I love the available Film Bill with the detailed movie analysis, the fresh coffee, and the almond biscottis. I love that the workers wear uniforms resembling a tux. I love the laid back atmosphere and the lack of crowds. I love the adjacent cobblestone streets with horse pulled carriages passing by.After the movie I love walking across the street to Positano Coast and getting a Tonica Fresca along with a side of Mussels in Parmesan/Sage Broth. And all of these wonderful aspects of The Ritz Five are apart from their excellent movie selection.
Last Saturday night my wife hosted a bridal shower at our house. That gave me the opportunity to get out of the house and do something my wife doesn't enjoy. The Ritz was my first thought. It's not that my wife hates The Ritz (I don't know how anyone could hate such a wonderful institution), she just doesn't enjoy the total experience as much as I do.
I saw The Counterfeiters, a German made movie in subtitles about the holocaust. It explores the Jews role in counterfeiting the pound and dollar during World War 2. For a great movie review check out Armchair General's blog.
The Counterfeiters wrestles with the holocaust's complexity. It does not neatly wrap up all the issues or conclude with a happy ending. I left the theatre sobered by the unbridled cruelty, which was conveyed through specific artistic decisions by the director. Two apparent artistic themes were silence and music.The main character, Salomon Sorowitsch, reduced his words as the movie progressed. His silence was an outward sign of his internal despair and a protest against the violence. He did not protest verbally or he would have been killed with the other millions of Jews. There are a few instances of acute silence when Salomon Sorowitsch enters a rage of anger. There was not a sound in the theatre. It forced me to consider the emotions of the character, but before I was able to fully contemplate the intense anger the silence ended, as if reminding me that such a task was impossible.
The soundtrack of The Counterfeiters consisted of classical tangos by Argentinean harmonica player Hugo Diaz and old opera recordings from the 1930's and 1940's. The soundtrack added time period authenticity to the movie while instilling a sense of hope in the viewer. Each song complimented the scene.
It is important to reflect on the use of silence and music within the arts and Christianity. Throughout the Bible silence is used to show God's displeasure with the unrepentant. In the same respect, people demonstrate their hard hearts towards God in their silence towards Him. On the contrary, God's power is made manifest when He speaks. He spoke the world into existence, and His word became flesh in the form of Jesus.
How is silence and music expressed in the broader scope of the arts, and how does that reflect the true character of God?
Music is used throughout the Psalms to sing praises to God. And throughout Church history beautifully written hymns have been sung in worship to God. But the opposite is also true. Many songs have been written that blaspheme the name of God. Silence and music evoke powerful emotional responses.
How is silence and music expressed in the broader scope of the arts, and how does that reflect the true character of God?
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