Day two

Eventually I'll start thinking up individual title names to these posts, but for now, this is my easy way out. Back to: Day two.



So today I've been volunteering at Screenplay, Shetland's Film Festival.

The benefits of doing so are numerous, from getting to see amazing films, taking part in Q&As with film makers and actors and just being part of a group of people who support great film.

This afternoon I was taken to see Louder Than A Bomb, I think I'm correct in saying this is the second time we've had this film up in Shetland, and after watching it I can understand why. The film is incredible, it follows students from four different high schools around Chicago preparing for Louder Than a Bomb, the city's poetry slam competition. I could go into detail about the film and gush over it for the rest of the post, but that kind of review belongs here:


http://marjoleinsroomwithareview.blogspot.co.uk/

Yeah, it's been pretty quiet there too.




But what I am going to discuss today is one of the main themes from Louder Than A Bomb (LTAB), which, for me anyway, was the importance of meeting new people. I'm not going to go to deeply into some of the quotes from those involved, because spoilers, but I hope you can see how a film about students from all different backgrounds, coming together to speak their poetry, often incredibly personal, share something of themselves and learn also about others. That aspect of the poetry slam is appreciated by all in the film, both within the groups and competing teams and most touchingly so between individuals.



This year for me I've had a stronger realisation for this, or at least the importance of sharing stories with others. Whether by simply telling the story, or through song, or in stand up, telling and listening to stories are two of the most important things we can do.

For me this realisation began in February when I was gifted with the opportunity to go on a week long course in storytelling with the International School for Storytelling and Peace. Then it was cemented further by the wonderful venue in Amsterdam, The Mezrab, a home for storytelling and music. I say a home for storytelling and music, in fact I should just call it home. It is a place where people come together and connect. To sit in a room with a crowd of strangers and then embark on a journey together gifted by a storyteller, that is communion.

This post today may be a bit haphazard, but I am simply writing it as I think, and I've been thinking about this a lot lately, however with time restraints (work) I can only write so much today, which is one of the cons of posting once a day. I suppose one of the pros is that I don't think I would have written this today if I hadn't started this challenge.

I suppose, to summarise, listen to others, speak and tell  your stories, whether sad or hilarious, perhaps they are historical or mythical stories about where your from, or just somewhere you are interested in. There are common themes throughout all stories of fear, love, hope and struggle. We can learn of new worlds and we can realise our similarities.

Tell your story and listen to others.