what is an antipode?
two places diametrically opposite each other on the earth’s surface.
they are very rare.
what is the shortest route between them?
a straight line through the center of the earth.
i recently saw ‘vivan las antipodas’
released in 2011
directed by russian documentary maker
victor kossakovsky
who had a radical idea
to visit these places
and shoot four antipodal pairs:
argentina/china
spain/new zealand
chile/russia
botswana/hawaii
he filmed it in a way
that literally
turned the world
upside down
and back again
for 108 meandering minutes
i was blown away
by the beauty
of
the landscapes
the people
the animals
the music
the colors
the contrasts
the connections
some things are universal
life
death
money
sex
family
friends
community
survival
love
it was
quietly
stunning
and
it was
dizzying.
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
Sounds amazing.
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i think you would love it, har )
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Sounds really cool!
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it absolutely is )
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sounds fascinating!!! I will have to check that out
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it’s beautiful, roy –
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I was thinking about some of my own trips but would have to have crossed the equator to get the antipodal experience – I haven’t done that yet but YOU!, you equator-crosser, you might have done your own antipode trip.
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ah, perhaps i have! )
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It sounds fascinating. Worth seeing on your word alone.
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thank you, it truly is. it is slow and it is beautiful and i hope that you have a chance to see it. let me know what you think, if you do )
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I will indeed. 🙂
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Wow! Cool concept! And love the new look here in your blog!!
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it really is an amazing concept and thanks )
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Sounds intriguing, Beth, more proof that opposites can attract. I hope to find it to discover the beauty myself, thanks to your unique review.
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thanks, mark and you are so very right. it was another library find, so you may have it in yours somewhere, hiding on the shelves. it’s worth a view )
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Wow! The way you captured this film, your drawings and list of commonalities were fantastic, Beth! I will have to check out this movie, so I don’t forget it! I love this kind of movie, and we have an extensive foreign film section. Thanks so much, Beth! I will let you know…
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thanks, robin. (not my drawings, came from the studio), and i think you will love it –
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I had it ordered from Greene County, Ohio District Library and it will be here in a week! I am so thankful you suggested it. Glad you mentioned the drawings, they were good additions and glad you found them to add to the post.
Too bad the Toledo Mud Hens are coming on a night that may not be convenient for you to come down. School will have started by then… They play the Columbus Clippers on August 20th!
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great about the movie, robin and maybe next year we can have a baseball meet up )
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I’ve learned a new word! Fascinating concept.
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happy to have passed on a new word to you, and it is fascinating, something i had never thought about before.
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They used to refer to Australia as the Antipodes.
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ah, makes sense, i can see why –
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When I see photos of people in other countries, I often struck by how much we have in common. The things that make us laugh or cry. Bet, the film you describe sounds amazing.
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me too, judy and it really was )
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That’s interesting Beth. I’ve heard the concept before but didn’t realize there was a movie. Thank you very much.
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my pleasure, paul and i think you’d find it interesting to actually see these places –
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I’ll certainly seek out that movie.
: thank you for bringing it to my attention. It sounds lovely.
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i hope that you enjoy it as much as i did, carole –
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Fascinating. I will look it up……
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i hope you enjoy it too )
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Awesome thoughts and recommendation! Will have to look that up.
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great )
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My ‘films recommended’ list is starting to exceed my ‘time available’ ratio. Wonder if there is an antipode for that? 🙂 Thanks for the idea!
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hahaha – perfect )
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Very intriguing, and it’s available to stream on netflix. I might watch with my kids. Is it kid-appropriate?
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oh, absolutely, the only issue may be if they become bored with the pace of the film –
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They are a highly stimulated generation. I’ll give it a whirl, though. 🙂
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@brenda – great and let me know what you think after you’ve had the chance to see it – they may just enjoy the amazing cinematography
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