"Love and violence, properly speaking, are polar opposites. Love lets the other be, but with affection and concern. Violence attempts to constrain the other's freedom, to force him to act in the way we desire, but with ultimate lack of concern, with indifference to the other's own existence or destiny.
We are effectively destroying ourselves by violence masquerading as love."
- from The Politics of Experience by R.D.Laing
I just got back from a viewing of "Family Life" (aka "Wednesday's Child") directed by Ken Loach. Cinematheque is showing a large collection of his films over the next few weeks. It was so visually beautiful, like thousands of perfectly composed and lit photographs (the lighting, especially in the beginning was really inspiring) and the subject matter so strong and maddening... I would say it was the best film I have seen in a long while. I started to tear up about 10 minutes in. After about an hour it was all I could do to keep myself from getting out of my seat to kick something. I find it very difficult to sit through emotionally taut films and have taken to pacing or leaving the room while watching anything by John Cassavettes (as an example). If I had not been in a theatre and forced to stay in my seat I am certain I would have been pacing continuously. A man sitting next to me got up and stood at the end of the aisle several times. Audible sighs of exasperation could be heard throughout the theatre. It was tough but really worth it.