Superhero Boycott

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Or Why Your Typical Hollywood Sexism Keeps Me from Giving You Money.

I was never a big DC fan, but I do follow up rather closely when it comes to some of the Marvel catalog. While I do not posses the knowledge to fully support my statement, I do understand one thing: both DC and Marvel have a habit to underplay their potential powerful female leads.

I’ll start with one of my favorite things ever: X-Men. You’ll say: „wait, but there are lots of girls and women in that universe!„. I have to agree with you, but only on a superficial level. There are almost three female characters that can be considered developed in X-Men. I’m talking about Mystique, of course, Jean Grey and Storm.

Each of these ladies grows and moves around the ethic scale with unease and each of these passages seems almost natural and real, if they weren’t so cringe worthy most of the times. However, none of them is allowed to step into the limelight and steal the show. We always have Professor X and Magneto, Wolverine and Cyclops, Deadpool and Nightcrawler, and a lot of middle school brawls of pimply boys.

To be fair, their origin was appointed to a time and place when women were relegated to secondary places, such as love interest and sidekick statuses, so it’s understandable…

However, the new Mystique, portrayed by the awesome chameleon that is Jennifer Lawrence is not allowed to be the star of her own movie, even though with this it can truly transpire that her character is one cursed with issues and is the one that needs some focus, developmentally wise.

Fine, let’s admit that maybe a franchise focusing on tons of mutants, both male and female, is not quite what the boys paying the tickets want to transform into girls’ playground.

But there’s Batgirl, and Supergirl, and Wonder Woman! Even villainesses, such as Catwoman! They deserve some love, and at some point, someone was willing to give it to them. And it failed miserably, partly because the paying boys weren’t ready for this, but mostly because the men behind the cameras weren’t ready to WRITE proper female leads. What am I saying?! Characters, let’s do that before making them leads!

Female-Versions-of-AvengersFast forward a few years, until King of Nerds arrived, Mr. Joss Whedon himself.

A self proclaimed feminist, Whedon wrote one of my all time characters. Buffy. I have been a Buffy fan since the first time I saw it, while in middle school.

I have never seen such a beautifully crafted woman as was Buffy. Joss Whedon, ahead of his time, as usual, mastered the art of embroidering her with faults, including some regarding the scholar abilities of his lead, and managed to made her fierce, vulnerable, and awesome, while letting her enough time to explore herself, her friends, to experiment pain and loss and grief and despair, and allowed Buffy to grow into an awkward woman that has suffered along the way, made bad choices and stuck to her guns each and every time. Except for when she didn’t. Isn’t she beautiful like this? All human and REAL?!

Whedon also managed to create for his heroine a universe filled with powerful women, all given supernatural abilities, all given the responsibility of having to take care and help her grow, while growing up on their own. Don’t worry, boys, there are also men, equally beautifully crafted.

Buffy paved the way for the true heroine, now readily available and a sweet commodity, especially in the TV series. Lots of comediennes or, rather antithetic, drama queens, are piling up and taking over the cable. Some of these women, such as Tatiana Maslany‘s flock of clones, or Anna Silk‘s Lost Girl, or even Julie Benz‘s Amanda Rosewater or Gina Torres‘ Jessica Pearson (coincidentally, both actresses are Whedon alumni), prove there’s room and public willing to watch powerful women taking a stand.

People were ready for a woman fronted movie for years, and even applauded stuff like Erin Brokovich because it proved a point.

However, when it comes to the boys playground – the superhero comic book stand, a strong female centered movie is just not happening. No matter how special her abilities are, moviegoers just won’t see a Black Widow film anytime soon.

Why?

Because the big shots don’t think it’s the best thing ever… For their pockets.

Other related articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Even though the TV managed to squeeze some female characters with both brains and beauty, as well as weapon savvy and tech know-it-alls, series like Mad Men continue to rule the world from the shadows. Even though we have Agent Carter, and Tina Fey, and Fat Amy, the sidekick curse is still in bloom, and until someone decides to take a stand and make a movie (NOT A TV SHOW!) with a capable woman with both strengths and weaknesses, I decided to boycott whatever super-hero movie available.

I’m sick of the damsel in distress bit, a concept so old and overused that it’s beyond annoying to keep getting annoyed by it, so I figured it’s best I avoid any meeting that has Norse gods, men who can’t seem to manage their anger, bureaucrats way too cocky for their own good or sidekicks relegated to long-distance weaponry status. Even though this hot mess bears the name of my Lord and Savior, Mr. Whedon.

At this point, we can only hope that DC steps up and hands us what we want. At least, maybe this way, Marvel will start creating a supply for great female characters, and not let the demand waste itself away.

Pic.

Cuvantul

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Adanc si disperat,
Cuvantul mut
Cauta ce nu mi-a dat
Soarele care-a uitat
Sa mai apuna.
Ma-ntreb daca pacatele mi se aduna
Si stau la vorba,
Sub vreo stea aparte.
Off, doamne,
Cuvantul mi-e departe!
Si scormonit,
Si inlesnit,
Ingenuncheat pe sub carari ascunse,
Cuvantul asta mut si, poate,-un pic acrit
Sta la baza faradelegii nesupuse
Si racaie in mine
Ce nu a gasit in tine.
Iti spun eu – ce se-ntampla nu e bine!
Dar fara tinta, fara scop,
Si poate cu paharul gol, si fara dop,
Cuvantul meu se uita cum se scurge tot.
Eu n-am cu ce, dar vreau sa ma indop!
Si nu stiu, doamne, cum sa fac apoi,
Sa-ncapa-n mine amandoi:
Si bun, si rau,
Si liniste, si zarva.
Mai ca imi vine sa fumez o iarba.
Dar ce folos, ce mare nefolos:
Sufletul meu e tot pe dos,
Si doar cuvantul meu cel mut
Ramas-a arma singura,
Si il ascut…

You

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Different_Worlds_by_RynoclickStrange, sensuous noise comes from up above. Like clockwork, devious, yet kind, warm and fuzzy, the mystery of that feeling is tingling inside me, as soon as I close my eyes, as soon as I start whispering sweet nothings to myself.

From beneath me, dark matter once ridden with boots and heels and shoes that maybe won’t fit your feet properly is vehemently hellish, molding itself underneath my body. Everything sparks and aches at the same time, and I only wonder where you are.

I’m standing here, in between these worlds. Those plans that bear with me, so little, yet so important, so fearful, yet so loud – I love those plans. Mostly because they have sounds and colors, they have warmth and cold, they have terror and hope.

They also have you.

Pic.

Review – Doi si un tulnik

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doi si un tulnikNimic nu doare mai tare decat atunci cand cineva vine si racaie in sufletul tau secrete pe care le acoperi cu momente superficiale de viata fugara. Doi si un tulnic, pardon, tulnik, spectacolul lui Alex Unguru, are aceeasi calitate dureroasa ca si Ka-chiiing! Pare menit sa vina sa te dezvaluie, sa te dezbrace de minciunile ordinare, vine sa deschida ochi si minti si sa te elibereze de tine.

Responsabil cu textul si regia, Alex Unguru face din spectacolul sau despre globalizare un amalgam de istorii cu personaje distincte, relativ dificil de urmarit, din punctul meu de vedere, de catre publicul neantrenat. In Doi si un tulnik abunda dedesubturi si subtilitati, si va spun sincer ca spectacolul va forteaza sa fiti atenti la fiecare replica, sa inspirati tot ce se intampla pe scena, sa rumegati in voi fiecare secunda si sa traiti fiecare gand.

Alex Unguru face echipa buna cu Misa Serban, care se modeleaza pe un tip de personaj la care exceleaza fara drept de apel. Cel mai bine le reuseste celor doi pasarea replicilor intr-un fel care le e foarte fluid si natural. Jocul de cuvinte dintre Alex Unguru si Misa Serban e foarte greu de urmarit, dar nu imposibil, si solicita atentia publicului cu fragmente de istorie, filosofie, muzica si sport, legandu-le cu fictiune si absurd intr-un fel care le devine propriu, caracteristic.

Tulnikul care impreuneaza toate aceste momente aparent disparate e reprezentat de Alin State, un om pe care stiu sigur ca o sa-l mai vad si in alte spectacole, pentru ca nu ai cum sa nu-l vezi si sa nu fii subjugat de prezenta lui. Alin State are o carisma aparte, pe care o pune in slujba artei, dar si a filosofiei, pe care o foloseste ca sa-ti demonstreze cat de mult te-ai indepartat de radacinile tale, dar si ca sa te sileasca sa te uiti inapoi, in tine, si sa vrei sa revii la ce ai fost o data. Magnetismul lui domina fiecare secunda petrecuta pe scena si spun din suflet ca ar fi meritat un public mai… Viu. Mai simtitor. Mai sensibil. Sau nu stiu, poate e vina omului modern, care se ascunde in rusini de clasa si ii e jena sa recunoasca faptul ca s-a pierdut un pic in capitala asta mare.

Spectacolul lui Alex Unguru e unul subtil si haotic, si permanenta intrerupere data de fenomenul numit tehnic breaking the fourth wall il face sa fie o provocare pentru spectactor. Doi si un tulnik e despre globalizare, dar si despre uitare, la fel cum este si despre filosofie, istorie, geografie, arta si muzica. Este la fel de mult despre femei, cum este si despre barbati. Despre soare, si despre ploaie, despre lumea noastra si despre luna noastra. Despre pinguini si comunism si, cel mai des, Doi si un tulnik e despre radacini si despre grai.

Imi plac spectacolele care ma fac sa gandesc, dar nu-mi plac cele care ma fac sa-mi amintesc. Pentru ca, dupa atata ras salbatic si zambete fugare la referinte pop culture relativ ascunse, imi dau seama ca m-am uitat prea mult pe mine, si o lacrima se grabeste sa atinga pamantul pe care noi cu totii l-am uitat. Si in clipa aia imi dau seama ca mi-am uitat graiul…

Voi nu-l uitati, si mergeti sa vedeti Doi si un tulnik. E musai!

Multumesc Godot Cafe Teatru pentru gazduire si lui Alexandru Unguru pentru invitatie.

Review – Ka-chiiing!

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ka-chiiingIntr-o lume grabita sa se vanda, in fiecare zi tot mai mult, ce-ti mai ramane de facut? Pai iti ramane sa incasezi tot ce-apuci, nu? Ka-chiiing!, cum ar zice Alexandru Unguru, si tare bine mai zice!

Cum sa incepi sa vorbesti despre un spectacol la care, de fapt, asistam zilnic, la care suntem protagonisti involuntari? Ka-chiiing, si sper sa nu uitam sa taiem factura, ca zilele DNA-ului nu par chiar atat de numarate.

Teatrul Mignon este, cred, daca nu ma inseala memoria, cam la fel de mare precum sala de teatru in care faceam repetitii in liceu. Nu e genul de loc unde sa mergeti in gasca mare, pregatiti sa va distrati la comun, si apoi la o bere. Intimitatea spectacolului, insa, creeaza o conexiune speciala (sau cel putin asa s-a vazut de la mine, din randul 1) cu actorii de pe semi-scena improvizata, si va garantez o permanenta integrare in piesa, lucru aproape imposibil pe o scena mai mare.

Ka-chiiing! incepe simplu, cu un Cristian Stanoiu la fluier si un Doru Gabriel Sandu la chitara, de o boemie simpatica si o aparenta naivitate incredibil de reala. Prezenta lor si, mai tarziu, a Luisei Juverdeanu la ceea ce cred eu ca e un flaut, ajuta la trecerile intre scenele principale si, cu putin dialog, dar foarte multa credibilitate, cei trei actori amatori leaga universul banului intr-un mod realist si sincer.

Alexandru Unguru, cel care s-a ocupat si de regia spectacolului, este, practic, singurul personaj constant, in afara de cei trei observatori de mai sus, singurul care nu resimte o schimbare de atitudine, comportament sau viziune, singurul care, atunci cand se transforma, din blazat devine… Praf de stele.

Alexandra Laura Badea ar trebui sa primeasca premiul de cameleonul serii. Transformari care de care mai credibile si incredibile, si nu doar de costum, ci si de gesturi, mimica si voce, par a ii fi foarte la indemana actritei care se metamorfozeaza in fiecare clipa sub ochiul judecator al unui public care pare sa nu aiba altceva de facut decat sa fie subjugat de forta ei interioara. Recunosc, rar mi-a fost dat sa vad o asemenea putere intr-un actor, si ii multumesc din suflet ca a stiut atat de bine cum sa parodieze o societate ahtiata dupa bani, consum si pacaleala constanta.

Va recomand Teatrul Mignon, in special din randul 1. Acolo se intampla multe – puteti gasi un discipol de-al lui I(i)sus, o fata care vinde tigari, sau poate una care vinde TOT, o fata „de meserie” sau o cersetoare, sau, daca aveti noroc, cineva care sa va daruiasca vise. Pe gratis. Ka-chiiing!

Multumesc Teatrului Mignon (Str. Hristo Botev, nr. 1) pentru gazduire si lui Alexandru Unguru pentru invitatie.

dumnezeu

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dumnezeul meu m-a facut din bucati de satana,
mi-a dat si sange rau si rele – o gramada,
si fara bine, fara stele si fara lumina
el m-a lasat, acum cine-i de vina?
cand dumnezeul meu se joaca cu supusa,
mie imi sta pe limba si nespusa
injuratura de podoaba de sihastru
offf, doamne, cerul tau e prea albastru.
si mult prea gri de mult prea multa zare,
mai du-te dracu, tu cu-a ta carare!
tu, cu talentul tau de-a face bine,
in special atunci cand uiti de mine…

It’s a Man’s World

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For long now, I have defined myself as un-feminist. I’m not sure right now that I still am what I preached, but it seems that we, as women, are breaking boundaries that are, at least in theory, politically correct. And for me, this has started with Jemima Kirke’s stance on abortion and such.

Here, in Romania, the abortion tidbit tends to get swept under a rug filled with shame and misogyny, and it has such a stigma on the person admitting the fault (and by fault, I mean abortion) that no one ever claims it. Not the mothers of the daughters that do it, not the women experiencing first hand. There isn’t even the classical game of „a friend of a friend” involved in this.

And it’s a bit sad, because abortion usually means control over one’s body, while political correctness means control over one’s opinion and choice of words. Or at least, that’s how I see it. Two forms of control, and I’m unsure which one is better, if at all. It’s sad that one is valued as a principle, yet used in the most unprincipled way, to hyper-avoid discrimination, when in fact, it’s just perpetuating anti-discrimination, while discriminating the anti-discriminator, as well as playing down already known traits of personality of a certain group or minority.

Abortion does not offer that luxury. The simple dropping of the A-bomb will, without a doubt, leave you friendless or family-less. Or they will at least judge you from the shadows, for the harlot that you are.

However, I can’t seem to help but feeling empowered by the raging estrogen in the media right now. With comediennes like Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, pushing further the simplicity of embracing femininity and diversity, and geniuses like Shonda Rhimes, feminists can rejoice. They can claim badassery without fear of it being translated into PMS or bitchiness, and with bold moves from Jemima Kirke and Chelsea Handler into admitting their own limits for choosing to have (or not) a baby at a certain point in their life, women can claim more liberties without being over the top misandrists that hate on men unequivocally.

Just as women chose to have babies outside marriages, or though modern means only (this means no sexy time involved, just sperm donated by great, generous men), is just as fair to let them decide whether to stay pregnant or terminate the pregnancy, whether to raise their baby themselves or give it for adoption. On one condition, of course – always assume your decisions! Always!

In a day and age where we feel more than inadequate because of what we look like, we find it even harder to support ourselves and others, we find it harder to embrace the truth and the life experiences that make us what we are, we jab at ourselves and at our sisters, competing for imaginary boyfriends that don’t want to settle – they just want to grope or throw a punch, if rejected. And those who want to settle, are stuck in some weird friendzone near the Giselle Bundchen of the group, because she’s aiming for someone better. And that, my friends, is a never ending spiral of shame, self-loathe and misery. Why add abortion, above all else, to feel guilty about?

It’s a man’s world, indeed, but it’s time we fight the world, and not the man. It’s time to chose as weapons the same freedoms they employ – control over one’s body and mind and principles.