Spanish Cinema Week - Three steps above heaven

A couple days ago in Gdańsk ended the 13^th edition of Spanish Cinema Week, the biggest review of Spanish cinema in the world. In Poland Spanish pictures are very popular what is confirmed by frequency, increasing every year. This time in the festival took part 15 000 of spectators! 

All the films were divided into three categories. The most important group was Contemporary Spanish Movies. Here we could find the most interesting titles of the last two years. Another categories were Contemporary Galician Movies and Documents, with a woman as the main character.

Spectators had an opportunity to watch seventeen pictures. Fifteen of them were released for the first time in our country. It's worth mentioning that all movies were appreciated by Spanish audience and during international festivals.

Unfortunately, I wish I could have watched only three films. In upcoming posts I'd like to share with you my opinion about them.

Let's start chronogically, from Three steps above heaven. Some friends of mine were impressed with this movie. Although I was sceptically-minded, I decided to watch it; in general, I'm not used to criticizing anything which is unknown to me.

The main plot is about two young people who belong to totally different worlds. Babi (María Valverde) is a model student, whereas Hache (starring Mario Casas, a teen idol) is a rebellious boy who loves risk, fights and illegal motorbike races. Despite many obstacles, they fall in love with each other. Consequently, we receive a contemporary love story of Romeo and Juliet. The story which is based on a novel of Federico Moccia and which is a remake of an Italian movie under the same title.

To be honest, Three steps above heaven, a typical tear-jerker, was full of mawkish sentiment and cliches. Furthermore, many scenes and dialogues seemed fishy. The performance of the actors, in particular María Valverde, Cristina Plazas and Jordi Bosch (Babi's parents), neither was natural nor convincing. I think this movie is rather perfect for audience from junior high school, grown-up spectators can feel embarassed. Therefore, I really regret spending my money on this film and wasting almost 2 hours in the cinema...

What cartoon character are you?

Yesterday I heard that because of my new haircut I look like Blossom, one of The Powerpuff Girls. What an interesting idea! :D 

 

Blossom is often seen as a leader of the group and the most beautiful of the Girls. Her particular ingredient is "everything nice". That’s why Ms. Keane (a kindergarten teacher) considers her a model student. As for personality, she is also the most reasonable, the strongest and the most determined of the group. She likes reading books, she’s interested in fashion and make-up too.

Well… Everything fits me like a glove but on the other hand, it doesn’t tally with the quiz that I did for fun (I came up with Tweety) :D

And what cartoon character are you? Check it out here: http://www.jeeze.com/funstuff/cartoonquiz/

What about... train surfing?

Everybody knows what windsurfing or kitesurfing are. Maybe someone has practiced one of these extreme sports. But have you ever heard about train surfing? I read about it a couple months ago, and as our topics are taking risks, extreme activities, etc.,
I decided to describe it.

So, what exactly is train surfing? It’s, no doubt, an illegal sport which consists of climbing and ‘surfing’ on the top of moving train. This sport was made popular about 20 years ago in Germany, where was called ‘S-Bahn surfing’. Then people forgot about it, but train surfing came back in 2005 with the German gang. The leader of the group surfed on the InterCityExpress, the fastest train in this country.

Train surfing in Russia

However, train surfing is a common way to travel in the highest populated countries, e. g. China, India, Indonesia (or in Poland, during the Christmas holidays)... There’s no other possibility to ride in overcrowded vehicle. 

A crowded train in Bangladesh

On the other hand, this ‘sport’ can be practiced anywhere. Especially, if it’s your extreme hobby or if you just don’t want to pay for a ticket ;)

Apart from adrenaline rush and free ride, people who practice train surfing say that this type of travelling has advantages, such as an “enjoyment of riding or extended view of surrounding area in comparison with the view from a window inside the train”.

Well, interesting observations. If I have an opportunity to try train surfing, I’ll do it (but only in the country where landscapes are beautiful and trains ride slowly :D). And how about you?

Here’s a video which inspired me too to write about this crazy activity. Be careful, at the beginning it’s a bit annoying, but as you listen it, you’ll be hypnotized :D

Train surfing - Bollywood style