Woman Power


In the early 70’s women rights became a hot topic. Western society went through a dramatic transformation. Women suddenly were able to get an office job just like men, and without notice, from one day to the other, family structure was forever changed. With two working parents, children were raised differently and divorce rate shot up to the sky. What today we consider normal, in the 70’s this was very unusual.

We see the start of the independent woman in movies like “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” When a divorced woman decides to move with her nine-year-old son and start all life all over again, the obstacles they face are endless. Ellen Burstyn plays the role of her lifetime as a struggling mom who wants to work as a singer in bars. The movie is excellent, acting impeccable and the story, simple yet effective, stays with you long after the movie is over.

We now see plenty of stories involving only women, working moms, single mothers, etc, and no other contemporary writer has done it better than Canadian writer Alice Munro. In her short stories, almost always from a women’s point of view, the difficulties and intricacies of women’s lives are described in a simple and interesting way.

Sexual freedom is perfectly portrayed in John Waters’ latest film, A Dirty Shame (2004). For the first time I see women talking plainly about sex in an unabashed, direct way. No dirty shame here, only provoking language and scenes. Women take the lead in this story and lead men through the different sexual fantasies and possibilities. Nothing is prohibited, everything is allowed! Will we ever see the start of the power men age? Not just yet.

A Dirty Shame USA, 2004 ☆☆☆☆

Director John Waters creates a movie about sex, and only sex. It is ever present in every single scene. An average middle class American town is suddenly invaded by a group of sex addicts. The sexual references are strong, funny, ridiculous, cheap laughs and in the end very original. This one is either a love it or hate it movie. I love it.

Le Calvaire Belgium, 2004 ☆☆☆



A local singer / showman is driving alone in the countryside when his car breaks down. He finds help in a local farm, where the only person living there offers him a room for the night. This happens to be the worst decision of his life, since the farmer is crazy and will not allow him to leave. It will cost him his life to escape from this place.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore USA, 1974 ☆☆☆☆

The life of widow Alice, who struggles to find a job as a singer while raising a 10-year-old son. Incredible acting and dialogues.

Exit Through the Gift Shop USA, 2010 ☆☆☆☆



The story of a French filmmaker following graffiti artists who ends up becoming one of the hottest graffiti artists himself.

Alone in Four Walls Germany, 2007 ☆☆☆



The life of teenage Russian delinquents who spend 2-3 years in prison.

Bent UK, 2000 ☆☆☆☆

The love story of two concentration camp prisoners during World War II during the Nazi regime.

Food Inc. USA, 2009 ☆☆☆

Thema des Tages: Horoskop

Heute will ich über ein Thema schreiben, das mich oft stört. Das ist das Horoskop. Das blinde Glauben an das Horoskop ist mir ein Rätsel. Wie funktioniert das eigentlich? Unser Streben, unbedingt an etwas zu glauben, spielt hier eine wichtige Rolle. Wir wollen immer für alles eine Antwort finden. Die Beziehung zwischen der Position der Planeten und unserer Persönlichkeit ist schwer beweisbar zu machen. Der Sprung von einem zum anderen scheint unmöglich, doch einigen meiner Bekannten gelingt es, ihre Persönlichkeiten und Gewohnheiten mit den Bewegungen der Planeten zu erklären. Zauberei? Nein, nur reines Geplapper.

Was mich daran überrascht, ist die Fähigkeit dieser Personen lange Zeit über das Horoskop zu sprechen. Die Dialoge zwischen Horosko-Gläubigern sind dynamisch, animiert und sogar amüsant. Leider ist alles nur Palaver, geschmückt mit grundlosen Argumenten. Trotzdem ist die Horoskopkonversation ein lebendiger Austausch von Ideen, Beispielen, und Erlebnissen, die zusammen keinen Sinn machen.