Tag: #storytelling

Parasite – The Brilliance of Bong

Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up! It’s uncomfortable counting the minutes because the hours, days, years just don’t seem to be enough.

There’s SO much left to do. People to meet, projects to finish, films to watch. Who knew that the Academy Award-winning film, “Parasite” would be voted the best picture not only of 2019 but also in my humble opinion, of all time?

Humanity is full on in “Parasite” as we watch the two families, the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim family, swerve, collide, back up, only to do the “dance” again and again.                                                                       

“You’re not good enough. You’re not smart enough. You’re not like me,” They tell him, with that extra little jab and twist. Sometimes you start believing Them instead of believing yourself. It happens when you lose your livelihood, your faith, and your self-respect. It happens in a heartbeat. and it happens to us all … and more than once. Survival means focusing on today, the present, because tomorrow may never come. “Survival of the fittest” takes on a new meaning after adversity strikes. Your world suddenly shrinks and fits on a pinhead – shelter and food first. The Kims know it all too well.

Mr. Kim’s ability to feed his family defined his self-worth as he tried to perfect the art of folding pizza boxes. The Wealthy Parks turned their noses up, complaining about “The Smell”, the smell of poverty, the smell of Mr. Kim, so offensive to The Wealthy Parks.  This constant shredding of dignity in front of Mr. Kim is visceral and unrelenting right up until the end of the film when you shall see what remains.

It reminded me of the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s song “Big Yellow Taxi” – “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” But I won’t spoil it for you. Just know the “Brilliance of Bong” shone brightly. You may need your sunglasses. And you won’t be disappointed.

On Meeting Malcolm @Gladwell

Being in nature sure has its benefits. We early birds, 1,400 in total, were treated to brilliant storytelling by University of Toronto alumni, Malcolm Gladwell, at Convocation Hall as part of the Big Speakers Series hosted by Rotman School of Management on October 1, 2019 at 8:00am. Heather Reisman, CEO Indigo, also got up early to interview him.

Malcolm Gladwell new book Talking to Strangers
Malcolm Gladwell University of Toronto Rotman School of Mgt Oct 1, 2019

However signing 1,400 copies of his new book “Talking to Strangers” would have been daunting but we still had our copy unsigned in hand. And of course, we had our talk.

As I exited Convo Hall, I revelled in the beautiful morning light wishing I had my DSLR camera. I chose the longer, leafier route along King’s College Circle en route to the subway.

Then I spotted him, slipping out the back door! People nodded politely and he nodded back. But no nodding for me! I quickly scurried from behind and shouted, “Malcolm!” I was loud and clear. So loud and clear with my big booming voice.

He stopped. I smiled. I asked. “Would you please sign your book for me?” We walked. He asked my name… no time for a senior moment. He scribbled.

In the next 20 seconds, I told him I quoted him often about rapid cognition from his book, “Blink – The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” in my networking workshops which I teach at U of T School of Continuing Studies.

He grinned. I thanked. We parted. “Have a nice day!” And then I said, “Damn, I should have called you “Mr. Malcolm errrr … Mr. Gladwell”. He grinned again and walked away, disappearing into the still beautiful morning light.