Give peace a chance
Remarks on real history and movie tie-ins below were originally posted as comment on PALF Youtube channel on December 7, 2021. I don't know if that is still accessible (or if appeared completely in the first place). The internet was invented after I attended university. I'm a bit like character Del in laugh out loud novel As EASY AS FALLING OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH by Newbery Award winning author Lynne Rae Perkins, who alludes to books by one of my favorite authors Elizabeth Enright in her own SECRET SISTERS OF THE SALTY SEA and NUTS TO YOU.
Teen protagonist Ry finds guide and mentor in heroic handyman Del who "marches to the beat of, like, I don't know, a harmonica or something" and doesn't have a cell phone as he's "waiting to see if it's a fad". (I can picture Guy in the role--and maybe Kate Del Castillo as the mysterious swordfighter Yulia.) As most of my friends and family are no longer living, it might be easier to keep in touch by ouija board than cell phone & social media.
I never spent much time in virtual world of electric dreams--as I've joked, I'm from BC era--Before Computers. I always wondered how in world of Orwell's novel 1984, if everyone was being watched by underlings of Big Brother, how anything constructive ever got done. Lemmings who "live" on Instagram, either showing or consuming "content" may answer that question--not much really, beyond reflections in fun house mirrors.
Small mammals bring to mind dystopian 1989 novel EVA by Peter Dickinson, a name used more hopefully in Disney/Pixar animated movie WALL-E, also set in a distant future planet earth.
I prefer not to spend my limited time and eyesight on anyone with hair-trigger finger reactions quick to start flame wars, maybe due to their growing up (or at least growing older, if not in fact wiser) playing violent video games that allowed them to inflict harm without ever accepting responsibility and consequences for their own actions. The emotionally immature often abuse others to make themselves feel superior, a ploy obvious to many they are trying to intimidate. Early innovative video game inspired by GREEN SKY book trilogy by Zilpha Keatley Snyder has laudable aim of getting players to seek peace between different peoples. By the way, some invented language of this world was inspired by Spanish, especially words related to nature, plants & birds such as nido/nest, ramo/branch, pomelo/fruit, pensar/thought. Author was Hispanic Californian and lived to ripe old age.
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Seen 2006 independent film with Guy Ecker, ONLY THE BRAVE? Available on free library streaming service Hoopla, movie is based on true story of Japanese American soldiers who formed most decorated unit in U.S. military history. (Not to be confused with 2017 film with same name, but about firefighters, although in wildfire prone areas, they are local heroes.) I lived in area with large Japanese-American population; am mentioning this film & others because you might not otherwise watch and learn about important American history. Real-life librarian heroine who helped Japanese Americans sent to relocation camps is subject of book DEAR MISS BREED.
Subject matter of ONLY THE BRAVE can be difficult viewing. Frankly, depiction of mounting casualties (had to remind myself it's fake) may seem--excuse the expression--bloody overkill that can dull viewer to tragic events. Guy's role basically represents in a single man the entire Texas unit trapped by Nazis. His brief scenes bring human sweetness to situation showing true cost of war, yet without a drop of sangre.
Guy's Texas drawl was likely picked up when he was Texas University student, state where he worked on ranch & gained horse skills featured in LA MENTIRA. In October 26, 2021 Instagram interview, Guy says he's long wanted to make a Western. When asked about causes & charities he supports, he mentioned veterans (I think his older brother was career US military). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ss-LWoS_Kk
Guy also played Detective Luis Perez (tho he doesn't get much dialogue in Spanish #LatinosAreOnTvToo), Marine buddy & childhood friend of main character Danny McCoy in NBC Tv series LAS VEGAS. (Danny was played by actor JOSH DUHAMEL whose new film includes BARBARA DE REGIL of PALF. Small world, ain't it?) Guy had recurring role in first two seasons of LAS VEGAS on DVD, "dramedy" or blend of drama & comedy set in Las Vegas, but filmed mostly in Los Angeles, so Guy could stay close to home & child born shortly before 9/11. His character's last appearance was as photo in Marine uniform in episode 22, "Letters, Lawyers & Loose Women", in which secret is revealed about past of Luis Perez that even he wasn't aware of, and seems case of art imitating real life. By the way, another recurring actor in Las Vegas, MITCH LONGLEY, is actually paraplegic and uses wheelchair as does his character.
I assisted wheelchair bound author Ron Kovic where I worked. He came by dressed in tuxedo on way to Academy Award ceremony. Actor Tom Cruise was nominated for his portrayal of Kovic in film based on his autobiography BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY. Another film based on true book is UNBROKEN by Lauren Hillenbrand. I remember how quiet it was when airfield named for her subject was shut down, as were almost all in USA after 9/11. Been thinking of that after PALF Ep.6 "Cuentas Claras" in which Carmen gives George massage she learned via video; I'd been taking class on massage for relaxation for family member, when instructor had to drive cross-country to see her seriously ill father because no planes were flying. Co-worker (who happens to be Japanese-American) was tourist on top of World Trade Center day before attack. Timestamp on her pictures was not correct, otherwise could have gone viral. She saw smoke from airport, but was stuck in New York until arranging travel on land route back to California.
Favorite comfort read is book TOMAS TAKES CHARGE (also known as CHILDREN IN HIDING) by Charlene Joy Talbot, available free on Internet Archive. Area where story is set would be future site for Twin Towers buildings, something I recall at part near end with firemen. Main characters are clever children of Puerto Rican descent, a bit like Rocco in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA.
