Snowcake

The 2006 movie ‘Snowcake’ left me stunned and reeling in emotions.

Directed by Marc Evans and written by Angela Pell, Snowcake delivers a simple story uncluttered with the mess of blockbuster needs.

The story is simple, as simple as everyday life is to every one of us. As simple as breathing, though Life itself may be a difficult task. Actors Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver along with a slew of others capture the sense of the story by carving out beautifully individual characters.

Indeed, in writing this “review” I am torn between wanting to talk about the qualities of the acting and photography or the human element that is presents so elegantly.

I personally am fascinated with the particular emotions of lonliness, regret, and shame… but more importantly how individuals with vast vivid histories that are so unlike any others find a commonality between complete strangers.

There was a lot of hype when this movie came out about autistic awareness, but the movie posits a far greater reach and resocance of tender human connectivity.

(sorry for the scattered content, I told you I was new at this.)

The Critic

First a preface:

As a new section to add to my usual collection of poetry and song lyrics I am going to start putting in various critics on art (plays, tv shows, movies, cd’s, performances, paintings, etc). Please be aware that I am new to this kind of writing and in my university touchy-feely-thispersonisanartistanddeservesahug-education I was not encouraged to write things negative, I was “encouraged” to see the positive in art, because “all art is good”. Well, I’m older now, and I say bull shit. I went to an art gallery the other day and an artist had a little piece of writing below her bio. The first sentence read “Being an artist is not a choice. It’s a way of life. ” It went on to say how art ruled her life and was inescapable. There were pieces that I could accept, but that first sentence stuck with me.

Art is all about choice. Choices in everything, every little nuance of a paint stroke, shirt, eye makeup, guitar note, abient noise, society. I think being an artist is about attempting to channel choice and not forgetting that choice doesn’t mean chance. Carpe Diem, right, the artist motto? Sure to an extent, be brave, enter each day who knows what it will bring, what great art will come of the day, but it is invariably overflowing with choice.

Choice does not dictate the artist. The Artist allows for the chance of choice.