Global Culture

“If you want to be understood… listen”

This how a very powerful trailer anticipates one of the best movies of the year, Babel from Mexican director Alejandro Gonz√°lez I√±√°rritu. Watch the trailer and then come back to read some of my previous posts such as “culture migration” or “guy-from-the-train”. They will make more sense.

Culture transfer is hardly more evident anywhere else than in an International Film Festival. For a few days a window opens to show us the world, whether it is the real thing or the thing that creators dream of, it is the world outside of our usual context. For me it has been the Toronto International Film Festival for the last few years. On purpose, I try to avoid the blockbusters and their fancy galas in lieu of maximizing exposure to the foreign films that won’t have another opportunity in the city. This year, however, “Babel” will be the exception to that rule.