Defiance: A Review

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034303/


Defiance is a movie set in World War II Belarussia. As the German Army co-opted local officials into betraying their Jewish neighbors, condemning them to a quick and brutal deaths, two brothers, woodsmen, find themselves in a unique position. They have the survival skills needed to live in the woods and evade certain death at the hands of the Germans.

Based on a true story, this movie forces the viewer to deal with ethical issues through the characters that are deeply submerged in our consciences and consciousness. As the brothers live their lives, refugees gather to them, and with no aspirations to lead they become leaders. Their choice is to lead or let their brethren die. The theme of life and death, kill or be killed, steal or starve pushes morality into dark and bothersome places as the reality of their lives 70 years ago comes to our day to remind us that there is evil in the world. It was there then--it is here now.

The movie is well cast and the performances, production and direction stand aside as the story grips the mind and soul. Wives, husbands, brothers and sisters systematically murdered because they were Jews. Survivors clinging to one another in desperate hope of living one more day. Moral boundaries pushed beyond their limits as choices demand action.

The nature of man, the absurdity of war, the capacity for good, gentle people to become violent all portray the ability of harsh circumstances to cause people to become the mirror image of their oppressors. Who can condemn them for wanting to live?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. History forgotten is scheduled for repetition. Defiance is a story of a people united in a desire to live and die as human beings. Their story is one that we should revere, lest we forget.

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy

Last Saturday the spousal unit and I drove down to Newbury MA to watch our son Adam play in a Vintage Base Ball Game. (http://www.vbba.org/ if you are interested) To be honest it was a mixture of unrealistic expectations or bait & switch, as we expected to see our grandchildren but were trumped by Princess and Superhero Camps.

The game was held on an historic farm and played in a field with corn and vegetable plantings marking the center field and right field borders. The players wore authentic 1860's uniforms and play by 1860's rules. The woolen uniforms were particularly cozy as temperatures and humidity flirted with the triple digit marks. Rules prohibit eye protection but not sunscreen. This was a "beer" game in that one of the sponsors for the event was the "Ipswich Brewery". Parked near the field was a vintage 1948 Dodge Route Truck, fully restored to its glory and fitted with about a dozen taps on the drivers side side panel. Beer was free but there was a tip jar accepting modern 2011 currency.

After the game, which the Newtown Sandyhooks succomed to the local Essex team 11-8, there was a Barbecue celebrating the 20th anniversary of the brewery and the restoration of a historic barn. This barn was built in 1775, a year before the declaration of independence. A grant was recently obtained for the restoration and evidently this event was the first one since completion. From my perspective the restoration was quite authentic including the green head flies that bite and the 1775 air conditioning system, consisting of perspiration running down the small of your back with not even a whisper of a breeze.

The food was quite good. Five courses of barbecue including smoked wings, pulled pork, KC Ribs and fixings. Each course had a different brew to taste. (Note taste. If the revelers had drank full flagons of each brew, we would still be at the farm!) From lagers to ales to an oatmeal stout with desert. Adam even managed to get the window open behind him, much to his mother's delight.

There are pleasures in life that catch you by surprise and leave with you a memory worth sharing. Our Newbury Saturday was one such. Thank you Adam for inviting us to share a hot, sweaty delightful summer outing. Maybe someday you too can have a beer truck of your own.