The Pianist depicts the traumatic experience of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist who lived in Warsaw during World War II. The film follows him through the worsening phases of the Holocaust to relay a devastating period of unfathomable suffering. While Szpilman’s story is impossibly powerful in its own merit, the director masterfully conveys such haunting experience in a way that unfailingly affects the viewer. The most notable cinematic technique was the recurring juxtaposition of beauty and horror. This was particularly present in the film’s audio, which layered dulcet, melodious orchestral arrangements over scenes of barren ghettos and human suffering. Such striking contrasts further emphasized the emotional weight of already jarring scenes of cruelty and destruction. The flowing, emotive piano accompaniment demonstrates the peak of man’s enlightenment, such talent being the result of tireless dedication and civilized expression. This exhibition of beauty and craft breaks only for stark silence and the sounds of war. The visuals of war and poverty-stricken Jewish ghettos, on the other hand, demonstrate man’s most depraved side. Graceful melodies accompany scenes of Szpilman at the brink of survival, facing an unimaginable weight of human suffering and loss. In a particularly powerful scene, Szpilman sits down in front of a piano in his current hideout, but only moves his fingers over the keys in order to avoid drawing attention to himself. Nonetheless, sweeping piano music accompanies the scene. Szpilman has been stripped of his family, his property, and his passion. Moreover, he has been reduced to a shell of his previous self through hard labor, starvation, and unremitting fear. Against the barren, dimly-lit apartment and nearby sounds of war, the music emphasizes just how grim Szpilman’s surroundings have become. While the music is rich with warmth, emotion, and individuality, Szpilman’s life is devoid of any such comfort, freedom, or sense of self. The stark contrast between the visuals and audio of such a scene highlights the extent of the Nazi’s inhumanity, while reminding viewers of the remaining humanity left in Szpilman and the other remaining victims.
Author Archives: Sarah
Zootopia as a Model for Children’s Entertainment
Zootopia presents the heartwarming story of an impassioned rabbit, trying to positively impact the diverse animal metropolis, Zootopia, as a police officer. While the animated film is full of impressive animation, witty dialogue, and entertaining characters, the storyline goes far beyond that which is often expected of children’s entertainment. The film addresses significant contemporary issues regarding discrimination, bias, drug use, and government corruption, while still maintaining the youthful entertainment value needed for a children’s movie. The main character, a small, female rabbit is just one of the many characters who face prejudice in a city that is supposedly a haven for species diversity and animal acceptance. Her species, size, and gender lead many to disregard her as incompetent, despite countless demonstrations of her ability, both mentally and physically. Reflecting a bias that exists for underrepresented groups in practically any field, this central character arc represents a powerful story for the film’s young target audience. It impresses the unequal expectations and penalties faced by those that fall outside of the majority and emphasizes the mutual strength that results from accepting and appreciating others for their oftentimes unique experience and qualifications. The film addresses similarly weighted issues through the storyline of city officials working to turn Zootopia against the minority group of historically predatory species. Using a highly potent drug to turn civilized animals into their savage equivalent, the city manipulates public opinion to ostracize these perfectly valid citizens. Reminiscent of countless examples, both historical and current, of marginalization of minority groups in society, the film effectively conveys the cruel, senseless reality of such bias. By relaying such experiences through a society of animals, the film expertly captures the sentiment of race, gender, and sexuality-based discrimination, while remaining apolitical and outwardly lightweight. Zootopia expertly balances the liveliness and fun of children’s entertainment with the social responsibility of being a widely-distributed, far-reaching film. The film masterfully uses its platform to introduce younger audiences to highly important social commentaries. It encourages audiences to confront bias, address societal injustice, and be self-motivated. In an age of seemingly endless amounts of content, much of it of little value or significance, the film serves as a model for effective and responsible children’s entertainment.
A Much-Needed Dialogue on Stress
This Table Talk provided a valuable setting in which to discuss stress and how to manage it. While stress affects everyone at certain points in their life, it felt particularly important to discuss it amongst students in an environment where stress often seems to be far more of the exception than the norm. Moreover, at a school that encourages challenge and rewards rigor, it is easy to develop an unhealthy relationship with stress, either by completely normalizing it or by shrinking away from it. While such a culture can push individuals to challenge themselves and grow, it undoubtedly has the potential to negatively impact mental health. Since stress is typically felt on an individual basis, it was particularly valuable to engage on such a topic with other students. This exchange initialized a much-needed dialogue on Cornell’s stress culture and ways we have each learned to combat it. The discussion with therapist Ineke Demuynck was also enlightening. I particularly appreciated that Demuynck approached stress from two sides, discussing what triggers it and how to actively confront it. It was interesting to gain a better understanding of the neurological processes that lead to stress responses. Having such a scientific, objective explanation of stress helped shape it as a logical human experience, rather than an uncontrollable, random phenomenon. Countering this explanation with more intuitive, approachable coping mechanisms, Demuynck’s conversation helped shape my notion of stress as something that can be actively managed. Even with simple responses like positive visualizations and mantras, stress is something that can be faced in a healthy, growth-oriented way. In an environment where it is easy to feel powerless in the face of unrelenting stress, this discussion emphasized the active role we can play in our own mental health and the value of openly taking about such issues.
The Dystopian World of Wall-E, 10 Years Later
Wall-E depicts a dystopian world in which humans have abandoned an environmentally degraded Earth for a life of abundant leisure in space. While the space-bound lifestyle was originally intended as a temporary solution while the Earth was being resorted, the human race finds itself still living extraterrestrially several generations later. Entirely detached from the the Earth-bound experience of generations past, people live entirely out of chairs, staring at screens, being catered to by an extensive fleet of robots. Wall-E is a robot left of Earth for the now-forgotten cleanup job. He finds love with another robot, Eve, who comes to Earth to search for signs of biological life. Together, the two robots bring about a mass-awakening of the humans aboard the ship, leading a triumphant return back to Earth. The film stands out for its powerful commentary on the human condition and our consistent disregard for the environment. While it is undoubtedly a well-animated, entertaining children’s film, it does not shy away from its direct criticism of modern society, our hedonistic ways, and our blatant willingness to accept permanent environmental destruction for temporary comfort. The film’s portrayal of humans as obese, unaware, and over-indulgent easily draws from contemporary culture. While such representations rang true at the time of the film’s 2008 release, they are undoubtedly even more evident ten years later. In a society ever-driven by consumerism, self-gratification, comfort, and content, these seemingly comical representations of human life become an unavoidably dark warning of what is to come. That these themes have only intensified in the decade since its initial release speaks to the film’s veracity and man’s unnerving indifference. Despite being an animated children’s movie, Wall-E arguably falls in the class of disturbing dystopian works like 1984 and Brave New World, each of which finds greater significance as time passes. Despite countless demonstrations of environmental ruin via human activities and physical and psychological degradation via increased screen time, we remain utterly complacent in our progression towards a dystopian future. While the storyline of Wall-E is still far from our reality, its social commentary is more valuable than ever before. It is important that we recognize such parallels with our own world and use films such as these to engage in active discussion and action.
A Valuable Take on the Midterm Election
The Midterms Talk with Professor Glenn Altsculer was a valuable opportunity to engage with the midterm elections and gain a better understanding of U.S. politics overall. This year marked my first opportunity to vote in a midterm election, and, frankly, I had a considerably limited understanding of their role in the overall state of American politics. While I understood the importance of voting in general, my appreciation for the significance of the midterms seemed more based on the vague notion of their being pivotal for the nation, rather than actual substance. Professor Altschuler’s talk clarified the purpose and importance of midterm elections in general, and these ones in particular. I was most struck by the concreteness of it all. Through the polarized, reactionary politics presented on the news and social media today, so much of politics seems fueled by emotions and complex, deep-rooted power dynamics. While this representation draws countless views and engagement, it also makes politics seem far more unapproachable, leading voters, myself included, to feel like powerless spectators. In contrast, Professor Altschuler’s representation was far more algorithmic than it was theatrical. Starting from a high level, he explained the basic power dynamics of the parties within the two houses, then proceeded to discuss individual elections. Working through the particulars of several critical races, he was able to explain how outcomes are decided, which voter groups are important where, how certain races were similar/different to others, and how the results actually impact legislative control. He powerfully laid out an otherwise convoluted, emotional political system in terms of critical figures and statistics. Most notable was that his explanation was largely objective. His talk encouraged voter understanding and voter engagement without promoting or deriding one party, one candidate, or one position. In an otherwise nontransparent political landscape, it was refreshing to have a political conversation with the sole goal of promoting understanding and active engagement. Especially as a new voter, it was valuable to understand the role of midterm elections in the general political cycle, rather than understand them only with regard to this particular election cycle. This talk encouraged the type of informed voting that I hope to both observe and participate in in upcoming elections.
The Staying Power of The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town. Unsatisfied by a life dominated by Halloween and scaring people, Jack finds himself enamored with Christmas and Christmas Town. Fascinated by the lights, the presents, and Santa Claus, Jack attempts to steal Christmas and recreate it for himself and his town. Released in 1993, the film has become a cult classic, a yearly tradition for audiences of all ages. In the face of ever-improving animated films from major studios, the staying power of The Nightmare Before Christmas may at first seem surprising. However, within the first musical number, the magic of this film becomes evident. Through its 90s style stop-motion animation, beautifully haunting visuals, and curiously catchy songs, the film is notably unique. It lacks the polish, perfection, and production value of today’s major animated films, but does so in a way that only elevates its fascinating eeriness. Despite grim depictions fo Halloween Town and its many spooky characters, there is an unavoidable sense of warmth and nostalgia. The town prepares eagerly for their version of Christmas, wrapping horrifying presents in excitement and kidnapping Santa in order to experience the thrill of his Christmas Eve sleigh ride. Even Jack, a lanky skeleton, becomes a surprisingly likable character as he struggles with the highly-human experiences of self-doubt, questioning, and desire. He embodies the relatable archetype of a misunderstood dreamer, dissatisfied with his reality and searching for more. Even his romance with Sally, the human-like product of Dr.Frankenstein’s experiments, is full of passion and longing. The audience easily finds themselves enthralled by the emotional storylines of such seemingly gruesome creatures. Despite the eerie characters and grim setting, the film is surprisingly heartwarming, justifying its role as a strange, yet entirely merited holiday classic.
The Magic of Ithaca’s Farmers Market
Amongst our crowded daily schedules, prelim-filled weeks, and sleepless nights, it’s easy to forget about the magic of Ithaca. Especially since we live on-campus, Ithaca often becomes synonymous with Cornell, and as the days get busier and weather gets colder, it’s often feels that the world starts at North Campus and stops in Collegetown. Last Saturday, however, I was again reminded of the magic of Ithaca on the trip to the Ithaca Farmers Market.
Only a 15 minute walk from West Campus, the Farmers Market featured dozens of wooden booths, each displaying an entirely distinct array of products. From apple butter to purple potatoes, authentic Thai iced tea to beautiful watercolor paintings, the seemingly small structure was surprisingly expansive. Amongst the rustic wooden booths of the market, farmers presented the fruits of significant agricultural achievement and artisans sold the products of years of rigorous craftsmanship. In this way, the Farmers Market is a perfect encapsulation of Ithaca itself: deceptively small, yet serving as a magnificent cultural hub. Moreover, it reflects the striking duality of Ithaca, which simultaneously embodies the charm of upstate New York with the productivity and innovation of a metropolis.
Much like Ithaca, hidden away through a series of country roads and 4-gate airports, the Farmers Market was tucked away between a highway and a lake. And yet, it was a location for an immense cultural and social gathering on a Saturday morning. Myself and other students strolled through the market amongst other Cornellians, Ithaca College students, local residents, artisans, farmers, (and several adorable dogs). While such a gathering of individuals was largely motivated by a mutual desire for farm-fresh produce and breakfast samosas, it spoke much more significantly to the unique culture of its residents. Ithaca represents a wide range of people, with passions ranging from academia to agriculture to art; however, the striking tranquility of the Farmers Market points to the existence of commonality amongst Ithacans. There was a marked sense of community, of engaged individuals supporting a wonderful, time-honored local tradition. Amongst an otherwise busy Saturday, a brief glimpse at/involvement in such a culture provided a much needed moment of appreciation and reflection.
It’s easy to think of Cornell’s geographic isolation in a negative light. Indeed, New York City is an oftentimes overcrowded, long bus ride away, and, yes, the airport never fails to delay every one of my outbound flights. However, this experience made me see Ithaca in a new light. Ithaca is a cultural destination in and of itself, the Farmers Market being just one of many examples of the valuable cultural excursions possible. It implies a wonderful culture of community engagement, mutual respect, and individual pursuit. Much more than just the setting for Cornell’s campus, Ithaca is a resource to appreciate and utilize in my remaining years at school. Like many of my peers, this event has inspired me to further explore Ithaca, beyond the scope of the stops on a TCAT bus, of course.