “Lettura is a great example of not being afraid, having confidence, knows who he is, does not feel threatened or in competition, he just owns it. I can generalize most of the Masaai that I met, and it is probably what keeps drawing me back. The Masaai have a lack of insecurity, warmth and ease in being with them, they treat you as friends, and are happy you are there.”
Q: SA: “Did Lettura know who Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot was? (Finished #2 in 2009 NYC Marathon in 2:09), when he met him?
A: AE: “Yes, he had heard of him. He is like the Derek Jeter of Kenya. Everyone knows Kenya athletes. The Kenyan press is very important. Kenyan newspapers are very valuable. With televisions being very few and far between, most rely on newspapers as their main source of information.”
Q: SA: “Lettura seemed to take to the big city life very well, whereas, I would think he might experience a bit of culture shock. He took the subways, went to the top of the Empire State Building, saw the Halloween costumes in Grand Central Station, Central Park Zoo, Were you surprised at how well he adjusted to NYC?”
A: AE: “If this was a reality tv series, I can just hear the producers wanting more of a reaction to his first time being subjected to Western culture. It was fun watching him observe and take it all in, and watching other people’s challenges. Fun watching him take in details of the small things. For example, he had never used a razor before. He had no problem wearing his shuka (Maa word for sheets worn wrapped around their body/usually red), although to show respect to our Western Culture, and in a natural human way, he wanted to wear Western clothes.”
Q: SA: “There is a lot of education that can be done: From water/food distribution, preventing illness, like dehydration, malaria, parasitic diseases like hookworm, donating sneakers, providing transportation to and from school, etc. How can the average person help? Do you recommend donating mosquito nets, shoes, volunteer time, financial donations?
A: AE: “Find something that you connect to or that is important to you. When the giver feels connected to giving, makes a difference. We need money for the “Shoe4Africa Pediatric Hospital. There is so much excess in the world, if we can somehow balance that out to other areas that need it. Don’t give blindly. Know where your money is going. I strongly encourage people to save up their money and get to Africa. Have a personal experience there. I guarantee you will find a connection where your donations will mean something, and will make an impact.”
Q: SA: “What can we learn from the Masaai, and their strong sense of community, pride in their heritage and culture?”
A: AE: “We are all so similar in relation to our love of family and community, because of that we are all connected and are brothers and sisters.”
Ashe Oleng: Thank you.
Please look for Anthony in the upcoming Rob Reiner film, “Flipped”, due out in September of 2010.
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/from_the_mara_to_the_marathon/
Interview with Israeli Musician, Idan Raichel
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
“Bridging The Borders with 88 Keys (52 White and 36 Black)”
Israeli pianist/keyboardist, composer, producer, and vocalist, Idan Raichel, dreams of uniting nations by building bridges made out of 88 Keys across to Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine with the hopes of allowing world musicians the freedom to unite, join forces, and perform together without conflict, mistrust, and political red tape, while respecting one another’s cultural diversifications. The musician places importance on the fact that “the world will live in peace when there are no borders.”
“We Can Make It If We Run” from Bruce Springsteen’s “Backstreets.com”
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
Danny Federici’s good friend Jon Kilik will be running the NYC marathon on November 1 to raise money for the Danny Fund. All of the proceeds will go to Danny’s doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Paul Chapman, to help find a treatment and cure for Melanoma. Below is a letter from Danny’s wife; we encourage you to give if you can.
“Legends of the Marathon”
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
“Grete Waitz, of Norway won the NYC Marathon a record nine times, and she leads a roster of legends and champions honored as the “Marathoners of the Decades” as part of the celebration of the 40gh running of the NYC Marathon. The winners were chosen for their accomplishments in NY and the lasting legacy of their triumphs in the sport of long-distance running. Waitz has set world records in the 3,000 meter, 8 kilometer, 10 kilometer, 15 kilometer, 10 mile and the marathon. She was the first woman to run a marathon in under 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the first female world champion in the marathon. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA, she won the silver medal. SHe was honored as the women’s Marathoner of the Decade for the 1980’s. She won seven of her nine NYC Marathon crowns during that period, including five consecutive wins from 1982 to 1986. The champion runner broke the world record in her first three appearances in NY (1978-1980), and she last ran in NY in 1992, in an emotional tour of the five boroughs with her friend, the late Fred Lebow, who ran the Marathon in remission from cancer that would take his life two years later.”
“Joan Benoit-Samuelson of Freeport, Maine, broke the female course record for the Boston Marathon in 1979, then went on to set a record for both the historic New England race and the world in 1983 by running 26.2 mile marathon distance in a record 2 hours, 22 minutes, 43 seconds. Samuelson’s other achievements include winning the gold medal as part of the US team in the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA. 25 years to the day after that historic gold medal victory in the first women’s Olympic marathon, Samuelson will run in the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday, Nov 1st, setting her sights on the 50 + divison record of 2:53:53, set by S. Rae Bayiller in 1993. SHe will be competing in her fifth NYC Marathon, having finished the 2001 event in 2: 42: 56, the second fastest time in the 40+division that year. Samuelson also competed in 1988 (third, 2:32:40), 1991 (sixth, 2:33:48), and 1998 (first master at age 41, 2:41: 06). A two time Boston Marathon winner and former marathon world-record holder, Samuelson continues to compete. Grete Waitz finished a minute and a half behind Samuelson to take the silver medal.”
Deena Kastor: was born in Waltham, MA, and grew up in California. In high school, she won two California state titles in track and three in cross country. She attended the Univ of Arkansas where she won seven Southeastern Conference titles. She was inducted into the Univ of ARkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Ms. Kastor’s post-college career has included numerous successes in marathons and road races. She won a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic marathon and won the Chicago Marathon in 2005 and the London Marathon in 2006, where she set the American record and became the fourth fastest woman ever in the marathon. In addition to holding the American record in the marathon, Ms. Kastor set new American records in the half-marathon, the 20km, 15km, the 12 km, the 10 mile, the 8km and the 10,000 meters. She is also a two time World Cross Country silver medalist, a five time USA 10,000m champion, the 2001 US marathon champion, a 5 time USA 15km champion, a seven time US 8km cross country champion and an eight time NCAA All American. She was awarded the 2003 Jesse Owens Award as the nation’s top track and field athlete and was named USATF’s Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the year in 2002. Ms Kastor married Andrew Kastor in 2003. She trains more than 100 miles per week.”
Lance Armstrong, won the Tour de France seven years in a row. He has survived testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs. Lance retired from racing in 2005, but returned to competitive cycling in 2009, finishing in the 2009 Tour de France.
“NYC!!!” “Everyone is equal on race day!!!” Fred Lebow founded the NYC Marathon in 1970, with only 127 runners and 55 finishers, now nearly 40,000 will run this Sunday, November 1st. The marathon has never been about the numbers, but the heart and soul of New York City, to overcome the odds.”
Q: TO GRETE: You have won the NYC Marathon nine times! You have actually walked it once? Was it difficult walking it?
A: “It’s hard to walk fast for 7 hours. Hard to be on your toes for 5 hours.”
Q: TO JOAN: What was the greatest Marathon ever?
A: “People often ask me what I think the greatest marathon ever was, and I tell them, Greta’s run with Fred Lebow”.
Q: TO JOAN: You have finished ever road race you have started. Why have you never stopped a race?
A: “It’s important to finish what you start. When I thought I was going to have to stop a Marathon I started in Chicago a couple of years ago, I felt like a victim of a drive by shooting,I stopped by the medical booths, but I kept going after stopping, and I did finish. I put a lot of pressure on myself.” 2: 49.
Q: TO DEENA: You recently broke your foot in Bejing. You are the first woman to go under 2:20.
A: ” I completely shattered my 3rd metatarsal, and after a long and slow recovery, I was able to run the Chicago marathon a few weeks ago. I had the goals and the intentions of winning the race, and getting into a routine. I felt an urge to go to the bathroom at 5K, and at 6K, I had to veer off the course to use the facilities, I lost my pace and remained 6th place. I would never miss the New York City Marathon”
Q: TO GRETE: You had a mishap on the course/the urge to use the bathroom. Tell us about that.
A: “I’ve been through it all in NY but in 1984, I got stomach problems, and lost my focus, I thought either I have to drop out or I have to do something. I had to urinate, and I just let it go. It was embarassing, but, I won the race. I couldn’t let my stomach problems destroy my goals.
Don’t get distracted, whatever is bothering you. ”
Q: TO LANCE: “What are you doing here?
A: “I was going to be here this weekend anyway. I love these women, special women to me. I’ve had interesting experiences with the. I saw the pictures of them in a “New York Times Article”, and the pictures were huge, it was like they were there with me having coffee with me. I’m not a woman, and I’m not a marathoner, but I sort of weaseled my way in.”
Q: TO LANCE: Didn’t you and Joan run together in the NYC Marathon?”
A: “Yes, that year I had some pacers. I started out with Alberto Salazar, from mile 0 to 10, and Joan was going to run to 10 to 20 with me, but she ran the last 10 to 26.2. She realized I was in such trouble. I also ran part of the race with Moroccan runner Hicham El Gerrouj. It was very difficult.”
Q: TO LANCE: You have never iced after a Marathon?
A: The first one I ran, I didn’t train very much, and I had shin splints, I forced myself to get through it. I couldn’t walk. I had to go to Scotsdale, Arizona the next week for a speech, and I couldn’t walk. I was in the airport, and they had to get a baggage car for me. ”
Q: TO GRETE: On her experiences.
A: I had stress fractures up and down my shins, and mile 20, I had my doubts, I was angry and mad and wanted to divorce my husband who talked me in to running the marathon. My second half was faster than my first half. My best mile is 4:25.”
Q: TO JOAN: Tell us about the Marathon in 1979 in Bermuda.
A: I had gotten to the 1/2 way mark and stopped, I was asked if I wanted a ride back, but after thinking it through for about 10 minutes, I decided to make it to the finish line. My achilles were really bad, but the Boston Marathon was only a few months away. In Boston I ran by a fan and someone asked me if I wanted a Red Sox cap or a beer, I took the cap, had I taken the beer, I probably wouldn’t have finished. It was a tough Marathon, they had dropped us off 2 miles from the starting line. I ate a lot the night before, I could barely get into bed.”
Q: TO DEENA: How did Joan and Grete inspire you?
A: “I started running at eleven years old, and I remember watching the first women’s Olympic Marathon on tv, and remember being inspired by them, and a year later, I became a runner. Joan and Grete inspire me and continue to, and to hear Lance talk about the Marathon. What makes the Marathon so beautiful is that you have 45,000 people on the starting line, so culturally diverse, no socioeconomic boundaries, great cross section of people from every ethnic background.”
Q: TO LANCE: Why did you run the marathon?
A: “I was actually a swimmer first, a runner second, and a cyclist, third. Running is more efficient, easier when I was travelling, no equipment. If you are going to run a marathon, this is the one to do. I’ve run 2 NY’s and 1 Boston. The first one I ran I wanted to break 3 hours, and I think I did 2:59: 36, the next year I did 2:46, and Boston, 2:49. I still run during the off time. ”
Q: TO LANCE: Any interest in a triathalon?
A: “I look at them on tv. I’ll race another year on the road, and then maybe in next 2011, I’ll do a couple of Iron Mans. I got back on the bike. It’s tough, but worth it.”
Q: TO GRETE: How did you meet Lance?
A: “In spring 2005, after surgery, chemo, Doctors told me to take it easy, I was a couch potato for 2 months, I got an email from Lance, I decided to get off the couch, started walking and then running and gradually get my life back.
Q: TO LANCE:
A: “Mary Wittenberg had sent me a note, and I sent Grete a note. I believe that cancer is something that disrupts your life.”
A: GRETE: “I was given support to pursue my passion, to inspire other people to get off the couch. I had written a book, “Run Your First Marathon”. Running a marathon is not that hard, if you have done the homework. Hurry Slowly. You can’t get back lost training time and be patient. It’s okay if you need to be patient. It’s okay to do the run walk method. Walk like you are late for a meeting. Walk one minute every mile. A fast walk is not that much slower than a run.
Q: TO JOAN: How do you feel about the walk run racers?
A: Everyone can win a marathon to some degree. It’s important to run your own race. You can’t win anyone else’s race. If you are running a 5-6 hour Marathon, try to achieve your goals that you set for yourself. Running is very affordable and very satisfying.”
Q: TO DEENA: How do you feel about slow runners?
A: “We are all Marathoners out there, no one can wake up on Sunday afternoon and prepare for. We all woke up early, we all worked hard. There is a mutual respect on the starting line. I get nervous during training, but the race is the celebration. During the race you get to enjoy hammering it out one last time. Congratulations for even getting to the race. Enjoy the homecoming. 26.2 miles, enjoy the celebration of going through the boroughs!.
Q: TO LANCE: Thoughts on slow runners?
A: “Same with cycling, there are 5 to 10,000 riders, the slower are the majority, and in the Marathon of 40,000 people, not everyone is not running 2:30, the majority of people are slow, and the majority rules.”
Q: TO LANCE: What do you think about when you are running?
A: “I don’t get a lot of thinking done when I run. It’s a lot shorter than cycling. If I only run for an hour or so. When I am cycling, I ride for 8 hours. That is a lot of therapy. I don’t talk to anyone, I don’t read anything. It’s very very different, I never found that place while I was running.”
Q: TO DEENA: What do you think about while you are running?
A: “Training and racing are different. In training, I’ll think about my to do list for the first couple of miles, and then I’ll focus on what I am actually doing. In Chicago I was pretty narrow minded. Once the race comes around, I think about how hard I have worked for this, and what I have done in the previous months. Keep pushing through. It doesn’t matter if you are running 6 hours or 2:30, you are out there and are pushing the limits. Do what your body can do. My coach in Chicago told me, today is the day you can define yourself.”
Q: TO JOAN: What do you think about while running?
A: “I just really wanted to get to the starting line. I believed there wasn’t anybody out there. I new once I crossed that distance of 17 miles, and at 20 miles I was running out of gas. I thought my efforts in the trials would send a message to my competitors. My mantra was, ‘last will come first, and first will come last.’ The trials were the biggest race of my life. ”
Q: TO DEENA: Who do you train with?
A: Terrance Mahon, running coach, Chris LeDoux, from the Iron Man/Kona, Ryan Hall, American long distance runner, Anna Willard, American middle distance runner, Josh Cox, fastest marathon on a treadmill. Running has benefit feeling solitude or being very social. In California, the elevation is at 8,000 ft.
Q: TO LANCE: Do you get nervous?
A: I was in Leadville, CO, for the 100 mile off road mountain biking and was so excited. I liked the fact that I was there, I was uncertain of how I was going to do it, but it was a new experience.”
Other comments:
“Butterflies are there for everyone. I get nervous about being trampled. This is the time to show what I have been working for, it is tough mentally, have a good support team. Keep working on it. In life there are pumps and drains, expose yourself to as many pumps that you can. Don’t forget that 20 miles is 1/2 way. And the extra .2 is a long way. There are other finish lines to get to. Never stop dreaming, and pursuing those finish lines. When you wake up follow normal habits as closely as possible. There are no secrets, no shortcuts, training is hard work. Pace yourself. Miracles don’t happen overnight. Drink heavily after the race :), Let body recover, Let your muscles repair afterwards. Don’t train hard until 2 weeks afterwards. You will need time to get the lactic acid out. It will take your body one day per mile of the marathon to recover. Consider the first 20 miles as transport, and then start running.”
Bogle on Kazan
August 15, 2010 § Leave a comment
Donald Bogle: Most notable Black Historian, NYU and University of Pennsylvania film professor, and author, speaks about world reknown film and theatre director Elia Kazan. During Kazan’s career, he won three Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and five Tony awards. His most notable films: “Gentleman’s Agreement”, “On the Waterfront”, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, “East of Eden”, and “A Streetcar Named Desire”.
Donald Bogle: Author: “”Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies and Bucks: An Interpretative History of Blacks in Films”, “Brown Sugar: Eighty Years of America’s Black Female Superstars”, “Blacks in American Film and Television”, “Biography of actress Dorothy Dandridge”, “Primetime Blues”, “Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood”.
Bogle on Kazan: Kazan’s “Pinky”, starred Ethel Waters, Ethel Barrymore, Jeanne Crain, and was a 1949 landmark in the history of images. In 1949 many motion pictures dealt with race, dilemma, and African Americans, ie. Mark Robson’s, “Home of the Brave”, addressed racism in Military, while Kazan’s “Pinky” looked at racism in the deep South.
“Pinky” is about a young woman who struggles to come to grips with her race. Most African Americans during the 30’s and 40’s mostly had supporting roles, rigidly stereotyped roles. They performed funny lines, comic antics, or supported the stars. They came on as entertainers, dancers, would do one spectacular number. The film, “The Imitation of Life”, told the struggle of a light skinned black woman, however, much changed after World War 2 filmmakers tackled more adult themes.”
“Kazan was not the original director of “Pinky”. Darryl Zanuck actually hired John Ford to direct the film, however, Ethel Waters, Pinky’s granny in the film, and famous blues singer, known for singing, “Stormy Weather”, and “Am I Blue”, clashed with Ford. Kazan was then asked to travel out to the West Coast to direct the film. He went not knowing what he was getting himself into. Kazan looked at Ford’s footage, and said he wouldn’t use any of it. Kazan felt that Ethel Waters wasn’t the problem, it was just that she had to be treated as though she were intelligent and as though she had talent.”
“Kazan did have a difficult time working with Jeanne Craine, however.” She was a Caucasian actress playing a black woman, involved in an interracial love story, where she was involved with a Caucasian male.”
“When ‘Pinky’ was released it did well, but it didn’t get the Oscars like “Gentleman’s Agreement”, although, Jeanne Crain, Ethel Barrymore, and Ethel Waters were all nominated.”
One World Cinema 