Time of the Miracles

M. and I have seen a great Serbian movie tonight-The Time of the Miracles. MoMA have had Serbian movies by a famous director Goran Paskaljevic, in its movie theatre, for the whole month of January.
We actually wanted to see more, but ended up seeing just this one. At least, a really good one.
Paskaljevic, as usual, picked skilled Serbian actors for this story, deriving from a book by another famous Serbian artist-writer Borislav Pekic. It's happening right after the World War II, when the communism in Yugoslavia suffocates the remains of the previous Serbian culture and outbringing, when Serbs were religious and faithful. There's a lot of symbolism and depth in this movie, as well as humor and just plainly interesting moments and characters. One can see through the symbols that are used, and know who certain characters really represent in historical sense, but still not know what is going to happened at the end. And the end itself is not as surprising, as it is effective. It leaves the lingering thoughts in the viewer, which is usually a sign of a good art work. If you haven't seen it, you really should. It stays with you, and makes you think. Which is always good, right?
The setting itself is supposed to be a village in Serbia, but Serbia is not that rocky. I believe it was filmed in Montenegro.
As it does give you an image of Yugoslavia after WWII, it embellishes everything, the fanaticism especially. But I guess you already knew that.

The long lost role

Coming back to my theatre has been bitter-sweat, since I didn't get the part in its latest production. There's a list of names on the bulletin board, with the name of the woman who got the part I wanted. Also, there are posters and postcards everywhere...
I didn't think it would touch me, but it did, and it does.
So today, I asked a colleague, who was observing my audition/interview with the director: "what happened?"
"It was the naked thing, you know, the other girl was comfortable with it."
I knew it! I somehow suspected that might have costed me dearly. Or he found a real German woman.
I keep recalling the audition, you know, like, what if I didn't say I wasn't comfortable with just being in my bikini,with my hands covering my chest for a brief moment? But I wasn't, and I'm not. So I guess, I did the right thing, right?
It seems so hard to break into this acting thing if you're not in the right place, at the right time, all the time, and willing to do anything! Maybe I just don't want it that badly. I just think I shouldn't sacrifice who I am to get what I want. It just doesn't seem right.
Anyway, there were other contributing factors to my loss of this role--the other actress is younger, and her boyfriend gets to play her husband. How fun for them!
Not much acting there, ha?

Weekend auditions

I had two auditions this weekend. Usually, I don't like to audition on weekends, but I decided to go to these two, since I was invited to both, as appose to an "open call."
The first one was "in and out." An actor before me was just finishing his monologue. I got in, talked a bit with the casting director, and did my monologue on a real stage of a college in Manhattan.
Afterwords, the decider said: "Call this number and tell this person that I'm very interested and that you are available on those dates."
"Great," I said happily, "I will."
"I'm from Czechoslovakia," he said. "And I can totally imagine her saying:they invaded the country next to mine," he said to his young, female assistant. She smiled.
That one ended well, I thought. But I got my hopes up before, when others were "very interested."
So I called that other director on Monday. "Please drop me an e-mail and we'll schedule something this week, " he said. And I did, right away. That was yesterday morning. Nothing yet.
The other audition was on Sunday, in the New York Film Academy, at Union Square, for a student film.
When I arrived, I realized that there was no sign up sheet, and there were about six or seven people a head of me. Usually, that's nothing, but these guys really took their time. They spent about 15 to 20 minutes with each of us, which led to about two hours of waiting. I was already there, so I just waited, and talked a bit with another actor.
After my monologue, which was taped this time by three very young guys, I read the sides and had an interview as well.
"You have a bit of a Russian accent, " the one in charge said. "I feel inspired actually, and I wanted to tell you that I'll be working on a character perfect for you."
"Thank you for the compliment. You know where to find me."
I actually thought, why am I waisting my time with these kids? But I could use some film credits on my resume, and you never know who these film student could be some day.

On N.Y.C. subway, from Barack to Denzel

I was on the train number 4, from Barack Obama's headquarters to the Grand Central. It's a straight shot. Then I walk for about 10 minutes home. I prefer that, than transferring.
The train was packed at 5 p.m. I didn't have any reading material so instead I was observing people. A young woman next to me was playing her ipod very loudly, which made me enjoy her music. It was American Pop and Arabic sounding tunes. She was also filing her nails and touching up her makeup. A guy next to her was watching a movie on his miniature laptop. People across were talking to each other, or just sitting, thinking, people watching.
At one point I felt like I was in a movie. And today I actually registered for an extra in the next Denzel Washington movie. "Is there anything more exciting than being in a movie," I recall rhetorically asking myself. This excitement was almost touchable, reachable, realistic. Even if I just start as an extra, being in a blockbuster movie, even for just couple of minutes, would be such a great experience. And where else could I possibly do this, if not in N.Y.C.? How many people do you actually know who were in a movie??? There you go!

August Osage County, in a white limo

I have seen my first Broadway play on Friday night, thanks to my in-laws. They took M. and I to see this new play everyone's raving about, including my acting teacher and The politically challenged N.Y.Times.
Broadway is very flashy at night. I'm sure you've seen it on TV if not in person. Also, on Friday there were a lot of people around. The theater hosting the August Osage County was, of course, packed.
First, it was hot inside, then it was cold(air-conditioning), then hot again. There was definitely not enough room for one's legs to be comfortable during a three and a change hour play. But the play itself was very good.
The first scene was kind of slow, and it was hard to hear the older, lead actor, the Father. He was speaking quietly, maybe because his role required that of him, or maybe he's just a soft speaker. It made it so much harder to understand him since the whole play was done in the Southern accent.
But the second scene picked the play up. It was interesting, dynamic and funny. The third one as well.
Acting was great, but I did catch them acting. I know it's very hard not to "act," even in my limited experience. But it's also something that an audience, who didn't take acting classes, wouldn't notice.
My father-in-law pointed something out after it was finished. The playwright included every possible dysfunctionality that exist. It was a bit too much for him, over the top, you know. And he is right, though I haven't noticed that myself watching it. I guess I was too focused on acting, and where could I move my legs next.
It's a great play, really. And I'm grateful for the experience. But I do wish it was a bit shorter, with less profanities, and that the theater was more comfortable. Other than that, it was perfect!
Oh, yes, and we came back home in a white limo, courtesy of my generous in-laws. I guess Broadway is not so bad:)

Obama wins SC too!

If you live in the United States, I'm sure you already know by now that Obama has won in South Carolina. How exciting! Not only that he won, but he won convincingly, by taking 55 percent of the Democratic vote. I was still hoping that Clinton will leave with her tail between her legs as the third one, but she came in weak second, with 27 percent. Still, this was a very important primary for Obama since it's giving him back his Iowa momentum. And reminding people out there, that he still has a good chance of winning the Democratic nomination. It seemed to me that some people forgot that, after he came in second in New Hampshire.
I know there's a long fight ahead of his campaign, but as his speech tonight in Sc confirmed, he is an inspirational leader, worth of that fight. And certainly of my support. And I'm looking forward to helping as much as I can, so he can win in New York City. Despite the N.Y.Times.

Bye Bye Times

I was, at the very least, disappointed when I heard that The N.Y.Times endorsed Clinton for the Democratic nominee. Something had to be done! I mean, I myself subscribe to the paper! How could they dare? So I called them up this morning and cancelled my subscription.
"I'm sorry to hear that," a Times' telephonist said. "May I ask why?"
"You endorsed Hillary Clinton and I'm Barack Obama's supporter," I said. And smiled, just a bit.
"I understand," she said. Did she? Maybe she's Obama's supporter too but she needs her job. Or doesn't care. Or...doesn't think it's that big of a deal.
Well, I do. It's a matter of principle. And it made me feel better, like I was making a statement. At least to one person. Actually two. Another woman picked up, to try to get me to stay with the discount. But I was determined. We can always buy The Times on the street. Incognito.