"Up There" - A Deadly Funny Movie from UK

K and I watched the UK movie "Up There" at Library And National Archives Canada's auditorium on Wellington Street. The United Kingdom is one of the many EU countries participating in the 28th edition of the European Union Film Festival hosted by the Canadian Film Institute.

Here is a summary of the "Up There" story according to IMDb:

"..... Martin (deceased) is stuck in a dead-end job, welcoming the newly departed into the afterlife. All he dreams of is going 'Up There'. But his plans are thrown into disarray when he has to team up with the relentlessly chirpy Rash and together they lose a new arrival. The mismatched pair give chase and end up in a remote seaside town populated by cocky teenagers, sinister old women and the enigmatic Liz, who has 'suicide written all over her'. Can they stop bickering long enough to find the lost soul? Will Rash be reunited with his brother Chunky? And can Martin get back in time to finally get 'Up There'? UP THERE is a killer comedy about life, death and irritating friends.... "
(Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1667102/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl)

Apparently, there is more fun "down here" than the final destination "up there" !!!

Related links:

*  You may also view the official trailer via YouTube at http://youtu.be/Vp9vwJk0SLc


* Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_There_(film)

".... Up There is a 2012 British feature film comedy, written and directed by Scottish based film-maker Zam Salim. It stars Burn Gorman, Kate O'Flynn, Aymen Hamdouchi, Chris Waitt, Jo Hartley and Warren Brown. It is financed by the Bfi, BBC and Creative Scotland. It is based on Zam Salim's award winning short film 'Laid Off' which has over half a million hits on YouTube. 'Up There' received its World Premiere at the International Film Festival of Mannheim-Heidelberg on 18 November 2011. It won the award for Best Feature Film at the 2012 British Academy Scotland Awards....."

狼人：武士激戰 / The Wolverine 2013

20130806: I watched the movie "The Wolverine 狼人：武士激戰" in 3D and here is a quick review:

* The 2013 film has a really interesting east-meets-west storyline, with our American mutant hero Wolverine 狼人 battling Japanese Yakuza 黑道, ninjas 忍者, Viper 毒蛇. and Silver Samurai 銀武士.

* While the Wolverine dreamed of Jean Grey-Summers (aka Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix) throughout the whole movie, the latter actually never had the same strong feeling in return.

* To this end, Hugh Jackman did a good job of depicting a ronin 浪人 roaming his own emotional wasteland void of love and relationships.

All in all, I quite enjoyed the movie !!!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Wolverine 2013 film
(Top to bottom) Wolverine, Japanses Yakuza, Dark Phoenix

劇情: 講述金鋼狼在X戰警：最後戰役之後，去到日本所發生的故事，金鋼狼羅根這位身懷絕技的不朽戰士，在自我放逐、四處為家的生活中，輾轉來到了日本，原本只是想過著隱居的生活，卻在這裏遇上了來自過去、武力強勁的神秘人物，引起了東洋武士刀與金鋼狼的堅銳鋼爪的正面對決，歷經這場詭譎多變的正邪對戰後，金鋼狼的生命史從此改寫，他已不是過去的金鋼狼，迎接他的，是更不可預知，以及充滿更多挑戰的驚險未來!

地球末日戰 / WORLD WAR Z

I watched WORLD WAR Z this evening and here is a quick review.

Brad Pitt's character as a loving father and husband might not come across as deeply as the one in The Tree of Life, but who could afford to soulfully ponder over the origin of the universe and the meaning of life when zombies were running amok and the very existence of uninfected humanity was at stake !!!

The film never says explicitly where the zombie virus originated from. One version of the story pointed the finger to the PRC, but according to Wikipedia (see below) Chinese censors disliked that notion and as a result release of the film in PRC remains uncertain.

I could have told the Paramount executives that they would hit the Great Wall by using sensitive words such as virus, infected, contaminated, etc, let alone pointing a finger to the east.

Talking abt walls. The failure of the wall protecting Jerusalem from zombies in this movie, along with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989/1990, and the breaching of the Great Wall of China several thousand years ago all seem to prove once again that an immovable object and an insurmountable force cannot simultaneously co-exist.

All in all, I find World War Z quite entertaining and is definitely worth the $6 I paid for the ticket. I might even be hooked for a sequel !!

And the quotable quote from this movie: "Mother Nature is a serial killer."

She will be back !!!!

Ref:

According to Wikipedia / World War Z (film):

"..... In March 2013, it was reported that Paramount changed a scene in the film in which the characters speculate that the zombie outbreak originated in mainland China in hopes of landing a distribution deal in the country. However, an executive familiar with upcoming releases in China later told The Wrap in June 2013 that a cut of the film was rejected by Chinese censors. A Paramount executive contended that he was "unaware of any rejection", explaining, "We have submitted one version and have yet to receive a response." ....

《地球末日戰》（英語：World War Z）是一部2013年上映的後世界末日的恐怖片，由馬克·福士導演，馬修·邁克爾·卡納漢編劇。它是基於馬克斯·布魯克斯的同名小說。畢·彼特飾演一名前聯合國工作人員，他負責在全球尋找相關資訊，阻止殭屍毀滅全球所有國家。.....

《地球末日戰》據報為了能夠爭取到在中國上映，所以亦計劃剪輯兩個不同版本上映，尤其片中一幕討論喪屍災難的成因，矛頭直指中國，要通過電檢，更必須刪除。 有傳《地》於中國上映計劃碰壁，初剪未獲大陸電檢處批准，不過電影公司高層否認收到確切消息。...."

《愛是神奇》 / To The Wonder

On Saturday night, K and I went to the Ottawa ByTowne Cinema and watched Terrence Malick's movie "To The Wonder". The story is existentially similar to "The Tree of Life" but not as sad. At the end of the movie, there was no applause from the audience, just a silent moment of reflection and perhaps a few sighs of relief that the movie was over.

If you like explosions and car-chases, don't bother to spend your money and time. But if you like beautiful cine-photography and enjoy abstract stories of the touchy feely type, you may want to go see it with your wondering cap on.

Related link: 生命樹 / The Tree of Life

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The following is from Wikipedia:

《愛是神奇》（英語：To the Wonder）是一齣2012年製作的美國愛情片。由《生命樹》導演泰倫斯·馬力克執導同時兼任編劇。電影於第69屆威尼斯電影節期間首映並參予競賽。主要演員有《ARGO–救參任務》導演兼男主角賓·艾佛力，《新鐵金剛之量子殺機》奧嘉·古莉寧高、《情迷午夜巴黎》女主角麗素·麥雅當絲及於《新鐵金剛：智破天凶城》飾演反派角色之查維爾·巴頓。

美國人尼爾(賓·艾佛力 飾)到法國旅行時遇上一名於巴黎生活的烏克蘭人單親母親瑪琳娜(奧嘉·古莉寧高 飾)。當兩人到法國的聖米歇爾山旅行時，兩人沉醉在他們的浪漫旅程，尼爾同時又對瑪琳娜作出了承諾，並帶瑪琳娜及瑪琳娜10歲女兒一同返家鄉俄克拉荷馬州生活。但他們到美國生活後的關係開始冷卻……

(Source: Wikipedia 《愛是神奇》)

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The following is from the Ottawa ByTowne Cinema website:

Just two years after The Tree Of Life – hardly more than an eye-blink in terms of his usual production-rate – Terrence Malick has returned with something which could be seen as a B-side or companion piece to that film. It is a bold and often beautiful movie, unfashionably and unironically concerned with love and God, and what will happen to us in the absence of either.

It is the story of a love affair doomed to failure, or at any rate doomed never quite to succeed. Ben Affleck is Neil, a stolid, handsome American engineer who has a passionate relationship in Paris with Marina (Olga Kurylenko), a sensual free spirit. Their love achieves an almost ecstatic state of happiness when they visit Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy and are all but overwhelmed by its islanded beauty. (‘We climbed the steps to the wonder,’ recalls Marina.) Easy-going, good-natured Neil gets on just fine with Marina’s 10-year-old daughter from a previous relationship and offers to bring them over to live with him in picket-fence middle America. But transplanted to the U.S., their relationship begins to go wrong and Neil becomes aware of a childhood friend, Jane (Rachel McAdams). In parallel with this, there is a priest, Father Quintana, played by Javier Bardem, whose consciousness begins to guide the movie in its American phase, and whose crisis of faith colours how we see the painful trial of Neil and Marina’s happiness.

The locals don’t know quite how to take Marina, but it is specifically Neil’s work that brings him into conflict with the community. He appears to be investigating soil subsidence and problems with the water table in the surrounding neighbourhood, issues that might affect the viability of the whole district. People nearby tell him he is making them nervous; one says that even the dog is behaving strangely. Despite the vivid gorgeousness that Malick discovers everywhere, there is a fundamental problem with the American soil itself – a real crisis of faith – and Neil and Marina’s existence is wilting. Malick may intend a visual rhyme with the earlier sequence at Mont Saint-Michel, in which the couple were running around in the squelching mud which seemed to ripple and bounce under their feet. There, the effect was playful and sensual, now the soil’s treachery is disturbing.

Marina’s visa can’t last for ever; a decision about marriage can’t be delayed as they both begin to doubt if America is really for them, and here is where Jane enters the story and Malick conjures a sublime sequence in which a kind of alternative-reality love affair is played out. Would a monogamous commitment be an affirmation of trust in God and in the mysterious beauty of life, which would generate its own success – or just be a terrible mistake?

– Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

歌星「雲妮·侯斯頓」香消玉殞 / Singer Whitney Houston Passed Away

今晩在青年会運動回來,突聞漂亮的女歌手雲妮侯斯頓香魂消逝，享年只得48歲。我還記得80年代,Whitney Houston 的清秀嗓子震蕩娱樂世界,一首 Saving All My Love For You 瘋魔全球。她全盛時期曾在流行榜名列前矛連續七星期,又和性格演員 Kevin Coster 合拍了The Bodyguard影片,事業名氣蒸蒸日上。

無奈,年青的雲妮侯斯頓,就像 Amy Winehouse 一樣,逃不出影壇音樂界的酒藥魔爪,毒癮纒身,多次在觀众面前失声,臺上表演毎况愈下,淪落在「過氣」歌手行列。

但在最近数年,雲妮侯斯頓在rehab戒毒成功,与壊蛋Bobby Brown離婚,她决心要跟隨歌后 Etta James走過的掙扎路程,返邪歸正,戒毒後的雲妮侯斯頓声音容貌也有顯注的改善,她開始灌唱新作品,似乎大有捲土重來之勢。

Whitney Houston 逝世這噩耗實在來得太突然,令很多支持Whitney Houston 的歌迷都感到黯然神傷。

唉!!自從 Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Etta James 相繼離場之後,今晩雲妮侯斯頓的不遲而別,又令世界樂壇少了一把美麗的金嗓子!!



"Saving All My Love For You" lyrics

A few stolen moments is all that we share
You've got your family, and they need you there　
Though I've tried to resist, being last on your list
But no other man's gonna do
So I'm saving all my love for you

It's not very easy, living all alone
My friends try and tell me, find a man of my own
But each time I try, I just break down and cry
Cause I'd rather be home feeling blue
So I'm saving all my love for you

You used to tell me we'd run away together
Love gives you the right to be free
You said be patient, just wait a little longer
But that's just an old fantasy

I've got to get ready, just a few minutes more
Gonna get that old feeling when you walk through that door
Cause tonight is the night, for feeling alright
We'll be making love the whole night through
So I'm saving all my love
Yes I'm saving all my love
Yes I'm saving all my love for you

No other woman, is gonna love you more
Cause tonight is the night, that I'm feeling alright
We'll be making love the whole night through
So I'm saving all my love
Yeah I'm saving all my lovin
Yes I'm saving all my love for you
For you, for you

【維基百科】“..... 雲妮·伊麗莎白·侯斯頓（Whitney Elizabeth Houston，1963年8月9日－2012年2月11日）是位曾獲得格林美獎的美國R&B歌手、演員、電影製作人與並曾擔任模特兒。她以強而有力的嗓音、一字多轉音的感染力與寬廣的音域為世人所熟知，並成為國際樂壇天后。在 1980 年代，雲妮是少數能夠在 MTV 獲得大量的播出機會的黑人藝人之一，而那時是男性為主的搖滾時代。AOL Black Voices 曾說「雖然她的成功如同避雷針 (lightning rod) 一般，但總是能夠從她那優美且有力的聲音中得到證明。」而封她為 "The Voice" 更是使她聞名。她是唯一在美國擁有兩張最佳銷售前 35 名的專輯的女性歌手，更是唯一擁有在告示牌流行榜 (Billboard) 連續七週冠軍單曲紀錄的歌手。雲妮在全世界有超過一億 7000 萬張專輯的銷售紀錄。 根據 Ebony 雜誌，雲妮被認為是 20世紀中，世界最迷人的黑人女性前 100 名之一。

但自從在事業高峰時期嫁給 R&B 歌手 Bobby Brown 之後，使用禁藥與婚姻暴力的傳聞致使其唱片銷售量和公眾形象下降。在小報上出現有關對於她個人的麻煩事討論的次數，遠多於其音樂上的表現。雲妮開始不像一般歌手常會被看見或是聽見，她也停止在公開場合現身。雲妮在 2005年與 2006年接受兩次藥物治療計劃。在第二次（2006年）成功的完成治療計劃之後，雲妮與 Bobby Brown 離婚並且得到女兒 Bobbi Kristina 的監護權。並與音樂界的重量級人物、親近的朋友，以及良師益友 Clive Davis 一起，於2009年9月雲妮侯斯頓發行她睽違7年的最新作品。

2012年2月11日，公關人員佛斯特（Kristen Foste）表示雲妮侯斯頓已經去世，享年48歲，但其死亡原因和地點，目前並不清楚。....”

According to Wikipedia re cause of Whitney Houston's death:

"…… On March 22, 2012, the Los Angeles County coroner's office reported the cause of Houston's death was (accidental) drowning and the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use". The office stated the amount of cocaine found in Houston's body indicates she used the substance shortly before her death. Toxicology results revealed additional drugs in her system: Benadryl, Xanax, marijuana and Flexiril. The manner of death was listed as an "accident". …."

***** UPDATE (2012-04-15) *****

The following Feb 21, 2012 blog article "Certain Moments in Time" by shangri_la contains some interesting retrospective views (w/ text, photos, and YouTube videos) abt Whitney Houston's life.

http://theidiotsdelight.blogspot.ca/2012/02/certain-moments-in-time.html

《 繼承大丈夫 》The Descendants: 堪嘆古今情不盡，可憐風月債難償

佐治•古尼（George Timothy Clooney，1961年5月6日）是一位頗受女性覌众欢迎的第一流荷理活明星,他領銜主演的賣座電影包括:《盜海豪情》Ocean's Eleven, 《盜海豪情十二瞞徒》Ocean's Twelve, 《盜海豪情十三王牌》Ocean's Thirteen, 《寡佬飛行日記》Up in the Air,《密探睥死羊》MenWho Stare at Goats,《完美狙擊》The American 等。

在 《 繼承大丈夫 》The Descendants 故事中,佐治•古尼演活了一個事業心重男人中年喪偶的惡夢,但妻子臨終不就是代表他和她感情的完結,反之,那只是一個開始;妻子的新欢舊愛秘密無意中被翻了出來,大丈夫的過往丶現在丶將來都突然和想像中的現實脱節!! 他应該怎么辦呢?

以下是節錄自香港電影指南 http://wmoov.com/movie/details/17066:

".... 在風光明媚的渡假天堂夏威夷裡，一宗賽艇意外，令金牌律師麥京治（佐治古尼）黯然起來。與他相愛多年的妻子長期昏迷，醫生無藥可施，阿麥遂找來其最愛親朋，向他們宣佈妻子病情，同時又一改家事少理的形象，決心肩負起照顧兩名女兒重任。大女雅歷珊達（莎蓮活德麗）反叛不羈，細女史歌迪（艾美娜米娜）腰心腰肺，阿麥生活得不到安寧而大為苦惱之際，同時更在雅歷珊達口中得悉一個被蒙蔽多年天大秘密──夜夜枕邊的老婆，竟然收埋了一個要好情夫，更想過離婚跟外遇遠走高飛！阿麥頓時晴天霹靂，「綠帽」被笠到落頸顏面全無，卻怎也無能為力；好一個大丈夫是時候向前望，繼承自己的親情與生活，以無窮勇氣，面對場場驚與喜交集的家庭大告解。....."

我從戲院出來,心中在感情和理智的平衡中,仍是有點忐忑不安。大丈夫对這單舊賬处理得妥当嗎? 他对地產方面的决定是基於環保,還是特意向親戚發炮還擊呢?他对那男人的報復是為自己丶為女兒丶還是為妻子呢? 但無何否認,雖然他帶了「綠帽」,但卻仍隱藏不了他心中对那紅杏出牆妻子充滿的愛意。

正如【紅楼夢】第五回太虛幻境中孽海情天的對聯有云:「厚地高天，堪嘆古今情不盡。 痴男怨女，可憐風月債難償。」

生命樹 / The Tree of Life

今晚與 K往 Towne Cinema 看這套故事層次頗為複雜的電影,導演把地點丶時間丶人物交叉剪貼,令我看罷也有點摸不著頭腦,所以回家後,我要查看維基百科,和搜索其它網上影評的解釋,才對故事有一個更深切的明白。如果您是年輕一代的覌众,或对養兒育女沒有實際經驗者,可能都会對這長138分鐘的影片覺得納悶。不過,無可否認,在視覺藝術來說,【生命樹】中的拍攝鏡頭丶色彩丶角度確是一流。



".... 故事開始於一個五十年代的美國中西部家庭，十一歲的積克與父母及兩兄弟同住，他似乎擁有一切美好的東西。他的母親無時無刻展露著愛與仁慈，使積克學會用心靈看到生命中璀璨光明的一面；但父親(畢彼特 飾)則告訴他現實是個適者生存的殘酷世界。雙親對兒子的教導及期望存有極大分歧，積克夾在他們之間成為磨心。其後，積克目睹病痛、苦難及死亡，令他眼中原本光明的世界變成混沌的迷宮。受到父親的影響，長大後的積克(辛潘 飾)在現代社會中迷失了自我，他不斷尋覓出路與答案。...."

Source: 觀看這個精彩的 MSN 影片: 《生命樹》(The Tree of Life) 電影製作特輯(1) - The Story

".... The Tree of Life is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick, and starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. Malick's film chronicles the origins and meaning of life through the eyes of a 1950s Texas family, while also featuring themes and imagery through space and the birth of life on Earth. After decades in development and missed 2009 and 2010 release dates, the film premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or. Many reviews praised the film for its technical and artistic merits, but there were also negative reactions in response to Malick's directorial style and, in particular, with the film's fragmented and non-linear narrative.

Plot

The film opens with a quotation from the Book of Job, when God asks, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation...while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" A mysterious, wavering light that resembles a flame emerges. The image is Thomas Wilfred's "Opus 161" from the collection of Eugene and Carol Epstein of Los Angeles, CA.[2] The film cuts to Mrs. O'Brien (Jessica Chastain) as she receives a telegram informing her of her son's death at age 19. Mr. O'Brien (Brad Pitt) is notified by telephone. The family is thrown into a world of grief as they try to cope in their tidy suburban home.

Jack O'Brien (Sean Penn) is adrift in his modern life as an architect. On the phone with his father, he confesses that he thinks about his dead brother every day. When he sees a tree being planted in front of a building, he begins the central reminiscence of the film.

The film cuts to a dramatization of the formation of the universe. As the galaxies expand and planets are formed, Jack's voice is heard asking various existential questions. At other points in the film, these questions and observations are voiced by other members of his family, as well as his younger self. On the newly formed Earth, volcanoes erupt and microbes begin to form. Eventually, the camera settles on a beach, where it reveals an Elasmosaurus lying with a fatal gash on its side. In a forest, a young Parasaurolophus is wary of predators. Later on a riverbank, the Parasaurolophus lies wounded. A Troodon emerges and examines the wounded dinosaur. The Troodon places its foot on the Parasaurolophus neck, preparing for the kill, but then reconsiders as he watches it struggle against him. The predator wanders off.

In a sprawling neighborhood in Waco, Texas, the O'Briens are reintroduced, living in a different, much older home. The young couple are enthralled by baby Jack, and his two brothers quickly follow, as their family grows. The film settles on the family as Jack (Hunter McCracken) reaches adolescence. Mr. O'Brien struggles to balance his sense of paternal duty with the overwhelming love he has for his sons. He is stern and borderline abusive, while also deeply affectionate and nurturing. In contrast, Mrs. O'Brien is childlike and empathetic, having a more permissive attitude towards her sons.

Mr. O'Brien covets wealth and regrets failing to become a great musician. He files patents for various inventions, but doesn't get any lasting endeavor off the ground. At one point, he takes a trip around the world trying to sell his inventions. While he is away, the boys enjoy unfettered access to their mother, and Jack experiences the first twinges of rebelliousness. Goaded by other boys his age, Jack commits acts of vandalism and animal abuse. He later trespasses into a neighbor's house, and looks at her underwear. Jack is confused by his experiments with violence.

Mr. O'Brien's plant closes, and he is forced to relocate the family. He reconciles with Jack, asking forgiveness for his harsh treatment of him.

The film returns to the adult Jack, who is walking on rocky terrain. He tentatively walks through a wooden door frame which is erected on the rocks. On a sandbar, Jack is reunited with his family and all the people who populate his memory. His father is happy to see him. His mother is overjoyed when Jack's memory resurrects his dead brother. She thanks Jack, kissing his arm twice. The film ends with the same mysterious, wavering light from the opening. ..."

(Source: Wikipedia / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Life_(film) )

Bif Naked's Tattoo: 竺土大仙心 (on the insdie of her right upper arm)

I was in the front-row at Bif Naked's performance at the Ottawa WestFest on June 11, 2011 and couldn't help but noticed the phrase 竺土大仙心 tattooed on the inside of her right, upper arm. Based on my knowledge of Chinese, the literal translation of each word is as follow:

竺 = bamboo
土 = soil
大 = big
仙 = fairy, magician, supernatural being, sage
心 = heart, mind

I recall my secondary school teacher telling me that ancient India was once called "Sky/heaven bamboo country", or 天竺國. Thus the term 竺土 "Bamboo soil" refers to the land of India, or the land of Buddhism.

Upon returning home, with Bif Naked's music still pounding in my head, I looked up her tattoo竺土大仙心 on the net and this is what I found:

According to Wikipedia / Sandokai, 竺土大仙心 is the first line of an ancient Zen poem "Ts'an-t'ung-ch'i"【參同契】 written by the eighth Chinese Zen ancestor Shitou Xiqian石頭希遷 (700–790 A.D.) . It is a fundamental text of the Sōtō school of Zen that is being chanted daily in temples throughout the world. Here is a translated version of the poem in English.

"Harmony of Difference and Sameness" 【參同契】

竺土大仙心 The mind of the great sage of India
東西密相付 is intimately transmitted from west to east.
人根有利鈍 While human faculties are sharp or dull,
道無南北祖 the Way has no northern or southern ancestors.
靈源明皎潔 The spiritual source shines clear in the light;
枝派暗流注 the branching streams flow on in the dark.
執事元是迷 Grasping at things is surely delusion;
契理亦非悟 according with sameness is still not enlightenment.
門門一切境 All the objects of the senses
迴互不迴互 interact and yet do not.
迴而更相涉 Interacting brings involvement.
不爾依位住 Otherwise, each keeps its place.
色本殊質像 Sights vary in quality and form,
聲元異樂苦 sounds differ as pleasing or harsh.
闇合上中言 Refined and common speech come together in the dark,
明明清濁句 clear and murky phrases are distinguished in the light.
四大性自復 The four elements return to their natures
如子得其母 just as a child turns to its mother;
火熱風動搖 Fire heats, wind moves,
水濕地堅固 water wets, earth is solid.
眼色耳音聲 Eye and sights, ear and sounds,
鼻香舌鹹醋 nose and smells, tongue and tastes;
然於一一法 Thus with each and every thing,
依根葉分布 depending on these roots, the leaves spread forth.
本未須歸宗 Trunk and branches share the essence;
尊卑用其語 revered and common, each has its speech.
當明中有暗 In the light there is darkness,
勿以暗相遇 but don't take it as darkness;
當暗中有明 In the dark there is light,
勿以明相睹 but don't see it as light.
明暗各相對 Light and dark oppose one another
比如前後歩 like the front and back foot in walking.
萬物自有功 Each of the myriad things has its merit,
當言用及處 expressed according to function and place.
事存函蓋合 Phenomena exist; box and lid fit;
理應箭鋒拄 principle responds; arrow points meet.
承言須會宗 Hearing the words, understand the meaning;
勿自立規矩 don't set up standards of your own.
觸目不會道 If you don't understand the Way right before you,
運足焉知路 how will you know the path as you walk?
進歩非近遠 Progress is not a matter of far or near,
迷隔山河故 but if you are confused, mountains and rivers block your way.
謹白參玄人 I respectfully urge you who study the mystery,
光陰莫虚度 do not pass your days and nights in vain.

(Source: Internet Sacred Text Archived)

Related Links:

* Please visit Flickr
to see photographer Arne Berg's great pics of Bif Naked and other performers at the June 10-12, 2011 WestFest.

* BIF NAKED's HOME PAGE: http://www.bifnaked.com/

雙百人 / 變人: 長生不死 / Bicentennial Man: Immortality

This is in response to the article entitled "重溫" that was posted on June 8, 2011 by my blogger friend "Space". He is looking for a transcript of the speech given by the robot toward the end of the 1999 movie "Bicentennial Man". I listened to the YouTube video and came up with the following:

This is the dialogue btwn the young robot and the World Congress in his first attempt to partition to become a human so he can legally marry his love Portia, a human.

(The robot Andrew Martin asks the Speaker of the World Congress.)

- Are you not in some way artificial at least in part ? Well then, I am human in part too .... this part.

(The robot points to his heart ! But the World Congress decides that because he is an immortal robot, he cannot become a human who is mortal. The Speaker of the Congress explains.)

- Society can tolerate an everlasting machine ... but an immortal human would create too much jealousy and anger.

Feeling dejected and sitting alone in his apartment, Andrew realizes immortality is what defines a robot, but also what bars him from being a human.

- People grow thru time, but for robots, time is endless. .... There is only one thing to do ...

(Andrew finally realizes mortality is a human condition, but is also a condition to be human.)

Time passes. Many years later, he tries a second time to partition. An aging robot gives his speech at the World Congress and Human Rights for Robots. He addresses the second President of the Congress.

- I always try to make sense of things. There must be some reasons I am as I am. As you can see Madam Chairman, I am no longer immortal.
- You have arranged to die?
- In a sense I have. I am growing old. And my body is deteriorating. And like all of you, I will eventually cease to function. As a robot, I could have lived forever. But I tell you all today, I would rather die a man, than to live for all eternality as a machine.
- Why do you want this?
- To be acknowledged for who and what I am - no more, no less. Not for acclaim, not for approval. The simple truth of that recognition. This has been the elemental drive of my existence, and it must be achieved. I am to live or die - with dignity !!
- Mister Martin, what you are asking for is extremely complex and controversial. It will not be an easy decision. I must ask for your patience, while I take the necessary time for the determination of this extremely delicate matter.
- And I will await your decision, Madam Chairman. Thank you for your patience.

(He turns to his love and wipes a tear off his eye.)

On their death bed, the couple are waiting for the moment to arrive. Andrew asks the attending nurse.

- Is it almost time?
- In a few minutes.

(The nurse left. They look at each other. Portia breaks the silence.)

- It doesn't matter what the World Congress says. Why do you need their approval ?
- Old habit. I started my existence as a robot. I do like to be told certain things.

(They reach out for each other's hand; their fingers entwine, and they smile to each knowingly. The nurse announces: It's time. The wall monitor shows the World Congress in session.)

- Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Marjorie Bota, President of the World Congress.

(The President speaks.)

- According to records of the NorthAm Robotics Company, the robot, also known as Andrew Martin, was powered up at 5:15 pm on April 3, 2005. In a few hours (?), it will be 200 years old, which means that with the exception of Methuselah and other biblical figures, Andrew is the oldest living human being in recorded history. To rectify (?) this proclamation, that I validate his marriage to Portia and acknowledge his humanity.

(On their death bed, Portia listens and smiles. She turns and wants to talk to Andrew, but he is already gone. The nurse checks his pulse and says.)

- I am sorry he didn't see it.
- He didn't need to.

(Portia looks at Andrew's peaceful face and asks the nurse.)

- Can you do me a favour ? Would you mind unplugging me ? It's an order.

(The robot nurse obliges and powers down her life-supporting system.)

- Thank you Galatea.
- It's what the great Andrew Martin used to say: It's glad to be of service.

(The nurse left. Portia turns and looks tenderly at Andrew. Holding his hand, she says ...)

- I will see you soon.

(Their fingers still entwined, she waits for her moment of death to come.)

References:

* The June 8, 2011 article entitled "重溫" by my blogger friend "Space":

http://mindnecessity.blogspot.com/2011/05/bicentennial-man-celine-dion-then-you.html

* Meme -- 教學與反省 一個生物老師的教學日誌: 文章由 Yukie 撰寫

2004-11-18 http://edumeme.blogspot.com/2004/11/bicentennial-man.html

壹、劇情簡介

《Bicentennial Man》 (雙百人，電影譯作變人)為科幻作家以薩‧艾西莫夫 (Isaac Asimov, 1920-1992) 為紀念美國開國二百年而寫做科幻短篇小說，因此短篇名稱取為《雙百人》。艾氏晚年在出版商撮合下，與另一名科幻作家 Robert Silverberg 將 Bicentennial Man發展為長篇小說《Positronic Man》(正子人)(葉李華，1999)。電影 Bicentennial Man 即以艾氏二篇小說為藍本拍攝而成。

故事敘述一位男士，馬丁先生，為了減輕女主人負擔，買了一台人形機器人幫忙家務，並將機器人取名為安德魯。在一次出遊時，安德魯不小心打碎了二小姐最心愛的玻璃馬，為了賠罪，安德魯看了許多木工的書，自己雕了一隻木馬給二小姐。男主人很驚訝於被設定為家務機器人的安德魯竟然會木工，於是將他的家務工作減少，讓他能多花時間在木工上。機器人生產公司獲知此事屢想將安德魯收回銷毀，以免『機器人生產品質控制不佳，機器人會做設定之外的事』消息走露。然男主人非常喜歡這個與眾不同的機器人，除拒絕生產公司的要求外，還決定教安德魯讀書。

一日安德魯向男主人提出要求，希望男主人讓他自由，他仍然為主人一家人服務，但這是出於自願而非被人命令：『我讀了你們人類的書，知道有上百萬的人為了爭取自由而戰，如果有這麼多人為爭自由而死，那麼它一定值得擁有。』男主人答應了他的請求，他成為一個自由的機器人。

成為自由身後，安德魯做了一趟長達十數年的旅行，旅程中認識一位機器人專家，在安德魯的要求下，這位科學家將安德魯的外貌變得像真人一般。回到原先的城市後不久，二小姐因年邁去世了，死時手中還握著安德魯送給她的小木馬。

二小姐去世時，她的孫女波夏在床邊流下眼淚，安德魯卻因為身為機器人無法流淚。他希望自己更像人，能為傷心的事流下眼淚。於是潛心研究醫學，設計一套讓機器人能更為敏感的儀器。換上這套設施的他情感表達與人類無異，漸漸的，二小姐的孫女波夏忘了安德魯是機器人，她們相戀了。然而在法律前安德魯仍是一『台』機器人，他無法與人類結婚。為了讓法院承認他是人，他將自己改造成會老化的機器。他的決心及許多造福人類的研究讓法院終於承認他在法律上『人』的地位，但在法院宣布的前一刻安德魯已然死亡。

安德魯享年二百歲，服務馬丁一家達四代，死後終於達成『變人』的心願，成為馬丁家真正的成員。

貳、心得感想

初讀《正子人》，我以為這本書在探討的乃是一個根本的哲學問題：『什麼是人？人是什麼？』如安德魯在法院上答辯時所稱：

『對於人類的歷史，我比大多數人瞭解；我的研究救活了成千上萬的人們。當許多你們所謂的「人」正在醉生夢死時，何以我成為「人」的希望卻一再的被拒絕？』

至此，我不禁有些疑惑：如果『比多數人瞭解人類的歷史』是可以稱為人的原因之一，那麼記載著許多人類歷史的百科全書、光碟片是否也可以被稱為『人』？如果因為他的研究造福他人無數而可以將安德魯稱為人，反之，是否最醉生夢死的『人』也可以被剝奪成為『人』的權力？宣布安德魯成為『人』的法官並未解答我太多的疑問，『什麼是人？人是什麼？』依舊是個問題。

除了『什麼是人』這一問題，《正子人》譯者葉李華教授寫到：

雖然小說的主角是機械人，兩位作者卻不甘於僅僅寫一本機械人傳記。從書中字裡行間、從各個人類「配角」的際遇，都不難看出作者的苦心孤詣──透過一個永生機械人的觀點，來見證、來省思、來探討人世間的亙古難題：生老病死、愛恨情仇、名韁利鎖……(葉李華，1999)

如同葉教授所言，《正子人》雖為科幻小說，然而『科幻』僅是它的形式，小說本身的關懷仍在『人』本身，便如金庸筆下的小說，雖為武俠類型小說，但『武』祇是錦上添花之素材，小說的重心與焦點乃在『俠』字 - 對人的關懷，因而我將《正子人》推薦給我的朋友，另在電影『變人』上映時迫不及待的前去觀賞。在影片放映中，我理解到『變人』其實還有其他的涵義，它不僅是討論了什麼是人的問題，它也可以看為黑奴解放科幻版 -- 將故事設定的時間點往前推數百年，將安德魯角色由機器人改換為黑奴，這個故事架構不會有太大的變動。

電影開始，機器人安德魯來到馬丁家，由家人驚訝的表情可以獲知機器人在那個時代尚未普遍，僅有少數擁有經濟資本的家庭方有能力擁有家務機器人分擔家務。對於安德魯的到來，大小姐頗不以為然並表現出不友善的態度：『它真是蠢死了』。趁著父母親不注意，她命令安德魯跳樓。男主人馬丁看到摔下樓的安德魯後告誡兩個女兒：『安德魯不是人，它是我們的財產。但是財產也是很重要的，從今天起我要妳們將安德魯視為一家人看待。』在我腦海中，浮上來的是一個飽受欺凌而受傷的黑奴，主人正在告訴他的小孩不可以欺負家裡的黑奴，因為『他是我們的財產』。

當我們以後設角度對文本進行分析，現下所擁有的知識影響了我們對於『機器人/黑奴』比喻的觀感。我們現今可以接受黑人也是人的想法，但是對於機器人是不是也能被稱為人便有不少質疑：如果機器人可以被稱為『人』，那麼汽車可不可以被稱為『人』？電腦呢？洗碗機呢？我們有太多的疑問。然而，時間往前推演數百年，當時的人們也無法相信黑人是人的想法，或是他們認為：『即使黑人是人，他們也是原始的、未進化的人種，與我們高貴的血統是完全不一樣的。』

我的想像力有限，無法猜想再過數百年後人們如何看待『機器人是不是人』的問題，然而經由這樣的思考，我似乎可以揣摹數百年前的人們看待一個與自己不太相同的另一種族時是怎麼樣的想法。或許我們現今為黑人曾有的遭遇抱不平，但以一種同理心去想像當時西方主流社會人們的觀感，似乎西方人也不如我之前所想的那般邪惡。

在這段有關『財產宣示』的片段後，接續上演的是二小姐的玻璃玩具被摔壞，安德魯想辦法自學木工技巧，以木頭雕了一匹木馬給二小姐這一段。我腦中仍然浮現起一位黑奴被主人發現其藝術造詣，因此主人將這位黑奴的工作減少，以便他在藝術方面繼續發展的畫面。之後浮現了另一個較大的瞭解：這位黑奴所在的家庭必需有相當的經濟資本，唯有經濟的支援，主人才有能力購買一位黑奴 / 機器人做為幫傭，唯有相當的經濟資本，才能讓原先要幫傭的黑奴放著工作去發展自己的能力，而所積留下來的工作，主人可能需要蓄養另一位黑奴才能完成。另一方面，除了經濟資本外，主人還需要有相當的文化修養，他才能欣賞一件藝術的創作更勝於家務的勞動。

因此，這位幸運的黑奴 / 機器人必需幸運到足以同時擁有經濟資本與文化資本二種資源，他才能有機會去發展自我能力。此外，從『變人』中我們可以不時的觀察到，安德魯之所以為安德魯是因為他有著喜愛他的『家人』，而這些家人發揮了他們的社會影響力，包括請好朋友當律師，為安德魯打官司；請銀行界的好友為安德魯 ──史無前例地 ── 開設機器人個人帳戶；因身為機器人，仍然有許多時候受到人類的欺負，此時有安德魯自旅行中認識的好友幫他做完全的改造，讓他外表像個真正的人，使人們再也分辨不出他，無法欺負他……等等，都可以感覺到『社會資本』在其中所扮演的角色，安德魯幸運的利用 / 被提供豐富的社會資本，使他個人的奮鬥得以繼續進行下去。在此時，社會資本便有如阿基米德的槓桿，讓安德魯以『努力』為支點舉起了他的地球(雖然過程是費力的)。

在這科幻版的黑奴解放運動中，我感知的訊息是，教育的確能讓人獲得向上流動的機會，但是在教育的過程中，經濟資本、文化資本、社會資本缺一不可，唯有三者齊備，教育才能發揮向上流動的功能，也因此下階層民眾想經由教育達到向上流動的目的充滿了困難。現今的陳總統由貧民子弟成為總統的故事雖然激勵大眾，但畢竟是少數，更多的故事是中產階級，擁有某程度的經濟資本、文化資本、社會資本，再經由教育將子女推上更上層社會，因此，政府對於低收入戶的補助是輔助其脫離困境的必要非充份條件，如何在經濟補助之外給予更多的幫助是政府該予以考量的。

雖然在變人中探討『什麼是人』『科幻黑奴如何獲得人的地位』等議題，但是整部小說 / 電影中女性仍然失去了聲音，作者與導演將目光放在弱勢團體，卻捨去了女性，這一傾向在改編自小說的電影中特別顯眼。

電影中的女機器人加樂提雅一開始便是以一個吵鬧而無大腦的女性機器人出現，甚至因為過於吵鬧，安德魯以電鑽將之釘在牆上。這樣的描述複製了社會上對於女性的想像：『女性是吵雜不休的、女性是不聰明的』，對於一部探討『何謂人』的電影竟然出現此種場景真是讓人心酸難過。即便是到了結局，加樂提雅也改變成一位完全的人形機器人，她還是沒有脫離這個社會對於女性的想像：在結局裡她成為一位護士，而護士在傳統上被視為是女性的工作。於是女性被排除在『人』之外了，她們祇要不要吵鬧就好，如果要工作的話，也祇有護士適合女性，她們不需要有太多的想法，她們所需要的是一切遵照男性的規則走！！導演可以接受一部機器有自我的發展、去追逐自我的生活，但是女性，抱歉，妳們是次等的人類，妳們不需要有自我。於是我對於電影仍有許多的期盼，希望有其他人重拍此部電影，將女性的議題重新來過，甚至將安德魯以女性機器人的角色出現，將整部小說重新改編再現 ── 安德魯所對應的有色人種雖然受到歧視，但是有色人種中的女性受到更多的歧視，如果以女性機器人的角度出發，或許可有更多的議題發揮！！

參、後記

初看電影我有一種不滿足感，在前半段改編尚小，與小說仍能良好對應，至中段起導演開始自己個人的創意，與小說已漸行漸遠，甚至加入了安德魯與人類相愛的故事，讓我有電影將小說庸俗化之感。然而在電影觀後一段時日，再讀小說，卻感覺小說內容過於冰冷、不帶感情；反倒是電影較有人味，易於親近。因此我不再敢說何者較優，祇能說兩者各有所長，皆值得推薦。

(微豆: 我要給這位生物老師的文章一個讚！)

牛嚼牡丹看歌劇 / Opera is an expensive nap

On Mar 28, 2011 Monday evening, S, K and I went to see the Italian opera Lucia di Lammermoor written by Donizetti and performed by Ottawa's Opera Lyra at the National Arts Centre (NAC). I hate to report that I slept thru Act I and Act II.

Don't get me wrong, Lyra Opera's performance/singing was entertaining and the NAC orchestra was, as usual, great. It's just that I had run 10K earlier in the day and was feeling a bit tired - that was my excuse to K.

Anyway, I was more awake when the light dimmed for Act III but don't ask me abt the whole story. Neither can I explain why a Scottish love tragedy was sung in Italians (with English and French subtitles flashing across the top of the stage) by Canadian performers dressed up as Scots.

After the opera, K said something abt what most women know already: Opera is an expensive nap for men.

To keep the attention span of brutes like me, maybe they should have incorporated aliens, space ships, and explosions on the NAC stage, just like the opera scene from the movie "The Fifth Element" in which Inva Mula (as Diva Plagalaguna in the story) was singing, with her beautiful beautiful voice, "Lucia di Lammermoor" by Gaetano Donizetti (click here to read more: http://lotusandcedar.blogspot.com/2011/01/inva-mula-singing-lucia-di-lammermoor.html)

Photo Credit: Ottawa's Opera Lyra http://www.operalyra.ca/

Related links / videos:

第五元素 - "搖啊搖，莫扎特" / The Fifth Element - "Rock Me Amadeus"

I quite like this YouTube video posted by "Aspiegirl":

加拿大影片:【巴尼正傳】/ Canadian Movie: Barnery's Version

April 2, 2011 Empire 7 Cinema, Ottawa:

What version?

That was my question before the movie. The answer became clear when I walked out of the cinema.

*** Spoiler alert ***

We all have our own version of life . For Barney who lived in Montreal, life was a mix of ups and downs, and the version was mostly his own making, except at the beginning and end:

- being born "Jewish"; - thinking like a Canadian; - looking up to his feisty, over-sexed father (played by Dusty Hoffman, one of my favourite actors);

- marrying a rich Jewish woman, and falling in love with a New York beauty Miriam on his wedding day;

- pursuing the NY woman;

- being accused of killing his drug-addicted friend who had been found in bed with Barney's wife;

- divorcing and marrying the woman he really loved and raising a family;

- going to bed with a B-movie star on impulse and ending up with another divorce;

- suffering loss of memory and cognitive capacity;

- thinking he was young again and re-dating the beautiful Miriam whom he loved;

- resting in a grave on Mount Royale in Montreal, with an empty plot next to him, with the name Miriam carved on the headstone.

In the end, his ex, who had remarried, still loved him in spite of his infidelity. However, it was unclear whether she would want to be with him after death.

We all have our own version.

2011 Academy Award - Best Picture

My favourites are: The King's Speech, The Black Swan, The Social Network and Winter's Bone (in that order).

And the Oscar goes to .... The King's Speech!!!

Sent from BlackBerry

2011 Academy Award - Best Actor

Colin Firth, who is my favourite this year, also won the Oscar for Best Actor for his leading role in The King's Speech.

Great !!! Now I am waiting for the Best Picture announcement.
Sent from BlackBerry

2011 Academy Award - Best Actress

I am glad to see Natalie Portman winning the Oscar for Best Actress this year !!! She performed well in the movie Black Swan which I like very much.

Sent from BlackBerry

The Black Swan

Empire 7 Theatre Jan 1, 2011:

When K asked me to go see The Black Swan, I thought it would be just another chick flick. Sure I enjoy ballet performance on a stage, but on the silver screen? Beside, how many ways can you tell the same white swan, black swan story?

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The story captured my attention right from the beginning. At the end, with the loud applause of the (artificial) cheerful and jubilant audience on the silver screen, I found myself among the (real) stunned and silent audience in the theatre.

Some parting thoughts:
1. Transformation can be painful.
2. There may be a hefty price to pay.
3. Are you willing to take the risk?
4. Are "you" still "you" after?
(Sent via BlackBerry BB)

約翰·帕海貝爾 D大調卡農與吉格 / John Pachelbel's Canon & Gigue in D major

* Please also read Space's November 26, 2010 article: "依稀記得的旋律" *


I was inspired by Brother Space's article and decided to find out more abt this masterpiece. Above are the three versions of the same music (more or less) with the last one showing the piano keyboard. Enjoy !!!

根據「維基百科」"約翰·帕海貝爾 D大調卡農與吉格":

D大調卡農與吉格（德語：Kanon und Gigue in D-Dur für drei Violinen und Basso Continuo），也稱約翰·帕海貝爾卡農（Pachelbel's Canon），是德國作曲家約翰·帕海貝爾最著名的作品。因為它是最著名的卡農樂曲，有時也常以「卡農」代指。然而實際上卡農（Canon）並非曲名，而是一種曲式。卡農在字面上是「輪唱」的意思，吉格（Gigue）則是舞曲。D大調卡農作於1680年前後，是巴洛克時期的室內樂作品，採用數字低音手法，供三個小提琴演奏。它曾被改編為多個不同版本，供不同樂器組合演奏。它原有吉格舞曲伴隨，但現在很少演奏這段。

According to Wikipedia "Pachelbel's Canon":

Pachelbel's Canon, also known as Canon in D major (Kanon und Gigue für 3 Violinen mit Generalbaß in German) (PWC 37, T. 337, PC 358), is the most famous piece of music by German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel. It was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue in the same key. Like most other works by Pachelbel and other pre-1700 composers, the Canon remained forgotten for centuries and was rediscovered only in the 20th century. Several decades after it was first published in 1919, the piece became extremely popular, and today it is frequently played at weddings and included on classical music compilations, along with other famous Baroque pieces such as Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Updated Dec 3, 2010: "You Can Shine"

Related Link:
* Space's November 26, 2010 article: "依稀記得的旋律"
(updated Dec 3, 2010 - more YouTube videos !!!)
* Fresh Designer's Oct 13, 2010 article: "You Can Shine"
* 魔術師的伊謝爾倫日記: "电吉他版 - audio clip" http://magician__yang.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=871080



References:
* 維基百科: 約翰·帕海貝爾 D大調卡農與吉格
* Wikipedia: Pachelbel's Canon

劉藍溪 - 微風細雨 / Liu Lan Xil - Gentle Breeze, Drizzling Rain

微風細雨

曲詞：林功信 , 主唱：劉藍溪

微風吹著浮雲
細雨漫漫飄落大地
淋著我...淋著妳...
淋的世界充滿詩意

微風伴著細雨
像我伴著可愛的妳
看著我...看著妳...
看這世界多麼美麗

啊...願我是風妳是雨
啊...微風浸在細雨裏

漫步青青草地
小草也在輕輕低語
訴說無盡秘密
讓我們共尋覓

Related link:
在所有我與合唱團唱的中國歌曲，這是我最喜歡其中之一首: 劉藍溪 - 小雨中的回憶 / Liu Lan Xil - Rains & Tears

兒童神話故事:【神筆馬良】 / Childrens Fairytales:【The Magic Brush of Ma-Liang】

The following article is supplementary to my Oct 28, 2010 blog post entitled:
「兩週一聚」第28期:「人間,神話」之【神筆】 / 2weeks1gather #28:【My Magic Brush】

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

根據「維基百科」:

《神筆馬良》是兒童文學作家洪汛濤創作的一個童話故事。故事描述的是中國古代一個名叫馬良的少年獲得神筆前後的傳奇經歷。 神筆馬良有兩個故事版本。一個是1955年發表在《新觀察》雜誌上的短篇版本。另一個是隨後創作的《神筆馬良傳奇》，分為三部：《神筆馬良正傳》、《神筆馬良外傳》和《神筆馬良新傳》；其中，只有《神筆馬良正傳》正式出版，約十多萬字。

根據「中華農曆網」:

神筆馬良的故事到現在也是家喻戶曉。《神筆》是《神筆馬良》改編的1955年的木偶動畫片,片長20分鐘。影片是中國較早的木偶片。畫面優美、活潑，木偶造型栩栩如生，富於人情味，具有鮮明的民族風格。影片不但在國內影響巨大，在國外也獲得了很多獎項。意大利威尼斯第8屆國際兒童電影節八至十二歲兒童文藝影片一等獎；南斯拉夫第1屆國際兒童電影節優秀兒童電影獎；1956年在第3屆大馬士革國際博覽會電影節獲短片銀質一等獎章；1957年又獲華沙第2屆國際兒童比賽會木偶片特別優秀獎；還獲加拿大斯特拉福紀念莎士比亞國際電影節獎狀。

【神筆馬良】神話故事

聽人家說，從前，有個孩子名字叫馬良。父親母親早就死了，靠他自己打柴、割草過日子。他從小喜歡學畫，可是，他連一支筆也沒有啊！ 一天，他走過一個學館門口，看見學館裡的教師，拿著一支筆，正在畫畫。他不自覺地走了進去，對教師說：“我很想學畫，借給我一支筆可以嗎？”教師瞪了他一眼，“呸！”一口唾沫啐在他臉上，罵道： “窮娃子想拿筆，還想學畫？做夢啦！”說完，就將他攆出大門來。馬良是個有志氣的孩子，他說：“偏不相信，怎麼窮孩子連畫也不能學了！”

從此，他下決心學畫，每天用心苦練。他到山上打柴時，就折一根樹枝，在沙地上學著描飛鳥。他到河邊割草時，就用草根蘸蘸河水，在岸石上學著描游魚。晚上，回到家裡，拿了一塊木炭，在窯洞的壁上，又把白天描過的東西，一件一件再畫一遍。沒有筆，他照樣學畫畫。

一年一年地過去，馬良學畫從沒有一天間斷過。他的窯洞四壁，畫上疊畫，麻麻花花全是畫了。當然，進步也很快，真是畫起的鳥就差不會叫了，畫起的魚就差不會遊了。一回，他在村口畫了隻小母雞，村口的上空就成天有老鷹打轉。一回，他在山後畫了隻黑毛狼，嚇得牛羊不敢在山後吃草。但是馬良還沒有一支筆啊！他想，自己能有一支筆該多麼好呢！

有一個晚上，馬良躺在窯洞裡，因為他整天地干活、學畫，已經很疲倦，一躺下來，就迷迷糊糊地睡著了。 不知道什麼時候，窯洞裡亮起了一陣五彩的光芒，來了個白鬍子的老人，把一支筆送給他：“這是一支神筆，要好好用它！”馬良接過來一看，那筆金光燦燦的；拿在手上，沉甸甸的。他喜得蹦起來：“謝謝你，老爺爺，……”馬良的話沒有說完，白鬍子老人已經不見了。
馬良一驚，就醒過來，揉揉眼睛，原來是個夢呢！可又不是夢啊！那支筆不是很好地在自己的手裡嗎！ 他十分高興，就奔了出來，挨家挨戶去敲門，把夥伴都叫醒，告訴他們：“我有支筆啦！”這時才半夜哩！他用筆劃了一隻鳥，鳥撲撲翅膀，飛到天上去，對他喊喊喳喳地唱起歌來。他用筆劃了一條魚，魚彎彎尾巴，游進水里去，對他一搖一擺地跳起舞來。他樂極了，說：“這神筆，多好呀！”馬良有了這支神筆，天天替村里的窮人畫畫：誰家沒有犁耙，他就給他畫犁耙；誰家沒有耕牛，他就給他畫耕牛；誰家沒有水車，他就給他畫水車；誰家沒有石磨，他就給他畫石磨……

天下沒有不透風的牆，消息很快地傳進了鄰近村里一個大財主的耳朵。這財主，就派兩個家了來把他抓去，逼他畫畫。 馬良年紀雖小，卻生來是個硬性子。他看透有錢人的壞心腸，任憑財主怎樣哄他、嚇他，要他畫個金元寶，他就是不肯畫。財主就把他關在一間馬厩裡，也不給他飯吃。 傍晚，雪紛紛揚揚地落著，地上已經積起了厚厚一層。財主想，馬良這一下不是餓死，也準凍死了。他走過馬厩門口，只見門縫裡透出紅紅的亮光，還聞到一股香噴噴的味道。他覺得奇怪，湊近眼去，往門縫裡一張，啊！馬良不但沒有死，而且還燒起了一個大火爐，一面烤著火，一面正吃著熱烘烘的餅子呢！財主知道，這火爐和餅子，一定是馬良用神筆劃的，就氣呼呼地去叫家丁來，要他們把馬良殺死，奪下那支神筆。十多個兇猛的家丁，衝進了馬厩，卻不見馬良，只見東面牆壁上，靠著一架梯子。馬良趁著天黑，攀上這梯子，翻牆走了。財主急忙攀上梯子去追，沒爬上三步，就摔下來了。原來，這梯是馬良用神筆劃的。

馬良出了財主的家，他知道在村里是不能住了，他向自己的村莊揮了揮手，默默地說了一句：
“夥伴們，再見啦！”馬良用神筆劃了一匹大駿馬，跳上馬背，向大路上奔去。沒有走出多少路，只聽見後面一陣喧嘩，回頭一看，火把照得通明，財主騎著匹快馬，手執一把明晃晃的鋼刀，帶著一二十個家丁，追上來了。 眼看就要追著了，馬良不慌不忙，用神筆劃了一張弓，一支箭。箭一上弦，“颼”的一聲，正射中財主的咽喉，財主翻身跌下馬去了。馬良拍拍大駿馬，大駿馬像飛一樣地向前馳去了。

馬良連日帶夜地在路上跑了幾天，到了一個市鎮裡，看看離家鄉已經很遠，就在這兒住下來。他畫了許多畫，拿到街坊去賣。因為他怕別人知道，便不讓畫活起來，畫成的東西，不是少嘴便是斷腿的。 一天，他畫了一隻沒有眼睛的白鶴。一不小心，在它臉上濺上一滴墨水，白鶴便眼睛一睜，扇扇翅膀飛上天去了。 這一來，整個市鎮都轟動了。當地的官員，馬上把這件事奏給了皇帝。皇帝就下了一道聖旨，派人來召他到京都去。馬良不肯去，他們把他拉去了。

馬良聽見過許多皇帝欺侮窮人的事，心裡恨透了，哪肯給皇帝畫畫呢！皇帝叫他畫一條龍，他卻畫了一隻大壁虎；皇帝叫他畫一隻鳳，他卻畫了一隻大烏鴉。大壁虎和大烏鴉十分難看，在金鑾殿裡亂爬亂叫，還打起架來，弄得宮殿里烏七八糟。皇帝大為發怒，就命衛士們搶下他的神筆，把他打人了天牢。

皇帝拿到神筆，就自己來畫了。他先畫了一座金山。貪心不足的皇帝，畫了一座又一座，畫了一座又一座，重重疊疊地畫了許多。畫好一看，哪是金山！卻是一堆堆的大石頭；上面壓得太多，就塌下來，差一點把皇帝的腳也打傷。 皇帝還不死心。他心裡想，畫金山不成，就換金磚。他畫了一塊嫌小，畫了一塊嫌小，最後畫了長長的一大條。畫好一看，哪是金磚！卻是一條長長的大蟒蛇，張開血盆似的大口，向他撲來。幸虧衛士們救得快，不然，皇帝早被大蟒蛇吃掉了。
皇帝沒有辦法，只得把馬良放出來，又假惺惺地對他說了一些好話，說什麼要給他許多許多金銀，還說什麼要把公主嫁給他，招他做駙馬。

馬良一心想奪回神筆，他裝作答應下來。皇帝見馬良答應了，十分高興，就把神筆還給了馬良，要馬良給他畫畫。皇帝想，畫金山、金磚都不成，那末畫株搖錢樹吧！搖錢樹上，長的都是錢，輕輕一搖，就能掉下許多錢來，這有多好啊！他就叫馬良畫搖錢樹了。 馬良心裡打定了主意，不說什麼話，提起神筆一揮，一個無邊的大海，出現在眼前了。藍藍的海水，沒有一絲波紋，亮閃閃的像一面大玉鏡。皇帝看了很不高興，臉一板，罵道：“叫你畫搖錢樹，誰叫你畫海！”

馬良在大海中央畫了塊小島，島上畫了株又高又大的樹，說：“這不是搖錢樹嗎？”皇帝看見那株樹，發著耀眼的金色光芒，喉嚨裡咽了幾口唾水，就嘻嘻地笑了起來，急巴巴地對馬良說：“趕快畫隻船吧！我要到海中央去搖錢！”馬良畫了一隻很大很大的木船，皇帝就帶了娘娘、太子、公主和許多大臣、將軍，都上船去了。

馬良又畫了幾筆風，海水掀起密密的波紋，大木船就開動了。 皇帝心裡癢滋滋的，嫌船走得太慢，在船頭上叫：“風大些！風大些！……”馬良就加了幾筆粗粗的風。海動蕩起來了，白帆鼓得滿滿的，木船急速地向海中央駛去。 馬良又加上幾筆大風。大海不安地吼叫起來，捲起滾滾的浪濤，大木船搖搖晃晃了。 皇帝心裡害怕，向馬良搖手，大聲地喊道：“風夠了！風夠了！……”馬良裝作沒有聽見，不歇手地畫著風。海水發怒了，浪濤撲上船去了。船傾斜了，船上亂起來了。

皇帝被海水打得渾身濕漉漉的，抱著船的桅杆，不住地叫喊：“風太大了！船要翻了！不要再畫了！……”馬良不去睬他，還是不住手地畫風。風更大了，吹來了許多厚厚的烏雲，又鳴，又閃電，還下起暴雨來。浪更猛了，海水像一堵堵倒坍的高牆，接連不斷地往船上壓去。船翻了，船碎了，皇帝他們都沉到海底去了。

皇帝死了以後，《神筆馬良》的故事就傳開了。但是，馬良後來到什麼地方去了呢，大家都不清楚。有的說：他回到自己的家鄉，和那些種地的伙伴在一起。有的說：他到處流浪，專門給許多窮苦的人們畫畫。

References 信息來源：
* 中華農曆網: http://www.nongli.com/Doc/0409/1818282.htm
* Videos: YouTube 神筆馬良

劉藍溪 - 小雨中的回憶 / Liu Lan Xil - Rains & Tears

在所有我與合唱團唱的中國歌曲，這是我最喜歡其中之一首。


小雨中的回憶
(曲詞：林詩達, 歌手: 劉藍溪)　

我時常漫步在小雨裡
在小雨中尋覓
小雨像一首飄逸的小詩
常縈繞在我心裡

在沒人的雨中更顯得孤寂
但我臉上並不流露出痕跡
每當小雨飄過總喚起我的回憶

++++++++++++++++++++++++

劉藍溪1991年7月出家，法號「道融」

劉藍溪（1960年3月29日－），臺灣女歌手，灌過多張唱片，劉藍溪的聲音完全符合臺灣校園民歌時代的聲音美學標準，加上形象甜美，第一張唱片《夕陽戀曲》就很暢銷，在當年臺灣唱片工業「低制作成本、大量出片」的策略之下，短時間內就出了《風兒別敲我窗》、《野薑花的回憶》、《小時候的願望》、《又是輕輕的風》等專輯。

劉藍溪也演過不下十餘部電影，值適八十年代初，臺灣愛情文藝片走下坡，香港電影公司新藝城邀她赴香港演出《泡妞》（港稱《追女仔》）一片，之後也在桂治雄導演的電影《邪完再邪》中演主角。

1984年，劉藍溪與大她十歲、在中心診所擔任內科醫師的梁榮基文定，當時她表示，不會為了結婚放棄工作，但也不會勉為其難在演藝圈蹉跎歲月。事實上，這段時期劉藍溪對演藝工作已不像初期那麽活躍，主要是因為她長期都是擔任第二女主角，由她領銜主演的《亮不亮沒關係》賣座也不理想，讓她沮喪了好一段日子。

隔年，劉藍溪與丈夫赴美國，在三藩市進修英文，同時上大學選修大眾傳播，她丈夫則在三藩市醫學院專修糖尿病科。也就在這個時候，夫妻同時參佛，鑽研佛法。兩年後，她丈夫返臺灣繼續行醫，她則留在美國的法雲寺向妙境法師學佛。

1991年7月，在美國學習了五年佛法後，劉藍溪獲得家人、尤其是她丈夫的成全，正式出家。剃度時，她的父母都立在一旁，她跪著，一遍遍默念：「不要哭！千萬不要哭！」。

劉藍溪1991年7月出家，法號「道融」。

Source of info:
* Wikipedia: 劉藍溪
Photo Credit:
* Baby-kingdom dot com: discussion forum