Monday, June 06, 2011

A little gallows humour, the intro

I have been focusing on some of the really sad and difficult issues related to the continuing problems at the damaged nuclear power plant in Fukushima. I have been struggling with my feelings and trying to find a balance between filmmaker and activist (I am a filmmaker) and my public vs. private life.

Going through the footage (so much of which is frustrating/ sad/ unbelievable) I have found a few really funny moments... no doubt I will be leaving myself open for criticism about how inappropriate it is to laugh at a time like this. I will soon be posting a series of 'funny moments' that won't be making it into the film, but nonetheless will provide some needed respite from all the evils of the world.

We can still smile.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that is one of the gifts to humanity, our ability to laugh and celebrate life in dark times. I just 'found' your you tube vids a few days ago and very much appreciate them. I know "thanks" coming from me doesn't mean much, but I'm glad there are people like you who have big hearts and the will to use them.

Joe said...

I think that when we try and make something so serious, and remove all laughter, we are doing ourselves a disservice. In times like these it's almost needed to laugh at some things, otherwise we just see all the bad things and end up in a downward spiral that leads to depression and angst.

I look forward to the funny stuff.

Ian Thomas Ash said...

Thanks, Joe! I have just finished editing the first "gallows humour". According to Wikipedia(!), this type of humour "still manages to be funny in the face of, and in response to, a perfectly hopeless situation."

Yep, this would sum it up.

The tsunami has taken away so much. But it hasn't taken away our ability to laugh.