Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #25

Hello KK---

So much to get to, Kelly. You always seem to get the creative juices flowing! Once again, sorry for the long delay between letters with the long holiday weekend.

I love your Saturdays--when you describe them you absolutely sound like a delightful "homebody"! Sounds like Mini likes them too.

Let me delve into the rest of your letter after your "K Kwestionaire!) I know--terrible alliterative play on words.

Wow! Please tell me "Just Another Love Story" is based on a Danish novel. What a dark, twisted, lovely plot! If there is a book I would definitely want to read it. That leads nicely into the films of the Danish director Lars von Trier, whose new film has made a huge splash at Cannes: "ANTICHRIST". I saw a reprint of part of Manhohla Dargi's review in the Times: "An alternately deadly serious and highly ironic exploration of psychosexual trauma, with Willem Defoe & Charlotte Gainsbourg as a couple grieving the death of their only child..."I would be lying if I didn't admit that this impossible movie kept me hooked from start to finish."

Sounds quite interesting, KK. I've read so much about von Trier's films, I feel like I've seen them--even though I have no. All of them sound fascinating & highly controversial & provocative. So I must ask you if you've seen von Triers:

"BREAKING THE WAVES" (1996)
"DOGVILLE: 03
"MANDERLAY" 05

Again, I haven't seen them, but very curious if you have. I could spend a DVD night watching all three. And curious about the new film "ANTICHRIST" as well.

By the way---think I mentioned before that Chloe Sevigny has really impressed me in what I've seen her in. And I find it amazing that Lauren Bacall, who starred with Bogart! is still working in good, complex roles.

Back to your letter---I've not seen "EXOTICA" [Atom Egoyan]--but have heard very good things. Are you familiar with Egoyan's film "THE SWEET HEREAFTER"--based on the truly haunting novel by Russell Banks. It is about the aftermath of a devastating bus accident in a small Canadian town that kills many of the town's children. Stars Sarah Polley--very talented actress who also directed her first film about Alzheimer's: "AWAY FROM HER" 07 that starred Julie Christie.

Music...Nirvana & Kurt Cobain-quintessential 90s rock but totally timeless. Even though I was not a big fan at the time, I still recall the overwhelming reaction to his death. To try to get inside you musically, I will try to listen to some of your artists that you mentioned. I've not seen "ONCE" but you LOVE the soundtrack! I do think I've heard the song "Falling Slowly" that won the Oscar. You must send me lyrics to any of these songs that move you deeply whether happily or sadly...

Let me close by turning serious again: You say you "don't write too much about myself because, frankly, you are far more interesting than I am." KK---you could not be more wrong. [Let's see ME: ---book? not good and lots of rumors--so many rumors.] It was Tolstoy or one of the Russian writers who said that every person's life is an immense and fascinating novel. Admittedly, mine is unusual and ultimately tragic--but you, KK... Well I've already said---I want to you you---well...very well. Please do explore intimately and in detail the "pain of life" you experienced. I want to share it and know it with you. Just as I want to share as much of what I've been through with you.

I'm not so sure you are ready to answer "specific questions", KK. It is so liberating when one can talk to someone about most everything--but it is not easy. Most people shy away to the safe and banal and the non-controversial---as in their relationships as well.


So---Consider yourself very interesting and fascinating, KK! But I can only ask you to share & open up with what you are willing to explore & discuss...

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea."

--Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1797)

KK no reason...just some brilliant words.

Must get this in the mail---but a comment on your mention of the novel FLASH FORWARD (Robert J. Sawyer) as an inspiration for "LOST". Apparently, "FLASH FORWARD" is going to be a new ABC TV series come this fall: the series will explore the effects of a worldwide 2 min/17 sec period of unconsciousness in which people are able to see themselves six months in the future. That might be going to the well once too often, but who knows?

Thinking of you,

Yours,
Michael