Verse. . . Film. . . & Such

Humans Communicate By Talking…

But if and when we live with broken ears, we frequently find rewarding communication via movies, videos, and reading. And reading is often enhanced through the visual effect and emotional effect of verse.

This section of the SWC Newsletter focuses on communication media beyond speech. (Editor)

Community Help for the Hard of Hearing

By Ginger Jones

I am a progressively late deafened individual who would like to go to the movies. I have a hearing loss that does not let me know what the movie is saying without captions. There are movies released by a well-known web site called In Sight Cinema, their web address is www.insightcinema.org. Those movies are captioned so that the hard of hearing and the deaf can know what is being said on screen.

I do not know that this would be a profitable venture for a movie theater, but it would be a public service, and, if promoted properly, it might be economically successful, to say the least of the prestige that could come to a movie house that was giving back to the community from which it was getting so much. These movies are being shown all over the country now. They can be shown on the weekend, every week, or in a less convenient schedule. Of course, I would prefer to see movies on the weekend like everyone else. I am an adult, but this would also be a service to children and people of all ages who now find no enjoyment in going to a movie theater.

There are such first run movies as Harry Potter, Two Towers and many others. Every weekend I remember the days when I could go to the movies and how enjoyable that was. I have hesitated to write a letter, as I do not know that such a venture would be profitable, but, as I said, it would be a public service to people who cannot now enjoy what millions of others take for granted every weekend. I see the previews on television, the actors and actresses being interviewed. I would like to be able to go to the movies again and see first run movies on the big screen. Is this possible in the Charleston area? Is it possible in the Mt Pleasant area where I live?

Also, I know that Spoleto events are being planned. Has anyone thought of the possibility of the use of a captioning system for the events where words are so important? I know there is such a thing. It is called CART. Words are transcribed on a screen or monitor so they may be read by the deaf and the hard of hearing. I know I have gone to many events during Spoleto through the years. I particularly enjoy the Westminster Choir. I get to the venue two to three hours early in order to be the first in line, so I can get the best seat possible at the beautiful church where the event is held. It is general admission. With the best seat possible, I have heard from "Danny Boy," those words, the title, and I have heard "I love you so". I know it is so beautiful that I cry.

I have read the song since I first heard it, so I can pick out a few more words now, but I cannot enjoy the song except, as I know its intent and the beautiful voices of the young people singing. Is there any way those events could be captioned that would not distract from the beauty of the settings? I have only heard voices singing for the rest of the Westminster Choirperformance. I cannot understand the words.

I am just asking if it is possible for concessions to be made so the deaf and hard of hearing of the community, and the tourists who visit, can enjoy the same entertainment that is present for so many others.

"Walk in my shoes" - angrily she said
Before we went to bed,
"And if they don't fit
You don't have to worry a bit:
You can take them off with ease
Whenever you please".
I wondered
And pondered
Could hardly sleep,
Her harsh words almost made me weep.
Next day, when I rode my bike
I tried to picture what it would be like
Not to hear a sound
Out on the street, or being around
People I love - in conversation;
I yielded to the temptation
To give it a try to find out
What it was all about.
My ears I plugged up tight;
Everything still seemed alright.
I ventured out the door -
Was knocked down to the floor
By someone on his rollerblades
Whom I could not evade -
I had not heard his yell: "Watch out"!
No matter how loud the shout.
At a gathering by our dear family
I never felt as awkwardly:
Moving lips I only saw -
Yet, no matter how close I would draw -
No sound I could hear;
I felt abandoned, experienced fear,
But - I could unplug my ears,
Getting rid of all those fears.
You cannot do it!
Now - I understand a bit
What it must be like - to hike -
In your uncomfortable shoes
Which you do - whithout ados.

Most of the films are captioned in English. Some are in Swedish, Norwegian, German or French. Very few are without captions and the language is then English. I am HOH and interested in film history. For me it’s fun to see how they made movies long ago.

Jean Renoir (1894-1979) His father was Auguste Renoir, the famous painter. Twelve films made by Jean Renoir will be shown this spring. From “Nana”, made in 1926, to his last film about French Prisoner of War in 1940, made in 1962.

David Lean (1908-1991) has eight films to be shown starting with “Brief Encounter” made in 1945 shown. Other films are: “Bridge on River Kwai”, “Doctor Zhivago”, “Lawrence of Arabia” and from 1984 “A Passage to India”. What a great director!

Woody Allen (Allan Konigsberg) (1935-); Seventeen films by Woody Allen will be shown in spring with more in fall. The first one was made in 1969, “Take the Money and Run”. Then, he made about one each year. We remember “Annie Hall” 1977, “Manhattan” 1979, “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy” 1982 and “Another Woman” 1988. Diane Keaton was his star from 1973 to 1979 and Mia Farrow from 1982 to 1988.

Another theme will be films with Robert Mitchum (1917-1997). Eight films from 1947 to 1974 will be shown. Among them are “Ryan’s Daughter” directed by David Lean, 1970. “River of No Return” in 1954 with Marilyn Monroe was director Otto Preminger’s first and last western. Another Mitchum film was “His Kind of Woman” 1951, when he played with Jane Russell. The director was John Farrow, married to Maureen O’Sullivan and father to Mia Farrow.

Nowadays they show a lot of films on TV but it is a special feeling to sit in the cinema dark and see films on the big screen. You can dream yourself back to old times when it wasomething you could only afford to see once a month.

I wonder if there are more SWC people who like film history. Swedish film directors like Victor Sjostrom (1879-1960) and Mauritz Stiller (1883-1928) were invited to Hollywood in the 1920’s and made films there.

Stiller came with Greta Garbo. His real name was Mosche Katzman. He was born in Finland of Jewish descent. When he was 20 he fled from Finland to Sweden in order to avoid being drafted to the Russian army (Finland belonged to Russia in 1903). In Stockholm he soon became an actor and later director. I think Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982) and Igmar Bergman (1918-), from my country are also well known in the USA .

Daylight is finally here again,
All night long
I watched the rain
Things that used to matter,
Now seem so small
I am looking for a soft place to fall.

I still remember
Your voice,
So sweet and kind

A wonderful sound
I still hear in my mind.

You should know the reason
Why I called
I was just looking
For a soft place to fall.

Looking for a soft place
Nothing more than a small space
A place to hide
A warm body to hold me,
On a cold night.

Tomorrow, looking out your window
At the Dawn
You will find that I am gone

I don’t want to hurt you
Not at all
I am just looking
For a soft place to fall

I am not an especially fearful person; I have traveled around the world alone; I was on a plane post 9/11 within two months, I’ve stood up before a group of people to read my poetry without even breaking a sweat. So then, why is it that the thought of doing certain things will cause me to panic? For example, to drive in snow or icy conditions. Now I am not talking about 6 or more or more inches; just the thought of a slight coating is enough to do it.

So it was with a writing class coming up at Haddonfield High School, I watched the daily weather forecasts with growing apprehension. . . A winter Storm was coming. . . At first it seemed I would be safe. It was not due to start until late in the evening. Hopefully, not until I was safely home. But then, the forecast changed. It was coming sooner than expected. It was going to be worse than expected. I had to make a decision, should I, or should I not attend the class. My desire not to be left out won, and I was on my way with hopes of being back home before I would be in any danger.

During the class my anxious glances at the window did not reveal anything so I stayed for the full time. How come no one else seemed to be concerned with the coming storm? When the class was over and I took a look outside, the streets were covered with the dreaded white stuff. A quick goodbye was said to my friend; I dashed out the door and ran down the steps. . . Out to my car and to my horror, I saw that the sidewalk was becoming icy. My car was already covered with ice. I quickly cleared as much of it as I could off the windows, jumped in and pulled out with thoughts of my car gliding “sideways” down Kings Highway. Or sliping through an intersection with the red light. Would the cop ever believe me? Slowly I made my way home. Amazed that I was making it as far as I did. Gaining more confidence as I went. Finally I turned down my street and continued into the parking lot of my apartment building. Pulled into my parking space and I was home.

Home never seemed so sweet. As I walked into my building I turned around and looked at my car and the peaceful winter scene. Thinking to myself. . . Well done! One more of life’s challenges had been met and conquered.

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