From 60 to 3: Weather’s Mood Swings & Movie Picks

Good morning readers,

Isabella here. Wowza! This week has been crazy – one day it’s 60 degrees and suddenly it’s 3! While I’ve been surfing the terrifying weather conditions, I’ve also been hooked to my speakers reviving timeless albums, and welcoming new films. How about we start off the week with some recs’?

Movie recommendation of the week? The Taste of Things, starring Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel. It’s 1889 in France and these two people are cheffing it up! Oh my god, it is scene after scene of the best food you can imagine (if you have a varied or an eclectic palate). Vietnamese French writer and director, Trần Anh Hùng explained in an NPR interview that he wanted it to be real. Not using plastic or glue, but real food. He stated in the interview that they needed about “40 kilos of meat for the shooting” (that’s around 88 pounds). The film is truly beautiful in all of its senses, from the set and the ingredients, to the characters. Truly the epitome of foodies joining to discuss the flavors of life, and the beauty behind sharing a common innate skill for cuisine. A beautiful watch to await the upcoming Spring time with loved ones. Showing now at the Main Cinema.

Album on replay (for the millionth time):
Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder (1980)

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The 15th Minnesota Cuban Film Festival

Europe isn’t the only thing The Main Cinema will be talking about. You hear that? Oh, yeah! The 15th Minnesota Cuban Film Festival (MCFF) is back and better than ever, with some gregarious picks. The (MCFF) features films that address the achievements and challenges of the Cuban people through the eyes of its filmmakers. The festival highlights diverse and challenging films of social change, human struggle and the boldness of the human spirit. From February 28th through April 4th, 2024, you can watch:

• The World of Nelsito (El Mundo de Nelsito) – Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 PM
• Castro’s Spies – Thursday, March 14 at 7:00 PM
• VIVA – Thursday, March 21st at 7:00 PM
• Sisters of the Heart (Hermanas del Corazon) – Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM
• Habana Blues – Thursday, April 4th at 7:00 PM 

SPONSORED

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**Trigger Warning for suicide**

Aaron Bushnell’s Act of Self-Immolation

The news of a 25-year-old U.S. Air Force member, Aaron Bushnell, committing an act of self-immolation outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., to protest Israel’s assault on Gaza and U.S. support for the military campaign is deeply saddening. In a Twitch live stream this past weekend before his act, Bushnell declared his refusal to be complicit in what he termed genocide, citing the atrocities faced by Palestinians. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries later that day.

Retired U.S. Army colonel and former diplomat Ann Wright discussed on Democracy Now! how Bushnell’s act might influence U.S. policy regarding the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, Masha Gessen’s article in The New Yorker delves into the historical context of self-immolation as a form of political protest, spanning from Buddhist monks in Vietnam to individuals protesting the Vietnam War and resisting authoritarian regimes, such as during the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia. Often, self-immolation is an expression of profound helplessness despite active engagement in activism. In Bushnell’s case, it reflects frustrations with the political system and perceived limitations in the electoral process.

Clearly, Bushnell’s self-immolation was meticulously planned to draw attention to his cause and evoke a response. Gessen explores the philosophical and ethical dimensions of self-immolation as a form of nonviolent protest, characterizing it as an act of despair.

While we won’t share the video in this newsletter due to its distressing nature, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Aaron Bushnell’s family. No individual should ever endure such distress or physical harm.

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Esperanza United’s ‘DECIMOS NO MÁS’

Esperanza United comparte las tarjetas DECIMOS NO MÁS para fomentar conversaciones sobre relaciones saludables

Decimos NO MÁS fue creada como una iniciativa de Esperanza United para abordar la violencia en el noviazgo adolescente y promover relaciones sanas. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo brindar herramientas a familias latinas para que puedan sostener conversaciones abiertas, respetuosas, y constructivas sobre temas cruciales como lo son el consentimiento, la comunicación, y el respeto dentro de las relaciones.

Esperanza United ofrece las tarjetas de práctica Decimos NO MÁS a padres, madres, y cuidadores. Estas tarjetas incluyen guías y preguntas para ayudar a fomentar el diálogo en el hogar, y son un recurso útil para padres, madres, y cuidadores para iniciar conversaciones con sus hij@s sobre temas que por lo general resultan difíciles de abordar. La iniciativa subraya la importancia de la educación y la comunicación familiar como herramientas esenciales en la construcción de relaciones interpersonales saludables desde una edad temprana. Para solicitar las tarjetas o recibir más información sobre cómo utilizarlas en sus comunidades, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a info@esperanzaunited.org.

Esperanza United invita a las familias a unirse a nuestra campaña para reafirmar nuestro compromiso con la eliminación de la violencia de género y la promoción de ambientes seguros y acogedores para las generaciones futuras. Esta iniciativa es un paso esencial hacia un futuro sin violencia, marcado por el entendimiento y el respeto mutuo.

Para más información, visite el sitio web de Esperanza United y siga la campaña “Decimos NO MÁS” en Facebook para unirse a la conversación y al movimiento hacia un cambio positivo en nuestras comunidades.

SPONSORED

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Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 

-Isabella, and the NewPrensa team

Hit play on the Spotify icon below for the NewMusica playlist,
a playlist by the NewPrensa team that brings you NewTaste and NewVibes.

Updates every month

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