Peter Murmann

Diary, Politics

From Marx to MAGA

The WSJ published this beautiful essay by Jacob Berger, a professor of philosophy at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Why MAGA Folks Should Read Marx

Today’s conservative populists will find sympathetic ideas about the failings of capitalism in the writings of the great communist philosopher

Books, Fiction

To live

This Chinese novel is deeply moving. The writing is very simple, but it manages to pierce through one’s heart. Set during the Civil War in China, it tells the story of a farmer who gambled away his father’s land and tries to make a living in an increasingly difficult context. First, he is forcefully inducted into the Nationalist army. Then, when the Communists take over, things improve for a while before turning dire. We accompany Fugui throughout his life, starting from his early gambling habits to his marriage and, eventually, his children.

Movies, Drama

Romeo and Julia

Shakespeare wrote his play Romeo and Juliet in 1596. I just learned that there have been at least 30 major motion pictures of the play. I once read that there is a new Romeo and Juliet film every year, but I could not confirm this. In any case, Shakespeare’s genius lies in his ability to find, reshape, and invent stories that resonate with human beings across centuries. My first encounter with Romeo and Juliet in a film was in 1996 when Baz Luhrmann cast young Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio in a modernized version set not in historical Verona, but somewhere in the United States. I remember liking this transposition of the storyline into modern America. I just learned about the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet by the Italian director Franco Zeffirelli because the actress who played Juliet in Zeffirelli’s film (Olivia Hussey) recently passed away.

Movies, Comedy

Sister Act

*Sister Act* is a wonderfully funny film that showcases the acting skills of Whoopi Goldberg, who can pull off comedy solely with her facial expressions. It reminded me of the more recent Pitch Perfect movies, where teenagers compete to be the best a cappella group. Here, it’s a choir of nuns in San Francisco who, until Goldberg arrives, are singing completely out of tune. Whoopi is hiding in the convent because her ex-boyfriend wants to kill her. Now with time on her hands, and after some initial challenges in the convent, she becomes the choir leader with wonderful results. If you enjoy comedy and music, this is a film that will lift your holiday spirits.

Movies, Drama

Seven Years in Tibet

I had seen parts of this epic film starring Brad Pitt before, but I had forgotten most of it. I’ve always been fascinated by the Dalai Lama and have long dreamed of traveling to Tibet, which is what drew me to the movie. The plot is compelling. A group of Austrian mountaineers, including Heinrich Harrer (played by Brad Pitt), sets out to climb a formidable peak in the Himalayas. However, their plans are disrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and the group is captured and imprisoned by the British. After escaping from the internment camp, Harrer and his companion, Peter, journey through Tibet for an extended period. They eventually reach Lhasa, the capital city, where Harrer strikes up an unlikely friendship with the young Dalai Lama.