The sun will come out tomorrow (hopefully)

Just when I thought I was on the right track for my individual documentary, I realized that some elements had to be swapped around. I don't think 6mins is enough to get my story across, but that is where the challenge lies - I need to pick out the important facts about my subject...and I have to keep the viwer hooked in as best I can.

For those of you who don't know, my 6min doccie is about Lesley Ann Foster, the founder of Masimanyane Women's Support Centre in East London. As a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, Lesley Ann has done a tremendous amount of work for gender-based violence. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and earlier this year she was awarded an honourary doctorate from Fort Hare University.

It seems easy enough trying to thread this story together, but I am just feeling so zoned out right now. I still need to find appropriate bedding music to go with my story. At least my script and voice over is done. Yet, there's just soooo much tweaking that I still have to do.

*sigh*

Shaking booty in Bollywood

Dancing is one of the major components in Bollywood films. Whether it is the awkward movements of Sunny Deol or the fluidity of Hritik Roshan, dance continues to play an important part of the Bollywood culture. No doubt a brilliantly choreographed song can make all the difference between the success and failure of the film.

Back in the day of black and white cinema, dancing around trees playing peek-a-boo was inevitable. Not forgetting heroes and heroines being drenched in the rain as they sang and danced sensuously to each other in secluded streets. But times have changed and today good dancing means being able to gyrate your hips and yet be graceful at the same time.

Here, I present the best, worst and most improved dancers in Tinsel Town.

When we think of dreadful Bollywood dancers, a classic example is easily the Deol family! Although Dharmendra was popular in the 70s, he was also known for his clumsy dance sequences. However he still remained one of the most respected actors in the industry. His older son, Sunny Deol continued his father’s legacy of bad dancing in the 80s, but still managed to remain one of the best action heroes. Probably one of his most embarrassing dances were in Jeet (1996) alongside Karisma Kapoor. Luckily, his younger brother, Bobby Deol proved that he doesn’t have two left feet! Sure, he may not be a Hrithik Roshan, but at least he doesn’t carry the reputation of his father and big brother!

During the 90s, actors like Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty were in the limelight. Although Shetty got a lot of criticism for his dancing, he managed to hold his fort throughout the decade. Today his career is soaring and he is even running his own production house.

The 90s also saw the rise of stars like Hrithik Roshan (Kaho Na…Pyar Hai) and Abishek Bachan (Refugee) – who both debuted in the same year. Roshan received immediate recognition after his solo performance in Ek Pal Ka Jeena, while Bachan’s dancing was described as ‘awkward’ and ‘gawky’. But he has definitely proven that a little practice makes perfect, having some of the biggest hits being picturized on him (Dus bahane, Kajra re and Nach Baliye).

Other stars of this generation include sisters, Karisma and Kareena Kapoor who have both been commended for their dance moves. Karisma gave some of her best performances in Dil To Pagal Hai, opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. One of Kareena’s famous dances are with Hrithik Roshan – especially You are my Sonia in Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham. Shilpa Shetty has also been noted for setting the screen ablaze with her fiery dance sequences, which can be seen in Jung opposite Sanjay Dutt.

Madhuri Dixit and Aishwariya Rai, both equally talented actresses, are also well-accomplished dancers. Dixit has made numerous hits with outstanding dance performances, including the awesome Kay Sera Sera in Pukar with elastic-man, Prabhudeva while Rai has definitely made her mark in the industry over the past few years. Her snaky movements in Bunty aur Babli’s Kajra Re is one of the factors of the film becoming a hit. The two Bollywood queens shared the screen in Devdas, with their mind-blowing movements in Dola Re Dol.

King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan almost needs no mention. He never fails to impress. He can be sexy and seductive or simply cute and charming. Some of his memorable dances are in Dil To Pagal Hai, Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham and more recently in Kaal.

Although they have the entire female population going ga-ga over them, Arjun Rampal and John Abraham are yet to prove their dancing talents to us. Despite the fact t

hat he is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood, Salman Khan’s dancing does not impress. If you look carefully, dancing looks like an effort for him and even resembles aerobics!

Bollywood stars also get to prove whether their on-screen performances are as energetic off-screen with stage performances. Many stars are known for their unforgettable stage shows. Some stars that blew my mind away with their performances on stage are the likes of Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherjee and Lara Dutta.

In memory of a family friend and mentor

A long time family friend, Matthew Moonieya, passed away on Friday, August 25 2006.

Not only was he one of my father's closest friends, but he also provided me with advice and academic assistance. His death comes as a great loss to the city of East London, especially the Buffalo City Municipality.
(Photo taken from Daily Dispatch)

My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Aunty Sue, Selwyn, Colette, Lucinda, Aunty Gaye and Robin

Taken from today's Daily Dispatch:

Moonieya suffers heart attack after official meeting in Gävle

By MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA
and DEON VAN DER MERWE

THE death of Buffalo City director in the mayor’s office, Matthew Moonieya, has cut short the municipality’s trip to its Swedish twin city, Gävle.

Moonieya, 60, died after suffering a heart attack at a Swedish hospital on Friday afternoon.

Moonieya is the second Buffalo City official to die of a heart attack. Former deputy mayor Des Halley died of a heart attack in 2004.

Acting city manager Brian Shepherd, who was part of the delegation to Sweden, said Moonieya suffered a heart attack while getting a ticket at a (railway) station. “An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital where attempts were made to revive him. After 45 minutes he was declared dead.”

The Buffalo City delegation of municipal officials and councillors, led by Mayor Zintle Peter, was attending a bi-annual meeting in the country.

Continue reading the article here.
Also see this article in todays Daily Dispatch.

I want to fly away from this nothingness that is G'town

I am feeling down. Mostly because I don't want to be in Grahamstown this week-end. I honestly think that this town (village, rather) is closing in on me.

I don't mean to whine like a little kid, because I know that hundreds (thousands?) of people before me have lived here...and survived.

But right now, I'm just going through one of those patches where I feel like I need to get out of here for a while...even a day.

I've never been a small town kinda girl. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I come from a big city, but still - I need to see concrete buildings. I don't want to turn to my right and see an open veld with mountain goats grazing in the distance. Enough with the mountain goats, already! (that's them on the rigt, by the way)

....and of course, the donkeys

Today I vowed that I will never stay in a town that doesn't have an airport. Reason for this being that today, I had the opportunity of going to Durban (6pm flight), but how to get from G'town to EL...?

There were no buses, and no one I knew that was going through at that time. So - I'm stuck here. I should have taken a donkey!

I have work to do this week-end, but I felt like being spontaneous today.

What a damn pity that I couldn't be spontaneous when there isn't an airport around :(

Hmmmm...imagine if I had my own helicopter?!

Imagine if I could fly my very own aircraft....?

Crunch time

As the third term slowly draws to an end, stress levels are at its peak. There's just so much to do and time is running out! By the end of the term, I would have completed the following:

• 24 min group documentary for TV class
  - Academic essay for group doccie
  - Self-reflective essay for group doccie
  
  
• 6 min individual documentary for TV class
  - Academic essay for indiv.doccie
  -Self-reflective essay for indiv.doccie
  
  
• History essay on a book I've read (How to watch TV News)
  
  
• TV class to plan end of term studio show, showcasing our work.
  

If you're thinking..."It doesn't seem all that bad...", think again! I am counting down the days till I get to go home and do whatever I want for two weeks straight.

Long and late hours editing in the TV studio can be tedious. So when the clock strikes 12, or just a few minutes before, it's understandable that some people begin acting a bit...strange. Either running or jumping around or finding the most random thing hilarious and bursting into giggles about it (that would be me).

Here is a glimpse of one of my crew members on the "verge" of losing it. This is him looking for a piece of his watch that snapped when he fell of a chair, while the rest of us were killing ourselves with laughter in our edit suite.... If only I had my camera out sooner!

HSS Cultural Show

Last night (Saturday, August 19), the Hindu Students Society held their annual Cultural Show. This year, I went with three friends - Bronwyn, Colleta and Tiwonge... We had a great time and enjoyed the fantastic music and dance items.

It was awesome seeing familiar faces from East London & King Williams Town!

Michelle & Carryn came over around 3 'o clock to do my hair. Carryn - thanks to you, I had a fantastic GHD (Good Hair Day!) :)

Here are a few photo's that we took last night...

Michelle & Me

Carryn & Me


Harshal, Me & Niks

Bollywood's not butting out

Most of them do it – from the Big B to the King Khan. Even leading ladies like Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta do it. But what’s the attraction? Is it really a stress reliever? Or is it just cool to be seen with one? Our favourite stars can’t seem to butt out, but what’s the big deal with the death sticks?

May (even though a few months ago) was declared “Anti-Tobacco Month”, and I decided to take a look at your favourite smoking stars and why anti-smokers are blaming Bollywood for the increase in youth smokers.

Before, films depicted mainly villains with a cigarette casually hanging from their lips. Nowadays, hero’s like Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham are also shown with the death stick dangling from their mouths. Even beauty queens like Kareena Kapoor and Tanushree Datta aren’t afraid to be seen lighting up on screen.

Manisha Koirala, known to be an avid smoker, has appeared in numerous scenes where she was seen puffing away. She smoked in films like Company and Market – where she was kept company by her co-star Suman Ranganathan. In Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Preity Zinta played a bubbly character, which soon went downhill when she was seen taking to the cigarette. Even sweet girl Katrina Kaif in her debut film Boom wasn’t seen without a cigar in her hand, as did her co-star in the film, Madhu Sapre. In Main Aisa Hi Hoon, Esha Deol didn’t seem to have any qualms with taking a few puffs in front of her on-screen husband, Ajay Devgan. Kareena Kapoor, clad in her famous red and blue sari was also seen with smoke emerging from her lips in Chameli.

It’s interesting to note that the films where heroines are seen smoking are when they are playing prostitutes!

For years, Bollywood films have proved to be clean, wholesome entertainment for audiences all over the world. But some people are questioning whether the glitz and glamour of Bollywood is detrimental to our health.

The World Health Organization has estimated that smoking is linked to more than 800,000 deaths in India per year. Victims are apparently men aged between 25 and 69. It is said that the portrayal of attractive people smoking has definitely influenced young people. Attractive people? I’m thinking Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta….the list simply goes on!

A study has indicated that Bollywood is responsible for glamourizing smoking. Since Indian film stars are role models to thousands of people, it is understandable that they have a lasting impact on children and young adults, but can our Bollywood stars really be held responsible for promoting smoking?

The relationship between Bollywood and smoking goes back since early days, but these days people are questioning the recent ban on smoking scenes in Indian films. A few years ago, the Indian government outlawed all images of smoking in Bollywood films and television shows. Surprisingly, this law was attacked by film-makers like Mahesh Bhatt who said that it was the tobacco companies, and not the movie stars who were to be blamed for the youth wanting to follow the trend of their on-screen idols.

However, Bollywood icons are so popular that their off-screen lives influence their masses as well. One such star is none other than Shah Rukh Khan whose lifestyle has impacted millions of fans around the world. Khan declared that he would try to quit smoking on the eve of his 40^th birthday, and he appears to be keeping to his goal. From a whopping 70 to 80 cigarettes a day, he apparently only smokes three to four now.

Another teen heart-throb smoker, Vivek Oberoi has been noted for saying that, “Smoking a cigarette does not make anyone cool…it only makes you ill.”

An advertisement in India carries a warning from Urmila Matdonkar who says, “Every cigarette reduces life by three minutes. Isn’t that scary? If you’re not scared, then you are not brave, you are foolish.”

Earlier this year, an anti-smoking activist group in India threatened legal action against film giant, Amitabh Bachan for smoking in a movie poster of Family – Ties of Blood.

But it still baffles our minds. If the stars are so against smoking, why are so many of them still puffing away?