An autobiographical Nobel and the NYT review to Patricio Guzmán

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The week of the Nobel Prizes ends and another long weekend is coming. In this edition of El Mostrador’s Cultívate newsletter, we highlight the (temporary?) retirement of legendary conductor Daniel Barenboim and Alec Baldwin’s agreement with the family of the woman who died on the set of a film he was filming.
Remember that this is a condensed version of the newsletter that comes out on Friday.
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1- AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOBEL
Credit: Lucas Destrem.
The Chilean academic, writer and critic Raquel Olea – a PhD candidate in Germany, a member of “La Morada” and a commentator on Radio Tierra – is probably one of the people who best knows the work of the French Annie Ernaux, the new winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature, known for her works in the autobiographical genre and her left-wing political militancy in her native country.

“She’s an amazing author. Her writing refers to women’s experiences from a perception of female subjectivity that, with a concise language, of sharp and at the same time poetic phrases, apprehends the reality of women’s lives, “says Olea.

Critics give as an example his novel The Event, which addresses the dimensions of what abortion means as an experience of intimate and social loneliness in an indolent and indifferent culture. “Annie Ernaux writes marks and signs of femininity as effects of women’s minority place in culture,” Olea tells me.

The truth is that in other parts of his work he also touches on themes such as his mother’s life, his adolescence, his marriage and even the breast cancer he suffered. And also desire, as in Pura Pasión:

“When he phoned for us to see each other, his long-awaited call didn’t change anything, I continued with the same painful tension as before. I was in a state where not even the reality of his voice could make me happy. Everything was an endless lack, except for the moment when we were together making love. And yet, I was obsessed with the moment that would follow, when he had left. I lived pleasure as a future pain.”
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2- THE GERMAN NETFLIX SERIES ABOUT THE STASI WHOSE FIRST CHAPTER ENDS IN CHILE

As a son of exile born in the extinct German Democratic Republic (GDR), I am interested in every film and series linked to my country of birth, and that is why I did not hesitate to start watching a policeman who has just premiered on Netflix.

The series “Kleo” is about a former agent of the dreaded Stasi, fallen from grace and ends up in jail. Upon his release from prison, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, he will seek revenge, among others, with his grandfather, a senior general of the secret service.

In addition to the iconography of the Berlin of the late 80s, the first chapter concludes, believe it or not, in a place in the Republic of Chile, to the sound of the “Rin del angelito” by Violeta Parra. What does our country have to do with all this?

Apparently, the ties between the two countries go far beyond what is believed. Let Sigrid Alegría, also born in that country, or Amaya Forch, who lived in my same building at 14 Hopfgartenstrasse in Dresden, say so. Why talk about the artist Roberto Yáñez, grandson of Erich Honecker, the maximum leader of the GDR and who died in Santiago in 1994.

I invite you to watch the series to learn more about this story.
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3- ALEC BALDWIN REACHES AGREEMENT WITH FAMILY OF WOMAN SHOT ON SET

Alec Baldwin said on his social networks that he reached an agreement with the family of Halyna Hutchins – the director of photography who died on the set of the film Rust due to an accidental shot by the actor – that will allow the filming to continue and that the lawsuit against him be withdrawn.

In return, Matthew Hutchins, the widower of the deceased, will executive produce the film and receive a share of the profits.

Filming of Rustse will resume with all the original lead actors in January 2023 and film director Joel Souza, who was also injured in the incident, is expected to return to the film.

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4- THE NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF PATRICIO GUZMÁN’S DOCUMENTARY
Nov 10, 2016
Patricio Guzman, Chilean Filmmaker, portraits taken at the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center.
Photo: Reinaldo Ubilla
The New York Times took the time to see My Imaginary Country, the most recent work of the documentary filmmaker Patricio Guzmán, focused on the social explosion, premiered with great box office success in Chile and which is currently touring several festivals in the world.

A. O. Scott’s note warns in the images of the demonstrations the echoes of other outbursts around the world against the status quo, be it Ukraine, France or Iran, and notes that the film possesses the “unique and powerful historical perspective” of its director, “the biographer of Chile”, and his “cinematographic consciousness”.

“This documentary expresses a poignant humility and a willingness to listen patiently,” are some phrases of the review, which also highlights the result of the plebiscite of September 4. “Whatever the next chapter is, let’s hope he’s there to capture him,” the critic says.
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5- DANIEL BARENBOIM ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT DUE TO NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

The 79-year-old pianist and conductor, famous for the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which includes Israeli and Palestinian musicians, made the announcement on Twitter.

“My health has deteriorated in recent months and I have been diagnosed with a serious neurological condition. Therefore, I must focus on my physical well-being as much as possible,” wrote the artist, who had to postpone some commitments.

“I have lived in and through music all my life and will continue to do so as long as my health allows me. When I look back and forth, I am not only satisfied, but deeply realized.”

Born in Buenos Aires, he debuted at the age of seven, has conducted numerous orchestras and won several Grammy Awards, among other awards.

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And now, we say goodbye until next time. Enjoy these days of rest, which I am sure you have more than deserved.
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Have a nice long weekend!

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Original source in Spanish