Brilliant simple poster from the British National Party in the headline link. Using the stirring image of a Spitfire to defend Britain against another invasion from Eastern Europe.
Pity they didn't check their facts first. The plane is from the Polish Squadron which shot down the highest number of German planes in the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Bruising Encounter with Bureaucracy
About to board the plane back to Moscow & I have a big bruise on my arm.
I suffered this pain in order to get another Russian Visa - my 5th in 9 months. I'd completed all the paperwork & then they asked for another AIDS test. This despite the fact that I've already got a visa for the year for which I'd already provided a blood sample. But the Vampires at the Embassy wanted more. So I've got a big bruise from Russia with Love.
While I was in London I heard that Poland started the Second World War according to an article on a Russian Government website (see link in headline). Soon it will be illegal for us to continue our debating society. But it's Ok for Russia to post the idea that by being invaded by Hitler & Stalin in September 1939 Poland was somehow repsonsible for the War. As someone said in Russia "it's not the future I'm afraid of...it's the past."
I also saw an article in the Moscow Times recently where the Russian Government said that the British Council could continue "spying" in Russia if the UK made it easier for Russians to get visas for Britain.
I think the Russians played too much chess as children
I suffered this pain in order to get another Russian Visa - my 5th in 9 months. I'd completed all the paperwork & then they asked for another AIDS test. This despite the fact that I've already got a visa for the year for which I'd already provided a blood sample. But the Vampires at the Embassy wanted more. So I've got a big bruise from Russia with Love.
While I was in London I heard that Poland started the Second World War according to an article on a Russian Government website (see link in headline). Soon it will be illegal for us to continue our debating society. But it's Ok for Russia to post the idea that by being invaded by Hitler & Stalin in September 1939 Poland was somehow repsonsible for the War. As someone said in Russia "it's not the future I'm afraid of...it's the past."
I also saw an article in the Moscow Times recently where the Russian Government said that the British Council could continue "spying" in Russia if the UK made it easier for Russians to get visas for Britain.
I think the Russians played too much chess as children
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
TV better than Cinema...?
In the last 10 years TV has got better than Cinema. Not as an advertising medium but as a cultural phenomenon.
Apart from Slumdog Millionaire there have been few films in the last decade that have made a major impact. Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings don't count as they were bestselling books first.
Cinema is limited to the 2 hour format - plus or minus 30 minutes. TV though has hours & years to develop character & plot. Think of the best writing recently & it's been mostly TV.
The Simpsons
Friends
Sex & the City
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Wire
ER, Grey's Anatomy & House
The Sopranos
Will & Grace
Etc etc.
Mostly American but even Britain has contributed with The Office & Cold Feet.
Just when the internet & DVD threatened to kill TV as a cultural force it re-invented itself. HBO in particular thanks to it's subscriber service was able to produce shows with a darker heart. Movies are like parachutes - if they don't open, you're dead. TV shows can take risks that the economics of Hollywood doesn't allow. Happy endings are a must & you can never kill the lead character in case a sequel is required.
So TV remains the best medium for advertisers & also the most important Art form. Not bad for a 70 year old.
Apart from Slumdog Millionaire there have been few films in the last decade that have made a major impact. Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings don't count as they were bestselling books first.
Cinema is limited to the 2 hour format - plus or minus 30 minutes. TV though has hours & years to develop character & plot. Think of the best writing recently & it's been mostly TV.
The Simpsons
Friends
Sex & the City
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Wire
ER, Grey's Anatomy & House
The Sopranos
Will & Grace
Etc etc.
Mostly American but even Britain has contributed with The Office & Cold Feet.
Just when the internet & DVD threatened to kill TV as a cultural force it re-invented itself. HBO in particular thanks to it's subscriber service was able to produce shows with a darker heart. Movies are like parachutes - if they don't open, you're dead. TV shows can take risks that the economics of Hollywood doesn't allow. Happy endings are a must & you can never kill the lead character in case a sequel is required.
So TV remains the best medium for advertisers & also the most important Art form. Not bad for a 70 year old.
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