Today, March 14, is the International Day of Mathematics. This date was chosen and proclaimed by UNESCO in November 2019. Previously, 3/14 had already been known around the world as Pi Day. In celebration of Pi (3.14159), some people bake round pies, both sweet and savory. Perhaps you are having pie today too!
FREUD’S FEMALE CASE
Hysterical Girl
Filmmaker Kate Novack is the daughter of good friends of ours. Her earlier film, The Gospel according to Andre, profiled Andre Talley, an illustrious Black member of staff at Vogue.
This short film (just 13 minutes) takes Sigmund Freud’s account of his lone female patient, Dora, and re-envisions it in Dora’s own words. It’s fast moving and filled with graphic clips from contemporary history. Everything from Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford at the Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearings to images of women being bullied, mistreated, or sexually abused. Women as objects through the decades.
It’s powerful and thought-provoking! For more background, see the following article. Hysterical Girl is in contention for an Oscar nomination.
SLAVERY ENDS IN JAMAICA
The Long Song (PBS Masterpiece)
This series is sent in Jamaica beginning before the Christmas Rebellion of 1831 and continuing through the abolition of slavery in 1833. It’s a different piece of the slavery story based on a novel by Andrea Levy.
July is a young slave woman who captures the attention of the plantation’s white overseer. Enamored with each other, July and Robert Goodwin have what resembles a common law marriage when he takes Caroline, the plantation owner, as his wife.
This is an engrossing story with painful images, but an almost too pat ending. Levy, a British author with Jamaican roots, also wrote the novel, Small Island.
INDIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Beecham House (PBS Masterpiece)
The first episode of this 6-part series is a bit slow and when we set out to watch it a year ago, we gave up. This time around, we were more patient and got caught up in the intrigue. Set in Delhi in 1800, it focuses on the enigmatic, handsome John Beecham who arrives at the palatial Beecham House with an entourage including his baby son, but no mother. The British are there through the East India Company, an emperor reigns, and the French vie to keep the British at bay. There are secrets, treachery, and class and caste differences.
The production is lavish while the complexities of the interrelationships draw in the viewer. The series ends with a cliffhanger, a mystery that awaits no planned second season. And fans of Downton Abbey will recognize Beecham’s mother as Mrs. Patmore, the cook. Worth watching.
WHICH GRANDPARENT IS THE CHOSEN PARENT?
Black or White (Netflix)
Kevin Costner is a lawyer and a grandfather raising Eloise, his biracial granddaughter. When his wife dies in a car accident, the other grandmother, Rowena, and her n’er-do-well son (the girl’s father) sue to gain custody of Eloise. Octavia Spencer plays Rowena, an enterprising businesswoman, who feels strongly that the girl will benefit from being a part of an extended Black family.
The film focuses on the legal battle with a wise Black judge presiding in the courtroom. It’s a good film, not a great one, but the little girl who plays Eloise is delightful!
Note: Header photo of a decorated pie courtesy of newschannel10.com
