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Umberto D, produced in Italy in 1952, is often cited as the last film produced in the post-war Italian neo-realist style. Shot on a very small scale, with a tiny rostrum of mostly unnamed characters (man in hospital, landlady, sister, voice of light), it’s the sad but ever-hopeful story of a destitute retiree whose only claim in this world is his dog, Flick.
Director Vittoria de Sica (who directed The Bicycle Thief) has crafted something akin to a “found film” in that the actors are almost exclusively amateurs, the sets whatever was available on the streets of Roma, with large portions of the story dedicated to simply observing the daily routines of the characters who inhabit this film.
This powerful narrative has universal application, regardless of period or cultural setting. The loneliness of the aged and their marginalisation in society is still a problem in affluent industrial countries, regardless of social welfare and political paternalism. Perhaps this is a mechanism of Nature, although the film certainly seems to place the blame for Umberto’s plight on the Italian government.
Umberto is a man who is determined to lead the last few years of his life with dignity, but who is assailed by a society that, if not hostile, is at best, uncaring. While Umberto scrambles to find a way to avoid being evicted from his one-room suite, we observe how difficult it is for a man in such a trying situation to retain dignity and hope.
For long stretches of the film we simply observe people walking down streets, playing in parks, working in the kitchen, and witness how they sometimes can be ground down by life. Umberto is no exception, as everything in his life has been, as we might say in modern parlance, “downsized”. He appears to have neither friends nor family, neither work nor money, and soon he will no longer have a home. Consequently, it makes perverse sense that even his name is downsized; he is no longer Umberto Domenico Ferrari, but simply Umberto D.
There are a number of notable scenes, including the scene at the Animal Pound when Umberto recovers Flick and saves the hapless mongrel from certain death, and the stunning attempted suicide at the climax. In a final attempt at solving his dilemma, Umberto tries to give Flick away to a little girl who is playing in the park but her young, vital parents intervene, refusing the offer. Umberto tries to walk away, crosses a bridge; but Flick follows, finds him by the tracks, jumps into his arms. The train whistle howls, the express blows past as man and dog are bisected in shadow and light, as if framed in transition between this world and the next. It’s a brilliantly conceived and executed piece of film, one of the greatest sequences ever, anywhere.
The dog escapes and Umberto totters back over the footbridge into the park where he finds Flick hiding behind a tree, suspicious of his master’s intentions. But Umberto lures the dog out with a familiar routine and the film ends with the man and his dog gambolling into the distance as if happily reconciled to each other and their very uncertain fate.
Umberto D courageously and magnificently champions the life of an apparently insignificant man in a difficult time.
Source: www.culturecourt.com
Here are some historical facts about India.
India was the richest country on earth till the British invasion in the 17th century.
India has never invaded any country in her last 10,000 year history.
India invented the Number System. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.
The world’s first university was established in Takshila in 700BC. More than 10,000 students from all over the world studied over 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda, built in the 4th century BC, was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
Sanskrit is the mother of all European languages. Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software (report in Forbes magazine, July 1987).
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to man. Charaka, the father of medicine, consolidated Ayurveda 2,500 years ago.
The art of navigation was born in the River Sindh 6000 years ago. The very word, “navigation,” is derived from the Sanskrit word, “Navgatih”. The word, “navy,” is also derived from the Sanskrit word, “Nou.”
In the 5th century, Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. By Baskaracharya’s calculations, the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun is 365.258756484 days.
The value of pi was first calculated by Budhayana. He also explained the concept of what is now known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.
Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were developed by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 10 to the power of 6 whereas Indians used numbers as big as 10 to the power of 53 with specific names for these numbers as early as 5000 BC during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest used number is Tera, 10 to the power of 12.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, until 1896 India was the only source of diamonds in the world.
USA-based IEEE has proved what has been a century-old suspicion in the world scientific community, that the pioneer of wireless communication was Professor Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra, Gujarat in Western India. According to Saka King Rudradaman I of 150BC, a beautiful lake called “Sudarshana” was constructed on the hills of Raivataka during Chandragupta Maurya’s time.
Chess (Shataranj or Ashtapada) was invented in India.
Sushruta, an Indian, is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgical procedures. These included Caesareans, cataract surgery, development of artificial limbs, mending fractures, removing urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical implements were used. A deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, aetiology, embryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics and immunity is also found in many texts.
When many cultural groups were nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established the Harappan culture in the Sidhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilisation).
The place value system, the decimal system, was developed in India in 100 BC.
Deepak Kumar
Sahaj Music and Dance programs are being held in Madrid, Spain, once or twice a month. They are usually held in the public cultural city centres.
The programs usually follow a similar schedule. A short introduction is followed by bajhans (songs of praise) with a brief explanation about the energy or Deity invoked in each bajhan.
This is followed by giving Self-realisation. After a short introduction there is a guided meditation using music to awaken the seven chakras. For each chakra, everyone joins in singing the “Om” sound, accompanied by the corresonding musical note. The “Om” sound helps to make people more aware of each chakra and helps them in becoming thoughtlessly aware.
After this, the dancers arrive. They present some Indian dances representing a mythological story or invoking a particular energy or Deity. This also helps people to get into the central channel. This is followed by more bajhans.
After the programs, some people commented that they had a clear feeling of vibrations and a change of state.
From Roberto, Spain
We can all do with less stress in our lives. Sahaja Yoga meditation is very easy to learn and is offered free of charge. You’re welcome to join us to experience the peace it can offer.
What is Meditation? Meditation is best understood as a state of “mental silence” in which one is fully alert and aware but free from the unnecessary thoughts or worries that lead to many of life’s daily stresses. This state of silence occurs spontaneously when one learns how to focus on the experience of the present moment, leading to a state of peace and calm. Through a simple process, known as Self-realisation (Kundalini awakening) this meditation state can be quickly established, maintained and, most importantly, enjoyed!
About Sahaja Yoga Meditation: Sahaja Yoga is a method of meditation which brings a breakthrough in showing how to achieve “thoughtless awareness”. It was founded by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi in 1970 and has now spread worldwide. As the potential to find peace inside and experience the true Self is innate in every human being, it cannot become the commodity of any business and cannot be paid for. Shri Mataji states “We cannot pay for our spiritual evolution.” Sahaja Yoga classes are free.
“Man in his search for joy and happiness is running away from the Self, which is the real source of joy… now a method has been found to tap the Divine power.”
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Nobel Peace Prize nomination: When Shri Mataji was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Claes Nobel, Chairman of the United Earth Organisation, declared, “Shri Mataji’s discovery brings genuine hope to humanity.”
How can it be free? People who have experienced its benefit show others how to meditate. It’s that simple. Whether in the public, community or business sectors, Sahaja Yoga meditation is available without cost to the general public and to many schools, universities, hospitals, community centres, immigration detention centres and major corporations.
Our weekly meetings show you how to experience true meditation. You will also learn how to meditate at home and how to keep in balance. The techniques are easy to learn and practise. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. You can join in at any time – just come along. No prior knowledge is necessary; everything is explained.
What to expect: 1-1½ hr meetings with practical sessions, video talks by Shri Mataji and guided collective meditations to enjoy, in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s meditation based, not “exercise” yoga. No postures or special clothing are required and chairs are provided.
To attend: If you are interested in learning how to enjoy the peace of meditation, come along. Sahaja Yoga weekly meetings are offered free of charge, throughout Australia and the world.
Details:
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Find a list of our free weekly meetings here.
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To be notified of workshops, news and events subscribe here.
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More about Sahaja Yoga meditation (our Australian site)
Best wishes
The Sahaja Yoga Collective of Australia