Treasure
Tonights debate? See “Politics” at the end of this post.
9:56 p.m. Thursday June 27 – I watched the entire debate as an 84 year old man, 2 1/2 years older than President Biden…. Followup Post :He showed up”, here
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Monday I saw the film “Treasure” (released June 2024) at a theater in Inver Grove Heights MN.
I was the only person in the theatre, for the single showing of the day, at 3:30 p.m. I only wished I had brought along tissues – it had that kind of emotional content for me.
It was one of the most powerful films I’ve had the privilege to see. Perhaps the theme, and the current time in history, mitigate against its success at the box office, but I can see it as basis for tens of thousands of introspective thoughts, and dialogue opportunities about making ours a better world.
Obviously, it’s not a box office hit. It’s easy to search for what reviews there are. Here is one of many reviews, this one from the Jerusalem Post.
I give the film my highest rating. It is filled with nuance far beyond a simple dad and daughter nostalgia trip.
Friend, Carol, called my attention to it on Saturday: “We were planning on seeing the new movie “Treasure” but it has disappeared from theatres in like a week. Do you know anything about it? (seeing as you always seem to know about good movies…) It’s about a Holocaust survivor who returns to his roots in Poland.”
I looked it up: the nearest theater showing it on Saturday was in Hudson WI, 15 miles or so away.
Carol wrote: “We were going to go on Father’s Day but the weather was crappy. It had just come out – and now it’s basically gone. Oakdale theatre said nobody was coming to it. I’m wondering… bad timing? protests? It’s not very highly rated – but, like Cliff said, what do THEY know. Cliff has been to Poland several times, and his German ancestors came from what is now Poland. So maybe we’ll like it.”
Then, later, after seeing the film Carol said: “I highly recommend it – I think you would really like it. Certainly a different movie. We did go see it in Hudson, and there was one other person in the theatre… Granted, it was a beautiful day outside, but I think that’s really a shame. It’s probably kind of a niche movie. It’s based on a book and real story, which often are my favorites. I think there’s been complaining that the scenes of them visiting Auschwitz weren’t graphic enough, or something. But they made their point.”
I can only second what she said. In my opinion, it is much, much more than simply Poland and Auschwitz, though that is the basic premise of the story: a daughter takes her dad to visit his Polish homeland about 1990, and the story goes from there.
I made a list of insightful moments for me, personally. There were over 20 on my list, more than just a few for a two hour movie.
I could go into a lot of detail, but if you simply go to the movie and open your mind to reflections on not only the holocaust, but our contemporary world, I will be very surprised if you don’t agree with me – that the film is an investment, not a cost of time and money.
The internet will give showing times if any are available. Possibly it is available on line, though I didn’t check that. At least check it out.
Thank you, Carol.
POSTNOTE: About 6 million WWII casualties were from Poland. About half of these were Jews, the other half Poles. (In pre-war Poland, the total population was about 35,000,000, of which over 3,000,000 were Jews, of whom less than 400,000 survived.)
I was at Auschwitz-Birkenau the entirety of my 60th birthday, in 2000. It is one of those times I will never forget.
Walking from Auschwitz towards Birkenau Death Camp May 4, 2000. Photo by Dick Bernard
Our group spent about three days in Poland. Earlier our tour group had visited the site of the Plaszow Camp (the “Schindler’s List” camp) in Krakow area. One of my most vivid life memories was at the memorial monument there. We had just arrived, and our bus driver privately and quietly picked a tiny wildflower and placed it at the monument. In my mind, I can see the touching action of that ordinary bus driver as I write.
POLITICS:
I likely will watch the “debates” on June 27 more as theater than substance. MPR this morning said that as many as 60% of Americans may watch all or some of the action tonight.
I am interested in and have followed politics carefully for many years. Both Trump and Biden are well known quantities now – 90 minutes or whatever watching them as verbal gladiators is a waste of time, in my opinion, but a cash cow for media. Minds will not be changed, and the persons who should be paying attention likely won’t be watching anyway. Yes, I’m a cynic.
I will write more about the candidates and races after the Democrat Convention (Augut 19-22), and before early voting begins in Minnesota (September 20). Most likely my comments will be the last week of August at this space.
(FYI, the Republican Convention is July 13-18; Minnesota Primary Election is August 13. I have signed up as an election judge for Primary Election.). More information for Minnesotans accessible here.
A post I did earlier, entitled Fascism, is worth a look, if you haven’t previously done so.)
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Also, on-line as of June 27, a post on a talk by Dr. Michael Osterholm, well known in Infectious Disease work.
COMMENTS (more below):
from Jeff: Debate: I am in that non watching 40%, I generally don’t watch, they really arent debates and have gone downhill rapidly since the late 80s. And yes, for most of the audience it isnt going to change any minds. As for me, there really is only one option, its either an old man or a mad man. I will go with the old one.
Osterholm: Thanks.
from Sandy: Thanks Dick! Let’s hope Biden totally wins the debate tonight and hope Trump looks totally unprepared and dull.
We know Trump will lie and hopefully the Anchor people will confront him and stop him!
Dick: we agree on the d”debate.”
As for me, Dan Rather clearly states the reason I will not be viewing the debate:
from the blog STEADY by Dan Rather
“The 90-minute political event airing Thursday night on CNN is not a debate. It is a joint appearance by two candidates running for president. A debate would be wonderful. I would welcome an actual debate, which is a discussion between opponents in which rival arguments are put forward directly. That is not what you will see on Thursday night, should you choose to watch. You will see two men answer questions, if we are lucky, in a kind of a dual press conference and television show. I’m pretty certain one will answer the questions. The other? It’s anyone’s guess …”
I can’t wait to see “Treasure,” but must wait till it’s affordable as a stream.
Will watch the debate tonight although it will enrage me and as usual with Trump, it’s wasted rage. But I want to understand what is said later by the media. I plan to prepare with a bit of wine and plenty of Dave Barry.
I have been invited to watch tonight’s “debate,” but declined. I fear all it will serve as is yet another platform for the absurdity that will not be thoroughly witnessed or dissected by those who should really be paying attention. Observing this will only further dishearten and horrify me, and, with the November results being very much out of my control (short my vote and local efforts), I’d rather protect my peace and not subject myself to the terror of what might be.
I certainly respect your opinion, and I personally would not be interested in going to a ‘watch’ party particularly if I thought it ws going to result in bad. behavior. Basically, I think I’ll watch just to see the behaviors exhibited. Mostly my emphasis ongoing is to make sure people register and vote with knowledge of the consequences of their vote (or non-vote). The stakes are huge for the country, in my opinion. I have long-standing respect for President Biden as a reasonable person; I have no such respect for his opponent. I also think that all of those candidates for election who persisted in saying 2020 was stolen, even when this was proven false, should have to face the consequences where they live. Thank you for your interest and concern.
Count me in the “not gonna watch” column. I’ve always been interested and active in politics but it’s become just too exhausting. I cannot understand how anyone can vote for Trump. Yet, about half the voters report that they will; either reluctantly or enthusiastically.
Biden, in spite of all he’s done, is a weak candidate. That hasn’t changed in months or even years. I’m saddened and disappointed that he decided to run in spite of the headwinds facing his reelection. Were another candidate running in his place, they might be in the same position. But, Biden knew, or should have known, his weaknesses as a candidate and stepped aside.
It was a beautiful, sunny, summer day here in northern border country where serious flooding has people helping each other. Kindness and concern are everywhere.
Then the debate came on. Trump used his time to inflate and exagerate and prevaricate. His outlandish boasting was only exceeded by his twisted and personal attacks. He has no kindness and no concern for others. He would be no help in a flood.
Biden was understandably flabbergasted. I wish he had reminded Trump to answer the questions put to him. I wish he had then set the example himself.
Yes, yes, yes! to the comment above that between an old man and a bad man, I choose the old man.