Page 6 August 23, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Entertainment
The Remarkable My Gentle Barn
By Roz Templin, Library Assistant,
El Segundo Public Library
One day someone may ask you, “What book
made the biggest impact on you?” This week,
I will tell you about a book that has educated
me, a book that has made me start dreaming
big dreams again, a book that has validated
my hope that there are still good people in the
world. It is a book that is so many things in
one small package.
Reading Ellie Laks’ story is alternately happy,
sad, touching and motivating. I identified with
much of her description about her special relationships
with animals. I was lucky enough
to have many pets throughout my childhood
in Ohio and a mother who shared my love of
animals. But Ellie wasn’t so fortunate when
she was growing up. Her parents were either
indifferent to her pets and animals in general,
or at times actually full of contempt for their
daughter and the animals. “Ellie, stop your
nonsense. They’re just animals,” her mother
would chide her after she would come home
to find her dog, her duck and her rabbits gone.
Ellie says that she always felt like a misunderstood
outsider with other people. She didn’t
relate as well to other humans as she did to
animals. She especially felt she had a calling
to rescue and heal abused animals. She was
lonely and was alone. Ellie at one time even
contemplated suicide. She became addicted to
drugs and reached a very low point in her young
adult years. After experiencing an epiphany
about her current degradation, she was able to
find help and climb out of the abyss.
My Gentle Barn is more than her life story:
that part is just the foundation. The real substance
is that of her all-encompassing compassion
for animals facing death in shelters, farms,
slaughterhouses and animal hoarders’ homes.
Ellie and her family were able to start a charity
that actively rescues and heals sick and
hopeless animals. By opening up her farm to
the public, she has found a dual mission healing
abused and at-risk children who visit her
“Gentle Barn.” By introducing and telling each
animal resident’s particular story to these kids,
Ellie and her team of staff and volunteers can
reach children who have closed down or are
acting out or headed toward a life of crime.
It hasn’t been easy establishing this entity.
Ellie writes in sometimes excruciating detail
of sacrifice, loss, financial hardship and times
when she has felt like giving up. She tells of
the neglect and horror the animals endured
before finding a haven on her land. She reveals
that she felt that she had been an inadequate
mother to her own children while she grew
her business. But every time she was knocked
down, a “miracle” would happen. Like angry
and defiant Ethan, a member of an at-risk youth
group that was visiting the Gentle Barn. Ethan
was in the back of the group and refused to
come closer to hear the stories of the formerly
abused animals. But then Ellie told the tale
of Bonsai, the miniature horse that had been
mistreated by an alcoholic owner. Ethan perked
up and asked for the story to be repeated.
Again. And again. Finally, he asked to meet
Bonsai. As he wrapped his arms around the
little horse’s neck he murmured, “It’s gonna
be all right, you’re gonna be OK.”
Through laughter and (many) tears, this book
has had a big impact on me and I recommend
that you give it a chance to do the same for
you. The original Gentle Barn (there are now
four) is located in Santa Clarita and you can
find it online at https://www.gentlebarn.org/
or on Facebook.
Let us show you the newest arrivals and
inform you of our upcoming programming.
Our library staff is committed to assisting you
locate the finest in reading and entertainment. •
Check It Out
My Gentle Barn by Ellie Laks.
Roz Templin.
Watch Ed Sheeran Create His Most
Personal Work in Songwriter
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
Ed Sheeran fans rejoice: the English
singer-songwriter is getting candid by inviting
viewers to take an intimate look into his artistic
process in the documentary, Songwriter.
Directed by his cousin, Murray Cummings,
the documentary follows Sheeran throughout
the creation of his chart-topping album
“÷” (divide) which, after just one week
on sale, became the biggest-selling album
of 2017. From early jam sessions in his tour
van to brainstorming lyrics and chords with
friends in Malibu, Songwriter is the ultimate
film for Sheeran groupies, music fans and
anyone pursuing a creative passion.
Ed Sheeran is more than just a talented
singer – that we know. His songs have found
their way on to multiple “Best Of” lists and
his last record, “x” (multiply), earned him
his first number one spot on the Billboard
200. But what sets him apart from others in
the industry -- besides his shaggy red hair
and colorful tattoos -- is the authenticity in
his music and his poetic way with words.
Sheeran is involved in writing all of his
own songs. It’s a process that is taxing yet
ultimately rewarding and fascinating to see
play out on the big screen.
The phrase “it takes a village” is at the
core of Sheeran’s success, and the film
does a fantastic job of showing how much
he values and depends on collaboration and
input from his creative team, which includes
musician Foy Vance, producer Benny Blanco
and his brother Matthew, among other singersongwriters.
Seeing (and hearing) their ideas
bouncing around the room gives off a vibe
of infectious happiness and an “anything is
possible” attitude. Much like the Showtime
documentary, Lost Songs: The Basement
Tapes Continued, Songwriter is an equally
powerful look into the writing and recording
process that is neither as glamorous nor as
easy as one may think.
Director Murray Cummings incorporates
archival footage from Ed’s younger days
that shows just how far back his passion
for music goes. We see him learning how
to play multiple instruments, get a glimpse
into his family home life, and revisit his high
school days. Seeing Sheeran’s determination
and grit to get to where he is today will only
gain him more respect as an artist.
Songwriter plays also like a private acoustic
concert for an hour and a half. Sheeran’s
talent is undeniable -- even when dressed in
a green t-shirt, blue plaid pajama pants and
fuzzy moccasins. His soothing and uplifting
voice is always on point, a juxtaposition
that makes for some (perhaps unintentionally)
funny moments.
I personally will never tire of music
documentaries, and Songwriter is a beautifully
composed and inspiring addition to
this genre. Fun fact: at one point Sheeran
admits that this is the first time he has ever
written a song on camera -- an act that typically
leaves him feeling self-conscious. Songwriter
made its North American premiere
in the Documentary Spotlight category at
the Tribeca Film Festival, and just before
the screening, was acquired by Apple in a
seven-figure deal for worldwide distribution.
Above all else, Sheeran shows that his story
is just getting started, which should excite
fans everywhere.
Songwriter is not rated. 84 minutes. Opening
this Friday at ArcLight Hollywood and
streaming exclusively on Apple Music on
August 28. •
Film Review
Morgan Rojas.
Songwriter, Courtesy of Abramorama.
“Music is a powerful tool in
galvanizing people around an issue.
There’s no better way to get your point
across than to put it in a beautiful song.”
– Ed Sheeran
El Segundo Herald* • Hawthorne Press Tribune*
Inglewood Daily News* • Lawndale News*
EL SEGUNDO OFFICE • 500 Center St. • El Segundo • CA • 90245
Phone: (310) 322-1830 • Fax: (310) 322-2787 • www.heraldpublications.com
*Our papers are legally recognized and adjudicated newspapers of general circulation
Staff and Departments
Editor-in-Chief: Heidi Maerker
Classifieds: Clara Nilles • class@heraldpublications.com
DBA: Debbie Waite • dba@heraldpublications.com • For Fictitious Business Name (DBAs) filings
Graphic Design: Michael Gonzales • ads@heraldpublications.com
Legals: Debbie Waite • legalnotices@heraldpublications.com
Letters to the Editor: letters@heraldpublications.com
Marketing: Debbie Waite • marketing@heraldpublications.com
Press Releases: pr@heraldpublications.com
For press releases, Herald In travel photos and general photos
Real Estate: Clara Nilles • graphics@heraldpublications.com • For new realtors, contracts, ads
Website contact: web@heraldpublications.com
For comments or announcements (weddings, engagements, obituaries)
Contributing Writers: Haleemon Anderson, Derrick Deane,TerriAnn Ferren, Greg McMullin, Duane Plank,
Adam Serrao, Brian Simon, Cristian Vasquez