Om ingenting. Eller någonting.

I watched the 2007 film “The Man From Earth” last night.  It’s not a widely popular film, but it has certainly received accolades at film festivals; it also inspired my favorite Finnish musician so I went ahead and checked it out.

It started out a little hokey, but once the main character began talking about his past, I was hooked.   The concept was wonderful even if I didn’t love every part of the film.

You may have expected this if you have read a few of my previous posts, but I didn’t like the burgeoning romance between John and his colleague.  I felt that it was the weakest point of the film, but hey, (spoiler alert!) 14,000 year old cavemen deserve love too!  Maybe I disliked it because it hit a little too close to home.   John seemed almost apathetic, and his colleague was in love with him, and they both knew that the relationship was doomed, and yet they still (or at least we were left with the impression that) went for it.  Maybe that’s some sweet kind of hope–an innocent and beautiful thing–that no longer exists for me and I cannot appreciate it.

But!  Back to interesting concepts!  I think the Jesus-twist was very interesting.  Aside from the fact that biblical stories often incorporate other cultures’ myth stories, the complete disbelief and anger of the christian was a very nice touch for me.  Departing from the 14,000 year old dude issue, it made me wonder what the return of Jesus would be like, if it happened today.  What would he be like?  Humble, modest job as a carpenter (think construction worker, joe sixpack?), some guy who talks about being nice to others and not being judgmental of or deride sex workers.  And this guy will try to convince people (N. Americans) that he is the Messiah?  He would be laughed out of town.  He would be hated by all the evangelists and catholics.  The televangelists and church folk would call him a crazy person, a faker, satan-in-disguise.  He would be tagged as a person trying to lead folk astray.  What are his credentials?  He’s just a guy!  (or hell, what if the messiah came back as a woman? hmmm, that might make a believer out of me).

Moving away from the movie for a moment.  I wanted to recount a story about my aunt.  One of my mother’s sisters was over for dinner on thursday night.  I haven’t seen her in many years but that’s beside the point.  Of course they chatted about food and diets and (surprise surprise) my body and my eating habits (not necessarily my avoidance of meat and other animal products, fucking soy, wheat and peanuts if I can help it, but whether or not I actually eat, how much and how often).  Then the aunt started telling a story about how they were cleaning out the apartment of my now-dead grandmother.  The aunt related how there were lots and lots of things, much of very little value, but then she spotted a basket that was holding trinkets.  She noticed something singular about the basket and she realized it was a Special Basket (it has some special brand name that I cannot recall, but it’s worth thousands maybe?) and so she kept it.  She told us how she adored Special Baskets and that she collects them.  I thought this was incredible.  I was once again reminded of how insane I think collecting things is and how value is often inflated, or at least disproportionate to the actual worth of the item.   I don’t mean to tread on the handiwork of this particular basket maker or any basket weaver, nor any artist regardless of medium…but fucking baskets? ugh.

I’m so depressed again, that I’ll have to finish this post later.