the lives of others

Sometimes you are lucky enough to find a movie that is so moving, so powerful, that it seems to really profoundly affect you, even though it is just a movie. THE LIVES OF OTHERS was a German film that seemed to steal the Foreign Language Oscar from PAN'S LABYRINTH. I went to see this movie on the very strong recommendation of one of my favorite people in the whole wide world, Ellen. This movie is an interesting look at artistic censorship. Set in Germany in the early 80's, a Stasi policeman starts surveillance on a playwright and his actress girlfriend. He is listening in hopes of catching them doing something or saying something against Socialism. As he sits and listens, the policeman finds himself drawn into their lives. He begins to ask himself questions, and suddenly the issues are no longer just black and white. This film is beautiful. It moved me, and I haven't been moved like that in a very long time. I hope that every artist will go and see this, and notice the impact of a suspicious government on artists, and their creativity.

Final thoughts: Please go and see this film. It is beautiful, powerful, and at this time, a story that every artist should see.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com