#allie avital

[nofatclips]

Me in 20 Years by Moses Sumney from the album græ - Directed by Allie Avital

[music-daily]

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (2024) dir. Allie Avital

[simpingland]

Nightmare // Jacaerys Velaryon x Oc!Fem.

Part 3: the tour in search of allies start, and the tension between Gaella and Jace must stop for the same cause. But the first stop is avit more difficult for reasons they never imagined. Part 1, Part 2. Part 4.

Riding Vermithor was madness for Gaella. She could have bonded with a dragon if it had hatched from her crypt, but as with Aemond, nothing hatched from her egg. But Gaella regretted her cowardice as she joined the Velaryons in bidding farewell to the Queen. Luke gave her an odd smile, trying to reconcile himself to the idea of having her as an ally, but Jace let out a sigh that made Gaella duck her head. She might have thrown herself from the top of the dragon so as not to spend another second of embarrassment. With her flying clothes on, and a braid pulling her hair away from her face, Gaella tried to listen carefully to Rhaenyra's words. They promised to go as messengers, not warriors. And though Jace had a dignified face as he swore, Gaella suspected he was easily irritated the moment someone crossed a boundary. And they all knew it would come to that, this was a war. Rhaenyra gave her a comforting caress on the hand before letting them leave for the beach.

"You still have time to tame Vermithor," Luke reminded Gaella.

"Tell me one more time and I'm going back to the cave, Lucerys," she replied, half-smiling.

"No, cut the crap, both of you," Jace interrupted, his serious tone odd to both of them.

"If I go with Vermithor I wouldn't bother you," Gaella reminded him.

Jace looked at her quietly, and seemed to want to say something, but he held his tongue and no one else wanted to speak again.Luke gave Gaella a hug and then let himself be squeezed by his older brother.

"Whatever happens, don't be afraid, you will never let mother down, and you will never let me down, Luke. But I trust you'll do well." Jace forced him to look him in the eye, Luke nodded.

"I promise I'll do well. Good luck at Winterfell."

"Good luck to you, too."

"Goodbye, Gaella. I'm glad you're back."

"Thank you, Luke...I hope to see you again soon."

And so the three of them parted. Luke walked to the other side of the beach, where his beloved Arrax was waiting for him. Jace walked ahead, expecting Gaella to follow. But the girl's feet were heavy at the thought of climbing onto the dragon. When they arrived, Vermax looked uneasy, but Jace's words relaxed him.

"He can tell you're terrified," he said.

"Don't exaggerate, I'm not terrified...just nervous."

"Sure..."

Jace offered his hand to Gaella, who stood watching. She guessed that was what he wanted, and Gaella placed her gloved hand on top of Jace's. With a look of permission, Jace's dryness was gone for a moment as the girl nodded uncertainly. Gently, Jace pulled the glove from her hand, and Gaella felt the chill of the wind.

"Trust me... nothing will happen to you." The Prince's voice sounded like a caress so close to her, and the girl nodded, gathering in her all that courage she felt she didn't have. He drew her closer to the greenish creature, which was making strange sounds, but which, like Gaella, was blindly trusting in Jace. The warm, scaly touch was strange, but Gaella felt connected to her ancestors and felt some regret that she didn't have a dragon of her own.

"He must like you..." interrupted Jace.

"How do you know?" The girl pulled her hand away, preparing to mount.

"He would have eaten you if he didn't." Jace tugged at her waist to hoist her up and onto Vermax.

"Like you've ever seen a dragon eat someone..."

"How do you know I haven't?" He sat down in front of Gaella, taking the reins.

"You'd be completely traumatized if it had happened... you're too sensi--"

Jace took flight abruptly, leaving Gaella mid-sentence and eliciting a cry of fear at the rapid height they caught. The prince regretted it the instant the girl squeezed his ribs exaggeratedly hard.

Only when Vermax's flight stabilised could Gaella rest her voice, though she still clung tightly to the prince.

"I need to breathe so I can lead us to our destination, Gaella," Jace urged her. The girl let go, blushing slightly.

"Forgive me," she whispered, and Jace pretended not to hear her, though she was more than forgiven.

Their arrival in the Arryn Valley was early. It was late afternoon when they were ushered through. Gaella had to hold on tight again when Vermax landed on one of the stony mountains. The air was beginning to move considerably compared to Dragonstone or King's Landing, but the Princess clung to her cloak as she tried to climb down from the dragon with dignity. Jacaerys helped her as much as she would let him and had to hold on behind her once they were on solid ground.

Lady Arryn sat tall on her throne, jaw set and sharp-eyed, truly Jacaerys' aunt.

"Lady Arryn..." the prince greeted her.

"Prince Jacaerys... it is a pleasure to finally meet my own blood." She smiled at the boy and then fixed his gaze on Gaella, who kept her eyes downcast. "Who is with you?"

Jace waited for Gaella to speak, but she looked cowering before such a large court, so loyal to Lady Arryn. Jace only needed to connect his eyes with her to understand what she needed.

"This is Princess Gaella, my lady. And she is here to help me." His voice echoed through the room, confirming what everyone had deduced from the hair so white and creating whispers and gossip.

"Daughter of Alicent Hightower?" Lady Arryn asked.

"And an ally of the Blacks."

The woman was silent, looking the princess up and down. Finally, she spoke.

"I suppose it is never pleasant to travel alone. Escort me to my chamber, my dear. I prefer some privacy."

That sounded like a rebuke to the court, which quickly ceased the chatter. Jace glanced at Gaella to make sure she was with him, but she didn't move a foot.

"Come on, come with me," he urged.

"I'd better not, Jace." She spoke softly, barely looking at him.

"Is this your big help?" He asked, furrowing his brows and trying to be patient.

"You're going to convince her on your own, I'd just confuse her, save us the moment."

"You must come and join me, Gaella. That was the deal."

"I will help you when necessary, Jacaerys...and now is not the time. Please," she looked up, dead ashamed, "let me retire and wait for you."

The prince nodded and looked around the room for a face to trust before turning away from her. He saw none.

"At least escort me to the hall. Stay close to me."

Gaella nodded and now walked humbly behind him. In the hallway, she remained throughout the talk between the Prince and Lady Arryn. The girl could hear only echoes of the conversation, and, as she had imagined, all was well. Opening the door again, Lady Jane gave her grandnephew a final embrace before retiring to rest before supper.

"You are more than welcome to feed and rest here, my dear. Princess Gaella as well." She smiled so confidently that the thought of making her uncomfortable gave some dread. She closed the door, leaving the two of them alone in the hallway.

"We should leave before nightfall, Jacaerys..." Gaella's suggestion hung in the air as her stomach growled.

"Let me tell you all about it over dinner. We'll get up early, I promise." Jace set off on his way with confidence.

"Why are you so insistent that I come with you if you never listen to me?" Gaella followed him angrily.

"Stop being contrary. You're just as hungry as I am."

Gaella decided to say no more, knowing that nothing coherent or useful would come of that moment. A large room was laid out for them, the food was already served, and the fire in the fireplace prepared. The room was so large that there were two beds, and Gaella was glad to see them.

"I sure smell terrible..." she said to the air, taking off her cloak as she sat in front of the fire with bread, cheeses and wine. "I'd ask for soap and water, but it's useless if we're going to be riding Vermax again soon, how am I going to stand so...disgusting?"

"What happened to you in the room, Gaella?" interrupted Jace, still standing, slowly removing his things, and when the Princess turned to look at him, his eyes were already locked on hers. There was a moment's silence.

"What you already know has happened to me," she replied.

"I don't know, not really."

Finally, Jace sat down beside her, staring into the fire and leaving his profile to her. Gaella looked down at her hands and gave a sigh.

"Lady Arryn is your mother's aunt..." she began.

"But if you come with me everyone knows you are one of us, you need not fear being doubted as long as I am around."

"It is not that, Jacaerys.... Lady Jane had a sister whom she surely adored as much as you may adore Lucerys. And when she died, it didn't take a winter for her to be replaced by another queen who could bear children. And that queen was my mother. Can you imagine the feeling that woman might have for me?" She waited for Jace's answer, but he only gave her a sidelong, serious look. "I know what that feeling is. And it's hate."

They were silent for a few moments, Jace let those words make sense in his head, but the truth was that he couldn't. He didn't know what to say to Gaella to help her, because he didn't understand it himself. She barely knew her, how could he hold such a grudge? He was angry with her for very different reasons, but now was not the time to hold it against her.

"We should concentrate on our next point. And rest." He shoveled food into his mouth, as if justifying that he had nothing to bring her. He couldn't avoid Gaella's look of disappointment. He explained all his talk with lady Arryn and didn't go to bed until he saw the princess finish her dinner.

The beds were set far apart, and the curtains left plenty of privacy. Gaella could not remember the last time she had been so tucked between her sheets. She worried about the winter chill and wondered if Jace was as cold as she was and wanted to look tough, and when she peeked out to look at him in the distance she could see him sound asleep.

She had barely finished falling into a deep sleep when Gaella was startled by noises coming from the room. It was not the sound of a door slamming or a scream. They were murmurs that rose and grew, like a strange cry. When she opened her eyes and saw that it was not a dream, she knew that the cries were Jacaerys'. It took her a while to peek out, fearing the worst.

"No..." he said, "Mother, do something! He's going to fall!"

Gaella peeked out, sure they were alone. "Luke! Luke!"

That last thing he shouted and Gaella panicked, rushing to his bed to pull him out of that terrible place. Tears were streaming from his tightly closed eyes, and he shifted roughly on his mattress. When Gaella's hands came to rest on his face, he seemed to calm instantly.

"Jace! Jace!" she tried not to speak too loudly. "Wake up, it's a dream! Wake up, you're here!"

"Luke..." he whispered, and finally opened his eyes. He came back from that nightmare to find Gaella and her sweet hands and sweet smell. She looked at him with fear, not of him, but for him. When she met his eyes, the girl smiled sweetly and Jace could feel her wiping away his tears.

"It was just a bad dream..." she whispered to him. Her body was almost entirely on top of Jace's, her loose hair flowed over her shoulder and Jace needed to touch her wrist to feel it was real. Gaella matched her breath to Jace's in silence.

"I saw Luke...I saw him drown in the sea." His confession broke Gaella's heart. "I was in the middle of a storm, and I was so scared."

"It was just a bad dream, Jace...he'll be home again. Arrax is a swift dragon, and he and Rhaenyra will be sleeping soundly by now. As will the rest of your siblings, and as should you."

"Lucerys is too young...I'm sure I've been too demanding of him, I always have been."

"Lucerys is a clever boy, don't be afraid for him. He'll be able to do the right thing. You've always been a good brother, loving and patient with him."

"I'm not so patient..."

"But you are quite loving. And Luke knows that it doesn't matter if he fails in his mission, he'll only care about getting back to your side. I'm envious of how much you take care of each other...I'm sure for every bad thing you might have done to him there'll be dozens of good things you've done for him as well."

Jace nodded, trying to forget everything he'd seen in his nightmare. He dreaded going back to that horrible place in his sleep. Gaella stood up, ready to go back to bed, but Jace didn't let go of her wrist and grabbed her hand to turn her around.

"Gaella...remember when you made an exaggeratedly long scarf for your porcelain doll in your netting lessons?"

The question made Gaella smile, immediately remembering what followed that terrible lesson.

"My favourite part of that story is when you put it through my door and Aegon fell trying to cross it."

They laughed as they recalled it, just as they had done as children. It had been one of the thousand times they had seen Aegon become humble.

"Even your Grandsire couldn't scold us, he found it funny too," Jace added.

"Of course it's a great war strategy, dear Gaella, you'd make a great soldier," the princess mimicked her grandfather Otto.

When the laughter died down, Jace's hand was still clasped in Gaella's. Neither let go, and Jace watched Gaella as Gaella watched the hands.

"I'm sorry I woke you," he said.

"Don't worry about it, with the cold it's always hard for me to fall asleep."

"Are you cold?"

"...A little, yeah."

Without thinking too much, Jace used his free hand to lift his quilt, and pulled Gaella to lie down beside him.

"It's not appropriate," the girl reminded him, lowering her voice a lot.

He glanced at her for a moment before turning and turning his back to her, leaving her a considerable space and blocking his hands. She thought for a moment before lying down, but when she got into bed she immediately felt a warmth that was impossible to feel in her bed alone. She sank into the hollow between her and Jace's back and had to suppress her urge to wrap her arms around him and hug him, a little more carefully than she had while they were flying. She still smelled like a dragon, but it was a scent that was growing more and more pleasing to her. Jace felt Gaella's soft breath on the back of his neck, and still facing away from him, he spoke into the air, hoping she would hear his words, even if it was in his dreams.

"If anyone should hate you, Gaella, it is because they have not had the good fortune to know you."

Gaella laid her hand on his arm, drawing a disguised caress and smiled into the darkness, she had heard him.

Taglist: @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 @bellstwd

[penworthy]

Screenshots (of anything, anywhere) are a useful tool in cataloging and archiving the cultural moment. They are a means of creating permanence in a fast-paced and increasingly digital world. To screenshot (be it a frame from a film, a paragraph of text, a blurred moment from a YouTube video) is to press pause, to capture, to remember. 

For Allie Avital, a filmmaker, image collecting has always been a pathway to creating and telling stories. Her screenshot folders are organized for different aspects of her life and work—some by technique (framing, lighting) and others by theme or title (1980s Soviet children films are a favorite of hers. Many of them she classifies as “dream images” or bridges to writing). “They get me excited about future possibilities,” she says.

[country-chickenyummy]

Do You Get the Message? (17)

1. Poster: Rewind 

Rewind is a 2023 Filipino film starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, which premiered at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film primarily targets fans interested in family dynamics, personal growth, and the consequences of one's actions. It resonates with those who seek an emotional connection to themes of second chances and the importance of cherishing relationships.

Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and written by Enrico Santos and Joel Mercado, Rewind was co-produced by APT Entertainment, Star Cinema, and Agosto Dos Pictures. The film explores themes of forgiveness, the impact of personal choices, and the significance of cherishing every moment with loved ones. It revolves around the idea of making amends with the past and reclaiming lost time, emphasizing the value of family and relationships.

At its core, Rewind conveys the message that cherishing each moment and making peace with the past are essential for a fulfilling life. While one may wish to change the past, the film highlights that true growth comes from acceptance and learning from mistakes. It underscores themes of family, redemption, and making the most of the time we have with our loved ones.

The film effectively utilizes symbolic, technical, and audio codes to enhance its storytelling. Symbolic elements represent personal reflection and the desire for redemption, while cinematographic techniques such as flashbacks differentiate between timelines, reinforcing the theme of rewinding time. The musical score intensifies emotional moments, strengthening the audience’s connection to the characters and their journeys. The chosen format not only complements the film’s themes but also deepens its emotional impact. By incorporating time travel as a narrative device, Rewind creates a compelling and immersive experience, allowing viewers to engage deeply with its powerful message of redemption and the value of second chances.

2. Pop song: Let Go by BTS  The song Let Go by BTS is primarily intended for their fans, ARMY, and Japanese listeners, as it was released on their Japanese album Face Yourself. However, its theme of moving on and letting go resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of farewell and personal growth. 

Produced under BigHit Entertainment, the song was created by BTS themselves, with members RM, Suga, and J-Hope contributing to its production and songwriting. It expresses deep emotions of farewell, offering comfort to those struggling to move forward from a past relationship or situation.

At its core, Let Go conveys the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye and accepting that moving on is a natural part of life, essential for healing and growth. Symbolic codes are used through metaphors that express emotional separation, while technical codes, such as the soft piano and gradual beat in the intro, mirror the transition from sadness to acceptance. 

The combination of rap and smooth vocals enhances the contrast between pain and hope, making use of audio codes to deepen the emotional impact. Additionally, written codes blend Japanese and poetic expressions, emphasizing the song’s heartfelt message.

With its emotional melody and touching lyrics, Let Go effectively delivers its theme of farewell and self-growth, creating a deeply moving experience for listeners.

3. Music Video: Deja Vu by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s deja vu, released in April 2021, explores the unsettling experience of seeing an ex-partner recreate shared moments with someone new. The song and video resonate with individuals struggling with their past relationships, especially those who have felt replaced or have witnessed intimate memories being relived with another person. 

Co-written by Olivia and producer Dan Nigro, the song was brought to life visually by director Allie Avital, who enhances its themes through storytelling. The video delves into the repetitive nature of relationships, examining the emotional turmoil of realizing that once-special moments are no longer unique.

The video cleverly portrays two women—one representing Olivia and the other her ex’s new partner—engaging in identical activities, symbolizing the replication of past experiences. This mirroring effect reinforces the concept of déjà vu, further emphasized through the use of split screens and blended transitions between past and present, creating a sense of disorientation. 

Musically, the song’s nostalgic melodies and contemporary beats evoke a melancholic tone, aligning with its theme of recurring emotional experiences. The lyrics specifically reference shared activities, highlighting the deeply personal nature of memories now being duplicated by someone else.

By seamlessly combining visual storytelling, symbolic elements, and a haunting soundscape, the video effectively enhances the song’s message. The synergy between its audio and visual components deepens the emotional impact, immersing the audience in the discomfort of watching one’s past be relived by another.

[etz-ashashiyot]

Oh and by the way, you might (those of you who are engaging your critical thinking skills and not just taking my word for it) be thinking, "Sure, okay Avital, but if the American left is culturally Christian, how much more so must the American right, who are actually often fundamentalist Christians, be! If what you're saying is true, why aren't they having these same problems, hmm?"

Great question! Glad you asked!

Two things:

A) Well, actually they are having many of those same problems (think about the whole bizarre RINO, uhh Thing, for example); and,

B) There are a number of other factors that contribute to their ability to work with (or at least around) these problems in ways that the left can't or won't, but a lot of them boil down to the following:

They accept authority and appeals to authority far more than leftists

They are frequently single issue voters (the forced birth movement in particular is notoriously bad on this level) and so can be convinced to ally with the actual scum of the earth if their one major issue is addressed; this does not create a purity issue because their locus of purity centers on that one issue rather than a larger framework of social justice where all issues are intersectional

Probably a lot of other reasons; I'll tag @batboyblog to see if he has additional thoughts on the civics/voting side of things

But most importantly from my perspective on this post: they are actually Christians, so they have the theological framework to address these holdups internally. The big problem with leaving Jesus behind but still applying those views and beliefs to secular issues is that when things don't make sense, there's no home base to center corrections on.

A lot of this actually runs sorta contrary to actually Christian theology (especially vis a vis forgiveness) and so Christians are often able to actually course-correct by returning to that doctrine when needed. But if you are applying end times theology to The Revolution without even understanding that that's what you're doing and are unwilling to even consider examining that? It's a lot harder to then fix what you won't see.

I genuinely believe that a lot of the reason that the American left is so ineffectual and self-sabotaging is because of how deeply and unrepentantly calvinist it is.

[thejoyofviolentmovement]

New Video: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Share Dance Floor Friendly and Feral "Wolf"

New Video: Yeah Yeah Yeahs Share Dance Floor Friendly and Feral "Wolf" @YYYs @KarenO @nickzinner @brianchase123 @secretlycndian @grandstandhq @allieavital

Yeah Yeah Yeahs — Karen O. (vocals), Nick Zinner (keys, guitar, drum machine, bass) and Brian Chase (drums) — released their long-awaited and highly-anticipated fifth album Cool It Down earlier this year through Secretly Canadian. The eight-song album is an expert distillation of the band’s gifts that will impel the listener to move, cry, and listen closely.   “To all who have waited, our dear…

[brighttaylor]

OLIVIA RODRIGO > DEJA VU [2021]

[symptom3000]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Wolf" (2022)

director: Allie Avital

[videohastherighttomusic]

Chairlift - Crying In Public

[nofatclips]

Panic Room by Autre Ne Veut from the album Age of Transparency - Directed by Allie Avital

[nowayzinedine]

The horse whisperer.

[denibanka]

Moses Sumney -- Lonely World

[kaylavandurme]

Allie Avital, een music video director die mij in het oog viel bij een clipje van een van mijn favoriete artiesten, Moses Sumney. ze maakte een edtal clips ondersteunend aan zijn muziek en zo ook voor andere muzikanten. Allemaal heel experimenteel. Zeker het bekijken waard.

[thebittersweetdistractor]

HUNDRED WATERS  “Fingers” [Official Video]

Directed by Allie Avital.  Hundred Waters’ new album “Communicating” is out September 14th on OWSLA.