I usually don't work on Pesach, but everything's a little off-kilter these days.
Actually, we had a seder on Zoom. I must admit I took control, otherwise it seemed like we'd never get started, what with everybody's technical issues. There are those who Zoom every day, and those who've never Zoomed. And telling newbies to move their mouse or finger to the upper right-hand corner to change to Gallery View...that seems to be the hardest part of using the software, and getting people to turn on audio and video to begin with. And despite all the hoopla, Zoom is a flawed service, not because of people bombing in, not because of its lax security, but because there's a delay and you can't have a conversation and people talk over each other. I'd say someone could leapfrog Zoom, but we are living in a different era. Used to be there was new software on a regular basis, evolution, with one company superseding another. But the game of internet musical chairs ended, and you're happy if you can play at all, and if you're not promising instant returns, no one's interested.
Which brings me back to Jack Dorsey and his "donation" to coronavirus.
Actually, the headline is not accurate. Just like that insane story in the L.A. "Times" about Quibi having more downloads than Netflix and Disney+. That was YESTERDAY! And Quibi was new and the other platforms old, in the app stores forever. Speaks to the LAT's credibility. Which reminds me of the "Hollywood Reporter" story, where the editorial director resigned because the owners wanted preferential treatment for themselves and other industry players. You could never believe everything you read, but now it's worse than ever, with Trump having people doubting the truth. It seems like our entire country is in a moral quandary, we're all out for ourselves, we're all out for money, and the values of the nation if not quite reprehensible are certainly questionable. Interestingly, it's those on the lower end of the economic spectrum who give proportionately more to charity, who support others. And speaking of Quibi, the question has shifted completely, it's not whether people will pay for it, but whether the programming is any good. The reviews have been mediocre in a world where we only have time for great, and one criticism is that there's no innovation, it's just like cut up TV, but what did you expect from Jeffrey Katzenberg? This is what's wrong with Hollywood, superseded in wealth and influence by the techies, they all want to be techies, when their skills lie elsewhere. And you've got to blow up the system to create something new and desirable, so people are more interested in the free TikTok than they are in Quibi. Also, today's world is all about creating yourself as opposed to watching passively.
Anyway, Jack Dorsey put some Square stock in an LLC, which he controls. Watch the Hasan Minhaj episode on Zuckerberg doing the same thing to see the flaws. ("Why Billionaires Won't Save Us": bit.ly/2Vf1Xv5)
So, the funny thing is I'm busier than ever. With no interruptions, no downtime driving in my car, never mind appointments.
But I do try to make time for Netflix series and books.
And last night we watched "Unorthodox."
There was a review in the "New York Times" a week or two ago, it was intriguing, but I wasn't sure if Felice would be interested, but after finishing the last season of "Money Heist," I pulled it up.
Wow!
I thought it was a documentary. It's not. I knew it was based on a book, but a re-creation wasn't that appealing until I saw Shira Haas.
Shira Haas plays Esty, who leaves her Hasidic life.
These communities are getting more press, more than just Jews are aware of them now. They move into towns and take control and the old residents are pissed about it. I just read a book about it. And there are issues of education and health and finances and...
Jews know all about this. Does everybody else?
Also, many Jews say that these Hasidim are giving Judaism a bad name. But that's not how the Hasidim see it, they believe they're replacing the six million lost, actually Esty references this in the show.
I know someone whose son joined one of these communities, which many might call a cult. It was an arranged marriage, the girl was very young, twenty. And she was uneducated. That's another feature of these communities, the men study the Talmud and the women have babies and run the house. Many babies, many many babies.
So, Esty leaves the Hasidim behind.
Simple concept, but Shira Haas shows the fear and the amazement on her face. She doesn't know how to use a computer. Most men can't have smartphones.
Now the truth is cults are appealing. You're not alone, there's always someone to look after you, care about you. However, many are run by a charismatic leader who is devious. Can we call religious leaders devious? I'll leave that up to you.
So, in this series you're exposed to the community, and you learn about the struggle. To be a member and not be a member.
Now when you finish the four episodes, be sure to hang in there for the documentary, about the "making of." The actors, the shooting in Berlin, there are so many issues concerning life today, appealing even if you are not Jewish.
Now after watching the first episode two nights ago, I wanted to run to my computer and tell you about it. But then I had qualms, I was afraid the rest might not be quite as good.
I should have written two nights ago.
I was shocked. It's nearly impossible to get your mind off the coronavirus and its penumbra. Even when you watch TV it's still there in the back of your mind. But when you watch "Unorthodox," you're immediately thrust into a different world, where much of what concerns you does not matter. You are immediately drawn in, like a great movie.
And the truth is "Unorthodox" is a movie, just twice as long. Watch the cinematographer in the "making of," and the set designer and the costumer. They're quality people taking their jobs very seriously. And since the show is on TV many people will see it, as opposed to being a film playing in festivals and maybe getting theatrical distribution that usually fails, especially now, when the theatres are closed.
If you're looking for escapism, "Unorthodox" is the way to go. And it'll have you questioning your own values, and isn't that what art is all about?
P.S. Right now on Rotten Tomatoes "Unorthodox" has a 92 from the critics and a 91 from the audience.
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