A miscellany of cast and crew attended our preview screening of the film project red room has been working on since October. Held in a spacious viewing room, at Nylon sound studios in Redfern it was poetic torture being made sit and wait whilst the viewers had to hack or praise the final production. I kept the lights low and wine loose, making the criticisms and commendations easier to eat. This morning I awoke with a lightness, not attributed to Monday creeping closer or to the prospect of a few days away from the workshop -the 7.30am buoyancy suggests I am pleased with the film and more pleased to have worked with quality poetry and people.
On the way home last night I was hypnotized by hovering paper doves displayed in the glass shop, a few frangipani trees from my front door. The doves floated over an assortment of boxes, mobiles, envelopes and stationary all hand made with paper of various strengths, colours and weaves. The paper maker has sprinkled shapes, ovals, checks, diamonds and blocks, in a careful and celebratory rhythm. there are no traditional Christmas clichés (stars, mangers, garlands, angels) and for the first time my nerves quickened in what has to be described as ‘parsnip glee’
In small wicker baskets are strings and ribbons with which to tie the largest or smallest present and I wondered how you’d wrap a donation ; I keep encountering individuals claiming that, instead of giving presents to family and friends, they’re donating to a charity of their (the present giver) choice. the sentiment is impressive and Good, but I question how many people actually do donate to charities – perhaps they don’t, and instead pocket the money, normally spent on presents, for themselves. a Christmas forgetting, with all the parties, heat and food perhaps they ‘forget’ to donate to the charities and although the intention is strong, the action is limited by financial limitations and greed.
I’m giving people books and chunky chocolate brownies my brother made hopinh everyone reads or eats.
