Page 63 - Sonoma County Gazette 3-19
P. 63

Roma
By Diane McCurdy
The film, Roma, is unique for several
reasons. First of all, its presentation is unusual. It has played on local screens while being simultaneously streamed on Netflix. When a film is shown originally
on TV, it is considered to be in a different category when one is considering award
criteria. Because of its theatrical release, Roma garnered a place in the more prestigious
Academy Award classification along with nine other nominations. In an additional quirk, it appears on the regular list of nominees and also on the shorter best foreign films list. It is unabashedly
autobiographical. Director/writer, Alfonso Cuaron, is mostly known for having helmed Gravity and Children of Men but he also directed such disparate works as E Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Roma has nothing to do with Italy. It refers to an upper middle class section of Mexico City.
Cleo, around whom the
story evolves is a servant
of obvious indigenous
stock in the household of
a successful couple. The
husband is a physician
and the wife is an
academic. There are four
obstreperous children
who are her charges.
They adore her and she
cherishes them. She goes
about her duties almost as
if she is sleepwalking—
passively, patiently. But
there is tension in the
household. The doctor
leaves on a supposed
business trip which is
actually a sojourn with
his mistress. Does Cleo
know? Do the children
know? Two surrealistic
scenes involve a desperate
road trip to visit a relative.
This family’s beloved
dogs, upon their demise, have all been stuffed and hung on a wall. A fire that ensues has something to with “land grabs” and is particularly effective in
the stark black and white cinematography. Another segment features Cleo’s boyfriend, Fermin, in a complex martial arts demonstration which he performs totally nude. Included are an earthquake, a still birth, a ubiquitous under- loved dog and Mexican history of political unrest including the Corpus Christi massacre. A near drowning at the end shows the family grasping together on a beach, a tableau, a powerful image that engenders hope into an otherwise dire situation.
In a sign of the times, the Mexican actor who plays a malignant insurgent who is also Cleo’s abusive boyfriend has, at the time of this writing, been denied a VISA into the United States to attend industry events* even though he has been given letters of recommendation by not only Cuaron but by Netflix
as well. This film has received much recognition and many awards. I support these accolades but I really can’t tell you why. The narrative is strangely captivating. It touches something primal.
*he got his visa!
        Mar 10 ~ Dances of Tara - Movement Meditations on the Tibetan Female Buddha Tara set to music. No experience necessary. Donation $10-$15--no one turned away, 4:15p - 6:30 AM, Sebastopol Downtown Dance/Art Space, 172 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-823-7710, TaraLotusCircle.org, lorijane_99@yahoo.com
Mar 2 & Apr 6 ~ Sacred Space - An intimate meditative service with guitar music and an opportunity to reflect in community. Free, 6p-7p, Presbyterian Church of the Roses, 2500 Patio Ct., Santa Rosa, churchoftheroses.org
Mar 8 ~ Rediscover Your Heart and Soul for Self Advancement with Diana Borges- Reconnect to your heart, soul, & the Universe to regain your power & live a more fulfilled life. suggested donation $10-$20, 7:00p - 9:00p, Songbird Community Healing Center, 8299 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-795- 2398, songbirdcenter.org, info@songbirdcenter.org
Mar 22 ~ Consciously Creating Inner Peace and Wellness with Jewel Shield
= Discover Your Natural Inner Resonance through Sound, Music, Creativity and Meditation. suggested donation $10-$20, 7:00p - 9:00p, Songbird Community Healing Center, 8299 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-795- 2398, songbirdcenter.org, info@songbirdcenter.org
Mar 29 ~ The Jewel of Abundance: An Evening with Yogacharya O’Brian - Ellen Grace O’Brian will discuss yoga philosophy’s powerful teachings on true wealth and prosperity. Free, 7:00pCenter for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Rd., Santa Rosa, 707-546-4543, cslsr.org
-Concerned about helping immigrants, refugees, and Dreamers? FREE videos and other resources are available. Don’t know where to begin? Trinity Church Wall Street offers these, including talks by religious and secular community leaders, useful background information, and links to a variety of organizations who are already involved in this important work. FREE, trinitywallstreet.org/ social-justice/undocumented
Ongoing ~ Undocumented: A Free Resource for Your Faith Community
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