The Bohlens are traveling in Canada and Alaska

A postcard from Canada where Bill and Diane Bohlen (Speakman 62/63) are traveling by coach, train and cruise-liner. 

Greeting everyone

Richard Jones latest review - The White Ribbon

THE WHITE RIBBON (M)

TWELVE months before the start of the First World War, a chain of horrific events unfold in a small German rural village.

The local doctor (Rainer Bock) is thrown from his horse and badly injured after his mount trips on a wire stretched across a road, a farmer’s wife is killed in what appears to be a work accident and her son holds the baron (Ulrich Tukur) responsible.

Still, the village’s orderliness continues to be disrupted. A barn is burnt down, an intellectually disabled child is bashed and the pet bird of the Lutheran pastor (Burghart Klaussner) is impaled upon a pair of scissors.

Tension in the village escalates. There’s not only mystery but also malice abroad. Who is responsible for these ongoing accidents, dramas and even fatalities?

Director Michael Haneke’s stark black and white imagery outlines for us an almost feudal world, one of class bullying, authoritarianism and resentment.

The women, even the village midwife, are clearly second-class citizens while the children are required to unswervingly obey and follow the lead of their elders.

Haneke, director of French mystery Hidden, is a master of creating intrigue and subterfuge. So much so that as with Hidden, I will have to see The White Ribbon a second time to catch up with all its subtle nuances.

Incidentally, The White Ribbon was Germany‘s entry in this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. That particular Oscar went to the Argentinian movie The Secret In Their Eyes, but having seen all three I firmly believe the south American film should have run third to The White Ribbon and France’s A Prophet.

  

News Update - Henry Bodman

Rod Hard sent me the following update on Henry:

Well folks,

Just took the next big step towards becoming bionic man with the

addition of an implanted device* which is quite an amzing thing. This

particular one caters to three different challenges, a heart which

stops, a too slow pulse rate and a pumping station which doesn't send

through enough blood with each beat and throws thre rest of the system

out of whack. I qualify for all three.

It is the latest and greatest and should it "go off" I'm told I'll know but so too will someone in Yankeeland (and also  the star who inserted it here in Brisbane).All I have to do is call an ambulance and get to the Wesley asap.

You've all seen the TV procedure in hospitals (which Kerry Packer also experienced)  "Hands free? Zap." Well this little gadget does all of

that as soon as it discerns the need.

When it is safely established (10 days) I believe I'll get the next

round of chemo etc which promises to be pretty hefty.

The readings of myeloma "progress" are encouraging as are the blood

tests -thanks largely to the strict food intake which Marcelle is

controlling. (I hate the stuff which is more mud than food!!!!)  Haven't

had a real drink for eight weeks!!!

As they haven't interfered with me for 10 days (except for the gadget)

I'm feeling pretty cheeky at the moment. Watch 'em chamge that!!!!!!!!

Cheers and beers,

Henry B

* The device is called an 'Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator' (ICD). I too have one of those, the second one just replaced on 16 July 10 - (Bill Bohlen)

For more information on the ICD device - CLICK HERE