Coffee Break Lane: July 2006

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Jindabyne

Lantana has been called the best Australian film numerous times.
And thus, Ray Lawrence had a lot to live up to with his latest film Jindabyne.

I finally saw it Thursday night, and although it felt kinda long, I enjoyed it and think its worth seeing.
But here are a few more thoughts on the film.

Jindabyne’s plot revolves around four men and their wives/girlfriends and how a weekend fishing trip changed their lives and the town in which they lived.
The story is of course much bigger than that.
To be honest, I think I would need to see it again….and again….to pick up all the meanings of this film -one of the things i love about film - always something new to pick up each time; all the little details of the story which make it complete. In my opinion, this is a story about more than a terrible act of crime and its ramifications for all involved (although this is obviously at the forefront). But this is a story about life in a small Australian town. About race relations and cultural differences in Australia (which I haven’t seen been done this well before). About family. About relationships. About trust. About…life.

It is a drama that makes you think and makes you feel – you cannot help but be moved by some of these scenes and their implications – and that is why I like it.

The performances are excellent, particularly those of Laura Linney and Gabriel Byrne. And the cutest little boy who played their son was also a great little actor.

Ray Lawrence insisted on as few takes as possible, and as far as I can tell, as few shots as possible for each take. His argument for this technique – which is more difficult in filmmaking than you probably imagine – is that in life we only get one take, so why make the film any different.
Good point I reckon!
I had forgotten about this til after I’d seen it, but this decision is actually quite clear in many scenes, and in a positive way too. For a drama about life, the first and most emotive action and reaction is probably most effective, and it seemed this way in Jindabyne.

While I am unsure whether I’m a fan of the closing shot sequence, I do think Ray Lawrence did a good job with the ending – don’t want to spoil it, but lets just say I think it is actually appropriate for the film and the issues it is dealing with.

If you have seen Jindabyne, please let me know what you thought about it!

In other news...Last night I enjoyed a very tastey dinner with the fam to celebrate my brother's birthday (happy birthday Ryan!), after which I experienced a new taste sensation - cranberry, raspberry and strawberry tea (soo good!) - enjoyed while watching the rugby...so heres to the might men in black who did it again! Go NZ!
(Picture is of course of the one and only Dan Carter!)

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Roaring Lambs - The Moving Image Mission Field

I am someone who will often relate what I am watching in films or on TV to God, and how this world sees and responds to Him. The beauty of God’s grace, His love or His creation; Or lives without God, lives that reject Him, and suffer. No matter what show or film you are watching at least one of these concepts can be seen – God is, after all, everywhere.

In my journey through the book Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner I have just finished the chapter on Movies and am now onto Television.
Briner speaks of the impact films have had on him and acknowledges that films continue to be influential in our lives, but in a very different way. He says that as a child he learnt a lot about good morals etc from the films he watched, but worries that his kids cannot get the same value from movies today. This worry exists because “there are now almost no lambs roaring in Hollywood and anything close to a Christian message or theme rarely appears on the screens.” (p.80) Overall, people have “abandoned the motion picture industry as a place of ministry and outreach”.
Of course the problem with this is that “when good departs, evil always fills in behind it.”
Interesting. And true.

He points out that in the mind of many filmmakers “secure religious faith is incompatible with depth of character” and probably also a quality and entertaining story. Personally, I want that to change. This chapter is of particular interest to me, who, as a film student, would love to contribute to these changes in some way.
We cannot blame filmmakers for their inaccurate portrayals nor can we simply sit back and criticise the material they have produced if we are not providing alternatives.
Its not like quality films or television with this content have never been produced. It is possible. As Briner points out, we just need people in the industry, and more specifically, we need people to write the material so it can be produced.

TVs at ACMI, Melbourne

He points out a very similar issue with Television. Again, writers are needed to produces quality stuff to replace, or at least provide alternatives to, the shows that are flooding our screens and dishonouring to God.
Briner lists a bunch of shows that have presented faithful Jewish chracters in American TV over the years. Its somewhat of an embarassment to read these knowing how few characters of Christian faith are out there on our weekly viewing. All it takes is someone to remain true to who they are and what they believe when writing a script or creating a character. Television can be used to bring a Christian message and perspective to people’s living rooms. We just need to realise this and make use of it.

I was personally challenged as someone interested in this field to knowingly work for and aim towards an industry that conveys the message of the Gospel to the world.
Taking this approach is of course much much harder than simply criticising the bad.
But with God, all things are possible.

And this fact is already evident.
While Briner speaks of an industry with so few Christians in it, there is evidence of some lambs already roaring, and its encouraging.

For example:

Grey’s Anatomy.
One of my favourite TV shows. In an episode set in the Christmas Holiday season questions of spirituality and God’s existence were brought forward. Its always interesting seeing how TV deals with these issues and questions – ones that in reality probably exist to a greater extent than the TV shows allow us to consider. But occasionally you find a gold moment, or if you’re lucky, a gold episode, don’t you.

In this episode of Grey’s is was this moment: the girl, who has been greatly hurt by the guy, comes to him offering to help him study for the test he must pass to continue practising medicine. When questioned why she would even consider helping him, she says “Because its what Jesus would do”. I don’t think this was an entirely serious comment, nor do I think her character is a Christian, but it was actually quite an unexpected response, and also very true. Good to see a reminder of God’s grace on TV, even if its for just a second.

The West Wing.
I have never really gotten into this show. Until recently. A friend informed me of his love for it, and thus I was curious to see what he loved so much. So, while in Melbourne, I had the chance to see a few episodes.
This is a show which has run for several seasons, watched by millions, and received many awards.
And in one of the episodes I managed to see, God was glorified. You see, the writers of this series had a faithful Christian character in this particular episode. He was a persecuted Christian from China, and met personally with the US president. The president himself asks the character “How did you become a Christian?” (!!) and other related questions about his faith and what he and his people do – to which the characters provides faithful answers, proclaims Jesus as Lord, and explains that he and the rest of the persecuted people he is representing will continue to serve the Lord and meet together to read the Word and pray.
I was pretty surprised by this. But incredibly encouraged!
What a great message being conveyed and in a show that reaches millions of people!
Now someone is definately a lamb roaring at the West Wing!

Like the efforts of people in these productions and the message Briner is giving in his book, we need to prayerfully target the movies and TV and make them a place in which God is honoured - see them as a mission filed and a vehicle for the gospel message.

Monday, July 24, 2006

What came first?

Two of the joys of my trip to melbourne: finally buying the book High Fidelity; and getting up late, looking out at the beautiful view, and turning up good music. Heres a thought that stems from a combo of the two:

"What came first, the music or the misery? Did I listen to music becuase I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to music? Do all those records turn you into a melancholy person?" (High Fidelity, p.19)

I like this quote. I think its an interesting thought.
And lets just say there was a particular song I was listening to one of those mornings that at this point in my life makes me cry. Nothing to do with the quality of the song by the way...
Any songs like that for you? Not necessarily make you cry, but make you in some way blur where the music or the misery came first?

Sunday, July 23, 2006

My Own Private Melbourne

I'm back!
Four and a half days in Melbourne, visiting my brother, relaxing, and exploring this intriguing city.
And it was all very good! Let me fill you in on my journey (caution: this will be long! sorry!)

Day 1: Visited the Shrine of Rememberance, which is quite spectacular (and positioned in a lovely park that reminded me of Washington DC). Then walked through the Botanic Gardens to the Yarra River. Wandered up along the river to Southbank where I stopped for a bit of reading, coffee and cheesecake.

Day 2: Jumped on a tram and headed to St Kilda Beach and Pier. Was blessed with the most beautiful clear sunny day, which was perfect for a stroll up the pier and sitting by the beach, the later I did while enjoying some tastey lunch, reading High Fidelity, and listening to my own private concert provided by this guy in the pic below, who was just sitting there for hours writing songs and playing around with his guitar - so good! Now regretting not chatting with him. But very glad he was there.

After a while in the sun there I decided it was time to check out Chapel St...so eventually got there after a bit of a walk...
That night Ryan and I headed to Lygon St for some tastey Italian dinner. And we werent disappointed! We found the cutest little resturant with these classic little old Italian waiters with a great sense of humour, and some great food! Post dinner we headed to Koko Black - which I'm told is quite a treasure for Melburnians - where we had probably the best hot chocolate I have ever had! See ya later Max Brenner, hello koko black!
Day 3: Hoped on another tram and this time headed to Federation Square, which

I have to say has some of the coolest architecture around! Those buildings are so much fun! Anyway, there I went to ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image). This place is pretty cool! I seriously could have bought every film book in their gift shop. And they had this room with a bunch of capsule type things set up with sofas and tv screens with about 6 short films at each - i could have sat there all day watching these things!
After ACMI it was on to NGV A (National Gallery of Victoria, Australia) - a number of great exhibitions, the most interesting of which was 'The Paris End' - a series of photographs of fashion over the years, and some great b+w pics of Melb. And this was all topped off with a spa in the evening!
Day 4: Ryan and I enjyoed a tastey brunch at a great cafe overlooking the park on Domain Rd, then headed to the NGV for the Picasso exhibition!
This was absolutely amazing! An incredibly conprehensive exhibtiion of drawings and paintings by Picasso and photographs by Dora Maar. It was awesome seeing some of his most famous works, and some of his little sketches on scrap paper, and seeing her photographs of him working etc, seeing how the two relate and document each other. My highlight from the exhibition was Dora's photographs of Picasso's Guernica (one of my fav works of his) as a work in progress! Hard to explain, but this was very exciting and very cool - that work is massive!

After the exhibition we opted for the relaxed afternoon and headed to Melbourne Central shopping centre and watched Pirates of the Caribbean 2.

Overall, it was a great trip. Aside from the above exploration, I also enjoyed a lot of down time in my brothers apartment (which is extremely cool!) doing fun holiday things like reading, drawing, and watching TV....oh foxtel IQ...such a beautiful invention! And it was really nice being able to spend that time with my brother again! Cheers Ryan!
For those who are interested I am currently loading most of my pics onto flicker and giving a bit more of the story there too, just click on the melbourne set and enjoy!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

A Time to Choose

This was the theme for Treestump 2006 - our TC camp (years 7-9) from which I have just returned this evening.

A time to choose what exactly? Well, the four talks on camp presented these kids with an outline of the gospel - God Creates, We Rebel, Jesus Dies, Jesus Lives - 4 great talks that equiped the kids with all the information they need to make a decision to turn to Christ, and challenging them to do so.

It was a good week away for so many reasons. But the biggest reason is just seeing these kids being challenged and changed, and openly sharing these challenges with those around them. It is an absolutely amazing privilege to be able to assist in God's work, to lead these kids and help them grow in love and knowledge of Jesus.

There were many a struggle on this camp too. But thats what you're gonna get when dealing with kids this age.
But aside from those little downers, and the fact that this could potentially be the last CCSI youth group camp i lead on, as I said, it was great! God was with us, He was changing hearts, and He made a lot of good and fun things possible!

Some of my other highlights include:
- Hearing many kids be challenged to take their sin seriously, to hate it in fact. And of course, in learning this, seeing the gift of grace as so, so much sweeter!
- Guys/girls afternoon, when us girls enjoyed chilled time together making (or attempting to make) scarves while chatting, eating, and listening to and singing along with some beautiful music by Pappy (whose talent never ceases to amaze me)!
- Getting to know some of the leaders and kids better!
- of course, leaders' meetings, and the new coffee machine which got to be enjoyed during those meetings...
- Teaching the kids a memory verse to the tune of a Backstreet Boys song...and performing it with BSB style dance moves...
- Pirate Nite...and (the also incredibly talented) Marcus showing the kids what a 'walk-off' is really about!
- Firesides.
I think these are officially my favourite part of treestump! Very cold nite. Clear sky. Full Moon. A raging fire. And about 90 people singing praises to our Lord to the sound of two guitars. Hearing some challenging words (in this case we spoke on what I love about being a Christian) and encouraging prayers. I love it. Always good times.

To those who may have prayed for myself, the team, and the kids, thank you! And for those who may be wondering how my fireside talk turned out, I gave it on the first night of camp - a little nervous, but once again amazed at the power of the Spirit as He works through us - I really loved getting up there and giving it, encouraging and challenging the kids in that way - and its an amazing feeling really - if you just trust in the Lord, He really does just speak through you! Praise God!

There are many many more things I could say about Treestump.
But right now, my bed is calling - we've been apart for a few days so its time for our reunion... and sadly I must go to work in the morning!
But never fear! Tuesday I am off to Melbourne to stay with my brother and explore this city I've heard so much about yet never previously visited! So excited!

Take care people!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

'The skies proclaim the work of his hands'

Well, its sunday night, and im a little tired. But its been a good weekend!
Friday night Sarah and I had a dinner for our year 9 ladies - the menu: nachos with an option of cheesecake or chocolate cake. Although my girls proved to be much crazier than the other bible study, taking any opportunity they could to basically scream, and thus somewhat stun the other group into silence, it was actually a good night of fellowship - important before we head off to camp next week!
Once all the crazy kids had cleared out, we went for the viewing of Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - just what we needed to get into the right frame of mind before our pirates theme night on camp! Arr!

Saturday came along with more shopping for treasure and gold for camp
but was followed nicely by a lovely lunch at Dee Why, tea at Church Point, pasta and a glass of red for dinner while watching the mighty All Blacks achieve victory yet again, and it all being topped off with a viewing of Vanilla Sky (weird but interesting film!). A day blessed with fun adventures, good company, good conversation, good food, and beautiful weather!

This sunday was pretty much the only sunday in the entire year apart from summer holidays where I didnt have TC in the morning - so i took advantage and slept in! Very nice feeling! I then enjoyed the very beautiful sunny day we were yet again blessed with, and headed to Whale Beach, which was absolutely beautiful, full of lively activity but not too crowded, and I enjoyed taking some pics of God's amazing creation (see more on flicker)! It was then on to Palm beach for a bit of hot chips on the beach action, and then back off home to church for part two of the money seminar i went to last week, and another very challenging sermon from Ezek

iel.

Let me expand on a few of these things briefly.

1. Nath asked me on saturday what inspired me. One of the responses i gave was Creation. And that was pretty much proved this weekend. Psalm 19:1 says "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." On days like where there is an amazing clear beautifully blue sky, sun shining, and you are surrounded by the landscape like a beach, you cannot help but know there is a loving and creative God behind this world! Now dont get me wrong here, we are reminded of God, and his love and power in many more ways than this, but its just one example which I definately identified with this weekend. And was inspired as I aimed to capture at least a glimpse of this beauty with my camera.

2. Money and how to use it wisely and in a godly way is a difficult and challenging issue. So much to say here, too much to write right now.

3. Ezekiel is a very full on book. I am so glad we get to study it at church though. Wal did a great job of explaining chapter 16 tonight - have a read, its a challenging passage! Its awesome looking at passages written so many years ago of an age we think we cannot relate to, yet be challenged seeing similarities between us and the people then, and be taught the same lessons they needed to be taught. Man we are a sinful people! We must not become complacent about sin, but commit to remembering what we were - dead in our transgressions and sin - and what Christ has done - given us life, by grace, through his death and resurrection!
Its such a vivid and insane picture in that chapter.
But what an amazing thing to know that, while we deserve it, God, in his love for us, cannot simply walk away and leave us!

I am off to camp on wednesday, then to melbourne the week after, so for now, I shall bid thee goodbye. Take care. If you get the chance, please pray for me as i continue to write my fireside for camp, for all us leaders as we head off on wed, and for the kids and the camp in general.

In Him,
C.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Quote of the Week:
"I always tell the girls never take it seriously
If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt
And if you never get hurt, you always have fun
And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends."

I like this quote. Its from one of my favourite films which I watched again the other day. Identifying the name of the film is of course your job!

Whats been happenin?!
I am officially half way through my 3rd week of holidays. All I can say is its going way too fast! But there have still been some good times...
-Enjoying coffee and good conversation with a few friends
-Friday spent drawing, studying God's word, watching the aforementioned film, having an enjoyable Bible study (one of those slightly full on ones but oh so good to have the kids open up and share), followed by a friends 21st
-Saturday - while plans changed it was still a packed and enjoyable day - brunch with Sarah, followed by watching one of the St Ives teams win 8-nil in the soccer, followed by some tastey cheesecake, farewell drinks and another 21st!
-Sunday we held a bit of a holiday edition TC (its totally normal to wear santa hats in july right?!), another movie was viewed, and I was considerably challenged by a Money Matters seminar, prior to a pre-church bbq and another challenging sermon on Ezekiel. I am really enjoying getting into more of the OT lately - its exciting seeing God work through Wal, who is doing a great job at making some confusing things clear!
-And come monday nite, after a painful day at work, I saw Romeo & Juliet at the Opera House! Yep, I love the theatre! I'd studied this play twice at school and seen the films so it was great to finally see it on the stage!

What Light Through Yonder Window Breaks?!
Let me ask you this question - where do you find hope?
On something that lasts or something that will ultimately fail?
On sunday Wal left us with this question - Where is hope when the things on which your hope is based are themselves hope less?
Or perhaps even more concerning - Where is hope if the thing in which you hope does not have God's seal of approval?
Methinks this is not a question you can push to the side for a later date.

An opportunity to contribute...
We go on Treestump in less than a week. I have quite a bit to get done before then. If you are the praying kind, I'd appreciate some prayer for myself and the team leading up to and of course over the camp period! Its such a blessing to be a part of God's work in this way! I hope and pray that kids will be changed on this camp, and that what we prepare is faithful to the Lord and brings glory to Him alone.
One of the things I need to prepare is a talk for a fireside. We are doing them on 'one thing I love about being a Christian'. At this stage I am thinking of going with the fact that as a Christian I do not need to fear death, since through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are promised life.

I want to know what you would say if you had to give the fireside?! "Oh wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?" This is an opportunitiy for those of you who read but rarely comment to do so - Please feel free to share, all responses are welcome - there are afterall many a good thing about being a Christian!

Coffee Break Lane