Sunday 23 October 2016

This week I visited Ethiopia!!!

We like to attend our local cinema for 'senior viewings', which includes a large cup of freshly brewed coffee, a small packet of luxury biscuits, and reduced price entry - this week it was the film Dare to be Wild. 
The synopsis of the film is the true story of Mary Reynolds, a young garden designer from Ireland, who became the youngest recipient of the Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal in 2002. 
The film takes in the beauty of the emerald isle, and not only the colourful spectacle of the Chelsea Flower Show, but also her travels in Ethiopia. 
An important element of the film is the use of magical realism, which is shown through Mary's embrace of Celtic mysticism. The essential themes underlying the film are the basis of Mary's goals. She believes that modern man needs to understand the importance and beauty of preserving and encouraging wild nature. The film also encompasses another theme about the renewal of nature for the preservation of man. Here, Mary travels to Ethiopia, in part to encourage a young botanist, Christy, but also to help assist him in achieving his goal. He is determined to help the local people restore their barren land through his ingenious irrigation project.
I should have been travelling in Ethiopia myself at the moment, but unexpectedly, and as a result of this film, I have had a tantalising glimpse into what I may have missed. 

34 comments:

  1. That is fun, we have the same senior viewings here, but other movies I see. I am still looking for the postman, he takes a long time to come over the Canal :)

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    1. I am really disappointed that your parcel is taking so long to arrive especially as I posted it by Air Mail. I received a parcel from the States just recently which took less time to arrive here. I do hope that it has not been lost - fingers crossed.

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  2. Ooh, that does look like a good movie. I wonder when it will come over here. We have the Senior deal on Tuesdays, also including Coffee and chocolate biscuit!

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    1. Dear Patricia - I posted this accidentally, in fact, I didn't realise that it had gone, so I have had to quickly fill in all the gaps.
      Senior viewings are good - aren't they?

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  3. That movie looks excellent! I'll watch for it in our theatres here -- I hope it comes eventually!

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  4. I am so sorry you missed your trip. Still, I would much rather have you home safe watching a movie about a place that apparently isn't safe right now.
    The film looks wonderful. I will try and get it here in the USA. That short clip sort of choked me up. Maybe I am just a bit too sensitive. haha

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    1. You are right of Catherine better safe at home, but it was a strange coincidence to find ourselves unexpectedly watching Lalibela in Ethiopia, one of the spots we had been due to visit.
      Hope you can find the film locally - Dare to be Wild is both beautifully shot and lovely to watch.

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  5. For a minute I thought your travel company had had second thoughts - I'll look out for this film.

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    1. It was curious the way we went to see this film not knowing that it was partially set in Ethiopia at a time when we should have been there ourselves.
      It is a lovely visual film and true story.

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  6. I'm sorry you were not able to go on your trip to Ethiopia. That's disappointing, but if there's unrest it was probably best for your safety that it was cancelled. The film looks very interesting from the clip you've shared.

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    1. We know that it was for the best that the trip was cancelled, but how strange that this film should feature one of the very locations, Lalibela, that we planned to visit.

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  7. From the preview, and your recommendation, Dare to be Wild looks like a movie I'd enjoy very much. I wonder if it will ever come to Canada, or be shown on Netflix? I hope so. How serendipitous that it should be shown just at the time when you should have been in Ethiopia.

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    1. It was a strange coincidence - we had no idea that Ethiopia would play a part in the film before we went - serendipitious indeed.

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  8. This looks an interesting film. It does seem amazing that Ethiopia featured in it, but then that is just typical of life!

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    1. It was a very strange coincidence which we did not know about beforehand. The filming takes place in Lalibela, the remote mountain top in northern Ethiopia, where we had been planning to end our trip.

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  9. it es look very interesting movie

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  10. How odd that you should get to see Ethiopia in a film after the delusion of not getting to go there :-)

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    1. Just a coincidence Jane, but as you say odd - how often do you see Ethiopia on a film!!!

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  11. Serendipity! I shall look out for this film - it sounds fascinating - and a lovely taste for you of a place you weren't able to see for yourself.

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    1. The film is out at the moment, but I previously knew nothing at all about it.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear your trip was cancelled Rosemary. So disappionting when you've been looking forward to something special to have it cancelled. But then again, it was done for your safety and hopefully you'll be able to go when things have calmed down which we hope will be in a not too far future. And maybe this film can be a beautiful reminder of what will be awaiting you. It seems like a beautiful film. Definitely one I would like to see so thank you very much for this sweet Rosemary. I'll be looking out for it here in Sweden. :)

    Take care my dear friend and I hope you're enjoying just as a beautiful and colorful October as we do here in Sweden. It's pure magic. :)

    Charlie
    xx

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    1. I have heard from various sources that you are enjoying a lovely autumn this year - we too have been enjoying lots of bright sunny days, but there is a definite chill in the air now.
      Enjoy your magic for as long as possible dear Charlie♡

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  13. Dear Rosemary, What a beautiful and charming custom. A movie, coffee and biscuits. And a beautiful movie to boost. I'm moving over to your side.

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    1. Dear Gina - they have been doing this for the last couple of years, and we do enjoy it, especially if there is a good film on too.

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  14. It must have been strange seeing a glimpse of Ethiopia rather than experiencing it for yourself. That film sounds interesting I will have to look out for it. Sarah x

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    1. The film is on in the cinemas at the moment Sarah - it is a film that I heard nothing or read anything about at all. It is a gentle, and appealing film to watch.

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  15. I will check and see if the film is showing here. looks lovely. janey

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    1. I think that you would enjoy seeing it Janey - it has some delightful locations to see in the film.

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  16. I want so much to see this beautiful movie - can't locate it over here yet (and not on Netflix) so will make a note and hopefully it will show up soon!
    Thanks for the heads up dear Rosemary.

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    1. It is a visual treat Mary - a real girls film.

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  17. I am sorry you have not managed to get to Ethiopia, and perhaps will discover why as I read on in my "catching-up" exercise. I saw the beginning of the film when I was on the plane to Japan but I didn't get as far as what sounds like the interesting stuff. I was turned off by the caricatured figures of the English organiser of the Chelsea Flower Show, and indeed many of the others.... but it would have been worth persevering as I would have liked very much to see the Ethiopian scenes and also I am rather a fan of magical realism. Oh well...I did see some other very good films on that flight! :)

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    1. It was the Ethiopian bit of the film that fascinated us as you can probably imagine Jenny, and especially as most of the action took place in Lalebela where we had been due to visit.

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