Admiration, horror and sunlit cherry trees
Can one even call presence in 2025 without commenting on 'Adolescence'?
THINK. Whether you are a culture eater (me), a film critic with a diploma (also me), a concerned parent (yes, me too) or a self-educated life coach (yeah...), you must simply watch the series. Sit at the edge of your sit and ingest every detail. And then think. A lot.
It is difficult to witness how people's lives collapse in slow motion. Not a documentary by any means and not based on true events (?), 'Adolescence' stitches together a patchwork of experiences that we hear about every day in media, social media or in our social circles. Loneliness, misogyny, bullying (cyber and IRL), screen addiction or seemingly unsolvable generational differences. It all rings true, yet we calm ourselves with a thought there is a transparent, but solid wall between us and that world.
Well, there is no wall.
A lot has been said about the cinematography - single, one hour long take, following characters through interactions and location changes. A true masterpiece from the perspective of film-making art. What struck me though was how immersed and believable the actors have been. Living through the emotions of their characters to the point of becoming them.
'I think it is okay for us to think we should have done more' says the mother, trying to reconcile the guilt and despair at their post-innocence moment. The horror of losing her son to a set of beliefs that led to the killing is undeniably linked to the current concepts of masculinity. The online gurus of manosphere are preying on lost boys, shaping their beliefs and behaviors by providing simple explanations behind the complex, societal processes. Like in any polarizing movement, it becomes a story of 'us and them', creating zero sum game of the dominating and the dominated. It not only leads to encouragement of bad behaviors, but it provides upfront grace for lack of empathy, respect, and manners.
I cannot help but notice how polarized masculinity has become in the recent decade or so - it tends to either be 'toxic', or 'feminine-like'. Like there was no middle ground, no positive masculinity mode. What does it mean to be a man today?
FEEL. I think about autism not only on World Autism Day. Both my children have friends who are autistic. When you think about it and are paying attention, there are traces of neurodivergence in many people we interact every day.
Important to repeat that autism is not a mental illness; it is a neurodevelopmental condition. Thankfully (or hopefully), we are past the stigma. People with autism are becoming increasingly more integrated in schools, places of work or public spaces. But as much as they strive to self-regulate, so should the rest of us.
I deeply admire caregivers, who decide to dedicate their resources - energy, dedication, patience, funds - to create conditions to not only get by, but thrive and unearth the inspiring talents of autistic people. In the noisy, fast world we are living in, it becomes a counter course, but the one worth the fight. Truly heroic. It is very humbling to talk to them and realize how much they tend to notice, how thoughtful and empathetic they are. Nearly as if they could slow down time and focus on the really important bits.
To all the heroes out there - you know who you are - keep on inspiring.
DO. Remember spontaneity? Rings the bell? How it helps you see things in a different light?
I was recently in London for an overnight stay. Busy days in a high-paced business tend to look all the same. What was my recipe to break the routine? Left the office 6:45pm after a long day. Did quick research on my phone while walking. Boarded London underground train 7:05pm. Got to the theatre 7:20pm. No luggage allowed in! Found luggage storage 5 minutes later at nearby station. Queued at the box office to buy a ticket. Sat in the audience and enjoyed 'Wicked. The Musical' at 7:35pm. This is an experience I will keep in mind for long. Feeling decisive, bold, energetic, deserving of fun.
To top it up, how do you turn accommodation hiccup into a positive experience? Find a decent-enough place to stay that is well connected with where you need to be the next morning but also located near a running or walking route. In my case, booking a hotel near Hyde Park allowed me to enjoy early morning run in the sun, and gather energy and momentum for the day. Made lemonade of lemons! Topped up with cherry trees in bloom.
With my wife's birthday coming at pace, I have some planning and preparation to do. We have been discovering how putting experiences ahead of a clutter of stuff creates sense of uniqueness. This is what I am aiming for. When I am successful, you will most certainly see a scenic photo or two in July!
