One of the joys of torrents is that you have access to a wide range of programmes. I like to download documentaries on subjects I know little about, and a UK Channel 4 offering called “The Qur’an” seemed a suitable offering for my education.
So I settled down with my post-breakfast cup of coffee for my half hour briefing session; only to discover it was a two hour programme. But it was endlessly fascinating stuff. The maker did not take any sides, just let scholars, clerics and ordinary people express their opinions. Some of it I already knew, most Muslims see the Qur’an as encouraging caring and tolerance, with a minority using it to foster violence. The latter fuel their view of a militant Islam with a perception that “the west” has consistently meddled with their nations for too many years and that it is time to fight back. Sadly, they have a point.
Most interesting was information on a country that prints millions of copies of the Qur’an for world-wide circulation, using a modified text which actively fosters extremism and religious intolerance; and which has a government which has implemented a particularly harsh and brutal interpretation of the religion for the purpose of controlling the population. A country whose citizens were mainly responsible for 9/11. Yes, it’s the country that the UK government reckons has “shared values” with Britain, especially when it comes to selling them arms to further suppress their own people; Saudi Arabia; granted special exemption from the “axis of evil” on the grounds they have a lot of oil.
Anyway, a most interesting programme and worth a watch. Having been exposed to middle-eastern culture all morning, it was fortuitous that she who must be obeyed came home and announced we were going to an Iranian restaurant for dinner. Pardis Restaurant is a very smart looking establishment on second road, run by a jolly Iranian chap called Saeed. I expressed an interest in going to his country to take some photographs and he became most enthusiastic about the idea; offering to help me get a visa and the help of his wide circle of relatives to point me at good places to photograph. I suspect if I eat there a few more times he will even arrange for transport and accomodation.
The wife had a leg of lamb and I had barbequed lamb. both with a monster plate of mixed rice. Delicious but somewhat expensive. No hint of any vegetables; which seems to be standard practice. I was taken for dinner in Karachi once and we went to a roadside restaurant where most of a lamb was dumped down in front of us. Absolutely fabulous food; but there was nothing to go with it; you just ate a mountain of meat.
Whilst chewing our lamb, I thought I should prepare her for our viewing of The Dark Knight. Two and a half hours long, which exceeds her normal attention span, and her need for a toilet break. Plus the reviews emphasised that this is a sombre, heavy thriller, not the usual light-hearted romp she normally enjoys.
It’s a very dark movie, I told her.
I don’t like dark movies
Why?
You can’t see what’s going on….
In the event, she loved it. Most movies are subjected to an instant review upon exit and they are either sanuk (fun), or mai sanuk (no fun). The Dark Knight was accorded a new accolade: too exciting. And indeed she sat transfixed through the entire movie, whispering to me occasionally to update me on the plot in case I was missing anything (as often I do).
And I loved it too. Forget the comic book origins, this is dense, dark thriller which works on many levels. And Heath Ledger as the Joker…. a chilling, macabre portrayal of evil for the sake of being evil. A posthumous Oscar please for that man.
Comments 🔗
2008-07-19| Jock saysYou should save them up and write a book .. you and The Ghost … hilarious stuff …
It’s a very dark movie, I told her. I don’t like dark movies Why? You can’t see what’s going on….
2008-07-21| Spike saysThey would have to be two separate books, mine would be PG-13 and The Ghost’s offering would be XXX.
2008-07-21| The Ghost saysNow, now, that’s not fair. I’ve never been explicit on my site. The Ghost is the Master of the Euphamism.
I think the rating would be R or, at most, PG-17.
2008-07-21| The Ghost saysThat dark bit was very funny, btw.
2008-07-21| Spike saysOK, we will settle for R, with some portions where the morally weak should shut their eyes.
The dark; word for word true.