Started my birthday with, can you believe it, a trip to McDonalds to pick up some Egg McMuffins and orange juice with free lobby coffee on the way back to the room. The lobby coffee was mediocre but easier than making in room coffee. Actually I have always enjoyed picking up breakfast as you get to see a bit of local life, go to the supermarket like the locals and discover the shops. After breakfast it was a walk on one of the Manoir Richelieu trails skirting the cliffs and overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Truly an amazing forest/river walk! Excursion today was Isle au Coudres an island in the St. Lawrence River. Took a ferry trip for about 15 minutes and up a steep hill we drove. Alexandra phoned to wish me happy birthday. Andrew and Fotini forgot. Yes I am a special guy! The island is hardly a top tourist destination with basic looking accommodations and the “tourist shops” somewhat seedy. We stopped at a cider maker and bought some cider and apple ice liqueur. We stopped at a local bakery to buy some bread, cheese and their renowned apple and caramel brioche which is somewhat famous in Charlevoix. A superb dinner at Trois Canard. Charlevoix is a gastronomic delight!
RKS Film: “Eleftheromania”: Greek Prisoners in Auschwitz Face Moral Dilemma
A well acclaimed short film “Eleftheromania” is based on 4 years of research by Gregory C. Pappas through firsthand evidence and research of the Auschwitz archives.
Greece was occupied by the Germans in the Second World War and the Greek population suffered atrocities when their resistance fought the Germans. Villages were decimated by mass executions. In one instance hundreds were locked in a church which the German army set on fire. So forth and so on.
Greek Jews were rounded up and transported primarily to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. In 2018 I visited the Jewish Museum in the city of Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. Having visited previously and knowing there was a large Jewish population of some 50,000 there I paid a visit to the Jewish Museum where I learnt that in 1943 almost the entire population of Jews in Thessaloniki were loaded up on trains and transported to Birkenau and Auschwitz. Today there remain only 1,000 Jews in Thessaloniki.
In “Eleftheromania” a group of Greek men in Auschwitz are to be sonderkommandos with the responsibility to lead prisoners to the gas chambers the prisoners being told they are undergoing “sanitization showers”. Their job at this point is to ensure calmness. Then when safe to enter the gas chambers they are to look for hidden jewelry and gold teeth amongst the corpses. Sonderkommandos were usually executed a few months after they assumed their ghoulish tasks.
The Greek men become involved in an intense discussion about the morality of their role all distilled to a question of ethics and morality versus survival. A vote is taken and they refuse to become sonderkommandos. They are then executed.
Academy Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis plays the role of a survivor who survived by sleeping with German soldiers. She delivers her role as a women decimated by sadness.
A short film yes but very intense and revealing the courage and conviction of these Greek Jews. You might want to call this unarmed moral resistance.
You can watch the short here https://vimeo.com/493344794/4e94e04e63
The closing song for the credit roll is by Glykeria entitled “Minore Tis Avgis”. Those familiar with the more traditional Greek music know how contemplative and heart rendering it can be. In the context of this short film its sadness in virtually overwhelming. If you have the stamina you can listen to her song here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkr6tTDV47M
“Eleftheromania” in Greek means a human’s innate desire to be free.
“Travels to a Different Time”: 11August2004: Around Charlevoix Along Marine Shore Park Road
Instead of heading East on Shore Road it was heading west on Marine Park Road. A 95-kilometre drive to Tadoussac. Many small towns were passed through. No art galleries to speak of. Of note was Port au Persil a small outpost off Route 138. A steep road leads down to the town with a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River. We stopped by the side of the road the town and took a rest at picnic benches overlooking a small waterfall. There were a few people having lunch including a couple enjoying a bottle of wine. Drink wine in public in Toronto and expect a ten-year prison sentence! Point au Persil’s church is constructed of wood and is very simple. We drove to the pier and discovered a quaint restaurant “Petit Madelaine”. It is part of an auberge. It was so charming we made dinner reservations. We headed to the outskirts of Tadoussac. There were several towns on the way but Port au Persil is the most beautiful. We stopped at Pointe Noire which afforded a spectacular view of the Saguenay Fjord. The park rangers told us there where whales to see in the morning but no such luck for us. Dinner at Petit Madelaine was exceptional. The chef enthusiastically described her dishes. We all had cipet which was a pastry with turkey, beef and lamb. Dessert was a warm caramel brioche. The dining room had 15 or so tables and seemed to be popular amongst lesbian diners. Did this have anything to do with the restaurant being run solely by women? We enjoyed this country dinner immensely. Returned to Manoir Richelieu and had a fantastic steam bath and dip in the saltwater pool with Andrew.
RKS Films: “True Things”: A Cad Leading a Lamb to the Slaughter
“True Things” is a BritGrit film about an obsession or perhaps the extreme desperation of a woman seeking a relationship encompassing both sex and love. It is also a study of a cad and a lout exploiting that obsession and desperation.
Kate Perkin is a thirty something clerk processing claims of some sort in a gritty British costal town. She is lonely and hungry for a relationship and has fantasies about hot steamy romance on tropical beaches. Kate is having performance issues at work perhaps caused by her lonely existence.
Sam is one of Kate’s “clients” she meets processing his claim. Within minutes there is sex in the parking garage.
Kate interprets this as the beginning of the relationship she so desperately needs. Sam is interested in the sex and refuses “being boxed in” by a relationship.
As a viewer be prepared for Kate’s wretched descent into hell. Is it delusional or willful blindness or both? As Kate struggles with her willing exploitation it is sex, drugs and booze that sent her hurtling downwards getting terminated from her employment and trash talking friends and family for trying to help. Sam disrespects authority and by the way is recently released from prison. A certified nasty cad and you’ll be wringing your hands in despair with his treatment of Kate.
I won’t detail Sam’s caddishness but there is plenty of it which may invoke your anger, pity, compassion or perhaps disdain for Kate’s vulnerability. Whatever emotion(s) you have the film effectively plays on them. It makes no judgment and leaves that to the viewer.
The film concludes in Malaga in Spain a haven for ill behaved Brits. You might ask has Sam finally reformed? Is this situation finally concluding so you’ll “stand up and cheer” in the aisles!
Of course, I can’t tell you how this most depressing scenario ends but I can give you a hint. The hint is look for the smile and the shining eyes. Look for the liberation! Look for the note! Are we looking at a Harlequin Romance ending? Is this a “Sid and Nancy” story? Look at the smile and you’ll have your answer.
Ruth Wilson as Kate and Tom Burke as Sam and the cinematography are authentic and compelling BritGrit.
“True Things” is really a gut-wrenching fine piece of BritGrit. It is directed by Harry Wootlliff. It is available on VOD, Apple, Google Play and the Cineplex Store.
You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uoh91HFx1Hw
RKS Film Rating 90/100.
RKS Wine: The Velvet Devil Merlot: Avoiding Dancing with the Devil
The label for The Velvet Devil Merlot 2019 is stark yet catchy as most wine labels from Charles Smith are. So it grabs your attention stylistically but what about after the bottle is opened and reality sets in?
Yes, it is also cheaper than many Washington State Merlots but can it match their quality?
On the aromatic side one detects a certain meatiness not rounded out by oak. Oak can be a dangerous game if overdone and this Merlot is in no way overcome by oak. Notes of blackberry, smoked meat, cassis, cherry cola. The oak is on the edge of trying to make a statement but is held in check, or in harmony if you like, with the fruit.
On the palate a strong forward prong of blueberries with pomegranate and cherry nectar. Moderate finish. A wine that is perhaps truer to the grape than with its oak. Think of it as a disciplined wine avoiding dancing with the oak devil!
Pair with an Eggplant Sandwich and you can find the recipe here https://www.lcbo.com/en/recipe/the-best-eggplant-sandwich/F201804017
(The Velvet Devil Merlot 2019, Washington State, Charles Smith Wines, Mattawa/Quincy, Washington, $16.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 394742 750 mL, 13.5%, RKS Wine Rating 89/100).
“Travels to a Different Time” : 10August2004: Around Charlevoix in Quebec
I don’t see much point in spending $60 for breakfast for the three of us so Andrew and I had a short drive into Point au Pic and found a bakery and purchased some Brioche so breakfast back at the Manoir Richelieu of just baked Brioche and some pear juice along with in room coffee. After breakfast into the Passat and a drive along Shore Drive. Fantastic driving on narrow up and down roads. There were many beautiful scenic sights of rolling hills with farmhouses all with a view of the St. Lawrence River. The biggest town was Baie St. Paul with a population of 7,387. We stopped here for a late lunch or early supper whatever you want to call it i.e. pizza and moules. There was an interesting art exhibit at a church of local artists. On our trip back to Manoir Richelieu we stopped at several roadside “artists’ studios”. Much of the art is touristic depictions of the local sights. Most rather amateurish and overpriced. The scenery here is much like that of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia except there are numerous villages to pass through. Back at 20:00 to watch “The Passion of Christ” as an in-room movie.
RKS Literature: Passage of the Day: The High-Class Nature of Art Theft!
“That was the real problem with art crime. It was considered high class. At the top level of the caste system, art crime was socially acceptable, even thought of as prestigious and intriguing. It was the only serious crime for which the public tended to root for the criminals. But then, the public was not aware of how art crime funded more sinister crimes, such as the drug and arms trade, and even terrorism. The average citizen felt somewhat detached, and sometimes threatened, by fine art. It was considered elite and elusive, beyond their mental capacities and therefore frightening to many. It was with some satisfaction that the public read about gracefully orchestrated art thefts. It was a combination of voyeurism into a glamorous world apart, and a satisfying jab at an institution that felt exclusive. “
Noah Charney “The Art Thief” Washington Square Press 2007
RKS Literature: Passage of the Day: The Selling Price of Art
“The selling price has nothing whatsoever to do with the work of art being good or not. It has to do with what people are willing to pay for it at any given time. The auction house sets much of the value when they put an estimate on the price. They set the estimates based on research of past selling price for similar objects. If they give a high estimate, then buyers will think the piece more important, perhaps than it is. But if they aim too high, the market won’t bid. If they undervalue, the piece loses its cachet, but chances are more people will bid, get the momentum going, and they’ll end up with a higher hammer price.”
Noah Carney “The Art Thief” Washington Square Press 2007
RKS Film: “Calendar Girls”: Cheerleaders That Never Gave Up? Wisdom Amongst the Cheese?
“Calendar Girls” is a documentary about the Calendar Girls of Southwest Florida a group of 30 or so senior ladies that perform cheesy dance numbers in bingo halls, seniors’ residences and local parades raising money for charities. They give between 100-130 performances each year. What they lack in professionalism they compensate for in spirit. Old birds bogeying to Backstreet Boys music is either very sad and disturbing or inspiring. There is a bit of both in this documentary. It might seem embarrassing and sad to many viewers but at the end of the day the Calendar Girls are enjoying themselves and are appreciated by their audiences and that is what counts.
Research has indicated those retiring without any structure in their lives live less longer than busy retirees with a sense of purpose and structure. However gaudy and amateur these ladies are they power on giving them a sense of community.
One feels like a judgemental jerk feeling a bit of sadness and disgust watching the flame of youth long extinguished and embarrassing itself in silliness but put the judgement aside and admire those ladies finding a structure and purpose to their lives and if it looks so foolish so be it. What matters is the sense of purpose it gives them.
While their dancing may border on the absurd perhaps more germane is the documentary’s exploration of ageing, sexism, mortality, sense of community and failing health.
The viewer’s judgment here is irrelevant as the Calendar Girls are the Calendar Girls and they are hurting no one except for violating a sense of good taste. Leave them alone and grimace as they dance to Backstreet Boys!
You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWzJb9aBLZg&t=1s
The doc has made its rounds on the documentary festival circuit hitting over 40 of them including Sundance. It no doubt will be available on VOD soon. Directed and produced by Maria Loohufvud and Love Martinsen.
A great deal of tension in the film between absurdity and American excess with a search for the meaning of life and purpose.
RKS Film Rating 74/100.
RKS Wine: Stratus Wildass 2019 Merlot: Giving Ontario Merlot Another Chance
In the past few years I have given up on Ontario Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as a single varietal wine. Could it be that Ontario doesn’t have the terroir and climate for these two grapes? However earlier this year I spent a few days at Niagara-on-the-Lake and discovered a Two Sisters Merlot that impressed at a neurologist/cardiologist/corporate senior executive price, close to $60 for a bottle. So a great Ontario Merlot is indeed possible! Yes travel educates the wine palate and you don’t have to be in Calabria sipping wine at the foot of Vesuvius to make such a conclusion. Niagara-on-the-Lake doesn’t have a volcano but that doesn’t mean it can’t supply wine drinkers with valuable insight and experiences!
Giving that memory fresh meat I try a Stratus Vineyards 2019 Merlot a Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA wine. On the nose some smoky black cherry, blackberry and raspberry all a bit weak and strained. On the plate some tannins linger with some sour cherry influences with a minute smidge of milk chocolate. A lean Merlot far from a Californian or Washington Merlot and of course trailing far behind a Two Sisters Merlot!
Can I interpret this as a refection of Niagara terroir therefore giving an excuse for a flinty lacklustre Merlot? Given that superb Two Sisters Merlot from Niagara-on-the-Lake I can’t hide behind terroir.
(Wildass Merlot 2019, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratus Vineyards Niagara-on-the-Lake, $19.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 376822, 750 mL, 12%, RKS Wine Rating 86/100).
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