"nothing lasts foreverrr
then what makes then what makes
then what makes then what makes
then what makes love the exeception?"
--- Andre Benjamin, "Hey Ya"

Now ponder that.

Since it is the 20th anniversary of gangster classic Scarface, a 35mm remastered print was made, and is now being shown at select theatres throughout the U.S. And I and some folks decided to check it out the rise and fall of Tony Montana last night.

The film, that has had a cult following by most notably college students and hip-hop artists, is one of those films that opened to bad reviews and low ticket sales. But like i just said it developed a cult following that has had groups like Mobb Deep sampling it's score and lines for songs (i.e. "G.O.D. Part 3" & "It's Mine"), and people quoting lines like it's the bible.

I have never watched the movie in it's entirety, just bits and pieces. So seeing it on the big screen was a good introduction for all it's strengths and faults.

The faults: over-the-top acting; No Cubans or other Latino actors playing many of the main roles except for Steven Bauer; many of the Jewish and Italians filling the quotas just weren't beliveable as Cubans, especially Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. (Although when i was youngster i did think Pacino was Latino at one point.).

The strengths: It was one of the last pure gangster flicks before the genre became even more satured with a flash, bigger budgets, and repetition. Al Pacino is great as the obsessive Montana who isn't any happier even as he reaches the "top" with a pile of cash. As are the other actors, despite the aforementioned issue. And the actions and consequences of the characters are simply enacted without the slick styling of post Hong Kong Hollywood.

Scarface almost received an X rating because of it's language -- which is nothing compared to today's standards-- but Director Brian De Palma got it viewed as a film with an anti-drug message.

It's finally image is the most striking - Montana lying in his indoor fountain, his blood flowing into the water, and the globe with neon lights reading: "The World is Yours" above.

Photo By Richard Louissaint

For those haven't made it to the exhibit (or can't), the above photo was chosen for it. Not really my favorite picture from the bunch i shot for the project, but that's what the judges liked. I really wish i had been more inspired the two days i shot.

Well i am at the end of my own rope - discouraged. Wanting to do creative things with my life has hit a wall for me. To not have a full time job since February of 2003 has meant: living check to check, No real doctor's vists.

To be Thirteen again

People suck
For a good couple of weeks I’ve been "mad" at people and certain situations on my life. My friend said "i seemed peeved at the world."

I've been kind of like in this mode of people are full of ****. It's not some awesome new revelation, but it becomes a heavy thought to keep in your head especially when ur optimism is at it's lowest. Yes pessimism is at the root of my lamenting disposition. It’s a hump I am trying to get over along with thinking too much.

But I realize there are a lot of people I care about and keep me optimistic about what people are capable of being.

Also Dre’s side of the new OutKast double album speaks volumes to me a lot. Though, I have never really been in love. Mr. Benjamin is one the most honest contemporary “rappers” out there, with his ever-changing outlook in his songs and lyrics. His CD, The Love Below is a young man’s fuzzy journey through what we call the “confusion of love”. All expressed through singing (mostly), spoken word, and some seamless spitting.

I can’t wait for the world to hear it September 26th – that includes Big Boi’s Speakerboxxx.

Victor Vargas and his family

Jon C, Forever12, and some unknown stranger

To Those who couldn't make it to the opening of the ceremony. The exhibit is open till Sept. 30th

Monday September 8, 2003 - the big shoot of Brooklyn implemented by Positive Focus and adayinthelife.org will bring "Real Brooklyn, a day in our lives" to Brooklyn's Borough Hall Gallery for a month-long show of the wonderful images captured in April 2003. Opening reception sponsored by Borough President Marty Markowitz and Borough Hall will be from 5:30pm until 8 pm. The exhibition will include over 80 prints with almost 400 supporting photos from other participating photographers.

Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon St. (at Court St.)
(Downtown) Brooklyn, NY 11201
Open through Sept 30th
Hours M_F 9:00 to 5:00 PM
Yahoo Map for Borough Hall
Online gallery: http://www.adayinthelife.org/brooklyn

Photo By Richard Louissaint

Tomorrow be the Opening reception for the Brooklyn exhibit. I am nervous a little because of the large volume of photos that will be in this exhibit, and to me, the photo that was picked to be on display was not that astounding. But hey, it's exposure that I really didn't "pay" for.

I have invited as many people that i think would be interested in the photos or at least in the fact that I was in it. And this way my family may get to meet some of my "mysterious friends" and acquaintances.

Image from Soul Charmer

Today is the release of a revamped version of Jeff Buckley's 4-song EP, LIVE AT SIN-E - LEGACY EDITION. It boasts 2 CDS + DVD. It's significant because it was his first major label release preceding his first and last album Grace.

The singer/songwriter has influenced a diverse group of people worldwide despite having only one album. This, I can say was one of the reasons I first explored Buckley back in 2001. I own and have listened to Grace and the 2 CD set of unreleased materials Sketches and can admit I see glimpses of his “potential genius”, but not fully. I hope to one day see beyond his melodies and understand what he is truly saying.

Buy Buckley stuff here

Don't forget Victor Vargas is here!



To be Haitian... What is it? I don't talk much about my cultural background here, despite it being called The Haitian Eclectic. I have never felt the need to proclaim it, although i have been known to shout it out in my younger days.

I have really come into a lot of thoughts in my twenties about what it is to be Haitian. Whether i can claim it, as a first generation (or half generation (c) Edwidge Danticat) Haitian-American born in Montreal but brought up in NYC. Parents and others have had a habit of turning me away from their place of birth-- but why? This question resurfaced again at my Aunts house this past weekend when her son and I got into a little discusion on why we wanted to go to Haiti, and she was of course not very supportive of our aspirations.

For me learning about where my family came from -- through books, engaging conversations, visiting-- has nothing to do with some galmorized image i have in my head about the "half island". I know that my Haitian flag keychain, or what's hanging in my car windshield is only symbol.

That I have been discredited for not being Haitian because:
"You don't listen to compas"
"You don't date Haitian women" (not on purpose)

Interlude:

I have male Haitian friends who have made half-serious comments about not dating Haitian women cause they tend to be bourgie/homely. And Haitian women have said how they don't trust the men. At times i have felt the same way because i have rarely connected with any women i have met. And one Haitian female i knew/know again went off on me because of those feelings I had, and we never got a chance to dig deeper into these assumptions/feelings. But i guess the same could be said for male/female relations in general.

But i feel in some way i know of Haiti more than some do because I have taken to time to learn about the culture -- stories of my parents' youth (when i can get them to talk about it), history. But does that make me Haitian? Does reading Haitian authors like Danticat and Dany Laferriere do it? Do I always feel "in place" around lots of Haitians? These questions all elicit a "yes and no" answer for me.

And for now all i can say is i am still learning. It's all relative, I suppose.