Salim Gives Thanks

By Salim Garami

What's good?

I'll tell you what's good, Thanksgiving! Particularly the concept of a holiday where we can dream of feasts like those in Tampopo or Babette's Feast or Ratatouille and dig in surrounded by those we love, whether it be family or an extended definition of family.

Now, personally... I don't think 2017 is a year I'll look back on with much fondness. And that's just on account of the pop culture I consumed, not even reckoning with the exhausting political landscape or the misconduct ingrained within the film industry that is being brought to light.

In any case, this is making me sound like THAT GUY who's at every Thanksgiving dinner and that's not the point of this post. But the context of a year that didn't feel at the top of its game means the things I'm thankful for are wonders that stand out to me and I appreciate them further. So what am I thankful for this year...

• Sense8's imminent series finale special. Fans were actually heard by Netflix in response to Sense8's cancellation. This illustrates just how influential overwhelming love and representation can be. We get one last hurrah of one of the most LGBT-friendly, sex-positive, internationally diverse, ambitious TV shows of the season.

• Speaking of Sense8, for all of The Snowman's embarrassments, it features Jamie Clayton in a role that is not specified to be trans. Which could be read either way - it could happen to be a trans character or it could be a cis character. It's not a huge role, but the visibility of a trans actress in a role unconflicted with her gender identity is exciting when you think about potential opportunities for trans actors in the future.

• Twin Peaks' indulgence in unrestrained artistry the likes of which have never been seen before in television, most notably in the avant-garde masterpiece that is Part 8 - my favorite work of art of the entire year.

• My feelings about mother! aside, Paramount openly stuck by it and defended their choice to produce and support Darren Aronofsky's vision. More studios that trust in their artists, please.

• The growing action showcase of 87Eleven Action Design after a one-two punch this year of John Wick: Chapter Two and Atomic Blonde. 

• Although the circumstances of the reveal might've been unpleasant for those involved, the unmasking of Tobias Forge as the true identity of Papa Emeritus, the mysterious frontman for Swedish heavy metal band Ghost, means I won a bet.

• The video game Cuphead invoking the world of 2D animation and devotion to the medium's history in a brand new sector. Aided by the realization of the fully hand-painted Vincent van Gogh biopic Loving Vincent. They may each have pointed criticisms - "Cuphead is too difficult and Loving Vincent too boring" - but they still stand to be landmarks in animation history. 

• In a time where we are getting more and more used to unfortunate news and revelations of many big names in art, the gracious actions of Ed Skrein and Mandy Patinkin in response to the problems involved in their casting of Hellboy and The Great Comet of 1812 respectively (the latter being a musical I'm VERY thankful for) is a reminder of dignity, self-reflection, and progress in a very important time for those characteristics to be put to practice.

• Robert Hack's gorgeous sepia domestic visual style in the comic series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Sure, it takes a while in between issues but it's always worth the wait. 

• Lena Waithe's Emmy win for writing what looks like an undeniably personal work (and structurally intelligent to boot).

• Okja, the super-pig from Bong Joon-ho's film of the same name, is the absolute cutest and reminds me of my dog (who I am also thankful for on spending most of my October nights laying on my bed watching Vincent Price movies with me).

• Last but not least... Night of the Living Dead - my favorite horror movie and one of my top ten movies of all time - is entering the Criterion collection in exciting 4K after years of living in public domain and being subject to terrible trash home video release. Justice has been served.

Huh... so I guess I have a lot to be thankful of in the end. Including the opportunity to work within film, express my opinion on pop culture on multiple platforms, and have some of the best people to accompany me watching movies I could ask for (who know who they are reading this, including my dog).

So I guess 2017 isn't really that bad. Time to eat. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Salim Garami has never seen a movie before in his life, but he's excited to get to one eventually. He's just here to pretend to be somebody's boyfriend for their Thanksgiving dinner and take a couple of plates of food and Criterions home. You can read more about him and Team Experience here.

Comments

[TheBoyFromBrazil]

Twin Peaks!

Oh, And I am greatfull for Laura Dern on the small screen!

[STinG]

@TheBoyFromBrazil - There was only so much I could drop and list on this post, but Laura Dern's appearances in Twin Peaks (indeed when hasn't she tore down the house in a Lynch work) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi was certainly something I was thankful for deep in my heart.