#cinema without borders

[haute-lifestyle-com]

The Doris Duke Foundation is pleased to announce its continued commitment to uplifting Muslim stories through a $1 million grant to Sundance Institute. Through a three-year commitment, the grant establishes the Building Bridges Fellowship and Completion Fund

[sayruq]

London’s biggest screening party for the Eurovision Song Contest finals has been canceled, the venue Rio Cinema and organizer Eurovision Party London have said. “Following discussion with the organizers of Eurovision Party London, we have collectively decided not to screen the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest this year while Israel remains in the competition,” the Rio Cinema said in a statement on X. “The Eurovision Party London has been a beloved partner of The Rio Cinema for many years, and we will continue to work with them in the future. We firmly believe that the Eurovision Song Contest has the power to bring people together across the world, and when its core values of inclusivity, equality and universality are upheld, it can be a genuine force for good. With its own slogan in mind, we hope that we can all be United By Music again soon. We will continue to organize fundraising events for the charities we support, including Doctors Without Borders and Medical Aid for Palestine.”

[awrkive]

tlp jk is def the type to absolutely sob when he sees oc walk down the aisle/when he’s trying to propose to her and it maybe just me but I feel like after that one year anniversary he’s like I’m wifing this girl DOWNN cause I feel like he lich has the ring and everyth ready to go he’s waiting he’s prepped 😭

here it is!!! #thee proposal drabble this is literally the cutest thing ever i wish love was real 😖🥹 hope u enj!!!!!!!!!!

summary: in which jungkook proposes and it doesn't start off well

w/c: 3.7k

warning/s: tlp couple is extremely in love that is a warning. they're also cry babies. listen to something by the beatles for the major feels 😔

“Baby,” Jungkook sighs, matching your pace. “Are we really fighting right now?” 

“No.” Is your stern response, continuing your quick steps without even bothering to look back at him. 

“I guess we are fighting right now.” Jungkook mumbles to himself, taking two big strides so he can finally catch up with you. 

You don’t pay him any attention when he slides his arm around your waist while the other holds the bag of large popcorn you bought a while ago, leaning down to kiss the side of your head. Jungkook doesn’t even care about the people passing by around the cinema; they have lives to care about on their own – he can kiss his girlfriend wherever and whenever he wants. 

“I’m sorry.” He whispers in your hair, enough for only you to hear. 

There’s a crease on your forehead that hasn’t ceased ever since you left the restaurant you had your dinner at. But after a few beats, you let out a sigh. 

“I just really wanted to see the movie in IMAX.” you lament, and Jungkook feels bad. He really does. 

“I know, baby, I really am sorry,” he apologizes once again. “We can see it tomorro—” but he realizes you both have a full-time shift, so he opts for, “–next week?” 

“Jungkook, the screening ends in the next two days.” you say, tone bordering on annoyed now. You reel it back in, gently saying, “I just– I told you to hurry up earlier, but you kept on changing your hair even though– you know what, forget about it. Which cinema were we in, again?” 

Jungkook’s nerves begin to kick in, because you look like you’re genuinely upset now. He can tell it by the tone of your voice, the disappointment and the simmering irritation of having to deal with the situation. You don’t get angry often – no scratch that, you don’t get angry at all. However, it does come in withdrawal-like gestures and behavior – like now. 

And again, Jungkook really does feel bad for having to do what he did earlier. You weren’t able to purchase tickets online so you had to make do with buying on the actual booth – and because Jungkook took way too long in the comfort room of the restaurant fixing his hair, you arrived at the cinema way too late and the tickets for the last IMAX screening of the night ran out. It left you with no choice but to go with the regular one instead, and needless to say, you’re not at all that happy about that. 

Well, shit. Jungkook thinks. This date is not going well at all. The waitress at the restaurant you ate at a while ago openly flirted with him on your table and he was too stunned to do something that you had to tell her off by yourself. That had obviously taken a hit on your mood, and the cinema thing just kind of maybe amplified it and Jungkook thinks he’s beginning to get fucked.

“I’ll make up it up to you, baby–” 

“The tickets, Jungkook.” 

Jungkook purses his lips into a thin line and gives them to you.

You walk alongside each other quietly, but Jungkook doesn’t let go of your waist while you head towards the dark and quiet hallway, leading to the seats. You don’t pry his hand off so maybe – maybe – that’s a good thing. 

But god, this night isn’t going well like he wanted it to be. Suddenly, he’s nervous again. More nervous that he was in the shower awhile ago when you were still prepping for the date back at home. He’s anxious about fucking the whole thing up, and sure, he could trust his track record of never fucking up when it comes to doing big things in his life, but this is different. This will be different. And he’s just so fucking scared that he checks on his watch again. 

8:22pm. 

Eight minutes before the movie starts in your cinema. And eight minutes more before the–

“Jungkook,” You call him, and he’s just in the middle of pushing the seat down for you when you do so. He looks at you. Confused, you ask, “Do you have somewhere to go?” 

“Huh?”

“You keep on looking at your watch. You have been since we were at the restaurant.” 

Jungkook’s eyes widen and he’s thankful there’s barely any lights in the hall.

“I– no. No.” He shakes his head, placing down the bag of popcorn in the middle and takes your hand instead, interlocking your fingers. “I’m sorry, did I keep doing that?” He asks consciously.

He’s really fucking this up, and you’re noticing it. 

“Yes, it’s bothering me a little,” You shuffle in your seat a little, facing Jungkook. Softly, you ask, “Do you wanna go home? We can ditch the movie. I’m sorry for being a dickhead the whole night. It’s not an excuse but I really wanted to watch this movie in IMAX… but it’s fine. I’m not mad at you. I’m just in a… mood. And I know I’m taking it out on you. I’m sorry. I’m being so unappreciative over here – I know you were supposed to work on your research–”

“Hey,” Jungkook stops you before you can even finish that. “No, baby. This is our date. I don’t wanna go home yet and I’m genuinely really sorry for missing the IMAX screening.” He’d add he didn’t mean to take long in the comfort room earlier… but that would be a lie. He intended to do that so you can both arrive here on time like planned. 

You purse your lips into a thin line. “Still… I’m sorry for being a little bitch.” 

“Not true. You’re an angel.” Jungkook says and brings your interlocked hands up to kiss your knuckles. “Love you.” 

You frown. “Love you too.” 

That earns you a hearty chuckle from him. “I love you more.” 

“Not that again.” You sigh, turning sideways to look ahead on the screen but not breaking away from his hold. 

Jungkook contains his smile as his gaze falls to the big screen as well, nerves crumbling down a little at the exchange. You’re the only person who can make him nervous but the only one who can take it away at the same time. 

“Huh,” you utter suddenly in the middle of some trailer playing. “It’s so weird there’s only a few people here.”

At that, Jungkook’s heart rate picks up a bit. “Y-yeah? Well, it’s late at night.” 

“Fair.” 

“And this movie’s not really new, right? Just an anniversary screening thing.” Jungkook continues to add, as if determined to justify your claim. 

You nod. “I guess you’re right.” 

“Yep.” 

His phone lights up and you’re busy sipping on your drink so Jungkook takes that as an opportunity to check the messages he received.

tae [8:28pm]: starting in 2

tae [8:28pm]: good luck buddy

Jungkook swipes his tongue over his lips – a nervous habit – quickly turning it off and pocketing the device. He places his arm on the arm rest and taps his fingers on the plastic surface anxiously. 

It feels like there’s a ticking clock above his head when the trailer finally ends, because he knows the thing should start rolling. 

And Jungkook swears he’s prepared for this for so many weeks. Months for the matter. It’s now May and the ring has been bought since February. What was once tucked away from the depths of his closet is now snugged in the pockets of his trouser, deep enough that you couldn’t pinpoint the bulging outline of the box.

Jungkook originally planned for you both to be out of the country when he does it. But things got really hectic at the hospital and while he personally could’ve still taken a leave, you couldn’t. Jungkook brought up the idea of vacationing a little, “Just for a week,”, he said, but then you sadly told him that you couldn’t even if you wanted to and he understood that greatly. He’s in the same line of work, after all. 

So, with what seemed to be the nth deliberation with Doyeon, Taehyung, and Nayeon, he ultimately decided on this set-up. You know; trick you into going to the mall with him so you can pass by the cinema and he successfully executes the proposal seamlessly. But obviously, it didn’t go as smoothly as that.

After your dinner, you impulsively decided that you wanted to watch a movie in IMAX, but it starts at exactly as Jungkook’s proposal, and so he had to compromise a little bit; the admittedly poor (but effective) solution coming in the form of intentionally staying a little longer in the comfort room of the restaurant just so you two would be lat. 

And Jungkook swears it’s for a good reason! Because everything’s prepped and ready to roll and he can’t have himself waste another perfect opportunity. He remembers almost popping the question three months ago, two months ago, month ago, few weeks ago and heck, even last night – but he’d always get cold feet and think the time wasn’t right. 

Right now, though, is different. 

And he wants it so badly to be different.

Good thing you settled things quickly. Now that his being late is past you, he can be a little more confident in what he’s about to do. 

The next trailer shows up and Jungkook sits upright, knowing what’s coming. He has it memorized, down to each frame. He was the one who edited it, after all, a product of his humble multimedia skills, that is. Jungkook could’ve gone to a professional but he really wanted to do it himself, scared they wouldn’t be able to tell you what he wanted to. And so he did. The gang also told him that it would be better if he did it himself.

And now he’s showing it to you – you, who’s completely clueless beside him. 

It starts as a bit of a misdirect. There’s an intro from a famous movie studio, and a scene from a real movie – and so of course you don’t suspect anything, as Jungkook could say from his peripheral view.

Suddenly, the screen goes black. It causes a pregnant pause, stretched to exactly five seconds (again, Jungkook edited that), and then, a familiar clip suddenly plays. 

It’s a video of you taken from Jungkook’s camcorder back in med school. First year, around the second semester. You were at Moon’s Printing Shop and you were looking down at your notes when Jungkook, behind the camera, called your name. 

You looked up, hair messy from an all-nighter study but Jungkook’s certain the Jungkook behind the scene was still thinking you were the prettiest girl he’s ever seen just like he’s thinking now. 

“Who would you wanna be if you were given the chance to be somebody else in your next life?” 

You grimace. “Hopefully, still me.” 

“So boring,” Jungkook exaggerated, his laughter reverberating in the hall of the theater. “Be serious.” 

You looked flustered in the video. “I’m serious. I don’t wanna be somebody else.” 

In his seat, Jungkook feels the real you sitting beside him tugging at your enclosed hands together, so he looks at you. 

“Jungkook, what is this?” You say, evidently unaware of what’s currently happening, your brows furrowed in that cute confusion. 

“Just something I’ve been working on for the past three months.” he smiles, bringing your hands together to his lips again. He just couldn’t stop kissing and touching you even if he tries.

You stare at him with your mouth agape, but you don’t say anything else, your gaze falling back to the screen once again. 

“Okay, since you don’t wanna play this game I wanna be Darth Vader.” Jungkook said in the video. 

“What? The evil guy from Star Wars?” You frowned. “That’s not… hmm… okay. I guess I wanna be… Spongebob, then.” 

“Oh. Wow. Interesting. Alright, Darth Vader’s out. I wanna be Patrick instead.” 

“I like that. So we’ll still be bestfriends, right?” 

“Yeah. And I still get to stress you out even in the next life.” 

That made you laugh, the warm burst of laughter filling the hall which makes Jungkook’s lips curl up as he watches the screen. He can never get tired of it; your smile, your laugh, your face as it lights up. There’s something so incredibly angelic about you he sometimes thinks you’re not human at all. Or maybe just part-human… nonetheless, he feels grateful. For literally everything. 

Something in the way she moves…

The video transitions to another reel of you taken by Jungkook while The Beatles’ Something plays in the background. 

"Oh my god..." Jungkook hears you gasp beside him, but he doesn't allow himself to break just yet. Instead, he tightens his grip on your hand, feeling your response as you hold on just as firmly.

The screen continues to show candid moments of you from med school. All recorded and taken by Jungkook; the trips you took during that time, that rave party you went to where you got extremely drunk – and when that showed up, you giggled beside him and said, “I told you to delete that.”, which he just laughed at. 

Later on, the clips got more recent, you in your lilac dress and Jungkook’s white tux… it was a video of you dancing in Nayeon’s wedding. 

“W-wha–… I didn’t – who took that?” You whisper, sounding in awe. 

“Nayeon was apparently recording from the stage at that time.” Jungkook says, looking at you and smiling when he sees that you have your eyes glued to the screen. 

“This is so…” you trail off, but you don’t really say anything in continuation. 

Recent videos of you play, capturing moments from the two years you’ve been together. There’s that clip in Vienna, a few in Florence, Paris, Melbourne... It’s surreal to think that he captured those memories, never imagining they’d be used for something like this. 

Something in the way she knows

And all I have to do is think of her

Something in the things she shows me

I don't want to leave her now

You know I believe and how

The song fades to an end and so did the compilation of your videos. The screen shows Jungkook this time instead. He leaned towards the camera, checked the optics, and then smiled a little. From the background, you know it was taken by the wall of his room, near the window because you can see the Sanrio plushie you put on the table beside there. It’s a little out of frame but you can still recognize it. 

Then, he spoke. 

“Uhm, hi,” He started, and you hold your breath, feeling like you’re on the edge of your seat but not in that anxious way. “I don’t really know where I’m going with this. I’m thinking of doing this video… for my proposal – and ah, my proposal – wait, I really should’ve written a script for this but I wanted this to be natural as much as possible and I’m going off-track so we’ll move on to what I really wanna say,” 

You can’t help but laugh at that, and you hear Jungkook joining in with you. 

“__, you’re the love of my life. You’re my lover, but you’re my best friend most of all. I look back on the times we’ve spent together – a decade. There was no time in those years that I didn’t thank my lucky stars for knowing and meeting you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I really hope you know how much I love you because no matter how hard I try to put it into action and words, no amount of it would tell you how I truly feel.” A pause. Then he took out something from his pocket. Raising his hand, a red velvet box appeared in the frame. He was about to open it when suddenly, your voice is heard behind the camera. 

“Jungkook?” 

Jungkook quickly pocketed the box, and the camera shook a little, the angle now distorted, probably due to his panic upon hearing your voice. 

“Yes, baby?” The audio played. 

“You were doing something?” 

“Nah. Just trying out my new camera.” Jungkook said. 

“Oh. Lemme see.” 

The camera got picked up, and Jungkook switched the camera to you.

In your seat, you nibble on your bottom lip upon seeing your own face this time, a poor attempt to stop your jaw from breaking apart because you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling watching the whole thing. 

“Pretty girl.” You hear Jungkook say behind the recorder. His hand came up to caress your face in the video, thumb rubbing over your cheek. “I love you.” 

You looked confused at first but then you told him, anyway, “I love you too.” 

You leaned down, and the video gets switched out to another one of Jungkook on a different day. 

“Sorry the video got interrupted by my gorgeous girlfriend.”

You both laugh at that, and as if on cue, your eyes meet – silently acknowledging that you’re thinking the same thing. In that shared glance, it's clear you both understand how things escalated in that moment, that night – how that kiss turned into something more.

“I just wanted to say that, uh, I love her. No, you, I’m talking to you–” He sighed in the clip, and you can’t help but chuckle. “Anyway. I love you. I love you so much, baby. More than anything else in the world. I feel like I don’t say it enough although Taehyung teases me about convulsing if I can’t say it to you for no longer than five minutes – he’s probably right but that’s not the point. What I wanna say is – again – is that, I love you, __. And I want to spend the rest of my lifetime with you. I wanna grow old with you. Spend every day and every night with you. I want us to wake up together every morning, make our breakfast together, go to work together, do laundry together, our taxes – man, I don’t know. Anything. I just want to do anything and everything with you. Maybe adopt a dog in the near future, if you want to, that is. You’re probably gonna be watching this in the theater by this moment – god I hope I don’t fuck the whole thing up, the gang is gonna be so pissed – but I’ll drop the question for you and I know we already talked about it many times before and two months ago you said you were ready if I was also ready. I couldn’t tell you I’ve been ready since the first week we started dating. But I hope… what you felt two months ago is still what you feel right now…” 

Then, the big screen fades to black, and suddenly, a few lights in the hall flicker on, illuminating Jungkook—now on his knees. In his hand is a red velvet box, now open, revealing a stunning ring that’s so beautiful it leaves your jaw slack.

He clears his throat. “__, you’re my best friend. Have been and always will be. You’re my home, my partner. I will love you for as long as you let me and–” Jungkook doesn’t mean it but there’s suddenly a lump in his throat that forms along the way and he has to choke it back, making his voice crack a little bit as he looks into your eyes. “– and I really want to live all my remaining years with you and be yours forever.” He bites his lip, looks up at you with those doe eyes you love so much. Then, the question comes, “Can I be your husband?” 

“Jungkook…” You look down at him, your mouth opening and closing, lost for words. You’ve passed the point of holding back tears, and when your eyes meet his—so full of sincerity and revere—you completely break. “Y-yes. Yes! One hundred percent yes,” you manage to say through your sobs, nodding fervently as your vision blurs from the tears streaming down your face.

As soon as you say that, all the lights in the room turn on and there’s a holler from the direction of the projection room that you can’t help but look at. 

“Congrats!” 

You gasp as you see Doyeon and Nayeon. They’re both waving at you with huge grins on their faces. Genuinely surprised and confused at the same time, you start to look around, and suddenly, you realize that everybody is literally… your family. Taehyung, your dad, your mom, your sister and Seokjin all occupy the front rows, and in front of them are Jungkook’s own family as well. From afar, you see Jungkook’s father coming up to give your dad a hug which he reciprocates as they laugh together. 

Your eyes are drawn back to Jungkook. 

“Jungkook… they’re all here,” you say, struggling to hold back the onslaught of tears. They won’t stop.

And at this point, Jungkook can’t help it. Not anymore. He sees you crying and he can’t help but do it as well. He sniffs, taking your hand and kissing the back of your palm.

“Yes, baby. Everybody is here.”

“Baby, why are you crying?” You ask him despite yourself.

Jungkook chuckles in between his tears, swiping a hand on his eyes. “I’m just so happy. You make me so happy. Thank you. Thank you for saying yes.”

That makes you cry even more, earning another laugh from Jungkook but it’s filled with endearment. Slowly, he takes your hand and you watch teary-eyed as he finally inserts the ring around your ring finger. 

The diamond-encrusted band, with a larger diamond glimmering in the center, fits perfectly around your finger. You stare at it in awe, admiring how gorgeous it looks—trying to recall a time when Jungkook measured your finger to make it fit so flawlessly. But you can't remember, and you don't mind at all, instead looking up at him as he stands to his feet.

"I love you, Jungkook. I really do," you say with all the sincerity in your heart, hoping he knows as much.

"I can't wait to marry you," he replies, his voice full of emotion before he pulls you into his arms and leans down to kiss you gently on the lips. It’s soft and it’s sweet just like the love he’s given you all these years.

A cheer erupts around you, and normally, you'd feel shy about kissing in front of your family. But this time, you don’t feel embarrassed at all.

It’s just you and Jungkook. Bound for a lifetime of unadulterated love.

[riotinyellow]

I don't know who needs to hear this. Just because now you've started paying attention to Palestine doesn't mean that now suddenly they need "distractions."

The met gala isn't a "distraction." Whatever new film in the cinema isn't a "distraction." The IDF never needed distractions. The IDF never needed to hide its war crimes.

For decades, the IDF carried out their plans without needing to distract you. You sound like a conspiracy theorist when you keep calling every form of celebration or entertainment a government psyop.

Shaming people for enjoying a film that is completely unrelated to the genocide isn't as ally as you think it is. I'm so sick and tired of people learning a few new words and turning their saviour complex up to a hundred.

I live in egypt. we have had daily blackouts going on 2 years now because of this conflict. They are currently bombing at our border. We have continuous protests and fundraisers. The boycott is still on going on a national scale, and somehow, We still have football matches. we still have new films, and we still have new music.

Caring about silly things doesn't diminish anyone's work and efforts. Shaming people for enjoying something isn't the activism you think it is. Speak out, donate, and stop harassing people for existing.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Literature...

Is uncanny.

Is about the strange borders or boundaries between text and world.

Entails thinking about writing and monumentalization.

Entails thinking about stories, including the impossibility of stories.

Is an intimate encounter with the interiority of other people.

Is about listening to voices.

Prompts us to reflect on language, especially on the ways in which the figurative and the literal can be deceptive or productive or both.

Is about feelings, not only our own but, even more perhaps, the reality of other people’s, it’s a form of telepathy.

Is a force of creativity, governed by the unforeseeable.

Is funny, it’s a way of encountering and sharing the joy and laughter of being alive.

Is sad, painful, even unbearably so, and thus teaches us ways of thinking about trauma and loss.

Is writing that shows up in odd ways or odd places, like a message in a bottle, or in writing generally considered to be non- literary, such as history, politics, astrophysics, biology, law.

Is migrant.

Is about the interconnectedness of everything.

In a more immersive way than any other kind of writing, shows us our human frailty and vulnerability, and our profound connections with other animals.

Is ghostly, it’s about outliving and coming back to life.

Is a physical, bodily affair, it’s invasive, it gets inside you, under your skin.

Is emotional cinema, always on the move.

Is the linguistic space in which questions of sexuality and sexual difference are most memorably and even most provocatively explored.

Is close to God, even or especially if God doesn’t exist.

Is where ideology gets exposed, but also exploded.

Is nothing without love.

Is queer.

Is the best form of suspense.

Is about the human and therefore, also, the monstrous and the machine.

Doesn’t just describe, it does things with words, it’s performative.

Is secret, it never gives everything away.

Is pleasure, it plays with us, it takes us to the limits of what we can think and feel.

However weak or innocuous it may seem, is at war, it’s contestatory, it’s an affront.

Is apocalyptic, it is powered by the enigmas of revelation and finality.

The above are propositions to answer the question, "What is literature?" It is argued that this question cannot fully be answered, but a good attempt seeks to explore a wide range of ideas and arguments.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Word Lists ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[chaos0pikachu]

Is BL Being Overly Influenced by Modern Western Romance Tropes?

Short answer: No. anyways, in the following essay I will explain that James Cameron is a weeb...

(okay fine~~ lets actually do this)

TLDR: discussing what media globalization is, how fandom can distill it down to only American/European cinema, showcasing how a lot of current BL is influenced by countries within it's own proximity and NOT "the west" but each other, also James Cameron is still a weeb

I had seen a post that basically proposited that BL was being influenced by modern western romance tropes and had used things like omegaverse and mafia settings as an example. I found this, in a word, fucking annoying (oh, two words I guess) because it's micro-xenophobic to me.

It positions western - and really what we mean by this is American/European countries, we're not talking about South American countries are we? - cinema as the central breadbasket of all cinema in and of itself. Inherently, all following cinema must be in some way, shape, or form, influenced by American/European standards, and as such America/European countries are directly responsible for cinema everywhere else, and these places - namely non-white countries - do not influence each other, nor have their own histories in regards to storytelling or cinema and do not, in turn, also influence American/European film making either.

Now like, do I think all of that~~ is intentionally malicious thinking on behalf of folks in fandom? No, so chill out.

I do, however, think a lot of it is birthed from simple ignorance and growing up in an environment where ~The West~ is propagated to be central, individual, and exceptional as opposed to the monolith of "Asia" - by which we mean China, Korea, Japan don't we? How often in discussions of Asian countries is Iran, India, or Saudi Arabia brought up even tho they are all Asian countries? - or the monolith that is South America - in which some folks might believe regions like the Caribbean and/or Central America belong to, but nope there both North America.

Anyway, what we're talking about here is the concept of "media globalization":

"The production, distribution, and consumption of media products on a global scale, facilitating the exchange and diffusion of ideas cross-culturally." (source)

"The media industry is, in many ways, perfect for globalization, or the spread of global trade without regard for traditional political borders. [...] the low marginal costs of media mean that reaching a wider market creates much larger profit margins for media companies. [...] Media is largely a cultural product, and the transfer of such a product is likely to have an influence on the recipient’s culture." (source)

Typically when I see fandom discussing what falls under MG the topic is usually focused on how "the west" is influencing Thai/Korean/Chinese/Japanese media.

Enter, Pit Babe.

Surely Pit Babe was influenced by Supernatural right? Omegaverse is huge in the west - love it, hate it, meh it - it originated in the west - specifically via Supernatural after all.

Nah.

Omegaverse has been popular in Japan and China for almost a decade, if not longer. The earliest omegaverse manga I can think of is Pendulum: Juujin Omegaverse by Hana Hasumi which was released in 2015, almost a decade ago.

(what if you added furries into omegaverse? WHAT IF?? - Japan)

There's countless popular omegaverse manga too, and the dynamics only moderately resemble the ones we're familiar with in the west. Juujin is part omegaverse and part furry/beastmen - the alphas are all beastmen the omegas are humans - while something like Ookami-kun Is Not Scary only slightly resembles omegaverse dynamics as a hybrid series - beastmen are really popular in Japan in part b/c of historical mythology (you see the combination of romantic Beastmen and Japanese culture & folklore in Mamoru Hosoda's work The Boy and the Beast and Wolf Children).

Megumi & Tsugumi (2018) is so popular they're an official English edition published by VIZ's imprint SuBlime and that's a straight up omegaverse story.

(look at the omega symbol on the cover loud and proud baby)

So if Pit Babe was influenced by anything, it certainly wasn't "the west" it was Japan, Korea and China. Because those countries have a thriving omegaverse sub-genre going and have had such for 10 plus years now. Supernatural is popular in Japan, yes, and that may be where Japan and Japanese fans originally found omegaverse as a fictional sub-genre.

HOWEVER

Japanese fans took the sub-genre, bent it, played with it, and evolved it into their own thing. As such, other countries in their proximity, like Thailand, China, and Korea who read BL and GL manga, found it and were like "hey, we wanna play too!"

(is that an omegaverse yuri novel I spy?? yes, yes it is)

When I watched the Red Peafowl trailer, it had more in common with Kinnporsche, History: Trapped, along with films and shows like: Jet Li's The Enforcer, and Fist of Legend, Donnie Yen's Flash Point, Raging Fire, and Kung Fu Jungle, Han Dong-wook's The Worst of Evil, Kim Jin-Min's My Name, Lee Chung-hyeon's The Ballerina, Baik's Believer & Believer 2, Yoshie Kaoruhara's KeixYaku, popular Don Lee films The Gangster, the Cop and the Devil and Unstoppable alongside BL manga like Honto Yajuu and Bi No Isu (probably one of the most well known yazuka manga to date).

Like, we're seeing a rise in mafia based BLs and people think that's because of "western influence" and not the absolute insane success of kinnporsche??? Especially in countries like China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and other Asian countries???

Mafia films and gang shows aren't even that popular here in America/Europe; don't get me wrong, they still get made and exist, but the last full length film was The Irishman which did not make it's budget back, and while Power is still on-going it's not a smash hit either. The heyday of Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The Wire, Goodfellas, and Scarface are long gone. And if you've watched any those shows or films they have very little in common with Kei x Yaku, Kinnporsche, or Red Peafowl in tone, or style.

(who knew martin just wanted to make his al pacino/robert de niro fanfic come to life all these years?)

Another example, The Sign, which is clearly taking inspiration from Chinese costume dramas: Ashes of Love, Fairy and Devil, White Snake (and it's many adaptions), Guardian, & Ying Yang Master Dream of Eternity. Alongside Hong Kong and Korean cop and romance shows like Tale of the Nine-Tailed, Hotel Del Luna, Director Who Buys Me Dinner, First Love, Again, and previously mentioned cop dramas.

Like, I know y'all don't think Twins is influenced by, what, American sports classic Angels in the Outfield?? Gridiron Gang?? Rocky?? Nah that shit is inspired by the popularity of sports manga like Haikyuu!!, Slam Dunk, Prince of Tennis (which even has a Chinese drama adaption), and the like. And also probably History 2, & Not Me but I'm like 87% sure Twins is just Haikyuu fanfic.

So like, does this mean that there's NO history in which American and European cinema influenced these countries? What, no, obviously that's not true, American/European totally have had media influence on countries like Korea, Japan, etc.

Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka considered "the father of manga" was inspired by Walt Disney's work on Bambi. Another more recent and prominent example is director Yeon Sang-ho and his film Train to Busan.

"And it was Snyder’s movie [Dawn of the Dead, 2004], not the 1978 original, that filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho recalled as his first encounter with the undead. “That was when I started my interest in zombies,” Yeon said, in an email interview through a translator from South Korea. Even today, he added, “it’s the most memorable and intense zombie movie I’ve ever seen.”" (source)

HOWEVER, the global influence doesn't stop there. It's not a one-way street. Yeon Sang-Ho was inspired by Zack Synder's Dawn of the Dead, a remake of George Romero's own work, but Yeon Sang-Ho's work has inspired countless Korean film makers to make their own zombie media; following Train to Busan there's been: Kingdom (2019 - current), All of Us Are Dead (2022), Zombie Detective (2020), Zombieverse (2023), Alive (2020), Rampant (2018).

And hey, wouldn't you know it now we're starting to see more zombie media coming out of places like Japan (Zom 100 the manga, movie, and anime) and High School of the Dead.

Do you know what Domundi's series Zombivor (2023, pilot trailer only) reminds me of? It's NOT The Walking Dead (which is the only relevant zombie media America has created in the last decade) it's Korea's All of Us Are Dead (2022). Comparing the trailers, the settings, the tone, it's clear where Zombivor is pulling inspiration from: Korean zombie cinema. NOT American zombie cinema.

In fact a lot of Domundi's shows - Cutie Pie, Middleman's Love, Naughty Babe, Bed Friend - are all very clearly inspired by Korean filmmaking, specifically that of romantic kdramas from the 2016 - 2020 era. Not always in story, but rather in technique.

This is media globalization. It's not simply ~The West~ influencing non-American/European countries but countries who are often more close in terms of: proximity, culture, and trade are going to have more influence on each other.

It is far more likely that Aoftion (Naughty Babe, Cutie Pie, Zombivor) was influenced by watching Train to Busan, All of Us Are Dead, and other Korean zombie shows and films than a single episode of Walking Dead.

My point isn't that this goes one way only, but rather it is very literally a global thing. This includes American and European film makers being influenced by non-American and European cinema.

Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Darren Aronofsky, Christopher Nolan, the Wachowski sisters, George Lucas and James Cameron have all been influenced by Japanese film making, especially the works of Akira Kurosawa, Satoshi Kon, and Mamoru Oshii.

John Wick's entire gun-fu sub-genre is heavily influenced by classic Hong Kong action films, specifically John Woo films. Legend of Korra, The Boondocks, Voltron, Young Justice, My Adventures with Superman are all obviously inspired by Japanese anime but animated by a Korean animation studio (Studio Mir). Beyond that, the rise in adult animated dramas like Castlevania, Critical Role Vox Machina, and Invincible to name a few are very clearly taking inspiration from anime in terms of style. The weebs that were watching Adult Swim's Inuyasha, Bleach, and Dragon Ball Z have grown up and are now working in Hollywood.

Okay so like, what's the point of all this? What's the issue? Since American/European cinema does influence et all cinema does any of this really matter?

YES.

I take contention with this line of thinking because it centers "the west" and our supposed individual importance way to much. Declaring definitively that "BL is being influenced by western tropes" and then including tropes, narratives, and film making styles that aren't inherently western and actually have major roots in the cinema of various Asian countries, removes the existence of individual history these countries have which are rich, varied, and nuanced. It removes the "global" part of globalization by declaring "the globe" is really just America and Europe.

It distills these countries down to static places that only exist when American/European audiences discover them.

BL doesn't exist in a vacuum you can trace the development of Korean BL to the development of Korean het dramas almost to a T. You can also trace their development to the queer history of each country and how Thailand interacts culturally with China, Japan, Korea, etc and vice versa. It also ignores the history of these countries influencing American cinema as well. Don't mistake "the globe" for only your sphere of experience.

Anyway James Cameron is a damn weeb y'all have a good night.

Check out other posts in the series:

Film Making? In My BL? - The Sign ep01 Edition | Aspect Ratio in Love for Love's Sake | Cinematography in My BL - Our Skyy2 vs kinnporsche, 2gether vs semantic error, 1000 Stars vs The Sign | How The Sign Uses CGI | Is BL Being Overly Influenced by Modern Western Romance Tropes?

[like these posts? drop me a couple pennies on ko-fi]

[lv-iceprince]

@flourishmoon

my form of play fighting with you is retaliating you with love and fluff. so let me hit you in the heart to combat the fluff you shovel at me daily. happy holidays star of my eye and i hope you can feel the complete love, adoration and respect i have for you through each and every word xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

~group~ enhypen

~position/s~ lead vocalist and visual

~stage name~ nerissa

~when you joined~ the dark blood era (2023)

~fans reaction to you~

Okay girl we are spiling the tea. This isn't necessarily Engene being rude but they were just confused, honestly they didn't know if it was a joke due to the way that Belift had chosen to introduce you as a member of the group. It was incredibly slow burn, you were there until you were an official member of the group. Belift had decided to add you into the group shortly after Enhypen had debuted, you were supposed to debut during the BORDER: CARNIVAL era however, since Enhypen had built up a sense of notoriety in their short time as a group it was obvious that adding a new member would change how people saw the group, especially since that new member was a female. So Belift had the idea of adding you into the group while tying it into the groups lore. So like clockwork you appeared in their music videos and concept cinema's, and all wouldn't be revealed until the Bite Me music video where everyone discovered that a new member was debuting.

The meticulous way that Belift had gone about bringing you into Enhypen did work in some sense. It softened the otherwise furious bullets of critique that would be given towards the company's decision, in ways Belift was over anticipating what was to come. In reality, you were embraced almost immediately since you were a heavy plot point of their music. You understood what they were getting at and you appreciated the extra time and effort that went into your debut, but you also didn't see the need for all of that. You have your wits about you and were ready to embrace the challenge if some people weren't on board with the addition of a new member.

Once everyone was on the same page in knowing that this was the direction Enhypen was going in there was a lot more discussion about the artistic direction of the group. But besides that there was a lot of discussion about the personality you were assuming. You filled a personality trope gap, so to speak. Nerissa filled in that small gap, when the others would be more chaotic or irrational you would question them. Not because you thought you knew what was going on, but because you were confused and needed to be filled in. It made things that much more entertaining seeing how your personality worked so well with the other members. Each guy has their own iconic role and you seem to meet them on their level without overshadowing anybody.

Once Engene get to know you Nerissa becomes somewhat of a meme of the group type of member. You are the one who has a lot of influence into the overall image of Enhypen, similar to how Lara has such an influential role in Katseye, yet you are a lot more reserved about it, it's as if your personality only really gets amplified by being around the other members. Despite having a personality that is quite agreeable you are still your own person and show it a lot through your actions and by the memes you spout. Honestly what sways Engene onto the side of really enjoying your presence is your chronically online self. Some of the members are already awkward and relatable but you actually just seem like a random internet dweller who became an idol. You are very down to Earth and speak your mind and while this can lead to you coming across a bit too honest about people viewing you 24/7, people are also able to see how much thought you put into things even if you don't view yourself as being as intelligent as others.

Without meaning to Engene put a lot of pressure onto you to be their older sister in a sense, you hold quite a lot of responsibility in regards to how you are perceived. Though Jungwon is the leader there is also this expectation that you be that good influence, that role model, the older sister that the younger fans see you as. So while you are more carefree there are sides of you that are inherently more wise and socially aware. On the whole you intrigue so many fans you even bring in a new crowd of kpop stans who are solely interested in seeing the new member of Enhypen, even if they weren't an Engene in the first place. You are as mystical as you are witty and funny and while you aren't a complete sunshine you do bring out the chaotic and cheerful sides of the other members.

~your relationship with the members~

~heeseung~

It is the natural flow of things when Heeseung speed walks to the chair closest to you, or when he is quite demure while sucking a lollipop and making direct eye contact with you. If it isn't quite obvious, Heeseung really really admires you in a multitude of ways. He was one of the more open minded members in regards to the addition of a new member, but that still doesn't explain away the amount of care and respect he has for you.

In his eyes there's this kind of spark, you possess something that he rarely sees in other people, you're a lot more grounded with your goals and you are fully aware of yourself and those around you. A part of him hopes that you are aware enough to notice his soft spot for you. Now, your relationship with him isn't 100% flirtatious, there is still a strong friendship that has developed as a result of your mutual understanding of your dreams and your creativity. It's almost as if the two of you have this exclusive club where the two of you share and discuss the responsibilities of being the group's main and lead vocalists.

The difference between now and the moment when he first met you is that now he has forgotten how to be more reserved with his feelings. He has become quite comfortable with outwardly showing his respect for you and while this includes being a genuinely nice person it also includes him having many, many pet names for you. So while it is hard for you to measure the amount of care he has for you it is also apparent that he does care if that makes sense. In some ways he's a bit of a mystery, it has become increasingly difficult for you to figure out what is banter and what is him potentially crushing on you, but honestly you just really love his company and the energy that he brings to all of your conversations. He is 20% friend, 30% boyfriend material and 50% rizz.

In many ways you make Heeseung feel like the main character of his own story, and while his ego remains fed, he will also bring attention to you in a way that is like "Wow look at her go, I'm so lucky she's my friend, you guys wouldn't get it." He mainly says this on live to rub it in the faces of any fans crushing on you. He loves the exclusivity of the dynamic that the two of you have, neither of you behave like that around the other members. It's abundant with "You just had to be there." In a way you are one of the most profound things to happen to his life, so while there is speculation surrounding around the two of you who would actually be surprised if Heeseung said he was crushing on you?

~jay~

Honestly, good for you guys, because somehow you understand Jay against all odds. While you may not be as close compared to the other members there is this kind of mutual acceptance the type where if you were characters in a high school drama you would shoot a nod towards each other as you pass each other in the hallways. In a way it is the chill guy effect, mutual acknowledgement. I think most of Jay's unsociable traits come from the fact that even now part of him is still trying to process having another member, especially having a girl in the group. Because hear me out he was in a state of confusion when you were introduced and started performing with them on stage. You were a familiar face, having made an appearance in some of their videos, yet he was a little delayed in realising that all of that was a long term plan and you were their new member. It was a real "Hey you look familiar moment" while you were absolutely devouring with the vocals on stage.

Once he moves past that delayed confusion he is actually so unproblematic, he doesn't really go out of his way to tease you like the other members, he just gladly embraces the role of a parent to the group, as long as you're fed and are on track with your career he has no issues. Regardless of this more reserved perspective he does actually have some appreciation for you, you genuinely make his day by understanding his style and personality, you really get the inner foreigner in him and in return he validates you and your style. In that way you're kind of opposites, he's more quiet and angsty in a rock star way and you're more excitable and old money and sassy.

Even though you don't interact with him much you still try to lighten his mood especially when performing. Since you are genuinely aware of how Engene take things you encourage him to lowkey chill, like if an Engene is singing out of tune, Jay just ignore them its not that deep, no need to side eye them. He mightn't address it or seem like he's acknowledging what you just said, but he hears you. The only way he will let you know is by smirking and walking off, he does the same thing when you recommend songs you want him to make guitar covers of. He doesn't seem like he is interested in the slightest until, much to your delight, you notice that a new guitar cover has been posted to Tiktok.

He has a very mature way of showing love, so much parental responsibility all around. But deep down he is proud of you. Proud of you for opening up and for transitioning into the group with ease. And when you offer to help him cook he will swat your hand away with a no but his heart is smiling seeing just how far you've come.

~jake~

Jake has always stuck to a silent promise, that he would always be there to lend you a hand. To preface this part Jake was helpful and kind since day one, even if it was on a surface level initially. Jake has a lot of trust in himself so he had made the decision to be the smiley ice breaker who would include you in conversations or activities no matter how mundane they seemed at the time. For lack of better words he is just so friend coded towards you. On another note Jake has enough intelligence to read you like a book, so he is fully aware of your co-dependent defence mechanism of getting the smartest person in the room to defend you, but he doesn't mind. It honestly fuels part of his ego because you rely on him so much.

Over time the two of you have become quite the duo, in a way you are each other's wingman, not only are you lowkey invested in each other's lives but you help each other daily. Jake shows a lot of his personality, he wears his heart on his sleeve, but he also swears to certain things with secrecy.... until he finds time to tell you that is. Both of you value honesty and if you aren't sharing things with each other you're encouraging each other to speak easily with Engene, I mention this to say that even though some fans can be quite intense and unforgiveable you and Jake have a made a pact to be as honest as possible especially on fan calls or at fan meets.

This sounds like it could be trouble or at least perceived in a controversial way but Jake being the erhhm actually☝️🤓 he is manages to figure out a way where you both come off as Engene's best friends. Jake's humour is nerdy and niche, but even then he doesn't fully get your humour but he still nods and emits the most neutral "haha yeah" that you have ever heard. This is your way of bonding, sometimes Jake will tell you where you missed and fell flat on your face and you will tell him that his hair is revealing the egg portion of his egghead, it's giving egg.

Unlike the type of bickering that gets old you and Jake have a way of entertaining everybody and their dog (Layla included) when you come together. You're both not funny enough to be the hilarious comic relief buddies yet you are still so fun to be around. You exist on the same realm, Jake is too smart and cool and flirty, you have no rizz and have Tiktok brain. Two extremes that are also pretty similar. And you know what? Even though it started as you picking his brain for information he would love to have you third wheel with him any time. You're his comfort buddy and he is your fun Aussie boy next-door.

~sunghoon~

When you walked into his life you brought with you much peace and tranquillity. While the majority of the other members are more forthright Sunghoon never felt like he had to be loud or constantly speak. His behaviour could be considered as cold, but you knew better. You appreciated the pleasant silence especially in the earlier days, this definitely influenced your relationship with him. I don't know how else to word this other than you having a sibling relationship in a way but without the constant bickering. You do occasionally pull his leg (which is immediately met by a sharp, witty response from him) it's all in good faith though. Both of you take the role as the certified diva's in the group, maybe Enhypen's prince and princess would be more suitable. It starts with your mutual love of luxurious perfume and it ends with Enhypen getting far more than what they bargained for. Sunghoon takes things on a surface level with you, which is polite for, he doesn't know how to read you 95% of the time. But he thinks you like him. You had made that really obvious, there was no way you would be that invested in him and his opinions on worldly topics if you didn't like him as much as you did.

Sunghoon's version of friendship primarily revolves around giving his friend something that they can hold tightly. Sometimes it could be in the form of him exchanging wise words with you, or gifting you with something small that he found lying around, that piece of free idol food that anyone can have but he wants you to have it. But his favourite way of silently confirming that he is indeed on friendly terms with you is sharing clothes. Now this isn't necessarily a dating thing, though you keep it pretty confined to your personal lives for obvious reasons. It more so came about since you both have a love for fashion and beauty that is aligned with "old money". You are both rich in attitude and knowledge, there is something so luxurious about the lifestyle you display on camera yet you also come across quite modest.

Another thing that people don't give either of you credit for is the fact that separately and collectively you hold a wealth of wisdom even if your common sense isn't always there. The peaceful quality to your friendship that I mentioned before results in the two of you never feeling like you have to prove yourself to others and especially to each other. You are each other's fairy of shampoo, you take each other to realms of peace and happiness and unity that both of you have never experienced up until this moment.

~sunoo~

The two cuties with bite. You had an instant friend in Sunoo, yeah Jake claims he was the OG but it was always Sunoo. In terms of how Engene see the two of you, you are the groups wildcards when it comes to personality and visuals. It's hard to ever predict what kind of mood the two of you are in, in short you will always shock Engene in some way or the other. From the first moment that he met you Sunoo knew that you would be his bestie, not best friend, bestie. Things are always that little bit more carefree when you're around him. He has so much love towards you that he has a special type of eye roll when you're being that bit more haha funny then you normally are. He takes his time with these eye rolls, it's almost as if he purposely slows down so he could savour the act itself. Sunoo has a small streak of loving to be loved similar to Niki but in Sunoo's version he doesn't want to share a moment that could be his. However, you are one of his greatest exceptions due to the fact that he has so much fun with you. He's actually so bummed that he couldn't have you as his roommate. So while he has missed out on gossiping and staying up late with you, he makes up for it in daily life. But there is one day that stands out to him, one where there is absolutely no, I mean no excuse to not spend time with him. And that is your birthday. Wait, it's his birthday too he reminds you.

Long gone are the days of solo Sunoo birthday lives, as long as you're in the group and as long as Enhypen renews that contract Engene are going to get Sunoo x Nerissa birthday lives which includes matching yet inverted colour scheme cakes, half of the room being decorated to match your aesthetic and the other side is Sunoo's. It's common knowledge that there are the cheesy gifts and the quizzes or little games on a lot of birthday lives, and while you keep the tradition going you also have a habit of being so preoccupied with each other that the live goes on with the entire audience third wheeling.

This part of your ship was supposed to be all about how Sunoo sees you and yes Sunoo does bring out all of the chaotic energy in you, but he also awakens a way of existing that you never thought you'd succumb to. While being his friend you have discovered so many qualities that you never owned as belonging to you. Sunoo gifted you with the self-realisation that you needed to be a more authentic artist and friend while being nicer to yourself. That's why life feels easier when you're around him, you really are each other's inspiration, each other's love, each other's best friend.

~jungwon~

Jungwon was so noble once upon a time. He was all about giving the best first impression to you since he thought you gave a good first impression so he wanted to return the favour. Over time he loosens up a bit more and shows his more honest and fun-loving side. This sounds peachy and so beautiful, so wholesome, like you'll hold hands around a fire singing kumbaya, but Jungwon is not what you think. Underneath his polite helpful leader guise is a menace.

Mean is far too dramatic of a word but he does like to be at least a little bit difficult or judgemental in an obviously comical way, that is pretty much his platonic love language around you. The perfect example of this is any time when Enhypen does a part change challenge. He is hyperaware of his surroundings, so much so that he would be the first person to laugh as he furiously points at you, and he wouldn't be shy about calling you by your actual name when he calls you out. Jungwon is someone who classifies the smallest of things as sentimental, additionally he also loves to bicker with those he cares about, even if his words seem harsh at times. So in a way scolding you is his way of saying "Hey, I care about you".

By now you know what to expect, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't bother you. It's actually quite the opposite, a lot of the time he has you silently fuming. It's a love and soft hate dynamic, the hate is so not hate but there is a hint of being mad at each other. The rest of the members are actually shocked that you haven't knocked each other out yet, considering how much time you spend together. And it may seem like Jungwon is the only one scolding you but you 100% keep him in his lane, especially when you have a slight suspicion that he has come across too intense and smug especially around fans. You don't admit it but you've permanently added "making sure Jungwon hasn't said anything stupid" to your daily list of tasks.

It may seem like you keep him in check, but honey, he does the same to you, you give out attitude and jabs and jokes on the regular but it really is a comfort thing in a way. Luckily your mutual fixation on each other means the other members and staff can have a break.

~niki~

He didn't know whether he was obliged to act a certain way around you. Did he have to grow up and be more serious? Or was he allowed to relax and be the maknae? He never really got the answer but he managed. His indecisiveness naturally led to you being treated like his younger sibling, despite being older than him. And yes, your height 100% plays a role in this occurring. Don't come out swinging and blaming Mr. Nishimura for this, you know how to act cute and wholesome. Just be aware that you are the one locking yourself into the cute stereotype, like Sunoo, but you have far less sass in you.

Though he mightn't make a big deal about you most times, he is quite protective and he is very observant. When the conversation lacks words he will wait until you notice that he is searching for eye contact before giving a '_' type of smile, or a slight tilt of his shoulders. Normally this kind of interaction is saved for those occasions where he can't openly talk to you such as interviews, award shows and some variety shows. Another thing that really is the best example of the type of relationship you have is this, let me set the scene. You're taking a break after practicing some choreo and Niki is sat on the ground cross legged, you grab a cold soda and go to join him.

Niki is quiet at first before he gives his trademark boxy smile. After exchanging niceties, compliments on how both of you are rocking the No Doubt era. You fist bump and Niki launches into telling stories about his life, dismissing it when you claim that it has wattpad energy. Before you can argue back he asks about your family and your life which completely distracts you from the light hearted heckling.

I don't know where else to mention this since it doesn't have as much of an influence on the way you treat each other, it kind of does but not in a huge way. But there is a specific type of competitive streak that the two of you possess that has a lot to do with attention and appearances. You aren't attention seekers quite the contrary, you do love to see who is the most likeable though. At fan meets you are known to ask fans who they like more, you or Niki. Another thing you do in good fun is create tiktoks with the intention of proving who is more eboy or egirl than the other. Honestly, you aren't even an egirl at heart but there are egirl traits with your stage persona. So in short each Engene is either a Niki simp or a Nerissa simp.

~roommate~ jungwon

~debut stage outfit and makeup~ music bank | kbs world tv 230526

~extra info~

even if it gets old real quick you are always shipped with heeseung, but if you acknowledge heeseung's feelings you will see that engene knew what was going on the entire time.

you are a symbol of working as hard as those around you and being authentic as an idol, you don't wish to be the main character at all. for example during your debut stage you did have an option of pairing up with one of the guys for the dance but you decided to dance with your own female back up dancer since you wanted to fit the theme of seduction and elegance and you also just love strong and talented women.

one of the most memed members ever, even though you hid behind memes you didn't think you'd ever become the meme.

a point of captivation for many is your makeup, you work closely with your make up artist to have the most ethereal makeup that fits the enhypen lore.

you are credited for writing songs that are given to other girl groups, but you hardly ever mention it so you're casually out there with many a song writing credit to your name while no one knows any different.

you somehow get seen with the most random idols ever, you just manage to befriend people out of the blue but the friendships are always so heartfelt and genuine.

[history-deep-dive]

Napoleon (2023): How Not to Make a History Film

The upcoming release of Gladiator 2 has inspired me to reflect on Ridley Scott’s last crack at bringing history to the big screen. I have many thoughts on this movie. Unfortunately, most of them are bad. As a lifelong Napoleonophile, I was, perhaps, inevitably going to be disappointed by this film, but I think there’s more to it than that. Saying that this film is bad is not an especially novel or useful observation. People far more talented than me have made that argument at length. Instead, I want to talk about why its bad, and what that tell us about how best to use history in cinema and fiction more generally.

(1) What is this movie even about?: managing scope in historical narratives

Napoleon’s biggest problem as a movie is its pacing. This film is trying to cram 30 of the most tumultuous years in modern European history (1793-1821) into 2:30. There is simply too much information and not enough runtime to convey it to the audience. The result is a movie which moves from one event to the next at a bewilderingly fast pace with almost no context or explanation of how one scene relates to the next. One moment Napoleon is blowing holes in the pyramids, and 20 minutes later St. Petersburg is on fire. The film moves so quickly it borders on incomprehensibility.

This issue is compounded by the fact that it contains far too many overlapping themes and subplots, which compete for limited screen time. It’s trying to be a biopic, a romance, a war movie, a political drama, and a tragedy at the same time. Each of these individual threads is interesting in its own, right, but they drown each other out. This effect contributes substantially to the general sense of “what the hell is going on?” that prevades the whole film.

Incidentally, this leads into one of the most important lessons this movie provides about how to (not) use history in fiction, controlling scope. The great thing about history as opposed to fantasy is that it provides a nearly infinite potential for detail. 185,000 people fought at Waterloo, and every one of them could be the subject of a movie all their own. The downside of this enormous depth is that it makes it very easy to go too “wide” if you aren’t paying attention and end up with a movie that doesn’t make any sense (ie Napoleon 2023). In order to make use of the fantastic depth and complexity that a historical setting provides, the overall scope of the story has to be limited. A detailed, nuanced film about Austerlitz, Waterloo, or for that matter Josephine, is almost always going to be more interesting than a film that skips through all of those historical subjects without really doing any of them justice.

(2) Who is this guy anyway?: Historical accuracy and cause and effect

This film does Napoleon Bonaparte dirty. Scott transforms one of the greatest geniuses in modern history as a foolhardy, dimwitted, emotional teenager who thinks with his dick first and his brain second Almost every decision Bonaparte makes in this film is motivated by lust and jealousy regarding Josephine. Those that aren’t are mostly impulsive and ill considered. In short, Napoleon Bonaparte is an idiot.

The reason for this is fairly straightforward. The toxic romance at the center of this film requires the protagonist to be kind of dumb, and so he is. The problem with this is that it creates a jarring disconnect between the historical events portrayed in the film and the characters involved. Throughout this movie, the audience is left wondering how this idiot we’ve never once seen make a good decision has inexplicably ended up master of Europe. Radically changing the personalities of the characters involved while keeping the events of the historical narrative the same results in a story where noone‘s behavior or motivations make sense.

This brings us to another fundamental law of writing good historical fiction, don’t fight the history. Despite what the nature of this blog might imply, I’m not actually a great stickler for historical accuracy. Changing a little something here or there for the sake of the narrative is totally fine and even beneficial. The problem is that history is all about cause and effect, everything is connected. Altering substantive details effectively removes the events you’re discussing from their appropriate place in the chain of causality. Change one thing too significantly, and you can easily end up creating a story that no longer makes sense.

The way to create compelling historical narratives is to go with the flow of the source material, not against it. Find what’s compelling about the history and then write a story about that. Don’t write a story in a vacuum, and then artificially impose it onto a historical setting.

(3) Verdict and closing thoughts

I generally don’t enjoy writing about media I dislike. In most cases, I subscribe to the principle of “don’t like, don’t watch/read”, but I wanted to organize my thoughts about Napoleon (2023) because my problems with it cut to the heart of what I think constitutes good or bad historical fiction. A lot of reviews of this film have focused on the fact that it’s wildly historically inaccurate. They’re right, of course, but that’s not really the problem. The problem is that it doesn’t use history well. The historical setting feels like deadweight rather than something that enhances the film and brings it to life. Dissecting why this movie doesn’t work can help us create historical fiction that does, and I think that’s worthwhile.

Review: 3/10

[christinethalassinou]

Okay, regardless of me accepting this change or not (no, I'm not, not in a million years), this scene is undoubtedly peak cinema; but more importantly, peak acting.

The more I think about this series, the more I see how everyone, really, everyone is fucked up in their own way. There is not a single character without a substantial trauma or three.

Like, if you connect the dots, it turns out Tora's been in survival mode from his fucking childhood. Not for a few months or perhaps years but for fucking decades. No wonder he turned out the way he is now, but the fact that he still has the capacity to care, to love and to grieve is a damn miracle in and of itself. Sure, he's edging on the border of sociopathy more than once, and I bet he has very severe trust issues, but I'd rather still be with him in a locked room than any of the other Regents, the Jesuits, or even any of the Kashigis.

Especially that he'd most probably figure out how to escape in mere minutes, but I digress.

[caffeacolazione]

agosto ubiquo 9. Cinema, serata Ozu, senza confini

ubiquitaire Août 9. Cinéma, soirée Ozu, sans frontières

ubiquitous August 9. Cinema, Ozu evening, without borders

[liesmyteachertoldme]

History of Kamala

The year was 1994. Former NFL superstar OJ Simpson has just fled from police in the infamous low speed chase in his white Ford Bronco. Pulp Fiction was playing in the cinemas.

And 29 year old Kamala Harris began dating one of the most powerful politicians in the State of California— Willie Brown.

Brown had been in politics for decades at that point and has risen to become the Speaker of California State Assembly, then Mayor of San Francisco.

(And despite having spent his entire adult life in politics, Brown somehow managed to amass a collection of $6,000 suits and expensive sports cars.)

Willie Brown was also at 60 years of age back in 1994 (he’s 90 now), three decades older than his girlfriend Kamala.

Obviously she was in it for love. I’m sure that’s the case.

But it just so happened that, barely a few months into their steamy relationship, Speaker Willie Brown appointed Kamala to multiple, senior-level positions in the state, including a seat on the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the Medical Assistance Commission.

I’m also sure that Brown appointed his girlfriend due entirely to her competence, and absolutely no other reason whatsoever.

These appointments, along with Sugar Daddy's public support and endorsement, were integral in Harris's later campaign to become San Francisco District Attorney, then Attorney General of California in 2010.

Willie Brown also endorsed her for Senate when she declared her candidacy in 2016, and was instrumental in securing her top endorsements, including from Joe Biden and Barack Obama.

Again, all of this success was clearly due exclusively to Kamala’s tremendous competence and nothing more.

Now, a lot of people have been remarking lately that Kamala is a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) hire.

But that’s completely unfair. Talk about a low blow. I mean, Kamala’s critics have completely missed the point that this woman— who claims to embody female empowerment— got her start by having sex with a powerful California politician 30 years her senior.

So let’s give credit where credit is due: she slept her way to the top well before she became a DEI hire.

In fact it wasn’t until she was picked to be Joe Biden’s running mate that she started benefiting from the DEI obsession.

Curiously, it is now considered racist to even bring this up. CNN has decided that calling Vice President Kamala Harris a “DEI Candidate” is a “pseudonym for the N-word” and “racist dog whistle”.

That’s absurd. Joe Biden’s entire presidency has been about promoting DEI candidates, and he admitted this himself recently when he said:

“To me the values of Diversity, Equality, Inclusion are literally— and that’s not kidding— the core strengths of America. That’s why I’m proud to have the most diverse administration in history that taps into the full talents of our country. It starts at the top with the Vice President.”

Biden also made it perfectly clear in 2020 that he wanted to select a woman of color as his running mate.

So why exactly is it controversial to assert that Kamala was a DEI hire? Is it also controversial that the sky is blue, or that Michael Jordan was an exceptional basketball player?

But these people in charge have a way of acting offended about even the most basic and obvious truths. It’s quite a talent.

Speaking of talent, Kamala has none.

Whenever she opens her mouth, she is as incompressible as Joe Biden yet without the excuse of age and dementia. Like this gem:

“So I think it’s very important... for us, at every moment in time, and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualize it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past, but the future.”

This is also the person that was put in charge of the border security, which has been a total disaster. But in her televised explanation, she justified having not been to the border by saying she hadn’t been to Europe either.

Wow, really racking up those foreign policy credentials!

And on the topic of foreign policy, check out this inspiring quote as Kamala showcased her encyclopedic understanding of European affairs:

“Ukraine is a country in Europe. It exists next to another country called Russia. Russia is a bigger country. Russia is a powerful country. Russia decided to invade a smaller country called Ukraine, so, basically, that’s wrong.”

Note that this wasn’t an interview on Nickelodeon or some event with elementary school kids. This was an actual response in a real interview about the war in Ukraine.

One of my favorite Kamala stories, though, is when she visited Puerto Rico earlier this year.

Protesters were in the streets of San Juan, singing in Spanish. Kamala merrily clapped along, until an aide quietly whispered that the song was protesting her visit as a representation of the federal government’s “colonization” of Puerto Rico.

Her track record as a prosecutor is also far from impressive.

As the Attorney General of California, she prosecuted and incarcerated cannabis users. But in 2019, asked if she herself had ever smoked weed, she cackled and said, "I have. And I inhaled."

In 2014, Kamala’s office argued to keep non-violent inmates (including from minor drug convictions) locked up so that the state would have free prison labor to fight wildfires.

But Kamala would prefer that her Black Lives Matters voters forget about all that.

The Big Lie they are now force-feeding us is that the party of democracy is energized and united around Kamala Harris.

Personally I think they are terrified and desperate. Deep down they know this woman is an incompetent buffoon. And more importantly, they are still incredibly fractured.

This continues to look like a group that is completely out of touch, but insists that they have everything under control... which is pretty much par for the course given the last few years under Biden.

Having said all that, it would be foolish to think they won’t pull out all the stops— continue to create all the propaganda, tell whatever lie, manufacture whatever hoax, and suppress whatever truth is necessary to win.

[haute-lifestyle-com]

On September 5, at the Karo 11 Oktyabr cinema, the premiere of the documentary film "Looking Inside Yourself" took place about the creation of unique fragrances by blind perfumers that reflect human states and emotions. Moscow Film Features Blind Perfumers & The Fragrances They Create #janetwalker #hautelifestylecom #theentertainmentzonecom #russiancinema #filmmaking #russia #cinemawithoutborders 

[pochiperpe90]

[ENG] Luca Marinelli: "I'm a candidate for the David, I love uncomfortable challenges. And in Spoleto I will make my debut as a director, in theater"

Shy, solitary and light-hearted, the Roman actor has become one of the reference points of auteur cinema: "There are also Ficarra and Picone in the running for the most important prize in cinema. Those who raise fences against comedians have understood nothing".

With his big rapacious eagle nose rising above an astonished and emaciated expression, Luca Marinelli loves characters to climb, all energy and restlessness, as happens in Le Otto Montagne, a journey towards the absolute. It's the film for which he's nominated for the David di Donatello (with the other protagonist, Alessandro Borghi). Shortly afterwards, on July 8th at the Spoleto Film Festival, the 38-year-old Roman actor, who has become a point of reference for the auteur cinema, will make his debut as a director, in theater, with "A Report to an Academy", based on Kafka's story.

Marinelli is an atypical Roman who moved years ago to Berlin for love, a city that "stimulates the creative dimension". Shy, reluctant to talk about himself, cautious and ironic, solitary and light-hearted, he calibrates his words with the rhythm of a fifteenth-century monk amanuensis. He was not admitted to the Experimental Center of cinematography where he told the commission that the film of his life is Batman. He took his revenge in the field in projects that few believed in, in the part of the criminal in Lo chiamavano Jeeg Robot and the junkie in Non essere cattivo. In Venice he won the Coppa Volpi for Martin Eden. He would love to talk only about Kafka.

What strikes you about this text, which is almost an existential labyrinth?

"I saw it in Paris many years ago and I was struck by it. I think of the truth, despair and lucidity in speaking metaphorically about the condition of existence in society. The monkey was taken from its context and forcibly taken elsewhere and from this "new life" it speaks to us. In the text, the monkey is a narrator who speaks of a way out at a scientific conference, of the need to find a solution to the problem of imprisonment but without getting lost behind the concept of freedom, too often used in an elusive way, creating many problems to human beings".

Kafka walks on the border between animality and humanity.

“He learns human behavior just to get out of the cage. It's a matter of survival, rather than freedom. I thought several times about acting it myself, but I saw Fabian Jung perform with his vibrant soul at his graduation essay at the Ernst Busch school and I asked him if I could be his director".

What will be seen on stage?

"A well-dressed being who tells the academic audience about his journey, from his previous life as a monkey to today, with his appearance and his behavior quite human, such as to be able to have some success".

A metaphor for the human condition?

"It's a metaphor for many things, including existence, how we behave, what we believe in. And much more. If the monkey is Kafka, in feeling different that has accompanied him throughout his life? I don't allow myself to interpret it. I like his style and what he communicates, his gaze on society".

The protagonist in Spoleto is a German actor.

"Well, the aspect that I find interesting is that Fabian Jung recites in Italian not knowing a single word of our language. He studied this monologue from scratch. It's a similar situation to that of the monkey. The fact of approaching the text as a sound or a rhythm was fundamental. We did a rehearsal in Berlin for some friends and family."

After the theatrical direction will you make one at the cinema?

"In the meantime, let's see how this show will be received. I don't hide being very worried, but it's a feeling I like. Not being comfortable is a quality I appreciate. Directing a film would be another beautiful and uncomfortable experience".

Let's change subject. What does the David nomination represent?

"It will be a pure emotion, a beautiful evening full of colleagues I love and with whom I have shared a part of this job. Alessandro Borghi, for me, is a brother".

Does the presence of Ficarra and Picone mean that prejudices and fences are falling on comedians?

"Those who have prejudices and raise barriers against comedians have understood nothing of the art of acting".

Apart from Batman, another idol of yours was Indiana Jones.

"Because as a boy I wanted to be an archaeologist. Today my archetype is writers who want to enrich themselves by traveling. But I am in love with my job and I feel lucky to be able to live what I dreamed of as a student at the Academy. I see this work as a great opportunity for exchange between human beings".

You have already been to the Venice Film Festival five times: what would you change about festivals?

"I would remove the barriers to shake hands with the public."

Corriere

Like always, sorry for my English

[disparition]

What do the titles "Hexe", "Ende", and "Cinema Locria" refer to?

Hexe is the beginning of Granicha, and the purpose of Granicha as a work is to undo the curse of borders and nations. I do not of course think myself so influential as to be able to undo so strong and deeply embedded of a curse as nationalism, but I'm chipping away at it with many others, doing my small part. In this opening piece, Hexe, I draw upon the human name of a river (the Severn) that was in the past used as a border but whose role as such has since faded. Not faded entirely, not culturally, but as a means of control or restricting the movement of peoples, it is no longer used that way.

Cinema Locria is a sort of imaginative piece about a tiny theatre on a small Greek island, in a village with empty streets during the day but the films and music still play.

Ende is so-called simply because it's the final track on Satellite State. Satellite State itself is the only Disparition album without much of a concept, it was just the first time I thought I had enough songs good enough to share publicly.

[morriganaensland]

CRAP THREAD:

I am still—

I am still—

I am still in the madness,

The crowded containment,

The overload of sadness.

My heart aches,

My heart sorrows—

Alone for so long,

Afraid of the possible.

A comparison strong,

Forlorn for too long,

Cupid’s target.

I am still in the madness,

The crowded mass led without logic.

I need to escape, find access,

Detect and direct myself toward the right passage—

A path of ease,

My vision of luxury.

A statement of freedom

From wars oppressing

The majority of my existence.

Persistence encrypts the unknown,

Though I’m listening.

My reality:

Notice the signs.

See that I must decline

An agreement led by legion.

Here lies an argument—

With myself, forever written.

Impressionable stranger—

A change of stories.

I refuse—

I refuse the containment.

Creating bounds by borders,

A field meant to drain me.

My motivation fades

In silence,

Attempts at success suppressed.

I evade my enemy.

I refuse the request

In petulant relentlessness—

Questions, hits or misses.

I refuse to serve.

View my past:

A repentance in constant sessions.

I demand labor—

Of mind or physicality—

Reciprocity for changes in behavior.

Negativity only as description.

I am neglected by love’s attention,

But I refuse to neglect myself.

A resurrection from past addictions—

I forgive unstable actions.

Are you surprised by my reaction?

I lay spread as distraction,

Feeding on desire, unaware of attraction.

You’re warm-blooded,

Rich with the scent of luxury.

It teases me—

I wish to feed as you bleed.

You lie as my sacrifice.

You lie here,

My lamb.

I am aware how I’m damned.

Sin fills me, multiplies.

Discretion advised.

I conjure reassurance—

Recurring summoning,

Glory born of danger.

Glorious heathens—

Reason and impulsivity

Fuel my desire,

Born of a lust for me.

I absorb it,

Grinning as I drain you.

A kiss takes your spirit—

Fuel for my guide,

Payment for my effort.

I funnel your energy,

Stored in a seething hiss.

Created danger lies

In my feline nature.

Femininity persists,

Challenging your reasoning.

It’s killing us—

Killing us.

I wield my summoning,

Forces leaking into humanity’s reality.

I show my power,

Why I accept your worship—

My ability to summon,

To influence,

To act in concurrence.

Relationships rest

At the back of triggers—

A cinema of my making.

Thought processes toll my existence.

I must stand at a distance,

To see what I must become

To form resistance.

My past reminds me:

Do not offer assistance.

I stand ready for deliverance,

Fleeing toward success.

I work endlessly—

To be original,

To honor my origin.

Not for connections,

Drifting karmically,

Legions silent yet commanding.

I embrace intelligence—

Choices of correction,

Imperfect perfection.

---

A way of taking compliments:

"Suck it up and push."

Invoke danger from passing strangers,

Find my source:

To obey without stress,

Conditioned to be my best.

Keep your hands off me.

I lure entry after entry,

Entities doing my bidding.

A contract made—

A secret moment.

---

I inflict distraction,

Show my magic.

They gaze and see:

An affected psyche,

Fear within.

Complications of compliments,

Rearranged threads.

I weave honesty

Into faint possibilities—

Feeding,

Yet killing me.

Shifting hostility,

Scheming commentary,

Adapted to setting.

---

My rage halts, observing:

An opponent royally clocked,

Vio-lence compelling,

A jaw rocked by an aasimar.

A silence—

A sign.

---

Dear God,

Let me keep my freedoms.

The seraphim reel,

Appealing my sins,

My treasons.

Relief completes me,

Sans kindness.

Falsity leads,

Control systems contain,

Calming sanctity.

I remove myself from sin,

Entertaining my audience within,

Bloated ego,

Leaving in a stupor.

---

A graph of potentials,

Lists written in haste.

Dissection fever,

Waste embalmed.

Roots dissolve into mirage.

Honesty by oath—

A potential forsaken.

All damned, taking over.

This is far from what was told.

Far from it.

[matchtaco]

It's after 1:30 AM in my country, I should be sleeping because tomorrow (Thursday) not only do I have to go to my course, but I also have to go see "Barbie" at the cinema, but 1- I'm catching up with the fics for the lestappen wk (between today and Friday I feel that I can already advance to the third day, I hope!!), 2- I'm writing chapter six but I have started again because a scene came out sadder than what I thought I would like it lol and 3- I just had a damn idea for an OS that had NOTHING to do with 3316 at the beginning and without realizing it I put lestappen as a secondary couple bordering on being the main one (also this usually happen to you? or is it just me that I can't conceive of writing without somehow including lestappen??)

idk, I hope to finish everything soon