CLIP OF THE DAY: I love Brooklyn.

The Village of Breuckelen, named for Breukelen (providence of Ultrecht) in the Netherlands was first inhabited by the Dutch and contemporary native americans in 1646. Known to us as: Brooklyn, this is the second-most densely populated county in the United States, after New York County (Manhattan, there is); but despite facts, walking around it actually feels like a ride around a local village... So what truly makes a city liveable or loveable? Its heritage, the neighbours, parks, your favourite restaurant, transportation, a good opportunity, convenience or love - simply? On my case, CONNECT did, and it took me around what is now one of my favourite places I want  to learn more about, Williamsburg. 

First and foremost I cannot possibly take the credits for my latest article, as I must thank my friend and talented photographer Pauline Rochas for connecting me around the hood as one should. Allow me to start by Williamsburg newest platonic idea of modern reborn from an old textile factory turned into towns hottest hotel and cutting edge rooftop meeting point for residents: The Wythe Hotel. 'where sleep is optional'. Well, in any case if you decide to, its not expensive either ($179 a night). Blending hip and raw industrial look with impressive hospitality, what I found interesting is that much of the furniture was actually (and very cleverly may I add) made from wood salvage during the renovation process and designed all by local craftsman. If you are there just for the ride check out the bar on the roof top; if you are in for the long one, make sure you eat at the Reynards Restaurant. Well, since food is on the menu, yesterday I had dinner at Aurora, a rustic little Italian spot where we all sat by the garden and enjoyed Tuscan finest bowls of pasta and white wine, priceless after a very long day of work. Speaking of which, have you checked the latest on CONNECT....?  

CLIP-IT - My next stop there: The outdoors cinema night at the Pier 1 Harbour SYFY Movies (starts at sunset, and it runs every Thursdays until August 30th) --  I do love Brooklyn. 


* Above picture courtesy of ines4connect on Instagram. 

CLIP OF THE DAY: It's all make believe, isn't it?

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring". M. Monroe

As a tribute of the 50th Anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death in 2012, a unique exhibition featuring paintings, photographs and videos of the legend herself is debuting at the National Film Museum in Sao Paulo today. Marilyn Monroe as an icon seen through more than 120 works by over 50 artists who captured Marilyn's rise to stardom in styles ranging from fashion photography to Pop Art. "Quero ser Marilyn Monroe" celebrates the many  passionate, controversial and sheer sides the world's most famous blonde, with biographical glimpses into  Marilyn's private moments as well as more abstract interpretations of Marilyn. America's favorite sex symbol? Immortal legend? Ambitious woman? Innocent girl? Complicated or just flawless? Be the judge of that on your own terms....from the 4th March until April 1st.


I do apologize for missing Friday's CLIP of the Day (Thank you for the emails and suggestions, I do cherish them). On that note, and FYI, I will travelling again tomorrow...see I guess I will be seeing you on Tuesday, Clippers. Have a great Monday! xx I.

CLIP OF THE DAY: 'Thoughts and ideas, that is what interests me.'

Margaret Thatcher once said: "One of the great problems of our age is that we’re governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas.” Now, thoughts and ideas – that’s what interests me". 

I like that, real things. In The Iron Lady the central figure is no fiction either, she's the most famous, most controversial living Englishwoman to this day, the very first (and only) female prime-minister in the United Kingdom: Margaret Thatcher. The biopic film’s structure is confusing, but deliberately so: events in Lady Thatcher’s present (and poor mental conditions) trigger vivid memories of her past with focus on the price she had to pay for power together with her loving husband who despite it all, supported her unconditionally. Written by Abi Morgan and directed by Phyllidia Lloyd this is an absolute brilliant performance by Meryl Streep (between you and I, I was  fixed on the screen throughout the entire movie thinking how amazingly talented one can be). Her role as Margaret Thatcher granted Streep an Oscar for best actress last night, but for those who know of history and appreciate Thatcher's own legacy this movie didn't do her justice...nevertheless, I'm Clipping about it, for so many reasons: first and foremost I guess its an understatement saying  that everybody will be talking about the Oscars today, secondly and those of you who know me, know how much I enjoy history and movies, so for the ones who haven't watch it, do. I bet you, that you will come out of the film wanting to google everything about Margaret Thatcher ...and you should. I'm surely grateful for having had a British education for I was quick to learn one of her great quotes as early as my school days: "Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." I hope you can learn and be inspired too (even on a Monday morning...) ;--) Wishing you all a great start of the week Clippers! I.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Rio, the real deal.

 

To many the extraordinary musical universe of Antonio Carlos Jobim does not fit into words...he represents the real Rio: timeless, whole, perfect like a vintage postcard that makes us dream about (truly) the most beautiful city in the world. It was  probably this exact overwhelming feeling merged on a multi dimensional sensitivity that lead director Nelson Pereira dos Santos (along with Dora Jobim) to have the imense courage of revealing on film the musical career of the grand Brazilian composer, author of a work that seems to live forever. His latest film: "A música segundo Tom Jombim" reveals Jobim's path completely through the sound of his own melodies, along with Heitor Villa-Lobos, one of the greatest exponents of all time in Brazilian music. A succession of images of large national and international artists starring unforgettable performances, and Tom Jobim himself at different times of his life. There is no word in the film...and yet is one that you simply cannot resist to watch. Quoted by the New York Times as "Pure immersion"...Showing at two of my favorite movie rooms in Rio: Instituto Moreira Salles (which I have clipped before) and the brand new Espaço Itaú Cinema (former Arteplex) in Botafogo. Happy Weekend Clippers xx I.

CLIP OF THE DAY: We boil at different degrees.

Happy Monday Clippers and lovers of good music, cinema and arts...! Clint Eastwood once said "We boil at different degrees". True. We do differ towards the same things as a matter of fact... Thinking of something besides going to the beach when in Rio? You got it: pay a visit to The Instituto Moreira Salles a non-profit organization founded by the late successful Brazilian banker, politician and philantropist Walter Moreira Salles in 1990 and managed by the Moreira Salles family. Intended to promote the development of cultural projects mainly in five areas: photography, literature, libraries, visual arts and Brazilian music. IMS (the they aften call it) is located in three different states in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Poço de Caldas and Belo Horizonte). Save the date? 31st January in Rio. Your last chance to check out Clint Eastwood Movie Restrospective both as an actor and director. Brilliant, and I've got cult connector Isabel to thank for. (in this case we boil at the same degree...).

CLIP-IT: Tuesday, 31st: 2pm (The Enforcer) 3:45pm (Magnum Force)6:15pm (Coogan's Bluff) 8pm (Pink Cadillac). 

CLIP OF THE DAY: All I really want...

I will be honest...today I was going to blog about this new restaurant in Rome that I was told about, but all I really want to do is run to my favourite movie theatre - The Electric and watch my dear and talented connect beau Guy Ritchie's latest movie Sherlock Holmes: A game of Shadows at 9:15pm tonight - Since being a clipper is all about the moment, I thought I would be truthful to my own words...I guess my CLIP is simple: find a cinema room with a real soul to it, call that one person, feel no guilt when buying candy or popcorn and please do me a favour will you? Accidentally leave your phone at home. Happy Friday Clippers! xxx I.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Within You, Without You.

This week I watched Martim Scorsese's lastest documentary on HBO: "George Harrison -Living in the Material World," - Beatle's lead guitarist, pop culture icon and world's most private superstar like you have never heard or seen before. And all I'm really going to say is: watch it.  

Academy Award winner movie maker Scorsese does a briliant job as the documentary follows Harrison's story from his early life in Liverpool,  to the global and historical success of The Beatles,  his travels to India, and the influence of Indian culture in his music (the tittle "living in the material world" is a Hindu-inspired phrase, chosen by Harrison for his album in 1973).  From neverseen before footage and interviews with Harrison's wife Olivia, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr to Yoko Ono and Eric Clapton and many more. A truly bold tribute to his outsanding legacy - Scorsese and Olivia Harrison  made sure to honour Harrison's own words when he wrote to his family in 1965, (a time when Beatlemania was really cresting): 'I know that this isn't it. I knew I was going to be famous, but now I know I can reach the real top of what man can achieve, which is self-realization.' He knew then that [material reward] wasn't it.

If we could only REALLY learn this during our time here...For my part Its like I used to tell my mum when I was 5: "as long as I have music and sun around me, it will all be ok" - Simple, huh? Well I've never been a real fan of complexity to achieve greatness, let alone happiness...Its either within you or without you.

Wishing you all the start of a great week Clippers

 "....Here comes the sun...."

 

 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Melancholy likes company

Melancholia, is Von Trier latest crazy, daunting, captivating and unpredictable drama about the meaning of existence. Starring Kirsten Dunst who plays a successful advertising copywriter  and who  is about to get married to Michael (Alexander Skarsgård ). The extravagant wedding – organised by her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and brother-in-law John (Kiefer Sutherland) – is set among secluded gardens of a Chateau in Sweeden. Like most girls's childhood fantasy, this is supose to be the happiest day of her life - Except.....a planet called Melancholia is heading towards earth on that same night... and as Justine (Kirsten Dunst)  fears for humanity, she also admits  “All I know is life on earth is evil."  According to recent reviews the film "seethes with ideas, darkness, bruising soulfulness, visual invention - its a monstrous conceit,  with its excess and complexity and sheer unreasonableness" and one that is said to be hard for any of us to just be undifferent to, whether we decide to hate it or love it...well on that note I'm intrigued. You?

CLIP-IT: Here are some of the main opennings for Melancholia according to IMDb: Brazil 5th August, UK last week (30th Sept), USA this Thursday (7th October), Portugal 1st December.

CLIP OF THE DAY: L'amour...

Academy Award-winner French movie maker Claude Lelouch, celebrates his 50th anniversary with an epic film about following our heart and the consequences we all face by doing so… This is the love story of an impulsive, passionate woman throughout wartime in 1942 during the Nazi period,  after a series of encounters she later falls in love with two American soldiers, but unable to chose she lets fate take its course. Hunted by the assumption the her heart never seems to make the right choice, love will prove her wrong and bring her a series of mistaken choices which could lead to the one that is right. What Love May Bring  (Ces Amours-là) opened in the UK on the 20th February this year (Glasgow Film Festival) and luckly for some of you Clippers it just premmiered in Brazil this week. Leaving you with a suggestion for the weekend: Love...with a great soundtrack. As they so smartly said: "The best years of our lives are those we haven't lived yet". Bon weekend a tous xx

		PS. from now on CLIP will be from Monday-Friday only... we are happy to be preparing for more news on its format. Thank You for making this possible - happy days!

CLIP OF THE DAY: Not so secret anymore...

For film fans and those with a love of the mysterious, Secret Cinema London is just the thing.  I qualify for both so this is definitely my thing. Movie director and long time friend Gabriel Amaral and I found  out about Secret Cinema while talking and walking alongside southbank after checking Ernesto Neto's exhibition last summer. Taking place in secret locations around the city, this is a unique monthly event and a rather exciting way of catching a movie, weather it is a one off preview or a cult classic.  Everytime a different place and each month the location is only revealed on the day of the screening to people who have signed up to take part in the Secret Cinema London event. So make sure you are in the know and register for a movie night! (Now... not so secret anymore...)  ;)

CLIP OF THE DAY: A Parallel Universe

When I was 12 I moved from Brazil to Portugal, (and it wasn't easy...) but my very first 2 friends Pedro Patrocinio and his brother Mario made it a little easier for me. What we have lived together since that afternoon when we met in August in 1992 wouldn't fit in all "CLIPS" of the day....but there is one thing I must share with you: GET TO KNOW THESE 2 BROTHERS!! In 2007, they moved to Brazil, during the period of stronger tension and violence in Rio (they closely lived the largest police operation ever launched in that state) - with an open heart, free from prejudgement and courage beyond mesure they felt in their skin what it is to wake up with the sound of gun fire ad often to sleep accompanied by shots. YES - they moved to the largest agglomerate of favelas of Latin America: "Complexo o Alemao". With no support from any institution, they did what NO ONE has ever done before: a true documentary that shows us a dangerous and complex system, a parallel universe inserted in a larger order, a world apart, made of REAL PEOPLE. Word's can't express what this project means to me (for so many reasons)...all I can say is take the time to watch it. I was blessed to be part of it, and to watch it on the opening night with both of them and our friends who went to show their support and appreciation of such an outstanding and beautiful work.

COMPLEX - A PARALLEL UNIVERSE has won the Artivist Film Festival 2010 - for Best Feature International Human Rights. CONGRATS PêPê & Marinho - So very proud of you!

THIS IS A PARALLEL UNIVERSE YOU SHOULD KNOW....

CLIP OF THE DAY: One day...

As you may know by now, I'm someone who truly believes on the impact and the power of good connections in one's life and evidentely I have my own. My aunt is a bookshop owner, a very smart lawyer, and possibily one of the most cultured people I have ever met. She reads an average of 5 books a week, but above all she has an incredible talent of knowing exactly what to recommend you to read at a specific time of your life. Over the years she became my personal book adviser and all of the books I have by my bedside table have her print on it. Needles to say that lately I have been extreamly busy so let's just say I'm not exactly in the mood for very complex books neither would I have the proper time to enjoy reading them at this particular moment....A few weeks ago my dear aunt Paula emailed me saying she had just finished reading a "very easy going" book called One Day by David Nicholls and that she thought I should read it. As always I took her advice and bought it. Between waiting to finish the previous one, work, and helping my friend's wedding preparations....I have only started today. Funny enough before heading home, to my bed and my book...I spent the afternoon by the pool at my other good friend's relaxing and talking about last night's wedding, and one of her sisters said: "No matter how much fun I have at weddings I can't help but wonder about my life in perspective". I understand that...and to a certain extend I find my self thinking about "timming" in general; professionally, emotionally...

This book tells the story of 2 friends who shared different and similar aspects of an almost parallel life over the course of twenty years. It's a love story, that has now been turned into a movie played by Anne Hatthaway - in theaters on the 19th August (USA), 1st Sept in Portugal.

Today I'm dedicating my CLIP of the DAY to my long time school friends: Candida (who I was with today...) and Henry Wigan for having found each other where they never left from (their own Universe), for having surpassed their fears, challenged timming and trusting their instincts against all odds. For the ones who don't know them: they got engaged after 2 weeks of being dating, although they have known each other since they were 3; which is almost how old their first son is now...

CLIP-IT: this book, or any simple book that makes you wonder from time to time, the upcoming movie and your inner gut. Because when you know, you know. And that happens in just ONE DAY...