Group Composition

This was different, because we had a week to prepare. I think the expectations on self and others were greater, as if some greater masterpiece could be achieved with the extra time.

I must admit that, though the extra time perhaps gave a greater focus, the root of the composition idea came in a flash. I think this is the "exquisite pressure" idea. However, I think that time might allow more effective elaboration upon the base.

I enjoyed watching the compositions. Once again, I viewed them on the two levels of generally appreciating and of analyzing for deeper meaning. Some things that stood out to me were the immigration group's tone, since it distinctly reminded me of a children's story. The themes were serious, but were being displayed in a more lighthearted manner. The bad guys were caricatured so that they would not be as threatening in reality.

I liked the groups' use of space, levels, and their obvious eagerness to show us what they intend to present. This enthusiasm made me want to see their purpose, and made me want to watch them.

In the future, I would like to work on improving timing. It is not something to rush through; indeed, every move should be deliberate, adding up to the message you want to convey. This message itself must be presented more clearly, I feel, so that the composition benefits from a description but does not rely on one.

Evolving research

My topic is youth identity in Berlin.
I want to be able to see how youth in Berlin compare to generations that knew about the wall. Are they politically active? To what extent do they feel the implications of Berlin's history? How do their parents influence them? How do they vary across income levels, neighborhoods, cultures? Do they see themselves as having a distinct youth identity or is the core of their identity based in some other, greater root?
Julie gave me some great links that I will explore. I want to be able to maybe spend a day in various youth places (since schools are out, I must work my way around my original plan of attending high schools).

Sweet dreams and gritty reality made of love

Escape. Sibel and Cahit meet after their suicide attempts from life, and then they get together to create a new universe from which they can escape. From what does their need arise? Escape from constraint of society, from life not valued, from despair and conflict leads them back to confront each of these issues.

The struggle to survive usually dominates our other needs - after this is met, however, we are left to emotional fulfillment. Needs and connections from the individual dominate the basic themes of Head On, and upon these themes lay more intricate subthemes. We see Sibel's need to escape from society and impositions - freedom and manifest destiny versus convention and fate. Cahit is an example of self-loathing and nihilism that arises in much of society...why, exactly? (Maybe he needs art to express himself in a form other than violence.) Instability is an umbrella theme, covering instability in thought, substance, and identity. Indeed, Sibel and Cahit must reconcile their multiple roles in society - daughter, student, worker, lover, citizen, immigrant, husband, wife. The dizzying junction of imposed identities motivates their actions throughout the movie. Through all of this, love: perhaps society and the individual can be at peace through this connection. This movie is a tragedy only because the main characters experience love a little too late in their lives.

Overall, the movie was very intense, and gave me some insight into one filmmaker's view of Turkish Germans. I appreciated the completely unpatronizing, real tone expressed throughout.

Russian Disco by Wladimir Kaminer had some very memorable lines, mirroring themes.

The Russians "treasure every new idea and every scrap of ancient wisdom as our national heritage" (24). Is this not a contradictory statement? Especially after seeing Head On and the natural conflict between new ideas and ancient wisdom, it is striking to see both put together into the facet of collective identity that is "national heritage".

"Nothing has been solved, but the exchange of views has left its mark" (67). I thought this was fascinating. It demonstrates the importance of debate and the media, as well as the importance of coming to terms with problems by discussing them instead of avoiding them (on both a personal and national level).

"Nothing is the real thing here, and everyone is at the same time himself and someone else" (89). This could be true for every individual. In this context, Kaminer discusses the mingling identities of Germans, and how the combination often leads to some combination of self-deception and external deception.

The humor of immigration is this: "He's had a perm. His approach to cultural integration"(77).

A last side note is the importance of language. We see the Russians on the train discussing guns and taking a brazen confidence in the confidentiality of their language. We also see the mix of Turkish and German in Head On. Each language confers an identity to dialogue, especially since Cahit has poor Turkish due to assimilation. Interestingly, some viewers of the movie have left online comments about the fact that they could not tell when the Head On characters spoke each language. Obviously, then, language is an important nuance.

P.S. Bravo to Fair Play! It was surreal!