Category Archives: Cinema

Documentary “Cuba – Fatherland or Death”

I have already expressed my surprise about how lightly Cuba gets off in international public opinion. But recently, I have been shocked again by how many people can travel to Cuba for a week or two and describe everything as beautiful, … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, Cuba, Economics, Politics, Travel | 3 Comments

Germany 1945-1949

These two films illustrate – with quite drastic footage, you are warned – what the Allied powers thought of Germany immediately after the end of World War II. They did see, correctly in my view, a continuity of German militarism … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, Cold War, Germany, History, Holocaust, Military, USA, World War II | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Random Thoughts (12)

If you have doubts about humanity, listen to this podcast about a hospital in Israel treating wounded and sick Syrians. I wouldn’t have thought that many people read articles as long as the one about my decision to return to … Continue reading

Posted in Albania, Armenia, Cinema, Cold War, Finland, History, Israel, Military, Syria, USA, World War I | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Burglar-Friendly Facade

Breaking into this house does not even require the skills of John Robie aka “The Cat” in the Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief. (Spotted in Trani, Apulia, Italy. The exact address will be shared for a stake in the loot.)

Posted in Apulia, Cinema, Italy, Photography, Travel | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Secret Agent Man”

Finally, I found the song that describes my life: The film clips show Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly in Reilly – Ace of Spies. I came across this series in a very convoluted way: listening to Dmitri Shostakovich’s Gadfly suite, I … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, Music | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Film: “Samuel in the Clouds”

I hope you remember my article about Chacaltaya. If not – read it now! Or, at the very least, watch my TEDx video about it:   Alternatively or additionally, you can watch the movie “Samuel in the Clouds” when it comes to … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia, Cinema | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Film Review: “Hell or High Water”

Where The Hateful Eight failed, Hell or High Water succeeds: in reviving the Western genre. It’s not done with gory violence or with a cast of clichés, but with strong characters, well-acted and, above all that what makes a good … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How one translator opened Romania to the world

Posted in Cinema, Cold War, History, Language, Romania | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Random Thoughts (7)

Don’t blame me for looking at your ( . )( . ) when you wear sunglasses and I can’t look at your eyes. In Venezuela, the richest country in South America between the 1950s and the 1980s, and still the … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Cinema, Economics, Germany, Politics, Religion, Technology, Terrorism, Travel, USA, Venezuela | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Copyright law in Bolivia

Bolivia must have negotiated the best intellectual property treaties of any country in the world (only Iran comes close, but that country is not a party to the Berne Convention). Respect to the hot-shot lawyers who did that! In Bolivia, you … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia, Cinema, Economics, Law, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments