Saturday, June 21, 2008

Persepolis


It doesn't feel like the summer at the moment, not least because of the awful weather we are having but also because of dire news that seems to be the trend nowadays. People dying, the possiblity of the peak oil theory happening as we live it and more. Still, humans were made to survive and i still have to go to Japan -:)
I recently saw the brilliant movie persepolis, originally a comic book by French-Iranian author Marjane Satrapi. This comes at the time that i read Wole Soyinka's semi-autobiographical book, you must set forth at dawn. Both texts highlight similar issues, power, ideology, social inconsistencies and even social cycles. It isn't pleasant information to absorb, especially as we consider the suggestions that certain societies have and will always function in anarchy. Those who have read Mr Soyinka's book will understand. I will however, suggest to those who have not seen the movie, persepolis, to either get the graphic novels or see the movie. Read more about it here and even more about its apt title here. Its poignancy particularly hits home to those in diaspora as the seconday themes the text explores are those of dissillusionment when you move abroad and how a lack of ideology back home may not be such a bad thing afterall...
On the subject of Wole Soyinka's book, i will honestly admit that i am struggling. You must set forth at dawn, so far, is a very interesting read;however, one tends to get the impression that the story teller is an old grand-dad who recounts his past in short stops whilst dozing inbetween on a lazy saturday afternoon. Of course, i say this with the utmost respect for the gentleman. Perhaps i am wrong. I am only halfway through the book and it is still early days yet. Perhaps my perspectives shall change as i read on....
On the subject of writing, Dele Momodu regurgitates another ill-researched, ill-written piece that just makes me....you guessed it, quite ill! His saturday pieces are like car crash tv, one is just drawn to in a morbid trance like state. You can read it here for your judgements.
On the subject of deaths, i hear Oliver De Coque has unfortunately passed away. May his soul rest in peace. Perhaps those murderous cretins who currently run Nigeria might want to take a lesson for this and see that nothing lasts forever....

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