I Am Eleven - connecting with a type of innocence.

July 27th - Question and answer session following film at the Mercury cinema.
Emailed and followed this via Facebook.
Very fortunate to be able to attend.
It has been a bleak set of days in the lead up to this. The sort that makes you want to curl up in a warm bed and stay there for the day.
Never-the-less I was determined to experience this film.
I was aware that a photo session was done following the film to document what particpants recall of when they were eeleven ie
When I was eleven I ...............................
I recorded that I strated to write a diary.
I am on a State library computer now and kicked someone off with my booking who just wanted to retrieve something?
Anyway the film.
It is a very skillful revisiting of life as an eleven year old seen through the eyes of multiple children across 15 countries. I recalled children I have met that reminded me of those on screen.
It seemed to be a type of innocence resonating. Questions asked about ambitions towards marriage and children in the future were met with embarrassment and sometimes bewilderment.
There was some mention of releigious beliefs but quite superficial, maybe this is not easily articluated for most of us?
The journey across countries was facinating. Life growing up with elephants, remote villages, orphanages, tenaments in England.
Common threads?
Music that was danced to, rapped to and musical intruments and rythymns played.
A belief that citizens were all united in one common species, so what was the need for wars.
Overall not a lot of pessimism. The kids were looking forward to their chosen fields and interests.
They shared their expereinces with whatever sibling or parent they had.
We all shared in a giagantic experience of life emerging.
I thank the filmaker and producer who had the vision and drive to travel so widely and connect with so many.
The Q & A session highlighted the eclectic selection process of finding the different children, who the director now keeps in touch with. There were glimpses towrads the end of life at 12, 13, 14 and beyond.
Will we see 'I Am 22, 30, 50 plus?
It makes me want to go home and reread those scribblings of my eleven year old self.
Where was I and what did I hope for?

Catch 22 - 50th year anniversary.

I am sitting here listening to the rain.

I am in the middle of reading Catch 22, which I have never read.

I love the spin the author has on life.

So cynical, but very funny.

Can we be one?

Image taken at the Multifaith service of lament, 1st of July, 2012, Pilgrim Uniting Church. The candles are floating on pools of water, a powerful metaphor for the many asylum seekers who make the treacherous journey by boat to Australia. Each participant of the service placed a candle in the pools of water.

Where are the human rights of these refugees, is the law protecting them? This is a long running issue in our Australian society. But the longer we back away from supporting our fellow citizens of the world the longer more will suffer. ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. This was both a sombre and uplifting service. The lamenting was tempered by the divine voices joined as one across age, race and religion. Can we be one?